1. As to the former of these, to wit, the corruption of nature; this must be considered as contrary to the law of God, and consequently forbidden in this Commandment. The Pelagians and Papists, indeed, pretend that the law of God only respects the corruption of our actions which is to be checked and restrained thereby; and not the internal habits or principle from whence they proceed; accordingly they take an estimate hereof from human laws, which only respect the overt acts of sin, and not those internal inclinations and dispositions which persons have to commit it: But when we speak of the divine laws, we must not take our plan from thence; for though man can only judge of outward actions, God judgeth the heart; and therefore that sin which reigns there, cannot but be, in the highest degree, offensive to him; and though the corruption of our nature cannot be altogether prevented or extirpated, by any prescription in the divine law; yet, this is the means which God takes, to reprove and humble us for it, Rom. vii. 9. _Object._ It is objected that the apostle James, in chap. i. 15. distinguishes between lust and sin; _when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin_; therefore the corruption of nature is not properly sin; and, consequently not forbidden by the law. _Answ._ To this it may be replied; that lust may be distinguished from sin, as the habit or corrupt principle is from the act which it produces; and therefore, the apostle’s meaning in this scripture is, that lust, or irregular desires, are first conceived in the heart; and then actual sins proceed from them in the life; and both of them are abhorred by God, and contrary to his law: And they seem to be forbidden, in particular, in this tenth Commandment. Here we may observe the various methods that corrupt nature takes, in order to its producing and bringing forth sinful actions. First, the temptation is offered, either by Satan, or the world, with a specious pretence of some advantage which may arise from our compliance with it; and, at the same time we consider not whether it be lawful or unlawful; and regard not the threatnings that should deter us from it. And, we sometimes take occasion, from the pernicious examples of the falls and miscarriages of others, to venture on the commission of the same sins; pretending that they are, many of them, more acquainted with scripture, than we are; and there seems to be no ill consequence attending their commission of those sins: therefore, why may we not give way to them? And also, that many, who have had more fortitude and resolution than we can pretend to, have been overcome by the same temptations; therefore it is in vain for us to strive against them.