Chap. 34. about Confiningafli&ledconfciences. through. Gods mercy , tbey are pardonable , if we unfeignedly repent of them. Thirdly, Sue.h perfons mull not be alone : For this Tentation is begun, con- firmed, and entreatedby .folitarinefs_: Eve was tempted when fhe was alone , therefore fuchperfons (hould converfe with good company : and exercife their mindes With reading Gods Word , heavenly meditations , finging of Pfalms, &c. Fourthly, Suchmull as heartily repent of thefe evill thoughts, as ofevill words, and deeds. For through mens carelefnefs over their thoughts, it is that God fullers Satan to plague,and torment them with fuch blafphemous thoughts : and after repentance he mull watch more narrowlyoverhis ways , efpeciallyover his heart,which is the fountain ofall, Prov.4.23. Quefi. Moro may dìftreffe of mimic arifing from our own f'Ones be tat- red ? . Aafw :-Firft, That particulartin mull be:known, which is the caufe of this di- frefs, tlioffare prone todiffemble herein, pretending that it comes from force wicked thoughts, or affediions, whenas ufuall it comes from force grofs a&ual fin, efpecially againftthe third,frxth, and feventh Co:nmandments, and the more fe- cret fuch fins be, the more horrorof confcience they bring. Secondly, their Sin beìno known,fee what figns thou anti finde in themoftrue repentancefor it : otherwi?e they are not fir to receive comfort. Thirdly, If this be found, then adminilier comfort , .yet mixed with force ter- rors ottheLaw, thatthe comfortmayappear tobe the fwceter, wherein obferve thefe two rules. i. Inform the party that his fins are pardonable, though in themfelves great, and hainous, yet by the mercyof God in Chrili, they may be remitted, and this hemay be convinced of. i. Becaufe Gods mercyisinfinire, and over all hisworks, Pfal. 145.9. Chril}s death is ofan infinite value. God delights inmercy, Ifa.SS. 7. Pfal. t03. 7. as we fee inManafes, Mary Magdalen, Paul, &c. 2. Becaufe men living in theChurch , and knowing the Dottrine of falvation fhall not be condemned limply for their fins, but for their impenïtency : therefore men Ihould be grieved, notfo much fortheir committing of 1m, as for continuing therein without repentance. 3. Becaufe it pleafes Godmany times to leave men to themfelves to commit force fin that greatly woundeth confcience : yet even thefe do not utterly take away grace, but afterwards makes it (hew it felf, and thine more. For 1(2m. 5.20. wherefin abounded,grace abaands muchmore. 4. The promifesofGod,touching.pardon offin, and life eternil, in refpett of believers are general, and in regard of all, and every man, indefinite, fo that they exclude not any : only they admit one exception, of final im- penitency. 2. Shewhim that his finsare pardoned, ifhe be heartily grieved thatby his fins he hash offended fo loving, andmerciful a God. And ifhe define with all his heart to bereconciled to God in Chrili, and refoive againfifin for the time to come, Luke a 5. ¡a, &c. Shewhim thefe Texts, (Mouth. 9. i2,-t 3. and t s. z8. Dike 4.18. Quell. Rut whatfayyou to the cafeof Recidivation, ifaman after repentancefor femegrievous fin,fall tute itagain? Anfw. His cafe is dangerous ( as relapfes into mortali difeafes) yet notaltoge- therdefperate ; For a. Wethat have but a drop of mercy, muff forgive our brethren , again and again, much more will God, who hath an Ocean of. mercy, Ifa. a. 18. Apo- lbws ace called to repentance with promife of pardon, LHRe i 5.20. the pro- 1z 2 digal 355 Iv, I. II.
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