fIN13WELLING SIN. 443 (2.)- Sin puts forth its deceit in its own defence it labours to divert and draw off the mind from attending unto this and the «like duties. And there are, among others, three engines, three ways and means, whereby it attempts the accomplifhment of its defign. r.) It makes advantage ofits wearinefsunto the flefh. Thereis anaver- ration, as bath been declared in the law offin unto all immediate com- munion with God. Now this duty is fuch. There is nothing accompani- eth it whereby the carnal part of the foul may be gratified, or fatisfied, as there may be fomewhat of that nature in snort publick duties, in molt that a man can do, beyond pure alts of faith and love. No relief or ad- vantage then coming in by it, but what is purely fpiritual, it becomes wearifome, burdenföme to flefh and blood. It is like travelling alone without companion or diverfion, which makes the way feem long, but brings the paffenger withmolt fpeed to his journye's end. So our Saviour declares, when expe&ìng his difciples according to their duty and prefent diftrefs Mould have been engaged in this work, he found them fart afleep, lhstt. xxvi. 41. Thefpirit, faith he, indeed is willing, but theHefei is weak and out of that weaknefs grew their indifpofition unto, and wearinefs of their duty. So Godcomplains of his people, Ifß. xlüi. 22. Thou haft been weary of ene. And it may come at length unto that heighth which is men- tioned, Mal. i. 13. Te have faid, Behold what a wearinefs is it, and ye have fiaúfedat it, faith the Lord of Hop. The Jews fuppofe that it was the language of men when they brought their offeringsor facrifices on their Moulders which they pretended wearied them, and they panted and blow- ed as usen ready to faint under ,them, whenthey brought only the torn, and the lame, and the'fìck. But fo is this duty oftentimes to the flefh. And this the deceitfulnefs of fin makes ufe of, to draw the heart by infen- fible degrees from a confiant attendance unto it. It puts in for the relief of the weak and weary flefh. There is a compliance between fpiritual flefh, and natural deli in this matter; they help one another, and an averfation unto this duty is the effect of their compliance. So it in the fpoufe, Cant. v. 2, 3. She was afleep drowfing in her fpiritual conditi- on, and pleads her natural unfitnefs to roufe her felf from that ftate. If the mind be not diligently watchful to prevent infinuations from hence, if it dwell not conftantly on chofe confiderations which evidence an atten- dance unto this duty, to be indifpenfible, if it fair not up the principle of grace in the heart to retain its rule and fovereignty, and not to be dal- lied withal by foolifh pretences, it will be drawn off, which is the effed aimed at. 2.) The deceitfulnefs of fin makes ufeof corrupt reafonings taken from the preffing and urging occafions of life. Should we, fays it in the heart, attend ftriftly unto all duties in this kind, we íhould neglect our princi- pal occafions, and be ufelefs unto our felves and others in the world. And on this general account, particular bufineffes difpoffefs particular duties from their due place and time. Men have not leiflare to glorify God and fave their own fouls. It is certain, that God gives us time enough for all that he requires of us in any kind in this world. No du- ties need to juftle one another, I meanconftantly. Efpecial occafions muttbe determined accordingunto efpecial circumftances. But, if, any thing in we take more upon us than we have time well to perform it in, without robbing God of that which is due to him, and our own fouls, this Gad calls not unto, this the bleffeth us not in. It is snore tolerable that our duties of holinefs and regard to God, Mould intrench upon the duties of our callings and employments in this world, than on the contrary ; and yet
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