32a THE POWERS AND CONTESTS OF FLESH ANIS SPIRIT. ing grace, above the mere and untaught faculties of its intelligent nature. 'Then, 4. Since this body has many sinful ferments and irre- gular appetites in it, conveyed down from the original sinner, the new-made spirit being created and joined to the flesh, is perpetually impressed and allured by.these motions, passions, and appetites of the flesh, and wil7 lingly complies with these that are combined as well as those that are innocent; and thus the young creature contracts actual and personal guilt, perhaps, as soon as it is capable of exerting any actions with understanding ; and such as are properly human, and capable of moral differences. Thus the soul,is defiled by communion with the flesh ; and, according to the original law of creation, which is called the covenant of God with Adam, it partakes,of a sinful nature from degenerate parents, and by degrees becomes an actual sinner. But I proceed no further on this head, having deli vered my sentiments in another place more at large, in the deep and difficult controversy of original sin ; which may be best accounted for in this manner, as far as my judgment reaches. What I have said here is sufficient to spew that, in the present state of human nature, the flesh is the chief cause and occasion of sin to the soul. MEDITATIQN I. And are we tempted to sin so often by our fleshly powers ? Then how little should we reckon ourselves debtors to the flesh? How much mischief has it already done us? And how much still have we reason to fear from its influences, as long as we continue to dwell. in it? Little do you think, O sinners; little do you think_ what an enemy you caress, while you pamper the flesh, and make provision to fulfil the lusts of it : it is a foe that sits close to you, and is a partner of your very na- tures; and thus it has a. thousand opportunities to do you mischief, when other adversaries are afar off: It has done you already more injury than the :devil and the world joined together; for in all the pernicious and secret snares which they have laid for your souls, and all the open attacks they have made upon your virtue, or
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