wicked By our sinnes are encouraged to sinne The creatures The Devill CHAP. V. Discovereth after what manner the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountred where 's 1 How the flesh warreth against us viz. 1 Covertly 2 By faining flight 3 By open force and violence 2 How we must warre against the flesh viz. 1 Sincerely in quality 2 Impartially in quantity 3 Discreetly 4 Cheerfully 5 Porcibly 6 Seasonable 7 Constantly CHAP. VI. Describeth by what meanes the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountered They are not 1 To walke carelesly and securely 2 To connive or wicke thereat 3 To consent thereunto 4 To put in execution any of the deeds thereof 5 To fulfill the desires thereof But they are Extraordinary Fasting Vowes Ordinary consisting in Things to be avoided Ordinary consisting in Things to be attained Things to be avoided 1 Excesse in things lawfull 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Ignorance 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Pride 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Hardnesse of heart 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Carnall confidence 2 Harbouring the causes of our sinfull lusts Infidelity 3 The occasions of sin Evill company Evill places Tempting objects Want of a calling Want of diligence in ones calling 4 Vnwillingnesse to fight 5 Cowardise and carelesnesse Things to be attained Faith Love Feare of God Our selves Prayer Dayly renuing of our Covenant Holy wisdome Watchsulnesse Meditation of Gods Nature Gods Word Christs sufferings Heaven Yea we are to deale with our lusts as Ioseph with his Mistresse Pharaoh with the Israelites CHAP. VII Containeth Motives or encouragements unto this spirituall combat By warring against our lusts wee purchase 1 Peace of conscience 2 Daily experience of Gods powerfull resence 3 Glory to God 4 Continuall feare through the sense of continuall weaknesse in our part 5 A passage to slay outward actuall sinnes 6 Ease in the end of our isurney 7 A higher detestation of sin 8 Hatred of sinne for sinne CHAP. VIII Propoundeth necessary Caveats to be observed in this spirituall encounter A Christian must be carefull 1 Not to be an hindrance unto himselfe in vanquishing his 〈◊〉 2 Not to cast away his Armour or in any sort yeeld 3 To be wise in the application of Scripture 4 To prepare for new contrary winds 5 To cry out against our lusts being overmastered by them 6 To beware of the false bed of security 7 To consider that all sinnes have not the like proportion of labour in mortifying 8 Neither to be too curious nor altogether carelesse of the first motions unto sinne 9 To aske pardon for secret sinnes 10 Not to beleeve that the flesh is always mortified when it seemeth so to be 11 To continue in the practice of mortification 12 To be perswaded that faith in Christ must precede mortification 13 To distinguish betweene naturall spirituall and carnall lusts 14 Not to give over but fight even to the end CHAP. IX Explaineth the signes whereby to discerne when we prevaile against the flesh with its inordinate lusts and affections They that are indeed mortified or doe in some measure prevaile against their lusts 1 Are Christs or in him 2 Walke after the Spirit 3 Are alive unto God 4 Are freed from sinne 5 Are new creatures 6 Set themselves against every sinne 7 Grow in grace 8 Hate sinne 9 Are carefull to avoid relapses 10 Have a true sight and sense of their sins 11 Are truly humbled c. 12 Cannot be withdrawne from God CHAP. X. Hath the conclusion of the Treatise or application of the foregoing matter in an Exhortation unto the duty of mortification urged from Necessity Equity Vtility Credit Vndoubted furtherance Certaine victory Heaven it selfe Besides the forementioned particulars There are also sundry Objections answered Questions resolved Depths of Satan discovered Formes of retired secret-selfetriall prescribed Places of Scripture compared and explained Scripture-similitudes especially inferred Differences betweene the godly and the ungodly manifested Necessary truths made knowne THE DESTRVCTION of in-bred Corruption OR AN ANTIDOTE against Fleshly Lusts. SUch is the dangerous estate of GODS children here upon earth so many the tribulations of the Righteous that as they themselves are compared to warriours 2 Tim. 2.3 their Life termed a war-fare Iob. 7.1 So at what time soever which way soever considered they have need to bee watchfull still armed Phil. 2.12 alwayes working out their Salvation with feare and trembling Above them below them behind them before them within them without them round about them on their right hand on their left hand in prosperity in adversity well or ill at home or abroad Gods children alwayes in danger of their spirituall adversaries do their many cruell malicious subtile and incessant enemies lay Stratagems to worke their confusion Of those Who bee their chief enemies the Divell the World and the Flesh are the principall agents The Devill 1 Pet. 5.8 who as a roaring Lyon continually goeth about seeking whom hee may devoure The World Pet. 4.4 which doth even think it strange that we run not with them to the same excesse of ryot speaking evill of us The Flesh which lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 5.17 and is so contrary thereunto that we cannot doe the things that we would Every of those severally all of them jointly have sworne our destruction Them therfore are we so to oppose resist strive against Iam. 4.7 that the first may flie from us 1 Ioh. 5.4 the second be overcome of us Gal. 5.24 and the third crucified by us With this last as our domesticke enemy The Flesh our most dangerous enemie our bosome traitor yea without whose assistance neither the Devill could seduce us nor World intrap us do we in the strength of the Almightie in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ in the grace and comfort of his holy Spirit and in the light and direction of his Sacred Word cope at this time confining our selves for our further profit and more orderly proceeding in this combate unto the prosecution of these ten particulars The order and method of the ensuing Treatise 1. The enemy to bee encountred 2. That it is to bee encountred 3. By whom it is to bee encountred 4. Why it is to bee encountred 5. After what manner it is to bee encountred 6. By what means it is to bee encountred 7. Motives or encouragements hereunto 8. Necessary Caveats to bee observed herein 9. How to discerne when wee prevaile against it 10. The Application of the whole Of every of which severally and in order at the pleasure of God CHAP. I. The Enemy to bee encountred with the sundry names wherby the same is expressed THe Enemy to bee encountred is the Flesh Gal. 5.24 Col. 3.9 Ro. 7.23 with the affections and lusts thereof the Old man with his deeds the law of sin in our members warring
