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

Now these things are not distinguished so, as though a man might perform the actions of the Law of his nature which are common to him with other creatures, merely from the principles of his nature as they do; but the Law of his dependence upon God, and doing all things in obedience unto him, passeth on them all also. He can never be considered as a mere creature, but as a creature made for the glory of God, by rational moral obedience; rational, because by him chosen, and performed with reason; and moral, because regulated by a Law whereunto Reason doth attend.

Now these things are not distinguished so, as though a man might perform the actions of the Law of his nature which are common to him with other creatures, meerly from the principles of his nature as they do; but the Law of his dependance upon God, and doing all things in obedience unto him, passeth on them all also. He can never be considered as a meer creature, but as a creature made for the glory of God, by rational moral obedience; rational, because by him chosen, and performed with reason; and moral, because regulated by a Law whereunto Reason doth attend.

For instance; It is common to man with other creatures, to take care for the nourishing of his children, of the young helpless ones that receive their being by him. There is implanted in him, in the principles of his nature concreated with them, a love and care for them; so is it with other living creatures. Now let other creatures answer this instinct & inclination, and be not hardened against them like the foolish Ostrich, unto whom God hath not imparted this natural wisdom, Job 59. 16, 17. they fully answer the Law of their Creation. With Man it is not so; it is not enough for him to ⟨p. 268⟩answer the instinct and secret impulse and inclination of his nature and kind, as in the nourishing of his children; but he must do it also in subjection to God, and obey him therein, and doing it unto his glory; the Law of Moral Obedience passing over all his whole being & all his operations; but in these things lie, as it were, the whole of a man, namely in the things which are implanted in his nature as a creature, common to him with all other living creatures, seconded by the Command or Will of God, as he is a creature capable of yielding moral obedience, and doing all things for his glory.