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

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.

Thirdly, This leading captive manifests this condition to be miserable and wretched. To be thus yoked and dealt withall 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 compell'd 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.

Fourthly, This condition is peculiar to Believers. Unregenerate men are not said to be led captive to the Law of sin. They may indeed be led captive unto this or that particular sin or corruption, that is, they may be forced to serve it against the power of their convictions. They are convinced of the evil of it, an adulterer of his uncleanness, a drunkard of his abomination, and make some resolutions, it may be, against it. But their lust is too hard for them, they cannot cease to sin, and so are made captives or slaves to this or that particular sin. But they cannot be said to be led captive