The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Sixthly, Persons in such an Estate are apt to deceive themselves with false Hopes and Notions, whereby the Deceitfulness of Sin doth put forth its Power, to harden them unto their Ruin. Two ways there are whereby this pernicious Effect is produced. The one by the prevalency of a particular Lust or Sin, the other by a neglect of Spiritual Duties, and a vain Conversation in the World, under which the Soul pines away and consumes.

Sixthly, Persons in such an Estate are apt to deceive themselves with false Hopes and Notions, whereby the Deceitfulness of Sin doth put forth its Power, to harden them unto their Ruine. Two ways there are whereby this pernitious Effect is produced. The one by the prevalency of a particular Lust or Sin, the other by a neglect of Spiritual Duties, and a vain Conversation in the World, under which the Soul pines away and consumes.

As unto the first of these, there are three false Notions, whereby the Deceitfulness of Sin, deludes the Souls of Men.

The First is, that it is that one Sin alone wherein they would be indulged. Let them be spared in this one thing, and in all other they will be exact enough. This is the Composition that Naaman would have made in the Matters of Religion, 2 Kings 5.18. And it is that which many trust unto. Hence it hath by the Event been made to appear, that some Persons have lived long in the Practice of some gross Sins, and yet all the while used a Semblance of great diligence in other Duties of Religion. This is a false Notion whereby poor Sinners delude their own Souls. For suppose it possible that a man should give himself up unto any Lust, or be under the Power of it, and yet be observant of all other Duties, yet this would give him no Relief as unto the Eternal Condition of his Soul. The Rule is peremptory unto this purpose,