self was there, and then how comely and beautiful was
the soul! But now it is like the desolate cities, in which the beasts of
the desert lie and their houses are full of doleful creatures, where owls
dwell, and satyrs dance, where wild beasts cry, and dragons in the
pleasant places, Isa. xiii. 21, 22 and Jer. l. 39. So mighty is the fall
of the soul of man, as of Babylon, that it may be cried, "It is fallen,
and become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit,
and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird," Rev. xviii. 2. All the
beasts flock now to it, all the birds of darkness take their lodging in
it, since this noble guest left it, and took away the light from it, for
the sun hath not shined on it since that day. All unclean affections, all
beastly lusts, all earthly desires, all vain cogitations get lodging in
this house; the Bethel is become a Bethaven, the house of God become a
house of vanity, by the continual repair of vain thoughts, the house of
prayer is turned into a den of thieves and robbers. That which was at
first created for the pure service and worship of God, is now a receptacle
of all the most rebellious and idolatrous thoughts and affections, the
heart of every man is become a temple full of idols.

This is the state of it, and worse than can be told you now, judge if
there be not need of a better guest than these. O what absolute necessity
is there of such a spirit as this, to repair and reform the ruinous spirit
of man, to quicken and enlighten the darkened mind of man! Even that
Spirit, that made it at first a glorious palace for God, that Spirit that
breathed the soul into the former clay, must repair these breaches, and
create all again. Now, when the Spirit of Christ enters into this vile
ruinous cottage, he repairs it and reforms it, he strikes out lights in
the heart, and, by a wonderful eye salve makes the eyes open to see; he
creates a new light within, which makes him behold the light shining in
the gospel, and behold all things are new, himself new, because now most
loathsome and vile the world new, because now appears nothing but vanity
in the very perfection of it, and God new, because another majesty, glory,
excellency, and beauty shines into the soul than ever it apprehended. And
as the Spirit enlightens, so he enlivens this tabernacle or temple, he
kindles a holy fire in his affections, which must never go out, it is such
as cannot be kindled, if it go out, but by t