V. 1. The sum of all is this. There are in every person, even after he is justified, two contrary principles, nature and grace, termed by St. _Paul_, the _flesh_ and the _Spirit_. Hence altho’ even babes in Christ are _sanctified_, yet it is only _in part_. In a degree, according to the measure of their faith, they are _spiritual_: yet in a degree, they are _carnal_. Accordingly, believers are continually exhorted to watch against the flesh, as well as the world and the devil. And to this agrees the constant experience of the children of God. While they feel this witness in themselves, they feel a will not wholly resigned to the will of God. They know they are in him, and yet find an heart ready to depart from him, a proneness to evil in many instances, and a backwardness to that which is good. The contrary doctrine is wholly _new_; never heard of in the church of Christ, from the time of his coming into the world, ’till the time of count _Zinzendorf_. And it is attended with the most fatal consequences. It cuts off all watching against our evil nature, against the _Delilah_, which we are told is gone, tho’ she is still lying in our bosom. It tears away the shield of weak believers, deprives them of their faith, and so leaves them exposed to all the assaults of the world, the flesh and the devil. 2. Let us therefore hold fast the sound doctrine, _once delivered to the saints_, and delivered down by them with the written word, to all succeeding generations: that altho’ we are renewed, cleansed, purified, sanctified, the moment we truly believe in Christ, yet we are not, then renewed, cleansed, purified altogether: but the _flesh_, the evil nature still _remains_ (though subdued) and wars _against_ the Spirit. So much the more, let us use all diligence, in _fighting the good fight of faith_. So much the more earnestly let us _watch and pray_, against the enemy within. The more carefully let us _take to_ ourselves, and _put on the whole armour of God_: that although _we wrestle_, both _with flesh and blood, and with principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places, we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand_. SERMON XIV. THE REPENTANCE OF BELIEVERS. MARK i. 15. _Repent and believe the gospel._