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

Thirdly, Inclinations, or readiness to attend unto extenuations of sin, or the reliefs that are tendered against sin when committed, manifest the Affections to be entangled with it. We have showed, and shall yet farther evidence that it is a great part of the deceit of sin, to tender lessening and extenuating thoughts of sin unto the mind. Is it not a little one? or there is mercy provided, or it shall be in due time relinquished and given over, is its language in a deceived heart. Now when there is a readiness in the soul to hearken and give entertainment unto such secret insinuations arising from this deceit, in reference unto any sin, or unapprovable course, it is an evidence that the Affections are enticed. When the soul is willing, as it were to be tempted, to be courted by sin, to hearken to its dalliances and solicitations, it hath lost of its conjugal Affections unto Christ, and is entangled. This is looking on the Wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the Cup, when it moveth it self aright, Prov. 33. 21. A pleasing contemplation on the invitations of sin, whose end the wise Man gives us, ver. 32. When the deceit of sin hath prevailed thus far on any Person, then he is enticed or entangled; the Will is not yet come to the actual conception of this or that sin by its consent, but the whole soul is in a near inclination thereunto. And many other instances I could ⟨p. 163⟩give as tokens and evidences of this entanglement. These may suffice to manifest what we intend thereby.

Thirdly, Inclinations, or readiness to attend unto extenuations of sin, or the reliefs that are tendered against sin when committed, manifest the Affections to be entangled with it. We have shewed, and shall yet farther evidence that it is a great part of the deceit of sin, to tender lessning and extenuating thoughts of sin unto the mind. Is it not a little one? or there is mercy provided, or it shall be in due time relinquished and given over, is its language in a deceived heart. Now when there is a readiness in the soul to hearken and give entertainment unto such secret insinuations arising from this deceit, in reference unto any sin, or unapprovable course, it is an evidence that the Affections are enticed. When the soul is willing, as it were to be tempted, to be courted by sin, to hearken to its dalliances and solicitations, it hath lost of its conjugal Affections unto Christ, and is entangled. This is looking on the Wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the Cup, when it moveth it self aright, Prov. 33. 21. A pleasing contemplation on the invitations of sin, whose end the wise Man gives us, ver. 32. When the deceit of sin hath prevailed thus far on any Person, then he is enticed or entangled; the Will is not yet come to the actual conception of this or that sin by its consent, but the whole soul is in a near inclination thereunto. And many other instances I could