1. It is through the Remainders of Corruption, or Indwelling 1Sin, that abide in all Believers. The chiefest Saints of God are but renewed in part: Though they are renewed in every Part, there is a Law in the Members that wars against the Law of the Mind: But I see another Law in my Members, warring against the Law of my Mind, and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin, which 2is in my Members. O wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me from the Body of Sin and Death? These two Laws are in all true Believers, or in all regenerate Persons, and they are directly contrary the one to the other; and by reason of this, there is continual War and Combating between them: And evident it is, through the Power or Policy of the fleshly Part, the Godly are sometimes overcome, not only by common Failings, but fall into great Transgressions also. Our chief Enemies are those of our own House; the Devil could do us little hurt from without, had he not such a ⟨p. 165⟩strong Party for him, and siding with him in our own Bowels, or within us. This inbred Enemy always lies in wait to betray us; and if we take not the more care, will prevail against us, and at one time or another trip up our Heels, especially that Sin which doth chiefly beset us; most Christians having their Constitution-Sin, though no godly Man hath a beloved Sin: yea, the Seed of all Sin still remains in our base Hearts, and hence it is our Danger is great which appears may be not so clearly, till the Providence of God brings us unto such a State, Occasion or Company, whereby Satan hath an Opportunity to excite and stir up, or draw forth that Sin or evil Seed into act that lies hid within us.
1. It is through the Remainders of Corruption, or Indwelling 1Sin, that abide in all Believers. The chiefest Saints of God are but renewed in part: Though they are renewed in every Part, there is a Law in the Members that wars against the Law of the Mind: But I see another Law in my Members, warring against the Law of my Mind, and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin, which 2is in my Members. O wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me from the Body of Sin and Death? These two Laws are in all true Believers, or in all regenerate Persons, and they are directly contrary the one to the other; and by reason of this, there is continual War and Combating between them: And evident it is, thro the Power or Policy of the fleshly Part, the Godly are sometimes overcome, not only by common Failings, but fall into great Transgressions also. Our chief Enemies are those of our own House; the Devil could do us little hurt from without, had he not such a ⟨p. 165⟩strong Party for him, and siding with him in our own Bowels, or within us. This inbred Enemy always lies in wait to betray us; and if we take not the more care, will prevail against us, and at one time or another trip up our Heels, especially that Sin which doth chiefly beset us; most Christians having their Constitution-Sin, though no godly Man hath a beloved Sin: yea, the Seed of all Sin still remains in our base Hearts, and hence it is our Danger is great which appears may be not so clearly, till the Providence of God brings us unto such a State, Occasion or Company, whereby Satan hath an Opportunity to excite and stir up, or draw forth that Sin or evil Seed into act that lies hid within us.
- 1The Causes of the grievous Falls of God's Elect Ones.
- 2Rom. 7. 23, 24.
