after more of righteousness in the secrete engagements of the heart to God in Christ in these burstings of heart and bleedings of soul to which God alone is witnesse because of shortcomeing in holinesse because of a body of death within and because of that law in the members warring against the law of the mind and bringing often into captivity to the law of sin as it growes upward in a profession and this is that pure Religion and undefiled before God which is both most pleasant to him and profitable to the soul. But to make the difference betwixt dead morality in its best dress and true godlinesse more cleare and obvious that the loveliness of the one may engage men into a loathing of the other this dead caâ—…ion and stinking carcaâ—…e of rotten morality which still stinks in the nostrills of God even when embalmed with the most costly ointments of its miserably misled patrons we say that true godlinesse which in quality and kinde differs from this much pleaded for and applauded morality a blake heathen by a â—…el kinde of Christians baptized of late with the namâ—… of Christianity and brought into the temple of the Lord concerning which he hath commanded hat it should never in that shape and for that end it is introduced enter into his congregation and the bringers for their pains are like to seclude themselves for ever from his presence It respects Jesus Christ. 1. As its Principle 2. As its Paterne 3. As its Altar and. 4. As its end First I say true holinesse in its being and operation respects Jesus Christ as its principle I live said that shineing saint yet not I but Christ liveth in me as that which gives religion its first being is the religation of the soul to God so that which gives it motion and drawes forth that life into action is the same God's working all their works in them and for them so that in all they do they are workers together with God every act of holinesse is an act of the soul made alive unto God through Jesus Christ and quickened to each action by the supervenience of new life and influence therefore says Christ without me you can do nothing it is not being out of me you can do nothing for he spoke it to those who were in him but if ye leave me out in doing all ye do will be nothing It s Jesus Christ who gives life and leggs so that our runings are according to his drawings my soul followeth hard after thee said that holy man but whence is all this life and vigour Thy right hand upholdeth me O it is the upholdings and helpings of this right hand enlargeing the mans heart that makes a runing in the way of his commandâ—…ents it is he who while the saints worke-out the work of their own salvation workâ—…th in them â—…th to will and to do It is he who giveth power to the faint and who to them that have no might encreaseth stâ—…ength so that the poor lifelesse languishing ly by is made to mount-up with Eagles wings and suâ—…mount all these difficulties with a holy facility which were simply insuperable and pure impossibilities now the man runs and doth not weary because Christ drawes and he walks and doth not faint because Christ in whom dwels the fulnesse of the God-head bodily dwels in him and walks in him and dwels in him for that very end that he may have a compleatnesse and competency of strength for duety all grace is made to abound unto him that he alwayes having all sufficiency in all things may abound unto every good work he is able of himself to do nothing no not to think any thing as he ought but he hath a sufficiency of God whereby he is thorowly furnished unto every good work so that he may say I am able for all things it is more then I am able to do all things as we read it its just import is I am able to do all things and to endure all things and that which keeps it from vain boasting is what is ad led through Christ which strengtheneth me or putting power in me or rather impowering me which is by a supervenient act drawing forth life into a livelinesse of excercise according to the present exigent There is a power in a saint because Christ is in him that over powers all the powers of darknesse with out and all the power of indwelling corruption within so that when the poor weak creature is ready to despond within sight of his duty and say because of difficulty what is my strength that I should hope Christ saith despond not my grace is sufficient forthee and my power shall rest upon thee to a reviveing thee and raising thee up and putting thee in case to say when I am weake then am I strong his strength who impowers me is made perfect in my weakenesse so that I will glory in my infirmities and be glade in being graces debtor But what power is that which raiseth the dead finner and carries the soul in its actings so far without the line and above the sphere of all natural activity when stretched to its utmost O it is an exceading great power which is to them ward who beleive that must make all things how difficult so ever easie when he works in them to will and to do according to the working of his mighty power or as it is upon the margent more emphatick of the might of his power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand c. he that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead raiseth up beleevers also by Jesus and being raised and revived by him to walk in new nesse of life the life of Jesus in its communications of strength is manifest in their mortal flesh according to that of the same Apostle the life that I live in the flesh sais he I live by the faith of the Son of God faith brings in Christ in my soul and Christ being my life carries out my soul in all the acts of obedience wherein though I be the formal agent yet the efficiency and the power by which I operat is from him so that I can give no better account of it then this I not I. But who then if not you The grace of God sais he which was with me But this mystery to our bold because blind moralists of an indwelling Christ working mightily in the soul is plain madnesse and melancholy however we understand his knowledge in the mystery of Christ who said the life I live in the flesh c. and from what we understand of his knowledge in that mystery which he had by revelation we understand our moralists to be men of corrupt minds who concerning the faith have made shipwrack but what is that the life I live in the flesh c The â—…port of it seems to be this if not more while I have
should move such as are in this way to study unity and agreement among themselves and yet not inferre or suppose that Gods way with them must be in all things alike Yea though the Lords way with them be different from his way with others more dark disconsolate and bitter yet let them be quiet and silent before the Lord and acknowledge his goodnesse that hath brought them into the one only way Iesus Christ and keepeth them there But fourthly the maine thing here and which is obvious is this That Iesus Christ is the Way to the Father the one and only way the soveraigne and excellent way and he alone is this way There is not another Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4 12. For clearing of this we shall speak a little to those foure things and show 1. What is our case and what need we have of a way 2. How Christ answereth this our case necessitie and is a fit way for us 3. How he alone is this way and answereth this our case 4. What are the rare advantages specialities of this way And this will make way for our clearing up how Christ is made use of as a way by poor sinners For the first of these our present case necessitie something was spoken to it before we shall reduce all to those two heads The first is our state of guilt and separation from God because of sin guilt The next is our state of wickednesse and enmity against God As to the first we may take notice of those things 1. That sin originall and actuall hath separated us from God and cast us out of his favour and out of that station of favour friendshipe which once we were advanced to in Adam 2. That we are under Gods curse wrath and excommunicated from the presence of the Lord by a sad yet just sentence according to law and so are under death As to the next thing we may take notice of those particulars 1. That we are impure and polluted with sin and dayly iniquity 2. That we are ignorant of the right way of returning into favour with God seeking out to ourselves many inventions 3. That we are impotent for any good work or commanded duty 4. That not only so but we are unwilling to do any thing that is good or to enter into the way when pointed out unto us yeâ—… we are enemies to God by wicked works have an innate hatred to all his wayes 5. We desire not to be out of the condition whereinto we are there we love to lie and sleep and desire not to be roused up or awakened 6. We are under the power command of Satan who leadeth us out of the way yea driveth us forward in the wrong way to our perâ—…tion These things are plaine undeniable and need no further confirmation though alas it is little beleeved laid to heart by many For the second How Christ answereth this our â—…ase and necessitie He is a way to us to helpe us out of both these both out of our state of guilt and separation and out of our state of wickednesse enmity And first he helpeth us out of our state of guilt separation 1. By Taking away our guilt sin being made sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5 21. He hath filled up the great gap betwixt God us with his body and hath made of it as it were a bridge by which we may goe over unto the Father we enter now into the holyest by the blood of Iesus by a new living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh Heb. 10 19 20. we are now brought neer by his blood Ephes. 2 13. So that through him we are restored againe to friendship with God made one with him for Christ the Mediator hath made both one reconcileing jewes Gentils both unto God in one body by the crosse having slaine the enmity Ephes. 2 16. 2. By taking way the curse wrath that was â—…ue to us being made a curse for us Gal. 3 13. So that he is become our peace and through him we have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father and are no more strangers forreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the houshold of God Ephes. 2 14 18 19. He is set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood Rom. 3 25 1 Iohn 2 2. 4 10. by him have we now received atonement Rom. 5 11. Next He helpeth us out of our state of wickednesse enmity 1. By taking away our impurity and uncleannesse by washing us cleansing us in his blood Ephes. 5 26. 27. Col. 1 22 having purchased grace for us Ephes. 1 3. we are blessed with all spirituall blessings in Him He applyeth his merites and layeth the foundation of grace holinesse in the soul carryeth on the work of mortification and vivification and so killing the old man by his Spirit both meritoriously efficiently he cleanseth and washeth Hence we are said to be Baptized with him in his death and buryed with him by baptisme into death that we should walk in newnesse of life and so our old Man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 6 3 4 6. And for our dayly infirmities escapes whereby we pollute ourselves his blood is a fountaine opened to the house of David to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sin uncleannesse Zach. 13 1. and to this fountaine he bringeth by the spirit of repentance which he as an exalted prince bestoweth Act. 5 31. by faith So 1 Ioh. 2 1. If any Man sin we have an advocat with the Father c. 2. As for our ignorance blindnesse he taketh that away being given for a light to the Gentiles Esai 42 6. 49. 6. Luk. 2. 32. He is sent to open the blinde eyes Esa. 42 7. to bring out the prisoners from their dark prisons Esa. 42 7. 61 1. Yea he is anoynted for this end So that such as walk in darknesse see a great light and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them the light hath shined Esai 9 2. Mat. 4 15. and he hath eye salve to give Revel 3 18. 3. He is qualified for taking away our impotency so that through Him we can do all things Phil. 4 13. When we are weak we are strong in him who is our strength and liveth in us 2 Cor. 12. 10. Gal. 2 20. Hence He worketh in us both to will to do of his owne good pleasure Phil. 2 13. 4. He also taketh away our naturall aversenesse unwillingnesse wickednesse hatred of his wayes making his people
