OF ITsTDWELLING SIN. ' 7
denote nothing here, but the chief subject treated of; for although the name of a law be variously used by the apostle in this chapter, yet when it relates unto sin, it is nowhere applied by him to the condition of the person, but only to express either the nature^ or the power of sin itself: so, ver. 23. ' I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity unto the law of sin, wbich is in my members.' That which he here calls the law of Ins mind, from the principal subject and seat of it, is in itself no other but the * law of the Spirit of life, which is in Christ Jesus;' chap. viii. 2. or the effectual power of the Spirit of grace, as was said. But the law, as applied unto sin, hath a double sense ; for as in the first place, ' I see a law in my members,' it denotes the being and nature of sin ; so in the latter, ' leading into captivity to the law of sin which is in ray members,' it signifies its power and efficacy : and both these are comprised in the same name singly used, ver. 20. Now that which we observe from this name, or term of a 'law' attributed unto sin, is, That there is an exceeding efficacy and power in the remainders of indwelling sin in believers, with a constant working towards evil.
Thus it is in believers ; it is a law even in them, though not to them. Though its rule be broken, its strength weak- ened and impaired, its root mortified, yet it is a law still of great force and efficacy. There where it is least felt, it is most powerful. Carnal men, in reference unto spiritual and moral duties, are nothing but this law ; they do nothing but from it, and by it. It is in them a ruling and prevailing principle of all moral actions, with reference unto a super- natural and eternal end. I shall not consider it in them in whom it hath most power, but in them in whom its power is chiefly discovered and discerned, that is, in believers; in the others only in order to the farther conviction and manifesta- tion thereof. > Secondly, The apostle proposeth the way whereby he discovered this law in himself, tvplaKto cipa rbv vufnov, ' I find then,' or therefore, 'a law.' He found it; it had been told him there was such a law ; it had been preached unto him. This convinced him, that there was a law of sin. But it is one thing for a man to know in general, that there is a law of sin; another thing for a man to have an experience of the
8 ' THE NATURE AND POWER
power of this law of sin in himself. It is preached to all; all men that own the Scripture acknowledge it, as being de- clared therein : but they are but few that know it in them- selves ; we should else have more complaints of it than we have, and more contendings against it, and less fruits of it in the world. But this is that which the apostle affirms ; not that the doctrine of it had been preached unto him, but that he found it by experience in himself. ' I find a law ;' I have experience of its power and efficacy. For a man to find his sickness and danger thereon from its effects, is an- other thing than to hear a discourse about a disease from its causes. And this experience is the great preservative of all divine truths in the soul. This it is to know a thing indeed, in reality, to know it for ourselves, when as we are taught it from the word, so we find it in ourselves. Hence we observe.
Secondly, Believers have experience of the power and effi- cacy of indwelling sin. They find it in themselves, they find it as a law. It hath a self-evidencing efficacy to them that are alive to discern it: they that find not its power, are under its dominion. Whosoever contend against it, shall know and find, that it is present with them, that it is powerful in them. He shall find the stream to be strong who swims against it, though he who rolls along with it be insensible of it.
Thirdly, The general frame of believers, notwithstanding the inhabitation of this law of sin, is here also expressed. They ' would do good.' This law is present, BiXovn IfxoX ttohxv TO KoXbv. The habitual inclination of their will is unto STOod. The law in them is not a law unto them, as it is to unbelievers. They are not wholly obnoxious to its power, nor morally unto its commands. Grace hath the sovereignty in their souls : this gives them a will unto good ; they ' would do good,' that is, always and constantly; 1 John iii. 9. ttouIv afiapTiav/ to commit sin,' is to make a trade of sin, to make it a man's business to sin. So it is said, a believer doth not commit sin ; and so ttoihv to koXov to do that which is good ; to will to do so, is to have the habitual bent and inclination of the will set on that which is good ; that is, morally and spiritually good, which is the proper subject treated of; whence is our third observation.