Secondly, Its lusting consists in its actual pressing after that which is evil, and actual opposition unto that which is good. The former instances showed its constant readiness to this work, this now treats of the work it self. It is not only ready, but for the most part always engaged. It lusteth faith the holy Ghost, it doth so continually. It stirreth in the soul by one act or other constantly, almost as the spirits in the blood, or the blood in the veins. This the Apostle calls its tempting, Jam. 1. 14. Every man is tempted of his own lust. Now what is it to be tempted? It is to have that proposed to a mans consideration, which if he close withal, it is evil, it is sin unto him. This is sins trade; [Greek or Hebrew], it lusteth. It is raising up in the heart, and proposing unto the mind and affections, that which is evil, trying, as it were, whether the soul will close with its suggestions, or how far it can carry them on, though it do not wholly prevail. Now when such a temptation comes from without, it is unto the soul an indifferent thing, neither good nor evil unless it be consented unto. But the very proposal from within, it being the souls own act, is its sin. And this is the work of the Law of sin; it is restlessly and continually raising up, and proposing innumerable various forms and appearances of evil, in this or that kind, indeed in every kind, that the nature of man is capable to exercise corruption in. Something or other, in matter, or manner, or circumstance, inordinate, unspiritual, unanswerable unto the Rule, it hatcheth and proposeth unto the soul. And this power of sin to beget figments and idea's of actual evil in ⟨p. 69⟩the heart the Apostle may have respect unto, 1 Thess. •. 22. [Greek or Hebrew], Keep your selves from every evil figment or idea of sin in the heart; for the word there used doth not any where signify an outward form or appearance; neither is it the appearance of evil, but an evil idea or figment that is intended. And this lusting of sin is that which the Prophet expresseth in wicked men, in whom the Law of it is predominant, Isa. 57. 20. The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. A similitude most lively expressing the lustings of the Law of sin, restlessly and continually bubbling up in the heart, with wicked, foolish and filthy imaginations and desires.
Secondly, Its lusting consists in its actual pressing after that which is evil, and actual opposition unto that which is good. The former instances shewed its constant readiness to this work, this now treats of the work it self. It is not only ready, but for the most part always engaged. It lusteth faith the holy Ghost, it doth so continually. It stirreth in the soul by one act or other constantly, almost as the spirits in the blood, or the blood in the veins. This the Apostle calls its tempting, Jam. 1. 14. Every man is tempted of his own lust. Now what is it to be tempted? It is to have that proposed to a mans consideration, which if he close withall, it is evil, it is sin unto him. This is sins trade; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, it lusteth. It is raising up in the heart, and proposing unto the mind and affections, that which is evil, trying, as it were, whether the soul will close with its suggestions, or how far it can carry them on, though it do not wholly prevail. Now when such a temptation comes from without, it is unto the soul an indifferent thing, neither good nor evil unless it be consented unto. But the very proposal from within, it being the souls own act, is its sin. And this is the work of the Law of sin; it is restlesly and continually raising up, and proposing innumerable various forms and appearances of evil, in this or that kind, indeed in every kind, that the nature of man is capable to exercise corruption in. Something or other, in matter, or manner, or circumstance, inordinate, unspiritual, unanswerable unto the Rule, it ha•cheth and proposeth unto the soul. And this power of sin to beget figments and idea's of actual evil in ⟨p. 69⟩the heart the Apostle may have respect unto, 1 Thess. •. 22. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Keep your selves from every evil figment or idea of sin in the heart; for the word there used doth not any where signifie an outward form or appearance; neither is it the appearance of evil, but an evil idea or figment that is intended. And this lusting of sin is that which the Prophet expresseth in wicked men, in whom the Law of it is predominant, Isa. 57. 20. The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. A similitude most lively expressing the lustings of the Law of sin, restlesly and continually bubling up in the heart, with wicked, foolish and filthy imaginations and desires.
