Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers

(3) Frequency of success in Sins seduction in obtaining the prevailing Consent of the Will unto it, is another dangerous symptom. This is that I mean: When the sin spoken of gets the Consent of the Will with some delight, ⟨p. 92⟩though it be not actually outwardly perpetrated, yet it hath success. A man may not be able upon outward Considerations to go along with Sin, to that which James calls the finishing of it, Jam. 1.14, 15. as to the outward Acts of Sin, when yet the will of sinning may be actually obtained: Then hath it I say success. Now if any lust be able thus far to prevail in the Soul of any man, as his Condition may possibly be very bad and himself be unregenerate, so it cannot possibly be very good, but dangerous. And it is all one upon the matter, whether this be done by the choice of the Will, or by Inadvertency; For that Inadvertency it self is in a manner chosen. When we are inadvertent and negligent, where we are bound to watchfulness, and carefulness, that inadvertency doth not take off from the voluntariness of what we do thereupon; for although men do not choose and resolve to be negligent and inadvertent, yet if they choose the things that will make them so, they choose inadvertency it self, as a thing may be chosen in its cause.

(3) Frequency of success in Sins seduction in obtaining the prevailing Consent of the Will unto it, is another dangerous symptome. This is that I mean: When the sin spoken of gets the Consent of the Will with some delight, ⟨p. 92⟩though it be not actually outwardly perpetrated, yet it hath success. A man may not be able upon outward Considerations to goe along with Sin, to that which James calls the finishing of it, Jam. 1.14, 15. as to the outward Acts of Sin, when yet the will of sinning may be actually obtained: Then hath it I say success. Now if any lust be able thus far to prevail in the Soul of any man, as his Condition may possibly be very bad and himself be unregenerate, so it cannot possibly be very good, but dangerous. And it is all one upon the matter, whether this be done by the choice of the Will, or by Inadvertency; For that Inadvertency it self is in a manner chosen. When we are inadvertent and negligent, where we are bound to watchfulness, and carefulness, that inadvertency doth not take off from the voluntariness of what we doe thereupon; for although men do not choose and resolve to be negligent and inadvertent, yet if they choose the things that will make them so, they choose inadvertency it self, as a thing may be chosen in its cause.