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

Secondly, In such seasons sin is not conquered but diverted. When it seems to fall under the power of the Law, indeed it is only turned into a new channel, it is not dried up. If you go and set a dam against the streams of a River, that you suffer no water to pass in the old course and channel, but it breaks out another way, and turns all its streams in a new course, you will not say you have dried up that River; though some that come and look into the old channel may think perhaps that the waters are utterly gone; so is it in this case; the streams of sin it may be run in open sensuality, and profaneness; in drunkenness and viciousness; the preaching of the Law sets a dam against these course; Conscience is terrified, and the Man dares not walk in the ways wherein he hath been formerly engaged; His Companions in sin not finding him in his old ways begin to laugh at him, as one that is converted and growing precise; Professors themselves begin to be persuaded, that the work of God is upon his heart, because they see his old streams dried up; but if there have been only a work of the Law upon him, there is a dam put to his course, but the ⟨p. 292⟩Spring of sin is not dried up, only the streams of it are turned another way: It may be the Man is fallen upon other more secret, or more spiritual sins; or if he be beat from them also, the whole strength of lust and sin will take up its residence in self-righteousness, and pour out thereby as filthy streams as in any other way whatever. So that notwithstanding the whole work of the Law upon the Souls of Men, Indwelling-sin will keep alive in them still, which is another evidence of its great power and strength.

Secondly, In such seasons sin is not conquered but diverted. When it seems to fall under the power of the Law, indeed it is only turned into a new channell, it is not dryed up. If you go and set a damm against the streams of a River, that you suffer no water to pass in the old course and channel, but it breaks out another way, and turns all its streams in a new course, you will not say you have dryed up that River; though some that come and look into the old channel may think perhaps that the waters are utterly gone; so is it in this case; the streams of sin it may be run in open sensuality, and profaneness; in drunkenness and vitiousness; the preaching of the Law sets a damm against these course; Conscience is terrified, and the Man dares not walk in the wayes wherein he hath been formerly ingaged; His Companions in sin not finding him in his old wayes begin to laugh at him, as one that is converted and growing precise; Professors themselves begin to be perswaded, that the work of God is upon his heart, because they see his old streams dryed up; but if there have been only a work of the Law upon him, there is a damm put to his course, but the