3. Because actual dominion, though it doth not always cut off 1the union, yet it may and doth disperse and check the comforts. It is an eclipse though it be not a night, He who made the Leprosy, though he lost not right to his tent or house, yet he was interdicted the use and benefit of either. A Child who offends his father, though he doth not therefore presently cease to be a child, yet his offence doth turn and change the countenance ⟨p. 121⟩of his father. Though it doth not break off the relation, yet i• doth the respect; he shall not easily be admitted into his fathers presen••, and then, he shall see bended brows instead of smiles, an• sharp rebukes, and upbraidings instead of kind and wonted well-comes: so shall even David himself find, if that great sins get dominion over him, if they do prevail, if he doth act them, though God doth not cast off his person, yet he will draw off his Countenance: why hidest thou thy face? He shall quickly find the difference twixt the service of God, and the service of sin: when he goes to pray, his sin shall meet him, and when he goes to hear, the Ordinances shall cast his sin into his face: As Sampson, when he lost his hair, he could not do as formerly, as at other times, so even actual dominion of sin, though it doth not nullify. the relations, yet it wonderfully varies the condition: The Sun seems to be darkened at noon-day, the Air is filled with tempest, and thunders, which lately was overspread with beautiful light; God looks in terror and displeasure, and the conscience wounds with closest bitterness: all former comforts seem to take leave of us; sometimes we are so distressed that we fear we are lost for ever: one such sinning may cost us many years of cruel vexation, and of this we may be sure, that till we are soundly humbled and renew our repentance, we shall never see a smile in Gods countenance, nor hear a good word from conscience: Now this is a doleful case that a man shall hear the same promises from which he sucked much comfort, and yet he may not taste (now he cannot rejoice) and that God whose communion was so sweet, now through his sinning, becomes so bitter and heavy, &c.
3. Because actuall dominion, though it doth not alwayes cut off 1the union, yet it may and doth disperse and check the comforts. It is an eclipse though it be not a night, He who made the Leprosie, though he lost not right to his tent or house, yet he was interdicted the use and benefit of either. A Child who offends his father, though he doth not therefore presently cease to be a childe, yet his offence doth turne and change the countenance ⟨p. 121⟩of his father. Though it doth not break off the relation, yet i• doth the respect; he shall not easily be admitted into his fathers presen••, and then, he shall see bended browes instead of smiles, an• sharp rebukes, and upbraidings instead of kinde and wonted wel-comes: so shall even David himselfe finde, if that great sins get dominion over him, if they doe prevaile, if he doth act them, though God doth not cast off his person, yet he will draw off his Countenance: why hidest thou thy face? He shall quickly finde the difference twixt the service of God, and the service of sin: when he goes to pray, his sin shall meet him, and when he goes to heare, the Ordinances shall cast his sinne into his face: As Sampson, when he lost his haire, he could not doe as formerly, as at other times, so even actuall dominion of sin, though it doth not nullify. the relations, yet it wonderfully varies the condition: The Sun seemes to be darkned at noon-day, the Ayre is filled with tempest, and thunders, which lately was overspread with beautifull light; God lookes in terror and displeasure, and the conscience wounds with closest bitterness: all former comforts seem to take leave of us; somtimes we are so distressed that we fear we are lost for ever: one such sinning may cost us many yeares of cruell vexation, and of this we may be sure, that till we are soundly humbled and renew our repentance, we shall never see a smile in Gods countenance, nor heare a good word from conscience: Now this is a dolefull case that a man shall heare the same promises from which he suckt much comfort, and yet he may not taste (now he cannot rejoyce) and that God whose communion was so sweet, now through his sinning, becomes so bitter and heavy, &c.
- 1Actual dominion doth check the comforts.Actuall dominion doth check the comforts.
