The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

II. When he doth depart by reason of some evil in his heart, yet 'tis not ever, but he must return •ooner or later to him again, it was best with him then. For look as 'tis with Satan, How doth he carry the heart from God? You shall see it in Judas, John 13. He stands at the door and knocks by a sinful thought liked of, vers. 2. Then he enters the house by causing the will to resolve of it. He doth not carry men like those Herds of •wine against their wills, but prevails with the Will to resolve thus, vers. 27. Hereupon Satan having a Commission carries him out, and he must needs go whom the Devil drives; so 'tis here, the Spirit in recalling the soul will have him come back. 1. P••s in secret sweet living thoughts again, and makes the soul consider and remember from whom 'tis fallen, or who the Lord is. 2. Then causeth the will to resolve of a return, and then he must go whom the Spirit draws, Psal. 63. 6. David remembers the Lord on his bed, though now driven from all Ordinances▪ Hence vers. 7.Under thy shadow I will rejoice▪ Hence vers. 8. My soul followeth hard after thee, or, cleaves to thee. But David was weak and feeble, how came he to do this? Thy hand vers. 8. upholdeth me. Look as it was with Sampson, when his locks were cut, he was like other men, and was made to grind, but they grew again, and then he was like himself again: So when the affections and hearts to Christ are cut, they are like other men for a time; but they are continually coming and growing again, and then they are like themselves again. And I say they must return, for when the Spirit carries a man indeed, there is a necessity put upon him, Acts 4. 20. We cannot but spe•k the things we have heard; and 2 Cor. 13. 8. We can do nothing against, but for the truth. For here we shall see the broad difference between a convicted Hypocrite that knows all is amiss with him and the Saints: He •ees his falls from the Lord, and is afraid in his Conscience of Misery if he doth not return, and desires and endeavours for to do it; but what if it be hard? and it seem impossible to be better? Now he falls down and thinks this is an infirmity which God will pardon, and so Satan conquers him; I say again, not temptation, but Satan conquers him: For then a man is conquered, when faith is conquered,