The use hereof tendeth to meet with a deceivable conceit 1of our corrupt nature, which being so terrified by gods Law, and fearful judgements, that it cannot resolve to continue a constant course in sin, will yet presumptuously borrow leave of God for once or twice, with a purpose then to give it over. So some think I will neglect the sanctification of the Sabbath, and the hearing of the word this once, and after I will become very diligent: I will now swear, being in heat, or standing upon my credit, but my purpose is hereafter to give it over: I will now for once break my word, seeing it is greatly for my advantage, but henceforward I will make conscience of my promise: I will for a while continue my deceitful dealing, but when my state is a little better grounded, I will become just and honest: I will play the good fellow now I am in this company, but my purpose is to frequent better, and to become more precise: I will but this once commit adultery, and then having but a trial of it, I will resolve to live chastely: but let such consider, in what a fearful case they are, if the Lord should (as he justly may) take them away in his wrath, whilst they are committing these presumptuous sins, or before they have repented of them: for as the tree falleth so it shall lye. Eccl. 11. 3 ⟨p. 90⟩2and they shall receive judgement, not according to their unconstant resolutions, but according to their certain actions. And in the second place let them know, that the more their dropsy souls, swelling with presumption, drink of these waters of iniquity, the more they thirst: the more they listen to these Sirens, the more they are inveigled with them: & if they are unable to resist the assaults of sin, when they are unconquered, in their full strength, without maim or wound, and assisted by Gods spirit, how much less will they be able to stand in the encounter, when they are once spoiled, weakened, maimed, wounded, especially Gods spirit, which by their presumptuous sins they have grieved being departed from them?
The vse hereof tendeth to meete with a deceiueble conceit 1of our corrupt nature, which being so terrified by gods Law, and fearefull judgements, that it cannot resolue to continue a constant course in sin, will yet presumptuously borrow leaue of God for once or twise, with a purpose then to giue it ouer. So some thinke I will neglect the sanctification of the Sabbath, and the hearing of the word this once, and after I will become very diligent: I will now sweare, being in heat, or standing vpon my credit, but my purpose is hereafter to giue it ouer: I will now for once breake my word, seeing it is greatly for my aduantage, but henceforward I will make conscience of my promise: I will for a while continue my deceiptfull dealing, but when my state is a little better grounded, I will become just and honest: I will play the good fellow now I am in this company, but my purpose is to frequent better, and to become more precise: I will but this once commit adultery, and then hauing but a tryall of it, I will resolue to liue chastly: but let such consider, in what a fearefull case they are, if the Lord should (as he justly may) take them away in his wrath, whilest they are committing these presumptuous sinnes, or before they haue repented of them: for as the tree falleth so it shall lye. Eccl. 11. 3 ⟨p. 90⟩2and they shall receiue judgement, not according to their vnconstant resolutions, but according to their certaine actions. And in the second place let them know, that the more their dropsie soules, swelling with presumption, drinke of these waters of iniquitie, the more they thirst: the more they listen to these Syrens, the more they are inueigled with them: & if they are vnable to resist the assaults of sinne, when they are vnconquered, in their ful strength, without maime or wound, and assisted by Gods spirit, how much lesse will they bee able to stand in the incounter, when they are once spoyled, weakned, maymed, vvounded, especially Gods spirit, which by their presumptuous sinnes they haue grieued being departed from them?
- 1A deceivable conceit of corrupt nature discovered and refuted.A deceiueable conceit of corrupt nature discouered and refuted.
- 2Eccl. 11. 3.
