Qdly. For the relief of them that may be perplexed in their minds about their state and condition, I say there 1s an apparent difference between these things. A lust or corruption arising up or
breaking forth into a violent temptation is the continual burden, erief, and affliction of the soul wherein it is, And as the temptation, for the most part, which befalls such a person will give him no rest from its reiterated solicitations, so he will give the temptation no rest, but will be continually conflicting with it and contending against it. It fills the soul with an amazement at itself and conti- nual self-abhorrency, that any such seeds of filth and folly should be yet remaining in it. With them in whom any sin is ordinarily pre- valent it is otherwise. According to their light and renewed occa- sional convictions, they have trouble about it; they cannot but have so, unless their consciences are utterly seared. But this trouble re- spects principally, if not solely, its guilt and effects. They know not what may ensue on their compliance with it, in this world and an- other. Beyond this they like it well enough, and are not willing to part with it. It is this latter sort of persons of whom we speak at _ present.
(2.) We must distinguish between the perplexing solicitation of
360 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I.
any lust and the conquering predominancy of it. The evil that is present with us will be soliciting and pressing unto sin of its own accord, even where there is no such especial temptation as that spoken of before. So is the case stated, so are the nature and opera- tions of it described, Rom. vii., Gal. v.17. And sometimes an especial, particular lust may be so warmed and fomented by men’s constitu- tions within, or be so exposed unto provoking, exciting occasions without, as to bring perpetual trouble on the mind; yet this may be where no sin hath the predominancy inquired after. And the differ- ~ ence between the perplexing solicitation of any corruption unto sin and the conquering prevalency of it lies in this, that under the for- mer, the thoughts, contrivances, and actings of the mind, are gene- rally disposed and inclined unto an opposition unto it, and a conflict with it, how it may be obviated, defeated, destroyed, how an absolute victory may be obtained against it; yea, death itself is sweet unto such persons, under this notion, as it is that which will deliver them from the perplexing power of their corruptions. So is the state of such a soul at large represented, Rom. vii. In the other case, namely, of its predominancy, it disposeth of the thoughts actually, for the most part, to make provision for the flesh, and to fulfil it in the lusts thereof. It fills the mind with pleasing contemplations of its object, and puts it on contrivances for satisfaction; yea, part of the bitter- ness of death unto such persons is, that it will make an everlasting separation between them and the satisfaction they have received in their lusts. It is bitter in the thoughts of it unto a worldly-minded man, because it will take him from all his enjoyments, his wealth, profits, and advantages. It is so unto the sensual person, as that which finally determines all his pleasures.
(3.) There is a difference in the degrees of such a predominant corruption. In some it taints the affections, vitiates the thoughts, and works over the will unto acts of a secret complacency in sin, but proceeds no farther. The whole mind may be vitiated by it, and rendered, in the multitude of its thoughts, vain, sensual, or worldly, according as is the nature of the prevailing corruption; yet here God puts bounds unto the raging of some men’s corruptions, and says to their proud waves, “Thus far shall ye proceed, and no farther.’ He either lays a restraint on their minds, that when lust hath fully con- ceived it shall not bring forth sin, or he sets a hedge before them in his providence, that they shall not be able in their circumstances to find their way unto what perhaps they do most earnestly desire. A woful life it is that such persons lead. They are continually tor- tured between their corruptions and convictions, or the love of sin and fear of the event. With others it pursues its course into out- ward actual sins: which in some are discovered in this world, in
CHAP. VIII.] OBJECTS OF SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS IN HEAVEN. 361
others they are not; for some men’s sins go before them unto judg-
ment, and some follow after. Some fall into sin upon surprisal, from a concurrence of temptation with corruption and opportunities, Some habituate themselves unto a course in sin, Though in many it be not discovered, in some it is. But among those who have received any spiritual light, and made profession of religion thereon, this seldom falls out but from the great displeasure of God; for when men have long given way unto the prevalency of sin in their affections, incli- nations, and thoughts, and God hath set many a hedge before them to give bounds unto their inclinations and to shut up the womb of sin, sometimes by afflictions, sometimes by fears and dangers, some- times by the word, and yet the bent of their spirits is towards their sin, God takes off his hand of restraint, removes his hinderances, and gives them up unto their own hearts’ lusts, to do the things that are not convenient. All things hereon suit their desires, and they rush into actual sins and follies, setting their feet in the paths that go down to the chambers of death. The uncontrollable power of sin in such persons, and the greatness of God’s displeasure against them, make their condition most deplorable.