What it is to mortify a sin in general, which will make farther way for particular directions, is nextly to be considered. An habitual weakening of it.
Every lust is a depraved habit or disposition, continually inclining the heart to evil.
He is always under the power of a strong bent and inclination to sin. We will suppose, then, the lust or distemper whose mortification is inquired after to be in itself a strong, deeply-rooted, habitual inclination and bent of will and affections unto some actual sin, as to the matter of it, though not, under formal consideration, always stirring up imaginations, thoughts, and contrivances about the object of it. I might manifest fully, from that description we have of it, Rom. 7, how it will darken the mind, extinguish convictions, dethrone reason, interrupt the power and influence of any considerations that may be brought to hamper it, and break through all into a flame. But this is not my present business.