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[ 1211] The danger of fleshly lusts to be avoided.
CLemens Alexandrinus hath a story,* 1.1 that the first who found out fire, was a Satyre, a wild man; and perceiving it to be a creature beautifull and resplen∣dent, like a hot suitor, he offers to kisse it: But the fire speaking to him, said, Take heed,* 1.2 Satyr, come not near me; for if thou dost, I shall burn thy beard. The meaning is, that unclean lust being a fire, which l••st f••ll be arts have found out they a••e told, if they meddle with it, they are sure to be burnt by it. Can a man go upon hot coals, and not be burnt? take fire in his bosome, and his cloaths not be consumed? go in unto a strange woman,* 1.3 and be innocent? come near such a she-fire, and not be sindg'd? He cannot, it is impossible: He may tread upon coals, thinking to tread them out,* 1.4 but he will first tread the fire into his own feet; he may think to take fire in his bosome, and his cloaths not be burnt; to embrace the conversation of a strange woman, and his chastity, the pure white garment of human nature, not be defiled; but he may withall think as well, to fall into the bosome of hell fire, and there not be tormented for ever more.