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blasphemously said 'That he cast out devils by Beelzebub the prince of devils.' Thus the scribes committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, and that in word.
3. This sin may be committed in action too; that is when a man being once thoroughly enlightened, having entered upon a holy course of life, and tasted the comfort of God's Spirit, and some foretaste of the joys of heaven, and not only makes profession of the gospel, but ⟨teaches⟩ it to others; yet at last take a dislike ⟨of⟩ the holy courses, and through spite and malice ⟨utterly⟩ forsaken, opposes and persecuted those good ways of God, which he before professed and taught. But to sum up this point, this unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost is fully ⟨described⟩ by the apostle to the Hebrews. Chap 26, 27, 29. For if we sin wilfully after we ⟨have⟩ received the knowledge of the truth, there ⟨remaineth⟩ no more sacrifice for sin but a fearful ⟨looking⟩ for of judgement and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries--Of how such sore punishment shall be thought ⟨worthy⟩ who hath trodden under foot the Son ⟨of⟩ God, and counted the blood of the covenant therewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace.' Likewise Heb. vi 4 5 6. 'For it is impossible ⟨for⟩ those who are made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they fall away to renew them again to repentance, seeing
