Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…

Secondly, to this I answer, that when a man hath ¹any inclination unto any sin, there is not such an inclination, but it is or may be restrained by the mind; but if the mind give consent, then like woad it adds unto the colour, and makes the sin the more inexcusable, because there is no reluctancy in the will against it, but yields it strength unto the inclination: therefore if you do thus, you add transgression unto the sin; take heed of plucking away your strength, in resisting your natural inclinations; for know, that it is one thing to be beset with sin, and another thing to consent unto it: therefore let your inclination of nature be, as it is, a cause to humble you, and not to keep you from humiliation.

Secondly, to this I answer, that when a man hath ¹any inclination unto any sinne, there is not such an inclination, but it is or may bee restrayned by the minde; but if the mind giue consent, then like woade it adds unto the colour, and makes the sin the more inexcusable, because there is no reluctancie in the will against it, but yeelds it strength unto the inclination: therefore if you doe thus, you add transgression unto the sinne; take heede of plucking away your strength, in resisting your naturall inclinations; for know, that it is one thing to be beset with sinne, and another thing to consent unto it: therefore let your inclination of nature be, as it is, a cause to humble you, and not to keepe you from humiliation.

1. 1Answ.

The fourth deceit or pretence is from their conditions, which keep them from being humble, ¹especially in the younger sort, who think themselves in such condition that they have a kind of ⟨p. 224⟩