5. From the same ignorance of himself and God there may sometimes arise in the natural man a kind of _joy_, in congratulating himself, upon his own wisdom and goodness. And what the world calls joy, he may often possess. He may have pleasure in various kinds; either in gratifying the desires of the flesh, or the desire of the eye, or the pride of life: particularly if he has large possessions; if he enjoy an affluent fortune. Then he may _cloath_ himself _in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day_. And _so long as_ he thus _doth well unto himself, men will_ doubtless _speak good of_ him. They will say, he is a happy man: for indeed this is the sum of worldly happiness: to dress, and visit, and talk, and eat, and drink, and rise up to play. 6. It is not surprizing, if one in such circumstances as these, dozed with the opiates of flattery and sin, should imagine; among his other waking dreams, that he walks in great _liberty_. How easily may he persuade himself, that he is at liberty from all _vulgar errors_, and from the _prejudice_ of education, judging exactly right, and keeping clear of all extremes. “I am free (may he say) from all the _enthusiasm_ of weak and narrow souls: from _superstition_, the disease of fools and cowards, always righteous over much; and from _bigotry_, continually incident to those who have not a free and generous way of thinking.” And too sure it is, that he is altogether free, from the _wisdom which cometh from above_, from holiness, from the religion of the heart, from the whole mind which was in Christ. 7. For all this time, he is the servant of sin. He commits sin, more or less, day by day. Yet he is not troubled: He “is in no bondage;” (as some speak) he feels no condemnation. He contents himself, (even tho’ he should profess to believe that the Christian revelation is of God) with, “Man is frail. We are all weak. Every man has his infirmity.” Perhaps he quotes scripture: “Why, does not _Solomon_ say, ‘The righteous man falls into sin seven times a day?’ And doubtless, they are all hypocrites or enthusiasts who pretend to be better than their neighbours.” If at any time a serious thought fix upon him, he stifles it as soon as possible, with, “Why should I fear, since God is merciful, and Christ died for sinners?” Thus he remains a willing servant of sin, content with the bondage of corruption; inwardly and outwardly unholy, and satisfied therewith; not only not conquering sin, but not striving to conquer, particularly that sin, which doth so easily beset him. 8. Such is the state of every _natural man_; whether he be a gross, scandalous transgressor, or a more reputable and decent sinner, having the form, tho’ not the power of godliness. But how can such an one be _convinced of sin_? How is he brought to _repent_? To be _under the law_? To receive the _spirit of bondage unto fear_? This is the point which is next to be consider’d.