First. A man is unable by Nature, to overcome any sin, though it be never so small. A man by Nature, he may abstain from vices, from a sin; but overcome it he cannot. Sin may be Satisfied, and not Mortified. (Mark) •n may be Satisfied, and not Mortified. As in the dropsy: There is a great deal of difference between the satisfying of a mans thirst, and the healing of the Disease. Many men think that their fin is certainly Healed, when 'tis only Satisfied. Whereas a beggar, when he is competently served, he will beg no more: And sin, beggar-like, when 'tis well served it will not beg again presently, not in the same temptation. Sin it self, will cease to sin, that it may gather strength to sin. But now; a man by nature he cannot overcome it. And therefore, in the 1 Cor 15.57. the Apostle says thus: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the Victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Victories, and all Victories is through our Lord Jesus Christ. And if in the Old Testament, all Victories were given from God, all outward Victories were given from Him: Then much more in the New Testament, are all our Spiritual Victories, (the former being but Types of these) much more are all our Spiritual Victories, then to be given to God. Now you see how it was with David, in the 18. Psalm, concerning outward Victories he gives all to God. Says he there (at the 32 verse,) It is God that girdeth me with strength: He maketh my feet, like hinds feet: He teacheth my hands to war, so that a Bow of steel is broken by mine Arms. And at the 2. verse (says he) The Lord is my Rock, my For tress, my Deliverer: my God, my strength in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the horn of my Salvation, & mine high Tower. As if all his War-like strength and skill were from God. And is not much more our Spiritual strength, which we have in our Christian warfare from Jesus Christ?1 I have set the Lord always at my right hand, therefore I shall not fall: (says the Psalmist.) Naturally then, a man is utterly unable to overcome any sin, or temptation, though it be never so small.
First. A man is unable by Nature, to overcome any sin, though it be never so small. A man by Nature, he may abstain from vices, from a sin; but overcome it he cannot. Sin may be Satisfied, and not Mortified. (Mark) •n may be Satisfied, and not Mortified. As in the dropsie: There is a great deal of difference between the satisfying of a mans thirst, and the healing of the Disease. Many men think that their fin is certainly Healed, when 'tis only Satisfied. Whereas a beggar, when he is competently served, he will beg no more: And sin, beggar-like, when 'tis well served it will not beg again presently, not in the same temptation. Sin it self, will cease to sin, that it may gather strength to sin. But now; a man by nature he cannot overcome it. And therfore, in the 1 Cor 15.57. the Apostle saies thus: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the Victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Victories, and all Victories is through our Lord Jesus Christ. And if in the Old Testament, all Victories were given from God, all outward Victories were given from Him: Then much more in the New Testament, are all our Spiritual Victories, (the former being but Types of these) much more are all our Spiritual Victories, then to be given to God. Now you see how it was with David, in the 18. Psalme, concerning outward Victories he gives all to God. Saies he there (at the 32 verse,) It is God that girdeth me with strength: He maketh my feet, like hindes feet: He teacheth my hands to war, so that a Bow of steel is broken by mine Arms. And at the 2. verse (saies he) The Lord is my Rock, my For tress, my Deliverer: my God, my strength in whom I wil trust; my Buckler, and the horn of my Salvation, & mine high Tower. As if all his War-like strength and skill were from God. And is not much more our Spiritual strength, which we have in our Christian warfare from Jesus Christ?1 I have set the Lord alwaies at my right hand, therefore I shall not fall: (saies the Psalmist.) Naturally then, a man is utterly unable to overcome any sin, or temptation, though it be never so small.
- 1Psal. 16.8.
