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
time shall reape if we faint nor Had wee but grace thus to lay the matter to heart that if wee fight not we shall live in slavery under the divell the world and the flesh of all others the greatest or rather the onely slaves but if we fight manfully and persevere therein wee shall bee conquerors over all those and as victorious Kings trample Sathan under our feete we would seeke to prevent our own misery and get an assured possession of glory gather courage in our decayed spirits and lustily goe on Did we but call to mind how often the Lord hath beene pleased heretofore to help the same 1 Sam. 7 1â— would be as Ebenezer unto the Israelites to encourage us against our spirituall Philistims As the Israelites in after ages reading how Joshua had once before discomfited Amalek Exo. 17.15 and of the Altar which Moses did then build calling it by the name of Jehovah Nissi that is the Lord is my banner could not but be encouraged hereby to have warres with them Simil. so is it with Gods children calling to mind their former spirituall victories of whom it may be more truely said then David did it of Saul and Ionathan 2 Sam. 1.22 From the blood of the slain from the fat of the mighty the bow of Ionathan turned not back and the sword of Saul returned not empty Note They have greater joy and gladnes with more pleasure and contentment in striving against their corruption of nature which by degrees they still lessen and weaken then the greatest souldier hath to glut his sword with the blood of his enemie Strive wee against these beasts our beastly lusts as Paul fought with the Beasts of Ephesus 1 Cor. 15.32 Beastly men either or both those were outward but these are inward beasts If those had prevailed they would only have killed the body if these should they would destroy both body and soule those might have beene overcome with bodily weapons these no otherwise but by the whole Armour of GOD Faith Hope Repentance the Word Prayer with the other pieces yea in fighting against these Gods power is after an especiall manner manifested Quit we our selves then like men Iudg. 16.39 so dealing with our lusts as Samson with the Philistims even by slaying moe of them hereafter then heretofore wee have done as hee moe at his death then in his life yea i Sam. 15.3 as Saul should not have spared any one Amalekite but utterly destroyed them all so doe we destroy the whole brood of our sinfull and fleshly lusts not sparing any one of these cursed Amalekits Thus of the Caveats to be observed in this our Warfare and so of the 8. Particular CHAP. V. How to discerne when we prevaile against the Flesh with its inordinate Lusts and Affections AN enemie is not alwayes vanquished when he seemeth so to be Iosh 8.15 Ioshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before the men of Ai and fled by the way of the wildernesse yet was it meerely out of Policie to draw them out of their Citie Iudg. 20.39 as afterward the Israelites to the same end used the same Stratagem when they discomfited the Benjamites It is thus with our Lusts they may seeme to bee mortified when indeed they are not but only wait their fittest opportunitie to doe us mischiefe Signes whereby to discern whether our lusts be mortified How then we should judge of them many or few great or small strong or weak violent or peaceable conquerers or conquered discerne wee by these signes 1. Gal. 5 24. They are Christs They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts and they that are in him walke not after the flesh Rom. 8.1 but after the Spirit How to know whether we be in Christ Art thou in Christ then thou art a mortified creature else not Q. How shall I know whether or not I am in Christ A. If thou walkest in the light 1 Ioh. 1 6. if thou walkest as Christ walked 1 Ioh. 2.6 if thou keepest his commandements 1 Ioh 3.24 and hast his Spirit in thee if thou perseverest in the knowledge and obedience of the Cospel 1 Ioh. 2.24 if thou art fruitfull in good workes Ioh. 15.2 2 Cor. 5.17 if thou art a new creature teh art thou in Christ 2. Rom 8.1 They that walke after the Spirit walke not after the Flesh They walk after the Spirit Walkest thou after the Spirit then walkest not thou after the Flesh but art a mortified creature Q. How to know whether wee walk after the Spirit How shall I know whether or not I walke after the Spirit A. If thou walkest after the Spirit then livest thou not according to the motion and guidance of the corruption of nature but according to the motion and guidance of the Spirit of grace and sanctification Thou earnestly desitest both to know and walk in the good way Thou doest in every thing runne unto God by prayer that