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

First, That it be provoked, enraged and heightened by some great temptation. Though it be a• poison in it self, yet being inbred in nature, it grows not violently outrageous without the contribution of some new poison of Satan unto it in a suitable temptation. It was the advantage that Satan got against David, by a suitable temptation that raised his lusts to that rage and madness, which it went forth unto in the business of Bathsheba and Uriah. Though sin be always a fire in the bones, yet it flames not, unless Satan come with his bellows to blow it up. And let any one in whom the Law of sin •riseth to this height of rage, seriously consider, and he may find out where the devil stands and puts in the business.

First, That it be provoked, enraged and h•eightned by some great temptation. Though it be a• poison in it self, yet being inbred in nature, it grows not violently outragious without the contribution of some new poison of Sathan unto it in a suitable t•mptation. It was the advantage that Sathan got against David, by a suitable temptation that raised his lusts to that rage and madness, which it went forth unto in the business of Bathsheba and Vriah. Though sin be always a fire in the bones, yet it flames not, unless Sathan come with his bellows to blow it up. And let any one in whom the Law of sin •riseth to this height of rage, seriously consider, and he may find out where the devil stands and puts in the business.

Secondly, It must be advantaged by some former entertainment and prevalency. Sin grows not to this height at its first assault. Had it not been suffered to make its entrance, had there not been ⟨p. 93⟩some yielding in the soul, this had not come about▪ The great wisdom and security of the soul in dealing with in-dwelling sin, is to put a violent stop unto its beginnings, its first motions and actings. Venture all on the first attempt. Die rather than yield one step unto it. If through the deceit of sin, or the negligence of the soul, or its carnal confidence, to give bounds to lusts actings at other seasons, it makes any entrance into the soul, and finds any entertainment, it gets strength and power, and insensibly ariseth to the frame under consideration. Thou hadst never had the experience of the fury of sin, if thou hadst not been content with some of its dalliances. Hadst thou not brought up this servant, this slave delicately, it would not have now presumed beyond a son. Now when the Law of sin in any particular hath got this double advantage, the furtherance of a vigorous temptation, and some prevalency formerly obtained, whereby it is let into the strengths of the soul, it often riseth up to this frame whereof we speak.