to be encountred THe persons which are to performe this dutie The godly are the only mortifiers of sin and by whom alone the same is indeed performed are the children of God Iam. 1.18 whom of his owne will hee hath begotten with the word of truth Act. 15.9 purifying their hearts by faith and bestowing upon them as well a true sight and sense of sinne as an unfained hatred and detestation of the same they are such as have the spirit dwelling in them Rom. 8 i3 through which they mortifie the deeds of the body And they that are Christs have crucified the Flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5.24 saith the same Apostle they are such as having learned Christ Eph. 4.22 and beene taught by him put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts they are such as have put off the old man with his deeds Col. 3.9.10 and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him they are such as are already called to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the beliefe of his glorious Gospell men and women already sanctified and in part regenerate Psal 40.6 even those whose eares are already digged their eyes opened Act. 26 18. and themselves turned from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan unto God must take uncessant and unwearied paines with constant and perpetualll endevours more and more to subdue beate downe mortifie crucifie destroy and vanquish all and every of these wicked sinfull and unlawfull affections lusts inclinations and habits that are in them till they have even pulled them up by the roots and cast them quite out of their hearts 1. Even the best of Gods children have corruption It is manifest enough that there is even in the best and most holiest of Gods children a great deale of corruption an evill eye which must be pluck'd out Mar. 9.43 and a bad hand that must be cut off not a few spots and wrinkles infirmities and imperfections evill lusts and affections which must be done away while they are here on earth how farre soever they are proceeded in the new birth they doe but know in part 1 Cor. i3 9 there is something lacking in their Faith 1 Thes 3.10 so in their Love Holinesse Humility and such other graces Iam. 5.17 even Elias himselfe being subject to like passions as we are Why corruption is suffered to abide in Gods children And this the Lord suffereth for the greater glory of himselfe disgrace of Sathan and good of his own children Needs must it tend greatly to the praise and glory of God shame and disgrace of the Devill that the Lord knoweth how and is able to keepe and preserve such weake and feeble vessels as we are against all the power of Hell and to make them Conquerers over Sathan in that very flesh which is so polluted with sin and was once depraved by the Divell No lesse tendeth the same to our good God being pleased hereby to humble us and to exercise those gifts and graces of his Spirit that hee hath bestowed upon us 2. Gods children must not winke at their owne sins It is no lesse evident that they are not to connive at their owne sinnes are not to beare with sin in themselves nay of all others must walke most circumspectly lest either through sinne they doe wound their owne consciences or give occasion unto the enemies of God to blaspheme 3. The more corruption is sleighted the more it encreaseth It s also without question that the lesse carefull they are in subduing their lusts the more they are by them sleighted they get the greater strength and put the Saints to a great deale of trouble which they might have easily avoided 4. The grace of mortification bestowed only upon the Saints It is in like manner found true by experience that on them alone God is pleased to bestow the grace of Mortification and unto them alone so to blesse the meanes tending thereunto that they become effectuall Many seem to have it who notwithstanding have it not True it is that as of old the Philosophers by the very light of Nature abstained from most grosse sins out of their love unto Vertue writing excellent Bookes in the commendations therof by whose painfull labours though hereby they gained unto themselves not any thing else but humane applause or the commendations of men God of his mercy did much good unto others as the Bees gather honey to the profit of others not their owne they in the meane time glorying in those vertues and condemning others better then themselves who notwithstanding never knew the inward working of chastitie temperance modestie humility gravity and the like vertues by themselves commended not unlike the Pharisees whose life outwardly seeming blamelesse as also their crueltie greedines and pride artificially covered under the vaile of outward Preaching Prayer Almes-deeds Phylacteries and such like wanted not they applause of the people howsoever inwardly they were wholly unmortified and uncircumcised in heart so there are now not a few whose carriage is outwardly commendable and their conversation unblameable especially at some times and in some companies yea who often outstrip even the children of God in bridling their tongue and restraining their passions of anger griefe and the like which notwithstanding are yet in their sinnes daily denying the power of godlines wholly ignorant of their inward heart yea such of whom it may bee truely said that their Oblations are vaine Isal 1.13 Pro. 21.27 their Incense and Sacrifice even their best and most pious workes abomination unto the Lord Mat. 5.20 and except their righteousnes doe exceed the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharisies