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

Secondly, This leading Captive intimates manifold particular successes. Had it not success in particular it could not be said at all to lead captive. Rebel it might, assail it might, but it cannot be said to lead Captive without some successes. And there are several degrees of the success of the Law of Sin in the soul. Sometimes it carries the Person unto outward actual sin which is its utmost aim. Sometimes it obtaineth the consent of the will, but is cast out by grace, and proceeds no farther. Sometimes it wearies and entangles the soul, that it turns aside as it were, and leaves contending which is a success also. One or more, or all of these must be, where Captivity takes place. Such a kind of course doth the Apostle ascribe unto covetousness, 1 Tim. 6. 9.

Secondly, This leading Captive intimates manifold particular successes. Had it not success in particular it could not be said at all to lead captive. Rebell it might, assail it might, but it cannot be said to lead Captive without some successes. And there are several degrees of the success of the Law of Sin in the soul. Sometimes it carries the Person unto outward actual sin which is its utmost aim. Sometimes it obtaineth the consent of the will, but is cast out by grace, and proceeds no farther. Sometimes it wearies and entangles the soul, that it turns aside as it were, and leaves contending which is a success also. One or more, or all of these must be, where Captivity takes place. Such a kind of course doth the Apostle ascribe unto cove•ousness, 1 Tim. 6. 9.

Thirdly, This leading captive manifests this condition to be miserable and wretched. To be thus yoked and dealt withal against the judgment of the mind, the choice and consent of the will, its utmost strivings and contendings, how sad is it? When the neck is sore and tender with former pressures, to be compelled to bear the yoke again, this pierces, this grieves, this even breaks the heart. When the soul is principled by grace unto a loathing of sin, of every evil way, to an hatred of the least discrepancy between it self and the holy will of God, then to be imposed on by this Law of sin, with all that enmity and folly, that deadness and filth, wherewith it is attended: what more dreadful condition? All captivity is dreadful in its own nature; the greatest aggravation of it is from the condition of the Tyrant unto whom any one is captivated. Now what can be worse than this Law of sin? Hence the Apostle having once mentioned this captivity, cries out as one quite weary and ready to faint, ver. 24.