The old man – Thomas Brooks

In every regenerate man, there are two men an old man and a new man; or if you please, flesh and spirit. Romans 7.

The old man, the fleshly part, will incline the soul, and bias the soul, as well to sins against the gospel, as to sins against the law, and to great sins as well as small sins; witness Noah’s drunkenness, Lot’s incest, Asa’s oppression, David’s murder and adultery, Solomon’s idolatry, and Peter’s blasphemy.

The old man, the fleshly part, is as much in the will as in any other part of the regenerate man; and therefore, when he falls into heinous sins, he may fall into them with consent, delight, and willingness, so far as his will is unrenewed. Though a real Christian is changed in every part yet it is but in part and imperfect.

The old man, the fleshly part, is in a regenerate man’s members, as well as in his will, and therefore they may be exercised and employed in and about those sins they have consented unto.

High sinnings injure and wound the conscience of a regenerate man, and lay him open to the sore rebukes of God, and call for great repentance, and fresh and frequent applications of the blood of Christ.