The flesh lusts against the Spirit
But was he not then freed from all sin, so that there is no sin in his heart? I cannot say this. I cannot believe it, because Saint Paul says the contrary. He is speaking to believers, and describing the state of believers in general, when he says that the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and that these are contrary to one another. Galatians 5:17. Nothing can be more express. The apostle here directly affirms that the flesh, the evil nature, opposes the Spirit, even in believers. Even in the regenerate there are two principles, contrary to one another.
1771 text
III. 1. But was he not then freed from all sin, so that there is no sin in his heart? I cannot say this: I cannot believe it: because St. Paul, says the contrary. He is speaking to believers, and describing the state of believers in general, when he says, The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: these are contrary the one to the other. Gal. v. 17. Nothing can be more express. The apostle here directly affirms, that the flesh, evil nature, opposes the Spirit, even in believers; that even in the regenerate, there are two principles, contrary the one to the other.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
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