Amplification XIII An Use of Confutation how to be amplified An Use of Confutation may be thus amplified 1. By a plain narration and description of the errour to be refuted and that as year as may be in the very words used by the Adversary 2. By shewing how contrary the Doctrine in hand and the point to be confuted are each to other and how they cannot stand together 3. By taking away such idle distinctions as the Adversary haply doth or may use to reconcile them Or if no shift be yet by a concession that if it were as they say and think yet that would not follow which they intend XIII How an Use of confirmation and instruction is to be amplified An Use of Conformation of the truth and Instruction to rest in it may be amplified after the same manner that the former 1. By declaring the Point to be confirmed 2. By shewing directly that it must needs follow upon the Point in hand 3. By answering such Cavils as are or may be brought against it XV. How to amplifie an Use of Reproof An Use of Reproof may be amplified 1. By a clear describing of the parties to be reproved namely they that do so and so offend that no man may exempt himself that is guilty and here it will be best and most fit to use the very words of Scripture 2. By declaring certain Adjuncts of the fault viz. 1. The Commonness of it whereby the Reproof will appear to be needfull and therefore the more to be attended unto 2. The Dangerousness of it to the Soul Body Name Estate of every of which it 's fit to give one or more pregnant examples 3. The Unfitness and unbeseeming of it in respect of our Profession Age Calling c. 4. The Easiness or Hardness of leaving it hereby to make such as are guilty ashamed not to overcome or diligent to resist And here the means would be propounded to keep against it 3. By meeting with such Cavils as are used in defence thereof or any Objection that may be made against the Reproof which yet must be done with the spirit of meekness to prevent an occasion of grief to any weak heart XVI An Use of admonition or exhortation how to be amplified An Use of Admonition or Exhortation to the practice of a vertue must be amplified 1. By a lively description of the thing and parties to whom and of which the Exhortation is made and is tob e pressed 2. By a Declaration of the profit commodity and benefit that will arise from such practice and here an example is very fit and convenient as also of the possibility of attaining to the vertue by striving where the means furthering the performance of the duty must be declared 3. By meeting with doubts and objections that may be made against the duty or why a man should not do it XVII An Us of Comfort how to be amplified An Use of Comfort may be amplified 1. By a description of the parties to whom it belongeth and that clearly that no man may abuse himself 2. By a declaration of the Comfort it self how needful certain great constant it is and here also examples are of great force 3. By meeting with the loose conclusions of carnal men and setting them down in brief by shewing how the comfort doth not appertain to them and also of the doubts that a tender heart will never move against it answering them lovingly where are to be shewed the notes of the vertue that is the foundation of the Comfort XVIII A Caveat about the kindes and order of amplifications It is not necessary to use all the kindes of Amplifications but such of them as shall appear most convenient nor to use them all in order but so as shall be best to delight teach and move the hearer XIX The Conclusion of the Uses how to be ordered The Conclusion of all Uses is alike by an Apostrophe wherein the most worthy things must be in some variety of speech repeated and urged upon every several soul with Interrogations more or less earnest as the Point requireth And if it may be the whole ended with some pithy Apophonema or the like XX. A necessary direction about the Uses All Points afford not every one of those Uses or if they do yet some one of them most principally which must be handled more largely and the rest more briefly delivered And the Minister must be sure to use as well Instruction and Comfort as Reproof else the hearer will think hardly of him FINIS A briefe of the ensuing TREATISE CHAP. I. Deciphereth the enemy to be encountred from its I. Nature 1 A secret sinne 2 Sinne. 3 The lusts of the flesh 4 Enmity against God 5 The vanity of the minde 6 Earthly members II. Places of residence 1 Flesh 2 The deeds of the body 3 The desires of the flesh and of the minde III. Time of manifestation 1 The evill imagination of mans heart from his youth 2 The since wherein we are conceived and borne IV. Continuance 1 Sinne that dwelleth in one 2 The old man V. Power 1 Strong holds 2 The sinne which doth so easily beset us and hangeth so fast on us VI. Effects 1 An uncleane thing 2 The body of sinne 3 The motions of finne 4 A warring law in our members 5 The body of death 6 The lusts of concupiscence 7 The deceitfulnesse of sinne 8 A root of bitternesse 9 Entising lust VII Aime and end 1 The law of sinne in our members 2 The body of death Those it names profitably serving for the discovery of the same as by the conclusions deduced therefrom plainly appeareth CHAP. II. Declareth that the flesh with the inordilusts and affections thereof is to be encountered Where is shewed What it is to encounter it in Scripture phrase How God out of his goodnesse towards us answerable unto the severall forementioned names of this our enemy instructeth us how to deal with the same CHAP. III. 〈…〉 the persons by whom the flesh with its lusts and off 〈…〉 encountered viz. The children of God On whom alone God is pleased to bestow the grace of mortification Vnto whom alone the meanes tending thereunto become effectuall Who alone in truth labour for mortification CHAP. IV. Sbeweth the reasons why the flesh with its lusts and affections is to be encountered There in respect of Its Nature Its Effects shamefull harmfull for body posterity goods good name Our selves 1 So vowed in Baptisme 2 Called with an holy calling 3 Professe our selves Gods children 4 If we live after the flesh shall die 5 At the length shall 〈…〉 6 The more we yeeld the worse Others God Sinne is his enemy It grieveth him He injoyneth this duty Christs Others Death Others Christs Worke of redemption Others Christs Blood Others Christs Himselfe Spirit Tempted Others Spirit Grieved Others Spirit Quenched Others Spirit Absenteth himselfe The holy Angels The Saints Dead Alive The wicked Not fit patterns of imitation Others The
