For the better discovery then of the power of sin we must note first that there are but three ways after which sin may be in a man. First, as an usurping Tyrant, and seditious commotioner, either by surprisal invading, or by violence holding under, or by projects circumventing ⟨p. 278⟩a man against his will, taking advantage of some present distemper of mind, or difficulty of estate; as in David of idleness, in Peter of tear and danger, or the like. And thus sin doth often encroach upon the Saints of God, and play rhe Tyrant, use them like Captives that are sold under the power of sin. It was thus a Tyrant in Saint Paul; we read of him that he was sold under sin, and we read of Ahab, that he was sold to 1sin; but with great difference, the one sold himself, and so became willingly the servant of sin, the other was sold by Alam, from which bondage he could not2 utterly extricate himself, though he were in bondage to sin, as the Creatures are to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of his act that had subjected him long before. Secondly, As a st•ve, a Gibeonite▪ or Tributary Canaanite, as a spoiled, mortified, crucified, dying, decaying sin, like the house of Saul growing weaker and weaker; and thus sin is constantly in all the faithful; while they are i• the field the chaste is about them. Thirdly, As a raging and commanding King, having a throne the heart, servants the members, a counsel the world, flesh and Devil, a complete armoury of lusts and temptations, fortifications of ignorance, malice, rebellion, fleshly reasonings, laws and edicts, lastly a strict judicature, a wise and powerful rule over men, which the Scriptures call the gates of Hell. And of the Power of3 this King we are to speak.
For the better discovery then of the power of sinne we must note first that there are but three wayes after which sinne may be in a man. First, as an usurping Tyrant, and seditious commotioner, either by surprizall invading, or by violence holding under, or by projects circumventing ⟨p. 278⟩a man against his will, taking advantage of some present distemper of minde, or difficultie of estate; as in David of idlenesse, in Peter of teare and danger, or the like. And thus sinne doth often incroach upon the Saints of God, and play rhe Tyrant, use them like Captives that are sold under the power of sinne. It was thus a Tyrant in Saint Paul; we reade of him that hee was sold under sinne, and wee read of Ahab, that hee was sold to 1sinne; but with great difference, the one sold himselfe, and so became willingly the servant of sinne, the other was sold by Alam, from which bondage hee could not2 utterly extricate himselfe, though hee were in bondage to sinne, as the Creatures are to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of his act that had subjected him long before. Secondly, As a st•ve, a Gibeonite▪ or Tributarie Cananite, as a spoyled, mortified, crucified, dying, decaying sinne, like the house of Saul growing weaker and weaker; and thus sinne is constantly in all the faithfull; while they are i• the field the chaste is about them. Thirdly, As a raging and commanding King, having a throne the heart, servants the members, a counsell the world, flesh and Divell, a complete armorie of lusts and temptations, fortifications of ignorance, malice, rebellion, fleshly reasonings, lawes and edicts, lastly a strict judicature, a wise and powerfull rule over men, which the Scriptures call the gates of Hell. And of the Power of3 this King we are to speake.
- 1[…]. 7. 14. •5. 1. King 21. 10.〈…〉. 7. 14. •5. 1. King 21. 10.
- 2Adam ve•didit […], ac per hoc omne sem• subjectum est peccato. Ambros. in Rom. 7. Rom. 8. 20. Ven•ndatus in […] transgression Aug▪ con. 2. Ep. Pel. l. 1. c. 10. Jos. 9. 23. Jos. 17. 13. Luk. 1•. 22. Rom. 6. 6. Col 3. 5.Adam ve•didit 〈…〉, ac per hoc omne sem• subjectum est peccato. Ambros. in Rom. 7. Rom. 8. 20. Ven•ndatus in 〈…〉 transgressione Aug▪ con. 2. Ep. Pel. l. 1. c. 10. Ios. 9. 23. Ios. 17. 13. Luk. 1•. 22. Rom. 6. 6.