he would guide and direct thee Thou resolvest in every thing to please God Thou preferrest his will unto all things else profits pleasures preferments yea and thine owne life too Thou walkest carefully warily and circumspectly alwayes ordering thy steps with discretion lest thou shouldst in any sort tempt vexe grieve or quench the Spirit 3. Rom. 6 1â— They are alive unto God They that are indeed dead unto sinne are alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord. They doe really and truely partake as well of the vertue and efficacie of Christs death unto Mortification as of his Resurrection unto newnes of life Being on the one part mortified persons in whom the death of Christ hath broken the force of sinne that it cannot reigne in whom the vigor and force of sin which is the life thereof is crushed and extinct in whom sinne cannot bring forth such bitter fruits as it was wont to do before sanctification Simil. who therefore even as men who have so lost their bodily strength as it cannot be recovered are said to be dead while they live how soever sinne doth still remaine in them are truly said to be dead thereunto because the power and strength of sinne is sore abated and dayly lessened and weakened so on the other part are they quickned and moved by the holy Spirit to doe what is pleasing and acceptable in Gods sight A difference betweene nature and grace It 's so in nature I confesse as it is in grace hee that is corporally dead doth not corporally live but hee that is spiritually dead doth spiritally live he is dead indeed unto sinne but alive unto God yea his being dead unto sinne Note doth argue that hee is alive unto God as his being alive unto God that he is dead unto sinne 4. They that are dead are freed from sinne Rom. 6.7 They that are spiritually dead
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
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
that the bitternesse thereof be not discovered as also the naughtinesse of our owne hearts ready at all times to give him entertainement if through his goodnes we did not watch over the same with all diligence What a good God have wee who not only fighteth for us but also advertiseth us of all the enemies of our salvation Much vvas the King of Israel obliged to the Prophet of God 2 Kin. 6.9 for revealing unto him the King of Arams purposes against him Simil. as vvhereby he did more then once avoid the danger but much more are vve to our gracious God for reveiling unto us by his faithfull Embassadors Sathans manifold guiles vvho is at all times and in every place and with every lust ready to deceive us standing at our right hand to bee our Adversarie yea for our sakes fiercely rebuking him Zech. 3.2 And the Lord said unto Sathan The Lord rebuke thee O Sathan even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem rebuke thee Js not this a brand pluckt out of the fire Though wee at some times feare to be overcome though wee may doubt that vve are indeed overcome though vve may be as it were at the very last cast even ready to faint and give over yet through the power of God are wee so preserved that not any shall pluck us out of his hands yea Hos 14.5 as the dew revives the withered herbs the meditation of foregoing comforts shall so revive us that our youth shall bee renewed like the Eagles Oh for pitty Psal i03 5 that our God should thus by his powerfull presence accompany us and out of his affectioned love towards us be ever arming us by his counsels comforts exhortations threatnings c. and yet that wee should at any time give place to the Divell in making provision for the Flesh Rom. 14.13 to accomplish the lusts thereof 3. No small glory doth redound unto God No small glory doth redound unto God He that made the withered stick of Aaron to bring forth fresh flourishing Almonds Num. i7 8 and made the poore mans withered hand to become whole Mat. i2 i3 to the glory of his name and in like manner opened the eyes of the blinde Mar. 8.23 even the same powerfull God by our dayly Mortification and the subduing the remainder of corruption wherewith we are diseased defiled wounded getteth glory to himself as who not only forgiveth our iniquities Psal i03 3 but likewise healeth our infirmities To vvhat end were wee created but to set forth the glory of God Delaying to mortifie our Lusts we delay the performance of that duty for which we came into the World A necessary consideration to further Gods glory would wee but consider that howsoever Sathan with his Adherents hath done vvhat in him lieth to hinder us from the remission of our sinnes from renovation in Christs blood from sanctification of the Spirit as in like manner he hath gone about to hinder the power