Child. Even as a water brook being stopped with a dam everwart, it doth surge and swell the more, till it break over the dam: so sin being restrained by the Law doth increase, and rage more in men not regenerate, for their will being not reformed, doth ever tend to that which is forbidden.1 Therefore the Apostle saith, that without the Law sin is dead, that is, though sin be in men before the publishing of the Law: yet it is not known, felt, nor perceived; as the corrupt humours in mans bodies, which lye close and are not felt till the purgation come: but then they humble and stir mightily to resist the medicine, or as unslaked lime, which sleepeth, as it were, quietly and stirreth not till the water be thrown upon it, but then it ⟨image 27⟩smoketh, burneth, and is in an extreme heat. Or as a Snake which lurketh close in her hole all winter, as if she were dead: but when the hot Sun shineth upon her, then she reviveth, writheth, and stingeth, and showeth her venomous nature. And thus you see what is the working of the Law in unregenerate men: But in the regenerate, that is such as are under grace, it is otherwise. For they do consent unto the Law, and their nature doth not take occasion any more by the Law to bring forth sin.
Child. Euen as a waterbrooke being stopt with a damme euerwart, it doth surg and swell the more, till it breake ouer the damme: so sinne being restrayned by the Law doth increase, and rage more in men not regenerate, for their will béeing not reformed, doth euer tend to that which is forbidden.1 Therefore the Apostle sayth, that without the Law sinne is dead, that is, though sinne bée in men before the publishing of the Law: yet it is not knowne, felt, nor perceiued; as the corrupt humours in mans bodies, which lye close and are not felt till the purgation come: but then they humble and stirre mightely to resist the medicine, or as vnslaked lyme, which sléepeth, as it were, quietly and stirreth not till the water bée throwne vpon it, but then it ⟨image 27⟩smooketh, burneth, and is in an extreame heate. Or as a Snake which lurketh close in her hole all winter, as if shée were deade: but when the hote Sunne shineth vpon her, then shée reuiueth, writheth, and stingeth, and sheweth her venemous nature. And thus you see what is the workinge of the Law in vnregenerate men: But in the regenerate, that is such as are vnder grace, it is otherwise. For they doe consent vnto the Law, and their nature doth not take occasion any more by the Law to bring foorth sinne.
- 1Rom. 7.
