OF SPIRITUAL MÍNDÈDIVtSS. 251 of them. All sin may retain power in some one affec- tion, as anger, fear, or love, as to actual irruptions and effects, more than in all the rest ; as one affection may be more eminently sanctified in some than in others. For it may have advantages to this end from men's natural tempers, and various outward circumstances. Hence some find little difficulty in the, mortification of all other lusts or corruptions, in comparison of what they meet with in some one inordinate affection or corruption. This, it may be, David had regard to, Psal. xviii. 23. I have known persons shining exemplarily in all other graces, who have been scarce free from giving great scandal by the excess of their passions, and easy provocations thereunto. And yet they have known that the setting themselves to the sincere vi- gorous mortification of that disorder, is the most emi- nent pledge of their sincerity in other things. For the trial of our self-denial lies in the things that our natu- ral inclinations lie strongest towards. Howbeit, as was said, there is no affection where there is this work of renovation, but it is sanctified and renewed; none of them is left absolutely to the service of sin and Sa- tan. And, therefore, whereas by reason of the advan- tages mentioned, sin doth greatly contend to use some of them to its interest and service in a peculiar man- ner, yet are they enabled to, and made meet for, gra- cious actings, and do in their proper seasons put forth themselves accordingly. There is no affection of the mind fromwhence the soul andconscience hathreceiv- ed the greatest damage, that teas, as it were, the field wherein the contest is managed between sin and grace, but hath its spiritual use and exercise, when the mind is renewed. There are some so inordinately subject to anger and
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