7 That we may the better know ourselves, let us learn also to examine and know our sins well, which are often cloaked and covered under nature and grace: We do not fall at the first into gross sins, but by degrees, as Christ reckoning the retentives, Matth, 22. which keep us from the means, as farms, oxen, marriage, &c. And Paul reckoning the works of darkness, peradventure would not satisfy a carnal man in his computation, he maketh mention of banquetings, feastings, &c. These things seem lawful, but certainly and of a truth, sin lies hidden in them, and these things may turn to our ruin. Sin is a cunning and skilful suitor, she playeth as Harlots, who seeing and observing the gravity and modesty of former ages, as though they were very demure matrons, would not at1 the first show their faces, as we may see in Tamar: but the world groweth bigger and prouder in sin, they began to withdraw their veils, and were not ashamed to become shameless and impudently bold. So sin at the first modestly insinuateth herself unto us, under the veil of things lawful, which no man can deny, until having by little and little corrupted us, she doth boldly uncover her self in things unlawful unto us. And that she might find the more courteous entertainment at our hand, she cometh not alone, but either she getteth into the company of nature, or she creepeth into familiarity with grace: that being with these, for her companions sake at the least, she may not have repulse. As Ahab said, so saith she, I would not have come hither, but for Jehoshaphat. For we know it often comes to pass, that we are content to admit and receive some for their companions sake, who if they came alone should scarcely be welcome at our hands. This sin knoweth well, and therefore sometimes she comes hand in hand with nature, that is, in such behaviour as naturally we like and are affected with; as sometimes in joys, if we be of a lighter mould; sometime in grief, if we be of a sadder sod: sometime she cometh cheek by cheek with grace, as our Saviour Christ showeth us, hypocrisy, to come in prayer, fasting,2 and almsgiving, &c. It is not like that Solomon at the first leapt into idolatry, nay by degrees his heart was stolen away with the immoderate and excessive use of things, in their own use and nature lawful.
7 That we may the better know ourselues, let vs learne also to examine and know our sinnes well, which are often cloked and couered vnder nature and grace: We doe not fall at the first into grosse sinnes, but by degrees, as Christ reckoning the retentiues, Matth, 22. which keepe vs from the meanes, as farmes, oxen, mariage, &c. And Paul reckoning the workes of darknes, peraduenture would not satisfie a carnall man in his computation, hee maketh mention of banquetings, feastings, &c. These things seeme lawfull, but certainly and of a truth, sinne lies hidden in them, and these things may turne to our ruine. Sin is a cunning and skilfull suiter, shee playeth as Harlots, who seeing and obseruing the grauitie and modestie of former ages, as though they were very demure matrons, would not at1 the first shew their faces, as we may see in Thamar: but the world groweth bigger and prouder in sinne, they began to withdraw their vailes, and were not ashamed to become shamelesse and impudently bold. So sinne at the first modestly insinuateth herselfe vnto vs, vnder the vaile of things lawfull, which no man can denie, vntill hauing by little and little corrupted vs, she doth boldly vncouer her selfe in things vnlawfull vnto vs. And that shee might find the more courteous entertainment at our hand, she commeth not alone, but either she getteth into the companie of nature, or she creepeth into familiaritie with grace: that being with these, for her companions sake at the least, shee may not haue repulse. As Achab said, so saith shee, I would not haue come hither, but for Iehosaphat. For wee know it often comes to passe, that we are content to admit and receiue some for their companions sake, who if they came alone should scarsely bee welcome at our hands. This sinne knoweth well, and therefore sometimes she comes hand in hand with nature, that is, in such behauiour as naturally we like and are affected with; as sometimes in ioyes, if we be of a lighter mould; sometime in griefe, if we be of a sadder sod: sometime she commeth cheeke by cheeke with grace, as our Sauiour Christ sheweth vs, hypocrisie, to come in prayer, fasting,2 and almesgiuing, &c. It is not like that Salomon at the first lept into idolatry, nay by degrees his heart was stollen away with the immoderate and excessiue vse of things, in their owne vse and nature lawfull.
- 1Rom. 13. 13.
- 2Note.
