The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Third Position. Usually the Spirit in the first work, convinceth the Soul by that sin, in which the sinner took most pleasure and delight.

Third Position. Ʋsually the Spirit in the first work, convinceth the Soul by that sin, in which the snner took most pleasure and delight.

Here Conviction is easiest effected, and this sin will the Spirit embitter to the Soul: the peccatum in deliciis, the sin which he hides under the tongue, Job 20.12. this we hear of commonly in the day of Christs power. Fleshly lusts lye fairest in view; a mans natural Conscience can more easily work here. How terribly hath the Word spoken against Covetousness? what sin more common? but how rare a thing is it to hear of a person whom the Lord convinceth of that sin, in his first work? yea, it were well if those who go for Christians were convinced of it afterwards; yea, when this sin hath got such a head, that the bones of the lust (as we say) stick out, others may see it, but how hard to convince men of it: it is a common thing for men to bespatter one another with this sin; and some I have observed most deeply guilty of it themselves, yet they not covetous in their own opinion: for God to begin his conviction by spiritual lusts, this is not so common, yet sometimes I have known it. I will not enlarge upon this head, as I intend not upon any.

Here Conviction is easiest effected, and this sin will the Spirit imbitter to the Soul: the peccatum in deliciis, the sin which he hides under the tongue, Job 20.12. this we hear of commonly in the day of Christs power. Fleshly lusts lye fairest in view; a mans natural Conscience can more easily work here. How terribly hath the Word spoken against Covetousness? what sin more common? but how rare a thing is it to hear of a person whom the Lord convinceth of that sin, in his first work? yea, it were well if those who go for Christians were convinced of it afterwards; yea, when this sin hath got such a head, that the bones of the lust (as we say) stick out, others may see it, but how hard to convince men of it: it is a common thing for men to bespatter one another with this sin; and some I have observed most deeply guilty of it themselves, yet they not covetous in their own opinion: for God to begin his conviction by spiritual lusts, this is not so common, yet sometimes I have known it. I will not enlarge upon this head, as I intend not upon any.