5 6. that as many of us as are Baptized into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death and that therefore we are buryed with Him by baptisme into death and are planted together in the likenesse of his death yea and that our old man is crueified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed that hence forth we should not serve sin whence beleevers are warranded commanded vers 11. to reckon themselvs to be dead indeed unto sin and therefore sin should not reigne in their mortall bodyes to fulfill the lusts thereof vers 12. This is a sure ground of hope comfort for beleevers that Christ dyed thus as a publick person and that by vertue thereof being now united to Christ by faith they are dead unto sin by law and sin cannot challenge a dominion over them as before their conversion it might have done and did for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth but no longer wherefore beleeving brethren becomeing dead to the law by the body of Christ are marryed to another even to Him who is raised from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 1 4. 3. Hence It followeth that our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. So that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God hath got his deaths wounds in the crucifixion of Christ shall never recover his former vigour activity to oppresse beare down the people of God as he did He is now virtually through the death of Iesus killed crucified being in Christ nailed to the crosse 4. His resurrection is a paune pledge of this sanctification for as He died as a publick person so He rose againe as a publick person we are buryed with Him by baptisme that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6 4. and beleevers are said to be planted together with him in the likenesse of his resurrection vers 5. and they shall live with Him vers 8. and therefore they are to reckon themselvs alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord verse 11. we are raised up together Ephes. 2 6. 5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption betwixt the Father the Son Esa. 52 15. so shall he sprinkle many nations Cap. 53 10. He shall see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Christ then having this promised to Him must see to the accomplishment thereof and will have it granted to him seing He hath fulfilled all that was engadged to by Him having made his soul an offering for sin 6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace Ier. 33. 8. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity Ezech 37 23. and I will cleanse them So Chap. 36 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse from all your idols will I cleanse you Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator for in Him all the promises are yea amen 2. Cor. 1 20. 7. He hath also purchased made sure to his owne the new nature and the heart of flesh which is also promised Ezech. 36 26. 11. 19. Ier. 32. 39. This is the new lively principle of grace the spring of sanctification which cannot be idle in the soul but must be emitting vitall acts natively Yea through Him are beleevers made partakers of the divine nature which is a growing thing young glory in the soul. 2. Pet. 2 3 4. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertaine unto life godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. 8. The Spirit is promised to cause us walk in his statutes Ezech. 36 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ who is the cautioner of the covenant yea He hath gotten now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the covenant committed unto Him so as He is the great Lord treasurer and administrator of the great glorious purchased blessings 9. There are new waterings breathings gailes of the Spirit given in Christ. Esai 27 3. He must water his garden or vinyaird every moment This is the north winde the south winde that bloweth upon the garden Cant. 4 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel Hos. 14 5. 10. Through Christ is the beleever brought into such a covenant state as giveth great ground of hope of certane victory He is not now under the law but under grace and hence inferreth the Apostle Rom. 6 14. That sin shall not have dominion over them Being now under that dispensation of grace whereby all their stock is in the Mediators hand at his disposall and not in their own hand power as under the covenant of works there is a sure ground laid down for constant supply furniture in all necessities 11. Christ hath prayed for this Iohn 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth where the Lord is praying that his disciples might be more more sanctified and so fitted qualified for the work of the ministrie they were to be imployed in And what He prayed for them was not for them alone but also for all the elect proportionably who are opposed to the world for which He did not pray v. 9. 12. He standeth in relation to beleevers of a Vine or a Root in which they grow as branches so that by abiding in Him living by faith in Him and drawing sap from him they bring forth fruit in Him Iohn 15 1 2 4 5. Their stock of grace is in Him the root and He communicateâ—…h sap and life unto his branches whereby they grow floorish and bring forth fruit to the glory of God 13. Christ hath taken on Him the office of a Prophet and Teacher to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to goe for He is that great Prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up and who was to be heard and obeyed in all things Deut. â—…8 15. Act. â—… 2â—… and 7 37. He is given for a witnesse a leader Esai 55 4. and we are commanded to hear Him Mat. 17 5. Mark 10 7. 14. He hath also taken on Him the office of a King Psal. 2 6. Mat. 21 5. Esai 9 6 7. Phil. 2 8. 9 10 11. and thereby standeth engadged to lubdue all their spirituall enemies Satan corruption Psal. 110. He is given for a leader and commander Esai 55 4 and so can cause his people walk in his wayes 15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions failings He hath provided a fountaine for us
for the breathings of his Spirit and open at his call least afterward they be put to call and seek and not attaine what they would be at as we see in the Spouse Cant. 5 2 3 4. 5 6. c. 7. They would also guaird against the quenching of the Spirit 1 Thes. 5 12. or greiving of the Spirit Ephes. 4 30. by their unchristian unsuteable carriage for this will much marre their sanctification It is by the Spirit that the work of sanctification is carryed on in the soul and when this Spirit is disturbed and put from his work how can the work go on When the motions of this indwelling Spirit are extinguished his work is marred and retarded and when He is grieved he is hindered in his work Therefore souls would guard against unbeleefe despondency unsuteable unchristian carriage c. 8. Especially they would beware of wasteing sinns Psal. 51 10. Sins against light and conscience such as David calleth presumptuous sinâ—… Psal. 19 13. They would beware also of favouring any known corruption or any thing of that kinde that may hinder the work of sanctification Secondly It were usefull and of great adâ—…antage for such as would grow in grace and advance in the way of holinesse to be living in the constant conviction 1. Of the necessity of holinesse without which no man shall see God Heb. 12 14. nothing entering in into the new Ierusalem that defileth Revel 21 27. 2. Of their owne inability to do any one act aright how they are not sufficient of themselvs to think any thing as of themselvs 2 Cor. 3 5. and that without Christ they can do nothing Iohn 15 5. 3. Of the insufficiency of any humane helpe or meanes or way which they may think good to choose to mortifie aright one corruption or to give strength for the right discharge of any one duty for our sufficiency is of God 2. Cor. 3 5. and it iâ—… through the Spirit that we must mortifie the deedâ—… of the body Rom. 8 13. 4. And of the treachery and deceitfulnesse of the heart which is bent to follow by wayes being not only deceitfull above all things but also desperatly wicked Ier. 17 9. That by this meanes the soul may be jealous of it self and despaire of doing any thing in its owne strength and so be fortified against that maine evill which is an enemy to all true sanctification viz confidence in the flesh Thirdly The soul would keep its eye fixed on those things 1. On Christ's alsufficiency to helpe in all cases that He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7 v. 25. 2. On his compassionednesse to such as are out of the way and ready nesse to helpe poor sinners with his grace and strength and this will keep up the soul from fainting and dispaireing 3. On the commands to holinesse such as those cleanse your hands and purify your hearts Iam 4 8. and be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 1 15 16. and the like That the authority of God and conscience to a command may set the soul a work 4. On the great recompense of reward that is appointed for such as wrestle on and endure to the end and on all the great promises of great things to such as are sanctified whereof the Scriptures are full that the soul may be encouraged to run thorow difficultyes to ride out stormes to endure hardnesse as a good souldier and to persevere in duty 5. On the other hand on the many sad threatnings and denunciations of wrath against such as transgresse his lawes and on all the sad things that such as shake off the fear of God and the study of holinesse have to look for of which the Scripture is full that by this meanes the soul may be keeped in awe and spurred forward unto duty and made the more willing to shake off Leazynesse 6. On the Rule the word of God by which alone we must regulate all our actions and this ought to be our meditation day and night and all our study as we see it was Davids and other holy men of God their dayly work See Psal. 1. and 119. Fourthly In all this study of holinesse and aimeing at an hiegher measure of grace the beleever would lavell at a right end and so would not designe holinesse for this end that he might be justified thereby or that he might thereby procure and purchase to himself heaven and God's favoure for the weight of all that must lie on Iesus Christ who is our Righteousnesse and our holinesse must not dethrone Him nor rob Him of his glory which He will not give to another But would study holinesse to the end he might glorifie God Father Son and holy Spirit and please Him who calleth to holinesse and thereby be made meet to be partaker of the Inheritance of the saints in light Col. 1 10 12. and be made a meet bride for such a holy bridegroome and a member to such an holy head that hereby others might be edified Mat. 5 16 1. Pet. 2 12. and 3 1 2. that the soul may look like a temple of the holy ghost and like a servant of Christ's bought with a price 1 Cor. 6 17 18 10. 