Light in the way to Paradise with other occasionals / by Dvdley the 2d late Ld. North.

CHAP. III. Of Sensuality an impediment in the way of holiness, and of seasonable morti∣fication its antidote.

THE way of holiness and righteousness (as we see) is easie to be found, and yet it is seldom travelled in, which makes me call to

mind a saying which was usual with an ancient Lady, and this it is; How easie conveniencies are to be found, and yet how hard it is to find them: This seemeth frivolous, yet carrieth a considerable sense with it, for things very ob∣vious in themselves appear not to an eye en∣combred with weakness, or to a mind per∣plexed. The former needeth no instance, and for the latter, I conceive, it may be illustra∣ted in the History of Balaam, who when an Angel stood directly in the way to oppose his passage, discerned him not, and yet the An∣gel was visible to his poor Asse, a stupid crea∣ture by nature; and from this may be con∣cluded, that the Prophet was then disturbed with ambitious, and impetuous thoughts, which for the present deprived him of using, even his senses, much more easie it is to have a mist cast before us, (as to our Intellect) both by our selves and others. I know nothing that doth more blind us, than Sensuality, eve∣ry thing which in that kind crosseth our de∣sires appearing full of difficulty. By that in∣clination we give to the Body a sovereignty over the Soul, so as the faculties of it are al∣most extinguished, as Horace expresseth con∣cerning Diet.

—Corpus onustum Hesternis vitiis animum quo{que} praegravat una At{que} affigit humo divinae particulam aurae.

Excess in Body makes the Soul decline, And choaks with earth a share of breath di∣vine.

Corporeal pleasures are so agreeable to our depraved nature, as persons of a Sanguine complexion (which is the best) are easily captivated to them, and, as I conceive, this is a cause of the great encrease of the Maho∣metan Profession, which is so composed to win sensual persons, as the perfection of their supposed and hoped for Paradise is set forth in a promise of Satiety in that way. Our Chri∣stian Divines of all Sects run a quite contrary way, and preach up Mortification with great vehemency. Certainly this is excellent Phy∣sick for that disease, but not a Catholicon, for different diseases require a different way of cure. Catharticks and Phlebotomy are only fitting for bodies Plethorick and Cacochymi∣cal, but many are Consumptive by nature, and Cordials are as beneficial to these, as the former are destructive. And some persons op∣pressed with Melancholy would be (and some∣times are) lost for want of constant and inno∣cent divertisement, for nothing is so mischie∣vous to them, as a multitude of serious thoughts. I have said thus much to shew, that good Phy∣sick may be misapplied, especially when there is danger on both sides. The way of Sensua∣lity is the more frequent, but that of extreme

abstinence and solitude the more dangerous, or else Satan would never have sought advan∣tage against our blessed Saviour at such a time; and Histories deceive us, if Solitude by Mo∣nastical life, hath not heretofore tempted and prevailed with many persons to apply them∣selves to execrable studies. It is therefore wise∣dom, to observe our own inclinations, and finding the Vessel swaying it self to one side, we must carry weight to the other. Certain it is, that persons given over to pleasure, can never attain Heaven till a change. But it is error to conceive, as Zealots in most Professi∣ons do, that God is delighted in the sufferings that we cast our selves into, till it become a kind of torment; for it can not be believed, that God hath furnished this World with so much delicacy and delight, intending that a moderate use of his Creatures should be sinfull. He requires only a life temperate, and pure, full of humility, in which condition men are al∣ways fitly disposed to the exercise of Devotion, but in case of rebellion in the flesh, the exercise of due and seasonable Mortification is very ne∣cessary; but otherwise it is in the nature of Physick, which continually taken becometh not only offensive, but hurtfull. And such occasional mortification quickneth the senses, and uncloggeth the understanding, so as it re∣turneth to a capability of clearly discerning the right way.