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

This is the sum of what we shall offer unto this acting of the Law of Sin in a way of fighting and warring against our souls, which is so often mentioned in the Scripture. And a due consideration of it is of no small advantage unto us, especially to bring us unto self-abasement, to teach us to walk humbly and mournfully before God. There are two things that are suited to humble the souls of men. And they are, First, A due consideration of God, and then of themselves. Of God in his Greatness, Glory, Holiness, Power, Majesty and Authority; of our selves in our mean, abject, and sinful condition. Now of all things in our condition, there is nothing so suited unto this end and purpose, as that which lies before us; namely, the vile remainders of enmity against God which are yet in our hearts and natures. And it is no small evidence of a gracious soul, ⟨p. 80⟩when it is willing to search it self in this matter, and to be helped therein from a word of truth. When it is willing that the Word should dive into the secret parts of the heart, and rip open what ever of evil and corruption lies therein. The Prophet says of Ephraim, Hos. 10. 11. He loved to tread out the corn; he loved to work when he might eat, to have always the corn before him; but God says he, would cause him to plough; a labour no less needful, though at present not so delightful. Most men love to hear of the doctrine of Grace, of the pardon of sin, of free love, and suppose they find food therein; however it is evident that they grow and thrive in the life and notion of them. But to be breaking up the fallow ground of their hearts, to be enquiring after the weeds and Briars that grow in them, they delight not so much. Though this be no less necessary than the other. This path is not so beaten as that of Grace, nor so trod in, though it be the only way to come to a true knowledge of Grace it self. It may be some who are wise and grown in other truths, may yet be so little skilled in searching their own hearts, that they may be slow in the perception and understanding of these things. But this sloth and neglect is to be shaken off, if we have any regard unto our own souls.

This is the summ of what we shall offer unto this acting of the Law of Sin in a way of fighting and warring against our souls, which is so often mentioned in the Scripture. And a due consideration of it is of no small advantage unto us, especially to bring us unto self-abasement, to teach us to walk humbly and mournfully before God. There are two things that are suited to humble the souls of men. And they are, First, A due consideration of God, and then of themselves. Of God in his Greatness, Glory, Holiness, Power, Majesty and Authority; of our selves in our mean, abject, and sinful condition. Now of all things in our condition, there is nothing so suited unto this end and purpose, as that which lyes before us; namely, the vile remainders of enmity against God which are yet in our hearts and natures. And it is no small evidence of a gracious soul,