Last of all,1 there is this difference between them, that he that hath a perfect heart, he that is sound-hearted, while he is himself, he never relapseth into any sin; mark it, while he is himself, which note I take out of Romans 7.2 a place which you know: It is no longer I, but sin that dwelleth in me: that is, as if he should say, I, while I am my self, never fall into any sin; but when I am distempered, when I am overcome, and overruled ⟨p. 10⟩by sin, that dwelleth in me, then I sin and fall back: But, otherwise, I say, a godly man, while he is himself, never relapseth into any sin, he cannot sin, because he is borne of God, he keeps himself that the evil one touch him not; the ground of which is, because, while he is himself, He that is in him is stronger then all the world:3 1 Joh. 4. 4. He that is in you, is stronger, &c. that is, if he be upon even terms, still he gets the victory. But, my beloved, now let there be an inequality, let him not be himself, let there be some violent transportation from the flesh, so that he is led Captive b• it, now he is overcome: for he is not himself in such a case; i• is, as Paul saith of himself, the good I would do, that do I not; and the evil that I would not do, that do I: tha•, as you see in a combat between two, suppose that one that were the stronger, were it upon equal terms, would carry the victory; notwithstanding, when his adversary gets the hill, and hath the wind on him, he overcomes him, and leads him captive: So it is in this case; •he Spirit, the regenerate part, though it might and would alway get the better, were it upon equal terms with the •••sh; yet, when the flesh shall get the hill, as it were, get upon the hill of temptation, and shall have wind to drive •he smoke upon the eyes and face of the Combatant, that is, to blind him; in such a case, upon such a disadvantage, he is overcome, and falls into sin: And therefore you see how the ⟨p. 11⟩Apostle expresseth it,4 Rom. 7. 22. I delight (saith he) in the Law of God, according to the inward man: as if he should say, That is my constant course; might I do what I would, That would I always be doing; That is my inclination, there is my delight; b•t ye• (saith he) I see a law of my members, rebelling against the law of my mind, leading me captive to the law of sin;
Last of all,1 there is this difference betweene them, that hee that hath a perfect heart, hee that is sound-hearted, while hee is himselfe, he neuer relapseth into any sinne; marke it, while hee is himselfe, which note I take out of Romanes 7.2 a place which you know: It is no longer I, but sinne that dwelleth in mee: that is, as if hee should say, I, while I am my selfe, neuer fall into any sinne; but when I am distempered, when I am ouercome, and ouerruled ⟨p. 10⟩by sinne, that dwelleth in me, then I sinne and fall backe: But, otherwise, I say, a godly man, while he is himselfe, neuer relapseth into any sinne, he cannot sinne, because he is borne of God, he keepes himselfe that the euill one touch him not; the ground of which is, because, while he is himselfe, Hee that is in him is stronger then all the world:3 1 Ioh. 4. 4. He that is in you, is stronger, &c. that is, if hee bee vpon euen termes, still he gets the victory. But, my beloued, now let there be an inaequality, let him not be himselfe, let there be some violent transportation from the flesh, so that he is led Cap•iue b• it, now he is ouercome: for hee is not himselfe in s•ch a case; i• is, as Paul saith of •imselfe, the good I would doe, that doe I not; and the euill that I would not doe, that doe I: tha•, as you see in a combate betweene two, suppose that one that were the stronger, were it vpon aequall termes, would carry the victory; notwithstanding, when his adue•sary gets the hill, and hath the wind on him, he ouercomes him, and leades him captiue: So it is in this case; •he Spiri•, the regenerate part, though it might and would alway get the better, were it vpon aequall term•s with the •••sh; yet, when the flesh shall get the hill, as it were, get vpon the hill of temptation, and shall haue wind to driue he smoke vpon the eyes and face of the Combatant, that is, to blinde him; in such a case, vpon such a disaduantage, he is ouercome, and fals into sinne: And therefore you see how the
- 14. Difference.
- 2Rom. 7. 20.
- 31 Joh. 4. 4.1 Ioh. 4. 4.
- 4Rom. 7. 22.
