The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

3. In the transition from the Infant state, […] the age of discerning, Man is incapable of observing his native Corruption: since at first he acts evilly, and is in constant conversation with Sinners, who bring Vice into his acquaintance; and by making it familiar, lessen the horror and aversation from it. Besides, those corrupt and numerous examples wherewith he is encompassed, call forth his sinful inclinations, which as they are heightened by repeated acts, and become more strong and obstinate, so less sensible to him. And by this we may understand how irrecoverable Man is by his own Reason. The first step to our Cure is begun in the knowledge of our Disease, and this discovery is made by the Understanding, when 'tis seeing and vigilant, not when 'tis blind. A Disease in the Body is perceived by the Mind, but when the Soul is the affected part, and the rectitude of Reason is lost, there is no remaining principle to give notice of it. And as that Disease is most dangerous which strikes at the Life, and is without Pain: for Pain is not the chief evil but supposes it, 'tis the spur of Nature ▪ urging us to seek for Cure: So the corruption of the ⟨p. 55⟩Understanding is very fatal to Man; for although he labours under many pernicious Lusts which in the issue will prove deadly, yet he is insensible of them, and from thence fol•••s a Carelessness and Contempt of the means for his Recovery.

3. In the transition from the Infant state, 〈…〉 the age of discerning, Man is incapable of observing his native Corruption: since at first he acts evilly, and is in constant conversation with Sinners, who bring Vice into his acquaintance; and by making it familiar, lessen the horrour and aversation from it. Besides, those corrupt and numerous examples wherewith he is encompast, call forth his sinful inclinations, which as they are heightened by repeated acts, and become more strong and obstinate, so less sensible to him. And by this we may understand how irrecoverable Man is by his own Reason. The first step to our Cure is begun in the knowledge of our Disease, and this discovery is made by the Understanding, when 'tis seeing and vigilant, not when 'tis blind. A Disease in the Body is perceived by the Mind, but when the Soul is the affected part, and the rectitude of Reason is lost, there is no remaining principle to give notice of it. And as that Disease is most dangerous which strikes at the Life, and is without Pain: for Pain is not the chief evil but supposes it, 'tis the spur of Nature urging us to seek for Cure: So the corruption of the