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

As soon as ever thou perceivest thine affections, and lusts begin to grow inordinate, and thy inferior appetites to rebel, take thy self to task forthwith, and resist them withal thy might. Do not stay a moment, delay is unutterably, dangerous: who but a mad man that sees the Stable or Barn hard by his dwelling-house just beginning to catch fire, would stand still, & say let it alone a little, I would see what will come of it; wo or three minutes indulgence to the flame, will embolden it without expecting his leave or permission any longer, to devour, and rage, and consume, and carry all before it in despite of his mightiest resistances; when a little at first might have saved that vast damage, which his folly and loitering hath occasioned. How contemptible were those fires at first, that in few hours have triumphed over stately Palaces, and turned sometimes vast Cities into heaps of dust and ashes? how small an infirmity and distemper neglected hath ushered in the most fatal sickness? and how often hath a trifling bruise or strain, bin preface to a Gangrene, and the pick of a pin, or thorn not looked after time enough, enforced the cutting off a leg, or arm, nay proved mortal, and uncurable? advantages to good, like Arithmetical progressions rise slowly, in fair and even intervals, but advantages to ill, like Geometrical, grow up presently from little to vast excesses. —Facilis descensus Averni. Sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras Hic labour, &c. Virg. Aen. 6. ⟨p. 98⟩Motion to ill is downwards,¹ and like the descent of heavy bodies, collects a new impetus, and moveth every step, with a swiftness perpetually increasing, and (if not stopped early) soon irresistible. Mischief springs apace, grows tall and large, and adult suddenly, as Jonah's gourd did, in a night. Our passage in sin is with wind and tide increasing; but in holiness, with both against us. To seek the things above is a supernatural motion, and therefore difficult, but the contrary, is natural and therefore easy, [Greek or Hebrew], as the Philosopher well determines, evil is now a kin to us since our degeneracy, and hath vast advantages on its side, if once it gets an allowed harbour, and entertainment in our breast.

As soon as ever thou perceivest thine affections, and lusts begin to grow inordinate, and thy inferior appetites to rebel, take thy self to task forthwith, and resist them withall thy might. Do not stay a moment, delay is unutterably, dangerous: who but a mad man that sees the Stable or Barn hard by his dwelling-house just beginning to catch fire, would stand still, & say let it alone a little, I would see what will come of it; wo or three minutes indulgence to the flame, will embolden it without expecting his leave or permission any longer, to devour, and rage, and consume, and carry all before it in despite of his mightiest resistances; when a little at first might have saved that vast damage, which his folly and loytering hath occasioned. How contemptible were those fires at first, that in few hours have triumpht over stately Palaces, and turn'd sometimes vast Cities into heaps of dust and ashes? how small an infirmity and distemper neglected hath ushered in the most fatal sickness? and how often hath a trifling bruise or strain, bin preface to a Gangrene, and the pick of a pin, or thorne not lookt after time enough, enforced the cutting off a leg, or arm, nay proved mortal, and uncurable? advantages to good, like Arithmetical progressions rise slowly, in fair and even intervals, but advantags to ill, like Geometrical, grow up presently from little to vast excesses. —Facilis descensus Averni. Sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras Hic labor, &c. Virg. Aen. 6.