Chap. 45 The Second Corollary. It's worse to be sinful, than to be afflicted with Temptation from th
man, turned into the shape of a beast, though he should retain the mind of a man, under this condition? As if God by his power should turn the fashion of a mans body, to be just like a Dog or a Swine, and yet he should have the mind of a man the soul should be kept within such a body, of such a forme, of a dog or a swine, and he should go up and down in the world as a dog or a swine, with the mind of a man.
Now this Heathen said, A man had rather die than be so; then how great an evil (said he) is it for a man to have the soul of a man turned into the fashion of a beast, though his body continue still in the form of a man, this a heathen could say.
By this it appeareth, Though we see not God work such miracles, as to turn the bodies of men and women, by his judgements, into the fashion of swine, or dogs, or such creatures as he might do if he pleased; but this we see ordinary that the souls of men and women, be turned just into the very fashion and shape (as I may so speak) of the sensitive souls of bruit beasts; as a drunkard, or a glutton, his soul is just like to the sensitive soul of the swine. And those that do rail against Religion, their souls be turned just like the sensitive soul of a barking dog, and they do bark like (nay, a great deal worse than) a dog. And those that are wickedly subtile, they are like to Foxes. And the Scripture speaks of men cruel, like to Wolves: their sins do turn their souls to be like the very spirit and sensitive souls of the bruit beasts. So that they are in a worse condition than if their bodies were turned into the shape of bruit beasts. But when their souls be turned to be like the Devil, this is worse a great deal than if they were like bruit beasts. This is the First.
CHAP. XLV.
The Second Corollary. Its worse to be sinful, than to be Afflicted with Temptation from the Devil.
Secondly, From the Reference sin has to the Devil, it follows, That for any man or woman to be wicked, it is worse a great deal than to have the greatest trouble and affliction by any temptation from the Devil.
There be many men and women exceedingly pestered with hideous and horrible temptations by the Devil, and so troubled with them that they be even weary of their lives, and know not what to do.
Many send up Papers to the Minister in Public, desiring to be prayed for, because of that sore affliction upon them, those dreadful temptations of the devil; wheresoever they go, wheresoever they be, whatsoever they be adoing, when a hearing, a reading, and if they go to prayer, still hideous temptations of the devil comes upon them, and this wearies their lives: They had rather endure any misery in the world.
I dare appeal to you that be troubled with hideous temptations of the devil, which dog, and follow you; had you not rather endure loss of estate, sickness, poverty, and shame, and disgrace, rather than have these hideous temptations follow you? Oh you should have many quickly make their choice, rather let any thing befall me than have such hideous temptations pursue & pester me.
Now if such hideous temptations, be a greater evil in your account than all afflictions that can befall your body; than much more evil are your sins than all afflictions; for sin has greater Reference unto the devil than temptations, and make you more like the devil than temptations do: for temptations may be no other but such as did befall the Son of God himself.