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

Secondly, This habitual inclination manifests it ⟨p. 66⟩self in its readiness and promptness, without dispute or altercation to join and close with every temptation, whereby it may possibly be excited. As we know it is in the nature of fire to burn, because it immediately lays hold on whatever is combustible. Let any temptation whatever be proposed unto a man, the suitableness of whose matter unto his corruptions, or manner of its proposal, makes it a temptation; immediately he hath not only to do with the temptation as outwardly proposed, but also with his own heart about it. Without farther consideration or debate, the temptation hath got a friend in him. Not a moments space is given between the proposal, and the necessity there is incumbent on the soul to look to its enemy within. And this also argues a constant habitual propensity unto evil. Our Saviour said of the assaults and temptations of Satan, The Prince of this world cometh, and he hath no part in me, Joh. 14. 30. He had more temptations intensively and extensively, in number, quality and fierceness, from Satan and the world, than ever had any of the sons of men: But yet in all of them, he had to deal only with that which came from without. His holy heart had nothing to like them, suited to them, or ready to give them entertainment: The Prince of this world had nothing in him. So it was with Adam; when a temptation be fell him, he had only the outward proposal of it to look unto, all was well within, until the outward temptation took place and prevailed. With us it is not so.

Secondly, This habitual inclination manifests it ⟨p. 66⟩self in its readiness and promptness, without dispute or altercation to joyn and close with every temptation, whereby it may possibly be excited. As we know it is in the nature of fire to burn, because it immediately lays hold on whatever is combustible. Let any temptation whatever be proposed unto a man, the suitableness of whose matter unto his corruptions, or manner of its proposal, makes it a temptation; immediately he hath not only to do with the temptation as outwardly proposed, but also with his own heart about it. Without farther consideration or debate, the temptation hath got a friend in him. Not a moments space is given between the proposal, and the necessity there is incumbent on the soul to look to its enemy within. And this also argues a constant habitual propensity unto evil. Our Saviour said of the assaults and temptations of Sathan, The Prince of this world cometh, and he hath no part in me,