The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

2. We must distinguish between the perplexing solicitation of any Lust, and the conquering Predominancy of it. The Evil that is present with us, will be soliciting and pressing unto sin of its own accord, even where there is no such especial Temptation, as that spoken of before. So is the case stated, so are the nature and Operations of it described, Rom. 1. Gal. 5. And sometimes an especial particular Lust, may be so warmed and fomented by mens constitutions within, or be so exposed unto provoking, exciting occasions without, as to bring perpetual trouble on the mind. Yet this may be where no sin hath the predominancy enquired after. And the Difference between the perplexing solicitation of any corruption unto sin, and the conquering prevalency of it, lies in this; that under the former, the Thoughts, contrivances and actings of the mind, are generally disposed and inclined unto an opposition unto it, and a conflict with it, how it may be obviated, defeated, destroyed, how an absolute victory may be obtained against it. Yea Death it self is sweet unto such Persons under this notion, as it is that which will deliver them from the perplexing Power of their Corruptions, so is the state of such a Soul at large represented, Rom. 7. In the other case, namely, of its predominancy, it disposeth of the Thoughts actually for the most part, to make provision for the flesh, and to fulfil it in the Lusts thereof. It fills the mind with pleasing contemplations of its Object, and puts it on contrivances for satisfaction. Yea part of the Bitterness of Death unto such Persons, is that it will make an everlasting separation between them, and the satisfaction they have received in their Lusts. It is bitter in the Thoughts of it unto a worldly minded Man, because it will take him from all his enjoyments, ⟨p. 139⟩his wealth, profits and advantages. It is so unto the sensual Person, as that which finally determines all his pleasures.

2. We must distinguish between the perplexing sollicitation of any Lust, and the conquering Predominancy of it. The Evil that is present with us, will be solliciting and pressing unto sin of its own accord, even where there is no such especial Temptation, as that spoken of before. So is the case stated, so are the nature and Operations of it described,