Of INDW ELLING SIN. 421 of his grace and condefcenfion, a due valuation of mercy ; far above thofe light verbal aiery attainments that fome have boafted of. 2. In walking with others, it lays in provifion to prevent thofe great evils of judging, fpiritual unmercifulnefs, harfh cenfuring, which I have obferved to have been pretended by many, who at the fame time, as after- wards hath appeared, have been guilty of greater or worfer crimes, than thofe which they have raved againft in others. This, I fay, will lead us to meeknefs, compaffion, readinefs to forgive, to pafs by offences, even when we Mall confider what is our Elate, as the apoftle plainly declares,: Gal. vi. r. The'man that underftands the evil of his ownheart, how vile it is, is the only ufeful,.fruitful and folidly believing and obedient per- fon. Others are fit only to delude themfelves, to difquiet families, church- es, and all relations whatever. Let us then confider our hearts wifely, and then go and fee if we can be proud of our gifts, our graces, our va- luation and efteem amongft profelfors, our enjoy tents. Let us go then and judge, condemn, reproach others that have been tempted; we (hall find a great inconfiftency in thefe things. And many things of the like nature might be here added upon the confideration of this woful effeft of in= dwelling fin. The way of oppofing and defeating its defign herein (hall be afterw.;, ds confidered. .rxcti7_ xztr+tcM t.xVsxx;r.ttcR >saäk eoaaaa-aa:vac++#caa:xaaa.vaaaa4waanw+xaaow;xa . e:úE`,G+a7FOMMOU3ii `1t-E`.GSf`YaSF%ME`17a até".G1t.xì1 ií`iS`Xi `l`na'`-1 'Ya'f9WO%) CHAP. VII. The Captivating. Power of Indwelling Sin, where in it confifeth. The Prevalency of Sin, when from itfelf, when from Temptation. The Rage and Madnefs that is in Sin. HE third thing affigned unto this law offin in its oppolition unto God, and the law of his grace, is, that it leads the foul captive, Pont. vii. 23. r find a law leading me captive, captivating me, unto the lawoffin. And this is the utmoft height which the apoftle in that place car- ries the oppofition and warring of the remainders of in- dwelling fin unto ; clofing the confideration of it. with a complaint of the ftate and condition of believers thereby; and an ear- nett prayer for deliverance from it, ver. 24. 0 wretched man that Iam, who 'hall deliver me from this body of death d What is contained inthis expreffion, and intended by it, (hall be declared in the enfuing obfer- vations. o. It is not direftly the power and aftings of the law of fin that are here expreffed, but its fuccefs in and Upon its aftings. But fuccefs is the greateft evidence of-power, and leading captive in war is the heighth of fuccefs. None can. aim at greater fuccefs, than to lead their enemies captive. And is a peculiar exprelfion in the fcripture of great fuccefs. So the Lord Chrift on his viftorÿ over fatan, is Paid to lead captivity captive, Ephef. iv. 8. that is, to conquer him, who had conquered and O0000 pTe-
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