The Godly Man's Picture

2 A godly man will not allow himself in gainful sins. Gain is the golden bait, with which Satan fisheth for souls. —dulcis odour lucri—

2 A godly man will not allow himself in gainful sins. Gain is the golden bait, with which Satan fisheth for souls. —dulcis odor lucri—

This was the last temptation he used to Christ, Mat. 4. 9. All this will I give thee. But Christ saw the hook under the bait. Many who have escaped gross sins, yet are caught in a golden Net: To gain the world, they will use indirect courses. A godly man dares not travel for riches through the Devils high-way. Those are sad gains, that make a man lose peace of conscience, and heaven at last. He who getteth an estate by injustice, stuffs his pillow with thorns, and his head will lye very uneasy when he comes to dye.

This was the last temptation hee used to Christ, Mat. 4. 9. All this will I give thee. But Christ saw the hook under the bait. Many who have escaped gross sins, yet are caught in a golden Net: To gain the world, they will use indirect courses. A godly man dares not travel for riches thorow the Devils high-way. Those are sad gains, that make a man lose peace of conscience, and heaven at last. He who getteth an estate by injustice, stuffs his pillow with thorns, and his head will lye very uneasie when he comes to dye.

3 A godly man will not allow himself in a beloved sin; there is usually one sin that is the^† favourite, the sin which the heart is most fond of: A beloved Sin lies in a mans bosom, as the Disciple, whom Jesus loved, leaned on his bosom,