All sin must be traced to the evil propensities of our own nature —
[" A clean thing cannot be brought out of an unclean ;" and therefore no descendant of Adam can be free from sin. We have within us a secret bias to sin ; which, however good our direction appear to be, operates at last to turn us from God. That bias is called " lust," or desire, or concupiscence : and it works in all, though in a great variety of degrees and manner. All sin is fruit proceeding from this root, even from " the lust that wars in our members ;" and in whatever chan- nel our iniquity may run, it must be traced to that as its genuine and proper source.]
This will appear more strongly, while we mark, II. Its growth —
Its first formation in the soul is often slow and gradual —
[" Lust," or our inward propensity to sin, presents some- thing to our imagination as likely to gratify us in a high degree. Whether it be profit, or pleasure, or honour, we survey it with a longing eye, and thereby our desire after it is inflamed. Conscience perhaps suggests that it is forbidden fruit which we are coveting ; and that, as being prohibited, it will ulti- mately tend rather to produce misery than happiness. In opposition to this, our sinful principle intimates a doubt whe- ther the gratification be forbidden ; or at least whether, in our circumstances, the tasting of it be not very allowable : at all events, it suggests that our fellow-creatures will know nothing respecting it ; that we may easily repent of the evil ; and that God is very ready to forgive ; and that many who have used far greater liberties are yet happy in heaven ; and that, conse- quently, we may enjoy the object of our desire, without suffer- ing any loss or inconvenience. In this manner the affections are kindled, and the will is bribed to give its consent'1 : then the bait is swallowed, the hook is fastened within us ; and we are " dragged awaye " from God, from duty, from happiness ; yea, if God do not seasonably interpose, we are drawn to everlasting perdition.]
Its progress to maturity is generally rapid —
[The metaphor of a foetus formed in the womb, and brought afterwards to the birth, is frequently used in Scrip- ture in reference to sinf. When the will has consented to
d Isai. xliv. 20. See this whole process illustrated, Gen. iii. 1 — 6. e These seem to be the precise ideas intended to be conveyed by ceXea^onevog Kai I'^eXKO/J-evoc.
f Job xv. 35. Ps. vii. 14. with the text.