like "the sin that so easily besets us," Hebrews 12:1. It needs no doors
our wills in aversion from what is good; and continually puts itself on us when we would be most gladly quit of it.
3. Being an indwelling law, it applies itself to its work with great ease, like "the sin that so easily besets us," Hebrews 12:1. It needs no doors to be opened; it needs no engines to work by. The soul cannot do anything without exercising the faculties this law resides in. Is the understanding to be applied to anything? there it is, in ignorance, vanity, folly. Is the will to be engaged? there it is, in spiritual deadness and obstinacy. Is the heart to be set on work? there it is, in inclinations to the world, and sensuality. It is easy for it to insinuate itself into all we do, and to hinder all that is good. It has an intimacy with the soul, so it easily besets us. Now, it has all these advantages since it is an indwelling law. It is always resident in the soul, it affects all its actions.
This is the law that the apostle says he found in himself; this is the name he gives to the remnant of indwelling sin in believers; and because we are believers, we also have these evidences of its power. Many in the world do not recognise this law in them. Whatever they have been taught, they do not have a spiritual sense and experience of the power of indwelling sin, because they are wholly under its dominion. They do not find darkness and folly in their minds; because they are darkness itself, and darkness reveals nothing. They do not find deadness and disobedience in their hearts and wills to God because they are dead wholly in trespasses and sins. They are at peace with their lusts, by being in bondage to them. And this is the state of most men in the world; which makes them despise all their eternal concerns. Why do men pursue the world with so much greed, that they neglect heaven, and life, and immortality for it, every day? Why do some pursue sensuality with delight? they drink and revel, and have their sports, whatever men may say. Why do so many live so unprofitably under the word, that they understand little of what is spoken to them, practise less of what they understand, and will not be stirred up to answer the mind of God in his calls to them? It is all from this law of sin and its power that rules in men.
It follows that if there is such a law in believers, it is their duty to find it out. The more they find its power, the less they will feel its effects. So much as men find of this law in them, so much they will abhor it and themselves, and be earnest for grace. All watchfulness and diligence in obedience will result from it. On this one hinge, of finding out and experiencing the power of this law of sin, turns the whole course of our lives. Ignorance of it breeds senselessness, carelessness, sloth, security, and pride; all which the Lord abhors. Eruptions into great, open, conscience-wasting, scandalous sins, are from want of a spiritual consideration of this law. Inquire, then, how it is with your souls. What do you find of this law? what experience do you have of its power? Do you find it dwelling in you, always present with you, putting forth its poison at all times, in all your duties, "when you would do good?" What humiliation, what self-abasement, what intenseness in prayer, what diligence, what watchfulness, this calls for! What spiritual wisdom you stand in need of! What supplies of grace, what assistance of the Holy Ghost, you will also find! I fear few of us have a diligence proportional to our danger.
CHAPTER 3.
The seat or subject of the law of sin, the heart – What is meant by it - Properties of the heart as possessed by sin, unsearchable, deceitful - Where that deceit comes from.
HAVING shown that the remainders of indwelling sin in believers is a law, and demonstrated the power of it, we shall now proceed to give particular instances of its working.
FIRST, Its seat and subject;
SECONDLY, Its natural properties; and,
THIRDLY, Its operations and methods.
FIRST, For the seat and subject of this law of sin, the Scripture everywhere says it is the heart. There indwelling sin keeps its especial residence. It has invaded the throne of God himself: Ecclesiastes 9:3, "Madness is in the heart of men while they live." This is the root of all that madness which appears in their lives. Matthew 15:19,
"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies," etc.
There are many outward temptations that befall men, which stir them up to these evils; but they only open the vessel, and let out what is stored in it. The root of all these things is in the heart. Temptations put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before, Hence is that description of the effect of this law of sin, Genesis 6:5, "Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil continually;" so also chap. 8:21. The whole work of the law of sin is here described. And its workshop, is said to be the heart; and so it is called by our Saviour "The evil treasure of the heart:" Luke 6:45, "An evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, brings forth evil things." This treasure is the prevailing principle of moral actions that is in