3. There is a difference in the Degrees of such a predominant Corruption. In some it taints the Affections, vitiates the Thoughts, and works over the Will unto Acts of a secret complacency in sin, but proceeds no farther. The whole Mind may be vitiated by it, and rendered in the Multitude of its Thoughts, vain, sensual, or worldly, according as is the nature of the prevailing Corruption. Yet here God puts bounds unto the raging of some mens corruptions, and says to their proud waves, thus far shall ye proceed, and no farther. He either lays a restraint on their minds, that when Lust hath fully conceived, it shall not bring forth sin, or he sets an hedge before them in his Providence, that they shall not be able in their circumstances, to find their way unto what perhaps they do most earnestly desire. A woeful Life it is that such Persons lead. They are continually tortured between their Corruptions and Convictions, or the Love of sin, and fear of the Event. With others it pursues its course into outward actual sins, which in some are discovered in this world, in others they are not. For some mens sins go before them unto Judgment and some follow after. Some fall into sin upon surprisal, from a concurrence of Temptation with Corruption, and Opportunities; some habituate themselves unto a course in sin, though in many it be not discovered, in some it is. But among those who have received any Spiritual Light, and made Profession of Religion thereon, this seldom falls out, but from the great Displeasure of God. For when men have long given way unto the Prevalency of sin in their Affections, Inclinations and Thoughts, and God hath set many an hedge before them to give bounds unto their Inclinations, and to shut up the womb of sin; sometimes by Afflictions, sometimes by fears and dangers, sometimes by ⟨p. 140⟩the Word; and yet the bent of their Spirits is towards their sin; God takes off his hand of restraint, removes his hindrances, and gives them up unto their own Hearts Lusts, to do the things that are not convenient. All things hereon suits their Desires▪ and they rush into actual sins and follies, setting their feet in the paths that go down to the Chambers of Death. The uncontrollable Power of sin in such Persons, and the greatness of Gods Displeasure against them, makes their condition most deplorable.
3. There is a difference in the Degrees of such a predominant Corruption. In some it taints the Affections, vitiates the Thoughts, and works over the Will unto Acts of a secret complacency in sin, but proceeds no farther. The whole Mind may be vitiated by it, and rendred in the Multitude of its Thoughts, vain, sensual, or worldly, according as is the nature of the prevailing Corruption. Yet here God puts bounds unto the raging of some mens corruptions, and sayes to their proud waves, thus far shall ye proceed, and no farther. He either layes a restraint on their minds, that when Lust hath fully conceived, it shall not bring forth sin, or he sets an hedge before them in his Providence, that they shall not be able in their circumstances, to find their way unto what perhaps they do most earnestly desire. A woful Life it is that such Persons lead. They are continually tortured between their Corruptions and Convictions, or the Love of sin, and fear of the Event. With others it pursues its course into outward actual sins, which in some are discovered in this world, in others they are not. For some mens sins go before them unto Judgment and some follow after. Some fall into sin upon surprizal, from a concurrence of Temptation with Corruption, and Opportunities; some habituate themselves unto a course in sin, though in many it be not discovered, in some it is. But among those who have received any Spiritual Light, and made Profession of Religion thereon, this seldom falls out, but from the great Displeasure of God. For when men have long given way unto the Prevalency of sin in their Affections, Inclinations and Thoughts, and God hath set many an hedge before them to give bounds unto their Inclinations, and to shut up the womb of sin; sometimes by Afflictions, sometimes by fears and dangers, sometimes by ⟨p. 140⟩the Word; and yet the bent of their Spirits is towards their sin; God takes off his hand of restraint, removes his hindrances, and gives them up unto their own Hearts Lusts, to do the things that are not convenient. All things hereon suits their Desires▪ and they rush into actual sins and follies, setting their feet in the paths that go down to the Chambers of Death. The uncontrollable Power of sin in such Persons, and the greatness of Gods Displeasure against them, makes their condition most deplorable.