they shall not enter into the kingdome of heaven 5. Neither can it be denyed but that as the Lord is pleased to bestow on them alone the grace of Mortification and unto them alone The godly the onely persons which doe in truth labour for Mortification so to blesse the meanes tending thereunto that in them they become effectuall so they are the onely persons which labour and endevour for the same in sinceritie and truth which by all meanes possible labour to obtaine this precious jewell and hid Manna of inward grace the Circumcision of the heart and are accordingly blessed in their expectation Ioh. 4.24 They know that all the worshippers of God must worship him in Spirit and truth â— Ioh â— 5 They understand that God is light and in him is no darknes who beholds all iniquitie especially inward whereof Angels Divels and Men may be ignorant They have also that glorious knowledge Psal 45.13 that Christs Spouse is all glorious within as accordingly must all the Bride-Maidens arrayed with the glorious garments of the needle-worke of the Spirit who shall
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
must not be suffered to lodge within us 2 Cor. 10.5 wee must cast downe imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God An uncleane thing Iob. 14.4 Let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 perfecting holinesse in the feare of God Eph. 5.26 wee must bee sanctified and clensed with the washing of water by the word Ier. 4.14 wee must wash our heart from wickednes that we may be saved Heb. i0 22 we must get our hearts sprinkled our bodies washed with pure water i Pet. 1.22 we must purifie our selves in obeying the truth throgh the spirit Secret sinnes Psal i9 i2 Wee must call upon God to be informed thereof Ibid. and accordingly clensed therefrom The sinne wherein we are conceived and borne Psal 51.5 Wee must call upon God to purge Ibid. 7. wash and clense us therefrom Iam. 1.18 To beget us with the word of trueth that wee may be a kinde of first fruits of his creatures borne againe Ioh. 3.3.5 borne of water and of the Spirit 2 Cor. 5.17 and so in Christ new creatures The body of Sinne. Rom. 6.6 The same must be destroyed Ibid. knowing this saith Saint Paul that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth wee should not serve sin Col. 2.11 The same in like manner must bee put off as the same Apostle writeth elsewhere The motions of sinne Rom. 7.5 We must not lodge them Ier. 4.14 either slight them but according to the meanes of knowledge bestowed upon us oppose them lest wee become vaine in our imaginations Rom. 1.21.26 and God in justice give us up unto vile affections Sinne. Rom. 7.8 We must be dead thereunto Rom. 6.2 Rom. 6 i2 wee must not let it reigne in our mortall body to obey it in the lusts thereof Rom. 6.13 either yeeld our members as instruments of unrighteousnes unto sin Ier. 4.14 we must wash our hearts therefrom Heb. 1i 24 we must refuse to enjoy the pleasures thereof Sin that dwelleth in one Rom. 7.17 We must not consent thereunto but so oppose it Ro. 7.20 that we may say with Saint Paul now if I doe that I would not it is no more I that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in me A warring law in our members Ro. 7.23 The law of our minde must warre against the same Ibid. that as the flesh lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 4.17 the spirit may in like manner lust against the flesh The body of death Ro. 7.24 We must be sensible therof and even long to bee delivered therefrom saying with Saint Paul Ibid. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Flesh Rom. 8.1 We must crucifie the same Gal. 5.24 we must not walke after the same Rom. 8.1 we must not live after the same Rom. 12.8 we must not make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Ro. 13.14 wee must not warre after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 wee must not minde the things thereof Rom. 8.6 Enmitie against God Rom. 8.7 Wee must not favour the same either yet enter into any termes of reconciliation therewith Ibid. as which is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be The deeds of the body Rom. 8.13 Wee must through the spirit Ibid. mortifie the same that wee may live The lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.16 Wee must not fulfill them Ro. 13.14 we must crucifie the same Gal. 5.24 we must not be led away with them 2 Tim. 3.6 wee must not be drawne away of them Iam. 1.14 2 Pet. 2 i8 wee must not bee allured through them 1 Pet. 2 i1 we must abstaine from them Strong holds 2 Cor. i0 4 The weapons of our warfare must not be carnall Ibid. but mighty through God to the pulling down of them The desires of the flesh and of the minde Eph. 2.3 We must not fulfill them Ibid. as heretofore we have done 2 Chro. 15.12 but enter into a covenant to seek the Lord God of our Fathers with all our heart and with all our soule The vanity of the minde Eph. 4.17 We must not henceforth thus walke as other Gentiles walke Ibid. but endevour to bee renewed in the spirit of our minde Eph. 4.23 Rom. i2 2 transformed by the renewing of our minde 2 Cor. 3 i8 and changed into the image of God from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord that Christ may be formed in us Gal. 4.19 and as we have born the image of the earthy 1 Cor. 15.49 we may also beare the image of the heavenly Adam Earthly members Col. 3.5 We must mortifie them Ibid. we must put them off Ibid. 8. we must not yeeld our members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne Rom. 6 i3 The old man Col. 3.9 We must put off concerning the former conversation Eph. 4.22 the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts not contenting our selves till wee know assuredly Rom. 6.6 that our old man is crucified with Christ The lust of concupiscence 1 Thes 4.5 Every one of us should know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour Ibid. not in the lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God The deceitfulnesse of sin Heb. 31 13. We must exhort one another dayly Ibid. while it is called to day lest any of us bee hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne The sinne which doth so easily beset us Heb. 12.1 We must lay