of the Word and blessing powred upon the Sacraments and the Blessing that accompanieth the sanctified fiery fornace of affliction out of which the Children of God come like purified gold yea and would hinder deaths sting to be taken away and so us from lying downe void of sinne pure chast Virgins for Christ and yet that hee is letted in every of those his designes would we by denying to mortifie our Lusts thus rob God of his glory i Sam. ii 2. As the men of Iabesh Gilead answered Nahash the Ammonite requiring that he might thrust out all their righteyes and lay it for a reproch upon all Israel Give us seven dayes respite that we may send messengers into all the Coasts of Israel and then if there bee no man to save us we will come out to thee So might we Sathan endeavouring by his continued and reiterated temptations to draw us unto sinne that if we should not be succoured we were unable to withstand him Simil. But as they were delivered on the seventh day So inasmuch as herein Sathan aimeth at the eternall reproch of our gracious God and of his deare Sonne Iesus Christ and holy Spirit with the shame of the holy Angels our attenders and our owne who are the Israel of GOD seeking to pierce our soules and bodies thorow with the speace of sinne 1 Sam. 18.11 as Saul cast a speare at David to have nailed him to the wall Our gracious God who is jealous of his owne glory will undoubtedly by inabling us to oppose this our spirituall Nahash and our sinnes his Ammonits thus glorifie himselfe His head is already broken in the person of our Saviour at sundry times also he hath had notable foiles given him by Christs members being no more able to prevaile against them then Goliah against David the Egyptions against the Israelites the Canaanits against Ioshua and his Successors What remaineth but that we should still continue the warre untill in the full and finall Mortification of our lust to the everlasting praise of Gods glory hee be trod under foot As Naamans servants unto him 2 King 5.13 My father if the Prophet had bid thee done som great thing wouldst thou not have done it how much rather then when he saith to thee wash and be cleane So may I unto you If the Lord would for the glory of his owne name require us to part with our goods good name lives yea even the salvation of our Soules we ought willingly to assent thereunto much more when for our further and more cōfortable fruition of those requireth us but to mortifie our Lusts 4. Through our remnant of corruptions mortified by grace We obtain a continuall holy fear out of the sense of our owne weaknesse wee obtaine continuall feare through sense of continuall weaknesse on our owne part for certaine it is that if the Lord should leave us but for a time the very smallest temptation were of force to overcome the strongest Christian Note the least fiery dart of Sathan which hee taketh out of his owne Quiver being indeed extreamly venimous crooked and deceitfull The Wine that Noah drunke deceived him who notwithstanding was not purposely excessive therein Hee had strength no doubt to have overcome a stronger temptation if God had not left him for a season What a meane temptation was Davids looking on Bathsheba the damosels questioning of Peter Dalilahs feigned teares unto Samson The Sins I confesse in which the Saints fall thereby as also the dishonour of Gods Name and the Churches dammage through the same bee not small yet the LORD that brought light out of darknesse Gods children profit by the sins of others doth even hereby worke for the good of others as who learn from the same that even the best are unable to stand by themselves and that if even the strongest sort of Gods Giants bright shining Starres in the firmament of God have notwithstanding now and then
slipt yea fallen into grosse and great sins they themselves weake babes in comparison of the other must be somuch the more watchfull over their owne wayes working out their owne Salvation with feare and trembling Note They are daily practised in the work of Mortification doe not with Cham and Shemei scoffe or raile at the falls or miseries of the Saints neither with the filthy flies feed upon the sores of the Beast leaving his whole parts Simil. neither as those that vvould goe into a Chyrurgions Shop and take a profitable Instrument seruing to the cntting away of dead flesh and therewith kill themselves doe they enter into the great Book of Gods Scriptures so wresting every thing that the Word of life becommeth unto them the savour of death and Christ a stone of ease to his own 1 Pet. 2.6 a precious stone and a sure Foundation becommeth unto them a stumbling stone and a Rock of offence and the threatnings of the Word which to the godly