Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulness of sin. The life…Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulnesse of sinne. The life…

Now I proceed to the main thing in the Text, namely the Regal power of sin. It is an observation of Chrysostom and Theodoret on the Text, which though by some rejected as too nice, I shall yet make bold to commend¹ for very pertinent and rational. The Apostle did not say (say they) Let not sin Tyrannize, for that is sin's own work and not ours, as the Apostle sayeth, Now then is it no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me, all the service which is done to a tyrant is out of violence, and not out of obedience: But he says, Let it not reign in you, for to the reign of a King the obedience of the Subjects doth as it were Actively concur (whereas the subjects are rather patients then agents in a tyranny.) So then in a Reigning King there is a more Sovereign power then in a Tyrant; for a Tyrant hath only a Coactive power over the persons, but a King hath a sweet power over the wills and affections of his Subjects, they freely and heartily love his person, and rejoice in his service; which rule though it be not perpetual in the letter and in civill governments; (for the unwillingness of a people to serve a Prince may not only arise from his tyranny, but even when he is just and moderate, from their own rebellion) yet it is most general and certain in the state of sin which is never a King over rebellious subjects, who of themselves reject its yoke and government.

Now I proceede to the maine thing in the Text, namely the Regall power of sinne. It is an observation of Chrysostome and Theodoret on the Text, which though by some rejected as too nice, I shall yet make bold to commend¹ for very pertinent and rationall. The Apostle did not say (say they) Let not sinne Tyrannize, for that is sius owne worke and not ours, as the Apostle sayeth, Now then is it no more I that doe it, but sinne that dwelleth in me, all the service which is done to a tyrant is out of violence, and not out of obedience: But he sayes, Let it not raigne in you, for to the raigne of a King the obedience of the Subjects doth as it were Actively concurre (whereas the subjects are rather patients then agents in a tyranny.) So then in a Raigning King there is a more Soveraigne power then in a Tyrant; for a Tyrant hath only a Coactive power over the persons, but a King hath a sweete power over the wills and affections of his Subiects, they freely and heartily love his person, and rejoyce in his service; which rule though it be not perpetuall in the letter and in civill governements; (for the unwillingnesse of a people to serve a Prince may not onely arise from his tyrannie, but even when he is just and moderate, from their owne rebellion) yet it is most generall and certaine in the state of sinne which is never a King over rebellious subjects, who of themselves reject its yoke and governement.