members The time of its manifestation Names from the time of its manifestation so it is termed 1. Gen. 8.21 The evill imagination of mans heart from his youth or infancie and childs age the word whence youth here is derived being spoken of Moses when he was a babe Exo. 2.6 the same being in us from the very houre wherein wee are formed then especially first shewing it selfe when we first begin actually to sinne 2. The sinne wherein wee are conceived and borne as in that of the Psalmist Psal 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquitie and in sinne did my mother conceive me and againe Psal 58.3 The wicked are estranged from the wombe they goe astray so soone as they bee borne speaking lies To this purpose Isaiah Isai 48.8 For I knew that thou wouldest deale very treacherously and wast called a transgressour from the wombe It s continuance Names from its continuance so is it termed 1. Sinne that dwelleth in one Now then it is no more I that doe it Rom. 7.17 saith S. Paul but sinne that dwelleth in me 1 Ioh. 1.8 If we say we have no sinne saith S. Iohn wee deceive our selves and the truth is not in us To which purpose S. Iames. Iam. 3.2 In many things wee sinne all Our Saviour for this cause directeth us dayly to pray and forgive us our sinnes Mat. 6.12 As a bold saucie quarrelsome inmate it will though but as a slavish Gibeonite whilst we dwell here dwell in us 2. The Old man Eph. 4.22 as in that unto the Ephesians That ye put off concerning the former conversation the Olde man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and unto the Colossians Col. 3.9 Lie not one to another seeing that yee have put off the Old man with his Workes Yet in other respects also it may bee thus termed Why toâ—med the old man As 1. in respect of our state of corruption which in the renewed estate we change so that our condition after calling is said to bee new and our disposition before calling to bee old 2. in respect of the effects thereof as well in the godly as the ungodly the godly in whom it waxeth old and withereth more and more daily by the power of Christ in them the ungodly in whom it spends the strength and vigour of the faculties of their soules making them more and more withered and deformed in Gods sight as in like manner upon their bodies it hasteneth old age and death It s power Names from its power 2 Cor. 10.4 so is it termed 1. Strong holds for the weapons of our warfare are not carnall saith S. Paul but mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds Strong holds wee know are neither easily nor quickly pulled downe some one having for many months together stood out against the furious batteries of most puissant Princes Such are our inbred corruptions words will not make them affraid and if cowardly or without our warlike engins weapons and armour we assaile them they will but flout us for our labour faith knowledge hope prayer teares sighes groanes c. will have enough to doe ere those holds be pulled downe 2. Heb. 12.1 The sinne which doth so easily beset us and hangeth so fast on us whereof of our selves we can no more be rid then a little childe is able to encounter a Gyant which sticking as it were in our marrow and bones wee are as unable to shake off as the black-more his colour or the leopard his spots Its effects Names from its effects so it is termed 1. Iob. 14.4 Why termed an uncleane thing An uncleanething Who can bring a cleane thing out of an uncleane saith Iob uncleane as in its owne nature being contrary unto God who is holines and puritie it selfe so in respect of us who are defiled thereby according to that of our Saviour Mat 15.18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile the man 2. Rom. 6.6 The body of sinne as not onely being in it selfe a monstrous body in which respect the names of Serpents Why termed the body of sinne Vipers Lyons Bears ravening Wolves wild Swine Asses c. are in Scripture ascribed unto those in whom there is nothing else but flesh and corruption but also daily bringing forth in us a monstrous brood of noysome lusts by all meanes provoking egging and inticing us to fulfill the same 3. The motions of sinne Rom. 7.5 Why termed the motions of sinne as which are continually stirred up by in-borne corruption in the heart and in the minde and doe incite a man and as it were sollicite him to sinne which being in themselves sinfull and comming from sinne so they egge unto sinne and beget workes which are sinfull hence Saint Paul describing simple women that are carried away as a prey by cunning seducers thus speaks of them 2 Tim. 3.6 that they are led with divers lusts that is as the word signifieth acted and moved impelled and driven this way and that way by many evill motions and lusts 4. Ro. 7.23 A warring law in our members even a law in our members warring against the law of our minde and bringing us into captivitie to the law of sinne which is in our members whereunto is agreeable that of Saint Peter 1 Pet. 2.11 Abstaine from fleshly lusts which warre against the soule Gal. 5.17 and that of S. Paul unto the Galathians The flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other 5. Ro. 7.24 The body of death O wretched man that I am saith S. Paul who shall deliver me from the body of this death Why termed a body of death A body of death as being a deadly thing deserving both temporal and eternall death as working the death both of body and soule Iam. 1.14.15 as engendring and bringing forth a brood of deadly sinnes Heb. 6.1 being nothing else but dead workes as being a most deformed and mis-shapen body yea destined to everlasting death condemned to die Gal. 5.24 and to death must goe 6. The lust of concupiscence 1 Thes 4.5 as elsewhere evill concupiscence Col 3.5 as being the loathsome fountaine whence the filthy streames of uncleannesse abundantly flow 7. Heb. 3.13 The deceitfulnesse of sinne as unto the Ephesians deceitfull lusts Eph. 4.22 as which in the end notwithstanding of all their faire shewes Why termed deceitfull and goodly pretences will certainely delude and coozen us if wee repose any confidence therein 8. Heb. i2 i5 A root of bitternes which springing up in us doth both trouble and defile us dayly producing in us much bitter fruit the corrupt fruit of evill 9. Iam. 1.14 Entising lust But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of
