and will make the soul as black as hell that practiseth it. It is not hard for any, though a fool, to learn. Bo but wicked, and the devil will help thee to be witty : come but a while to his sciiool, and thou mayest soon be a cunning man. No sins speak a higher attainment in wickedness, than those which are the result of deliberate counsel and deep plottings. Creatures, as they go longer with their young, so their birth is more strong and perfect : as the elephant above all others. The longer a sin is in forming and forging within, and the oftener the head and heart meet about it, the more complete the sin. Here are many litters of unformed sin in one, such, I mean, that are conceived and cast forth in the hurry of an extemporary passion ; such sudden acts shew weakness, these others deep wickedness.
Secondly, Take heed of hiding sin when thou hast committed it. This is one of the devices that is in man's heart, *id as much art and cunning is shev%-n in this as in any one part of the sinner's trade. What a trick had the patriarchs to blind their father's eye with a bloody coat! Joseph's mistress, to prevent a charge ti-om Joseph, accuseth him for what she is guilty, like the robber who scaped by crying out ' Stop the thief.' God taught man to make coats to cover his naked body, but the devil learned him to weave these coverings to hide the nakedness of his soul; the more subtile thouseemest, in concealing thy sin, the more egregiously thou playest the fool. None so shamed as the liar when found out, and that thou art sure to be. Thy covering is too short to hide thee from God's eye ; and what God sees, if thou dost not put thyself to shame, he will tell all the world of hereafter, however thou escapest in this life.
Thirdly, Take heed of subtilty and sinful policy, in compassing that which is lawful in itself: it is lawful to improve thy estate, and husband it well for thy posterity ; but take not the devil's counsel, who will be putting thee upon some tricks in thy trade, and slights in thy dealing ; such may go for wise men a while, but the prophet reads their destinies, Jer. xvi. 11, 'At his end he shall be a fool.' It is lawful to love our estate, life, liberty ; but beware of sinful policy to save them. It is no wisdom to shuffle with God, by denying his truth, or shifting olFour duty to keep correspondence with men ; he is a weak fencer that lays his soul at open guard to be stabbed and wounded with guilt, while he is lifting up his hands to save a broken head. Our fear commonly meets us at that door by which we think to run from it. ' He that will save his life shall lose it.' As you love your peace. Christians, be plain-hearted with God and man, and keep the king's highway ; go the plain way of the command to obtain thy desire, and not to leap over hedge and ditch to come a little sooner to the journey's end ; such commonly either meet with some stop, that makes them come back with shame, or else put to venture their necks in some desperate leap. He is sure to come safer, if not sooner, home, that is willing to go a little about to keep God company. The historian's observation is worth the Christian's remembrance : ' Consilia callida prima specie Iseta, tractatu dura, eventu tristia." — Liv. Crafty coimsels promise fair at first, but prove more difficult in the managing, and in the end do pay the undertaker home with desperate sorrow.
Use 2. — Is Satan so subtile? O then think not to be too cunning for the devil ; he will be too hard for thee at last : sin not with thoughts of an after repentance ; it is possible thou meanest this at present : but dost thou think, who sits down to play with this cheater, to draw out thy stock when thou pleasest ? Alas, poor wretch, he has a thousand devices to carry thee on, and engage thee deeper, till he hath not left thee any tenderness in thy conscience, as some have been served at play, intending only to venture a shilling or two, yet have, by the secret witchery in gaming, played the very clothes off their back before they had done : 6 how many have thus sinned away all their principles, vea, profession itself, that they have not so much as tliis cloak left, but walk naked to their shame ! Like children who get into a boat, think to play near the shore, but are unawares by a violent gust carried down to the wide sea. O how know you that dally with Satan, but that at last you may, who begin modestly, be carried down to the broad sea of profaneness ? Some men are so subtile to overreach, and so cruel when they get men into their haiid, that a man had better beg his bread than l)orrow of them. Such a
56 THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND
merchant is Satan, cunning to insinuate, and get the creature into his hooks, and when he liath him on the hip, no more mercy to be had at his hand, than the lamb may expect from the ravenous wolf.