pent moſt heartily; but the bottom of all is, the fear of the Halter, not of any deteſtation of the offence; as is evident becauſe, let but this man have his liberty, and he will be a Thief, and ſo a Rogue ſtill; whereas, if his mind was changed, he would be other wiſe.
Hop. Now I have ſhewed you the reaſons of their going back, do you ſhew me the manner thereof.
How the Apoſtate goes back. Chr. So I will willingly.
1 They draw off their thoughts goes back, all that they may, from the remembrance of God, Death, and Judgement to come.
2. Then they caſt off by degrees private Duties, as Cloſet-Prayer, curbing their luſts, watching, ſorrow for ſin, and the like.
3. Then they ſhun the company of lively and warm Chriſtians.
4. After that, they grow cold to publick Duty, as Hearing, Reading, Godly Conference, and the like.
5. Then they begin to pick holes, as we ſay, in the Coats of ſome of the Godly, and that deviliſhly; that they may have a ſeeming colour to throw Religion (for the ſake of ſome infirmity they have ſpied in them) behind their backs.
