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

Never let us reckon that our work in contending against sin, in crucifying, mortifying, and subduing of it, is at an end. The place of its habitation is unsearchable; and when we may think that we have throughly won the field, there is still some reserve remaining that we saw not, that we knew not o•. Many Conquerors have been ruined by their carelessness after a victory; and many have been spiritually wounded after great successes against this enemy. David was so, his great surprisal into sin was after a long profession, manifold ⟨p. 33⟩experiences of God, and watchful keeping himself from his iniquity. And hence in part hath it come to pass, that the profession of many hath declined in their old age, or riper time, which must more distinctly be spoken to afterwards. They have given over the work of mortifying of sin, before their work was at an end. There is no way for us to pursue sin in its unsearchable habitation, but by being endless in our pursuit. And that command of the Apostle which we have, Colos. 3. 5. on this account is as necessary for them to observe, who are towards the end of their race, as those that are but at the beginning of it. Mortify therefore your members that are on the earth; be always doing it whilst you live in this world. It is true, great ground is obtained, when the work is vigorously and constantly carried on; sin is much weakened, so that the soul presseth forwards towards perfection. But yet the work must be endless, I mean whilst we are in this world. If we give over, we shall quickly see this enemy exerting it self with new strength and vigour. It may be, under some great affliction, it may be in some eminent enjoyment of God, in the sense of the sweetness of blessed communion with Christ, we have been ready to say, that there was an end of sin, that it was dead and gone for ever: But have we not found the contrary by experience? hath it not manifested that it was only retired into some unsearchable recesses of the heart, as to its in-being and nature, though it may be greatly weakened in its power? Let us then reckon on it, that there is no way to have our work done, but by always doing of it; and ⟨p. 34⟩he who dies fighting in this warfare, dies assuredly▪ a Conqueror.