Sin committed with deliberation, premeditation, &c. greatly provoke the Spirit of God. [ 1275]
AS it is with a Friend,* 1.1 if you give him a blow at peradventure, or strike him by chance, though he may be very angry, and take it ill at the first; yet when he shall understand that it was done against your will, he is soon pacified; but if he perceive that you plot & contrive his death, that makes him look about him, and re∣solve that he will never come into your company any more: Thus it is with the blessed Spirit of God, when he sees thee fall into sinne unadvisedly and inconside∣rately,* 1.2 he will not withdraw from thee for this; but if he perceive that thou dost way-lay him, dost deliberate and contrive sin; this highly provokes him, if not for ever, yet for a long departure from thee: Hence it is, that a deliberate will to sinne without the Act, is more sinfull then the Act of sin without a deliberate Will; as in the case of St. Peter, That Man does worse who purposeth to deny Christ, though he never do it,* 1.3 than St. Peter that did actually deny Christ, and never intended it; Let every Man therefore look to his purposes and deliberations; for if he sin deliberately and advisedly, the Holy Ghost is highly provoked, and he is upon the very next step to the sin of those, against whom the Prophet prayes, Lord, be not mercifull to those that sin maliciously.