aside every weight Ibid. and the sinne that doth so easily beset us that we may runne with patience the race that is set before us Ibid. 4. yea wee must even resist unto blood striving against sinne A root of bitternesse Heb. i2 i5 We must looke diligently Ibid. lest any of us fail of the grace of God and s this roote of bitternesse springing up trouble us and therby many be defiled Entising lust Iam. 1.14 We must be carefull not to be allured thereby 2 Pet. 2.18.19 lest being of the same overcome of the same we be brought in bondage In a word We must alwaies walke so warily and circumspectly that in what kind soever after what manner soever under what name soever this our dangerous and deadly enemy shall assaile us wee may instantly oppose it resist it strive against it give it the foile Thus that the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to bee encountred and so of the second particular CHAP. III. By whom the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is
bee presented chast Virgins to Christ and who having fought hitherto against the evill one and kept their garments unspotted with the corruption that is in the world through lust as through grace they have begun in the Spirit so through grace they shall end in the spirit and not in the flesh How then can it otherwise be but that they should practise this duty of Mortification but that being thus endued with the Spirit of grace and of glory they should obey the good motions thereof inspiring them and knocking at the dores of their soules to the keeping especially of their hearts with all diligence Pro. 4.23 Between them and the rest of the world grace hath made such a change as there is betweene them that dwell in a faire house of great height Simil. and full of many great lights and them that dwell in a low dark house whose windowes remaine alwayes shut those can discerne in a manner of every thing these not take notice or view any thing Difference betweene the godly and the ungodly So the Saints through the abundance of the light of God in them can espie even a moate in the Soule whereas the ungodly who will not permit the holy light of Gods convicting reproving improving word to have passage in them abide still in darknes having their hearts haunted as it were with Zim Ochim Isa i3 21 and Jim in stead of more comfortable guests The Saints know that God dwels in their hearts as his owne Tabernacle with the Sonne and holy Spirit which therefore must be well kept clensed purified and washed by the blood of Christ and water of his sanctifying Spirit that uncleannes may not enter therein To this end 2 Chron 23.13 as Iehoiada the Priest put a great guard of Princes Preists about young Ioas that wicked Athalia could not come at him to harme him Simil. which made her cry out Treason Treason So the Saints left Sathan should at any time get entrance into them get themselves garded by the word and Spirit Prayer Repentance Watchfulnes holy feare to offend God and grieve the Spirit by whom they are sealed unto the day of Redemption Eph 4.30 yea as the Elders which sate with Elisha in his house 2 King 6.32 at his command shut the dore upon bloody Iorams messenger and held him fast thereat the sound of his masters feete being behind him Simil. so the Saints understanding that evill motions are as it were Sathans messengers or harbengers to take up his lodging for him whom he immediatly followeth through grace they so resist the same that either they doe not enter or if they enter they get no footing and are compelled speedily to depart In the wicked indeed hee getteth a renewed entry at his owne pleasure but not so in the Saints Hee seekes rest but heere hee finds none Thus that the Saints doe and are to encounter the Flesh with the Lusts and Affections thereof and so of the third Particular CHAP. IV. Why the FLESH with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountred NOt without cause are wee to encounter this our Enemie and doe what in us lyeth to oppose it resist it subdue it destroy it if either we consider it our selver or others It Reasons why the Flesh is to be encountâ—ed From its nature and that both in regard of the nature thereof and effects produced thereby It s nature vile odious abominable vgly and loathsome like the vomiting of a dogge a Sowes wallowing in the mire The Scripture doth accordingly decipher it by the names of filth Isa 4.4 Zech. 3.3 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Pet. 2.20 Rom 6.19 Mat. 15.11 filthy garments filthinesse of the Flesh and Spirit The Worlds pollutions uncleannesse a defiling thing and the like Thus if a man should view it even as it is in its own proper colours he could not but loath and abhorre the same Its effects From its effects Rom. 6.21 Shamefull both shamefull and hurtfull Shamefull as which maketh men and women its vassals and slaves for to whomsoever we yeeld our selves servants to obey Rom. 6.16 his servants we are to whom wee obey coozening and deceiving them at its pleasure Heb. 3.13 proffering as largely as the Devill sometime did Christ Mat. 4.4 All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall downe and worship mee But in the meane time not being able to performe any whit of its promises Hurtfull Hurtfull Iob. 20.5.6.7.8 c. as whose pleasure is onely momentaneall but bitternesse everlasting yea which warreth against mens soules bodies posterity goods and good name Soules To our Soules by blinding their understanding reason and judgement and bringing them to a reprobate sense so that they will not bee brought to the knowledge of the truth Psal 58 5. but are like the deafe Adder that stoppeth her eare which will not hearken to the voice of charmers charming never so wisely Isa 30.9 even who will not heare the Law of the Lord. Hos 4.11 So by taking away their heart i Tim. 6.10 and piercing them thorow with many sorrowes So by destroying their soules Pro. 6.32 So by seducing the will and affections and making them worse and worse every unmortified Lust being a wound in the Soule a gash in the Conscience so by inclining the Soule to maintaine those sinnes whereunto they themselves are principally addicted so by distempering their soules that there 's no