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

Rule. 4 If these great real arguments be slighted, try whether an argument ad hominem, drawn from sense, will prevail. Awe thy lusts then with the bitterness of thine own experience. Consider how often thou hast rued their disorders; what dismal consequences have followed upon ⟨p. 101⟩their transports, and how dearly thou hast paid heretofore for thy connivance at them. Bethink thy self on such a fashion as this. T'other day I was angry, and behaved my self uncomely, put the whole company, or family out of order, disobliged such a dear and faithful friend, by my rashness and folly, in uttering hasty words before I weighed them. O how did I repent me afterwards? how shamed, and abashed, and confounded was I, when I came to my self? So at another time thus and thus I miscarried my self, and these are the fruits and cursed effects of my yielding to the beginnings of sin, and shall I go now and repeat my madness? Had I not smart enough for my folly before; but must I needs play the fool and the beast again? Ask thy self what thou ailest to forget all the sighs and groans, and bitter tears that thy lust hath already cost thee? and yet would the impudent sin be committed once more? [Greek or Hebrew]: where are thy wits, man,¹ if thou goest about it. Sic notus Ulysses? Was it so sweet a thing to lye under the horror and agony of a wounded conscience, and under Gods rebukes in secret the last time, that thou must needs venture again? Why, wilt thou hurt thy soul, and become a Devil to thy self? Why wilt thou needs break thy peace, by consenting to sin, and not only so, but torment thy self, and kindle a hell in thine own bosom? and all this in despite of all thy warnings? Ictus Piscator sapit, the burnt child dreads the fire: But it seems thou art in love with misery, and weary of thy joy and comfort. Thou hast a mind to be cursed, wretchedness and woe and death are it seemeth grown so amiable in thine eyes, as to become thy deliberate choice. Thus upbraid thy self, and do it so long and loud till thou fetchest thy soul again to it self, out of that swoon and lethargy which besotteth it. Give not over chiding and reproaching thy self, till thou makest thy heart sensible and considerate.

Rule. 4 If these great reall arguments be slighted, try whether an argument ad hominem, drawn from sense, will prevail. Awe thy lusts then with the bitternesse of thine own experience. Consider how often thou hast rued their disorders; what dismall consequences have followed upon