The Return of Prayers

you cannot do what you would. And what those works of the flesh are, which are manifest works of the flesh, and which Christians whilst they walk in the Spirit fulfil not, he mentions and reckons up in the following words. And this is the more ordinary frame of a Christians heart; for verse 24. (says he) they that are Christs have crucified the affections and lusts, that is, so far, as not to fulfil them.

you cannot doe what you would. And what those works of the flesh are, which are manifest workes of the flesh, and which Christians whilst they walke in the Spirit fulfill not, hee mentions and reckons up in the following words. And this is the more ordinary frame of a Christians heart; for verse 24. (sayes hee) they that are Christs have crucified the affections and lusts, that is, so farre, as not to fulfill them.

3. He may more easily fall into a gross sin of another kind, then into the same after special repentance for it, and peace spoken in the pardon of it. Because true repentance especially fortifies the heart against that sin which a man hath most repented him of; and sincerity lies more in watching over that sin then any other: so says David, Psal. 18. I was upright, and kept my self from mine iniquity, that especial sin which was eminently his sin. A mans arm that hath been broke, will, if well set, rather break in some other place then where it was broke at the ⟨p. 370⟩first. Hence sometimes it falls out, that that which was a godly mans bosom sin before conversion, continues not to be so after: but, another steps up in the room of it, by reason that he then endeavoureth to wash out that great stain, most; and spendeth the most of the Fullers soap, to purge himself from it; and so becomes, ever after, most watchful over it; and sets in this his weakest place, the strongest garrison, and a watch, to prevent the enemy. And, as an act of some presumptuous sin, though it inclines the heart more to all sin, then before, yet, especially, ⟨p. 371⟩