By this means do they gain the reputation of professors; ' They have a name to live ;' Rev. iii. 1. and are made par- takers of some or all of those privileges of the gospel, that are numbered by the apostle, Heb. vi. 4, 5.
It is not ray present business to show how far, or wherein, a man may be effectually wrought upon by the word, and yet not be really wrought over to close with Christ ; or what may be the utmost bounds and limits of a common work of grace upon unregenerate men. It is on all hands confessed that it may be carried on so far, that it is very difficult to discern between its effects and productions, and those of that grace which is special and saving.
But now, notwithstanding all this, we see many of these daily fall off from God, utterly and wickedly; some into debauchery and uncleanness, some to worldliness and covet- ousness, some to be persecutors of the saints, all to the
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perdition of their own souls. How this comes about, the ajDostle declares in that place mentioned ; they are, saith he, entangled again; to entice and entangle, as I have shewed before from James i. 14, 15. is the proper work of indwelling sin ; it is that alone which entangles the soul ; as the apostle speaks, ver. 18. They are allured from their whole profes- sion, into cursed apostacy, through the lusts of the flesh.
It prevails upon them through its deceit and power to an utter relinquishment of their profession, and their whole en- gagement unto God. And this several ways evinces the greatness of its strength and efficacy.
(1.) In that it giveth stop or control unto that exceed- ing greatness of power which is put forth in the word, in their conviction and reformation. We see it by experience, that men are not easily wrought upon by the word ; the most of men can live under the dispensation of it all the days of their lives, and continue as senseless and stupid as the seats they sit upon, or the flint in the rock of stone. Mighty difficulties and prejudices must be conquered, great strokes must be given to the conscience before this can be brought about. It is as the stopping of a river in his course, and turning his streams another way ; the hindering of a stone in his falling downwards, or the turning away of the wild ass, when furiously set to pursue his way, as the prophet speaks, Jer. ii. 24. To turn men from their corrupt ways, sins, and pleasures ; to make them pray, fast, hear, and do many things contrary to the principle of flesh, which is secretly predominant in them, willingly and gladly ; to cause them to profess Christ and the gospel, it may be under some trials and reproaches; to give them light to see into sundry mys- teries, and gifts for the discharge of sundry duties ; to make dead, blind, senseless men to walk, and talk, and do all the outward offices and duties of living and healthy men, with the like attendencies of conviction and reformation, are the effects and products of mighty power and strength. In- deed the power that the Holy Ghost puts forth by the word, in the staggering and conviction of sinners, in the wakening of their consciences, the enlightening of their minds, the changino; of their aflfections, the awinc; of their hearts, the reforming of their lives, and compelling them to duties, is inexpressible.
192 THE NATURE AXD POWER
But now, unto all these is there check and control given by indwelling sin. It prevails against this whole work of the Spirit by the word, with all the advantages of providen- tial dispensations, in afflictions and mercies, wherewith it is attended. When sin is once enraged, all these things be- come but like the withs and cords wherewith Samson was bound before his head was shaven : cry but to it. The Phi- listines are upon thee, there is a subtle, a suitable tempta- tion, now shew thy strength and efficacy, all these things become like tow that have smelt the fire. Conscience is stifled, reputation in the church of God despised, light sup- planted, the impressions of the word cast off, convictions digested, heaven and hell are despised ; sin makes its way through all, and utterly turns the soul from the good and right ways of God. Sometimes it doth this subtilely, by im- perceptible degrees, taking off all force of former impres- sions from the Spirit by the word, sullying conscience by degrees, hardening the heart, and making sensual the affec- tions by various workings, that the poor backslider in heart scarce knows what he is doing, until he be come to the very bottom of all impiety, profaneness, and enmity against God. Sometimes falling in conjunction with some vigorous temp- tation, it suddenly, and at once, plunges the soul into a course of alienation from God, and the profession of his ways.
(2.) It takes them off from those hopes of heaven, which upon their convictions, obedience, and temporary faith or believing, they had attained. There is a general hope of heaven, or at least of the escaping of hell, of an un- troublesome immortality, in the most sottish and stupid souls in the world, who either by tradition or instruction from the word, are persuaded that there is another state of things to come after this life ; but it is in unconvinced, un- enlightened persons, a dull, senseless, unaffecting thing, that hath no other hold upon them, nor power in them, but only to keep them free from the trouble and perplexity of con- trary thoughts and apprehensions. The matter is other- wise with them who by the word are so wrought upon as we have before declared ; their hope of heaven and a blessed immortality is ofttimes accompanied with great joys and exultations, and is a relief unto them, under and against the