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

What should I reckon up the murders of Cain and Abel, the treason of Judas, with their aggravations; or remind the filth and villainy of Nero, in whom sin seemed to design an instance of what it could debase the nature of man unto: In a word, all the studied, premeditated perjuries; all the designed, bloody revenges; all the filth and uncleanness; all the enmity to God and his ways that is in the world, is fruit growing from this root alone.

What should I reckon up the murders of Cain and Abel, the treason of Judas, with their aggravations; or remind the filth and villany of Nero, in whom sin seemed to design an instance of what it could debase the nature of man unto: In a word, all the studied, premeditated perjuries; all the designed, bloody revenges; all the filth and uncleanness; all the enmity to God and his ways that is in the world, is fruit growing from this root alone.

Secondly, It evidences its efficacy in keeping men off from believing under the dispensation of the Gospel. This evidence must be a little further cleared.

First, Under the dispensation of the Gospel, there are but few that do believe. So the Preachers of it complain, Isa. 53. 1. Who hath believed our report? which the Apostle interprets of the paucity of Believers, Joh. 12. 38. our Saviour Christ himself tells us, that many are called, the Word is preached unto many, but few are chosen. And so the Church complains of its number, Mic. 6. 1. Few there be who enter the narrow gate, daily experience confirms this woeful observation. How many Villages, Parishes, yea, Towns may we go unto, where the Gospel, it may be, hath been preached many years, and perhaps scarce meet a true Believer in them, & one who shows forth the death of Christ in his conversation. In the best