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

Thirdly, This similitude of drinking down iniquity like water, doth suppose the sweetness and delight that is in sinning; For although water, as such hath no savournesse, and therefore is not like wine or beer, yet because it is cooling, it doth with much delight refresh and refrigerate the hot thirsty appetite within: Hence Solomon expresseth desirable news by this similitude, As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far Country, Prov. 25. 25. So that by this expression is denoted, the great delight and content that naturally is found in any evil way, when a man is sinning it is as he would have it: This is suitable and agreeable with that corrupt inclination that is within; David cannot express greater joy, and delight in the Law of God, and in fulfilling of his will, then they do in obeying the lusts of the flesh, and this is that which maketh conversion so difficult; This is that which doth so strongly hold men in their sinful ways; Neither the words of God or the works of God are able to separate a man and his sins, till God put forth his conquering, and all subduing grace, because sin is thus sweet to a man; Zophar the Naamathite, doth excellently inform us, how sweet sin is to an evil man, and how much he delight in ⟨p. 444⟩the sweetness of it, Job 20. 12, 13. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue, though he spirit, and for sake not, but keep it still within ••outh, &c. By this we see, that sine to a natural man, is like some […] the mouth, which we roll up and down, being unwilling to swallow […], that so we may the longer enjoy the sweetness thereof. Certainly it would be an high degree of blasphemy to say, God made man with such a corrupt inclination at first, that sin should be so connatural and suitable to him: It was therefore by Adam's apostasy, when we lost the Image of God; then no wonder if every part and power of the soul were carried out inordinately and violently to what is evil. By this also we see, that a necessity in sinning, and a delight and voluntariness in sinning may very well consist together, one doth not destroy another: A corrupt man like a corrupt tree, cannot but bring forth corrupt fruit, yet all this is done with inward delight and content, as he cannot, so he will not do otherwise: