(1.) In the opposition that it makes unto the general purpose and course of the soul.
(2.) In the opposition it makes unto particular duties.
(1.) In the opposition it makes to the general purpose and course of the soul. There is none in whom is the Spirit of Christ, that is his, but it is his general design and pur-
OF INDWELLING SIN. 53
pose to walk in a universal conformity unto him in all things. Even from the inward frame of the heart, to the whole com- pass of his outward actions, so it is with him. This God re- quires in his covenant. Gen. xvii. 1. 'Walk before me, and be thou perfect. Accordingly his design is to walk before God, and his frame is sincerity and uprightness therein. This is called, ' Cleaving unto the Lord with purpose of heart,' Acts xi. 23. that is, in all things, and that not with a slothful, dead, ineffectual purpose, but such as is opera- tive, and sets the whole soul at work in pursuit of it. This the apostle sets forth, Phil. iii. 12 — 14. ' Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect ; but I fol- low after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' He useth three words excellently expressing the soul's universal pur- suit of this purpose of heart in cleaving unto God ; first, saith he, dio)KU}, ver. 12. *I follow after,' prosecute ^ the word sig- nifies properly to persecute, which with what earnestness and diligence it is usually done, we know. Secondly, iir^icrdvonai, *I reach forward,' reaching with great intention of spirit and affections. It is a great and constant endeavour that is ex- pressed in that word. Thirdly, Kara gkottuv didjKio, say we, ' I press towards the mark,' that is, even as men that are run- ning for a prize. All set forth the vigour, earnestness, dili- gence, and constancy that is used in the pursuit of this pur- pose. And this the nature of the principle of grace requireth in them in whom it is. But yet we see with what failings, yea fallings, their pursuit of this course is attended. The frame of the heart is changed, the heart is stolen away, the affections entangled, eruptions of unbelief and distempered passions discovered, carnal wisdom with all his attendencies are set on work ; all contrary to the general principle and purpose of the soul. And all this is from the rebellion of this law of sin, stirring up and provoking the heart unto dis- obedience. The prophet gives this character of hypocrites, llos. x. 2. 'Their heart is divided, therefore sluill they be Ibuud faulty.' Now though this be wholly so in respect of
54 THE NATURE AND POWER
the mind and judgment in hypocrites only, yet it is partially so in the best, in the sense described. They have a division, not of the heart, but in the heart; and thence it is that they are so often found faulty. So saith the apostle, * so that we cannot do the things that we would;' Gal. v. 17. We cannot accomplish the design of close walking according to the law of grace, because of the contrariety and rebellion of this law of sin.
(2.) It rebels also in respect unto particulai' duties. It raiseth a combustion in the soul against the particular commands and designings of the lav/ of grace. 'You can- not do the things that you would ;' that is, the duties which you judge incumbent on you, which you approve and delight in, in the inward man, you cannot do them as you would. Take an instance in prayer. A man addresseth himself unto that duty ; he would not only perform it, but he would per- form it in that manner that the nature of the duty, and his own condition do require. He would ' pray in the spirit,' fervently, * with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered ;' in faith, with love and delight, pouring forth his soul unto the Lord ; this he aims at. Now oftentimes he shall find a rebellion, a fightino-of the law of sin in this matter. He shall find difficulty to get any thing done, who thought to do all things. I do not say, that it is thus always, but it is so when sin wars and rebels, which expresseth an especial act- ing of its power. Woful entanglements do poor creatures oftentimes meet withal upon this account. Instead of that free enlarged communion with God that they aim at, the best that their souls arrive unto, is but to go away mourning for their folly, deadness and indisposition. In a word, there is no command of the law of grace that is known, liked of, and approved by the soul, but when it comes to be observed, this law of sin one way or other makes head and rebels against it. And this is the first way of its fighting.
2. It doth not only rebel and resist, but it assaults ^be soul ; it sets upon the law of the mind and grace, which is the second part of its warring, 1 Pet. ii. II. (jTpaTivovTaL Kara tiiq \pvxrig, ' they fight,' or war 'against the soul.' James iv. 1. arpartvovTai tv toIq fiiXimv vfnHv, ' they fight' or war ' in your members.' Peter shews what they op- pose and fight against, namely, the soul, and the law of grace