A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Now when do Men thus merely sin, upon the impulsions of the Flesh? I'll instance in three Cases.

Now when do Men thus meerly sin, upon the impulsions of the Flesh? I'le instance in three Cases.

1. When the Temptation is so small and inconsiderable, that it should not sway with any reasonable Man. It is said, in Amos 2. 6. They sold the Poor for a pair of Shoes. And for a piece of Bread will that Man transgress, Prov. 28. 21. When Pleasure and Profit is so inconsiderable, as that it could not rationally make up a Temptation, then Men sin merely upon the Corruptions of their own Flesh. When the Devil hath to do with great Souls, such as Christ was, he propounds the Glory of all the World, Mat. 4. O! but a lesser price will serve the turn, with those that are deeply engaged already, that are biassed with their own propension; (for instance) a little ease, and carnal satisfaction, a slothful Humour, is enough to take them off from the sweetness of Communion with God, and the pleasure and contentment that they might enjoy with him in holy Exercises. Look as in general, it is a great aggravation of all Sin, that for such paltry Trifles, we turn the back upon God and his Grace: all Sinners do so, they part with all their Hopes by Christ, for a Mess of Pottage, for a little present Pleasure; that's profaneness indeed, Heb. 12. 16. So in particular things, when the smallest Temptation seems to be strong ⟨p. 434⟩enough to draw off our Hearts from our Duty, to bring us to a Sin of Omission, when it is needful to go and converse with God in secret; a little ease, and sloth, hangs upon us, and we cannot shake it off: or when we are drawn to a Sin of Commission, by an inconsiderable Matter, by the smallest worldly Interest as can be mentioned, for a piece of Bread, and a pair of Shoes.