peace therein they themselves disquieting themselves in vain Psal 39.6 travelling in paine all the dayes of their life Iob. i5 20 sinne not suffering grace as it were to manifest it selfe in the least measure unto those but disturbing them by unnaturall thoughts as by the insatiability of that whereunto it inciteth The Sluggard must have a little more sleepe the Drunkard a little more drink the covetous more money the lascivious more Concubines So by its importunitie which will admit no deniall forcing them oftentimes to commit what in their judgement they doe not approve So by promising them contentment which notwithstanding they finde not there being indeede neither pleasure nor profit in sinne So by galling their Conscience after the commission thereof whether in adversity or prosperity as the examples of Ahab about Naboths Vineyard i King 21.27 Dan 5.6 and Belshazzar when he drunk wine with his Concubins in the vessels of the house of the Lord sufficiently imply whereby it commeth to passe that they feare when there is no cause of feare Lev. 26.36 To our bodies Bodies both directly and indirectly directly Pro. 23.29 as which occasioneth bodily diseases and distempers as in like manner death it selfe Deut. 28.21 Rom. 6.23 indirectly by affecting or inflicting the minde wherby the body cannot but be so disquieted that even in laughter the heart is sorrowfull Pro. i4 i3 and the end of that mirth is heavinesse
forsaking the fountaine of living waters they should dig unto themselves rotten cisternes Ob. But the wickednesse of my heart is such the inordinate Lusts and Affections proceeding therefrom so many that I know not either how to avoid such things as are to bee avoided or attaine such things as are to be attained for the constant performance of this dutie so hard whorish crooked blind proud covetous rebellious and stubborne is this heart of mine that dayly to my great disquiet and no small vexation I am tempted to innumerable evils yea often times so strange monstrous and unnaturall that I do even tremble thereat Note Neither can I be free therefrom in any place at any time or in any condition the same even at Prayer in the Church at the publique or private reading the Word c. bending its forces against me to withdraw my mind from Gods service and subject the same to its slavery so that what to doe or what course to take that those motions may not be turned into actions I am even at my wits end Thy condition is such as doth even befall the dearest Saints of God here on the earth the Lord in wisedome suffering those thornes of the flesh to remain in them for their further humiliation yet are they not to bee contemned though usuall in the Saints but by all meanes to be opposed abhorred loathed encountred wee must not feede them either by meditation or occasion our hearts being of a Gun-powder disposition whom a very spark of opportunity inflames and sets all in a combustion Now the meanes Through the Spirit the preceding means become effectuall whereby as well the former meanes become unto us effectuall as our dayly lusts how great soever kept under and further and further weakned proceed not indeed from our selves though dayly shewing their efficacie in us but from the good Spirit of God Through the Spirit doe wee mortifie the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8.13 as Saint Paul implieth No man can mortifie sinne unlesse by the Spirit Simil as no man by ordinary means vanquish a strong armed man without Weapons We are as able with our little finger to shake the Foundation of the Earth as to shake off one sin by our owne strength 1 Cor. 3.6 PAVL may plant APOLLOS water but GOD alone giveth the increase though our hearts were never so willing and our paines in subduing our Lusts both continuall and extraordinary yet if the Spirit doe not accompany us all is nothing worth as through whom alone the fore-mentioned meanes are blessed and worke together for the best unto us How the Spirit helpeth our mortification But hovv doth the Spirit worke towards the mortifying of Sinne 1. By detecting and discovering sinfull thoughts and actions 2. by stirring up an hatred of them and griefe for them 3. by kindling fervent Prayer to get strength against them 4. by bringing to mind sentences of the Word which are as a sword to cut downe sin 5. by making us watchfull against sinne to avoid all occasions of it and use all sanctified meanes against it Seeing the assistance of the Spirit is of such absolute necessity How to obtaine the Spirit what means are there to be used for the obtaining of the same Some things are by us to bee avoided as others to bee performed Things to bee avoided Things to be avoided 1. Resisting the Spirit as did the Iewes Act. 7.51 Yee have alwayes resisted the Spirit saith St. Stephen as your fathers have done so do yee This is when men by arguments reasons and ocular demonstrations laid before them are convinced in their consciences of the truth yet knowing that they are truth will notwithstanding set downe their resolution not to doe it Eph. 4.30 2. Grieving the Spirit that is the commission of any thing that makes the Spirit to loath the Soule 2 Thes 5.19 3. Quenching the Spirit that is carelessnesse in the using of the means of grace whereby the Spirit is increased or not cherishing the good Motions thereof in the practice of such Duties as the Spirit moveth us to doe Things to bee performed Things to be performed 1. We must out of a sense and feeling of our owne weaknesse acknowledge our inability either in abstaining from that which is evill or performing that which is good 2. We must get an assured knowledge of the excellencie of the Spirit and all-sufficient operation herein 3. Wee must even hunger and thirst for the Spirit 4. We must by continued Prayer bee earnest with God to bestow him upon us as is manifestly implyed in that of our Saviour Luk. 11.13 If yee then being evill know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him 5. Wee must cherish every good Motion of the Spirit in our hearts either to pray or to heare or to meditate or to praise GOD c. not suffering the same to lie without Practice Thus by what meanes the Flesh with the Lusts and Affections thereof