Fifthly, not the root only, but the circumstances too1 add much to the life that is in sin. See how notably Saint Austen aggravates his sin of robbing an Orchard when he was a Boy, that which others less acquainted with the foulness of sin might be apt enough but to laugh over. First, it began in the will, and the members followed, I had a mind, and therefore I did it. Secondly, I did not do it for want of the things, but out of the naughtiness of my heart, and my inward enmity to righteousness. Thirdly, I did it not with any aim at fruition of the fruit, but only of the sin; it was not my palate, but my lust which I studied to satisfy. Fourthly, the apples I stole were very unapt to tempt, no relish, no form in them to catch the eye, or allure the hand, but the whole temptation and rise of the sin was from within. Fifthly, I did it not alone, there were a troop of naughty companions with me, and we did mutually cherish and provoke the itch of each others lust. Sixthly, it was at a very unseasonable time of night, when at least for that day we should have put a period and given a respite unto our lusts. Seventhly, it was after we had spent much time before (and should now at least have been tired out) in pestilent and foolish sports. Eighthly, we were immodest in our theft, we carried away great loads and burdens of them. Ninthly, when we had done, we feasted the Hogs with them, and our selves •ed upon the review and carriage of our own lewdness. Lastly, the chief sport and laughter which we had was this, that we had not only robbed, but deceived the honest •en, who had never so bad an opinion of us, as that we ⟨p. 230⟩should do it; and thus another mans loss was our jest. And after all this, his meditations upon it are excellent; with David he goes to the root, Ecce cor meum Deus meus, ecce cor meum. O Lord, what a nature and heart had I, that could commit sin without any […], without any incentive but from my self? and again, What shall I return unto the Lord, that I can review these my sins, and not be afraid of them? Lord, I will love thee, I will praise thee, I will confess to thy Name, it is thy Grace which pardoneth the sins which I have committed, and it is thy Grace which prevented the sins which I have not committed:
Fifthly, not the roote onely, but the circumstances too1 adde much to the life that is in sinne. See how notably Saint Austen aggravates his sinne of robbing an Orchard when he was a Boy, that which others lesse acquainted with the foulenesse of sinne might be apt enough but to laugh over. First, it began in the will, and the members follow'd, I had a minde, and therefore I did it. Secondly, I did not doe it for want of the things, but out of the naughtinesse of my heart, and my inward enmitie to righteousnesse. Thirdly, I did it not with any aime at fruition of the fruite, but onely of the sinne; it was not my palate, but my lust which I studied to satisfie. Fourthly, the apples I stole were very unapt to tempt, no rellish, no forme in them to catch the eye, or allure the hand, but the whole temptation and rise of the sinne was from within. Fifthly, I did it not alone, there were a troope of naughty companions with mee, and wee did mutually cherish and provoke the itch of each others lust. Sixthly, it was at a very unseasonable time of night, when at least for that day we should have put a period and given a respite unto our lusts. Seventhly, it was after wee had spent much time before (and should now at least have been tired out) in pestilent and foolish sports. Eighthly, wee were immodest in our theft, we carried away great loades and burdens of them. Ninthly, when wee had done, we feasted the Hogs with them, and our selves •ed upon the review and carriage of our owne lewdnesse. Lastly, the chiefe sport and laughter which wee had was this, that we had not only robb'd, but deceiv'd the honest •en, who had never so bad an opinion of us, as that wee ⟨p. 230⟩should doe it; and thus another mans losse was our jest. And after all this, his meditations upon it are excellent; with David hee goes to the roote, Ecce cor meum Deus meus, ecce cor meum. O Lord, what a nature and heart had I, that could commit sinne without any 〈…〉, without any incentive but from my selfe? and againe, What shall I returne unto the Lord, that I can review these my sinnes, and not be afraid of them? Lord, I will love thee, I will prayse thee, I will confesse to thy Name, it is thy Grace which pardoneth the sinnes which I have committed, and it is thy Grace which prevented the sinnes which I have not committed:
- 1Volui & seci: Non pen•riâ, sed fastidio justitiae. Nec eâre volebam frui quam furto appetebam, sed ipso furto, & peccato. Non erant formâ necsapore illecebrosa. Nequissimi adolescents▪ Confrictione sociorum animorum accendebam prurisū cupiditatis […]. Nocteintempestiva. Ingentia onera. Non ad nostras epulas, sed proiscienda porcis, solâ nos iniquitate epulari. Risus erat quasi titillat• corde quod fallebamus eos qui haec à nobis fieri non putabant. Ex lud• & […] nocend• […].Volui & seci: Non pen•riâ, sed fastidio iustitiae. Nec eâre volebam frui quam furto appetebam, sed ipso furto, & peccato. Non erant formâ necsapore illecebrosa. Nequissimi adolescentes▪ Confrictione sociorum animorum accendebam prurisū cupiditatis 〈…〉. Nocteintempestiva. Ingentia onera. Non ad nostras epulas, sed proiscienda porcis, solâ nos iniquitate epulari. Risus erat quasi titillat• corde quod fallebamus eos qui haec à nobis fieri non putabant. Ex lud• & 〈…〉 nocend• 〈…〉.
