Neither the regenerate, nor the unregenerate, are free to do all that to which the generally governing principle inclines.  The difference between the renewed, and the unrenewed, is not that the former is free from temptation, the latter overcome by it, at every attack.  Neither is the case.  Both meet with temptation, and often that which is severe.  Each sometimes overcomes; at other times is overcome by it.  But the renewed formed to the habit of attention and watchfulness, and looking to God for help, and acting, in the main, uprightly before God, is usually a conqueror; while the unrenewed, habitually careless, and negligent of watchfulness and prayer, is more often conquered, and hurried into error and wickedness.  The renewed are chiefly restrained by love to God and duty; the unrenewed by fear of punishment; Though fear hath a degree of influence on the former; and other considerations, beside fear, are not wholly, devoid of influence on the latter.

How far a Christian may be influenced by remaining corruption, and carried away by the prevalence of temptation; or how far a sinner may be restrained by the influence of those principles and considerations, which withstand him in his course, we are unable to determine.  That both feel and are influenced by those opposing principles, is not matter of doubt.  We experience it in ourselves, whatever our characters may be; and we observe it in others.  None are so moulded into the divine image, as to become perfect—­neither doth depravity attain so complete an ascendant over any who remain in the body, as to divest them of all restraints, and yield them wholly up to the vicious propensity.  Restraints, yea inward restraints operate in degree, on the most depraved.

This is a mixed state.  The good and the bad are here blended together.  “The wheat and the tares must grow together until the harvest”—­yea not only in every field, but in every heart.  None are perfectly good, or completely bad, while in this world.  The finishing traits of character are referred to that to come.  In that world we expect, that both the righteous and the wicked, will be perfect in their kind —­“the spirits of the just be made perfect”—­those of the opposite character put on the full image of their infernal parent.

IMPROVEMENT.

If those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts, How stands the case with us?  Are we thus made to differ from the wicked world?  Do we love God—­believe on his Son—­ do his commandments, and trust his grace?  Then, “to us to live is Christ, and to die gain.”  Here we must have trials—­this is not our rest.  But the time is short.  Soon we shall be called “from our labors, and our works will follow us,” Soon we shall be with Christ—­behold his glory, and rejoice in his presence.  Happy state!