is to be encountred and so of the 6th Particular CHAP. VII Motives or encouragements unto this spirituall Combat AS the weapons of our warfare are not carnall 2. Cor. i0 4 but mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds so fight we not as uncertainly 1. Cor. 9.26 not as beating the ayre but in the assured and certaine hope of a glorious and fruitful victory Arguments whereby a Soldier may bee induced to fight Many are the Arguments whereby a Soldier may bee stirred up to fight desire of revenge fidelity to his King and Countrey love to his Captaine and fellow-Soldiers an ambitious desire of honour feare of present danger and future shame if the enemy be not resisted The equity of the cause Ignorance of the enemies strength and forces An enemies weaknesse and cowardise remembrance of former Victory with sundry the like but with most this is the main even the love of gaine the hope of an ensuing rich booty probability of a goodly spoyle The very same is the Christian Soldiers condition Many motives we have to induce us to mortifie our concupiscene whether habituall or actuall See the fourth Chapter the flesh with the inordinate lusts and affections thereof as I have already shewed at large but not any allureth us more if so much then the hope of profit an assured expectation of many rare sweet excellent and comfortable Fruits ensuing heereupon To this end let me here offer a brief of them unto your view 1. By fighting against our lusts we obtain We obtaine unspeakable peace and quietnes of soule even that peace of conscience that passeth all understanding 1. Peace of conscience Phil. 4.7 Being at warre with our corruptions we are at peace with our own soules yea most friends to our selves when we are most foes with our Corruptions As warre abroad
out of the Temple by the Lords Priests for presuming to offer incense in the house of the Lord. Note Oh shameles impudent spirit who hath beene thrust out of Heaven Iude 6. and compelled to depart out of men whom thou hast possessed Mat. 9.33 and when we were dead in sinnes and trespasses wast through Gods mercy cast out of us Eph. 2.1 and since the first time of our conversion art hated and abhorred of us and when the fiery flames of zeale and love were strong in us we speake it to Gods glory hast beene often vanquished by us and beene forced to flie from us yea through the power of our pittifull God and his blessing on our prayers watching fasting reading meditating on the sweet Word of Life conferring retirednes whence have proceeded unspeakable Joyes yea rather unutterable Ravishments when wee could have said with Peter Mat. i7 4 It is good for us to be here and which wee could aboundantly discover if it were not lest the sense of the now want of them might wonderfully discourage us or that others the Saints of God should think that we glory in our selves and such like heavenly exercises hast even trembled and quaked how darest thou now thou caitife thou hel hound thou damned wretch thus usurp the seat of God or defile his holy Temple even this shall add unto thy torments Now seeing that the full and absolute possession of the heart is that whereat Sathan mainly aymes it must be your care O deare sonnes and daughters of God to keep the same with all diligence Pro. 4.23 but if haply he hath already got possession you must by all means endeavour to get him dispossessed and thereafter still to be clensing and washing the same from the filthines he hath left behind which being but a little neglected will put you to a great deale of trouble and as a root of bitternes quickly manifest it selfe in its pernicious fruits 8. Of the first motions of sinne wee must neither be too curious nor altogether carelesse Touching the first motions unto sinne in us getting grace to resist the same indeed though not without great griefe of minde wee must neither be too curious neither yet altogether careless thereof Too curious in a substantiall and deepe triall of them most of them being so vaine and idle as we cannot imagine whence they should arise in us To be too curious about them is harmful Thus to do were to goe about a worke both harmfull impossible unprofitable and cumbersome harmfull as whereby we hinder our peace of Conscience and put off a better exercise even the true triall of our heart with the sincere Circumcision of the same impossible as who shall never bee able to comprehend their number no more then wee are of the Starres of Heaven or sand which is by the Sea-shore unprofitable inasmuch as when wee have done all that we can doe they are inevitable not the holiest men of God extraordinary persons being freed therefrom cumbersome as which would continually employ us so that we should not performe any other dutie how comfortable or profitable soever the same being indeed as sudden so through Gods goodnes no less swiftly flying away To be altogether carelesse of them dangerous Altogether careles as which proceed from an heart in part unsanctified By reason of them our tender Consciences must at some times deepely lament even that the house of the soule which should be filled with the glory of God is any wayes filled with such smoke as ariseth from the fiery fornace of the heart not wholly reformed Simil. That they may be restrained the Stone must bee put on the Wells mouth our hearts enclosed as a Fountaine not else to be opened but when some springs of heavenly waters are to bee drawne from thence to refresh the thirstie soule Gen. 29 i0 as Jacob when Rachel came to water her Fathers Sheep removed the stone from the wells mouth and after they were watered put it on againe 9. We must ask pardon for our secret sinnes Wee must not in any case neglect to aske pardon for our secret sinnes which we drinke in whereof wee are not aware and which seldome come to bee remembred of us As wee are to pray for the pardon of presumptuous sinnes of the sinnes of our youth of sinnes knowne so are we to pray to be clensed from secret faults Psal i9 i2 sinnes unknowne though unknowne to us they enter in Gen. 3i 30 yet as Jacob upon Labans complaint that his Gods were stollen suspected no doubt that some of his had them Gen. 35.2 and so could not rest satisfied till they were