20. And have a clear evidence of his regeneration and justification and also that he may expresse his thankfulnesse to God for all his favours and benefites Fiftly The soul would by faith lay hold on and grip fast to the ground of sanctification that is to say 1. To what Christ hath purchased for his people 2. To what as a publike person He hath done for them And so by faith 1. Challenge a right to and lay hold on the promises of grace strength victory and throw-bearing in their combating with corruption within and Satan and a wicked world without 2. Reckon themselves dead unto sin through the death of Christ and alive unto God through his resurrection Rom. 6 4 11. and that the old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed vers 6. and that they are now not under the law but under grace vers 14. That by this meanes they may be encouraged to continue fighting against a vanquished enemy and not give over notwithstanding of disappointments discouragements prevailings of corruption c. and the beleever may know upon what ground he standoth and what is the ground of his hope and exspectation of victory in end and so he may run not as uncertanely and so fight not as one that beateth the aire 1 Cor. 9 26. Sixtly In this work of sanctification the beleever would be much in the lively exercise of faith fight by faith advance by faith grow up and bring forth fruit by faith and so 1. The beleever would be oft renewing his grips of Christ holding Him fast by faith and so abideing in Him that he may bring forth fruit Iohn 15 4 5. 2. Not only would he be keeping his union fast with Christ but he
where they must continually fight the souldier is here under command and therefore must be quiet and take his lot so must the Christian reverence the Lords dispensaâ—…tions in ordering matters so as they shall never â—…ave one houres quietnesse whileas others have more rest and peace and stand at their post figâ—…ting resolving never to yeeld but rather to cover the ground with their dead bodyes till the Commander in chief think good to relieve them Suâ—…â—… am as the only wise God hath distributed to eveâ—…y member of the body as He hath thought good so it is the duty of every member to endeavour this holy submission to Him as to the measure of graâ—… considered as His free gift bestowâ—…d on them â—…nd to be humbled for the grudgings of his heart 〈◊〉 God hath not given him moe talents 〈◊〉 sure I am though this submission make no 〈◊〉 â—…oise in thâ—… world yet really this is one of 〈◊〉 â—…ghest degrees of grace attaineable here and 〈◊〉 aâ—… ornament of a mâ—…ek and quiet Spirit 〈◊〉 it in 〈◊〉 sight of God of great price So that who ever hath 〈◊〉 to this have the very grace they seem to 〈◊〉 and more Yet leâ—…t this should be 〈◊〉 lâ—… me adde a word or two of câ—…ution to 〈◊〉 this submission 1. There must be with it an 〈◊〉 priâ—…ing even of that degree of grace which they want 2. There must be a panting after grace as it is God's image and a conformity to Him and that with so much singlness as they may be in â—…ase to say without the reproachings of their heart they do not so much love holiness for heaven aâ—… heaven for holiness 3. There must be an uncessantness in useing all meanes whereby the grouth oâ—… grace may be promoved to this end that they may be comformed to His image rather than that they may be comforted 4. There must be also a deep humiliation for the want of that degree of grace they would have as it importetâ—… the want of so much conformity to Him to whose image they are praedestinated to be conforme which will very well consist with this submission we are speaking ofâ—… 13. It would be remembered that there may be a great progress even when it is not observed when 1. Hereby the man is made to ly in the dust to loath himself and cry behold I am vile 2. Hereby his indignation against the body of death is the more increased 3. Hereby his esteem of a Saviouâ—… anâ—… of the blessed contrivance of Salvation is the 〈◊〉 hiâ—…ghtned that he seeth he is thereby broughâ—… to make mention of His righteousness even oâ—… 〈◊〉 only 4. Hereby his longing after 〈◊〉 frâ—…ition is increased where all these complainâ—… shall cease 5. And hereby he is put to 〈◊〉 that much slighted duty of holding fast the rejoyâ—…ing of his hope firme unto the end looking 〈◊〉 longing for the grace that shall be brought unto him at the revelation of Iesus Christ when he shall be presented without spot and made meet to be â—… partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light CHAP. VI. How Christ is to be made use of in reference to thâ—… kâ—…lling and crucifying of the old man HAving thus shortly pointed out somethingâ—… in generall serving to the clearing and opening up the way of our usemaking of Christ for sanctification we come now more particularly to the clearing up of this business In sanctification we must consider First the renewing and changeing of our nature and frame and next the washing and purging away of our dayly contracted spots The first of these is commonly divided into two parts viz. 1. The mortification killing and crucifying of the old man of sin and corruption which iâ—… within and 2. The vivification renewing quickening and strengthening of the new man of grace and this is a grouth in grace and in fruitfulnesse holinesse As to the first of these viz the mortification 〈◊〉 crucifying of the old man we would know thâ—… there is such a principle of wickednesse and enmiâ—… against God in man by nature now since the fall whereby the man is inclined to evil and only to evil This is called the old man as being like the body made up of so many parts joynts and members that is so many lusts corruptions and evill inclinations which together make up a corpus and they are fâ—…st joyned and compacted together as the members of the body each usefull and serviceable to another and all of them concurring and contributing their utmost to the carrying on of the work of sin and so it is the man of sin and it is also called the old man as haâ—…ing first possession of the soul before it is by grace renewed and is â—… dying more and more dayly Thus it is called the old man and the body of sin Rom. 6 6. This old man hath his members in our members faâ—…cultyes so that none of them are free understanding will affections and the members of our body are all servants of unrighteousnesse to this body of sin and old man So we read of the motions of sin Rom 7 5. which work in our members to bring forâ—… fruit unto death and of the lusts of the flesh Rom. 13 14. Gal. 5 16 24. and the lusts of sin Rom. 6 12. So we hear of the desires of the flesh and of the minde Ephes. 2 3. and of affections and lusts Gal. 5 24. And the old man is said to be corrupt according to the deceitfull lustâ—… Ephes. 4 22. all which lusts and affections are as so many members of this body of sin and of this old man And further there is herein considerable a power force and efficacy which this old man hath in us to carry us away and as it were command us oâ—… constraine us as by a forcible law Hence we read of the law of sin and death Rom. 8 2 which only the law of the Spirit of life in Christ doth make 〈◊〉 free from It is also called a law in our memâ—…rs warring against the law of our minde Rom. 7 23. and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin which is in our members So it is said to lust against the Spirit and to warre Gal. 5 17 All which point out the strength activity and dominion of sin in the soul so that it is as the husband over the wife Rom. 7 1. yea it hath a domineering and constraineing power where its horns are not held in by grâ—…e And as its power is great so its nature is wicked malicious for it is pure enmity against God Rom. â—… 7. so that it neither is nor can be reconciled 〈◊〉 therefore must be put off and abolished Ephes. 2 15. killed crucified Rom. 6 6. Now herein lyeth the work of a beleever to be killing mortifying and crucifying this enemy or rather enmity and delivering himself from under this bondage and slavery that he may be Christ's free man and that
through the Spirit Rom. 8 13. Now if it be asked how shall a beleever make life of Christ to the end this old man may be goten crucified or how should a beleever mortifie thâ—… Old man and the lusts thereof through Christ or by the Spirit of Jesus We shall propose thosâ—… things which may helpe to cleare this 1. The beleever would have his eye on this old man as his arch enemy as a deadly cut-throat lying within his bosome It is an enemy ludging within him in his Soul Minde Heart and Affections so that there is no part free and therefore is acquant with all the motions of the soul and iâ—… alwayes opposeing and hindering every thing that is good It is an enemy that will never be reconciled to God and therefore will not be reconciled with the beleever as such for it is called enmiâ—…y it self and so it is actively alwayes seeking to promove the ruine of the soul what by prompting inclineing moving and forceably drawing or driveing sometimes with violence and rage to evil what by withstanding resisting opposeing counter working and contradicting what is good so that the beleever can not get that done which he would do and is made to do that which he would not Therefore this being such an enemie and so dangerous an enemie so constant and implacable an enemy so active and closse an enemie so deadly and destructive it is the beleevers part to guaird against this enemy to have a vigilant eye upon it to carry as an irreconcilable enemy thereunto and therefore never to come in tearms of capitulation or agreement therewith never oâ—…ce to parlie let be make peace And the beleever would not have his vigilant eye upon this or that Member of this body of death so much as upon the Body it self or the Principle of wickednesse and rebellion against God the Head Life Spirit or Law of this body of death for there lyeth its greatest wickednesse and activity and this is alwayes opposeing us though not in every joy at and member but sometime in one sometime in another 2. Though the beleever should have a maine eye upon the Body this innate strong and forcible law of sin and death yet should he have friendshipe and familiarity with no part member or lust of all this body all the deeds of the body should be mortified Rom. 8 13. the old man with his deeds should be mortified Col. 3 6. we should mortifie our members which are upon the