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

2. There are thoughts that are continuing morâ consensus, and these are far more dangerous and damnable then the former; for if sinful thoughts and motions arise in thy soul, though they are but for a very short time; yet if thou hast yielded to them, then thy soul hath committed fornication. Consensisti, said Austin, concubuisti in cord tuo; so that the consent to them is far more dangerous then the length of time, they may afflict thee in. Any sinful motion consented unto, though it be but for a moment, is more destructive, then such as follow thee from day to day, yea it may be from year to year, but thou givest no entertainment to them. This is good for the practical Christian to observe, it is the long time that troubleth them: Oh (say they) ever since God hath first wrought upon my soul, I have been exercised with these thoughts, such dreadful suggestions, and to this day I am not yet delivered from them! Be of good comfort, though it be grievous to thee to feel such things in thy soul, yet because withstood, they shall not be imputed to thee. Those that have the like temptations, but for an hour, and embracing of them, have more offended God, and endangered their own souls.

2. There are thoughts that are continuing morâ consensus, and these are farre more dangerous and damnable then the former; for if sinfull thoughts and motions arise in thy soul, though they are but for a very short time; yet if thou hast yeelded to them, then thy soul hath committed fornication. Consensisti, said Austin, concubuisti in corde tuo; so that the consent to them is farre more dangerous then the length of time, they may afflict thee in. Any sinfull motion consented unto, though it be but for a moment, is more destructive, then such as follow thee from day to day, yea it may be from year to year, but thou givest no entertainment to them. This is good for the practical Christian to observe, it is the long time that troubleth them: Oh (say they) ever since God hath first wrought upon my soul, I have been exercised with these thoughts, such dreadfull suggestions, and to this day I am not yet delivered from them! Be of good comfort, though it be grievous to thee to feel such things in thy soul, yet because withstood, they shall not be imputed to thee. Those that have the like temptations, but for an hour, and imbracing of them, have more offended God, and endangered their own souls.