The Sincere Convert

Fifthly, In judging the power of sin to be but infirmity; for if any thing trouble an unregenerate man, and makes him call his estate into question, it is sin either in the being or power of it. Now sin in the being ought no•, must not, make a man question his estate, because the best have that left in them, that will humble them, and make them live by faith; therefore the power of sin only can trouble a man. Now if a man do judge of this to be only but infirmity, which the best are compassed about withal; he cannot but lie down securely, and think himself well. And if this error ⟨p. 193⟩be settled in one that lives in no one known sin, it is very difficult to remove: for let the Minister cast the sparks of hell in their faces, and denounce the terror of God against them, they are never stirred: why? because they think, here's for you that live in sin, but as for themselves, although they have sins, yet they strive against them, and so cannot leave them; for, we must have sin as long as we live here, they say. Now mark it, there's no surer sign of a man under the bloody reign, and dominion of his lusts and sins, than this; that is, to give way to sin, (though never so little and common) nor to be greatly troubled for sin (for they may be a little troubled) because they cannot overcome sin; I deny not, but the best do sin daily; yet this is the disposition of Paul, and every child of God, he mourneth not the less, but the more for sin; though he cannot quite subdue them, cast them out and overcome them▪ As a prisoner mourns the more that he is bound with such ⟨p. 194⟩fetters he cannot break; so doth every one truly sensible of his woeful captivity by sin; This is the great difference between a raging sin a man will part with all, and a sin of infirmity a man cannot part withal; a sin of infirmity is such a sin as a man would, but cannot part with it, and hence he mourns the more for it. A raging sin is such a sin, as a man happily by virtue of his lashing conscience, would sometimes part withal, but cannot, and hence mourns the less for it, and gives way unto it. Now for the Lords sake take heed of this deceit; for I tell you, those sins you cannot part withal, if you groan not day and night under them, (saying; O Lord, help me, for I am weary of my self) and my life, will certainly undo you.