OF INDWELLING SIN. 163
in me, the whole of my life being from him alone. Neither doth this living head communicate only a bare life unto be- lievers, that they should merely liv^e and no more, a poor, weak, dying life, as it were, but he gives out sufficiently to afford them a strong, vigorous, thriving, flourishing life ; John X. 10. He comes not only that his sheep may have life, but that ' they may have it more abundantly ;' that is, in a plen- tiful manner, so as that they may flourish, be fat and fruitful. Thus is it with the whole body of Christ, and every member thereof. Ephes. iv. 15, 16. 'Whereby it grows up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual work- ing 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 liv- ing 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 inexhausti- ble. 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 maybe a withering member in the body ; somewhat intercepts 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 perish- ing ; 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 abun- dant life, but from the powerful 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 erainency in fruitfulness at all. Oftentimes Christ gives very much grace, where not many of its effects do ap-
M 2
164 THE NATURE AND POWER
pear. 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 fruitfulness. 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 sub- duing and correcting of it, contributing much less to the re- lief of nature than otherwise it would do, if it met not with such oppositions; so is it with the eye-salve, and the heal- ing grace which we have abundantly from the wings of the Sun of righteousness. 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 re- ceiveth not that strengthening unto duties and fruitfulness which otherwise it might receive by it, is from hence. How sound, healthy, and flourishing, how fruitful and exemplary in holiness, might many a soul be, by and with that grace which is continually communicated 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 efficacy of indwelling sin, that it is able to give such a stop and check to the mighty and effectual power of grace, so that notwithstanding the blessed and continual supplies that we receive from our head, yet many believers do decline and decay, and that ha- bitually, 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.
4thly, besides the continual supplies of grace that con- stantly, according to the tenure of the covenant, are com- municated 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, according as their occasions shall require. .The apostle tells us, that he is' a merciful High Priest,' and f 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 obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need ;'