4-58 TheNATiTRE andPoWER reafonings and pretences, as hathbeen fliewed, and then car's it net upon the affeftions for their entanglement. ( a.) Taking advantage of fuck feafons, it propofeth fin as definable, as exceeding fatisfaftory to the corrupt part ofouraffeftions. It gilds over the objeft by.a thoufandpretences which it prefentsuntocorrupt luttings: This is the laying ofa bait, which theapatite in this verfe evidently alludes unto. Abait is fomewhat delirable and fuitable, that is propofed to the hungry crea- ture for its fatisfaftion, and it is by all artifices rendered defitable and fuit- able. Thus is fin prefented by the help of the imagination unto the foul g that is, finful and inordinate objefts," which the affeftions cleave unto, are fo prefented. The apoftle tells us, that there are pleafures of fin, Heb. xi. 'N5. which unlefs they are defpifed, as they were by Mofes, there is no ef- caping of fin itfelf. Hencethey that live in fin, are faidto live in pleafure, James v. g. Now this pleafure of fin confiftethin its fuitablenefs to give fa- tisfaftion to the flefh, to luft, to corrupt affeftions. Hence is that caution, Rom. xiii. 14. Make no provifion for the fletti to fulfill the luft thereof.. That is, do not fuffer your minds, thoughts or affeftions to fix upon finful objefts, fuited to give fatisfaftion to the Tufts ofthe flefh, to nourith and che- riththem thereby. Towhich purpofe he fpeaks again,. Val. v. i6. Fulfill ye not the tufts of theflefh. Bring not in the pleafuresof fin to give them fats- faCtion. Whenmein are under the power offin, they are faid to fulfill the delires of the flefh and of the mind, Eph. ii. 3. Thus therefore thedeceit of fin endeavours to entangle the affeftions, by propofing unto them through the afiiftanceof the imagination that fuitablenefs which is in it to the fatis- faftion of its corrupt tufts, now fet at fome liberty by the inadvertency of themind. It prefents its wine as fparkling in the cup, the beauty of thea- dultrefs, the riches of the worldunto fenfual and covetous perfons, and fome- what in the like kind, in fome degrees to believersthemfelves. When there- fore, I fay, fin would entangle the foul, it prevails with the imagination to follicit the heart, by reprefenting this falte painted beauty, or pretended fa- tisf,tforinefs oftin : And then if Satan with any peculiar temptation fall in- to its afiiftance, it oftentimes inflames all the affeftions, and puts the whole foul into diforder. (3.) It hides thedanger that attends fin, ir covers it as the hook is covered with the bait, or the netfpread over with meat for the fowl to be taken. It is not indeed pofiible that fin thould utterly deprive the foul of theknow- ledge of the danger of it. It cannot difpoffefs it of its notion or perfuafion that the wagesof fin is death g and that it is the judgment ofGod, that they that commit fin are worthy of death. But this it will do, it will fo take up and poffefs the mind and affe&ions with the baits and defireablenefs of fin, that it thall divert themfrom an aftual and praftical contemplation ofthe danger of it. What ratan did in and by his firft temptation, that fin dotIi ever since. At firft Eve guards herfelf, with calling to mind the danger of fin; ifwe eat, or touch, it, we fhail die, Gen. iii. 3. But fo foon as fatan had filled her mindwith thebeauty and ufefulnefsof the fruit to make one wife, how quickly did the lay elide her prafticalprevalent confiderationof thedan- ger of eating it, the curfe due unto it g or elfe relieves her felfwith a vain hope and pretence that it fhould not be, becaufe the ferpent told her fo. So was Davidbkuiled in his great tranfgreffion, by the deceit of fin; his luft being pleafed and fatisfied, the confideration of the guilt and danger of his tranfgreftìonwas taken away : and therefore he is faid to havedefpifed the Lord, z Sam. xii. 9. In that he confiderednot theevil that was in his heart, and the danger that attended it in the threatningor cominination of the Law. Now fin when it pretfeth upon the foul to this purpofe, will ufe a thoufand
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