And indeed, we will not so much as take Christ, until first we have seen more or less this vision here, and sin appear to us, as to him, above measure sinful: naturally we slight it and make a mock of, and account it preciseness to stick and make conscience of it: but if once sin ⟨p. 22⟩[…] ⟨p. 23⟩[…] ⟨p. 24⟩thus appears to any but in its own colours, that man will look upon the least sin then, as upon hell it self; and like a man affrighted, fear in all his ways, lest he should meet with sin, and starts at the very appearance of it; he weeps if sin do but see him, and he do but see it in himself and others; and cries out as Joseph did, How shall I do this, and sin? and then a man will make out for Christ, as a condemned man for life, as a man that can no longer live, oh give me Christ, or else I die; and then if upon this Christ appears to him, and manifests himself, as his promise is to them that seek him, Joh. 14. 21. his heart thereupon will much more detest and loathe it: he saw it evil afore, Out then it comes to have a new tincture added, which makes it infinitely more sinful in his eyes; for he then looks upon every sin as guilty of Christs blood, as dyed with it, though covered by it; the grace of God appearing, teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. The love of Christ constrains him. Thinks he, Shall I live in that for which Christ died? shall that be my life, which was his death? did he that never knew sin, undergo the torment for it, and shall I be so unkind as to enjoy the pleasure of it? No, but as David when he was very thirsty, and had water of the well of Bethlehem brought him, with the hazard of mens lives, poured it on the ground; for says he, It is the blood of these men: So says he, even when the cup of pleasures is at his very lips, It cost the blood of Christ, and so pours it upon the ground. ⟨p. 25⟩And as the love of Christ constrains him, so the power of Christ doth change him. Kings may pardon Traitors, but they cannot change their hearts; but Christ pardons none, he doth not make new creatures, and all old things pass away, because he makes them friends, favourites to live with, and delight in; and if men put on Christ, and have learned him, as the truth is in Jesus, they put off as concerning the former conversation the old man, with the deceitful lusts;
And indeed, wee will not so much as take Christ, untill first wee have seene more or lesse this vission here, and sinne appear to us, as to him, above measure sinfull: naturally we slight it and make a mock of, and account it precisenesse to stick and make conscience of it: but if once sinne ⟨p. 22⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 23⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 24⟩thus appeares to any but in its owne colours, that man will looke upon the least sinne then, as upon hell it selfe; and like a man affrighted, feare in all his wayes, lest he should meet with sinne, and starts at the very appearance of it; he weepes if sinne doe but see him, and hee doe but see it in himselfe and others; and cryes out as Ioseph did, How shall I doe this, and sinne? and then a man will make out for Christ, as a condemned man for life, as a man that can no longer live, oh give me Christ, or else I die; and then if upon this Christ appeares to him, and manifests himselfe, as his promise is to thē that seek him, Ioh. 14. 21. his heart thereupon will much more detest and loathe it: he saw it evill afore, Out then it comes to have a new tincture added, which makes it infinitely more sinfull in his eyes; for he then lookes upon every sinne as guilty of Christs bloud, as dyed with it, though covered by it; the grace of God appearing, teacheth us to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts. The love of Christ constraines him. Thinkes he, Shall I live in that for which Christ died? shall that be my life, which was his death? did he that never knew sinne, undergoe the torment for it, and shall I be so unkinde as to enjoy the pleasure of it? No, but as David when hee was very thirstie, and had water of the well of Bethleem brought him, with the hazard of mens lives, powred it on the ground; for sayes hee, It is the blood of these men: So sayes he, even when the cup of pleasures is at his very lips, It cost the blood of Christ, and so pours it upon the ground. ⟨p. 25⟩And as the love of Christ constraines him, so the power of Christ doth change him. Kings may pardon Traytors, but they cannot change their hearts; but Christ pardons none, hee doth not make new creatures, and all old things passe away, because he makes them friends, favourites to live with, and delight in; and if men put on Christ, and have learned him, as the truth is in Iesus, they put off as concerning the former conversation the old man, with the deceitfull lusts;
