REGENERATION. 363 er than they were before, and yet all the difference is, that he hath a quickness of sense which before he had not : so it may be with a person in this case ; he may think lust more powerful than it was before, because he is more sensible to it than he was before. Yea, sin in the heart is like a serpent; you may pull' out its sting and cut it in many pieces; though it can sting mortally no more, nor move its whole body at once, yet it will move in all its parts, and make an appearance of great- er motion than formerly. So it is with lust, when it has received its death wound and is cut in pieces, yet it moves in so many parts as it were in the soul, that it amazes him that has to do with it; and thus coming unexpectedly, fills the spirit with alarm. 2. Indwelling sin has also in its actings a universality. This also surprises ; there is a universality in the act- ings of sin, even in believers. There is no evil that it will not move to ; no good that it will not attempt to hinder; no duty that it will not defile. And the rea- son of this is, we are sanctified but in part ; not in any part wholly, though savingly and truly in every part. Sin remains in all the affections, and so may be acting in any form that the nature of man is liable to. Degrees of sin there are that all regenerate per- sons are exempted from; but unto solicitations to all kinds of sin they are exposed ; and this helps on the temptation. 3. It is endless and restless; never quiet, conquering nor conquered: it gives not over, but rebels being 'over-' come; or assaults afresh, having prevailed. Ofttimes, after a victory obtained and an opposition subdued, the soul is in expectation of rest and peace from its ene
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