Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulness of sin. The life…Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulnesse of sinne. The life…

Lastly, that which riseth from Renewing Grace is with ^adelight▪ and much complacency, because it is natural to a right spirit; it desires nothing more then to have the law of the flesh quite consumed, whereas the other hath pain and disquietness at the bridle which holds it in; and therefore takes all advantages it can to break loose again. For while natural men are tampering about spiritual things, they are out of their element, it is as offensive to them as air is to a fish, or water to a man. Men may peradventure to cool and cleanse themselves, step a while into the water, but no man can make it his habitation; a fish may frisk into the air to refresh himself, but he returns to his own element: wicked men may for variety sake, or to pacify the grumblings of an unquiet conscience look sometimes into Gods law; but they can never suffer the word to dwell in them, they are doing a work against nature, and therefore no marvel if they find no pleasure in it: nay they ^bdo in their hearts wish that there were no ⟨p. 302⟩such law at all to restrain their corrupt desires, that there were no such records extant to be produced against them at the last; and as soon as any occasions call them unto sensual and sinful delights, they ^csteal• away the law from their own consciences, they suppress and imprison the truth in unrighteousness, they shut their eyes by a ^dvoluntary and affected ignorance, that they may more securely, and without check or perturbation resign themselves to their own ways.

Lastly, that which riseth from Renewing Grace is with ^adelight▪ and much complacencie, because it is naturall to a right spirit; it desires nothing more then to haue the law of the flesh quite consum'd, whereas the other hath paine and disquietnesse at the bridle which holds it in; and therefore takes all advantages it can to breake loose againe. For while naturall men are tampering about spirituall things, they are out of their element, it is as offensiue to them as aire is to a fish, or water to a man. Men may peradventure to coole and clense themselves, step a while into the water, but no man can make it his habitation; a fish may friske into the aite to refresh himselfe, but he returnes to his owne element: wicked men may for varietie sake, or to pacifie the grumblings of an unquiet conscience looke sometimes into Gods law; but they can never suffer the word to dwell in them, they are doing a worke against nature, and therefore no marvell if they finde no pleasure in it: nay they