466 The NATURE and PowElt Unto what bath been fpoken concerning the deceitfulnefs of indwelling fin in general, which greatly evidenceth its power and efficacy, I (hall add as a clofe of this difcourfe, one or two particular ways of its deceitful ad- ings, confiftingin advantages that it maketh ufe of, and means of relieving itfelf againft that difquifition which is made after it by the word and fpi- rit for its ruin. Onehead only of each fort we ¡hall here name. [s.] It makes great advantage of the darknefs of the mind, to work out its defign and intendments. The ¡hades of a mind totallydark, that is, de- void utterly of faving grace, are the proper working place of fin. Hence the effects of it are called, the works of darknefs, Ephef. v. I I. Rom. 12. as fpringing from thence. Sin works and brings forth by the help of ir. The working of loft under the covert of a dark mind, is as itwere the upper regionof hell; for it lies at thenext door to it for filth, horrour and confu;on. Now there is a partial darknefs abiding íh11 in believers; they know but in part, n Cor. xin. Is. Though there be in them all a princi- ple of faving light, the day-ftar isrifen intheir hearts; yetall the fhades of darknefs are not utterly expelled out of them in this life. And there are two parts, as it were, or principal effects of the remaining darknefs that is in believers. a.] Ignorance, or a nefcience of the will of God, either Julie, or Fafli, of the rule and law in general, or of the reference of the particular fad that lies before the mind unto the law. 2.] Error and miftakes, pofitively taking that for truth which is falfhood, and that for light which is darknefs. Now of both thefe doth the law of fin make great advantage for the exerting of its power in the foul. r.] Is there a remaining ignorance of any thing of the will of God, Gn will be fure to make ufe of it, and improve it to the uttermofl. Though Abimelech were not a believer, yet he was a perfon that had a moral in- tegrity with him in his ways and allions ; he declares himfelf tohave had fo, in a folemn appeal to God the feàrcher of all hearts, even in that where- in he mifcarried, Gen. xx. g. But being ignorant that fornication was a fin, or fo great a fin, as that it became not a morally bond} man to defile himfelf with it, tuft Hurries him into that intention of evil in reference unto Sarah, as we have it there related. God complains that his people perijbed for lack of knowledge, Hof. iv. 6. Being ignorant of the mind and will of God, they rufh'd into evil at every command of the law offin. Be it as to any duty to be performed, or as toany fin to be committed, if there be in it darknefs or ignorance of the mind about them, fin will not lofe its advantage. Many a man being ignorant of the duty incumbenton him for the infirullion of his family, calling the whole weight of it upon the publick teaching, is by thedeceitfulnefs of fin brought into an habitual floth and negligenceof duty. So much ignorance of the will of God and duty, fo much advantage is given to the law of fin. And hence we may fee what is that trueknowledge which with God is acceptable ; how ex- adly (loth many poor foul, who is low as to notional knowledge, yet walk with God. It feems they know fo much, as fin hath not on that account much advantage againft them ; when others high in their notions, give advantage to their lufts even by their ignorance, though they know it not. a.] Errour is a worfe part or effe& the minds of darknefs, and gives great advantage to the law of fin. There is indeed ignorance in every errour, but there is not errour in all ignorance, and fo they may be diftinguifhed. I ¡hall need to exemplify this but with one confedera- tion, and that is, of men, who being zealous for fome errour, do feek to fupprefs
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