A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

Secondly, Is there such a strong Propension in the best to the worst Sins? See then what cause even the best have to be ⟨p. 237⟩continually humble. Oh, this is that which breaks the very heart, and rends the very Bowels of a true Christian, that •e should be so violently inclined to that which of all things in the world his God •s most averse to, and which, of all things in the world, as it is the only thing he never made, so it is that which he always hates; this is that which makes him smite his Breast with anguish, and to cry out with the Apostle, O wretched Man that I am! And well truly may the best Saint call himself a wretched man, since he carries that •n his bosom that will be a perpetual torment and vexation to him as long as he lives; there are Factions and Rebellions, intestine Discords, and civil Wars within, the Flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit lusting against the Flesh; there's a Sea of wickedness, and yet in the midst of it true Grace, like Fire, striving to burn it up: Nay, no wonder this great Combustion makes such a Smoke and Smother as wrings Tears from his Eyes; for when he meditates, this chokes his Meditation; he begins with God, but through this sinful proneness, he fall, he knows not ⟨p. 238⟩how, into some impertinent thought o• other, and in a moment he slides from Heaven to Earth; his Thoughts are like ravelled Thread; he knows not thei• method, and order, nor end of them When he prays, this Corruption sits very heavy upon his Heart; and as at the Evening the shadow of the Body move much faster, so truly many times th• Lips move apace in Prayer, when ye• the Heart is dull and drowsy; where ever he is, whatever he is about, Lus• is intruding into his company, Corruption will be thrusting it self into all hi• Actions: This is that which makes him weary of his very Life, so that he could very well be content; nay, he really and heartily wishes from his heart, that thi House of Clay were pulled down abou him. Truly, when we look abroad in to the world, and take notice in wha filthy Sins it wallows, what Oaths and Cursings, what Blasphemies and Drunkenness, what Murders, Uncleannesses and Riots have every where over-spread the face of the whole Earth; What do we see, but the Effects of that sinful Nature that is common to us as well as unto them?