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

And here, by the way we may a little enquire whether the prevailing power of a particular sin in any, be from it self, or from the influence of temptation upon it, concerning which at present take only these two Observations.

First, Much of the prevalency of sin upon the soul is certainly from Satan, when the perplexing and captivating sin hath no peculiar footing, nor advantage in the nature, constitution, or condition of the sinner. When any lust grows high and prevailing more than others upon its own account, ⟨p. 86⟩it is from the peculiar advantage that it hath in the natural constitution, or the station or condition of the person in the world. For otherwise the Law of Sin gives an equal propensity unto all evil, an equal vigour unto every lust. When therefore it cannot be discerned, that the captivating sin is peculiarly fixed in the nature of the sinner, or is advantaged from his education or employment in the world, the prevalency of it is peculiarly from Satan. He hath got to the root of it, and hath given it poison and strength. Yea, perhaps sometimes that which may seem to the soul to be the corrupt lusting of the heart, is nothing but Satan's imposing his suggestions on the imagination. If then a man find an importunate rage from any corruption, that is not evidently seated in his nature: Let him as the Papists say, cross himself, or fly by faith to the Cross of Christ, for the Devil is nigh at hand.

First, Much of the prevalency of sin upon the soul is certainly from Satan, when the perplexing and captivating sin hath no peculiar footing, nor advantage in the nature, constitution, or condition of the sinner. When any lust grows high and prevailing more than others upon its own account, ⟨p. 86⟩it is from the peculiar advantage that it hath in the natural constitution, or the station or condition of the person in the world. For otherwise the Law of Sin gives an equal propensity unto all evil, an equal vigour unto every lust. When therefore it cannot be discerned, that the captivating sin is peculiary fixed in the nature of the sinner, or is advantaged from his education or employment in the world, the prevalency of it is peculiary from Satan. He hath got to the root of it, and hath given it poyson and strength. Yea, perhaps sometimes that which may seem to the soul to be the corrupt lusting of the heart, is nothing but Satans imposing his suggestions on the imagination. If then a man find an importunate rage from any corruption, that is not evidently seated in his nature: Let him as the Papists say, cross himself, or fly by faith to the Cross of Christ, for the Devil is nigh at hand.