take hold of thee.

4. There is a giving way to spiritual drowsiness, and upsitting in
duties, and in the way of God. "I sleep," said the spouse, Cant. v. 2,
3, and "I have put off my coat," &c. She knew she was not right, but was
drowsy, and yet she did not shake it off, but composed herself for it,
took off her coat, and washed her feet, and so lay down to sleep.

5. There is a satisfaction and contentment with his condition, as
thinking we are pretty well, at least for that time; and thus was the
spouse in that forementioned place led away; she was so far from being
dissatisfied with her condition, that she rather expressed contentment
therewith.

6. There may be such a love to such a condition, and such a satisfaction
in it, as that they may shift every thing that hath a tendency to rouse
them up out of that sluggish laziness, as not loving to be awakened out
of their sleep. So we see the bride shifts and putteth off Christ's call
and invitation to her, to arise and open to him.

7. Yea, there is a defending of that condition, as at least tolerable
and none of the worst; a justifying of it, or at least a pleading for
themselves and excusing the matter, and covering over their neglect of
duty with fair pretexts, as the spouse did when she answered Christ's
call with this, that she had washed her feet and might not defile them
again.

8. Yea, further, there is a pleading for this case, by alleging an
impossibility to get it helped as matters now stand; or, at least, they
will muster up insuperable-like difficulties in their own way of doing
duty, as the sluggard will say, that there is a lion in the way; and
the spouse alleged she could not put on her coat again.

9. Yea, it may come yet higher, even to a peremptory refusing to set
about the duty; for what else can be read out of the bride's carriage,
than that she would not rise and open to her beloved.

10. There is also a desperate laying the duty aside, as supposing it
impossible to be got done, and so a resolute laying of it by as
hopeless, and as a business they need not trouble themselves withal,
because they will not get through it.

11. And hence floweth an utter indisposition and unfitness for duty.

12. Yea, and in some it may come to this height, that the thoughts of
going about any commanded duty, especially of worship, either in public
or private; or their minting and attempting to set about it, shall fill
them with terror and affrightment, th