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

In a City that is at unity in it self, compact and entire, without divisions and parties, if an enemy ⟨p. 67⟩approach about it, the Rulers and Inhabitants have no thoughts at all but only how they may oppose the enemy without, and resist him in his approaches. But if the City be divided in it self, if there be factions and Traitors within, the very first thing they do, is to look to the enemies at home, the Traitors within; to cut off the head of Sheba, if they will be safe. All was well with Adam within doors, when Satan came, so that he had nothing to do but to look to his assaults and approaches. But now on the access of any temptation, the soul is instantly to look in, where it shall find this Traitor at work, closing with the baits of Satan, and stealing away the heart. And this it doth always, which evinceth an habitual inclination. Psal. 38. 17. saith David, I am ready to halt, or for halting; [Greek or Hebrew], I am prepared and disposed unto hallucination, to the slipping of my foot into sin, verse 16. as he expounds the meaning of that phrase, Psal. 73. 2, 3. There was from Indwelling-sin a continual disposition in him to be slipping, stumbling, halting on every occasion or temptation. There is nothing so vain, foolish, ridiculous, fond, nothing so vile and abominable, nothing so atheistical or execrable, but if it be proposed unto the soul in a way of temptation, there is that in this Law of sin which is ready to answer it, before it be decried by grace. And this is the first thing in this lusting of the Law of sin, it consists in its habitual propensity unto evil, manifesting it self by the involuntary surprisals of the soul unto sin, and its readiness without dispute or consideration to join with all temptations whatsoever.

In a City that is at unity in it self, compact and entire, without divisions and parties, if an enemy ⟨p. 67⟩approach about it, the Rulers and Inhabitants have no thoughts at all but only how they may oppose the enemy without, and resist him in his approaches. But if the City be divided in it self, if there be factions and Traitors within, the very first thing they do, is to look to the enemies at home, the Traitors within; to cut off the head of Sheba, if they will be safe. All was well with Adam within doors, when Satan came, so that he had nothing to do but to look to his assaults and approaches. But now on the access of any temptation, the soul is instantly to look in, where it shall find this Traitor at work, closing with the baits of Sathan, and stealing away the heart. And this it doth always, which evinceth an habitual inclination.