f INDWELLING SIN. 407 Let us then a little confider this averfation in fuch alts of obedience, as wherein there is no concernment but that of God and the foul. In publick duties there may be a mixture of other conlìderations; theymay be fo influenced by cuilom and necelfity, that a right judgment cannot from them be made of this matter. But let us take into confideration the duties of retirement, as private prayer and meditation, and the like, of elfe extraordinary duties, or duties to be performed in an extraordinary manner. (r.). In thefe will this averfation and loathing oftentimes difcover it felf in the affe&ion. A fecretfiriving will be in them about clofe and cordial dealing with God. Unlefs the hand of God in his fpirit be high and ftrong upon the foul, even when convietions, fenfe of duty, dear and real efteem of God, and communion with him, have carried the foul into its clofet, yet if there he not the vigour and power of a fpiritual life conftantly at work, there will be a ferret lothnefs in them unto duty; yea, fometimes there will be a violent inclination to the contrary; fo that the foul had rather do any thing, embrace any diverfion, though it wound it felf thereby, thanvigoroufly apply it felf unto that which in the inward man it breaths after. It is weary before it begins, and fays, When will the work be over? Here God and the foul are immedi- ately concerned, and it is a great conqueft to do what we would, though We come exceedingly Ihort ofwhat we fhould do. (2.) It difcovers it felf in the mind alfo. When we addrefs our felves to God in Chrift we are, asJob fpeaks, to fill our mouthswith arguments, chap. xxiii. q. that we may be able to plead with him, as he calls upon us to do, Ifa. xliii. 26. Put me in remembrance, let us plead together. Whence the church is called upon to take unto it felfwords or arguments in going to God, Hof. xiv. 2. The fum is, that the mind fhoúld" be fur- nil-tied with confiderations that are prevailing with God, and be in readi- nefs to plead them, and to manage them in the molt fpiritual manner tó the belt advantage. Now is thereno difficulty to get the mind into inch a frame, as to lay out it felf to the utmoft in this work? to be clear, Reddy, and confiant in its duty ? to draw out, and make ufe of its Flores and furniture ofpromifes and experiences ? It flares, wanders, flags allfrom this ferret averfation unto communion with God, which proceeds from the law of indwelling fin. Some complain that they can make no work of meditation, they cannot bend their minds unto it. I confefs there may be a great caufe Of this, in their want of a -right underftanding of the duty it felf, and of the waysof managing the foul in it, which there- fore I (hall a little fpeak to afterwards. But yet this fecret enmity hatii its hand in the lofs they are at alfo, and that both in their. minds aua ïn their affeItions. Others are forced to live in family and publick duties, they find fuch little benefit and fuccefs in private. And here bath been thebeginning oftheapoftafy of many profelfots, and the fourre of many roólifh fenfual opinions. Finding this averfation in their minds and af- feltions from clofenefs and conftancy in private fpiritual duties, not know- ing how to conquer and prevail againft thefe difficulties through him who enables us, they have at firft been fubdued to a neglel of them, firft partial, then total, until having loft all confcienee of them, they have had a door opened unto all fin and licentioufnefs, and fo to a full and utter apoftafy. I am perfuaded there are very few that apoftatife from a profefîion of any continuance, fuch as our days abound withal, but their door of entrance into the folly of backlliding, was either fome great And notorious fin that bloodied their confciences, tainted their affe_}ions, and intercepted all delight of having any thing more to do with God; or
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