424 The NATURE and PoWER t.) That the power of fin is great, which is that which we are in the demonftrationof; and this appears in its prevalency unto captivity, againit the aftings and contendings of the will for liberty from it. Had it no oppofition made unto it, or were its adverfary, weak, negligent, floathful, it were no great evidence of its power, that it made captives. But its prevailing againft dilingence, acîivity, watchfulnefs, the confiant renitency of the will, this evinceth its efficacy. 2.) This leading captive intimates manifold particular fucceffes. Had it not fuccefs in particular itcould not be faid at all tolead captive. Rebel it might, affail it might, but it cannot be faid'to lead captive without fome fucceffes. And there are feveral degrees of the fuccefs of the law of fin in the foul. Sometimes it carries the perfon unto outward adualfin which is its utmoft aim. Sometimes it obtaineth the content of the will, but is caft out by grace, and proceeds no farther. Sometimes it wearies and entangles the foul, that it turns afide as it were, and leaves contending which is a fuccefs alfo. One or more, or all of thefe muff be, where cap- tivity takes place. Such a kind of courfe doth the apoftle afcribe unto covetoufnefs, s Tim. vi. 9. 3.) This leading captive manifcfts this condition to he miferable and wretched. To be thus yoaked and dealt withal againft the judgment of the mind, the choice and content ofthe will, its utmoft ftrivings and con- tendings, how fad is it? When the neck is fore and tender with former preffures, to be compell'd to bear the yoak again, this pierces, this grieves, this even breaks the heart. When the foul is principled by grace unto a loathing of fin, of every evil way, to an hatred of the leaft difcrepancy between it felf and the Holy will of God, then to be impofed on by this law of fin, with all that enmity and folly, that deadnefs and filth, where- with it is attended ; what more dreadful condition? All captivity is dread- ful in its own nature ; the greateft aggravation of it is from thecondition cf the tyrant unto whom any one is captivated. Now whatcan be worfe than this law of fin? Hence the apoftle having once mentioned this capti- vity, crys out as one quite weary and ready to faint, ver. 24. ,}.) 1his condition is peculiar to believers. Unregenerate menare notfaid to be led captive to the lawof fin. Theymay indeed be led captive unto this or that particular fin or corruption, that is, theymay be forced to ferveagainft thepower oftheir convidtions. Theyare convinced of the evil ofit, an adul- terer ofhis uncleanefs,a drunkard ofhis abomination, and make force refolu- tions, it may be againft it. But their tuft is too hard for them, they cannot ceafe to fin, and fo are made captives or ¡laves to this or that particular fin. But they cannot be faid to be led captive to the law of fin, and that becaufe they are willingly fubjeft thereunto. It hath, as it were, a right- ful dominion over them, and they fuppofe it not, but only when it hash irruptions to the difturbance of their confciences. And then the oppo- fition they snake unto it is not from their wills, but is the ineer ailing of an affrighted confcience, and a convinced mind. They regard not the natureof fin, but its guilt and confequences. But to be brought into captivity, is that whichbefalls a man againft his will. Which is all that Shall be fpoken unto this degree of the adings of the power of fin, manifeft- ing it Pelf in its fuccefs. The Fourrh, and Taft degree of the oppofition made by the law of fin to God, and the law ofhis will and grace, is in its rage and madnefs. There is madnefs in its nature, Ecclef. ix. 3. The heart of the foss of men is MI of evil, and madnefs is in their heart. The evil that the Heart of man isfull of by nature, is. that indwelling fin whereof we fpeak. And this
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=