Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

And this will be so while,

1. There is natural corruption in us. There are in a Godly man two contrary principles, Flesh and Spirit, which endeavour to hinder one another's acts, and are alway stirring upon the offensive or defensive part^*. There is a body of death continually exhaling its noisome vapours; 'Tis a body of death in our worship, as well as in our natures; it snaps our resolutions asunder^*; it hinders us in the doing good, and contradicts our wills in the stirring up evil: This corruption being seated in all the faculties, and a constant Domestic in them, has the greater opportunity to trouble us, since it is by those faculties that we spiritually transact with God; and it stirs more in the time of religious exercises, though it be in part mortified: As a wounded Beast though tired, will rage and strive to its utmost, when the Enemy is about to fetch a blow at it. All duties of worship tend to the wounding of corruption; and it is no wonder to feel the striving of sin, to defend it self, and offend us when we have our Arms in our hands to mortify it, that the blow may be diverted which is directed against it.

1. There is natural corruption in us. There are in a Godly man two contrary principles, Flesh and Spirit, which endeavour to hinder one anothers acts, and are alway stirring upon the offensive or defensive part^*. There is a body of death continually exhaling its noysom vapours; 'Tis a body of death in our worship, as well as in our natures; it snaps our resolutions asunder^*; it hinders us in the doing good, and contradicts our wills in the stirring up evil: This corruption being seated in all the faculties, and a constant Domestick in them, has the greater opportunity to trouble us, since it is by those faculties that we spiritually transact with God; and it stirs more in the time of religious exercises, though it be in part mortified: As a wounded Beast though tired, will rage and strive to its utmost, when the Enemy is about to fetch a blow at it. All duties of worship tend to the wounding of corruption; and it is no wonder to feel the striving of sin, to defend it self, and offend us when we have our Arms in our hands to mortifie it, that the blow may be diverted which is directed against it.