earth vers 5. for all of them are against us the least of them countenanced intertained imbraced will worke ouâ—… ruine cut our souls throat therefore should the beleever look on each of them on all of them as his deadly enemies 3. He would consider that as it is a very unseemly thing for him to be a slave to that old tyrant and to yeeld his members as so many servants to iniquity so it is dangerous deadly his life lyeth at the stake either he must get it mortified killed subdued or it will kill him his life will goe for its life if this enemy escape he is a gone man The consideration of this would cause the beleeveâ—… act here in earnestnesse and seriousnesse with care and diligence and set about this work of mortification with labour and paines 4. Much more must it be against all reason and christianity for the beleever to be making provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13 14. To be strengthening the hands of and laying provision to this enemy which is lâ—…t sworne against us can stand with no reason And here is much of the christians prudence spirituall wisdome required to discerne what may make for fostering of this or that corruption or member of the body of sin death and to withdraw that as we will labour to take away provision of any kinde from an enemy that is comeing against us Paul acted herein as a wise gamster combatant when he keept under his body brought it into subjection 1 Cor. 9 27. It were but to mock God to preach forth our own folly to be looking to Christ for help against such an enemy and in the mean time to be under-hand strengthening the hands of the enemie this would be double dealing and trearchery against our selves 5. To the end their opposition unto this enemy may be the stronger and more resolute they would consider that this body of sin is wholly set against God his interest in the soul being very enmity it self against God Rom. 8 7. and alwayes losting and fighting against the work of God in the soul Gal. 5 17. against every thing that is good so that it will not suffer so far as it can hinder the soul to do any thing that is good at least in a right manner and for a right end nay with its lustings it driveth constantly to that which is evill raiseth evil motions inclinations in the soul ere the beleever be aware sideth with any tentation that is offâ—…ed to the end it may destroy the soul like a traitour within as we see it did in David when he fell in adultery and with Asaph Ps. 73 2. yea it self opposeth and tempteth Iam. 1 14. by setting minde will affections on wrong courses and thus it driveth the soul to a course of rebellion against God or diverts it and drawes it back that it cannot get God served aright yea sometimes it sets a fire in the soul intangling all the facultyes filling the minde with darknesse or prejudice misleading or perverting the affectious and so miscarrying the will leading it captive Rom. 7 23. so that the thing is done which the regenerate soul would not do and the duty is left undone which the soul would fain have had done yea and that sometimes notwithstanding of the souls watching and striveing against this so strong is its force 6. The beleever would remember that this enemy is not for him to fight against alone and that his owne strength and skill will make but a slender opposition unto it It will laugh at the shaking of his spear it can easily insinuate it self on all occasions because it lyeth so neare close to the soul alwayes resideing there and is at the beleevers right hand whatever he be doing and is alwayes openly or closely opposeing and that with great facility for it easily besetteth Heb. 12 1. because it lyeth within the soul in all the faculties of it in the Heart Minde Will Conscience Affectiones so that upon this account the deceitfulnesse of the heart is great passeth the search of Man Ier. 17 9. Man cannot know all the windeings and turnings all the drifts and designes all the lurking and retireing places all the falshoods and double dealings all the dissimulations lies and subterfuges all the plauâ—…ible and deceitfull pretexts and insinuations of this heart acted and spirited by this law of sin
and death And beside this slight and cunning it hath strength and power to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 4 9. and to carry the soul headlong So that it makes the mans case miserable Rom. 7 24. All which would say that the beleever should call in other help than his owne and remember that through the Spirit he must mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8 13. 7. And therefore the beleever must lay aside all his carnall weapons in dealing with this adversary and look out for divine help assistance even for the promised Spirit through which alone he can be instructed inabled for this great work for of himself he can do nothing not so much as think a good thought as of himself 2 Cor. 3 5. faâ—… lesse will he be able to oppose such a mightie adversary that hath so great many advantages and therefore all his carnall meanes purposes vowes fightings in himself will but render himself weaker a readyer prey unto this adversary which gaineth ground while he is so opposed It is Christ alone and his Spirit that can destroy the works of the devil and kill or crucify this enmity 8. So that the beleever must have his recourse for help and succour here unto Iesus the Captaine of salvation and must follow Him and fight under his bâ—…nner make use of his weapons which are spirituâ—…ll fight according to his counsell and conduct taking Him as a leader commander lying open for his orders instructions waiting for the motions of his Spirit following them and thâ—…s oppose fight against this deadly enemie with an eye alwayes on Christ by â—…aith depending on Him for light to the minde resolution to the will and grace to the whole soul to stand in the battel and to withstand all assaults and never engadge in a disput with this enemie or any lust or member of this body without Christ the Principall that is the soul would dispaire in it self and be strong in Him and in the power of his might by faith gripping to Him as Head Captaine and Commander in chiefe resolving to fight in his strength and to oppose through the helpe of his Spirit 9. And for this cause the beleever would eye the covenant of Redemption the basis of all our hope and consolation wherein finall and full victory is promised to Christ as head of the elect viz that He shall bruise the serpents head and so that in Him all his followers and members of his mysticall body shall lift up the head and get full victory at length over both sin and death Now it is God thâ—…t giveth us the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 15 57. The bâ—…leever would also eye by faith the covenant of Grace where in particularly this same victory is promiâ—…ed to the beleever in and through Jesus Rom. 16 20 the God of peace shall brâ—…ise Satan under your feet shortly and Sin shall not have dominion over you for yee are not under the law but under grace Rom. 6 14. The beleever I say would look out by faith unto and lay hold on these and the like promises and thereby get strength conveyed to him self whereby he may strive lawfully and fight valiently and oppose with courage and resolution 10. Further the beleever would eye Christ as a fountaine of Furniture as a full and compleat magazine standing open ready for every one of his honest souldiers to run to for new supply of what they want so that whatever they finde wanting in their Christian armour they must run away to the open magazine Christs fulnesse that standeth ready for them and by faith take put on what they want stand in need of in their warfare If their girdle of truth be slacked loosed or weakened and they be meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisie and Satan objecting to them their double dealing of purpose to discourage them and to make them fainte give over the fight they must away to Him who is the Truth that He may binde on that girdle better and make their hearts more upright before God in all they do And if their breast plate of righteousnesse be weakened Satan there seem to get advantage by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings towards God or Men they must flee to Him who only can help here and beg pardon through his blood for 〈◊〉 failings and set to againe a fresh to the battel If their resolution which is understood by the preparation of the gospell of peace grow weak it must be renewed in Christs armory and the feet of new be shode therewith If their shield of faith beginne to fail theâ—… away must they get to Him who is the Author finisher of faith Heb 12 2. And if their helmet of hope beginne to fail them In this armory alone can that be supplied And if their sword be blunted in their hand or they unable to weild it aright the Spirit of Jesus can only teach their hands to fight and instruct them how to mannage that usefull weapon with advantage Thus must the beleever be strong in Him and in the power of his might Ephes. 6 10. He is their God that girdeth them with strength and maketh their way perfect He maketh their feet like hindes feet setteth them upon their high places He teacheth their hands to war so that a bow of steal is brocken by their armes He giveth them the shield of Salvation His right hand upholdeth them He girdeth with strength unto the battell c. Psal. 18 vers 32 33 34 35 39. c. 11. For the further strengthening of their Hope Faith Confidence beleevers would eye Christ as hanging on the crosse and overcomeing by death Death and him that had the power of death the Devill so as meritoriously purchaseing this redemtion from the slavery of sin and Satan and particulary from the slavery of that body of death and of the law of sin death for the Apostle tells us Rom. 8 2 that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus doth make us free from the law of sin and death and that because as he sayeth further vers 3 4. what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his owne son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh That the rigâ—… teousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us So that the beleever may now look upon that enemy how fearfull so ever it appear as condemned and killed in the death of Christ. He having laid downe the price of Redemption hath bought this freedom from the chaines fetters with which he was held in captivity faith then on the death of Jesus satifying justice for the poor captive may should support and strengthen the hope confidence of the beleever that he shall obtaine victory at length 12. And it will