are terrours to terrifie them and are said in the Proverbs to be the corrections of the Lord Pro. 17 i0 are scoffed at and counted but winde Ier. 6.10 Ezek. 7.7 an eccho or sound of an hill but taking notice of their owne corruption and how easily they themselves may be thereby intrapped they walke warily alwayes taking heed lest they also fall Oh how many out of the faults of others gather poyson and not honey with Samson out of the Lyons belly Luk. 13.2 The Iewes in the dayes of Christ justified themselves in comparison of those on whom the Towre of Shilo fell but were willed of Christ in like manner to repent Others have fallen how soone may wee He that thinketh he standeth 1 Cor. 10.12 must take heed lest hee fall Too too many there are which imitate the falls of the Saints i Sam. 3i 5 as Sauls Armour-bearer after the evill example of his Master did in the like manner slay himselfe Simil. As Saul killed himselfe with his sword wherewith he had foughten against his Adversaries Many imitate the Saints fals but do not with them repent so are there not a few which use the falls of the Saints as swords to run their soules thorow falling by their example as though God would be as mercifull to them in their presumptuous fearfull falls as to those who fell through the violent flood of forcible and suddaine temptations or as though it lay in their hands to repent as those extraordinary persons who had extraordinary repentance given them of the Almighty that they might be examplars of Repentance hereof though the Wicked make these ill uses or rather abuses yet are Gods Children like good Husbands Simil. They profit alwayes both by the vertues of the Saints and their infirmities as good Husbands will make good use even of dongue They learne I say hereby to worke out their owne salvation with feare and trembling Note They learne also to take heed they fall not when they suppose themselves to stand yea they also see a thousand infirmities in themselves which they would never have marked if both they themselves had not fallen in some and observed to have fallen in the like 5. We obtaine hereby a passage to slay our outward and actuall sinnes We obtain a passage to slay our outward actuall sinnes for when the Cockatrice is crushed in the shell how shall it come to be a fiery flying Dragon Simil. When the leakes of the Ship are stopped and the water which came in thereat emptied out how shall it sinke and if the defects of an house be repaired it cannot ruine It is much more easie to quench the first sparkles of fire then vvhen they have increased into great Flames Through curbing our inbred corruption we prevent many actuall rebellions How to prevent actuall rebellions Let wee the fire burn within even give way unto our inbred lusts how well soever vve looke to the outside impossible it is but that the flame vvil burst forth in some one or other fleshly Lust Mat. i2 34 for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and the corruption that is in the World is through Lust 2 Pet. 1.4 They that outvvardly lead a good life cannot but be well reformed If indeed their life be truly good comming like good fruit from a good tree then as the same is pleasing and acceptable to God so doth it necessarily imply the hearts reformation but being onely good in appearance and show the sundry sorts of vertues wherewith it is covered or rather hypocritically coloured doe but make the same more detestable to God When the Fountaine is polluted Simil. can the streams be wholsome Because the Apples of Sodom are outwardly goodly and beautifull must it needs follow that they are not dust within Because the Scituation of a Citie is pleasant 2 Kin. 2 i9 must it needs therfore be granted that the water is not naught or the land barren Who will call the froth of the Sea good for the whitenesse thereof or a foule wall pleasant because overcast with lime or a Black-amore faire though farded all over Where there is inward sanctification there is indeed outward reformation but this without that is meerely counterfeit in which regard worse is by farre the condition of hypocrites then that of Atheists as to whom many woes belong Math. 23.29 Woe woe woe with a witnesse 6. We shall have lesse to doe in the end of our journey We shall have lesse to doe in the end of our journey if all our dayes we be breaking up our fallow ground Oh how comfortable is this if wee would duely weigh it in the just ballance of the Sanctuary If we have from time to time taken a particular accompt of our own wayes How to judge our selves every day If we have at the least twice every day censured the false deceitfull treacherous heart and her dolefull traine of earthly members if we have arraigned