"It dwells in me." There is its constant residence. If it came on the soul
grace also is the new man. Now, from this consideration of it, that it is an indwelling law inclining to sin, as an inward principle, it has advantages that increase its strength and further its power; as,
1. It always abides in the soul. The apostle twice uses that expression, "It dwells in me." There is its constant residence. If it came on the soul only at certain times, there might be much obedience in its absence; and as they deal with usurping tyrants, whom they intend to thrust out of a city, the gates might be sometimes shut against it, that it might not return; the soul might fortify itself against it. But the soul is its home; there it dwells, and is no wanderer. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, this law of sin is always in you; in the best that you do, and in the worst. Men little consider what a dangerous companion is always at home with them. When they are in company, when alone, by night or by day, all is one, sin is with them. There is a living coal continually in their houses; which, if it is not looked to, will set them on fire, and may be consume them. Oh, the woeful security of poor souls! How little do most men think of this inbred enemy that is never from home! How little, for the most part, does the watchfulness of any professors relate to the danger of their state and condition!
2. It is always ready to apply itself. "It not only dwells in me," says the apostle, "but when I would do good, it is present with me." There is more in that expression than mere indwelling. An lodger may dwell in a house, but not be always meddling with what the man of the house has to do: but this law so dwells in us that it is with us in all we do; and when we most earnestly desire to be quit of it, it puts itself on us most strongly: "When I would do good, it is present with me." If you pray, if you give alms, if you meditate, if you in any way follow faith in God and love towards him, if you work righteousness, if you resist temptations, this troublesome lodger will still put itself on you; so that you cannot do what is good. Sometimes men provoke their lusts by following their temptations; no wonder if then they find them present and active. But it is so even when with all our efforts we labour to be free from them. This law of sin "dwells" in us; it adheres as a depraved principle, to our minds in darkness, to our affections in sensuality, to