further confirme the hope and faith of the beleever to look to Christ hinging on the crosse and there vanquishing and evercomeing this 〈◊〉 as a publick person representing the elect who died in him and virtually and legally did in him overcome that Jailour and break his fetters and the soul now beleeving may yea should reckon it self in Christ dying as it were upon the crosse and there overcomeing all those spirituall enemies likewise sayeth the Apostle Rom. 6 11. Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin From hence even while fighting the beleever may account himself a conquerour yea more then a conquerour through Him that loved him Rom. 8 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ as a publick person dying and overcomeing death and sin the beleever may not only inferte the certainty of victory knowing that our old man is crucified with Christ Rom 6 6. but also from the crosse of Christ draw strength to stand fight against the struglings of this vanquished and killed enemy They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections lusts Gal. 5 24. But how even by the crosse of Christ for thereby is the world crucified unto me sayeth the Apostle Gal. 6 14. I unto the world your old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. 13. The beleever being dead indeed unto sin through the crosse of Christ is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yock of bondage under sin death The law hath dominion over a man so long as he liveth Rom. 7 1. but by the body of Christ beleevers are become dead to the law vers â—… That law of sin death which hath dominion over a man that liveth still in nature and is not yet by faiâ—…h planted in the likenesse of Christs death noâ—… buryed with him by baptisme into death Rom. 6 4 5. hath not that dominion over beleevers it had once for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made them free from the law of sin death Rom. 8 2. So that now the beleever is free from that tyranny and that tyrant can exerce no lawfull jurisdiction or authority over him and therefore he may with the greater courage repell the insolencies of that tyrant that contrare to all right and equity seeketh to Lord it over him still They are no lawfull subjects to that cruell and rageing Prince or to that spirituall wickednesse 14. So that the beleever renunceing that jurisdiction under which he was formerly and being under a new husband and under a new law even the law of the Spirit of liâ—…e in Christ Iesus is to look upon all the motions of sin as illegall and as treasonable acts of a tyrant The old man being crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed the beleever is not any more to serve sin Rom. 6 6. And being now dead they are freed from sin vers 7. and are married to another even to Him who is raised from the dead so they should not serve sin but bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 4. therefore look upon all motions of the flesh and all the inclinations and stirrings of the old law of sin as acts of treachery and rebellion against the right and jurisdiction of the beleevers new Lord Husband and are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man this body of death and all the members of it as traitours to the rightfull King Husband and to take them prisoners to the King that He may give out sentence and execute the same against them as enemies to his kingdome and interest in the soul They being now no more servants of sin but of righteousnesse Rom. 6 18. they ought no more to yeeld their members servants to uncleannesse iniquity unâ—…o iniquity vers 19. and being debters no more to the flesh to live after the flesh Rom. 8 12. they are to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit vers 13. and to crucify the flesh with the affections lusts Gal. 5 24. that is by bringing them to the crosse of Christ where first they were condemned and crucified in their full body and power that a new sentence as it were may goe out against them as parts of that condemned Tyrant and as belonging to that crucified body 15. So that the beleever that would carry faithfully in this matter and fight lawfully in this warfare and hope to obtaine the victory through Jesus Christ must bring these Traitours that appeare in their sinfull motions and lusts in the soul working rebellion against the lust authority and equitable lawes of the lawfull Prince Iesus before the tribunal of Him who hath now gote all power and authority in heaven and earth Mat. 28 18. and hath all judgment committed to Him Ioh. 5 22. And to this end both died and rose revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Rom. 14 9. that He may execute justice upon the Tâ—…aitor head and members that He may trâ—…mple these devils under and bruise the head of these serpents within us The beleever then is by faith in prayer to carry these open enemies to Christ and declare and witnesse against them as Traitours by what mischief they have done in the soul by their hindering the righteous lawes of the king to be obeyed and constraining forceing what by arguments or allurements and what by forceable inclinations and pousings to disobedience and a counteracting of Christ and he should urge and plead upon the fundamentall lawes of the land viz the articles of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son and the faithfull promises of the Covenant of grace and upon Christs office as King and Governour and his undertaking as Mediator upon the merites of his death and sufferings upon his dying as a common person upon the constitution of the gospell whereby they are in law repute as dying in him and so free from the law of sin and death and upon their relation to Him as their new Lord Head Husband King Commander c. Upon these arguments I say to plead for justice against the rebell that is now brought to the barre and so by faith leave the prisoner in His hand that He may in his own time and way give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable and rageing enemy that he may noâ—… rise up to disturbe the peace of the soul as before or to trouble impede and molest the soul in paying the homage and obedience due to his lawfull Master and Soveraigne King Jesus Cautions Directions For furder clearing of the premises I would propose a few particulars for caution direction as 1. This work of laying the burthen of this businesse on Christ by faith would be gone about with much singlenesse of heart aimeing at the glory of God and the carying on of his work in the soul and not for
self ends and carnal by 〈◊〉 respects lest thereby we marre all 2. It would be carryed on without partiality against all and every one of the lusts and motions of the Old man for if there be a complyance with and a spareing of any one known lust the whole work may be marred they may meet with a disappointment as to the particular lust they aâ—… desireing victory over and the lust they are harbouring though it may seem little may open a door to many stronger and so occasion sad dayes to the man ere he be aware 3. As they would bring the particular lust or lusts unto Christ as chiefe Lord justice so they would alwayes lay the axe to the root of the tree and crave justice against the maine body that yet lieth within the soul and these particular corruptions and affections that are as members of that body of sin should put them in minde of the old man for they should crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Gal. 5 24. the body and the members these lusts are the lusts of sin or of that Head-sin which hath a law or the force and impulse of a law in the soul and therefore their maine designe would be against this root where lyeth the strength and body of the enemy and which acteth in those members this is the capitall enmity and should be mainely opposed and the following of this course would prove more succesfull than that which many a time we take out nibling at or wreastling against this or that member of the body of death is but of little advantage so long as the maine body of sin the bitter root of wickednesse the carnall minde this innate enmity is miskent and not opposed but on the contrary strick at this we strick at all 4. This would be the beleevers constant work to be crucifying the flesh with the lusts thereof to be mortifying their members wherein the members of the old man quarter and lodge Colos. 3 5. to be spiritually minded and to minde the things of the spirit Rom 8 5 6. for this carnall minde is enmity against God Rom. 8 7. and so is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be It is not only an enemy which may be reconciled but enmity in the abstract which never can be reconciled and this enmity will never be idle for it câ—…nnot till it be fully and finally destroyed the flesh is alwayes lusting against the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. for they are contrary one to the other So that though to our sense it may sometimes appear as sleeping in regaird that it doth not by some particular lust so molest and perplexe the soul as formerly it did yet it is restlesse and may be more active in another lust and so by changeing weapons upon us deceive us Here then is much spirituall wisdome and vigilancy required when they think they have gotten one lust subdued they must not think the war is at an end but after all their particular victories watch and pray that they enter not into temptation 5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ should and will keep them humble and teach them not to ascribe the glory of any good that is done unto themselves but to give Him all the glory who is jealous of his glory and will not give it to another that the crowne may alone floorish on his head who is the Captane of their salvation and who by his Spirit worketâ—… all their workes in them 6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ and putting it over on Him cause the beleever become negligent in commanded dutyes reading hearing prayer c. for it is there he must exspect to meet with Christ there must he seek Him and there must he waite for Him and his Spirit to do the work desired for though He hath not limited himself to these meanes so as He cannot or will not any other way helpe yet He hath bound us to them and it is our duty to waite there where He hath commanded us â—…o waite though He should sometime â—…hink good to come another way for the manifestation of the soveraignity of hiâ—… grace 7. Yet while we are about the meanes we would guaird against a leâ—…ning to them lest in stead of getting victory over corruption we be brought more in bondage thereunto another way we must not think that our Prayers or our Hearing or Reading c. will bring downe the body of death or subdue any one corruption for that were but an yeelding to corruption and opening a back door to the carnal minde and to another deadly lust and a beating corruption with a sword of straw This is not to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit but through the flesh and a fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spirituall wickednesse or old man or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof and yet how many times doth our deceitfull heart by as us thiâ—… way Our work would be as is said to use the ordinances aâ—… meancâ—… whereby we may get the businesse laid on Christ and help from Christ to do the bâ—…sinesse We must go to the meanes with our prisoner to finde Christ there at his court and aâ—…ifes that He may take course with the Traitor 8. In all this there would be a looking to and dependance on Christ for helpe and grace because of our selves as of our selves we can not do this much we cannot complean aright of corruptions nor take them away to Christ not ask for justice against them aâ—… constableâ—… and other officers must carry malefactores to the courts of justice uâ—…on publick charges so Christ will not have us doing or attempting this mâ—…ch on our own charges for He giveth noble allowance 9. In following of this course we would not think alwayes to come speed at the first Sometimes the Lord for the encourageing of his children may give them a speedy hearing and deliver them from the tyranny of some particular lust or other that hath troubled them that for some time at least it shâ—…ll not so trouble them as it did Yet He will not do so alwayes but may think it good to keep them waiting on Him and hanging on his courts for soâ—…e considerable time that He may thereby exercise their Faith Patience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Diligencâ—… So that it should not seem strange to us if we be not admitted aâ—… the first and get not our answer at the first cry 10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our desires and the execution of justice on the Malefactor Traitour or to deliver us from his tyranny and trouble we would beware of thinking to capitulat with the enemy for our peace and quiet or to enter into a ceâ—…lation of armes with him that is our â—…mity against him should never abate nor should our desire after the mortification and crucifixion of this lust grow lesse
