A53712:315
The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin
The nature, power, deceit, and prevalency of the remainders of indwelling-sin in believers together with the ways of its working and means of prevention opened, evinced, and applied with a resolution of sundry cases of conscience thereunto appertaining.The nature, power, deceit, and prevalency of the remainders of indwelling-sin in believers together with the wayes of its working and means of prevention opened, evinced, and applyed with a resolution of sundry cases of conscience thereunto appertaining.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First It makes use of its former prevalency upon the mind in drawing it off from its watch and circumspection. Says the Wise man, Prov. 1. 17. Surely in vain is the Not spread in the sight of any Bird; or before the eyes of every thing that hath a wing, as in the Original. If it hath eyes open to discern the snare, and a wing to carry it away, it will not be caught. And in vain should the deceit of sin spread its snares and Nets for the entanglement of the ••l, whilst the Eyes of the mind are intent upon what it doth, and so stir up the wings of its Will and Affections to carry it away and avoid it. But if the Eyes be put out or diverted, the wings are of very little use for escape. And therefore this is one of the ways which is used by them who take Birds or Fowls in their Nets, they have false lights, or shows of things to divert the sight of their prey; and when that is done, they take the season to cast their Nets upon them. So doth the deceit of sin, it first draws off and diverts the mind by false reasonings and pretences, as hath been showed, and then casts its Net upon the Affections for their entanglement.
First It makes use of its former prevalency upon the mind in drawing it off from its watch and circumspection. Sayes the Wise man, Prov. 1. 17. Surely in vain is the Not spread in the sight of any Bird; or before the eyes of every thing that hath a wing, as in the Original. If it hath eyes open to discern the snare, and a wing to carry it away, it will not be caught. And in vain should the deceit of sin spread its snares and Nets for the entanglement of the ••l, whilest the Eyes of the mind are intent upon what it doth, and so stir up the wings of its Will and Affections to carry it away and avoid it. But if the Eyes be put out or diverted, the wings are of very little use for escape. And therefore this is one of the wayes which is used by them who take Birds or Fowls in their Nets, they have false lights, or shews of things to divert the sight of their prey; and when that is done, they take the season to cast their Nets upon them. So doth the deceit of sin, it first draws off and diverts the mind by false reasonings and pretences, as hath been shewed, and then casts its Net upon the Affections for their entanglement.