xxvi CONTENTS. Page duties of the mind in our obedience. means whereby it is turned from it, CHAP. IX. The deceit of sin in drawing off the mind from CHAP. X. The deceit of sin, in drawing off the mind from its attendance to particular duties, farther discovered. Se- veral things required in the mind of believers, with re- spect to particular duties of obedience. Acting of sin, in a way of deceit, to divert the mind from them, CHAP. XI. The working of sin by deceit to entangle the affections. The ways whereby it is done. Means of CHAP. XII. The conception of sin through its deceit. Wherein it consisteth. The consent of the will to sin. CHAP. XIII. Several ways whereby the bringing forth of CHAP. XIV. The power of sin farther demonstrated by the effects it hath had in the lives of professors. First, In actual sins: Secondly, In habitual declensions, CHAP. XV. Decays in degrees of grace caused by in. dwelling sin. The ways of its prevalency to this purpose, 269 CHAP. XVI. The strength of indwelling sin manifested from its power and effects in persons unregenerate, PREFACE. THAT the doctrine of Original Sin, is one of the fundamental truths of our Christian profession, hath been always acknowledged in the church of God. And an especial part it is of that peculiar profession of truth which they enjoy, whose religion towards God is built upon, and resolved into Divine Revelation. As the world, by its wisdom, never knew God aright, so the wise men of it were always utterly ignorant of this inbred evil in themselves and others. With us, the doctrine and conviction of it lie at the very foundation of all wherein we have to do with God, in reference to our pleasing him here, or obtaining the enjoyment of him hereafter. It is also known what influence it hath into the great truths concerning the person of Christ, his mediation, the fruits and effects of it, with all the benefits of which we are thereby made partakers. Without a supposition of it, not any of them can be truly known, or savingly believed. For this cause has it been largely treated of by many holy men, both of former and of latter days. laboured in the discovery of its nature, and learned Some have some of its guilt and demerit; by whom also the truth concerning it hath been vindicated from the opposition made to it in the past and present ages. By most these things have been considered in their full extent and latitude, with respect to all men by nature, with the estate and condition of those who are wholly under the power and guilt of it. How men are thereby disenabled, and incapacitated in themselves to answer the obedience required, either in the law or the gospel, so as to free themselves from the curse of the one, or to make themselves partakers of the blessing of the other, hath been by many also fully evinced. Moreover, that there are remainders of it abiding in believers, after their regeneration and conversion to God, as the Scripture abundantly testifies, hath been fully taught and confirmed; as also how the guilt of it is pardoned to them, and by what means the power of it is weakened in them. All these things, I say, have been largely treated on, to the great benefit and edification of the church. In what we have now in design, we therefore take them all for granted, and endeavour only farther to carry on the discovery of it in its actings and oppositions to the law and grace of God in believers. Neither do I intend the discussion of any thing that has been controverted about it. What the Scripture plainly reveals and teaches concerning it, what believers evidently find by experience in themselves, what they may learn from the examples and acknowledgments of others, shall be represented in a way suited to the capacity of the meanest and weakest who is concerned therein. And many things seem to render the handling of it, at this season, not unnecessary. The effects and fruits of it which we see, in the apostacies and backslidings of many, the scandalous sins and miscarriages of some, and the course and lives of the most, seem to call for a due consideration of it. Besides, of how great importance a full and clear acquaintance with the power of this indwelling sin (the matter designed to be opened) is to believers, to stir them up to watchfulness and diligence, to faith and prayer, to call them to repentance, humility, and self-abasement, will appear in our progress. These, in general, were the ends aimed at in the ensuing discourse; which being at first composed and delivered for the use and benefit of a few, is now, by the providence of God made public. And if the reader receive any advantage by these weak endeavours, let him know that it is his duty, so to give glory unto God, as to help those by his prayers, who, in many temptations and afflictions, are willing to labour in the vineyard of the Lord, to which work they are called. |