more: To the impure all things are impure, "even their mind and
conscience is defiled," Tit. i. 15. Do what ye can, ye who are in nature
cannot please God; it is but obedience to the law of sin that is in you.

But 2d, Consider the intenseness and force of his power, how mighty it is
in working against all oppositions whatsoever, unless it be overcome by
almighty power. Nothing but All-might can conquer this power. The spirit
that works in men by nature, is of such activity and efficacy, that it
drives men on furiously, as if they were possessed to their own ruin. How
much hath it of a man's consent! And so it drives him strongly and
irresistibly. Much will, desire, and greediness, will make corruption run
like a river, over all its banks set in the way thereof,--counsel,
persuasion, law, heaven, hell, yet men's corruption must be over all
these. Preaching, threatenings, convictions of conscience, are but as
flaxen ropes to bind a Samson. Sin within easily breaks them. In a word,
no created power is of sufficient virtue to bind the strong man; it must
be one mightier than he, and that is the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Do ye not
see men daily drawn after their lusts, as beasts, following their senses
as violently as a horse rusheth to the battle! If there be any gain or
advantage to oil the wheels of affection, O how men run headlong! There is
no crying will hold them. In sum, sin is become all one with us; it is
incorporate into the man, and become one with his affections, and then
these command.

Sermon VIII.

Verse 2.--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death."

That whereabout the thoughts and discourses of men now run, is freedom and
liberty, or bondage and slavery. All men are afraid to lose their
liberties, and be made servants to strangers. And indeed liberty, whether
national or personal, even in civil respects, is a great mercy and
privilege. But alas! men know not, neither do they consider, what is the
ground and reason of such changes, and from what fountain it flows, that a
nation for a long time free from a foreign yoke, should now be made to
submit their necks unto it. Many wonder that our nation, unconquered in
the days of ignorance and darkness, should now be conquered in the days of
the gospel; and there want not many ungodly spirits, that will rather
impute the fault unto the reformation of religion, than take it to
themselves