The Sincere Convert

III. The corruptions and distempers §111of the Will, which is the third cause why men deceive themselves. Which are many. I will only name three.

III. The corruptions and distempers §111of the Will, which is the third cause why men deceive themselves. Which are many. I will onely name three.

First, When the Will is resolved to §1go on in a sinful course, and then sets the understanding a work to defend it. Whence it fareth with the soul, as with a man that cometh to search for stolen goods, who having received a bribe afore-hand, searcheth every where but where it is, and so the man is never found out to be what he is: So a man having tasted the sweetness of a sinful course (which pleasure bribes him) he is contented to search into every corner of his heart, and to try himself, as many do, except there ⟨p. 210⟩where his da•ling lust lies; he sits upon that, and covers it willingly from his own eyes, as Rachel did upon stolen gods, and so never finds out himself, 10. 3. 20. a man that hath a mind to sleep quietly, will cause the curtains to be drawn, and will let some light come in, but shuts out all that, or so much as may hinder him from sleeping: So a man having a mind to sleep in some particular sinful course at his ease, will search himself, and let some light come into his mind.

First, When the Will is resolved to §1goe on in a sinfull course, and then sets the understanding a worke to defend it. Whence it fareth with the soule, as with a man that commeth to search for stollen goods, who having received a bribe afore-hand, searcheth every where but where it is, and so the man is never found out to be what he is: So a man having tasted the sweetnesse of a sinfull course (which pleasure bribes him) he is contented to search into every corner of his heart, and to try himselfe, as many doe, except there