Preston - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133.P74 S2 1637

10 IUD A S repentance. truth : which is a metaphor taken from a touch - lione, which is able to difcerne betweene true gold and falle ; but when the vertue of this touch -fione is taken away, then it- cannot difcerne ; fo in like manner, when as God thall give a man up to com- mit fin, . and take away his right minde, bee cannot difcerne evill from good,no more than a blind man can judge of colours ; yea, and he is no ftronger to reffft any tentation, than Samy(on was when his haire was cutoff, to refill his enemies. Indeed I deny not but that God may fometimes for fm, leave good men to themfelves ; thus God dealt with Ezekias, a Chrom. 32.31. who becaufe he had chewed the Embaffadours of the Prince of Baby/en all his furniture,it is faid God left him to him. relft. And this is done for thefe two Reafons : Reafe #. Firff, becaufe God is willing to it for his owne glory. Secondly ,heeannfeby thistheir confcicnces come to be awakened, and begins to ring a loud'peale in their cares. But here we muff know, that there is a great dif- ference betweene Gods leaving of wicked men to themfelves, and good men to themfelves. For fiat, for wicked men, their confcience is a- wakened, but not foundly untill the day of death, although they may have fome remorfe and forrow before. But commonly God awakes a good man fooner. The finnes of a good man are either letter or greater; if lefTer, flee is fooner awakened ; if greater,

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