Of INDWELLING SIN. 433 condition is principally propofed to conGderation; God is pleated, for the moll part, gracioufly to prevent the foruth inflame, or the bringing forth of actual fins in their converfations; And the fail always and wholly, dr their being obdurate in a courfe of fin to the finifhing of it. What ways God in his grace and faithfulnefsmakes ufe of toflifle theconceptionsoffin in thewomb, and to hinder itsadualprodultion in the livesof men, muff after- wards be fpokenunto. The firft threeinftancesthenwe fhallinfifl uponfully, as thofe whereintheprincipal concernmentof believers in this matter dotti lie. (1.) The firft thing which fin isfaid to do, working in a way of deceit, is to draw away, or to draw off. Whence a man is faid to be drawn off, or drawn away, and diverted, namely from attending unto that courfe of obedience and holinefs, which, in oppofition unto fin and the law thereof, he is bound with diligence to attend unto. Now it is the mind that this effeft of the deceit offin is wrought upon. The mind or underftanding, as we have (hewed, is the guiding conducing faculty of the foul; it goes before in difcerning, judging, and determi- ning to make the way of moral actions fair and fmooth to the will and affections. It is to the foul, what Mofes told his Father in-law that he might be to the people in the wildernefs, as eyes toguide them, and keep themfrom wandring in that defolate place. It is theeye of the foul, without whole guidance the will and affeflions would perpetually wander in the wildernefs of this world, according as any object, with an appearing pre- tent good, did offer or prefent it felf unto them. The firfl thing therefore that fin aims at in its 'deceitful working, is to draw offand divert the mind from the difcharge of its duty. There are two things which belong unto the duty of the mind, in that fpecial office which it hath in and about the obedience which God re- quireth. [hi To keep it felt and the whole foul in filch a frame and poflure, as may render it ready unto all duties of obedience, and watchful againft all inticements unto the conception of fin. [z.j In particular carefully to attend unto all particular allions, that they be performed as God required), for matter, manner, time and fea- fon, agreeable unto hiswill, as alto for the obviating all particular ten- ders of fin in things forbidden. In thefe two risings confifls the whole duryof the mind of a believer. And from both of them dottis indwel- ling fin endeavour to divert it, and draw it off. [r.] The firft of theft is, the duty of the mind, in reference unto the general frame and courfe of the whole foul; and hereof two things may may be confidered. 1.) That it is founded in a due confiant conGderation ; ofour felves, of fin and its vilenefs i ofGod, of his grace and goodnefs. And both theft loth fin labour to draw it off from. a.) In attending to thofe duties which are fuited to obviate the working of the law of fin, in an efpecial manner. a.) It endeavours to draw it off from a due conGderation, apprehenfion and fenfiblenefs of its own vilenfs, and the danger wherewith it is atten- ded. This in the firfl place we (hall inftance in. A due confiant con fiderationof fin in its nature, in all its aggravating circumltances, in its end and tendency, efpecially as reprefented in the blood and troll of Cltrilt, ought always to abide with us, Jar. ü. 19. Know therefore and fee, that it an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hoff ferkaken the Lord thy God. Every fin isa forfaking of the Lord our God. If the heart know not, if it confider not, that it is an evil thing and a bitter, evil in itfclf, bitter in its effects, fruit and event, it will never be fecured aairfl it. ßefdes, Rrrrr that
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