Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

As for example in Rachel, the desire of Children was a lawful thing; but when she came to be so importunate, ⟨p. 355⟩and so unreasonable, so excessive in her desire that either she must have Children or else she must die, then it was a warring lust. So was Esau's desire of pottage. It is a lawful thing to desire the things of this life, the comforts of this life, but to desire them in that measure: in that excess, it degenerates from an ordinate affection, and turns to an unruly lust. Such was Davids desire of numbering the people. And therefore it is not without cause that the holy-Ghost useth this expression here, I find, saith the Apostle, a Law in my members warring: For as the word in the Original signifies, it wageth a war against the Law of the mind, even as one army doth against another. For there are a Legion of lusts, an army of lusts fighting against an army of graces.

As for example in Rachel, the desire of Children was a lawful thing; but when she came to be so importunate, ⟨p. 355⟩and so unreasonable, so excessive in her desire that either she must have Children or else she must die, then it was a warring lust. So was Esaus desire of pottage. It is a lawful thing to desire the things of this life, the comforts of this life, but to desire them in that measure: in that excess, it degenerates from an ordinate affection, and turns to an unruly lust. Such was Davids desire of numbring the people. And therefore it is not without cause that the holy-Ghost useth this expression here, I find, saith the Apostle, a Law in my members warring: For as the word in the Original signifies, it wageth a war against the Law of the mind, even as one army doth against another. For there are a Legion of lusts, an army of lusts fighting against an army of graces.

And if we shall a little open this to you, you shall see that it wageth war, and exerciseth a fight, in that ¹