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

Secondly, It is always ready to apply it self to every end and purpose that it serves unto. It doth not only dwell in me, saith the Apostle, but when I would do good, it is present with me: There is somewhat more in that expression, than mere indwelling. An Inmate may dwell in an house, and yet not be always m•dling with what the good ⟨p. 19⟩man of the house hath to do, (that so we may keep to the allusion of Indwelling, used by the Apostle.) But it is so with this Law, it doth so dwell in us, as that it will be present with us in every thing we do, yea, oftentimes when with most earnestness we desire to be quit of it, with most violence it will put it self upon us: When I would do good, it is present with me. Would you pray, would you hear, would you give Alms, would you meditate, would you be in any duty acting faith on God, and love towards him, would you work righteousness, would you resist temptations, this troublesome perplexing Indweller will still more or less put it self upon you, and be present with you; so that you cannot perfectly and completely accomplish the thing that is good, as our Apostle speaks, ver. 18. Sometimes men by hearkening to their temptations, do stir up, excite and provoke their lusts; and no wonder if then they find them present and active. But it will be so, when with all our endeavours we labour to be free from them. This Law of Sin dwells in us, that is, it adheres as a depraved principle unto our minds in darkness, and vanity, unto our Affections in sensuality, unto our wills in a loathing of, and aversation from that which is good, and by some, more, or all of these, is continually putting it self upon us, in inclinations, motions, or suggestions to evil, when we would be most gladly quit of it.

Secondly, It is alwayes ready to apply it self to every end and purpose that it serves unto. It doth not only dwell in me, saith the Apostle, but when I would do good, it is present with me: There is somewhat more in that expression, than meer indwelling. An Inmate may dwell in an house, and yet not be alwayes m•dling with what the good ⟨p. 19⟩man of the house hath to do, (that so we may keep to the allusion of Indwelling, used by the Apostle.) But it is so with this Law, it doth so dwell in us, as that it will be present with us in every thing we do, yea, oftentimes when with most earnestness we desire to be quit of it, with most violence it will put it self upon us: When I would do good, it is present with me. Would you pray, would you hear, would you give Alms, would you meditate, would you be in any duty acting faith on God, and love towards him, would you work righteousness, would you resist temptations, this troublesome perplexing Indweller will still more or less put it self upon you, and be present with you; so that you cannot perfectly and compleatly accomplish the thing that is good, as our Apostle speaks, ver. 18. Sometimes men by hearkning to their temptations, do stir up, excite and provoke their lusts; and no wonder if then they find them present and active. But it will be so, when with all our endeavours we labour to be free from them. This Law of Sin dwells in us, that is, it adheres as a depraved principle unto our minds in darkness, and vanity, unto our Affections in sensuality, unto our wills in a loathing of, and aversation from that which is good, and by some, more, or all of these, is continually putting it self upon us, in inclinations, motions, or suggestions to evil, when we would be most gladly quit of it.