The Method of Grace

First, It's against the Stream and Current of our corrupt nature to come to Christ. For let us but consider the Term from which the soul departs when it comes to Christ. In that day it leaves all its lusts and ways of sin, how pleasant, sweet and profitable soever they have been unto it. Isa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord: way and thoughts, (i. e.) both the practice and delight of sin, must be forsaken, the outward and inward man must be cleansed from it. Now there are in the bosoms of unregenerate men such darling Lusts, that have given them so much practical, and speculative pleasure, which have brought so much profit to them, which have been born and bred up with them, and which upon all these accounts are endeared to their souls to that degree; that it's easier for them to dye, than to forsake them: yea, nothing is more common among such men, than to venture eternal damnation, rather than suffer a separation from their sins.

First, It's against the Stream and Current of our corrupt nature to come to Christ. For let us but consider the Term from which the soul departs when it comes to Christ. In that day it leaves all its lusts and ways of sin, how pleasant, sweet and profitable soever they have been unto it. Isa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord: way and thoughts, (i. e.) both the practice and delight of sin, must be forsaken, the outward and inward man must be cleansed from it. Now there are in the bosomes of unregenerate men such darling Lusts, that have given them so much practical, and speculative pleasure, which have brought so much profit to them, which have been born and bred up with them, and which upon all these accounts are endeared to their souls to that degree; that it's easier for them to dye, than to forsake them: yea, nothing is more common among such men, than to venture eternal damnation, rather than suffer a separation from their sins.

And which is yet much more difficult in coming to Christ, the soul forsakes not only its sinful self, but its righteous self: (i. e.) not only its worst sins, but its best performances, accomplishments, and excellencies. Now this is one of the greatest straits that Nature can be put to: righteousness by works was the first liquor that ever was put into the vessel, and it still retains the tang and savour of it, and will to the end of the world.