A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

There are three Considerations which make the actings of indwelling sin to be so perplexing to the soul.

1. Because they are unexpected. The soul looks not for them upon the first great conquest made of sin, and universal engagement of the heart unto God. When it first says, I have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed to keep thy righteous Judgements; commonly there is peace at least for a season from the disturbing vigorous actings of sin. There are many Reasons why so it should be. Old things are then passed away, all things are become new; and the soul under the power of that universal change, is utterly turned away from those things that should foment, stir up, provoke or cherish any lust or temptation. Now when some of these Advantages are past, and sin begins to stir and act again, the soul is surprised, and thinks the work that he hath passed through was not true and effectual, ⟨p. 356⟩but temporary only. Yea he thinks perhaps that sin hath more strength than it had before, because he is more sensible than he was before. As one that hath a dead arm or limb whilst it is mortified, endures deep cuts and launcings, and feels them not: when spirits and sense are brought into the place again, he feels the least cut, and may think the instruments sharper than they were before, when all the difference is, that he hath got a quickness of sense, which before he had not. It may be so with a person in this case; he may think lust more powerful than it was before, because he is more sensible than he was before. Yea sin in the heart, is like a Snake or Serpent; you may pull out the sting of it, and cut it into many pieces; though it can sting mortally no more, nor move his whole body at once, yet it will move in all its parts, and make an appearance of a greater motion than formerly. So it is with lust, when it hath received its deaths wound, and is cut in pieces, yet it moves in so many parts as it were in the soul, that it amazes him that hath to do with it; and thus coming unexpectedly, fills the spirit oftentimes with disconsolation.

1. Because they are unexpected. The soul looks not for them upon the first great conquest made of sin, and universal engagement of the heart unto God. When it first sayes, I have sworn, and amstedfastly purposed to keep thy righteous Judgements; commonly there is peace at least for a season from the disturbing vigorous actings of sin. There are many Reasons why so it should be. Old things are then passed away, all things are become new; and the soul under the power of that universal change, is utterly turned away from those things that should foment, stir up, provoke or cherish any lust or temptation. Now when some of these Advantages are past, and sin begins to stir and act again, the soul is surprized, and thinks the work that he hath passed through was not true and effectual,