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

But a third or more frequent relapse, is like the putting of an arm out of joint, again and again, not being well bound and looked to in time, becomes habitually loose and never keeps the place: so it is here, Crebrous and frequent acts of sin beget an habit, and custom in sin, and then as soon may the Ethiopian change his skin, and the Leopard his spots, ¹as one accustomed to do evil, ever learn to do well.

But a third or more frequent relapse, is like the putting of an arm out of joynt, again and again, not being well bound and looked to in time, becomes habitually loose and never keeps the place: so it is here, Crebrous and frequent acts of sin beget an habit, and custom in sin, and then as soon may the Ethiopian change his skin, and the Leopard his spots, ¹as one accustomed to do evil, ever learn to do well.

1. 1Jer. 13.23.

Bernard describes the steps of sin, how it comes to its height. First time it is importable, next time heavy, ¹no more importable, then easy, then light, then sweet, at last necessary; and what was at first importable to be committed, is now impossible to be omitted. And St. Austin confirms this by a story of his own Mother, who by sipping of the Cup at first when she filled the Wine, learnt at last to take almost whole Cups, Qui modica non spernit paulatim decidit, is his good note upon it, he that makes a small matter of small sins, is in the ready way to fall into the greatest. Every new relapse into a former sin, is like the adding of a new figure to the first cypher, which raiseth the sinners account ten or an hundred times more.