A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

First, he must bewail his spiritual nakedness, thraldom and vassalage under sin acknowledging his inability to free and deliver him self. Into what misery and bondage have I brought my self. Thou Lord madest me holy, pure and upright: But by sin I sold my self unto the service of sin, from which to this day, I cannot get deliverance: Every faculty of soul is deeply infected with that contagious leprosy; the Mind is blind, vain, ⟨p. 253⟩foolish; the will perverse and rebellious: all the affections out of order: there is nothing whole or sound within me. Night and day I am pestered with sinful motions. The desires of my sinful heart be so strong and prevailing, that I am carried head-long to that which is evil. The body is weary after labour, and requires rest, but sin is ever stirring, never quiet, no not when occasions be wanting. And that it might appear out of measure sinful, it takes occasion by the commandment, it resideth the good motions of the Spirit, it disin•bleth to every good work, it diffuseth it venom into every action, and leadeth captive to the committing of sin against knowledge and conscience. The cursed earth is not so apt to be over-grown with weeds, briars, thorns and thistles, as the soul with lusts, passions, distempers, worldly cares, and sinful delights. The law of the flesh rebelleth against the law of the mind, and carrieth with violence to the works of darkness. The Galley-slaves condition is very hard and miserable: but the spiritual bond-slave is in far worse estate. No drudgery so base as the service of sin, no Tyrant so cruel as sin, which allows no respite, or time of refreshing.¹ O miserable man that I am, who shall deliver me from this dominion of sin, this body of death. I have deeply defiled my self by transgression, but have no power to cleanse my heart: O Lord, I have defaced thine Image, but cannot repair it: I have yielded the powers of my soul to the obedience of sin, and now I would cast off that subjection and break those snares, I am altogether unsufficient for it. When I would do well, evil is present with me: ²but I find no means to perfect what I desire. I cannot desire good, my will is so in bondage: I am not able to crawl about the doing of that which is good, such is my feebleness: