OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS: 16 1 trial. He will place them in such relations, in such circumstances, as shall be apt to provoke their affec- tions, passions, desires, and inclinations, to those ob- jects that are suited to them. In this state, any lust will quickly get such power in the mind and affections, as to manage continual solici- tations to sin. It will not only dispose the affections towards it, but multiply thoughts about it, and darken the mind as to those considerations which ought to prevail to its mortification. In this condition it is hard to conceive how God should be in the thoughts of men in a due manner. However, this state is very different 9 from the habitual prevalency of any secret sin or cor- ruption, in the ordinary courseof men's walking in the world, and therefore I do not directly intend it If any one shall inquire how we know this differ- ence, namely, that which is between the " occasional prevalency of any lust or corruption in conjunction with a temptation," and "the power of sin in any in- stance habitually and constantly complied with, or in- dulged in the mind :" I answer 1. It is no great matter whether we are able to dis- tinguish between them or not. For the end why God suffers any corruption to be such a snare, and tempta- tion, such a thorn and brier, is to awaken the souls of men out of their security, and to humble them for their pride and negligence. The more severe are their ap- prehensions concerning it, the more effectual it will be to this end and purpose. It is good, it may be, that the soul should apprehend more of what is sinful in it as it is a corruption, than of what is afflictive in it, as it is a temptation. For if it be conceived as a predo- minant lust, if there be any spark of grace remaining in the soul, it will not rest until in some measure it be 14*
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