IN THE INSTAN Hs nature and tendency. The darkness of their own mind, and inexpressible vanity, wherein I place the principle effect of our apostacy from God, do disena- ble, hinder, and divert them from such apprehensions. Hence God so often complains of the foolishness of the people. that they mould not consider, that they would not be wise, to consider their latter end. We find, by experience, this folly and vanity in many unto an as- tonishment. No reasons, arguments, entreaties, by all that is naturally dear to them, no necessities can pre- vail with them to fix their minds on a due consideration of sin: Moreover, Satan now employs all his engines to beat off theefficacy and power of this work. And when his temptations and delusions are mixed with mens na- tural darkness and vanity, the mind seems to be im- pregnably fortified against the powei ofconviction; for, although it be real conversion unto God, that over-. throws the kingdom of Satan in us; yet this work of conviction raiseth such a combustion in it, that he can- not but fear it will be its end, And this strong man armed, would, if possible, keep his goods and house in peace. Hence all sorts of persons have daily experi- ence in their children, servants, relations, how difficult, yea, how impossible it is, to fix their minds on a due consideration of sin, until it be wròught in them by the exceeding greatness of the power of the Spirit of God. Wherefore herein consists the first part of this work of conviction; it fixeth the mind on a due consideration of sin. So it is expressed, Psal. li. S. My sin is ever before me. God reproves men, and setstheir sins in order be- fore their eyes, Peal. I. 21. Hence they are necessitated, as it were, always to behold them, and that which way soever they turn themselves. Fain theywould cast them behind- their backs, or cast out thoughts of them, but the arrowsof God stick in them, and they cannot take off their minds from their consideration. And whereas there are three things in sin: (I.) The original of it, and its native inherence in us, as, Psal. li. 5. (2.) The state of it, or the obnoxiousness of men to the wrath of God on the account thereof, Eph. ii. t; 2, 3. (8.) The particular sins of mens lives; in the first part of the work ofconviction, the minds ofmen are variously ex- ercised with respect unto them, according as the Spirit of God is pleased to engage and fix them. 2. As the mind is hereby fixed on the consideration of sin, so a sense of sin must also be fixed on the mind, OE OP AUGUSTINE. 5.133 that is, the conscience and affections. A bare content, plation of the concernmentsof sin is of little use in this. matter. The scripture principally evidenceth this work of conviction, or placeth it in this effect of a sense of sin, in trouble, sorrow, disquietment of mind, fear of ruin, and the like; see Acts ii. 87. Acts xxiv. 25. But this I must not enlarge upon. Sect. 21.This, therefore, is the second thing which we observe in God's gracious actings towards the reco- very of the souls of men from their apostacy, and from under the power of sin. The principal efficient cause . of this work is the Holy Ghost; the preaching of the word, especially of the law, being the instrument which he maketh use of therein. The knowledge of sin is by the law, both the nature, guilt, and curse belonging to it, Rom, vii. 7. There is therefore no conviction of sin, but what consists in an emanation of light and knowledge from the doctrine of the law, with an evi- dence of its power, and a sense of its curse. Other means, as afflictions, dangers, sicknesses, fears, disap- pointments, may bemade use of, to excite, stir up, and put an edge upon the minds and affections of men; yet it is by one means or other from the law of God, that sucha discovery is made of sin unto them, and sucha: sense of it wrought upon them, as belongs unto this work of 'conviction. But it is the Spirit of God alone. that is the principal efficient cause of it, or he works these effects on the minds of mess. God takes it upon himself; as his own work, to reprove men, and set their sins in order before their eyes, Psal. 1. 21. And that this same work is done immediately by the Spirit is ex- pressly declared, John xvi. 8. Healone it is whomakes all means effectual unto this end and purpose. With- out his especial and immediate actings on us to this end, we may hear the law preached all the days of our lives, and not be once affected with it. Sect. 22. And it may, by the way, be worth our observation, to consider howGod designing the calling or conversion of the souls of men, doth in this holy wise Providence over-rule all their outward concernments, so as that they shall be disposed into such circum- stances, as conduce to the end aimed at; either by their own inclinations and choice, or by the intervention of accidents crossing their inclinations, and frustrating their designs, he will lead them into such societies, ac- quaintances, relations, places, means, as he bath or -.
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