A call to the unconverted, to turn and live

But as for man, we know his mind is dark, his will perverse, and his affections carry him so headlong, that he is fitted by his folly and corruption to such a work as the destroying of himself. If you saw a lamb lie killed in the way, would you sooner suspect the sheep, or the dog, or wolf, to be the author of it, if they both stand by? Or if you see an house broken, and the people murdered, would you sooner suspect the prince or judge, that is wise and just, and ••d no need, or a known thief or murderer? I say therefore, us Jam. i. 13, 14, 15. "Let no […] a say when he is tempted, that he is tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man," to draw him to sin, but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death." You see here, that sin is the brat of your own concupiscence, and not to be fathered on God, and that death is the offspring of your own sin, and the fruit which it will yield you as soon as it is ripe. You ⟨p. 117⟩have a treasure of evil in yourselves, as a spider bath of poison, from whence you are bringing forth hurt to yourselves, and spinning such webs as entangle your own souls. Your nature shows it is you that are the cause.

But as for man, we know his mind is dark, his will perverse, and his affections carry him so headlong, that he is fitted by his folly and corruption to such a work as the destroying of himself. If you saw a lamb lie killed in the way, would you sooner suspect the sheep, or the dog, or wolf, to be the author of it, if they both stand by? Or if you see an house broken, and the people murdered, would you sooner suspect the prince or judge, that is wise and just, and ••d no need, or a known thief or murderer? I say therefore, us Jam. i. 13, 14, 15. "Let no 〈…〉 a say when he is tempted, that he is tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man," to draw him to sin, but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death." You see here, that sin is the brat of your own concupiscence, and not to be fathered on God, and that death is the offspring of your own sin, and the fruit which it will yield you as soon as it is ripe. You