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

Further to clear up this whole matter, it may be enquired what are those Degrees in Spiritual Judgements whereby God doth ordinarily proceed against barren Professors, which are here intimated in general. And (1) In such cases God doth usually restrain the Influence of mens Light upon their own Consciences and Affections. Their Light and Knowledge which they have attained may in their Notions remain with them, but they are not at all affected with what they know, or guided by it as unto their practice. There is a time when Light and Knowledge not improved, do lose all their efficacy. God suffers such an interposition to be made between it and their Consciences by the acting and pride of their Lusts, that it is of ⟨p. 84⟩no use unto them. Whereas formerly under their Convictions, every thing they knew of the Mind of God or the Gospel pressed on them to endeavour after some conformity unto it, now it hath no power upon them, but only floats in their Fancies and Memories. And this we see accomplished every day. Men under a barren Apostatizing state, do yet retain some of their Light and Notions of Truth, which they are sensible of no power from, nor have any use of, unless it be to enable them to be the greater scoffers and deriders of others. Now although this comes to pass through their own sin and lusts as the immediate cause of it, yet it is a Spiritual Judgement of God also upon them for their sins. For he with-holdeth all the working of his Spirit in and by that Light which alone renders it effectual. His Spirit shall not strive any more therein, and then it is easy for them to rebel against the Light they have, as he speaks Job 24. 13. And let all men hence take heed, when they begin to find, that their Light and Convictions from the Word have not the same Power with them and Efficacy upon them as formerly they have had. For it is greatly to be feared lest it be a beginning of Gods displeasure upon them: See Hos. 9. 12.

Further to clear up this whole matter, it may be enquired what are those Degrees in Spiritual Judgements whereby God doth ordinarily proceed against barren Professors, which are here intimated in general. And (1) In such cases God doth usually restrain the Influence of mens Light upon their own Consciences and Affections. Their Light and Knowledge which they have attained may in their Notions remain with them, but they are not at all affected with what they know, or guided by it as unto their practice. There is a time when Light and Knowledge not improved, do lose all their efficacy. God suffers such an interposition to be made between it and their Consciences by the acting and pride of their Lusts, that it is of