the traitor and her followers the eye the eare the tongue the hand the foot if wee have demanded them in Gods steed whether they have beene all the day gathering or scattering for God or against him upward or downward glorifying God or dishonouring him at home working in our fathers service or wandring with Dinah from our fathers house Gen. 34.1 when the answere comes as in the presence of God it will either be accusing or excusing or deceiving if wee be not the more circumspect and jealous over our selves upon consideration of by-past deceitfulnesse or flatteâ—ing Now we as I said before being in the roome of of God must give and pronounce a right and just sentence Simil. every day and night for as it is with them that justifie the wicked Pro. 17.15 and condemne the righteous both are abomination to God so to condemne our selves that day when Gods Spirit hath bin working
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
How to know whether wee grow in grace Thou lovest grace thou labourest for grace thou highly prisest grace thy thoughts words and works relish and savour of grace thou canst not away with any thing that may in any sort hinder grace thou art further and further enamoured with the love of grace thou still hungerest and thirstest for more grace and canst not be satisfied with that thou hast already Thou art every day more and more carefull to avoid sinne more and more desirous to vanquish thy corruptions more and more carelesse of the things of this World Thus indeed appeareth it infallibly that thou growest in grace and dayly prevailest against thy corruptions 8. They hate sinne They that doe truely mortifie their lusts and in some measure prevaile over them have anextreame hatred and detestation thereof wrought in their hearts Loathest thou sinne dost thou truly hate and abhorre it questionlesse thou prevailest over it Qu. How shall I know whether or not I doe truely hate it A. If thou lovest the Lord thou hatest sin How to know whether wee hate sinne if thou canst not indure to speake a good word of it or for it if thy dayly actions tend unto its ruine if thou grievest exceedingly whensoever thou fallest thereinto taking on thy selfe an holy revenge for the same if thou hatest it not so much in respect of its effects or punishment ensuing thereupon as its very nature being a breach of Gods Law if thou grievest when it seemeth to have the better but rejoycest when it is put to the worst then dost thou hate sinne and so prevailest against it by degrees vanquishest the same 9. They that doe truely mortifie their lusts and prevaile over their owne corruption having once escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust are exceeding carefull to avoid relapses therein not againe to be entangled therewith A burnt child dreads the fire Beasts that have fallen into ditches or pits will beware of them afterward The Bird that hath escaped out of the Fowlers ginnes will avoid them another time So the Saints remembring their former misery and dangerous condition whilst they were slaves unto sinne are so much the more carefull to keepe it under to this end shunning the occasion of sinne and abstaining even from all appearance of evill Hath Peter denied his Master he will doe so no more Hath David beene an adulterer he will bee so no more Hath Noah beene drunke he will be more wary in his drinking after But if God for their leaving of him or their want of watchfulnesse and improving his graces shall be pleased to leave them unto themselves for a time even after their knowledge and acknowledging of the truth so that they yeeld unto violent temptations and fall into the very sadnes of their unregenerate condition though they fall into the acts thereof they fall not into the love thereof They doe what they allow not what they would not what they are heartily grieved for Thou art carefull to avoid all sins but especially thine own sins thy formerly dearly beloved sins herein appeareth it that thou art a mortified Creature 10. They that have a true sight and sense of their sinnes doe in some measure mortifie the same Art thou acquainted with Satans Stratagems Art thou not ignorant of his wiles Discernest thou the deceitfulnesse of sinne Observest thou the subtilty of the flesh and how cunningly it would insinuate it selfe Knowest thou its traps and tricks its ginns and snares its baits and allurements Thou canst not but in the like manner avoid the same Thou wilt not willingly run headlong unto destruction 11. As before bodily death there is for the most part sicknes and at the time of death both unwillingnesse to undergoe it and painfulnesse in undergoing the same They are truly humbled and feele in themselves a great