The application of redemption

The strength of her sinful inclinations was such, that she did not stay till temptation came and surprised her, but she sought temptations before they came, and did prostitute her self to every occasion with eagerness. This also was the guise of them who transgressed for a morsel of bread. As it is in the balance, when a dram or a grain will fetch up the scales, it […] it fully loaded with the weight that carries it strongly that way. When thine own mouth confesseth the things are of no consequence, nor worthy consideration, no sweet of […] that might delight, there is no price of any commodity that might carry any weight with thy will and affections to cast them that way. It's an argument undeniable, and beyond gainsaying, thy heart is loaded with lusts and corruptions, that so easily cast the balance that way, even the least dram, the least inkling of any occasion that comes in that scale. The less the occasion, the more and ⟨p. 173⟩stronger thy corruption, and such as cannot be excused, therefore it's usually most severely plagued by the Lord, because there is more sinfulness in an action where there is less provocation, and more heart and affection to it. As it was in the Offerings of those that cast into the Corban; the Widow that cast in two mites, the Text says by our Saviours Verdict, she cast in more than they all, Luk. 21. 3. because there was more heart there, more unfeigned bounty and liberality, though the money and gift was less: So it is here; There are most noisome corruptions in thy heart, vented upon the least occasion; the thing thou covetest it may be is but two mites, a penny or twopence in the shilling more than is just, when mens necessities force them to seek supply. But there's a sink of immoderate covetousness in thy heart, that against command and conscience, knowledge and comfort, thou wilt transgress for a trifle. The less the thing is, the easier the command of a Governor; the more hellish thy carelessness and perverseness that will not attend it, when it is before thy face, and may be performed without any trouble at all. And this is the cause why the Lord most commonly doth most severely punish such a practice, because there was more heart, and so more poison in the sin, when there was less occasion to commit it. So it was in Lots wise, Gen. 19. 26. She looked back from behind him, and she became a Pillar of Salt.