despite the powerful opposition that is made to it both by the law and
holds; but it is universal, and wars in the whole soul. The mind has its own darkness to wrestle with, - the will its perverseness; every affection its aversion from God, and its sensuality, to deal with: so that one cannot relieve another as they ought; they have their hands full at home. Hence it is that our knowledge is imperfect, our obedience weak, love not unmixed, fear not pure, delight not free and noble.
2. Here might be added its constancy. It has no thoughts of yielding, despite the powerful opposition that is made to it both by the law and gospel.
This, then, is a third evidence of the power of sin, namely, that it is "enmity against God," universal and constant.. What can be of a more sad consideration than that we should carry about us constantly what is enmity against God, in all that he is? I cannot say it is well with those who find it not. It is well with them, indeed, in whom it is weakened, and the power of it abated; but for those who say it is not in them, they only deceive themselves, and there is no truth in them.
CHAPTER 5.
Nature of sin farther revealed as it is enmity against God - Its aversion from all good opened - Means to prevent the effects of it prescribed.
THIRDLY. WE have considered the nature of indwelling sin in reference to its power; but it shows itself more clearly in its actions. We know that something lives by the works of life; and great actions imply a powerful life. Such are the actions of this law of sin, which all show its power.
Its nature is, that it is enmity. Now, there are two general heads of the working of enmity; Aversion and Opposition.
First, Aversion. Our Saviour, describing the enmity that was between himself and the teachers of the Jews, says in the prophet, "My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me," Zechariah 11:8. Where there is mutual enmity, there is mutual aversion. So it was between the Jews and the Samaritans, - they were enemies, and abhorred one another; as John 4:9.
Secondly, Opposition. Isaiah 63:10, "He was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them;" speaking of God towards the people. Where there is enmity, there will be fighting; it is the natural product of it. Now, both these effects are found in this law of sin: -
First, There is an aversion in it to God and everything of God. All indisposition to duty, wherein communion with God is to be obtained; all weariness of duty; all carnality, or formality to duty, - it all springs from this root. The wise man cautions us against this evil: Ecclesiastes 5:1, "Keep your foot when you go to the house of God;" - "Do you have any spiritual duty to perform, and do you design the attaining of any communion with God? look to yourself, take care of your affections; they will be wandering, due to their aversion to what you have in hand." There is not any good that we would do wherein we may not find this aversion exercising itself. "When I would do good, evil is