the line : sometimes it biasses the judgment, so as to incline us, without any distinct consciousness on our part, to smaller deviations from it: sometimes with force and violence it impels the passions, so that we cannot regulate our steps with perfect self-command : and sometimes it operates to delude the con- science, and to make us confident that we see the line, when in reality it is only a semblance of it, which our great adver- sary has presented to our imagination in order to deceive us. By this principle a continual warfare was kept up in his soul against his higher and better principle, keeping him from what was good, and impelling him to what was evil ; so that he often did what he would not willingly have done, and did not what he gladly would have done. Thus, as he expresses it, there was " a law in his members warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin in his members." This representation exactly accords with that which he gives of every child of God, in the Epistle to the Galatians : " The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh ; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would"."
This is by no means to be understood as though he acknow- ledged that he was driven to any gross violations of God's law; for with respect to them he had a conscience void of offence : but in respect of smaller deviations from the exact line of duty, he could not assert his innocence: he felt, that however much he longed for perfection, " he had not yet attained, nor was he already perfect."]
2. In a way of constant defect —
[The law of God requires that we should love God with all our heart, and all our mind, and all our soul, and all our strength ; and that every action, every word, every thought, be in perfect accordance with this rule. But who has not reason to confess that his very best duties are defective, in extent, in intensity, and in continuance ? Who comprehends in any one action all that assemblage of nicely-balanced motives, and pur- poses, and affections, that were combined in the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ ? Who at any time feels all that ardour in the service of his God which the angels in heaven feel ? Or, supposing he did at some highly-favoured season serve God on earth precisely as the glorified saints are serving him in heaven, who must not confess that it is not always thus with him ? However " willing his spirit may be, he will find that his flesh is weak." Indeed, in proportion as any man aspires after per- fection, he will lament his imperfections; and in proportion as he sees the beauty of holiness, he will lothe himself for his
n Gal. v. 17-