THE POWERS AND CONTESTS OF FLESH AND SPIRIT.. 325 indeed was necessary, in order tomake a proper stat'e of trial ; and it was fit and becoming divine wisdom, to'ap- point such a tree to be the test of their obedience. Now while they continued innocent, the soul resisted this in- clination of the flesh, under a sense that the fruit was forbidden; but the first moment that they indulged the flesh in this irregular appetite, or consented to it, they made themselves transgressors ; then their nature was corrupted ; thus they did eat the unlawful food, and be- came the parents of a. sinful race. The chief differences therefore in this matter, betwixt innocent and fallen man, are these ; 1. That it is probable his flesh might have no natural inclination to objects apparently hurtful in themselves, but to such only as might be made unlawful by some attending circumstances, or by an express and positive law. 2. These inclinations also, perhaps, were but few and feeble, in comparison of the multitudes of violent appe- tites, and irregular desires, that are found in our degene- rate natures, to all sorts of unlawful objects. 3. That-his soul had power in itself, by due conside- ration, to resist and subdue these appetites of the flesh, though not absolutely to prevent them ; whereas in our present corrupt state, we are soon transported and h.ur-' Tied away into a sinful compliance with them. The spi- rit is ready to yield as soon, as it feels the temptations of the body ; so that there are scarce any such inordinate ferments or propensities arising or stirring inour flesh and blood, but the soul more or - less consents to them in some degree. Thus, though the first motions towards sin that are in our members, are not in therilselves properly sinful, nor is the sense or perception of the mind sinful neither, for this is natural and necessary, according to the composi- tion of human nature, if the mind were ever so holy : Yet these motions seldom arise in our members, especi- ally in an unregenerate state, but the soul is defiled, and becomes guilty ; and that is by some consent of will, some degree of indulgence to them, or compliance with them. Well then may we cry out with the Psalmist, Ps. xix. 12. " Who can understand his errors ? Cleanse us O Lord from the multitudes of our transgressions, and Y3
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