4i 218 Of Inability to do Good S E R M. how naturally and eafily do we fall into the VIII. beaten track, and hold on the accuflomed `"courfe, though our reafon difcerneth no im- portance in it at all ? Nay, by the influence of habit, trifles are magnified into matters of great moment, at leaft they engage the de- fire, and determine the adtive powers as if they were, fo that we find it very difficult to break them off. Again, the only rational way of reclaiming men from ill practices is, by convincing them that they are ill, and that they muff be attended with unhappy confequences to themfelves : But it hath been obferved, that the effed of habits is to darken the underflanding, to fill the mind with pre- judices, and to render it unattentive to rea- fon. How then fhall they that are ac- cuftomed to do evil learn to do well, fince they are biafed againft it, being expert in the contrary practice, and fince they have made themfelves in a great meafure uncapable of in- ftruftion ? I come in the Second place, to confider particularly the doctrine of the text, and how we are to un- derhand that difability to do good which is contra&ed by being accuflomed to do evil. The prophet expreffeth it very frrongly, com- paring the condition of habitual finners in the very
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