The law has laid all men for dead as they come into the world; but
all men do not see themselves dead, until they see the law that
struck them dead striking in their souls and having struck them that
fatal blow. As a man that is fast asleep in a house, and that on
fire about his ears, and he not knowing it because he is asleep;
even so because poor souls are asleep in sin, though the wrath of
God, the curse of his law, and the flames of hell have beset them
round about, yet they do not believe it because they are asleep in
sin. Now, as he that is awakened and sees this, sees that through
this he is a dead man, even so they that see their state by nature,
being such a sad condition, do also see themselves by that law to be
dead men naturally.

Take heed of fleshly wisdom. Reasoning suiteth much with the law: "I
thought verily that I ought to do many things against the name of
Jesus," and so to have sought for life by the law. For thus reason
will say, Here is a righteous law, the rule of life and death;
besides, what can be better than to love God, and my neighbor as
myself? Again, God has thus commanded, and his commands are just and
good; therefore, doubtless, life must come by the law. Further, to
love God and keep the law, are better than to sin and break it; and
seeing men lost heaven by sin, how should they get it again but by
working righteousness? Besides, God is righteous, and will therefore
bless the righteous. O the holiness of the law! It mightily swayeth
with reason when a man addicts himself to religion. The light of
nature teaches that sin is not the way to heaven; and seeing no word
doth more condemn sin, than the words of the ten commandments, it
must needs be therefore the most perfect rule for holiness.
Wherefore, says reason, the safest way to life and glory is to keep
myself close to the law. But though the law indeed be holy, yet the