A53712:523
The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin
The nature, power, deceit, and prevalency of the remainders of indwelling-sin in believers together with the ways of its working and means of prevention opened, evinced, and applied with a resolution of sundry cases of conscience thereunto appertaining.The nature, power, deceit, and prevalency of the remainders of indwelling-sin in believers together with the wayes of its working and means of prevention opened, evinced, and applyed with a resolution of sundry cases of conscience thereunto appertaining.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, It is acknowledged, that very great and effectual is the power of the Law of God. Great are the effects that are wrought by it; and it shall surely accomplish every end for which of God it is appointed. But yet the subduing of sin, is none of its work; it is not designed of God unto that purpose; and therefore it is no dishonour, if it cannot do that which is not its proper work, Rom. 8. 3.
Secondly, Whatever effects it have upon some, yet we see that in the most, such is the power and prevalency of sin, that it takes no impression at all upon them. May you not see every where men living many years in Congregations where the Law is powerfully preached, and applied unto the Consciences as to all the ends and purposes for which the Lord is pleased to make use of it, and not once be moved by it; that receive no more ⟨p. 290⟩impression from the strokes of it, than blows with a straw would give to an Adamant. They are neither convinced by it, nor terrified, nor awed, nor instructed, but continue deaf, ignorant, senseless, secure, as if they had never been told of the guilt of sin, or terror of the Lord. Such as these are Congregations full of, who proclaim the triumphing power of sin, over the dispensation of the Law.
Secondly, Whatever effects it have upon some, yet we see that in the most, such is the power and prevalency of sin, that it takes no impression at all upon them. May you not see every where men living many years in Congregations where the Law is powerfully preached, and applyed unto the Consciences as to all the ends and purposes for which the Lord is pleased to make use of it, and not once be moved by it; that receive no more ⟨p. 290⟩impression from the stroaks of it, than blows with a straw would give to an Adamant. They are neither convinced by it, nor terrifyed, nor awed, nor instructed, but continue deaf, ignorant, senless, secure, as if they had never been told of the guilt of sin, or terrour of the Lord. Such as these are Congregations full of, who proclaim the triumphing power of sin, over the dispensation of the Law.