PART III. of gracious AfHions. 277 ther their Falling away be into their former Sins, or into fome new Kind of Wickednefs ; having the Corruption of Nature only turned into a new Channel, inflead ofit's being mortified. As when Per- fons that think themfelves converted, tho' they do not return to former Prophanenefs and Lewdnefs; yet from the high Opinion they have of their Experiences, Graces and Priviledges, gradually fettle more and more in a felf- righteous and fpiritually proud Temper of Mind, and in fuch a Manner of Behaviour and Converfation, as natu- rally arifes therefrom. When it is thus with Men, however far they may teem to be from their former evil Prglices, this alone is enough to condemn 'em, 8c may render their 1aít State far worfe than the firil. For this feems to be the very Cafe of the Yews of that Generation that Chrift (peaks of, klatth. 12. 43, 44, 45. who having been a- wakened by :John the BaptJ's Preaching, and brought to a Reforma- tion of their former licentious Courfes, whereby the unclean Spirit was as it were turned out, and the Houfe fwept and garnifh'd ; yet being empty of God and of Grace, became full of themfelves, and were exalted in an exceeding high Opinion of their own Righteouf nefs and eminent Holinefs, and became habituated to an anfwerably Self- exalting Behaviour ; fo changing the Sins of Publicans and Har- lots, for thofe of the Pharifees ; and in the Iffue, had feven Devils, worfe than the firm. Thus I have explain'd what Exercife and Fruit I mean, when I fay that gracious Affe6lions have their Exercife and Fruit in chriftian Pra&ice. The Reafon why gracious Affec`lions have fuch a Tendency and Effect, appears from many Things that have already been obferved, in the preceeding Parts of this Difcourfe. The Reafon of it appears from this, that gracious Affections do arife from thofeOperations &Influences which arefpiritual, and that the inward <c cc Hope of Life : And when it is thus with him, now he falls ; He grows full and falls ; and this Riling is the Caufe of his Fall ; his Light is Darknefs and Death to him ; and grows to a Form of Knowledge ; his Riling makes him fall to For- mality, and then to Prophanenefs ; and fo his Tailing fatis- lres him ; his Sorrows empty his Heart of Sorrow for Sin ; and his Sorrows for his Falls harden his Heart in his Falls ; and all the Means of recovering him harden him. Look as it is in Difeafes ; if the Phyfick and Meat turns to be Poifon, then there is no Hope of Recovery ; a Man is lick to Death now. The Saint's little Meafure makes him forget what is behind." Shepard's Parable, Part I. p'. 226. T 3 Principle
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