the body of death The objecter would consider that having subjected his consent to Christ he is delivered really from that naturall state of bondage under sin as a lawfull Lord how be it the 〈◊〉 now wanting a tittle is making 〈◊〉 vâ—…sions to trouble the peace and quiet of the soul. Fourthly It may be said But what can then in the meane time keep up the heart of a poor soul from siâ—…king Answer Severall things if rightly considered might helpe to support the soul in this â—…ase as 1. That they are helped to wreastle against this body of death in all the members of it so soon as they discover themselves were it their right eye and right hand 2. That those lusts gaine not ground upon them or if they do seem to gaine ground yet they attaine not to a full dominion not 〈◊〉 their consent 3. That God is faithfull and therefore the promised victory shall be had in due time and Satans head shall certanely be bruised 4. That the wreastling soul is about his duty carrying as a good souldier of Jesus Christ fighting the battels of the Lord and waiting on Him in faith and hope But further Fiftly some may say If I were keeped from yeelding my wrestling and standing would yeeld me some comfort but when lust so stirreth as that it conceiveth and bringeth forth sin Iames 1 15. what can support or comfort me then Answer 1. Corruption can not stirre in us but therein we sinne for the very first rise the motus primo-primi as they are called are sinfull being contrare to the holy law of God and the very inbeeing of that Old man is our sin for it is sinfull and rebellious against God yea it is very enmity rebellion it self when Satan cometh with a temptation from without he findeth alwayes much in us to intertaine the temptation So that the very stirring of corruption which is occasioned by the temptation from without is ouâ—… guilt 2. It is true it is our duty â—…o set against the first riseings and motions of corruption when it first enticeth before it hath conceived of brought forth sin and it will argue grace in life and in action to be able to hinder the motions of lust so farr that it shall not conceive and bring forth sin Yet we may not say that there is no grace in the soul or no measure of Mortification attained where lust sometimes not only enticeth but conceiveth and bringeth forth sin The sad experience of many of God's worthies registrated in the word cleareth this abundantly We must not say Such an one is fallen Therefore he is dead Paul reasoneth otherwayes Rom. 7. 3. Yet even then when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin this may comfort and bear up the heart of a poor beleever 1. That though corruption prevail so farr as to bear down all opposition run downe all that standeth in its way yet it getteth not the full consent of the soul there is still a party for God in the soul that opposeth so farr as to protest against it or at least to dissent from it and not to will that which yet is done and positively to will that which cannot be gotten effectuated 2. And farther this may bear up the poor soul that there is a party within which though for a time dureing the violent overruning of corruption can do little more than sigh groan in a corner yet is waiting longing for an opportunity when it may appear more for God and against that wicked usurper 3. So also this may comfort the pooâ—… soul that as it perceiveth corruption stirring and the old man moving one member oâ—… other it runeth away to the king and when it is not able to apprehend the Treator take him captive to the court of justice doth there discover the Taitour and tell the king that there is such or such a traitouâ—… acting such and such rebellion against Him and his lawes and compleâ—… and sâ—…k help to take the rebell prisoner and bring him bound hand and foot to the King that He may give out sentence against him that is when he can do no more against that rageing enemie maketh his complaint to the Lord lyeth before Him â—…ghing groaning for help strength to withstand and oppose more this enemy Lastly some may yet Object say if it were not worse with me than it is with others I could then be satisfied but I see some mightily prevailing over corruption and I am still at under and can get no victory and can I choose but be sad at this I Answere 1. Dost thou know for a certanâ—…ty that those persons whose condition thou judgest happy are altogether free of the inward stirrings of those lusts that thou art brought under by Or dost thou know for a certainty that they are not under the power of some other corruption as thou thinkest thy self under the power of that corruption whereof thou compleanest What knowest thou then but they may be as much complaining on other accounts as thou dost on that 2. But be it so as thou supposeth that thereis a difference betwixt thy condition and the condition of others knowest thou not that all the members of the body are not alike great and strong as not being equally to be imployed in works requireing strength Are there not some young strong men in Christs family some that are but babeâ—… May not a Captane send some of his souldiers to one post where they shall possibly not see the enemy all the day long and some others to another post where they shall have no rest all the day And why I pray may not God dispose of his souldiers as He will He knoweth what He is doing It is not saife that every one of the souldiers know what are the designes of the Commander or Generall noâ—… is it alwayes fit for us to know or to enquire what may be the designes of God with us and what He may be about to do He may intend to imploy one in greater works than another and so exercise them otherwayes for that warfare and work It may suffice that the prevailing of others may encourage thee to hope that at last thy strong corruptions shall also fall by the hand of the same grace of God 3. If thy sadnesse â—…avoure not of envy fâ—…etting thou should blesse Him that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spirituall sorrow 4. It is well of this bring thee to blesse God for the successe of others because hereby his grace is glorified 1 Cor. 12 26. Therefore 5. Let this satisfie us that He is the Lord who doth what He will in heaven and in earth and may dispose of us as He will and make of us what He will for his owne glory And that we are to minde our duty and be faithfull at our post standing and fighting in the strength of the Lord resolving never to comply with the enemy and
short of infinitnesse in this respect that it can be swallowed up of infinit mercy But whence hath the soul all this light It owes all this and owns it self as debtor for it to him who opens the eyes of the blind it is he who commands the light to shine out of darkenesse who hath made these blessed discoveries and hath given the poor benighted soul the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ These irradiations are from the Spirits illumination it is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that hath made day light in the darkened soul the man who had the heart of a beast as to any saveing or solid knowledge of God or himself hath now got an understanding to know him that is true now is Christ become the poor mans wisdome he is now renewed in knowledge after the image of him that oreated him he might well bable of spiritual things but till now he understood nothing of the beauty excellency of God and his wayes Nay he knew not what he knew he was ignorant as a beast of the life and lustre of those things which he knew in the letter nothing seemed more despicable to him in the world then true godlinesse but now he judgeth otherwise because he hath the mind of Christ the things which in his darkenesse he did undervalue as trifles to be mocked at he now can onely minde and admire since he became a child of light now being delivered from that blindnesse and brutishnesse of Spirit which possesseth the world and possessed himself till he was transformed by the renewing of his minde who esteem basely of spiritual things and set them at nought he prizeth as alone precious the world wonders what pleasure or content can be in the service of God because they see not by tasteing how good he is to be pryeing into and poreing upon invisible things is to them visible madnesse but to the enlightened minde the things that are not seen are onely worth seeing and while they appeare not to be they onely are whereas the things that are seen appeare but to be and are not Though the surpassing sweetnesse of spiritual things should be spoke of to them who cannot savour the things of God in such a manner as the giorious light of them did surround men yet they can perceive no such thing all is to them cuningly devised fables let be spoke what will they see no forme no comelinesse no beauâ—…y in this glorious object God in Christ reconcileing sinners to himself Alas the mind is blindâ—…d the dungeon is within and till Christ open the eyes aswell as reveal his light the foul abideâ—… in its blindnefse and is buryed in midnight darkenesse but when the Spirit of God opens the mans eyes and he is translated by an act of omnipotency out of the kingdome of darkenâ—…sse into the kingdome of his dear son which is a kingdom of marvellous light O! what matchlesse beauty doth he now see in these things which appeared despicable and â—…ke rothings to him till he got the unction the eye salve which teacheth all things now he sees what none without the Spirit can see the things which God hath prepared for them that love him and are freely given them of God and these though seen at a distance reflect such rayes of beauty into his soul that he beholds and is ravished he sees and is swallowed up in wonder But then in the next place this is not a Spiritlesse inefficacious speculation about these things to know no evil but sin and separation from God and no blessednesse but in the fruition of him it is not such a knowledge of them as doth not principle motion to