Profits, and Honours of this World, which nothing can allay, but the Water of Life, which Jesus Christ gives; John 4.14.
III. Poyson gets quickly (saith one) to the Spirit, 'tis subtil and spiritful, and in a very little time will corrupt the whole Mass of Blood, &c. So Sin in a little time corrupted the whole Lump of Mankind. Adam had no sooner sinned against God, but the spiritual Poyson and Venom thereof struck to his Heart, corrupting every Faculty of his Soul, and not only so, but also the Souls of all his Posterity. [See Wounds.]
IV. 'Tis noted by Plutarch, that when an Asp stings a Man, it doth first tickle him, and makes him laugh, till the Poyson by little and little gets to the Heart, and then it pains and torments him, more than ever it delighted him before: So doth Sin, it may please a little at first: Though Wickedness be sweet in his Mouth, tho he hide it under his Tongue, though he spare it, and forsake it not, but keepeth it still within his Mouth: Yet his Meat in his Bowels is turned, it is the Gall of Asps within him. Forbidden Profits and Pleasures are very delightful to carnal Men, and many love to be medling with these poysoning Morsels of Sin. Many eat that on Earth, which they digest in Hell. Men must not think to dine and dance with the Devil, and then to sup with Abra∣ham, Isaac, and Jacob, in God's Kingdom.
V. Poyson in a Toad or Serpent, suits and agrees well with their Nature; but Poyson in a Man's Stomach makes fearful Work, it being of a contrary Nature: So Sin in a wicked Man, one that hath no spark of true Grace in him▪ seems to be sui∣table, and agree well with him, his whole Nature being so grievously corrupted, and changed into the evil Nature thereof, he having used himself so long in sinful Ways, that Sin, (viz. open Prophaneness, Superstition, and Error) is habitual, and become natural to him, as Poyson to a Toad. Naturalists say, That if a Man take a little quantity of Poyson at a time, and so accustom himself to it, it will at length become so natural to him, that he may take it as Food: Even so wicked Men, by a conti∣nual Course and evil Custom in Sin, drink it down as pleasant Liquor, (like as the Fish drinks Water.) But now Sin to a true Christian, is like much Poyson in a Man's Stomach: 'tis contrary to that new Nature, and divine Principle, which is wrought in him by the Spirit of God; he cannot bear nor endure it, he hates every false Way: That which I hate, that do I.
VI. Poyson is deadly in its own Nature, and of a killing and destroying Quality, if not timely vomited up, by taking some fit and proper Antidote, &c. So Sin, (whether fleshly or spiritual, viz. sensual Debauchery, or Heresy) will kill and de∣stroy all where-ever it is, both Body and Soul, eternally, except by true Repentance it be vomited up. Tho Men take it down as sweet Wine, and are not presently sensible of any harm; yet at last it will bite like a Serpent, and sting like an Adder.
VII. Oil will expel Poyson, and it is often given to Persons who have taken it, to cause them to vomit it up: So the Oil of Gladness, viz. the Spirit of God, is the best Antidote in the World, to expel and work out the Poyson of Sin in the Soul. [See Oil of Gladness, in the First Volume, Book 2.]
Inferences.
WHat do Sinners mean? will they poyson themselves? are they void of Under∣standing, to take down the Poyson of Dragons? Will they wilfully murther themselves? What Blindness and Folly is in their Hearts!
II. O how should this stir up the Godly to pity wicked Men, and to strive, as much as lieth in their Power, to prevent their sinning, and endeavour to turn away their Wrath!
III. It may also caution Believers to take heed of Sin, and of the Venom of an evil Tongue, as also of the Poyson of Heresy and Error.
IV. Let Sinners also learn from hence timely to look out for Help. O get a fit Antidote to save you from this Poyson!
Ah! what is Sin? 'tis Poyson in a Cup,
That's gilt without, and Men do drink it up,
Most earnestly, with joy and much delight,
Being pleasant to the carnal Appetite.