§. 7. Of suppressing inward corruption.
THe foresaid besetting sin is here set down as an inward impediment of a christi∣an in his race; & joyned with the former outward weight, by this copulative, a 1.1 and: So as it dependeth upon the participle b 1.2 of laying aside: Mans endeavour must be for suppressing of his inward, inbred corruption, as well as for laying aside externall weights. We must, as much as in us lyeth, lay aside this besetting sin.
This title c 1.3 Sin, in the singular number, is frequently put for our naturall cor∣ruption. Five times in Rom. 6. six times in Rom. 7. three times in Rom. 8. It is al∣so called, a body of sin, a body of death, flesh, old man. Exhortations about this sin are, that we suffer it not to reign, Rom. 6. 12. that we destroy it, Rom. 6. 6. That we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it, Gal. 5. 24. that we cast it off, Eph. 4. 24.
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1. The condition of this enemy should the rather incite us to subdue and destroy it. It is an enemie within us. More danger ariseth from Traytors that are within a Nation or City, then from forrein enemies without. David was never in such danger, by reason of any, or of all the Nations without, as of those that rose against him in his own Kingdome.
As for this inbred enemy, no enemie without, nor world, nor Devill, nor all the* 1.4 power of Hell, can hurt our soules, unlesse they get this Traytor within to take part with them.
- 2. This enemy is tumultuois and troublesome, never at rest: as it can easily, so it will willfully on every side set upon us. We cannot do, speak, or think any thing but it will infest us, and that at all tin•…•…es, in all places: in Company, when we are alone, at Church, and at home, in duties of piety, Charity, and Justice, in duties of our Calling, Waking, and Sleeping.