pursue after them This I grant is part of the image of God when the sun of righteousnesse by ariseing upon the man hath made day light in his soul and by these divine discoveries hath â—…aught him to make the true parallel betwixt things that differ and to put a just value upon them according to their intrinsick worth But this divine illumination doth not consist in a meer notion of such things in the head nor doth it subsist in enlightening the mind but in such an impression of God upon the soul as transformes and changes the heart into his likenesse by love knowledge is but one line one draught or lineament of the souls likenesse to him that alone doth not make up the image but knowledge rooted in the heart and engraven on the soul shineing shewing it self forth in a gospel adorneing conversation that makes a comely proportion when the same hand that touched the eye and turned the man from darkenesse to light and give an heart to know him that he is the Lord doth also circumcise the mans heart to love the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his minde and this love manifesting its livelinesse in its constraining power to live to him and for him light without heat is but wild fire but light in the mind begetting heat in the heart making it burne Godward Christward and Heavenward light in the understanding setting on fire and enflameing the affections and these shining out in a heavenly conversation makes up the lively image of God both in feature stature both in proportion and colour faith begins this image and drawes the lineaments and love bringing forth obedience finishes and gives it the lively lustre the burneings of love in obedience to God is that which illuminats the whole and maks a man look indeed like him to whose image he is predestinat to be conforme and then maks him who is ravished with the charmes of that beauty say as in a manner overcome thereby how fair is thy love my Sister my spouse How much better is thy love then wine and the smell of thine ointments then all spices But consider that as these beames which irradiat the soul are from the Spirit of Christ so that spiritual heat and warmth come out of the same airth and proceed from the same Author for our fire burnes as he blowes our lampe shines as he snuffes and furnisheth oile men therefore would not indulge themselves in this delusion to think that that which will passe for pure Religion and undefiled before God consists either in an outward blamelesse conversation or in putting on and weareing an external garbe of profession no as the top of it reacheth higher so the root of it lies deepâ—…r it is rooted in the heart this seed being sowen in an honest heart or makeing the heart honest in which it is sowen takes root downe ward and brings forth fruit upward as trees that gâ—…ow as far under ground as above so these trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified grow as far and as fast under ground as above godlinesse growes as far downward in self emptying self denyal and self abaseing in hungring and thirsting
in me a soul animating my body as the principle of all my vital and natural actions I have Jesus Christ animating my soul and by the impulse and communicat vertue and strength of an indwelling Christ I am made to run the wayes of his commandements wherein I take so great delight that I am found of no duty as of my enemy Secondly This gospel holinesse respects Jesus Christ as its patern It proposeth no lower patern for imitation then to be conforme to his image he that is begotten againe unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead girds up the loins of his minde wh◅ch are the affections of his soul lest by falling flat upon the earth he be hindered in runing the race set before him as looking to the foreruner his patern in this girdle of hope that he may be holy in all manner of conversation keeping his eye upon the precept and paterne that his practice may be conforme It is written saith he Be ye holy for I am holy the hope of seeing God and being ever with him imposeth a necessity upon him who hath it to look no lower then at him who is glorious in holinesse and therefore he is said to purify himself even as he is pure and knowing that this is the end of their being quickened together with Christ that they may walk even as he walked they in their working and walking aime at no lesse then to be like him and therefore never sit down upon any attained measure as if they were already perfect the spotlesse purity of God expressed in his laws is that whereto they study assimilation therefore they are still in motion towards this mark and are changed from one degree of glorious grace into another into the same image even as by the Spirit of the Lord who never gives over his putting them to cleanse from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the Spirit till that be true in the truest sense thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee And knowing that perfect fruition of him cannot be without perfect conformity to him herein do they exercise themselves to grow in grace and to be still advanceing towards some more likenesse to his image forgetting all their attainments as things that are behind and by their reachings forth unto that which is before make it evident that they make every begun degree of grace and conformity to God a prevenient capacity for a new degree which yet they have not attained I know our maralists look upon themselves as matchlesse in talkeing of following his steps as he hath left us an example in this they make a flourish with flanting effrontry but for all their boasting of wisdom such a poor simple man as I am made to wonder at their folly who proposeing as they say the purity of Christ for their paterne are not even thence convinced that in order to a conformity thereto there is a simple absolute necessity of the mighty operations of that Spirit of God whereby this end can be reached but while they flout at the Spirits working as a melancholy fancy whereby the soul is garnished with the beauty of holinesse and made an habitation for God I doubt not to say of these great sayers that they understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirme nay doth not their talking of the one not only without seeing the necessity of the other but speaking against it say in the heart of every one who hath not the heart of a beast that they have never yet got a sight of the holinesse of that paterne nor of their own pollutions and impotency for if they had they would give themselves up to Jesus Christ to be washed by him without which they can have no part with him O there will be a ◅ast difference at the latter day betwixt them who have given their blake souls to Jesus Christ to bletch when he shall present them without spot not onely cloathed with wrought gold but all glorious within and these who have never dipped yea who have despised to dip their defiled souls in any other fountain save in the impure pudle of their own performances this will make them loathsome in his sight and cause his soul abhorre those whō have done this despite unto the Spirit of grace as to slight that bl◅ssed fountaine opened for sin for uncleannesse let them pretend as high as they will to look to him as a paterne while because the plague sore i◅ got up in their eye they look not to him as a price no◅ to the grace of Jesus Christ as that which can onely principle any acceptable performance of duety he will plunge them in the ditch and it Will cost them their souls for rejecting the counsel of God against themselves in not making use of him who came by water as well as by blood Thirdly This gospel holinesse respects Christ as the Altar It is in him and for him that his soul is well pleased with our performance this is the Altar upon which thou must lay thy gift leave it without which thy labour is lost and whatsoever thou dost is loathed as a corrupt thing As beleevers draw all their strength from him so they expect acceptation onely through him and for him they do not look for it but in the beloved they dare not draw near to God in duty but by him this is the new and liveing way which is consecrat for them and if such who offer to come to God do no enter in hereat in stead of being admitted to a familiar converse with God they shall finde him a consumeing fire when the saints have greatest liberty in prayer and so of all other performances when their hearts are most lifted up in the wayes of the Lord they abhorre at thinking their prayer can any otherwise be set forth before him as incense or the lifting up of their hands as the evening sacrifice but as presented by the great intercessor and perfumed by the merit of his oblation If they could weep out the marrow of their bones and the moisture of their body in mourning over sin yet they durst not think of having what comes from so impure a spring and runs thorow so polluted a channel presented to God but by Jesus Christ in order to acceptation for as they look to the exalted Saviour to get their repentance from him so when by the pourings out upon them the Spirit of grace and supplication he hath made them pour out their hearts before him and hath melted them into true tendernesse so that their mourning is a great mourning they carry backe these teares to be washen and bathed in his blood as knowing without this of how little worth and value with God their salt water is but when they are thus washed he puts them in his bottle and then pours them out again to them in the wine of strong consolation thus are they made