his owne lust and entised saith Saint Iames. Entising as well endevoreth no lesse to intrap us then Dalilah did Samson Thamar Iudah fishers and fowlers by their baits fishes and fowles It s ayme and end Names from its ayme and end Rom. 1.23 so is it termed The law of sinne in our members as which would as a law domineere over us So also The body of death as which would bring upon us death both the first and the second death corporall spirituall and eternall This our naturall corruption those our inordinate lusts and affections under what forme soever by what name soever warring against us are wee valiantly to encounter Conclusions drawn from the names whereby this our enemy is decyphered yea those very names ascribed thereunto do not a little further us in the discovery of the same as by our reviewing of them may thus appeare 1. Rom. 8.7 If it bee enmitie against God Rom. 7.24 and the body of death then it is one of the three great enemies of God and mans salvation 2. Rom. 7.17 Rom. 7.23 If it bee sinne that dwelleth in one and the law of sinne in our members then it is a domesticall and so a more dangerous enemie 3. Psa 19.12 Rom. 8.21 Psal 51.5 Col. 3.9 Rom. 7.8 If it be a secret sinne the evill imagination of mans heart from his youth the sinne wherein wee are conceived and borne the Old man sin out of measure sinfull then as there is no small skill to be used to finde it out so in like manner is not the same to be slighted 4. Gal. 5.24 Ro. 13.14 Col. 3.5 Ro. 8.13 Eph. 2.3 If it be the flesh the lusts of the flesh Earthly members The deeds of the body The desires of the flesh and of the mind Then is the same pleasing unto flesh and blood after an especiall manner delightfull unto mans corrupt nature 5. If it be strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4 Heb. 12.1 Rom. 7.24 the sinne that doth so easily beset us a warring law in our members then it is powerfull not easie to be overcome 6. If it be the motions of sin Iam. 1.14 and entising lust then will not it let us alone though wee would peaceably entertaine the same 7. Eph. 4.17 Heb. 3.13 If it be the vanitie of the minde the deceitfulnesse of sin deceitfull lusts Eph. 4.22 then how pleasing soever for the present will it in the end prove treacherous unto us 8. If it be an uncleane thing Iob. 14.4 Ro. 6.6 a monstrous mis-shapen body of sinne then is it that whereof wee are to bee ashamed and which is of us both to be abhorred and loathed 9. Heb. 12 i5 If it be a roote of bitternesse then as there is no true pleasure to be found therein and it selfe is the ground of all actuall transgressions whether in word or deed which are daily stirred up thereby so if it be not daily wrought upon and the branches therof lopt off by the axe of Gods word the same will prove so hard and the branches thereof so many so great and so wreathed together that our after-labour will be but labour in vaine Thus of the enemie to bee encountred with the names of treachery tyranny crueltie sensualitie and guile so plainly as it were in capitall letters written on its forehead that hee that runneth may reade them and accordingly avoid the danger And so of the first particular CHAP. II. That the Flesh with the lusts and affections therof is to be encountred NO smal difference there is betweene our temporall and spirituall adversaries Differences betweene our temporall and spirituall enemies with those wee both may and must be reconciled with these to admit of reconciliation is no lesse impossible then unlawfull Those may love us and how soever we must love them These will alwaies hate us and we must alwaies hate them with those we may for a long time live in peace howsoever carry our selves peaceably towards them with these wee both are and must be daily at deadly feud yea though wee would let them alone yet will not they let us alone and by our not encountring them doe we encourage them the more eagerly and fiercely to set upon us Such is the flesh a deadly daily trecherous tyrannicall domesticall guilfull enemy it daily and by severall waies would destroy us accordingly must we daily and duly desire and seek its ruine 2 Cor. i0 5 casting downe imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivitie every thought to the obedience of Christ A dutie which is in the Scripture both commanded and commended the true nature thereof being both largely and significantly pourtrayed therein as also the constant practise thereof under most Exhortations unto Repentance renovation regeneration mortification and the like implicitely urged This is To deny our selves Mat. i6 24 To make our selves spiritually Eunuchs for the Kingdome of Heavens sake Mat. 19.12 To forsake all that a man hath u. 14.33 To be dead to sinne Rom. 6.2 To be baptised into Christs death Ro. 6.3.4 and buried with him by baptisme into death To be circumcised Col. 2 11. with the circumcision made without hands To hate our life in this world Ioh. i2 25 To enter in at the strait gate Mat. 7.13 To make a covenant with our eyes Iob. 31.1 set a watch about the dore of our lips Psal i4i 3 rule our spirit Pro. 16.32 and take heede to our wayes To be turned from darknes to light Psal 39.1 and from the power of Sathan unto God Act. 26.18 To arise from the dead Eph. 5.14 To break up our fallow ground Ier. 4.3 To circumcise our selves to the Lord Ier. 4.4 and take away the foreskinne of our heart To wash our heart from wickednesse Ier. 4.14 To loath our selves for the evils which wee have committed in all our abominations Ezek. 6.9 To rent our hearts Ioel. 2.13 and turne unto the Lord our God To deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 To keepe under our body i Cor. 9.27 and bring it into subjection To suffer in the flesh and cease from sinne 1 Pet. 4.1 To sell all that we have Mat. i3 44 and buy the field with the treasure therein To forget our owne people Psal 45 i0 and our fathers house Yea such is the goodnesse of God towards us that under what name soever after what manner soever this our enemy commeth against us we are instructed how to deale with the same and avoid the foile Behold it commeth against us with its name written on its fore-head How readest thou The evill imagination of mans heart from his youth Gen. 8.21 Wee must not walke any more after the imagination of our evill heart Ier. 3.17 Ier. 4.14 vaine thoughts
