10. It is their experiencing this which has inclined so many serious persons, to understand the latter part of the seventh chapter to the _Romans_, not of them that _are under the law_, that are convinced of sin, which is undoubtedly the meaning of the apostle, but of them that _are under grace_, that are _justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ_. And it is most certain, they are thus far right: there does still _remain_ even in them that are justified, a _mind_ which is in some measure _carnal_; (so the apostle tells even the believers at _Corinth_, _Ye are carnal_:) an _heart bent to backsliding_, still ever ready to _depart from the living God_: a propensity to pride, self-will, anger, revenge, love of the world, yea and all evil; a root of bitterness, which if the restraint were taken off for a moment, would instantly spring up: yea, such a depth of corruption, as without clear light from God, we cannot possibly conceive. And a conviction of all this sin _remaining_ in their hearts, is the repentance which belongs to them that are justified. 11. But we should likewise be convinced, that as sin remains in our hearts, so it _cleaves_ to all our words and actions. Indeed it is to be feared that many of our words are more than mixt with sin; that they are sinful all together; for such undoubtedly is all _uncharitable conversation_: all which does not spring from brotherly love, all which does not agree with that golden rule, _What ye would that others should do to you, even so do unto them_. Of this kind is all backbiting, all tale-bearing, all whispering, all evil-speaking; that is, repeating the faults of absent persons: for none would have others repeat his faults when he is absent. Now how few are there, even among believers, who are in no degree guilty of this? Who steddily observe the good, old rule, “Of the dead and the absent――nothing but good.” And suppose they do, do they likewise abstain from _unprofitable conversation_? Yet all this is unquestionably sinful, and _grieves the holy Spirit of God_. Yea, and _for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account in the day of judgment_.