The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

They plot sin with their heads, They conceive mischief, Psa. 7.14. they affect sin with their hearts, their hearts are after their covetousness, Ezek. 33. They act with their hands, what their heads forge, and their hearts favour; they do evil with both hands earnestly. Micah 7.3. They work so hard till they are weary, thou hast wearied thy self ⟨p. 91⟩in the multitude of thy counsels, Isa. 47.13. Pliny saith of the Scorpion, that there is not one minute wherein he doth not put forth his sting; these cannot cease from sin, 2 Pet. 2. they do even contend which of them shall exceed in sin, as unhappy boys strive who shall go farthest in the Dirt.

All the rubs which are laid in their way, do rather increase their rage then hinder their riot. When God would stop the stream of their lusts by his prohibitions, laws, judgements, like waters dammed up, they swell the more, and like the possessed person break all those cords in pieces. When Paul chides the Ephesians for their Idolatry, they cry out for it with the greater vehemency. When Steven had reproved the Jews for their cruelty, they were cut the to heart and gnash upon him with their teeth. Acts 7.54, 57. When Ahaz. was hampered in affliction, like a mad Dog he bites at his Chain, and sins yet more in his distress, against the Lord. When the sinners tide of nature is thwarted and crossed by the winds of reproof or some judgement, what a storm is presently raised? how doth he like the Sea presently discover and foam out his own shame. Though God command, entreat, persuade, threaten, promise, yet all this Physic doth often but move and stir, not remove nor purge away their ill humours. O how deadly is that disease which no physic can cure? and how tough is that wood which no wedge can cleave? The bird will beware of the pitfall in which she bath been caught, and the beast of the snare in which he hath been taken, but brutish man more foolish