But while the apostle vindicates the doctrine of grace, and shews its beneficial influence on the morals of men, care is taken to guard against mistakes on the other hand—­not to give occasion to consider renewing grace as wholly eradicating the principles of depravity, and putting an end, at once to the spiritual context.  This subject is treated more largely in the epistle to the Romans.* But the opposition of natural and gracious principles, is here mentioned, and some of its effects described.  “The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

* Chapter vii.

In every man, whatever may be his character, there are different principles, which, struggle and contend with one another.  The natural man feels a bias to wickedness, and wishes to indulge his depraved inclinations.  But reason forbids, and conscience remonstrates, and warns him to beware what he doth—­reminds him that to yield to passion is wrong—­to indulge appetite unreasonably is sinful—­that for these things God will bring him into judgment.  Thus the principles implanted in the mind, by the God of nature, withstand the sinner in his way, and resist him in his course; they hold him back and restrain him from gratifying his natural desires—­from doing that to which he is inclined, and hath power to do.  By this means he is prevented from giving full latitude to his corruptions; yea, he is sometimes influenced to do good.  Herod was a vile character; but “he feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him he did many things, and heard him gladly.” * Many similar instances might be adduced.  There is not a sinner who doth not feel the natural bias, and the power of reason and conscience, driving and contending within him; and sometimes the one prevails to influence his conduct, and sometimes the other.

* Mark vi. 20.

Neither is the Christian free from similar struggles.  Reason and conscience have naturally the same power in him which they have in others.  The corrupt bias, is also weakened in renovation; yea receives a deadly wound.  But it is not immediately destroyed.  Still its influence is felt, and its effects observed.  Sometimes it evinceth so much power, that its deadly wound seems to be healed.  Reason and conscience, strengthened by renewing grace, ordinarily prevail over indwelling depravity; but not without a struggle, as every Christian can testify—­neither do the better principles always conquer.  Sometimes the opposing principles, or powers, prevail, and lead to error and wickedness.  Thus “the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh—­so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”