OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 163 and fomented by men's constitutions within, or be so exposed to provoking, exciting occasions without, as to bring perpetual trouble on the mind. Yet this may be where no sin hath the predominancy inquired after. And the difference between the perplexing solicitation of any corruption to sin, and the conquering preval_ency of it, lies in this; that under the former, the thoughts, contrivances, and actings of the mind, are generally disposed and inclined to an opposition to it, and a con- flict with it, how it may be obviated, defeated, destroy- ed; how an absolute victory may be obtained against it. Yea, death itself is sweet to such persons under this notion, as it is that whichwill deliver them from the perplexing power of their corruptions; so pis the state of such a soul at large represented, rom. vii. In the other case, namely, of its predominancy, it dispo- seth the thoughts actually for the most part, to make provision forthe flesh, and to fulfil it in the lusts there- of. It fills the mind with pleasing contemplations of its object, and puts it on contrivances for satisfaction. Year part of the bitterness of death to such persons, is, that it will make an everlasting separation between them and the satisfaction they have received in their lusts.. it is bitter in the . thoughts of it to a worldly minded man, because it will take him from all his en- joyments, his wealth, profits, and advantages. It is so, to the sensual person, as that which finally determines all his pleasures. 3. There is a difference in the degrees of such a predominant corruption. In some, it taints the affec- tions, vitiates the thoughts, and works over the will to acts of a secret complacency in sin, but proceeds no further. The whole mind may be vitiated by it, and rendered, in the multitude of its thoughts, vain, sen-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=