Pro. i7 22 for amerry heart doth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones as David found by experience Psal 32.3.4 To our posterity Posterity as the examples of Pharaoh Ahab Ieroboam Iehu with others manifest according to that of Moses from the Lord. Deut. 28.18 If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God c. cursed shall be the fruit of thy body In Hell when many both Parents and Children shall meet these may blame those as the especiall cause of their Condemnation Goods both directly and indirectly To our goods directly Pro. 6.26 as because of the whorish Woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread whereof the Prodigall Sonne had particular experience Luc. 15.16 Indirectly as which bringeth a curse upon the goods which they have painefully gotten by gracelesse children Unfaithfull servants costly tho fruitlesse Physicke and such like So that often Hag. 1.6 what they earne is put as it were in a bagge with holes Eccles 2.6 and what they painfully gather is heaped up to give to him that is good before God Yea sometimes it falleth out that a man to whom God hath given riches Eccles 6.2 and treasures and honour and he wanteth nothing to his soule of all that he desireth yet God giveth him not power to eate thereof but a strange man shall eat it agreeable to that of Iob. Iob. 27 i6.17 Though he should heape up silver as the dust and prepare rayment as the clay he may prepare it but the just shall put it on and the innocent shall divide the silver Iob. 20 i5 As a little before Hee hath devoured substance and hee shall vomit it for God shall draw it out of his belly yea God maketh their Table a snare unto them Psal 69.22 To our good name Good name according to that of the Wise man The name of the wicked shall rot Pro. 10.7 and that of Iob He shall perish for ever like his dung Iob. 20.7 It makes them odious both to God and good men Is not the Flesh then with the lusts and affections therof to be encountred Is not the same to be mortified as in regard of its nature so the wofull and dangerous effects of the same Our selves Reasons from our selves First because wee have so promised and vowed in Baptisme as also often renewed the same at our participatiō of the Lords Supper even to forsake the Devill and all his workes the pomps and vanities of the wicked world and all the sinfull lusts of the Flesh If then wee would not become forsworne and perjured persons as it were Souldiers forsaking their colours casting downe their weapons and running away from their Captaine we must faithfully keepe touch in the performance of our Covenant accordingly arming our selves to this battell Secondly because wee are called with an holy Calling i Pet. 1.14 As obedient children saith Saint Peter not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance but as he which hath called you is holy so be yee holy in all manner of conversation Because it is written be yee holy for I am holy Thirdly Because we professe our selves to bee the children of GOD and so consequently enemies unto our owne corruptions Rom. 8 7. which are enmitie against GOD. Fourthly Rom. 8.13 because If wee live after the Flesh we shall die but if through the Spirit we doe mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live Fiftly Because at the length we shall be victorious against the same God will so accept of our weake endevours that he will more enable us to hold on yea so strengthen us that through him wee shall do valiantly in crucifying this Old man mortifying these earthly members subduing this body of Sin and putting to death this body of death We are weake indeed in our selves Rom. 8 3i but if God be with us who can prevaile against us not Goliah against David our gyant-like sinnes against us being under the Almighties protection and clothed with the Armour of God Sixtly because the more we yeeld unto our lusts Pro. 30 i5 the more will they insult over us being so unreasonable that they are never satisfied like the horsleech whereof the Wiseman speaketh that the more it is given the more it craves and is never satisfied like the fire which the more is cast into it burneth the more yea 2 Per. 1.4 notwithstanding whatsoever corruption is in the World hath proceeded from lust yet is not contented but still desireth to corrupt more If thou give it an inch it will take an ell if it can get but in its head it wil quickly wind in its whole body If it once take possession of the Soule it will not be an easie matter to dispossesse the same entertainest thou it in any measure it will quickly force thee to give it good entertainment Others GOD. Reasons from others GOD. First because Sinne is Gods enemie Every Lust hath in it the seed of Rebellion and as it increaseth so rebellion increaseth Secondly because the same grieveth him as which opposeth his Mercy Truth Patience love and every thing else in him Simil. if we must not doe that which will grieve our earthly Parents much lesse that which grieveth the God of Heaven Thirdly because he enjoyneth us to performe this Dutie whose Commandements doe not admit of a Dispensation yea binde our Consciences and impose upon our Soules a necessity of doing what he commands Christ CHRIST Whose death through our sinfull lusts is despised his worke of Redemption vilified his most precious blood troad under foot and himselfe as it were pull'd downe from Heaven and crucified afresh The Spirit SPIRIT Who is hereby extreamly both tempted grieved and quenched yea forced to withdraw it selfe as it were and to forbeare those comfortable operations which it did once worke for our good insomuch as at length wee shall have no feeling of it and scarce bee able to discerne whether it bee in us at all yea or no. The holy Angels The holy Angels Who rejoycing at the conversion of sinners doe therefore grieve at their impenitencie The Saints departed The Saints departed As whose consummation of blisse is through us hindered for if wee belong unto God they without us cannot be glorified if Reprobates our sinnes must be ripe and come to the height ere everlasting judgements shall bee inflicted on us till which time neither can they be perfectly glorified Alive Alive As who grieve at our impieties mourne for the abominations by us committed The wicked The wicked First because they walke after their lusts Col. 3.7 whose lives are not fit patternes for our imitation Secondly because through our wickednesse they will be the more encouraged to goe on in Sinne as the Israelites by the evill example of Elies Sonnes 1 Sam. 2.17
