On the Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalence of Indwelling Sin in Believers

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII. Several ways whereby the bringing forth of conceived Sin is obstructed. Before we proceed to the remaining evidence of the power and efficacy of the law of sin, we shall take occasion, from what hath been delivered, toadvert to one consideration that offers itself from that scripture, which was made the bottom and foundation of our discourse of the general deceitfulness of sin, namely, James i. 14. The apostle tells us, that " lust conceiving brings forth sin;" seeming to intimate, that whatever sin is conceived, that also is brought forth. Now placing the conception of sin, as we have done, in the consent of the will to it, and reckoning, as we ought, the bringing forth of sin to consist in its actual commission, we know that these do not necessarily follow one another. There is a world of sin conceived in the womb of the wills and hearts of men, that is never brought forth. Our present business then shall be to inquire, Whence that comes to pass ? I answer then, First, That this is not so, is no thanks to sin, nor the law of it. What it conceives it would bring forth; and that it doth not, is, for the most part, but a small abatement of its guilt. A determinate will of actual sinning, is actual sin. There is nothing wanting on sin's part, that every conceived sin is not actually accomplished. The obstacle and prevention lies on another hand. Secondly, There are two things that are necessary in the creature that hath conceived sin, for the bringing of it forth: First, power; secondly, continuance in the will of sinning, until it be perpetrated and committed. Where these two are, actual sin will unavoidably ensue. It is evident, therefore, that that which hinders conceived sin from being brought forth, must affect either...