2. 'Tis a culpable and guilty Folly. When Children prefer things of Lustre before things of Value, their childish Toys, before real Treasures; when they choose a little present Enjoyment, before a future Good that is incomparably better, their Folly is innocent, because Reason cannot display its operations in them: But when Men, who are capable to distinguish between the things that are seen and temporal, and the things that are not seen and eternal; when they sottishly prefer sensible things before Spiritual, notwithstanding the vast difference between them, both in the quality and duration, their choice is so criminal, as deserves an everlasting Hell. If Esau had been a Child when he sold his Birthright for a Mess of ⟨p. 141⟩Pottage, his folly had been excused; for he was compelled by hunger; and the glorious dignity of the Birthright was disproportionate to his Appetite and Understanding: but in his mature Age, when capable to understand his Interest, to part with so sacred and precious an advantage, for a little sensual satisfaction, was so profane an Act, that he was justly deprived of the Divine Blessing that was annexed to the Birthright. That Beasts are wholly led by their sensual Appetites, is natural and regular, their voracity and cruelty, folly and filthiness, envy and fury, are not vicious passions, because Sense is the superior Faculty in them. But when Men are so brutish, that the Objects that please their Eyes, and carnal ⟨p. 142⟩Senses, are the only Attractives of their affections, 'tis unnatural and monstrous; because Reason should have the supremacy in them. If a Woman remain in a single state, she has power over her Actions, and may freely govern her self; but if married, is subordinate to her Husband: and disobedience to his Authority and prudent Counsels, is culpable. The Body considered as the Seat of the Senses, has natural Appetites, and might enjoy what is suitable to them according to their capacity; but united with an immortal Spirit, that is stamped with the living Image of God, its desires must be limited and directed by the Mind, and the pleasing of Sense in Actions forbidden by the Mind, is rebellion against the ruling Faculty. ⟨p. 143⟩If one be under a Disease that Wine inflames and increases, and the Physician forbids it as deadly, yet the Patient will judg only by his Palate whether Wine be good for him;
2. 'Tis a culpable and guilty Folly. When Children prefer things of Lustre before things of Value, their childish Toys, before real Treasures; when they chuse a little present Enjoyment, before a future Good that is incomparably better, their Folly is innocent, because Reason cannot display its operations in them: But when Men, who are capable to distinguish between the things that are seen and temporal, and the things that are not seen and eternal; when they sottishly prefer sensible things before Spiritual, notwithstanding the vast difference between them, both in the quality and duration, their choice is so criminal, as deserves an everlasting Hell. If Esau had been a Child when he sold his Birthright for a Mess of ⟨p. 141⟩Pottage, his folly had been excused; for he was compelled by hunger; and the glorious dignity of the Birthright was disproportionate to his Appetite and Understanding: but in his mature Age, when capable to understand his Interest, to part with so sacred and precious an advantage, for a little sensual satisfaction, was so profane an Act, that he was justly deprived of the Divine Blessing that was annext to the Birthright. That Beasts are wholly led by their sensual Appetities, is natural and regular, their voracity and crue•ty, folly and filthiness, envy and fury, are not vicious passions, because Sense is the superior Faculty in them. But when Men are so brutish, that the Objects that please their Eyes, and carnal ⟨p. 142⟩Senses, are the only Attractives of their affections, 'tis unnatural and monstrous; because Reason should have the supremacy in them. If a Woman remain in a single state, she has power over her Actions, and may freely govern her self; but if married, is subordinate to her Husband: and disobedience to his Authority and prudent Counsels, is culpable. The Body considered as the Seat of the Senses, has natural Appetites, and might enjoy what is suitable to them according to their capacity; but united with an immortal Spirit, that is stampt with the living Image of God, its desires must be limited and directed by the Mind, and the pleasing of Sense in Actions forbidden by the Mind, is rebellion against the ruling Faculty. ⟨p. 143⟩If one be under a Disease that Wine inflames and increases, and the Physician forbids it as deadly, yet the Patient will judg only by his Pallate whether Wine be good for him;
