Secondly, when the Heart is set upon the Creature, it is utterly disabled, in regard of its active strength, made unfit to do any duty with that ustrength as Gods requires. First, because Bonum fit ex causâ integrâ, A good duty must proceed from an entire Cause, from the whole heart. Now xlust divides the Heart, and makes it yunsteadfast, and unfaithful unto God. There is a twofold unsteadfastness, one in degrees, another in objects, the former proceeds from the remainders of corruption, and therefore is found in some measure in the best of us, the other from the predominancy of lust which oversways the heart unto evil. Good motions and resolutions in evil hearts are like violent impressions upon a stone, though it move upwards for a while, yet nature will at last prevail, and make it zreturn to its own motion. Secondly, a Heart set on lusts moves to […] ends but its aow•e, and self-ends defile an action though otherwise never so specious; turns bzeal it self and obedience into murder, hinders call faith in us, and acceptance with God, nullifies all other ends, swallows up Gods glory and the good of others, as the lean Kine did the fat; as a Wen in the body robs and consumes the part adjoining, so do self-ends the right end. Thirdly, the Heart is a fountain and principle, and8 principles are ever one and uniform, out of the same fountain cannot come bitter water and sweet, and therefore9 the Apostle speaks of some, that they are double-minded men, that have a heart and a heart, yet the truth is, that is but with reference to their pretences; for the Heart really and totally looks but one way. Every man10 is spiritually a married person, and he can be joined but to one; Christ and an Idol (as every •ust is) cannot11 ⟨p. 111⟩consist, he will have a chaste spouse, he will have all our12 desires and affections subject unto him; if the Heart cannot count him altogether lovely, and all things else but dung in comparison of him, he will refuse the match, and with-hold his consent.
Secondly, when the Heart is set upon the Creature, it is utterly disabled, in regard of its active strength, made unfit to doe any duty with that ustrength as Gods requires. First, because Bonum fit ex causâ integrâ, A good duty must proceede from an entire Cause, from the whole heart. Now xlust divides the Heart, and makes it yunstedfast, and unfaithfull unto God. There is a twofold unstedfastnesse, one in degrees, another in objects, the former proceeds from the remainders of corruption, and therefore is found in some measure in the best of us, the other from the predominancy of lust which overswayes the heart unto evill. Good motions and resolutions in evill hearts are like violent impressions upon a stone, though it move upwards for a while, yet nature will at last prevaile, and make it zreturne to its owne motion. Secondly, a Heart set on lusts mooves to 〈…〉 ends but its aow•e, and selfe-ends defile an action though otherwise never so specious; turnes bzeale it selfe and obedience into murder, hinders call faith in us, and acceptance with God, nullifies all other ends, swallowes up Gods glory and the good of others, as the leane Kine did the fat; as a Wenne in the body robs and consumes the part adjoyning, so doe selfe-ends the right end. Thirdly, the Heart is a fountaine and principle, and8 principles are ever one and uniforme, out of the same fountaine cannot come bitter water and sweet, and therefore9 the Apostle speakes of some, that they are doubleminded men, that have a heart and a heart, yet the truth is, that is but with reference to their pretences; for the Heart really and totally lookes but one way. Every man10 is spiritually a married person, and he can be joyned but to one; Christ and an Idoll (as every ust is) cannot
- uDeut. 6 5.
- xHos. 10. 2. James 1. 8.Hos. 10. 2. Iames 1. 8.
- yPsal. 78. 37.
- zAct. 7 39. Jer. 11. 10.Act. 7 39. Ier. 11. 10.
- aPhil. •. 21. Isaiah 56. •1. Ezek. 34. 2.Phil. •. 21. Esay 56. •1. Ezek. 34. 2.
- b2. King. 9. 7. 10. 10. 16. Hos. 1. 4.
- cJoh. 5. 44.Ioh. 5. 44.
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