The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

3. I am to enquire, how this comes to pass, that particular persons have their proper and particular sins.

3. I am to enquire, how this comes to passe, that particular persons have their proper and particular sins.

1. Men have particular temperaments and constitutions of body, and therefore they have their particular sins suitable to their temperaments and constitutions: You heard before, how particular temperaments inclined men several ways. Creatures in the general are naturally delighted with those things, which are fitted, suited and accommodated to the genius, and frame of their respective natures. As in the same plant, the Bee feedeth on the flower, the Bird on the seed, the Sheep on the blade, the Swine on the root: the same seeds are not proper for the sand, and for the clay. Every thing thrives most where it likes best; so tis in this case, that sin is like to thrive most in the soul, that we make most of, that we are most delighted in, that suits best our complexions and constitutions. We must be careful here, lest we strain this too ⟨p. 48⟩far, with some Physicians and Epicureans that hold the soul to be nothing else, but the temper of the body: but questionless this hath a very great influence on the better part. Hence some have adjudged it not fit, for illegitimate persons to be admitted into Ecclesiastical orders: and you know under the Law, by the appointment of God himself, a bastard was not to enter into the congregation, to the tenth generation.

1. Men have particular temperaments and constitutions of body, and therefore they have their particular sins sutable to their temperaments and constitutions: You heard before, how particular temperaments enclined men severall wayes. Creatures in the generall are naturally delighted with those things, which are fitted, suited and accommodated to the genius, and frame of their respective natures. As in the same plant, the Bee feedeth on the flower, the Bird on the seed, the Sheep on the blade, the Swine on the root: the same seeds are not proper for the sand, and for the clay. Every thing thrives most where it likes best; so tis in this case, that sin is like to thrive most in the soul, that we make most of, that we are most delighted in, that suits best our complexions and constitutions. We must be carefull here, lest we strein this too