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

Now whilst these and the like Springs are kept open in the Souls of converted sinners, they constrain them to a vigorous active Holiness. They can never do enough for God; so that oftentimes their Zeal, as Saints, suffers them not to escape without some blots on their Prudence as men, as might be instanced in many of the Martyrs of old.

Now whilest these and the like Springs are kept open in the Souls of converted sinners, they constrain them to a vigorous active Holiness. They can never do enough for God; so that oftentimes their Zeal, as Saints, suffers them not to escape without some blots on their Prudence as men, as might be instanced in many of the Martyrs of old.

This then is the first, at least one way whereby indwelling-sin prepares men for decays and declensions in Grace and Obedience: It endeavours to stop or taint these springs. And there are several ways whereby it bringeth this to pass.

This then is the first, at least one way whereby indwelling-sin prepares men for decayes and declensions in Grace and Obedience: It endeavours to stop or taint these springs. And there are several waies whereby it bringeth this to pass.

First, It works by sloth and negligence. It prevails in the Soul to a neglect of stirring up continual thoughts of, or about the things that so powerfully influence it unto strict and fruitful obedience. If care be not taken, if diligence and watchfulness be not used, and all means observed that are appointed of God, to keep a quick and living sense of them upon the Soul, they will dry up and decay, and consequently that Obedience that should spring from them will do so also. Isaac digged Wells, but the Philistines stopped them, and his Flocks had no benefit by them. Let the heart never so little di•use it self to gracious soul-affecting thoughts of the Love of God, the Cross of