A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

1. Whereas they should be carried out to these lawful things only with reference to God, as the chiefest end, to love them, to desire them, no otherwise then thereby to be brought nearer to the end; we are apt to make them the end, to stay there, to make a full stop at a Colon or Comma; Even as the children of Reuben, who desired to take up their rest in a country on this side Canaan, because it was a fruitful place, and fit for cattle: Thus we who should let our affections stir to these things only as a way to heaven, or means to bring us nearer to God; we centre in them, desiring them for their own sakes; It is a rule, That the desire of the end, is a rule to the desire of means; we desire drink to satisfy thirst, we desire garments to clothe us, and we desire no more then is commensurate to such an end; and indeed thus it ought to be with us in our affections to all things upon the earth, not to be affected with wealth, health, learning, or any advantage any otherwise, then to be more enabled to do God service, and thereby to enjoy him; but as the dark night cannot be dispelled till the Sun doth arise, so neither can the regulating and ordering of the affections (with subordination to God in lawful things) ever be accomplished till sanctifying grace doth interpose.

1. Whereas they should be carried out to these lawful things only with reference to God, as the cheifest end, to love them, to desire them, no otherwise then thereby to be brought nearer to the end; we are apt to make them the end, to stay there, to make a full stop at a Colon or Comma; Even as the children of Reuben, who desired to take up their rest in a country on this side Cannan, because it was a fruitfull place, and fit for cattel: Thus we who should let our affections stirre to these things only as a way to heaven, or meanes to bring us nearer to God; we center in them, desiring them for their own sakes; It is a rule, That the desire of the end, is a rule to the desire of meanes; we desire drink to satisfie thirst, we desire garments to cloath us, and we desire no more then is commensurate to such an end; and indeed thus it ought to be with us in our affections to all things upon the earth, not to be affected with wealth, health, learning, or any advantage any otherwise, then to be more enabled to do God service, and thereby to enjoy him; but as the dark night cannot be dispelled till the Sunne doth arise, so neither can the regulating and ordering of the affections (with subordination to God in lawful things) ever be accomplished till sanctifying grace doth interpose.