delivered unto him and hee had buried them Simil. so may we suspect that wee are guilty of no small number of them and accordingly pray to be forgiven them 10. The flesh not alwaies mortified when it seemeth so to be We must not conceive that the flesh is indeed mortified when it seemeth so to be for seemingly it may bee when indeed it is not as when the occasion of sinne is removed when it is not violent when its act is removed from one sinne unto another when through the feare of judgement it is restrained when the strength of nature is spent c. our evidence must be sounded then in those else it is but very slender 11. Mortification must be continued Having aswell to our own as others thinking mortified our lusts our worke is not then at an end The heart is not so mortified but there is still sinfull corruption in it which requires continuall Mortification 12. Faith in Christ must precede mortification We must not conceive that first wee must be moritfied and then lay hold on Christ for remission of sinnes for till wee be in some measure assured of the pardon therof through Christ we shall never soundly slay the same Note mortification being indeed a fruit of faith 13. Lusts to be distinguished the one from the other In opposing our sinfull and fleshly luste wee must carefully distinguish betweene them and others for all are not carnall but some naturall as others spirituall Those from these may be thus differenced Fleshly lusts how discerned They are ever immoderate They are for the most part unsavory and loathsome They are unto flesh and blood marvellous pleasing and give corruption a marvellous measure of Contentment They leave nothing but vanitie and vexation of spirit behind them 14. Howsoever after many a fiery dart throwne at us wee meet with many others haply old ones made with a new devise or it may bee new ones wherewith wee were never before either acquainted or assaulted Wee must not give over to fight even to the end yet must not wee give over but after the example of PAVL and other Worthies fight the good fight Gal. 6.9 not being at any time weary of wel-doing as who in due
1 Sam. 4.9 Bee strong and quit your selves like men O ye Philistims that ye be not servants unto the Hebrewes as they have beene to you quit your selves like men and fight and Iahaziel the sonne of Zechariah a Levit did encourage Judah the inhabitants of Ierusalem and King Iehosaphat 2. Chr. 20.15 Be not affraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude for the battell is not yours but Gods 2. Chr. 20.17 c. Feare not nor be dismayed to morrow go out against them for the Lord will be with you So sending every one of you to fight the Lords Battels by warring against your own Lusts I should in his name the more to incite you hereunto and further incourage you herein conclude all with a word of Exhortation What Argument might not be used for your encouragement Arguments inciting us us to warre against our lusts Necessitie Necessity What more needfull Doth not GOD command it whose will both is and must be a Law unto us Is not the Flesh still plotting our destruction Are we not the further endangered the more we yeeld unto it Shall not our lusts be snares and traps unto us scourages in our sides and thornes in our eyes if wee make any covenant with them Are wee not thereby further and further defiled Doe we not thereby further and further grieve the good Spirit of God Is not our communion familiaritie and acquaintance with God further and further interrupted Are we not therby further and further drawn to the commission of grosse and grievous sins Will not this root of bitternes dayly produce in us most bitter fruits Will not God be angry at our continuance herein Can it be otherwise but that hee should inflict upon us heavy and fearfull judgements by reason of the same Rom. 8 i3 If wee live after the flesh shall we not die Shall we not both here and hereafter be punished as perjured persons Rebels against the GOD of Heaven contemners of his Admonitions despisers of CHRISTS death and treaders under foot of his most precious blood grievers of the Spirit breakers of the hearts of Gods children stumbling blocks unto the Vngodly Equitie Equitie What more just or lawfull Is not sinne Gods enemie Is it not a murtherer of the Lord of glory Doth it not daily lust against the Spirit Is it not one of the maine enemies of our soules salvation Doth it not dayly provoke and stirre us up to the breach of Gods Lawes Is it not a meere coozener and deceiver will it not beguile us in the end Shall wee not utterly misse of our hopes if we trust to its offers and follow its allurements will it not requite us with losse in stead of profit torment in stead of pleasure shame in stead of credit paine in stead of ease misery in stead of happines and Hell in stead of Heaven Vtilitie Vtilitie What more profitable Doe we not hereby obtaine tranquillity of minde and dayly peace of conscience have we not hereby dayly experience of GODS powerfull presence accompanying Us Doth not continuall glory redound unto the Majestie of the most high hereby Is there not maintained in us an holy feare and suspition of our own weaknesse whereby wee are humble-minded Doe we not by opposing our inward corruption prevent and stay many outward actuall sinnes Shall not have lesse to doe in the end of our journey if all our dayes we be breaking up our fallow ground Shall wee no hereby by attaine unto an higher and higher detestation of sinne Shall wee not hereby make conscience even of the least of the smallest sinnes as being breaches of Gods Law Shall wee not hereby be assured of Gods love towards in Christ as well in the pardon and forgivenesse of our sinnes as our continuance in the detestation and mortification of the same Credit Credit What can procure more Shall wee not hereby be esteemed of God reverenced of the Angels honoured of all good men I may adde Mar. 6.20 that as Herod bare no small respect unto Iohn the Baptist a patterne of the doctrine of mortification which hee urged upon others so even the wicked will in their judgement whatsoever they doe in their practise approve of one that is throughly mortified Thus shall it be done to the man who mortifyeth his