willing in the day of his power Psal. 110. So he taketh away the enmitie that is in us Col. 2 20 21. and reconcileth us to God and to His wayes that our hearts do sweetly comply with them and we become most willing and glade to walk in them yea to run the way of his commandements through his enlarging of our hearts Psal. 119 32. 5. He likewise taketh away that desire and willingnesse which we have to lie still in our naturall condition by convinceing us of the dreadfull hazard thereof through the Spirit of conviction whereby he convinceth the world of in Iohn 16 8. and circumciseth their care to hear maketh them willing to hearken to the counsel of God 6. As for the power Dominion of Satan he breaketh that by leading captivity captive Ephes. 4 8. Psal. 68 18. and spoiling the strong Mans house for he is come to destroy the works of the devil 1 Iohn 3 8. and He spoileth principalities powers Col. 2 15. Thus as captaine of salvation he leadeth them out as a conquerour having payed the price he delivereth also by power and authoritie from the hand of this Jailour And thus we see how he answereth our case and necessitie and is a fit way for us and though this be not questioned yet little is it beleeved and considered and lesse put in practise And as for the Third particular That He alone is this way and answereth our case herein it needeth not be much spoken to since it is clear and manifest confirmed by the experience of all generations and the disappointments of fools who have been seeking other wayes Angels in heaven cannot do our businesse They cannot satisfy justice for 〈◊〉 nor have they any power over our heart to turne it as they will nay they are not acquanted with our secret thoughts that cabinet is keept closse from them and reserved as the peculiar privilege of God alone The blood of bulls and goats can not do it for the Apostle tells us that it is impossible that that should take away sin Heb. 10 4. That blood shed according to the law did cleanse ceremonially but it is only the blood of Iesus typified by that which cleanseth really so that we are sanctified through the offerring of the body of Jesâ—… Christ once for all Heb. 10 10. No paines or labour of ours can avail here The Lord will not be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil He will not take our first borne for our transgression nor the Son of our body for the sin of our soul Micah 6 7. Ordinances and meanes will not do it nor any invention of our owne No man can by any meanes redeem his brother or give to God a ransome for him for the redemption of the soul is precious ceaseth for ever Psal. 49 7. 8. He alone hath laid downe the price all our sufferings prayers teares labours pennances and the like signifie nothing here they cannot satisfie justice for one sin As to the fourth particular viz the singularity of this way Those things make it manifest and apparent 1. This is such a way as can discover it self and make it self known unto the erring traveller Christ Iesus is such a way as can say to the wandering soul This is the way walk in it Esa. 30 25. No way can do this This is comfortable 2. This way can not only discover it self to the wandering traveller but also it can bring folk into it Christ can bring souls unto himself when they are runnig on in their wandering condition He can move their heart to turne in to the right way put grace in their soul for this end beginne resolutions in them and sow the seed of faith and so stay their course which they were violently pursueing and make them look about and consider what they are doing as the former was good newes to poor blinde and witlesse creatures that were wandering and knew not whither they were going so this is good newes to poor souls that finde their heart inclineing to wander and loving to goe astray 3. This way can cause us walk in it If we be rebellious and obstinate He can command with authoritie for he is given for a leader and a commander Esa. 55 4. How sweet should this be to the soul that is weighted with a stubborn untractable and unperswadable heart that He as a King Governour Commander can with authoritie draw or drive and cause us follow and run 4. This way is Truth as well as the Way So that the soul that once entereth in here is saife for ever no wandering here The wayfareing men though fooles shall not erre in this way Esa. 35 8. He will bring the blinde by a way that they knew not and lead them in paths that they have not knowne he will make darknesse light before them and crooked things streight those things will he do unto them and not forsake them Esai 42 16. 5. This way is also Life and so can revive the fainting and weary travailer He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he Increaseth strength Yea he renowes their strength and makes them mount up with wings as eagles and run and not be weary and walk and not faint Esa. 40 29 31. and so he giveth legs to the traveller yea he carryeth the lambs in his bosome Esa. 40 11. O! who would not walk in this way what can discourage the man that walketh here what can he feare no way can quicken or refresh the weary man This way can do it yea it can quicken one that is as dead and cause him march on with fresh alacrity and vigour 6 From all these it followeth that this way is a most pleasant hartsome desireable and comfortable way The man is saife here and he may sing in the wayes of the Lord Psal. 138 5 for wisdomes wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse and all her paths are peace Prov. 3 17. He is a Way that is Food Physick cordials and all that the poor traveller standeth in need of till he come home From all which â—…re we come to particulars we shall in generall shortly point out those dutyes which natively result thence by way of use 1. O! what cause is there here for all of us to fall on wondering both that God should ever have condescended to have appointed a way how sinners and rebells that had wickedly departed from him and deserved to be cast out of his presence and favour for ever might come back againe and enjoy happinesse and felicity in the friendshipe and favour of that God that could have gote the glory of his justice in our destruction and stood in no need of us or of any thing we could do as also that he appointed such a way That Iesus Christ his only Son should to speak so lie as a bridge betwixt God and sinfull rebells and as a high-way that they might
christianity they might grow wanton secure and carelesse and so occasion some sad dispensation to humble them againe 7. It would be remembered that perfect victory is not be had here it is true in respect of justification through the imputation of the perfect righteousnesse of Christ and in respect of their sincerity and gospel simplicitie and in respect also of the parts of the new man beleevers are said to be perfect Such an one was Noah Gen. 6 9. and Iob. Cap. 1 1 8. see also Psal. 37 37 and 64 4. 1 Cor. 2 6. Heb 5 14. Iam. 3 2. And it is true we are to aime at perfection and to pray for it as Mat. 5 48. 2. Cor. 13 11. Col. 4 12. Heb. 13. 21. Iam. 1 4. 1. Pet. 5 10. Heb. 6 1. Yet as to the degrees of holinesse sanctification and in respect of the remnant of corruption within there is no full perfection here Iob. 9 20 21. Phil. 3 12. for even he who is washen and as to justification is cleane every whit yet needeth to wash his feet because contracting filth in his conversation Ioh. 13 10. So that if the Lord should mark iniquity no man should stand Psal. 130 3. 143 2. There will stil be in the best something more or lesse of that battell that Paul speaketh of Rom. 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23. So that they will stil have occasion to cry out with him vers 24. O! wretched man that I am who shall deliverâ—…e from the body of this death And the flesh will stil lust against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that they shall not be able to do what they would Gal. 5 17. The place of perfection is above where all tears are wiped away and the weary wreastler is at rest 8. Let them not mistake and think that every stirring of corruption in the soul argueth its dominion and prevailing power Corruption may stirre and make a great deal ado where it cannot get leave to reigne and be as a violent and cruell invader seeking the throne putting the whole kingdom in a combustion who is resisted with force of armes Corruption may be more quiet and still when indeed it hath the throne of the soul as a conquerour may be more quiet and still when he hath overcome and is in peacable possession of the kingdom than when he was but fighting for it when the strong man keeps the house and is Master than all is quiet and at rest till a stronger come to thrust him out and dispossesse him 9. Sanctification doth not alwayes consist in a mans freedom from some corruptions for there may be some corruptions that one hath no naturall inclination to but oâ—… the contrary a great aversation from as some worlds wretches may have no inclination to prodigality and ranting or such like vices which are contrary to their humor or to their constant education and Satan may â—…ever tempt some man to such evils knowing he wiâ—… get more advantage by plying his temper and genius and so carying him away to the other contrary evill and so though this man know not so much as what it is once to be tempted to those vices yet that will not say that he is a sanctified man farr lesse will it say that he hath more grace than another man whose predominant that evil is and against which he is dayly fighting and wreastling Whence it appeareth that wreastling and protesting against even an overcoming corruption may evidence more of grace than freedom from some evils to which some are not so much tempted and to which they are naturally lesse inclined 10. Nor should they think that corruption is alwayes master of the soul and possessing the throne as a full conquerour when it prevaileth and caryeth the soul head-long at a time for corruption may sometimes come in upon the soul as an inuâ—…dation with irrestible violence and for a time carry all before it so that the soul cannot make any sensible resistence as when a sudden violent and unexpected temptation setteth on so as the poor Man is overw helmed scarce knoweth where he is or what he is doing till he be laid on his back at that time it will be a great matter if the soul dar quietly enter a protest against and dissent from what is done and if there be an honest protestation against the violent tyrannicall invasion of corruption we cannot say that corruption is in peacable possession of the throne if the Spirit be lusting against the flesh leavying all the forces he can against the invader by prayer and supplication to God and calling-in all the supply of divine help he can get and when he can do no more is sighing and groaning under that unjust invasion resolving never to pay homage to the usurper noâ—… to obey his lawes nor so much as parley with him or make peace we can not say that the soul doth consent fully unto this usurpation Nay if the soul shall do this much at such a time when Satan sets on with all his force it will be a greater evidence of the strength of grace in the soul than if the soul should do the same or alittle more at a time when the temptation is not so strong 11. It is not good for them to say that grace is not growing in them because they advance not so far as some do and because they come not to the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to That is not a sure rule to measure their grouth in grace by Some may have a better naturall temper whereby they are lesse inclined to severall vices which these finde a strong propension to they may have the advantage of a better education and the like So that they should rather tâ—…y themselves this yeer by what they were the last yeer and that in reference to the lusts to which they have been most subject all their dayes 12. We must not think that every beleever will attaine to the same measure of grace there is a measure appointed for every member or joynt of this body and every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every pâ—… Ephef 4 16. God hath more a doe with somâ—…â—…han with others there is more strength required 〈◊〉 an arme or legg than in a finger or toe And evâ—… one should be content with his measure so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ot to fret or repine against God and his dispenâ—…tions that makes them but a finger and not 〈◊〉 arme of the body and do their duty in their station fighting against sin according â—…o the measure of grace dispensed to them of the Lord and thâ—…â—…aithfully constantly and not quarrell with God â—…hat He maketh us not as free of temptations and corruptions as some others for the Captane must â—…ot be blamed for commanding some of his souldiers to this post where they never once see the enemy and others to that post