Aommonameimmumpl 326 THE POWERS AND CONTESTS OF FLESH AND SPIRIT. the millions of our iniquities : Cleanse us from secret offences, and keep us free from presumptuous sins." Question II. Whether all impure imaginations and blasphemous thoughts are properly sinful ; and render us' guilty before God ? Answer. It is possible that some peculiar qualities of the constitution, some distempered humours of the body, or some sort of improper food, may excite impure images on the brain ; and this is often done also by the casual and unavoidable, occurrentes of human life. An inde- cent picture, an immodest or profane song, or the vile, the impious, or uncleanly language of the wicked world, may spread a dangerous scene over the fancy. The devil also is a watchful and a busy adversary, and we know not what secret power he has to draw evil pictures on the brain, to write blasphemy there, or to awaken some old traces of immorality. The powers and devices of wick ed spirits are a great and unsearchable secret to us who dwell in the flesh. He may buzz into the ear sonic impious syllables, or lewd and profane sounds, especi- ally when his chain is a little lengthened, and he has a divine permission to approach human nature. But all these things that I have here described may be impressed on the animal powers ofan innocent person : The soul may have a very painful perception of all this without actual sin, supposing still, that it strives and Wrestles both against its own flesh and blood, and against those principalities and powers of darkness ; supposing that it fights, watches, and'prays for divine aid, and uses all the holy armour and the weapons of sacred appoint- ment, to fence against these assaults of fleshly and spiri-, tual enemies, these sore invasions of its holiness and peace. I confess it is hard in this fallen and imperfect state, to be thus attacked on any side, without sonic degree of compliance in an unguarded moment; and especially if we are beset on all sides, and assaulted by the flesh, the world, and the devil at once. It is seldom or never that the best of men can pass through such a scene of conflict and sharp trial, without something of defilement. Our Saviour himself indeed was assaulted by Satan, and by s the world ; but the prince of darkness found nothing within him to promote pr assist his temptations ; Jam
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