The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin

Secondly, Labour to prevent the very beginnings of the workings of this aversation; let grace be before-hand with it in every duty. We are directed, 1 Pet. 4. 7. to watch unto prayer; and as is ⟨p. 54⟩is unto prayer, so unto every duty; that is, to consider and take care that we be not hindered from within, nor from without, as to a due performance of it. Watch against temptations to oppose them, watch against the Aversation that is in sin to prevent it. As we are not to give place to Satan, no more are we to sin. If it be not prevented in its first attempts, it will prevail. My meaning is, whatever Good, as the Apostle speaks, we have to do, and find evil present with us, as we shall find it present, prevent its parleying with the soul, its insinuating of poison into the mind and Affections, by a vigorous, holy, violent stirring up of the grace, or graces that are to be acted and set at work peculiarly in that duty. Let Jacob come first into the world, or if prevented by the violence of Esau let him lay hold on his heel to overthrow him, and obtain the birth-right. Upon the very first motion of Peter to our Saviour, crying, Master, spare thy self, he immediately replies, get thee behind me Satan. So ought we to say, get thee gone thou Law of Sin, thou present evil, and it may be of the same use unto us. Get grace then, up betimes unto Duty, and be early in the rebukes of sin.

Secondly, Labour to prevent the very beginnings of the workings of this aversation; let grace be before-hand with it in every duty. We are directed, 1 Pet. 4. 7. to watch unto prayer; and as is ⟨p. 54⟩is unto prayer, so unto every duty; that is, to consider and take care that we be not hindered from within, nor from without, as to a due performance of it. Watch against temptations to oppose them, watch against the Aversation that is in sin to prevent it. As we are not to give place to Satan, no more are we to sin. If it be not prevented in its first attempts, it will prevail. My meaning is, whatever Good, as the Apostle speaks, we have to do, and find evil present with us, as we shall find it present, prevent its parlying with the soul, its insinuating of poison into the mind and Affections, by a vigorous, holy, violent stirring up of the grace, or graces that are to be acted and set at work peculiary in that duty. Let Jacob come first into the world, or if prevented by the violence of Esau let him lay hold on his heel to overthrow him, and obtain the birth-right. Upon the very first motion of Peter to our Saviour, crying, Master, spare thy self, he immediately replyes, get thee behind me Satan. So ought we to say, get thee gone thou Law of Sin, thou present evil, and it may be of the same use unto us. Get grace then, up betimes unto Duty, and be early in the rebukes of sin.