1. Therefore we come to sin by these motions and thoughts of soul, by the very being of them there. The very having of them there is contrary to the Image of God we were first created in: As in Heaven there is no unclean thing that can enter; so where the Image of God is full and complete, the least vain thought, the least sinful stirring can no more consist with it, then darkness with light: or as at the first creation we could not have found one weed or thistle on the ground, but these came by the curse for sin; so at first in mans soul there would not have appeared the least irregular and inordinate motion of the heart, not one thought would have been out of its place: Adam was Gods book coming immediately from him, wherein no errata could be found; but now in stead of wheat come up cockles. Now what ever we think, we imagine, we move to all, doth become sin unto us. Oh then let the godly soul mourn and humble it self, because such motions are there, as you see Paul doth, Rom. 7. Let it not be thought that thou art freed from all sin, because thou doest withstand them, thou doest not own them: For although this will keep them from being imputed unto thee, yet in themselves they are sins, they are damnable; God might throw thee into hell for the mere having of them; God might justly say, I sowed good seed in thy soul, but how come these tares there? These thoughts, these motions are none of my planting, I created them not: Therefore the very having of them in thy soul, is a sin against God, though never expressed in action; and the reason hereof is from the exact spirituality of the Law of God: There is this great difference between God and all political Law-giver; these later forbid only the external action, they do not prohibit the inward will or desire: What Law-giver amongst men was ever so absurd as to say, you shall not cover or desire such a thing? But if men do outwardly offend, then they are obnoxious to punishment. But it is otherwise with God in his Laws, who is the Father of Spirits, and searcheth our hearts, therefore his Law doth principally reach to the heart, to make that a good treasure, to have the tree first good, and then to make the fruit answerable thereunto.
1. Therefore we come to sinne by these motions and thoughts of soul, by the very being of them there. The very having of them there is contrary to the Image of God we were first created in: As in Heaven there is no unclean thing that can enter; so where the Image of God is full and compleat, the least vain thought, the least sinfull stirring can no more consist with it, then darkness with light: or as at the first creation we could not have found one weed or thistle on the ground, but these came by the curse for sinne; so at first in mans soul there would not have appeared the least irregular and inordinate motion of the heart, not one thought would have been out of its place: Adam was Gods book coming immediately from him, wherein no errata could be found; but now in stead of wheat come up cockles. Now what ever we think, we imagine, we move to all, doth become sinne unto us. Oh then let the godly soul mourn and humble it self, because such motions are there, as you see Paul doth, Rom. 7. Let it not be thought that thou art freed from all sinne, because thou doest withstand them, thou doest not own them: For although this will keep them from being imputed unto thee, yet in themselves they are sinnes, they are damnable; God might throw thee into hell for the meer having of them; God might justly say, I sowed good seed in thy soul, but how come these tares there? These thoughts, these motions are none of my planting, I created them not: Therefore the very having of them in thy soul, is a sinne against God, though never expressed in action; and the reason hereof is from the exact spirituality of the Law of God: There is this great difference between God and all political Law-giver; these later forbid only the external action, they do not prohibit the inward will or desire: What Law-giver amongst men was ever so absurd as to say, you shall not cover or desire such a thing? But if men do outwardly offend, then they are obnoxious to punishment. But it is otherwise with God in his Laws, who is the Father of Spirits, and searcheth our hearts, therefore his Law doth principally reach to the heart, to make that a good treasure, to have the tree first good, and then to make the fruit answerable thereunto.
