2. Let the conclusion be taken, as I gave it, from the Apo∣stle, and I deny his major, or first proposition: Where sin easily besets and presseth down, (and so easily, that is, by the remnants of filth) it reigns, he; it reigns not, say I; for it reigned not in Paul, and in the godly Hebrews, and yet it did easily beset them; and the very remnants of filth was a burthen and pressure to them: if they had not been a grie∣vance, sin had reigned; the more grace there is, the more sensible the soul is of every weight. The word signifieth whatsoever is gross, heavy, burthensom, and troublesom, which being upon a mans back, in a journey, makes him stoop, or hinders him in a race: every lust is clogging, and where the roots of all are, there are many to beset us; if it be but the inordinate love of the creature, of honor, riches, pleasure, or excessive cares of this life, they are every of them a weight upon our spirits; and where they are felt as weights, and groaned under (with the whole body of sin) sin reigneth not; if it doth, we must indite all the believing Hebrews; but that we will not at R. F. his pleasure.
3. As to his minor, or second proposition, He must bet∣ter know me, and all Scotchmen, before he will have ground to indite us for being in the filth of our sins: neither san∣ctified Scots nor English, are in the filth, though filth be in them. Let me go for a poor sinful wretch, and worm, as I am; I pleaded not my own condition before, but the Saints; now I must break forth with the Apostle, and give thanks, that I know my self to be a sinner; and that as I have per∣fect victory in my Head, so, that I now my imperfe∣ctions in part, and have a sense of these weights, and a sight of this encompassing Enemy in-dwelling sin; which yet we are exhorted to get free of the very presence of it, as much, as fast, and as far as grace shall enable; and here∣unto I strive, according to Gods working in me: Oh, that it were more mightily! As for that R. F. alledgeth and ad∣deth of the hope that purifieth, even as Christ is pure, 1 John 3. 1, 2, 3. The Apostles words are not in the Preter tense, that a childe of God hath purified himself, or done his work perfectly here, but that it is his constant daily work; he is not therefore fully cleansed, as to his sanctification, while