364 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. my ; but this continues not. It works and rebels again and again, and will do so whilst we live in this world; so that no end will be put to our conflict but by death. This is at large handled elsewhere, in a treatise on thia peculiar subject. These actings of indwelling sia often embarrass the soul in making a judgment of itself, and leave it in the dark as to its state. But here further observe, 1. The sensible, powerful actings of indwelling sin are not inconsistent with a stale of grace. There are in the same person contrary principles, the flesh and the spirit ; and there are contrary actings from these prin- ciples : " The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh," Gal. 5 : 17, and these actings are described to be greatly vigorous: "Lust wars against our souls." James, 4 : 1 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 11. Nov, to war is not to make faint or gentle opposition, to be slighted and contemned, but it is to go out with great strength, to use craft, subtlety and force, so as to put the whole issue to hazard. So these lusts- war; such are their act., ings in and against the soul. And therefore the apostle saith, " You cannot do the- things that you would." Gal, 5 : 1. In this conflict indeed the understanding is left unconquered; it condemns and disapproves of the sin, and the will is not subdued; it would not do the evil that is pressed upon it, and there is a hatred or aversion remaining in the affections to sin : hut yet sin rebels, fights and leads captive. Rom. 1: 14-17. This objec- tion, then, may receive this speedy answer. Powerful actings, universal endless strugglings of indwelling sin, seducing to all that is evil, putting itself forth to the disturbance of all that is good, is no sufficient proof of
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