There are uncontrollable evidences of the dominion of sin in men, some whereof I shall mention, and only mention, because they need neither proof nor illustration.
1. It is so where sin hath possessed the will. And it hath possessed the will when there are no restraints from sinning taken from its nature but its consequents only.
2. When men proclaim their sins and hide them not; when they boast in them and of them, as it is with multitudes
3. Approve of themselves in any known sin, without renewed repentance; as drunkenness, uncleanness, swearing, and the like
4. Live in the neglect of religious duties in their closets and families; whence all their public attendance unto them is but hypocrisy
5. Have an enmity to true holiness, and the power of godliness
6. Are visible apostates from profession, especially if they add, as is usual, persecution to their apostasy
7. Are ignorant of the sanctifying principles of the gospel and Christian religion
8. Are despisers of the means of conversion
9. Live in security under open providential warnings and calls to repentance
10. Are enemies in their minds unto the true interest of Christ in the world.
Where these things and the like are found, there is no question what it is that hath dominion and bears rule in the minds of men, all men may easily know, as the apostle declares, Rom. vi. 16.
(Dominion of sin and grace - see Vol 7 of Works)
No comments:
Post a Comment