The nature of saving conversion, and the way

It is a small matter to serve God, when men have no temptation; but Lot was holy in Sodom, Noah was righteous in the old world. Temptations try men, but they do not force men to sin; and grace will establish the heart in a day of temptation. They are blessed that do endure temptation, Jam. 1.12. But they are cursed that fall away in a day of temptation.

3 Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They do not justify themselves, neither do they ⟨p. 123⟩excuse themselves, and say others do so as well as they, and if men be left of God who can help it; but they confess it, and bewail it before God, it is an affliction to them that they were carried away with temptation, they see they have acted foolishly, that they have despised the commandments of God, and they hope they shall never do so again, be drunk, again, or lie again. Sometimes men take occasion to talk with them, and they are ready to own their fault, they are ashamed, and they shed tears; but after a while the temptation returns, and they are as bad again: They are like the dead fish, that are carried down the stream; but they are sorry again; and so they keep on, sinning and repenting. Just thus it was with Saul: Jonathan talks to him and he hearkens, 1 Sam. 19 6. Saul hearkened to Jonathan, and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. After a while he is persecuting David again; but upon David's saving his life, he weeps and makes confession, 1 Sam. 24.16. Saul lift up his voice and wept. But upon the Invitation of the Ziphites he pursues David again, and David spares his life a second time; and upon that Saul confesses and promises,