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

Secondly, When a Lust is prevalent unto Captivity where it brings in no advantage to the flesh, it is from Satan. All that the Law of Sin doth of it self, is to serve the providence of the flesh, Rom. 13. 14. And it must bring in unto it somewhat of the profits and pleasures that are its object. Now if the prevailing sin do not so act it self, if it be more spiritual and inward, it is much from Satan by the imagination, more than the corruption of the heart it self. But this by the way.

I say then, that the Apostle treats not here, of our being captivated unto this or that sin, but unto the Law of Sin. That is, we are compelled to bear its presence and burden whether we will or ⟨p. 87⟩no. Sometimes the soul thinks or hopes that it may through grace be utterly freed from this troublesome Inmate. Upon some sweet enjoyment of God, some full supply of grace, some return from wandering, some deep affliction, some through humiliation, the poor soul begins to hope that it shall now be freed from the Law of Sin. But after a while it perceives that it is quite otherwise. Sin acts again, makes good its old station, and the soul finds that whether it will or no, it must bear its yoke. This makes it sigh and cry out for deliverance.

Thirdly, This leading Captive argues a prevalency against the renitency or contrary actings of the will. This is intimated plainly in this expression; namely, that the will opposeth, and makes head as it were against the working of sin. This the Apostle declares in those expressions which he uses, ver. 15, 19, 20. And herein consists the lusting of the Spirit against the flesh, Gal. 5. 17