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

2. We offend against God not only by having of these motions stirring in us, but much more when they delight us, when we find a complacency and sweetness in the thinking of them, when they affect us so, that we roll them like honey under the tongue. And truly in this respect the godly soul is even amazed and astonished to see how vile it is, and how abominable: For what innumerable, pleasing, delightsome motions do arise in thy soul all the day long, either about unlawful objects, or if lawful in an inordinate and sinful manner? Are not these more then the hairs of thy head in number? Now concerning these delightful pleasing motions of the soul in a sinful way, observe these Rules,

2. We offend against God not only by having of these motions stirring in us, but much more when they delight us, when we find a complacency and sweetness in the thinking of them, when they affect us so, that we roll them like honey under the tongue. And truly in this respect the godly soul is even amazed and astonished to see how vile it is, and how abominable: For what innumerable, pleasing, delightsome motions do arise in thy soul all the day long, either about unlawfull objects, or if lawfull in an inordinate and sinfull manner? Are not these more then the hairs of thy head in number? Now concerning these delightfull pleasing motions of the soul in a sinfull way, observe these Rules,

1. That a man may be carried out in these delightful objects, either by a mere affection of complacency and pleasure, or by an efficacious act, and purpose of the will to accomplish such a sin, as in uncleanness. The corrupt heart may delight it self in lascivious apprehensions, and defile it self exceedingly in that way, but yet have no efficacious will to commit the sin; yea (as we told you) would not for a world commit it, either for shame, or for punishment, ⟨p. 471⟩or some other respects: For sin hath then got strong power over us; and we are left by God, when we are boldly carried on to commit such lewdness. It is therefore necessary for the spiritual and heart-Christian, to observe the former as well as the later. Do there not arise contemplative delightsome thoughts about sinful objects? Are they not rolled up and down in thy heart, though thou hast no purpose to effect them? Oh be ashamed and blush to have such an impure soul! Is this soul fit for communion with God? Is this the temple of the holy Ghost?