deale of unwillingnesse so before this death unto sinne there is deepe humiliation and dejection through the sense and apprehension of Gods wrath wrought in us by the law of God Simil. the soule being brought thereby as it were unto the very gates of hell There is also no small unwillingnesse in us to undergoe it the Flesh having a strong heart and so loath to die as in like manner no lesse paine then to pull out our right eye or cut off our right hand Hast thou beene thus spiritually dejected and affected thou art a mortified creature 12. As on those that are corporally dead neither alluring objects flattering speeches golden promises hope of pleasure feare of danger Not any thing is of force to withdraw us from God or such like doe worke at all so if thou art indeed dead unto sinne thou wilt neither be terrified by threats Simil. nor tickled with pleasures nor shall any allurements withdraw thee from God but still thou keepest fast hold on God though at some times in great weaknesse and continuest at deadly feud and open defiance with thy flesh and all its ad herents thus how to discerne when we prevaile against the flesh and so of the 9th particular CHAP. X. The Application of the foregoing matter HAving discovered the Enemy to be encountred shewed that it is to bee encountered laid open by whom it is to bee encountred set forth the reasons why it is to bee encountred declared after what manner it is to bee encountred described the meanes whereby it may bee encountred made knowne the Motives or Encouragements whereby we may bee stirred up to encounter it propounded such necessary Caveats as are to bee observed in this spirituall Combate as also manifested by what signes we may discerne when wee prevaile against it What remaineth but that as the Lord encouraged Moses to fight against Og the King of Bashan feare him not Numb 21.34 for I have delivered him into thy hand and all his people and his land and thou shalt doe to him as thou didst to Sihon King of the Amorttes which dwelt at Heshbon and Moses encouraged Ioshua from the Lord Deut. 31.23 Be strong and be of a good courage for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the Land which J sware unto them and I will be with thee as the Lord himselfe after the death of Moses Iosh 1.9 Be strong and of a good courage bee not affraid neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest and Ioshua the Captaines and men of Warre that went with him Iosh 10.24 Come neere put your feet upon the necks of these Kings Iosh 10.25 feare not nor be dismai'd be strong and of a good courage for thus shall the Lord doe to all your enemies against whom you fight and Deborah Barak to fight against Sisera Iudg. 4.14 up for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand is not the Lord gone out before thee and the Philistms one another to fight against the Jsraelites
1 Sam. 4.9 Bee strong and quit your selves like men O ye Philistims that ye be not servants unto the Hebrewes as they have beene to you quit your selves like men and fight and Iahaziel the sonne of Zechariah a Levit did encourage Judah the inhabitants of Ierusalem and King Iehosaphat 2. Chr. 20.15 Be not affraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude for the battell is not yours but Gods 2. Chr. 20.17 c. Feare not nor be dismayed to morrow go out against them for the Lord will be with you So sending every one of you to fight the Lords Battels by warring against your own Lusts I should in his name the more to incite you hereunto and further incourage you herein conclude all with a word of Exhortation What Argument might not be used for your encouragement Arguments inciting us us to warre against our lusts Necessitie Necessity What more needfull Doth not GOD command it whose will both is and must be a Law unto us Is not the Flesh still plotting our destruction Are we not the further endangered the more we yeeld unto it Shall not our lusts be snares and traps unto us scourages in our sides and thornes in our eyes if wee make any covenant with them Are wee not thereby further and further defiled Doe we not thereby further and further grieve the good Spirit of God Is not our communion familiaritie and acquaintance with God further and further interrupted Are we not therby further and further drawn to the commission of grosse and grievous sins Will not this root of bitternes dayly produce in us most bitter fruits Will not God be angry at our continuance herein Can it be otherwise but that hee should inflict upon us heavy and fearfull judgements by reason of the same Rom. 8 i3 If wee live after the flesh shall we not die Shall we not both here and hereafter be punished as perjured persons Rebels against the