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

And this Consideration will also evidence the power and strength of Indwelling-sin; it is able to hold out, and not only to live, but also to secure its reign and dominion against very strong opposition that is made unto it.

I shall instance only in the opposition that is made unto it, by the Law, which is oft-times great and terrible, always fruitless; all its assaults are born by it, and it is not prevailed against. There are sundry things wherein the Law opposeth it self to sin, and the power of it. As,

I shall instance only in the opposition that is made unto it, by the Law, which is oft-times great and terrible, alwayes fruitless; all its assaults are born by it, and it is not prevailed against. There are sundry things wherein the Law opposeth it self to sin, and the power of it. As,

First, It discovers it; sin in the Soul is like a secret hectic distemper in the body; its being unknown and unperceived, is one great means of its prevalency. Or as Traitors in a Civil State, whilst they lye hid, they vigorously carry on their design. The greatest part of Men in the World, know nothing of this sickness, yea death of their Souls. Though they have been taught somewhat ⟨p. 284⟩of the doctrine of it, yet they know nothing of its power. They know it not so, as to deal with it as their mortal Enemy. As a Man, whatever he be told, cannot be said to know, that he hath an• hectic Fever, if he love his life, and set no• himself to stop its progress.

First, It discovers it; sin in the Soul is like a secret hectical distemper in the body; its being unknown and unperceived, is one great means of its prevalency. Or as Traytors in a Civil State, whilest they lye hid, they vigorously carry on their design. The greatest part of Men in the World, know nothing of this sickness, yea death of their Souls. Though they have been taught somewhat