The law unsealed

And 1. we say there is a great difference betwixt sleeping dreaming men, and mad-men. 1. Because madness is wholly in it self penal, and is a disease following sinful man as other diseases: but so it cannot be said of such dreaming; for as sleep was natural (there being before Adams Fall a Day and a Night as well as now, and there being an instance then of Adams sleeping) so must dreaming be, being procured by the restlessness of the Fancy; and the roving of the Imaginations, which is some way natural; but that men dream of such subjects, or that their dreams are of such a nature (as filthy or profane) seems clearly to follow sin, which dreaming simply doth not; and therefore man is not so passive in this, as in madness. 2. Because in dreams men have more use of Reason, then in madness, though (as the School-men say) that use be imperfect, yet as they grant (and Experience confirmeth it, and Augustine lib. 10. Confess• acknowledgeth it in himself) their may reason and debate in sleep, yea sometimes reject some motions, and though dreaming yet not give consent unto them; and that upon reasons which at other times possibly they will embrace. Hence is it that there is a sort of suitableness and likeness betwixt mens dreamings▪ and their rational actings when walking; children and mad men, or men in a distemper, having more foolishness and less reason in dreams, then these who have more use of reason; but wise men in a distraction, and natural fools, have no such difference then: Beside, we conceive that dreaming is more proper to reasonable men then Beasts▪ and to men that have exercise of reason then to children, but madness may be in all. 3. Because a mans former carriage in moral things hath much more influence on his dreams when he has clear use of reason, then it can be said to have upon him when in madness, as to the things committed by him in it. 4. Neither is it without some weight, that under the Law, Levit. 15. Deut. 23. 10. Sacrifices and Washing▪ were appointed for some sins committed in sleep and dreaming (whatever they be ⟨p. 13⟩in themselves) which were not appointed for the sins of such as were frantic: All which put together, and duly considered, we cannot look upon sins, I mean things otherwise unlawful, in dreaming; and sins in distraction, as equal.