SECT. XVII.

The hurtfull Effects of the Affections upon a mans body.

THirdly, The sinfulnesse of our affections naturally is perceived by the hurt∣full and destructive effects which they make upon a man. Therefore you heard they were called passions; These affections immoderately put forth, do greatly hasten death, and much indispose the body about a comfortable life, 2 Cor. 7. 10. The sorrow of the world is said to work death: Thus also doth all worldly love, all worldly fear and anger, they work death in those where they do prevail. If Adam had stood they would not have been to his soul, as they are to us, nor to the body, like storms and tempests upon the Sea; They would not have been passions, or at least not made any corruptive alteration upon a man, whereas now they make violent impressions upon the body; so that there∣by we sinne not onely against our own souls, but our own bodies also, which the Apostle maketh an aggravation in the guilt of fornication, 1 Cor. 6. 18. Instan∣ces might be given of the sad and dreadfull effects which inordinate passions have put men upon, and never plead that this is the case onely of some few, we cannot charge all with this, for its only the sanctifying or restraining grace of God that keepeth in these passions of thine; should God leave thee to any one affection, as well tempered as thou thinkest thy self to be, it would be like fire let alone in combustible matter, which would presently consume all to ashes, of thy own self, having nomore strength than thy own, and meeting with such temptations as would be like a tempestuous wind to the fire, thou wouldst quickly be over∣whelmed thereby.