raigning bosome sinne May not an house set on fire in any one part bee at the length burnt to ashes as well as if it had beene set on fire in sundry places will not one cord as well hang a thiefe as many may not Saul be as really slain by his one one sword 1 Sam. 31.4 as hee had beene if every Philistim had given him a stab with a severall one nay further May not a Naile in the hand of Iael as well destroy Sisera Iudg. 4.21 as Baraks Sword or Speare could have done a stone out of a sling no lesse fell mighty Goliah to the ground 1 Sam. 17.49 then his owne sword cut off his owne head May not a man as well bee drowned in a pond or pit of water as in the middle of the Ocean I may yet descend lower May not an haire throttle one a flie choke one a crum of bread occasion a mans death It is thus with sinne with every sin with the smal lest sinne even the least wandring thought the least idle word the smallest sinne if any can be so truely termed deserveth Hell fire 8. We doe hereby attaine unto a true hatred of sinne We hate sin for sin or as it is a breach of Gods Lawes not so much for the punishment thereof as for it selfe For even Reprobates though they hate not sinne as sinne or because it is a transgression of Gods Law yet may they hate it in respect of the punishment ensuing thereupon and so in outward appearance seeme haters of sinne But Sathan herein howsoever with the Painter he draweth the colour of the fire yet cannot he paint the heat thereof The ungodly not true haters of sinne though his Instruments seeme haters of sinne yet are they not so in truth but for by respects They doe not hate sinne for sinne as the Saints do in heart and outwardly testifie in word and deed Mortification like circumcision This precise Mortification answers very prettily to the Figure of Circumcision as all the fore-skin was put away so will not the Lord have any one sinne to remaine in his Saints unmortified which they are not accordingly to oppose hate and persecute unto the death This sort of true Repentance as it is prophecied in the Person of the penitent Idolaters Isa 27.9 so is it verily accomplished in all penitent sinners to whom our God makes all sinne and that for sinne so odious and detestable both inwardly and outwardly that they cast it away like a menstruous clout crying against their Sinnes hence away in token of their extream indignation therat We understand that the Jews in signe of that inward hatred that they had at our Lord and Saviour without a cause cried Away with him away with him Luc. 23.18 we out of this should gather an infinite and endless hatred against sin The Iewes hatred of Christ an Argument to work in us hatred of sinne as through which our Lord taking upon him our sinnes suffered all this We must even so hate it as to cast it out to afford it no entertainment and from our very hearts to cry against it Hence away away with it yea dayly and hourly to run unto God by Prayer for the assistance of his Spirit against the same Note that if those pricks of the Flesh may not wholly be removed and we wholly rid of this Old man during our abode heere in this vale of misery Rom. 6.12 yet that sinne may not so reigne in our mortall bodies that we should obey it in the lusts thereof Thus ye see that howsoever our good God is pleased to leave even in his dearest Saints some dregs of corruption as the Canaanites were left in the land Iude 2.3 for the further triall of the Israelites yet as out of the belly of the Lyon Samson had honey Iudg. 14.8 so even out of them and in the dayly mortifying of them the Saints gather no small store of fruitfull benefits and heavenly comforts sweeter then the honey and the honey-combe Thus of the motives or encouragements which wee have unto this spirituall Combat and so of the seventh Particular CHAP. VIII Necessary Caveats to bee observed in this spirituall Encounter AS in temporall Warfare it is ordinary for the Generall of the Army to direct his Soldiers how to behave themselves in the Battell Directions no lesse needfull in this spirituall then they are in the corporal warfare when where how and against whom to fight what Weapons to use what courses to take to daunt the enemy how to discerne and make use of advantages against whom especially to bend their forces how to prevent the enemies Stratagems and so in other particulars no lesse requisite is this course in this our spirituall Warfare 2 Sam. 21.15 Skilfull David may venture too farre to the endangering of his life 2 Sam. 11.16 wary Vriah may step into the forefront of the Battell and fall when as another standing had been fitter for him 1 King 22.32 The Captains of the King of Syria may mistake Jehosophat for Ahab 2 King 14.12 Amaziah may provoke Iehoash to his owne overthrow 1 Sam. 4.3 the Israelites may so relye upon the Arke of GOD comming amongst them as if assuredly they should bee saved from their enemies that as wel they themselves shall be vanquished as if taken by the enemie Benhadad with his two and thirty Kings that helped him may be drunk 1 King 20.16 not dreaming in their jollity that an handfull of Israelites shall vanquish both him them and their populous Armies Thus may it befall us in encountering the Flesh Caveats therefore being prescribed accordingly must wee follow our prescriptions The Caveats are these The Caveats 1. We must not be lets unto our selves in vanquishing our corruuption Wee must not through our worldly mindednesse or unnecessary employment of our selves about the things of this world be le ts unto our selves in vanquishing our lusts as ESAV deprived himselfe of the blessing through his wearisome hunting and the Gadarens bad CHRIST depart out of their bounds Mat. 8.34 and the wicked Jewes caused God to depart frm the Temple Ezek. 10. How can those vanquish their lusts which doe not so much as to this end set the least time apart 2. We must not cast away our armour or in any sort yeeld Wee must not cast away our Armour or in any sort yeeld but still keep firme our confidence in GOD For if any man draw backe his Soule shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.38 Whereunto that of the Psalmist agreeth For loe Psalm 73.27 they that are farre from thee shall perish thou hast destroyed all them that goe a whoring from thee 3. We must be wise in the application of Scripture unto our selves We must not apply unto our falls of infirmity such places of Scripture as are to be
