(2) Men are naturally inclined to that which is evil. Jer.4.22. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge; if there be an evil Motion they presently comply with it. It is ⟨p. 9⟩not true, which some assert, That Men become Sinners only by imitation, or by learning from others. Some Sins are learnt from others, yet if Men should live where they should see no Sin committed, they would Sin against GOD. Suppose a Child brought up in a Religious Family, and never heard a lie told in his life, yet that Child committing a fault will go to cover it by telling a lie, which shows that to Sin is Natural. Some have committed such Sins as none in the World before them did the like. Rom. 1.30. They are inventers of evil things: which shows they then are Sinners by Inclination, and not only by Imitation. Yea, a sad truth it is, That the worst of Sins, the vilest of Abominations are natural to the Children of Men, tho' it may be God keeps them from committing them. The Apostle showing what Men are by Nature, says, Rom. 3.15. Their se•t are swift to shed blood. Why? are all Men Murderers? Truly, they have Murderous hearts within them. That holy Man Mr. Bradford, who dyed a Martyr, When he heard of any One Executed for Capital Crimes, would strike upon his ⟨p. 10⟩breast and say, In this heart of mine […] that which would make me commit the […] Sin, if God by His Grace did not […] me. All sorts of Sins are natural to […] Mat. 15. 19. Out of the heart proceed […] Thoughts, Murders, Adulteries, Fornic• tions, Thefts, false Witness, Blasphemies These proceed out of the heart; […] they are in the heart: how should the• proceed out of the heart, if there was nothing of them there. So that all sor• of Sins are natural to Men in this the•• corrupt, fallen estate. This may to some seem impossible, because there are Si•• which seem contrary the one, to the • there; as Prodigality is contrary to C• vetousness, yet in the same heart a•• both these. We see sometimes a Ma• that has been Notorious for his Prodigality, afterward that very Man shall become as Notorious for his Covetousness; then these corruptions are both of them in his heart. It is very true▪ There are special Sins which some Persons are more apt to commit them, tha• others, according to their natural Tempers; some are naturally more subje•• to anger, being of a passionate disposition;
(2) Men are naturally inclined to that which is evil. Jer.4.22. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge; if there be an evil Motion they presently comply with it. It is ⟨p. 9⟩not true, which some assert, That Men become Sinners only by imitation, or by learning from others. Some Sins are learnt from others, yet if Men should live where they should see no Sin committed, they would Sin against GOD. Suppose a Child brought up in a Religious Family, and never heard a ly told in his life, yet that Child committing a fault will go to cover it by telling a lie, which shews that to Sin is Natural. Some have committed such Sins as none in the World before them did the like. Rom. 1.30. They are inventers of evil things: which shows they then are Sinners by Inclination, and not only by Imitation. Yea, a sad truth it is, That the worst of Sins, the vilest of Abominations are natural to the Children of Men, tho' it may be God keeps them from committing them. The Apostle shewing what Men are by Nature, says, Rom. 3.15. Their se•t are swift to shed blood. Why? are all Men Murderers? Truly, they have Murderous hearts within them. That holy Man Mr. Bradford, who dyed a Ma•tyr, When he heard of any One Executed for Capital Crimes, would strike upon his ⟨p. 10⟩breast and say, In this heart of mine 〈…〉 that which would make me commit the 〈…〉 Sin, if God by His Grace did not 〈…〉 me. All sorts of Sins are natural to 〈…〉 Mat. 15. 19. Out of the heart proceed 〈…〉 Thoughts, Murders, Adulteries, Fornic• tions, Thiefts, false Witness, Blasphemi•s These proceed out of the heart; 〈…〉 they are in the heart: how should the• proceed out of the heart, if there was nothing of them there. So that all sor• of Sins are natural to Men in this the corrupt, fallen estate. This may to som seem impossible, because there are Si which seem contrary the one, to the ther; as Prodigality is contrary to C vetousness, yet in the same heart a both these. We see sometimes a Ma that has been Notorious for his Prodigality, afterward that very Man shall become as Notorious for his Covetusness; then these corruptions are both of them in his heart. It is very true There are special Sins which some Persons are more apt to commit them, tha others, according to their natural Tempers; some are naturally more subje to anger, being of a passionate disposition;
