An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

The first step is, the taking time and leave to meditate upon sin, and roll it up and down in the thoughts. A hard heart lets vain thoughts dwell in it. A holy heart would not let them lodge with it.

The first step is, the taking time and leave to meditate upon sinne, and roll it up and down in the thoughts. A hard heart lets vain thoughts dwell in it. A holy heart would not let them lodge with it.

A second step is, some tastes of pleasure and delight in sin. It proves a sweet morsel under his tongue. As the heart grows more delighted in sin, so more hardened in sin. Nothing should be so bitter as sin in the act, for nothing will be so bitter as sin in the issue: but when the act is pleasant, the issue is seldom suspected.

A second step is, some tastes of pleasure and delight in sinne. It proves a sweet morsell under his tongue. As the heart grows more delighted in sinne, so more hardened in sinne. Nothing should be so bitter as sinne in the act, for nothing will be so bitter as sinne in the issue: but when the act is pleasant, the issue is seldome suspected.

The third step is, custom in sinning. It argues great boldness to venture often. One said of him that had escaped danger at sea,¹ If you go again, you have no reason to complain, though you be wracked. Mariners are fearful of storms at first, but through custom they play with them. When a man comes offs once safe from sin, he will venture again, and so often, till at last he thinks there is scarce any venture at all in sin. He grows bold and hardy.

The third step is, custome in sinning. It argues great boldnesse to venture often. One said of him that had escaped danger at sea,