to the EPHESIANS. SERMON VI. EPHES. 1. 3; Among whom alfo we all had our Conwrfation in Times pafl, in tht Lufts of our flefo, fulfiOing the JJejires (or the Wills) of the flefo, and of the Mind : .Aild were by 1-{ature the Qiildren of Wratb, e11m as others. I Have formerly told you, that in thefe three firft Verfes of this fecond Chapter, there is an exa& Defcription of the State of Man by Nature, fo compleat, and fo compendious an one, as is no where elfe together (that I know) in the whole Book of God. 1 did call: the whole into thefe three Generals. I. Here is the internal habitual Eftate, which in that State of NatureMen fiand and lie in, They are dead in Sins and TreJPajfes. 11. Here is their external Converfation, with all the three Caufes, (the World, Flejb, and Satan,) which do pervert them: Wherein (faith be) inTime paft 1e walf<!d. There is, I. The exemplary Caufe, the weakeft: According to the Courfe of this' World. 2. The outward Efficient and Inciter, or Procatartica1 Caufe, that is, Satan: According to the 'Prince of the Port~er of the Air. There is, 3· The inward Caufe, the Lufts ofour own Hearts: F11ljiUing the Dejiru of the Flejb, and of the Mind, &c. III. Here is the Mifery, and the Puni!hment, that is the confequent of both, that we are Children of Wrath; we Jews, faith the Apolile, as well as others, and all Mankind. The !aft thing I fell upon, was, the Defcription of that third and lafr Caufe, ofall the Corruption in Mens Converfation: Having our Converfation in the L~tfts of the Flcjb, foljilling the Dejires of the Flejb, and of the Mind, &c. In opening of this third Caufe, (which is the Corruption of Nature) I told you, that the Apolile's Scope was, to !hew the Pedigree of all tbefe Caufes. Here is, I. The Roo~ whence all fpring, Our Flejh, a Body ofSin. Which Fle!h, 2. Begetteth Lufts, which are the firfr-born Buds of Original Corruption in– herent in us : The Lufts (faith he) of o11r Flejh. And then you have, 3· The Divifion of thefe. They are either, 1. The Lufts of the Body, fenfual Lufrs. Or, 2. The Lufts of the Mind, of the Underfranding, and fuperior part. And then he telleth you, · • · ~ K 2 4 What 75
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=