must not be suffered to lodge within us 2 Cor. 10.5 wee must cast downe imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God An uncleane thing Iob. 14.4 Let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 perfecting holinesse in the feare of God Eph. 5.26 wee must bee sanctified and clensed with the washing of water by the word Ier. 4.14 wee must wash our heart from wickednes that we may be saved Heb. i0 22 we must get our hearts sprinkled our bodies washed with pure water i Pet. 1.22 we must purifie our selves in obeying the truth throgh the spirit Secret sinnes Psal i9 i2 Wee must call upon God to be informed thereof Ibid. and accordingly clensed therefrom The sinne wherein we are conceived and borne Psal 51.5 Wee must call upon God to purge Ibid. 7. wash and clense us therefrom Iam. 1.18 To beget us with the word of trueth that wee may be a kinde of first fruits of his creatures borne againe Ioh. 3.3.5 borne of water and of the Spirit 2 Cor. 5.17 and so in Christ new creatures The body of Sinne. Rom. 6.6 The same must be destroyed Ibid. knowing this saith Saint Paul that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth wee should not serve sin Col. 2.11 The same in like manner must bee put off as the same Apostle writeth elsewhere The motions of sinne Rom. 7.5 We must not lodge them Ier. 4.14 either slight them but according to the meanes of knowledge bestowed upon us oppose them lest wee become vaine in our imaginations Rom. 1.21.26 and God in justice give us up unto vile affections Sinne. Rom. 7.8 We must be dead thereunto Rom. 6.2 Rom. 6 i2 wee must not let it reigne in our mortall body to obey it in the lusts thereof Rom. 6.13 either yeeld our members as instruments of unrighteousnes unto sin Ier. 4.14 we must wash our hearts therefrom Heb. 1i 24 we must refuse to enjoy the pleasures thereof Sin that dwelleth in one Rom. 7.17 We must not consent thereunto but so oppose it Ro. 7.20 that we may say with Saint Paul now if I doe that I would not it is no more I that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in me A warring law in our members Ro. 7.23 The law of our minde must warre against the same Ibid. that as the flesh lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 4.17 the spirit may in like manner lust against the flesh The body of death Ro. 7.24 We must be sensible therof and even long to bee delivered therefrom saying with Saint Paul Ibid. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Flesh Rom. 8.1 We must crucifie the same Gal. 5.24 we must not walke after the same Rom. 8.1 we must not live after the same Rom. 12.8 we must not make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Ro. 13.14 wee must not warre after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 wee must not minde the things thereof Rom. 8.6 Enmitie against God Rom. 8.7 Wee must not favour the same either yet enter into any termes of reconciliation therewith Ibid. as which is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be The deeds of the body Rom. 8.13 Wee must through the spirit Ibid. mortifie the same that wee may live The lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.16 Wee must not fulfill them Ro. 13.14 we must crucifie the same Gal. 5.24 we must not be led away with them 2 Tim. 3.6 wee must not be drawne away of them Iam. 1.14 2 Pet. 2 i8 wee must not bee allured through them 1 Pet. 2 i1 we must abstaine from them Strong holds 2 Cor. i0 4 The weapons of our warfare must not be carnall Ibid. but mighty through God to the pulling down of them The desires of the flesh and of the minde Eph. 2.3 We must not fulfill them Ibid. as heretofore we have done 2 Chro. 15.12 but enter into a covenant to seek the Lord God of our Fathers with all our heart and with all our soule The vanity of the minde Eph. 4.17 We must not henceforth thus walke as other Gentiles walke Ibid. but endevour to bee renewed in the spirit of our minde Eph. 4.23 Rom. i2 2 transformed by the renewing of our minde 2 Cor. 3 i8 and changed into the image of God from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord that Christ may be formed in us Gal. 4.19 and as we have born the image of the earthy 1 Cor. 15.49 we may also beare the image of the heavenly Adam Earthly members Col. 3.5 We must mortifie them Ibid. we must put them off Ibid. 8. we must not yeeld our members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne Rom. 6 i3 The old man Col. 3.9 We must put off concerning the former conversation Eph. 4.22 the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts not contenting our selves till wee know assuredly Rom. 6.6 that our old man is crucified with Christ The lust of concupiscence 1 Thes 4.5 Every one of us should know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour Ibid. not in the lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God The deceitfulnesse of sin Heb. 31 13. We must exhort one another dayly Ibid. while it is called to day lest any of us bee hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne The sinne which doth so easily beset us Heb. 12.1 We must lay aside every weight Ibid. and the sinne that doth so easily beset us that we may runne with patience the race that is set before us Ibid. 4. yea wee must even resist unto blood striving against sinne A root of bitternesse Heb. i2 i5 We must looke diligently Ibid. lest any of us fail of the grace of God and s this roote of bitternesse springing up trouble us and therby many be defiled Entising lust Iam. 1.14 We must be carefull not to be allured thereby 2 Pet. 2.18.19 lest being of the same overcome of the same we be brought in bondage In a word We must alwaies walke so warily and circumspectly that in what kind soever after what manner soever under what name soever this our dangerous and deadly enemy shall assaile us wee may instantly oppose it resist it strive against it give it the foile Thus that the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to bee encountred and so of the second particular CHAP. III. By whom the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is
