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
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
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