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

Secondly, It produceth this effect by making the soul negligent, and taking it off from its watch. We have before showed at large that it is one main part of the effectual deceitfulness of Indwelling sin, to make the soul inadvertent, to turn it off from the diligent watchful attendance unto its duty, which is required. Now there is not any thing in reference whereunto diligence and watchfulness is more strictly enjoined; than the returning assaults of Satan, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be sober, be vigilant; and why so? because of your adversary the Devil. Unless ⟨p. 253⟩you are exceeding watchful, at one time or other he will surprise you. And all the injunctions of our blessed Saviour, to watch, are still with reference unto him, and his temptations. Now when the soul is made careless and inadvertent, forgetting what an enemy it hath to deal withal, or is lifted up with the successes it hath newly obtained against him, then in Satan's time to attempt a re-entrance of his old habitation; which if he cannot obtain, yet he makes their lives uncomfortable to themselves, and unfruitful to others, in weakening their root, and withering their fruit through his poisoning temptations. He comes down upon our duties of obedience, as the fowls upon Abraham's sacrifice, that if we watch not, as he did, to drive them away, [for by resistance he is overcome and put to flight] he will devour them.

Secondly, It produceth this effect by making the soul negligent, and taking it off from its watch. We have before shew'd at large that it is one main part of the effectual deceitfulness of Indwelling sin, to make the soul inadvertent, to turn it off from the diligent watchful attendance unto its duty, which is required. Now there is not any thing in reference whereunto diligence and watchfulness is more strictly enjoyned; than the returning assau•ts of Satan, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be sober, be vigilant; and why so? because of your adversary the Devil. Unless ⟨p. 253⟩you are exceeding watchful, at one time or other he will surprize you. And all the injunctions of our blessed Saviour, to watch, are still with reference unto him, and his temptations. Now when the soul is made careless and inadvertent, forgetting what an enemy it hath to deal withal, or is lifted up with the successes it hath newly obtained against him, then in Satans time to attempt a re-entrance of his old habitation; which if he cannot obtain, yet he makes their lives uncomfortable to themselves, and unfruitful to others, in weakening their root, and withering their fruit through his poisoning temptations. He comes down upon our duties of obedience, as the fowls upon Abrahams sacrifice, that if we watch not, as he did, to drive them away, [for by resistance he is overcome and put to flight] he will devour them.