The Doctrine of Repentance

To return to sin, gives the Devil more¹ power over a man than ever, Mat. 12. 43. When a man turns from sin, the Devil seems to be cast out of him; but when he returns to sin, here is the Devil entering into his house again, and taking possession, and the last state of that man is worse than the first. When a prisoner hath broken prison, and the Jailer gets him again, he will lay stronger Irons upon him He who leaves off a course of sinning, doth as it were break the Devils prison; but if Satan takes him returning to sin, he will hold him faster, and take fuller possession of him than ever. O take heed of this^*! A true turning from sin, is a divorcing it, so as never to come near it ⟨p. 70⟩any more: and whoever is thus turned from sin is a blessed person, Act. 3. 26. God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning every one of you from his iniquities.

To return to sin, gives the Devil more¹ power over a man than ever, Mat. 12. 43. When a man turns from sin, the Devil seems to be cast out of him; but when he returns to sin, here is the Devil entring into his house again, and taking possession, and the last state of that man is worse than the first. When a prisoner hath broken prison, and the Jaylour gets him again, he will lay stronger Irons upon him He who leaves off a course of sinning, doth as it were break the Devils prison; but if Satan takes him returning to sin, he will hold him faster, and take fuller possession of him than ever. O take heed of this^*! A true turning from sin, is a divorcing it, so as never to come near it ⟨p. 70⟩