The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

So that this is an undoubted truth, that even the most holy carry about with them a body of sin, which they are always crucifying.

So that this is an undoubted truth, that even the most holy carry about with them a body of sinne, which they are alwayes crucifying.

Secondly, Yet there are other Christians, who have sin more prevalent over them, and are easier overcome, and these deserve more to be called carnal than the former, their corruptions are more visible than their grace. As David had several degrees of worthy valiant men; some were valiant and strong, but did not attain by far to the degree of the first Worthies. Such a degree there is in Christs soldiers; all have spiritual strength, and the armour of Christ upon them; but there are some who are the worthies of the first rank; others there are, who are negligent and careless, who often fall into the enemies hands, and get wounds and blows often to their consciences. It's a sad thing to see a godly man, not keeping his garments clean, but spotting and defiling them by the pitch in the world. They walk as men, saith the Apostle; carnal, as others; proud, as others; earthly, as others; passionate, as others. Oh take heed, that thy life be not as the sluggards field, all grown over with briars and thorns! This is too often, that men hide their light in a bushel; nay, lose their savouriness; although godliness be in the bottom, yet nothing but bitterness and corruption doth appear.

Secondly, Yet there are other Christians, who have sinne more prevalent over them, and are easier overcome, and these deserve more to be called carnal than the former, their corruptions are more visible than their grace. As David had several degrees of worthy valiant men; some were valiant and strong, but did not attain by farre to the degree of the first Worthies. Such a degree there is in Christs souldiers; all have spiritual strength, and the armour of Christ upon them; but there are some who are the worthies of the first rank; others there are, who are negligent and carelesse, who often fall into the enemies hands, and get wounds and blows often to their consciences. It's a sad thing to see a godly man, not keeping his garments clean, but spotting and defiling them by the pitch in the world. They walk as men, saith the Apostle; carnal, as others; proud, as others; earthly, as others; passionate, as others. Oh take heed, that thy life be not as the sluggards field, all grown over with bryars and thorns! This is too often, that men hide their light in a bushel; nay, lose their savourinesse; although godlinesse be in the bottome, yet nothing but bitternesse and corruption doth appear.