Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers

2. In constant fighting and contending against sin. To be able always to be laying load on Sin, is no small degree of Mortification. When Sin is strong and vigorous, the Soul is scarce able to make any head against it. It sighs, and groans, and mourns, and is troubled, as David speaks of himself, but seldom has Sin in the pursuit; David complains that his Sin had taken fast hold ⟨p. 58⟩upon him, that he could look up, Psal. 40.12. How little then was he able to fight against it. Now sundry things are required unto, and comprised in this fighting against Sin.

2. In constant fighting and contending against sin. To be able alwayes to be laying load on Sin, is no small degree of Mortification. When Sin is strong and vigorous, the Soul is scarce able to make any head against it. It sighs, and groans, and mourns, and is troubled, as David speaks of himself, but seldom has Sin in the pursuit; David complains that his Sin had taken fast hold ⟨p. 58⟩upon him, that he could look up, Psal. 40.12. How little then was he able to fight against it. Now sundry things are required unto, and comprized in this fighting against Sin.

1. To know that a man hath such an Enemy to deal withal; to take notice of it, to consider it as an Enemy indeed, and one that is to be destroyed by all means possible, is required hereunto. As I said before, the contest is vigorous and hazardous; it is about the things of Eternity. When therefore man have sleight and transient thoughts of their lusts, it is no great sign that they are mortified, or that they are in a way for their Mortification. This is, every man's knowing the plague of his own heart,