let grace be with it in every duty. We are directed, 1 Peter 4:7, to
particular duty with reference to this especial evil or indwelling sin that we have insisted on, or what in this case the wisdom of faith calls for; which will be our course as we consider other effects of it.
1. The great means to prevent the effects of this aversion is constantly keeping the soul in a holy frame. This weakens the whole law of sin, and all its properties, and particularly this aversion. It is this frame only that will enable us to say with the Psalmist, Psalm 57:7, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." It is utterly impossible to keep the heart in a conquering holy frame in any one duty, unless it is so in every one. If sin's entanglements get hold in any one thing, they will put themselves on the soul in everything. A. constant, even frame in all duties is the only preservative for any one way. Let not him who is careless in public persuade himself that all will be clear and easy in private. There is a harmony in obedience; break but one part, and you interrupt the whole. Our wounds in particular arise generally from negligence as to the whole course; so David informs us, Psalm 119:6,
"Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all your commandments."
A universal respect to all God's commandments is the only preservative from shame; and nothing have we more reason to be ashamed of than the shameful miscarriages of our hearts in point of duty, which are from the principle before mentioned.
2. Labour to prevent the beginnings of the workings of this aversion; let grace be with it in every duty. We are directed, 1 Peter 4:7, to "watch to prayer;" and as it is to prayer, so to every duty, - that is, to take care that we be not hindered from within nor from without from doing it. Watch against temptations, to oppose them; watch against the aversion that is in sin, to prevent it. As we are not to give place to Satan, no more are we to sin. If it is not prevented in its first attempts it will prevail. Whatever good we have to do, and find evil present with us (as we shall), prevent it from parleying with the soul, insinuating poison into the mind and affections, by a vigorous, holy, violent