406 The N A T U r É and P O W t It That which we have declared concerning its nature, is that it conffts in enmity. Now there are two general heads of the workingor operati- of enmity, averfation, and oppofition. r. Averfation. Our faviour defcribirg the enmity that was between himfelf and the teachers of the yews, by the effects of it, faith in the prophet, My foulloathed them, and their foul alp, abhorred me, Zech. vii. 8. Where there is mutual enmity, there is mutual averfation, loathing, and abomination. So it was between the Jews and the Samaritans, they were enemies, and abhorred one another; as iohn it. 9. 2. Oppofition, or contending againft one another, is the next produft of enmity, Ifa. litüi. to. He was turned to be their enemy, and he fought again,JI them ; fpeaking of God towards the people. Where there is enmity, there will be fighting, it is the proper and natural prodaft of it. Now both thefe effeCs are found in this law of fin. i. For averfation, there is an averfation in it unto God, and every thing of God, as we have in part difcovered in handling the enmity it- felf, and fo fhall, not need niacin to infift upon it again. All indifpofiti- on unto duty, wherein communion with God into be obtained,all wearinefs of duty, all carnality or formality under duty, it all fprings from this root. The wife man cautions us againft this evil, Ecclef. y. t. When thou goefl to the houfe ofGod, keep thy foot. Haft thou any fpiritual duty to perform, and dolt thou deign the attaining of any commmunion with God ? Look to thy felf, take care of thy affe&ions, they will be gadding and wandring, and that from their averfation to what thou haft in hand. There is not any good that we would do, wherein we may not find thisaverfation exercifing.tfelf. When I would do good, evils prefent with ene ; at any time, at all times, when I would do any thing that is fpiritually good, it is prefent ; that is, to hinder me, to obftrúft me in my duty, becaufe it abhors and loaths the thing which I have inhand, it will keep me off from it if it be poffible. In them in whom it prevails, it comes at length unto that frame which is expreffed, Ezech. xxxiii. 3 t. It will allow an outward bodily prefence unto the worfhip ofGod, where- in it is not concerned; but it keeps the heart quiteaway. It may be fomewill pretend, they find it not fo in themfelves, but they have freedom and liberty in and unto all the duties ofobedience that they attend unto. But I' fear, this pretended liberty will be found upon examination to arife from one, or both of thefe raufen. t. Ignorance of the true ftate and condition of their own fouls, of their inward manand its aftings towards God. They know not how it is with them, and therefore are not to be believed in what they report. They are in the dark, and neither know what they do, norwhether they are going. It is like the Pharifee knew little of this matter, which made him l oalt of his duties to God himfelf. Or, 2.) It may be what ever duties of worfhip or obedience fuch perlons preform, they may through want of faith, and an interett in Chrift, have no communion with God in them. And if fo, fin will make but little oppofition unto them therein. We leak of them whofe hearts are exer- cifed with thefe things, and ifunder their complaints ofthem, and groan- ings for deliverance from them, others cry out unto them, Stand off, we are holier than ye, they are willing to bear their condition, as knowing that there may may be fafe, and though it may be troublefome, and being willing to fee their own dangers, that they may avoid the nun which others fall into. Let
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