The Soul's Conflict with Itself

Fourthly, David withstands sin ¹constantly and gets ground. We see here, he gives not over at the first, but presseth again and again. Nature works constantly, so doth the new nature. The conflict in the other is something forced, as taking part with the ⟨p. 86⟩worser side in himself, good things have a weak, or rather no party in him, bad things a strong; and therefore he soon gives over in this holy quarrel.

Fourthly, David withstands sinne ¹constantlie and gets ground. Wee see here, he gives not over at the first, but presseth againe and againe. Nature works constantly, so doth the new nature. The conflict in the other is something forced, as taking part with the ⟨p. 86⟩worser side in himselfe, good things have a weak, or rather no party in him, bad things a strong; and therefore hee soone gives over in this holy quarrell.

1. 14.

Fifthly, David is not discouraged by his foils, but sets himself afresh against ¹his corruptions, with confidence to bring them under. Whereas he that hath but a common work of the Spirit, after some foils, lets his enemy prevail more and more, and so despairs of victory, and thinks it better to fit still, then to rise and take a new fall; by which means his later end is worse then his beginning, for beginning in the Spirit, he ends in the flesh. A godly man, although upon some foil, he may for a time be discouraged, yet by holy indignation against sin, he renews his force, and sets afresh upon his corruptions, and gathers more strength by his falls, and groweth into more acquaintance with his own heart, and Satan's malice, and Gods strange ways in bringing light out of darkness.