A64836:106
A warning to back-sliders, or, A discovery for the recovery of fallen ones delivered…
A warning to back-sliders, or, A discovery for the recovery of fallen ones delivered in a sermon at Pauls, before the Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the city of London / Ralph Venning.
London: printed by T.R. & E.M. for John Rothwel, 1654
A WARNING TO BACKSLIDERS, OR A Discovery for the Recovery of Fallen… › The first thing is this,
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
VI. Believers at first, upon their first advance heaven-ward, while they put their foot forward to eternal life; O how watchful were they over their hearts, and over their ways, killing sin in the very first motions of it!
VI. Beleevers at first, upon their first advance heaven-ward, while they put their foot forward to eternal life; O how watchful were they over their hearts, and over their wayes, killing sinne in the very first motions of it!
I dare say, that a thought of being proud, a thought of being covetous, a thought of sinning hath pierced their souls as a sword; and O how have they gone mourning all that day long, wherein they have found an earthly mind, and an inclination to decline from God! So tender were their souls, that if Satan did but offer a temptation, their very hearts rise, I, and in their might they rise up against it, and were so truly conscientious, that they abstained from it, I, and abhorred the very appearances of evil; If a thing did but look like sin, though it were not a sin; yet if it did but look like a sin, O how were they afraid to look at it! how would they stand at a distance from ⟨p. 46⟩pitch, & touch it not, lest they should be defiled! how shy were they of looking upon the wine, when it was red in the glass! & if a garment were but sported with the flesh, O at what a distance would they stand!
I dare say, that a thought of being proud, a thought of being covetous, a thought of sinning hath pierced their souls as a sword; and O how have they gone mourning all that day long, wherein they have found an earthly minde, and an inclination to decline from God! So tender were their soules, that if Satan did but offer a temptation, their very hearts rise, I, and in their might they rise up against it, and were so truly consciencious, that they abstained from it, I, and abhorred the very appearances of evil; If a thing did but look like sinne, though it were not a sinne; yet if it did but look like a sinne, O how were they afraid to look at it! how would they stand at a distance from