POWER OF SIN IN THE LIVES OF PROFESSORS. 287
in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." The end of all communications of grace and supplies of life from this living and blessed head, is the increase of the whole body and every member of it, and the edifying of itself in love. His treasures of grace are unsearchable; his stores inex- haustible ; his life, the fountain of ours, full and eternal ; his heart bounteous and large; his hand open and liberal: so that there is no doubt but that he communicates supplies of grace for their increase in holiness abundantly unto all his saints. Whence, then, is it that they do not all flourish and thrive accordingly? As you may see it oftentimes in a natural body, so is it here. Though the seat and rise of the blood and spirits in head and heart be excellently good and sound, yet there may be a withering member in the body ; somewhat intercejDts the influences of life unto it, so that though the heart and head do perform their office, in giving of supplies no less to that than they do to any other member, yet all the effect produced is merely to keep it from utter perishing, — it grows weak and decays every day. The withering and decaying of any member in Christ's mystical body is not for the want of his communication of grace for an abundant life, but from the povv^erful interception that is made of the efficacy of it, by the interposition and opposition of indwelling sin. Hence it is that where lust grows strong, a great deal of grace will but keep the soul alive, and not give it any^ eminency in fruit- fulness at all. Oftentimes Christ gives very vai^zh grace where not many of its effects do appear. It spends its strength and power in withstanding the continual assaults of violent corruptions and lusts, so that it cannot put forth its proper virtue towards farther fruitful- ness. As a virtuous medicine, that is fit both to check vicious and noxious humours, and to comfort, refresh, and strengthen nature, if the evil humour be strong and greatly prevailing, spends its whole strength and virtue in the subduing and correcting of it, contributing much less to the relief of nature than otherwise it would do, if it met not with such opposition ; so is it with the eye-salve and the healing grace which we have abundantly from the wings of the Sun of Kight- eousness. It is forced oftentimes to put forth its virtue to oppose and contend against, and in any measure subdue, prevailing lusts and corruptions. That the soul receiveth not that strengthening unto duties and fruitfuluess which otherwise it might receive by it is from hence. How sound, healthy, and flourishing, how fruitful and exem- plary in holiness, might many a soul be by and with that gi'ace which is continually commimicated to it from Christ, which now, by reason of the power of indwelling sin, is only not dead, but weak, withering, and useless! And this, if any thing, is a notable evidence of the effi- cacy of indwelling sin, that it is able to give such a stop and check
288 THE NATURE AND POWER OF INDWELLING SIN,
to the mighty and effectual power of gi'ace, so that notwithstanding the blessed and continual supplies that we receive from our Head, yet many believers do decline and decay, and that habitually, as to what they had attained unto, their last ways not answering their first. This makes the vineyard in the " very fruitful hill" to bring forth so many wild grapes ; this makes so many trees barren in fertile fields. (4.) Besides the continual supplies of grace that constantly, according to the tenure of the covenant, are communicated unto believers, which keeps them that they thirst no more as to a total indigence, there is, moreover, a readiness in the Lord Christ to yield peculiar succour to the souls of his, accoixling as their occasions shall require. The apostle tells us that he is " a merciful High Priest," and " able" (that is, ready, prepared, and willing) " to succour them that are tempted," Heb. ii. 18; and we are on that account invited to " come with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may obtciin mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," — that is, gi'ace suffi- cient, seasonable, suitable unto any especial trial or temptation that we may be exercised withal. Our merciful High Priest is ready to give out this especial seasonable grace over and above those constant communications of supplies of the Spirit which Ave mentioned before. Besides the never-failing springs of ordinary covenant grace, he hath also peculiar refreshing showers for times of drought; and this is exceedingly to the advantage of the saints for their preservation and growth in grace; a|dd there may very many more of the like nature be added. But now, I say, notwithstanding all these, and the residue of the like importance, such is the power and efficacy of indwelling sin, so great its deceitfulness and restlessness, so many its wiles and temptations, it often falls out that many of them for whose growth and improvement all this provision is made do yet, as was showed, go back and decline, even as to their com'se of walking with God. Samson's strength fully evidenced itself when he brake seven neio withes and seven neiu cords, wherewith he was bound, as burning tow and as thread. The noxious humour in the body, which is so stub- born as that no use of the most sovereign remedies can prevail against it, ought to be regarded. Such is this indwelling sin if not watched over. It breaks all the cords made to bind it; it blunts the instru- ments appointed to root it up ; it resists all healing medicines, though never so sovereign ; and is therefore assuredly of exceeding efficac}"-. Besides, believers have innumerahle ohlicjations upon them, from the love, the command of God, to grow in grace, to press forward towards perfection, as they have abundant means provided for them so to do. Their doing so is a matter of the greatest advantage, profit, sweet- ness, contentment unto them in the world. It is the burden, the trouble of their soids, that they do not so do, that they are not more