For the first of these, we must remember in the general, that sin doth then reign when a man doth obey it in the lusts thereof, when he doth yield up himself to 1execute all the commands of sin, when he is held under the power of Satan, and of darkness. And for the regenerate we must likewise note what Saint Paul, and Saint John have spoken in general of this point. Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the 2Law, but under Grace, saith Saint Paul, when a man is delivered from the Obligations of the Law, he is then delivered from the strength of sin; (for the strength of sin is the Law) And he that is borne of God sinneth not, 3neither can sin, saith Saint John, that is, cannot obey sin in all the lusts and commands thereof, as a servant to sin, from which service he hath ceased by being borne of God (for no man can be Gods Son and sins servant:) for we are to distinguish between doing the work of sin, and obeying sin in the lusts thereof. As a man may do divine works, and yet not ever in obedience to God, so a man may be subject as a Captive in this or that particular tyranny of sin, who is not obedient as a servant to all the government of sin, for that takes in the whole will, and an Adequate submission thereof to the peaceable and uncontrolled power of sin. Let us then inquire how far the power of sin may discover itself in the most regenerate. First, the best have flesh about them, and that flesh where ever it is worketh, and rebelleth against the Spirit of Christ, so that they cannot do the things which they would. Secondly, this flesh is of itself indifferent to great sins as well as to small, and therefore by some strong temptation it may prevail to carry the Saints unto great sins, as it did David, Peter, and others. Thirdly, this flesh is as much in the will as in any other part of regenerate ⟨p. 289⟩men, and therefore when they commit great sins, they may commit them with consent, delight, and willingness of heart▪ Fourthly, this flesh is in their members as well as in their wills, and therefore they may actuate, and execute those wills of sin which they have consented unto.
For the first of these, we must remember in the generall, that sinne doth then raigne when a man doth obey it in the lusts thereof, when he doth yeelde up himselfe to 1execute all the commands of sinne, when he is held under the power of Sathan, and of darkenesse. And for the regenerate wee must likewise note what Saint Paul, and Saint Iohn have spoken in generall of this point. Sinne shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the 2Law, but under Grace, saith Saint Paul, when a man is delivered from the Obligations of the Law, he is then delivered from the strength of sinne; (for the strength of sinne is the Law) And he that is borne of God sinneth not, 3neither can sinne, saith Saint Iohn, that is, cannot obey sinne in all the lusts and commands thereof, as a servant to sinne, from which service hee hath ceased by being borne of God (for no man can bee Gods Sonne and sinnes servant:) for we are to distinguish betweene doing the worke of sinne, and obeying sinne in the lusts thereof. As a man may doe divine workes, and yet not ever in obedience to God, so a man may be subject as a Captiue in this or that particular tyrannie of sinne, who is not obedient as a servant to all the governement of sinne, for that takes in the whole will, and an Adequate submission thereof to the peaceable and uncontroll'd power of sinne. Let us then inquire how farre the power of sinne may discover itselfe in the most regenerate. First, the best have flesh about them, and that flesh where ever it is worketh, and rebelleth against the Spirit of Christ, so that they cannot doe the things which they would. Secondly, this flesh is of itselfe indifferent to great sinnes as well as to small, and therefore by some strong temptation it may prevaile to carrie the Saints unto great sins, as it did David, Peter, and others. Thirdly, this fleshis as much in the will as in any other part of regenerate ⟨p. 289⟩men, and therefore when they commit great sinnes, they may commit them with consent, delight, and willingnesse of heart▪ Fourthly, this flesh is in their members as well as in their wills, and therefote they may actuate, and execute those wills of sinne which they have consented unto.
- 1Act. 26. 18. Col. 1. 13.
- 2Rom. 6. 14.
- 31. Cor. 15. 56. 1. Joh. 3. 9.1. Cor. 15. 56. 1. Ioh. 3. 9.
