A55752:1105
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...
London: printed by J.T., 1658
THE LAW OF SIN and GRACE COMBATING.THE LAVV OF SIN and GRACE COMBATING.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, it is added here that it is a warring Law, it is a Law that wars or fights against the Law of the mind. 1Now it is said to be so, because it breaks the Law of God, it makes resistance, it goes out of compass. So that as in a state, while men carry themselves, orderly, and live by the Laws, they are reckoned good subjects, but when they grow mutinous against the Laws, and their lawful Prince then they are accounted rebels: so is it with our affections so long as they keep within compass, and contain themselves in their own sphere that the Lord hath appointed them to move in, so long they are called ordinate affections: but when they exceed their measure, and flow over their banks, then they are said to be warring lusts, inordinate lusts.
Thirdly, it is added here that it is a warring Law, it is a Law that wars or fights against the Law of the mind. 1Now it is said to be so, because it breaks the Law of God, it makes resistance, it goes out of compass. So that as in a state, while men carry themselves, orderly, and live by the Laws, they are reckoned good subjects, but when they grow mutinous against the Lawes, and their lawful Prince then they are accounted rebels: so is it with our affections so long as they keep within compass, and contain themselves in their own sphear that the Lord hath appointed them to move in, so long they are called ordinate affections: but when they exceed their measure, and flow over their bancks, then they are said to be warring lusts, inordinate lusts.
- 13: It is a warring Law. Simile.
As for example in Rachel, the desire of Children was a lawful thing; but when she came to be so importunate, ⟨p. 355⟩and so unreasonable, so excessive in her desire that either she must have Children or else she must die, then it was a warring lust. So was Esau's desire of pottage. It is a lawful thing to desire the things of this life, the comforts of this life, but to desire them in that measure: in that excess, it degenerates from an ordinate affection, and turns to an unruly lust. Such was Davids desire of numbering the people. And therefore it is not without cause that the holy-Ghost useth this expression here, I find, saith the Apostle, a Law in my members warring: For as the word in the Original signifies, it wageth a war against the Law of the mind, even as one army doth against another. For there are a Legion of lusts, an army of lusts fighting against an army of graces.