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

Secondly, The flesh doth retard and hinder the work of grace by subtle allurements and enticements: Thus as the Devil sometimes appeareth as a roaring Lion, and sometimes again as a glistering Serpent, and in this latter way is most dangerous; so it is with this flesh within us; sometimes it grossly, and violently opposeth the grace of God, at other times it craftily insinuateth, It readily interposeth, it propounds many sweet baits; thus what it cannot do as a Lion, it accomplisheth as a Fox, so that what counsel is given, Mis. 75. Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom, implying there would be treachery in the nearest relations: This is much more to be observed against original sin that lieth in thy own bosom, yea it is thy own self; and therefore how easily may it persuade thee, yea no temptations without could do thee any hurt, did not this flesh within betray all: Thus it craftily insinuateth, and surpriseth the strongest holds of the soul, before we are aware: so you heard from that of James 1. 17. Every man is tempted and drawn aside with his own lust. Sweet poison doth more easily destroy, white powder that giveth no noise more certainly kills; and this is the Reason, why the godly may be carried away to sin of profit, and pleasure, and not judge them to be so, their hearts may not condemn them, and all because the flesh can so bewitch us; it doth cast such mists before our eyes, that we are not able to discern between things that differ.

Secondly, The flesh doth retard and hinder the work of grace by subtil allurements and enticements: Thus as the Devil sometimes appeareth as a roaring Lion, and sometimes again as a glistering Serpent, and in this latter way is most dangerous; so it is with this flesh within us; sometimes it grosly, and violently opposeth the grace of God, at other times it craftily insinuateth, It readily interposeth, it propounds many sweet baits; thus what it cannot do as a Lion, it accomplisheth as a Fox, so that what counsell is given, Mis. 75. Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lyeth in thy bosome, implying there would be treachery in the nearest relations: This is much more to be observed against original sinne that lyeth in thy own bosome, yea it is thy own self; and therefore how easily may it perswade thee, yea no temptations without could do thee any hurt, did not this flesh within betray all: Thus it craftily insinuateth, and surprizeth the strongesth holds of the soul, before we are aware: so you heard from that of