A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

From some of these the sinner is recoverable by Grace, from some of them he is not, at least ordinarily, but is inevitably bound over to the Judgement of the great day. But the last Degree is such as men ought to tremble at, who have the least care for, or love unto their immortal Souls. For whatever issue of things God may have provided in the purpose of his Grace, the Danger unto us is inexpressible. And there neither is nor can be unto any, the least Evidence, Token, or Hope that God designs them any Relief, whilst themselves are careless and negligent in the use of means for their own deliverance. It may therefore be enquired by what sort of sins this condition may be known in more strict Professors than the common sort of Christians in the world, and how their Barrenness under the Gospel may be discovered thereby, as the Cause by its Effects and inseparable consequents. I shall therefore name some of those sins and ways with respect whereunto such Persons ought to be exceeding jealous over themselves. As (1) An Indulgence unto some secret, pleasant, or profitable Lust or Sin, with an Allowance of themselves therein. That this may befall such persons, we have too open Evidence in the frequent Eruptions and Discoveries of such Evils in sundry of them. Some through a long continuance in a course of the practice of private sins, are either surprised into such Acts and Works of it as are made public whether they will or no, being hardened in them do turn off to their avowed Practice. Some under Terrors of mind from God, fierce Reflections of Conscience, especially in great Afflictions and Probabilities of Death, do voluntarily acknowledge the secret Evils of their Hearts and Lives. And some by strange and unexpected Providences, God brings to Light, discovering the hidden works of Darkness wherein men have taken delight. Such things therefore there may be amongst them who make a more than ordinary Profession in the world. For there are or may be Hypocrites among them, Vessels in the House of God of Wood and Stone. And some who are sincere and upright may yet be long captivated under the power of their Corruptions and Temptations. And for the sake of such it is principally that this warning is designed. Take heed lest there be in any of you a growing secret Lust or Sin wherein you indulge your selves, or which you approve.

From some of these the sinner is recoverable by Grace, from some of them he is not, at least ordinarily, but is inevitably bound over to the Judgement of the great day. But the last Degree is such as men ought to tremble at, who have the least care for, or love unto their immortal Souls. For whatever issue of things God may have provided in the purpose of his Grace, the Danger unto us is inexpressible. And there neither is nor can be unto any, the least Evidence, Token, or Hope that God designs them any Relief, whilst themselves are careless and negligent in the use of means for their own deliverance. It may therefore be enquired by what sort of sins this condition may be known in more strict Professors than the common sort of Christians in the world, and how their Barrenness under the Gospel may be discovered thereby, as the Cause by its Effects and inseparable consequents. I shall therefore name some of those sins and ways with respect whereunto such Persons ought to be exceeding jealous over themselves. As (1) An Indulgence unto some secret, pleasant, or profitable Lust or Sin, with an Allowance of themselves therein. That this may befall such persons, we have too open Evidence in the frequent Eruptions and Discoveries of such Evils in sundry of them. Some through a long continuance in a course of the practice of private sins, are either surprised into such Acts and Works of it as are made publick whether they will or no, being hardened in them do turn off to their avowed Practice. Some under Terrors of mind from God, fierce Reflections of Conscience, especially in great Afflictions and Probabilities of Death, do voluntarily acknowledge the secret Evils of their Hearts and Lives. And some by strange and unexpected Providences, God brings to Light, discovering the hidden works of Darkness wherein men have taken delight. Such things therefore there may be amongst them who make a more than ordinary Profession in the world. For there are or may be Hypocrites among them, Vessels in the House of God of Wood and Stone. And some who are sincere and upright may yet be long captivated under the power of their Corruptions and Temptations. And for the sake of such it is principally that this warning is designed. Take heed lest there be in any of you a growing secret Lust or Sin wherein you indulge your selves, or which you approve.