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

A word for application very briefly. When we hear ¹that there is such a Law in our members; it should teach us to reflect upon our selves, that we may be able to cry out as Saint Paul doth, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death? For if a man had but his eyes open, to see this Law in his members overspreading his whole soul, and fighting against the regenerate part, against the Law of his mind, which should be in every man, it would make a man amazed in himself; it would make a man wonder that he had lived so long with himself, and knew himself no better.

1. 1Use. Bewail our condition under this law in our members.

And in this case it takes away that ordinary excuse that men have: for men are ready to say, alas▪ I have resisted such and such a sin, I have a nature exceedingly inclined to them. But alas thou art deceived in this: for this ¹is so far from excusing thee, as that this very thing that thou hast a strong inclination to evil, it makes thy sin out of measure sinful. For even as it is in good actions, the ⟨p. 369⟩more zeal there is, the better is the good work, so is it in evil works, the more lust there is in every evil work, the greater is the sin: for the more lust there is, the more sin: and the more wilful a man is in sin the more is the sin.

And in this case it takes away that ordinary excuse that men have: for men are ready to say, alas▪ I have resisted such and such a sin, I have a nature exceedingly inclined to them. But alas thou art deceived in this: for this ¹