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

First there is a teaching of beast by man, that they may be serviceable unto men: by this to put men in mind of the spiritual teaching; God hath put such a power in the creatures that they cannot choose but they must do it, there is a necessity laid upon them by God in the very instinct of nature. So when the spirit comes into the heart of a Christian, it openeth another light in the mind, and therefore the Apostle saith that you need not teach you to love: for you are taught of God to love one another. That is, there is a necessity laid upon you, and therefore you must needs love.

First there is a teaching of beast by man, that they may be serviceable unto men: by this to put men in mind of the spiritual teaching; God hath put such a power in the creatures that they cannot chuse but they must do it, there is a necessitie laid upon them by God in the very instinct of nature. So when the spirit comes into the heart of a Christian, it openeth another light in the minde, and therefore the Apostle saith that you need not teach you to love: for you are taught of God to love one another. That is, there is a necessitie laid upon you, and therefore you must needs love.

I grant that sometimes a thief may be in the high way, but it is for a booty, and a holy man may be out of the way, That is, slipped aside; but here is the difference, the one sets himself of purpose to do evil: and the other is enforced unto evil unwillingly. And you shall know the difference between these two; in these 2. things. If a holy man have gone besides the way, as soon as the passion or temptation is overpast, he will return again into the right way; he will not go forward, nor stand still, ⟨p. 105⟩but he will return: But the other though in some sense he knows it, and is told he is besides the rule, yet he cares not, he will go on forward.

I grant that sometimes a thief may be in the high way, but it is for a bootie, and a holy man may be out of the way, That is, slipt aside; but here is the difference, the one sets himself of purpose to do evil: and the other is inforced unto evil unwillingly. And you shall know the difference between these two; in these 2. things. If a holy man have gone besides the way, as soon as the passion or temptation is overpast, he will return again into the right way; he will not go forward, nor stand still,