bee presented chast Virgins to Christ and who having fought hitherto against the evill one and kept their garments unspotted with the corruption that is in the world through lust as through grace they have begun in the Spirit so through grace they shall end in the spirit and not in the flesh How then can it otherwise be but that they should practise this duty of Mortification but that being thus endued with the Spirit of grace and of glory they should obey the good motions thereof inspiring them and knocking at the dores of their soules to the keeping especially of their hearts with all diligence Pro. 4.23 Between them and the rest of the world grace hath made such a change as there is betweene them that dwell in a faire house of great height Simil. and full of many great lights and them that dwell in a low dark house whose windowes remaine alwayes shut those can discerne in a manner of every thing these not take notice or view any thing Difference betweene the godly and the ungodly So the Saints through the abundance of the light of God in them can espie even a moate in the Soule whereas the ungodly who will not permit the holy light of Gods convicting reproving improving word to have passage in them abide still in darknes having their hearts haunted as it were with Zim Ochim Isa i3 21 and Jim in stead of more comfortable guests The Saints know that God dwels in their hearts as his owne Tabernacle with the Sonne and holy Spirit which therefore must be well kept clensed purified and washed by the blood of Christ and water of his sanctifying Spirit that uncleannes may not enter therein To this end 2 Chron 23.13 as Iehoiada the Priest put a great guard of Princes Preists about young Ioas that wicked Athalia could not come at him to harme him Simil. which made her cry out Treason Treason So the Saints left Sathan should at any time get entrance into them get themselves garded by the word and Spirit Prayer Repentance Watchfulnes holy feare to offend God and grieve the Spirit by whom they are sealed unto the day of Redemption Eph 4.30 yea as the Elders which sate with Elisha in his house 2 King 6.32 at his command shut the dore upon bloody Iorams messenger and held him fast thereat the sound of his masters feete being behind him Simil. so the Saints understanding that evill motions are as it were Sathans messengers or harbengers to take up his lodging for him whom he immediatly followeth through grace they so resist the same that either they doe not enter or if they enter they get no footing and are compelled speedily to depart In the wicked indeed hee getteth a renewed entry at his owne pleasure but not so in the Saints Hee seekes rest but heere hee finds none Thus that the Saints doe and are to encounter the Flesh with the Lusts and Affections thereof and so of the third Particular CHAP. IV. Why the FLESH with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountred NOt without cause are wee to encounter this our Enemie and doe what in us lyeth to oppose it resist it subdue it destroy it if either we consider it our selver or others It Reasons why the Flesh is to be encountâ—ed From its nature and that both in regard of the nature thereof and effects produced thereby It s nature vile odious abominable vgly and loathsome like the vomiting of a dogge a Sowes wallowing in the mire The Scripture doth accordingly decipher it by the names of filth Isa 4.4 Zech. 3.3 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Pet. 2.20 Rom 6.19 Mat. 15.11 filthy garments filthinesse of the Flesh and Spirit The Worlds pollutions uncleannesse a defiling thing and the like Thus if a man should view it even as it is in its own proper colours he could not but loath and abhorre the same Its effects From its effects Rom. 6.21 Shamefull both shamefull and hurtfull Shamefull as which maketh men and women its vassals and slaves for to whomsoever we yeeld our selves servants to obey Rom. 6.16 his servants we are to whom wee obey coozening and deceiving them at its pleasure Heb. 3.13 proffering as largely as the Devill sometime did Christ Mat. 4.4 All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall downe and worship mee But in the meane time not being able to performe any whit of its promises Hurtfull Hurtfull Iob. 20.5.6.7.8 c. as whose pleasure is onely momentaneall but bitternesse everlasting yea which warreth against mens soules bodies posterity goods and good name Soules To our Soules by blinding their understanding reason and judgement and bringing them to a reprobate sense so that they will not bee brought to the knowledge of the truth Psal 58 5. but are like the deafe Adder that stoppeth her eare which will not hearken to the voice of charmers charming never so wisely Isa 30.9 even who will not heare the Law of the Lord. Hos 4.11 So by taking away their heart i Tim. 6.10 and piercing them thorow with many sorrowes So by destroying their soules Pro. 6.32 So by seducing the will and affections and making them worse and worse every unmortified Lust being a wound in the Soule a gash in the Conscience so by inclining the Soule to maintaine those sinnes whereunto they themselves are principally addicted so by distempering their soules that there 's no peace therein they themselves disquieting themselves in vain Psal 39.6 travelling in paine all the dayes of their life Iob. i5 20 sinne not suffering grace as it were to manifest it selfe in the least measure unto those but disturbing them by unnaturall thoughts as by the insatiability of that whereunto it inciteth The Sluggard must have a little more sleepe the Drunkard a little more drink the covetous more money the lascivious more Concubines So by its importunitie which will admit no deniall forcing them oftentimes to commit what in their judgement they doe not approve So by promising them contentment which notwithstanding they finde not there being indeede neither pleasure nor profit in sinne So by galling their Conscience after the commission thereof whether in adversity or prosperity as the examples of Ahab about Naboths Vineyard i King 21.27 Dan 5.6 and Belshazzar when he drunk wine with his Concubins in the vessels of the house of the Lord sufficiently imply whereby it commeth to passe that they feare when there is no cause of feare Lev. 26.36 To our bodies Bodies both directly and indirectly directly Pro. 23.29 as which occasioneth bodily diseases and distempers as in like manner death it selfe Deut. 28.21 Rom. 6.23 indirectly by affecting or inflicting the minde wherby the body cannot but be so disquieted that even in laughter the heart is sorrowfull Pro. i4 i3 and the end of that mirth is heavinesse
