The Anatomy of Secret Sins, Chapter 4
PSAL. 19. 13.
Keep back thy ſervant alſo from preſumptuous ſinnes; let them not have dominion over me.
CHAP. IV.
HAving handled Davids prayer againſt ſin, as lying in preſumption, now I ſhall touch on it, as it doth reſpect ſin in Dominion, [Let them not have dominion over me:]
There may be divers conjectures about the connexion and depending ſenſe of theſe words.Two Expoſitions of the words.
Firſt, As if they were a diſtant petition, q. d. Lord, I pray unto thee againſt high kinds of ſinning, and perhaps I may ſometimes be laid flat by them, but then I deſire of thee that though they ſtrike me down, yet they 1. As a diſtinct petition.may not rule over me: though I ſtoop, yet I may not ſerve; though I fall, yet I may not lie, and reſt; though they may be ſometimes ſo ſtrong as to over-come, yet never ſo full as to reign, let them not have Dominion over me.
Secondly, As if they are but the ſame petitions greatly inforced, q. d. O Lord, I beſeech thee to keep back thy ſervant 2. As the ſame petition inforced.from preſumptuous ſins: all ſins are bad, and inglorious, and foul, but none ſo as they, they are high tranſgreſſions, therefore I beſeech thee, let them not have Dominion, (i.) never ſuffer them to prevail over me, never let them enter into my ſoul, or life, let them never over-come me, let them not over-take me, let me never commit them. Now which way of theſe you conjecture the ſenſe of the words may be aimed at; it requires accurateneſs to determine, and cut the thred; For my part, I think that both may be commodious, and are pious, though the latter to me doth ſeem more genuine; yet in this I eaſily ſubmit to better Judgements.
FOR the words themſelves, this is evident, that they expreſs the ſpirit of holy David, as vehemently carried againſt preſumptuous ſins in Dominion; for the better diſcuſſing of them, I ſhall inquire theſe particulars.
1. What Dominion of ſin here may import, Four things▪wherein it conſiſts.
2. Whether ſins in Dominion may befall a David?
3. Why David prayes ſo againſt it?
4. Then ſome uſefull applications.