Hence are those manifold cautions that are driven us to
OF INDWELLING SIN. 73
take heed, that we be not deceived, if we would take heed that we do not sin. See Ephes. v. 6. 1 Cor. vi. 9. xv. 33. Gal. vi. 7. Luke xxi. 8. From all which testimonies we may learn the influence that deceit hath into sin, and conse- quently the advantage that the law of sin hath to put forth its power by its deceitfulness. Where it prevails to deceive, it fails not to bring forth its fruit.
The ground of this efficacy of sin by deceit, is taken from the faculty of the soul affected with it. Deceit pro- perly affects the mind; it is the mind that is deceived. When sin attempts any other way of entrance into the soul, as by the affections, the mind retaining its right and sove- reignty, is able to give check and control unto it. But where the mind is tainted, the prevalency must be great. For the mind or understanding is the leading faculty of the soul, and what that fixes on, the will and affections rush after, being capable of no consideration but what that pre- sents unto them. Hence it is, that though the entangle- ment of the affections unto sin be ofttimes most trouble- some, yet the deceit of the mind is always most dangerous ; and that because of the place that it possesseth in the soul, as unto all its operations. Its office is to guide, direct, choose, and lead ; and 'if the light that be in us be darkness, how great is that darkness !'
And this will farther appear, if we consider the nature of deceit in general. It consists in presenting unto the soul, or mind, things otherwise than they are, either in their na- ture, causes, effects, or present respect unto the soul. This is the general nature of deceit, and it prevails many ways. It hides what ouo-ht to be seen and considered, conceals circumstances and consequences, presents what is not, or things as they are not, as we shall afterward manifest in par- ticular. It was shewed before, that Satan beguiled and de- ceived our first parents ; that term the Holy Gliost gives unto his temptation and seduction. And how he did de- ceive them the Scripture relates. Gen. iii. 4, 5. He did it by representing things otherwise than they were. Tiie fruit was desirable, that was apparent unto the eye. Hence Sa- tan takes advantage secretly to insinuate, that it was merely an abridgment of their happiness, that God aimed at in for- bidding: them to eat of it. That it was for the trial of their
74 THE NATURE AND POWER
obedience, that certain, though not immediate ruin, would ensue upon the eating of it, he hides from them ; only he proposeth the present advantage of knowledge, and so pre- sents the whole case quite otherwise unto them, than indeed it was. This is the nature of deceit; it is a representation of a matter under disguise, hiding that which is undesirable, proposing that which indeed is not in it, that the mind may- make a false judgment of it. So Jacob deceived Isaac by his brother's raiment, and the skins on his hands and neck.
Again, deceit hath advantage by that way of manage- ment which is inseparable from it. It is always carried on by degrees, by little and little, that the whole of the design and aim in hand be not at once discovered. So dealt Satan in that great deceit before-mentioned ; he proceeds in it by steps and degrees. First, he takes off an objection, and tells them they shall not die ; then proposeth the good of knowledge to them, and their being like to God thereby. To hide and conceal ends, to proceed by steps and degrees, to make use of what is obtained, and thence to press on to farther effects, is the true nature of deceit. Stephen tells us, that the king of Egypt ' dealt subtilly' or deceitfully ' with their kindred ;' Acts vii. 19. How he did it we may see, Exod. i. he did not at first fall to killing and slaying of them, but says, ver. 10.' Come let us deal wisely ;' beginning to oppress them. This brings forth their bondage, ver. 11. Having got this ground to make them slaves, he proceeds to destroy their children, ver. 16. He fell not on them all at once, but by degrees. And this may suffice to shew in general, that sin is deceitful and the advantages that it hath thereby.
For the way, and manner, and progress of sin in work- ing by deceit, we have it fully expressed, James i. 14,, 15. * Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin : and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.' This place declaring the whole of what we aim at in this matter, must be particularly insisted on.
[n the foregoing verse, the apostle manifests that men are willing to drive the old trade, which our first parents at the entrance of sin set up withal, namely, of excusing themselves in their sins, and casting the occasion and blame of them on others. It is not, say they, from themselves.