A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes…

Fifthly, they have conditioned and indented with sin, before they entered into the gross practise of it, that they would leave it again after a time, and so by repentance prevent both the shame and punishment. But they know not that all sinfulness is crafty, and cruel: when it hath them, it will hold them, and that fast by the heart, and keep them in perpetual bondage and thraldom.

Fiftly, they haue conditioned and indented with sinne, before they entered into the grosse practise of it, that they would leaue it againe after a time, and so by repentance preuent both the shame and punishment. But they know not that all sinfulnesse is craftie, and cruell: when it hath them, it will hold them, and that fast by the heart, and keepe them in perpetuall bondage and thraldome.

They may with as good safety drink up strong poison, and prescribe it a measure how far it shall work: or cast themselves ⟨p. 60⟩into the raging sea with limitation how deep they will sink, and how long they will make their stay there. All the servants of sin and Satan are chained up in prison and not at liberty to depart at their own wills: for the will it self is kept in hold, and never released, before the Lord with a forcible hand of grace do deliver it.

They may with as good safetie drink vp strong poison, and prescribe it a measure how farre it shall worke: or cast themselues ⟨p. 60⟩into the raging sea with limitation how deepe they will sinke, and how long they will make their stay there. All the seruants of sin and Satan are chained vp in prison and not at libertie to depart at their owne wils: for the will it selfe is kept in hold, and neuer released, before the Lord with a forcible hand of grace doe deliuer it.