wicked By our sinnes are encouraged to sinne The creatures The Devill CHAP. V. Discovereth after what manner the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountred where 's 1 How the flesh warreth against us viz. 1 Covertly 2 By faining flight 3 By open force and violence 2 How we must warre against the flesh viz. 1 Sincerely in quality 2 Impartially in quantity 3 Discreetly 4 Cheerfully 5 Porcibly 6 Seasonable 7 Constantly CHAP. VI. Describeth by what meanes the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountered They are not 1 To walke carelesly and securely 2 To connive or wicke thereat 3 To consent thereunto 4 To put in execution any of the deeds thereof 5 To fulfill the desires thereof But they are Extraordinary Fasting Vowes Ordinary consisting in Things to be avoided Ordinary consisting in Things to be attained Things to be avoided 1 Excesse in things lawfull 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Ignorance 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Pride 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Hardnesse of heart 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Carnall confidence 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Infidelity 3 The occasions of sin Evill company Evill places Tempting objects Want of a calling Want of diligence in ones calling 4 Vnwillingnesse to fight 5 Cowardise and carelesnesse Things to be attained Faith Love Feare of God Our selves Prayer Dayly renuing of our Covenant Holy wisdome Watchsulnesse Meditation of Gods Nature Gods Word Christs sufferings Heaven Yea we are to deale with our lusts as Ioseph with his Mistresse Pharaoh with the Israelites CHAP. VII Containeth Motives or encouragements unto this spirituall combat By warring against our lusts wee purchase 1 Peace of conscience 2 Daily experience of Gods powerfull resence 3 Glory to God 4 Continuall feare through the sense of continuall weaknesse in our part 5 A passage to slay outward actuall sinnes 6 Ease in the end of our isurney 7 A higher detestation of sin 8 Hatred of sinne for sinne CHAP. VIII Propoundeth necessary Caveats to be observed in this spirituall encounter A Christian must be carefull 1 Not to be an hindrance unto himselfe in vanquishing his 〈◊〉 2 Not to cast away his Armour or in any sort yeeld 3 To be wise in the application of Scripture 4 To prepare for new contrary winds 5 To cry out against our lusts being overmastered by them 6 To beware of the false bed of security 7 To consider that all sinnes have not the like proportion of labour in mortifying 8 Neither to be too curious nor altogether carelesse of the first motions unto sinne 9 To aske pardon for secret sinnes 10 Not to beleeve that the flesh is always mortified when it seemeth so to be 11 To continue in the practice of mortification 12 To be perswaded that faith in Christ must precede mortification 13 To distinguish betweene naturall spirituall and carnall lusts 14 Not to give over but fight even to the end CHAP. IX Explaineth the signes whereby to discerne when we prevaile against the flesh with its inordinate lusts and affections They that are indeed mortified or doe in some measure prevaile against their lusts 1 Are Christs or in him 2 Walke after the Spirit 3 Are alive unto God 4 Are freed from sinne 5 Are new creatures 6 Set themselves against every sinne 7 Grow in grace 8 Hate sinne 9 Are carefull to avoid relapses 10 Have a true sight and sense of their sins 11 Are truly humbled c. 12 Cannot be withdrawne from God CHAP. X. Hath the conclusion of the Treatise or application of the foregoing matter in an Exhortation unto the duty of mortification urged from Necessity Equity Vtility Credit Vndoubted furtherance Certaine victory Heaven it selfe Besides the forementioned particulars There are also sundry Objections answered Questions resolved Depths of Satan discovered Formes of retired secret-selfetriall prescribed Places of Scripture compared and explained Scripture-similitudes especially inferred Differences betweene the godly and the ungodly manifested Necessary truths made knowne THE DESTRVCTION of in-bred Corruption OR AN ANTIDOTE against Fleshly Lusts. SUch is the dangerous estate of GODS children here upon earth so many the tribulations of the Righteous that as they themselves are compared to warriours 2 Tim. 2.3 their Life termed a war-fare Iob. 7.1 So at what time soever which way soever considered they have need to bee watchfull still armed Phil. 2.12 alwayes working out their Salvation with feare and trembling Above them below them behind them before them within them without them round about them on their right hand on their left hand in prosperity in adversity well or ill at home or abroad Gods children alwayes in danger of their spirituall adversaries do their many cruell malicious subtile and incessant enemies lay Stratagems to worke their confusion Of those Who bee their chief enemies the Divell the World and the Flesh are the principall agents The Devill 1 Pet. 5.8 who as a roaring Lyon continually goeth about seeking whom hee may devoure The World Pet. 4.4 which doth even think it strange that we run not with them to the same excesse of ryot speaking evill of us The Flesh which lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 5.17 and is so contrary thereunto that we cannot doe the things that we would Every of those severally all of them jointly have sworne our destruction Them therfore are we so to oppose resist strive against Iam. 4.7 that the first may flie from us 1 Ioh. 5.4 the second be overcome of us Gal. 5.24 and the third crucified by us With this last as our domesticke enemy The Flesh our most dangerous enemie our bosome traitor yea without whose assistance neither the Devill could seduce us nor World intrap us do we in the strength of the Almightie in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ in the grace and comfort of his holy Spirit and in the light and direction of his Sacred Word cope at this time confining our selves for our further profit and more orderly proceeding in this combate unto the prosecution of these ten particulars The order and method of the ensuing Treatise 1. The enemy to bee encountred 2. That it is to bee encountred 3. By whom it is to bee encountred 4. Why it is to bee encountred 5. After what manner it is to bee encountred 6. By what means it is to bee encountred 7. Motives or encouragements hereunto 8. Necessary Caveats to bee observed herein 9. How to discerne when wee prevaile against it 10. The Application of the whole Of every of which severally and in order at the pleasure of God CHAP. I. The Enemy to bee encountred with the sundry names wherby the same is expressed THe Enemy to bee encountred is the Flesh Gal. 5.24 Col. 3.9 Ro. 7.23 with the affections and lusts thereof the Old man with his deeds the law of sin in our members warring