4. Consider, though the wicked one seemeth modest and shamefaced in his first temptations in asking but little things, yet he will not rest there, but by degrees will proceed further, and hereby bring you unto the commission of greater. As the habits of grace, so the habits of sin are strengthened by degrees; though the beginning be but small, yet within a little while sin will greatly increase. Rivers at first arise from small springs, which in running gather waters, and increase into a great stream: So actual sins (I speak not of original sin, which is a deep and unsearchable fountain, from whence actual sin doth arise, and by which it is fed) I say, actual sins in their first beginning are but small, which if a man alloweth himself in the practice of, they will swell and increase, and carry him with a strong stream towards the Ocean of Gods wrath; if you make no conscience of small sins, you will easily be tempted to those which are great and more notorious. First, Satan will propose sin to your thoughts, it is no great thing to think; and if you can dally with sin in your thoughts, then he will by delightful pleasing thoughts of sin lay siege to your will; it is no great matter to desire, if you do not act; then if the fort of the will be taken, all the under-forts of the affections will quickly yield; and when you have entertained sin in your hearts, you will be tempted to proceed further, to vent it at your lips; it is no great thing to speak, and then, as you ⟨p. 90⟩have opportunity, he will tempt you to practice; go a little further, the sin is sweet, try but once, put but one step into this way, and retire again as soon as you will; and when once you have committed the act, it may be with smitings and reluctance of conscience, then he will entice again; it cannot be much worse, try once again, and by degrees the reluctance wears off; and though you commit sin at first with more regret, yet afterwards you will do it with more ease and delight; yea, with greediness and resolution, with hardness and obstinacy; and one great sin will make way for the commission of more; so that in time you will not forbear the greatest sins. Nemo repentè fit turpissimus, no man arriveth to the highest degree of wickedness upon a sudden, but is step by step drilled on by the Devil, and his own hearts lusts from little sins to the greatest.
4. Consider, though the wicked one seemeth modest and shamefac't in his first temptations in asking but little things, yet he will not rest there, but by degrees will proceed further, and hereby bring you unto the commission of greater. As the habits of grace, so the habits of sin are strengthened by degrees; though the beginning be but small, yet within a little while sin will greatly encrease. Rivers at first arise from small springs, which in running gather waters, and encrease into a great stream: So actual sins (I speak not of original sin, which is a deep and unsearchable fountain, from whence actual sin doth arise, and by which it is fed) I say, actual sins in their first beginning are but small, which if a man alloweth himself in the practice of, they will swell and encrease, and carry him with a strong stream towards the Ocean of Gods wrath; if you make no conscience of small sins, you will easily be tempted to those which are great and more notorious. First, Satan will propose sin to your thoughts, it is no great thing to think; and if you can dally with sin in your thoughts, then he will by delightful pleasing thoughts of sin lay siege to your will; it is no great matter to desire, if you do not act; then if the fort of the will be taken, all the under-forts of the affections will quic•y yield; and when you have entertained sin in your hearts, you will be tempted to proceed further, to vent it at your lips; it is no great thing to speak, and then, as you ⟨p. 90⟩have opportunity, he will tempt you to practice; go a little further, the sin is sweet, try but once, put but one step into this way, and retire again as soon as you will; and when once you have committed the act, it may be with smitings and reluctance of conscience, then he will entice again; it cannot be much worse, try once again, and by degrees the reluctance wears off; and though you commit sin at first with more regret, yet afterwards you will do it with more ease and delight; yea, with greediness and resolution, with hardness and obstinacy; and one great sin will make way for the commission of more; so that in time you will not forbear the greatest sins. Nemo repentè fit turpissimus, no man arriveth to the highest degree of wickedness upon a sudden, but is step by step drilled on by the Devil, and his own hearts lusts from little sins to the greatest.
