00.6. PREFACE.

PREFACE.

It has been always owned in the church of God that the doctrine of original sin is one of the fundamental truths of our Christian profession; and it is an especial part of that particular possession of truth which those enjoy, whose religion towards God is built upon and resolved into divine revelation. Just as the world never knew God correctly by its wisdom, so its wise men were always utterly ignorant of this inbred evil in themselves and others. With us, the doctrine and conviction of this truth lie in the very foundation of all those things in which we have to deal with God, whether in reference to our pleasing him here, or obtaining the enjoyment of him hereafter. It is also known what influence this truth has upon the great truths concerning the person of Christ, his mediation, the fruits and effects of it, along with all the benefits that we are made partakers of by it. Without a supposition of original sin, none of them can be truly known or savingly believed. For this reason, it has been largely addressed by many holy and learned men, both of old and of latter days. Some have labored in the discovery of its nature, others in the discovery of its guilt and demerit — by whom also, the truth concerning it has been vindicated from the opposition made to it in past and present ages. These things have been considered by most in their full extent and latitude: with respect to all men by nature, and with the estate and condition of those who are wholly under the power and guilt of it. It has also been fully evinced7 by many, how men are thereby disenabled and incapacitated in themselves to answer the obedience required either in the law or the gospel, so as to free themselves from the curse of the one, or to make themselves partakers of the blessing of the other. Moreover, it has been fully taught and confirmed that there are remainders of original sin abiding in believers after their regeneration and conversion to God — as the Scripture abundantly testifies; also how the guilt of it is pardoned for them, and by what means its power is weakened in them. All these things, I say, have been largely addressed, to the great benefit and edification of the church. In what we now design, we therefore take all this for granted; and we endeavor only to further carry on the discovery of its actings and oppositions to the law and grace of God in believers. Nor do I intend discussing anything that has been controverted8 about it. What the Scripture plainly reveals and teaches concerning it — what believers find evidently by their own experience, and what they may learn from the examples and acknowledgments of others — will be represented in a way suited to the capacity of the lowliest and weakest believer who is concerned about it. Many things seem to render handling it not unnecessary in these times. Its effects and fruits, which we see in the apostasies and backslidings of many, the scandalous sins and miscarriages of some, and the course and lives of most, seem to call for its due consideration. Besides, it will appear in our progress, how great concern it is to believers to have a full and clear acquaintance with the power of this indwelling sin (the matter designed to be opened), to stir them up to watchfulness and diligence, to faith and prayer, and to call them to repentance, humility, and self-abasement. These, in general, were the ends aimed at in the ensuing discourse, which was at first composed and delivered for the use and benefit of a few; but it is now made public by the providence of God. And if the reader receives any advantage by these weak endeavors, let him know that it is his duty to give glory to God; and by his prayers, to help those — in their many temptations and afflictions — who are willing to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, a work to which they are called.