GOD of Heaven contemners of his Admonitions despisers of CHRISTS death and treaders under foot of his most precious blood grievers of the Spirit breakers of the hearts of Gods children stumbling blocks unto the Vngodly Equitie Equitie What more just or lawfull Is not sinne Gods enemie Is it not a murtherer of the Lord of glory Doth it not daily lust against the Spirit Is it not one of the maine enemies of our soules salvation Doth it not dayly provoke and stirre us up to the breach of Gods Lawes Is it not a meere coozener and deceiver will it not beguile us in the end Shall wee not utterly misse of our hopes if we trust to its offers and follow its allurements will it not requite us with losse in stead of profit torment in stead of pleasure shame in stead of credit paine in stead of ease misery in stead of happines and Hell in stead of Heaven Vtilitie Vtilitie What more profitable Doe we not hereby obtaine tranquillity of minde and dayly peace of conscience have we not hereby dayly experience of GODS powerfull presence accompanying Us Doth not continuall glory redound unto the Majestie of the most high hereby Is there not maintained in us an holy feare and suspition of our own weaknesse whereby wee are humble-minded Doe we not by opposing our inward corruption prevent and stay many outward actuall sinnes Shall not have lesse to doe in the end of our journey if all our dayes we be breaking up our fallow ground Shall wee no hereby by attaine unto an higher and higher detestation of sinne Shall wee not hereby make conscience even of the least of the smallest sinnes as being breaches of Gods Law Shall wee not hereby be assured of Gods love towards in Christ as well in the pardon and forgivenesse of our sinnes as our continuance in the detestation and mortification of the same Credit Credit What can procure more Shall wee not hereby be esteemed of God reverenced of the Angels honoured of all good men I may adde Mar. 6.20 that as Herod bare no small respect unto Iohn the Baptist a patterne of the doctrine of mortification which hee urged upon others so even the wicked will in their judgement whatsoever they doe in their practise approve of one that is throughly mortified Thus shall it be done to the man who mortifyeth his lusts hee shall be honoured of all as in heaven most of all Vndoubted furtherance and helpe from others Vndoubted furthrance and helpe new strength and courage put in ourselves What the Lord said unto Ioshua touching his enemies Iosh 1.5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the dayes of thy life as I was with Moses so I will bee with thee I will not faile thee nor forsake thee Saith not he the like unto our soules touching our lusts that they shall not stand before us hee will goe along with us hee will not faile us or forsake us Doth not hee goe along with us doth not hee fight for us hath not that great Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah bound that strong one Rev. 5.5 and spoiled him Col. 2.15 setting us at liberty Gal. 5.17 lusteth not the Spirit against the flesh on our behalf are not also the Angels ministring Spirits sent forth for our good Heb. 1.14 Do not they pitch their Tents round about our Tabernacle Have we not in like manner the benefit of the Prayers of all Gods people yea more particularly as Vriah said unto David 2 Sam. 11.11 The Ark and Israel and Iudah abide in Tents and my Lord Ioab and the servants of my Lord are encamped in the open field Simil. Shall I then goe into mine house to eate and to drinke and to lie with my wife as thou livest and as thy soule liveth I will not doe this thing there are some which doe even sympathize with us in this Warfare joyning with us as it were hand in hand and setting their foot unto ours being no lesse carefull of us but rather more then we are of our selves which do even dayly humble themselves before God on our behalfe crying calling praying knocking begging interceding Exod. 17.12 and with Moses stedfastly lifting up their hands that we may prevaile against our spirituall Amalehites Certaine victory Certaine victory Not any duly and truly mortifying the flesh with its lusts and affections either heretofore hath beene or hereafter shall bee overcome thereby Tit. 1.2 God that cannot lie hath promised Rom. 8.33 that if we doe through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live As Ioshua unto the people Iosh 23.10 One man of you shall chase a thousand for the Lord your God he it is that fighteth for you as he hath promised you So may I say unto all such as shall in truth war against their Iusts though you had ten thousand of them in you you shall chase them away for the
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