Sun-beams of gospel-light shining clearly from several texts of Scripture, opened and applied. 1.…Sun-beams of gospel-light shining clearly from severall texts of Scripture, opened and applyed. 1.…

Sixthly and lastly, because all his actions will have an evil tincture from that his sin; it so swayeth all he doth, that nothing is currant in Gods sight. As if a man were set to get honour, though he did not directly fall into that sin, yet he squareth all his actions that way, he affecteth such persons as may further that his intent, so that sin leaveneth every action of his; and whensoever any act of religion opposeth him, he then forsaketh all: as if a man have a project to get a harvest that ⟨p. 8⟩is not yet come, all that he doth, is for that end, he ploweth, soweth, and the like; so it is with a man that hath a sin, and resolves to follow it, he biaseth all his actions by that, therefore God abhors him and all that he doth.

Sixthly and lastly, because all his actions will have an evill tincture from that his sinne; it so swayeth all he doth, that nothing is currant in Gods sight. As if a man were set to get honour, though he did not directly fall into that sinne, yet hee squareth all his actions that way, hee affecteth such persons as may further that his intent, so that sinne leaveneth every action of his; and whensoever any act of religion opposeth him, he then forsaketh all: as if a man have a project to get a harvest that ⟨p. 8⟩is not yet come, all that hee doth, is for that end, hee ploweth, soweth, and the like; so it is with a man that hath a sinne, and resolves to follow it, hee byasseth all his actions by that, therefore God abhorres him and all that he doth.

First, this is to try us: hereby every man may ¹know whether he be in the state of grace or no. If he lies in the least known sin that is, he is but counterfeit; if though he be admonished, and told that God will not have him to do such a thing, yet he doth it, it is a sign he is not in a good estate: as if a man knew and were persuaded he ought not to abound in idle speeches, and yet will, it is a sign he is not in the state of grace. So when he is commanded to pray, and yet doth it not, or doth it only for show, it's a sign he is in a bad estate: or if he knew it a sin to be idle, and is persuaded of it, and yet will, it's a sign his estate is not good: so for immoderate gaming, if one be told he should not, yet will use it, certainly he is bad: so for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, when a man shall spend all his time, and find all thoughts bent that way for any one of them, certain it is his heart is not gracious; for then these thoughts would not abound in him, but thoughts of growing in grace; but if his morning thoughts be for satisfying of the flesh and the lusts thereof, or his secret plots, he may justly fear it's a reigning sin: for when all his projects and thoughts are upon one thing, as to be in fine apparel, it's certain sin reigneth in him, and so he is in the state of damnation; as a Scholar that wholly aims at