464 The N 9TuRE and PowER of the doctrineof thegofpel, and of theapplication of it to our own fouh firt, to keep ut from fin ; and then to relieve us againft fin. But here en- tereth the deceit of fin, and puts this new wine into old bottles, whereby the bottled are broken, and the wine perifheth as to our benefit by it. It changeth this method and ordtr of the application of gofpel truths. It takes up the laft first, and that excludes the ufe of the firf utterly. If an) Man fin, there is pardon provided, is all the gofpel that fin would wil- linglyfuffer to abide on the minds of men. When we would come to God by belreving, it would be preffing the former part of being free from fin; when the gofpel propofeth the latter principally, or the pardon of fain for our encouragement. When we are come to God, and should walk with him, it will have only the latter propófed, that there is pardon of fin, when the Gofpel principally propofeth the former, of keeping ourfelves from fin. The Grace of God bringing falvation having appeared unto us to that end and purpofe. Now the mindbeing entangled with this deceit, drawn off from its watch by it, diverted from the true ends of the Gofpel, doth feveral ways impöfe upon the will to obtain its confent. (i. By a fudden furprifal in cafe of temptation. Temptation is the re- prefentation of a thing as a prefent good, a particulargood, which is a real evil, a general evil. Now when a temptation armed with opportunity and provocation, befalls the foul, the principle of grace in the will rifeth up with a rejedion and deteftation of it. But on a fudden the mind being de- ceived by fin, breaks in upon the will, with a corrupt fallacious reafoning from gofpel, grace and mercy, which firf ftaggers, then abates the wilt's oppofition and then caufeth it to cat the feule by its content of the fide of temptation, prefenting evil as a prefent good ; and fin in the fight of God is conceived, though it be never committed. Thus is the feed of God facrificed toMoloch, and the weapons ofChrift abufed to the fervice of the devil. (2. It doth it infenfibly. It infinuates the poifon of this corrupt reafon- ing by little and little, until it bath greatly prevailed. And as the whole effe& of the doctrineof the gofpel in holinefs and obedience, confits in the foul's being cat into the frame and mould of it, Rom. vi. 17. fo the whole of apoftacy'from the gofpel, is principally the cating"of the foul into the mould of this falfe reafoning, that fin may be indulged unto upon account of grace and pardon. Hereby is thefoul gratified in Gothand neg- ligence, and taken off from its care, as to particular duties and avoidance of particular fins. It works the foul infenfibly off from the myftery of the law of grace, to look for falvation as if we had never performed any duty, being, after we have done all, unprofitable fervants, with a reftiog on fovereign mercy through the blood of Chrift, and to attend unto du- ties with all diligence as if we looked for no mercy; that is with no lefs care, though withmore liberty and freedom. This the deceitfuinefs of fin endeavoureth by all means to work the foul from, and thereby debaucheth the will when its confent is required unto particular fins. 2.) The deceived mind impofeth on the will to obtain its confect unto fin, by propofing unto it the advantages that may accrue and arife thereby, which is one mediumwhereby itfelf alfo is drawn away. It renders that which is abfolutely evil, a prefent appearing good. So was it with Eve, Gen. iii. laying afide all confiderations of the law, covenant, and threats of God, the all at once refleds upon the advantages, pleafures and benefits which the fhould obtainby her fin, and reckons themup to follicit the con- tent of her will. Is is, faith flue, good for food, pleafant to the eyes, and
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