lusts hee shall be honoured of all as in heaven most of all Vndoubted furtherance and helpe from others Vndoubted furthrance and helpe new strength and courage put in ourselves What the Lord said unto Ioshua touching his enemies Iosh 1.5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the dayes of thy life as I was with Moses so I will bee with thee I will not faile thee nor forsake thee Saith not he the like unto our soules touching our lusts that they shall not stand before us hee will goe along with us hee will not faile us or forsake us Doth not hee goe along with us doth not hee fight for us hath not that great Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah bound that strong one Rev. 5.5 and spoiled him Col. 2.15 setting us at liberty Gal. 5.17 lusteth not the Spirit against the flesh on our behalf are not also the Angels ministring Spirits sent forth for our good Heb. 1.14 Do not they pitch their Tents round about our Tabernacle Have we not in like manner the benefit of the Prayers of all Gods people yea more particularly as Vriah said unto David 2 Sam. 11.11 The Ark and Israel and Iudah abide in Tents and my Lord Ioab and the servants of my Lord are encamped in the open field Simil. Shall I then goe into mine house to eate and to drinke and to lie with my wife as thou livest and as thy soule liveth I will not doe this thing there are some which doe even sympathize with us in this Warfare joyning with us as it were hand in hand and setting their foot unto ours being no lesse carefull of us but rather more then we are of our selves which do even dayly humble themselves before God on our behalfe crying calling praying knocking begging interceding Exod. 17.12 and with Moses stedfastly lifting up their hands that we may prevaile against our spirituall Amalehites Certaine victory Certaine victory Not any duly and truly mortifying the flesh with its lusts and affections either heretofore hath beene or hereafter shall bee overcome thereby Tit. 1.2 God that cannot lie hath promised Rom. 8.33 that if we doe through the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live As Ioshua unto the people Iosh 23.10 One man of you shall chase a thousand for the Lord your God he it is that fighteth for you as he hath promised you So may I say unto all such as shall in truth war against their Iusts though you had ten thousand of them in you you shall chase them away for the
Lord your God fighteth for you Iudg. 1.12 It was the Angels speech unto Gideon The Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour It is no lesse true even of the weakest Christian that doth in truth oppose his lusts who may therefore triumph in the words of David Ps 60.22 Through God wee shall doe valiantly for hee shall tread down our enemies and of Paul If God bee for us Rom. 8.31 who can bee against us Heaven it selfe Heaven it selfe I have fought a good fight saith S. Paul I have finished my course 2 Tim. 4.7 J have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for mee a Crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but to them also that love his appearing Oh the promises of great reward if we shall fight lustily and persevere therein Whatsoever wee have beene heretofore set we our selves now against our lusts The foregoing time of our ignoraÌ„ce Act. 17.30 God hath graciously winked at but now commaundeth he all men every where to repent Some J know are men yea mighty men of valour others babes in Christ his young and tender lambes let not those waxe carelesse but go on in their might that they may be saved from their spirituall Midianites and let these labour for strength and courage casting all their care on God who careth for them 1 Pet. 5.7 O Jerusalem Ier. 4.14 wash thine heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee 2 Cor. 7.1 Oh let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of God Rom. 6.12 Let not sinne reigne in your mortall body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof Neither yeeld yee your members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne but yeeld your selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God Rom. i3 i2 The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darknes and let us put on the Armour of light Rom. i3 i3 let us walke honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkennesse not in chambering and wantonnesse not in strife and envying but put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Epâ—h 4.17 This J say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walke not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannes with greedines Col. 3.5 Mortifie your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleannesse inordinate affection evill concupiscence and covetousnesse which is Idolatry for which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedience Jn the which ye also walked sometime when ye lived in them Eph. 4.22 Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and be renewed in the Spirit of your mind putting on that new man which after God is created in righteousnes and true holines Tit. 2.11 for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlines and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Heb. 13.12 Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evill heart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God but exhort one another dayly while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Heb. 12.12 lift up the hands which hang downe and the feeble knees and make straight pathes for your feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but let it rather bee healed looke diligently lest any man faile of the grace of God lest any root of bitternesse springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled 1 Pet. 4.2 For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arme your selves likewise with the same minde for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinne that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles when we walked in lasciviousnesse lusts excesse of wine revellings banquetings and abominable idolatries wherein they thinke it strange that you runne not with them to the same excesse of riot speaking evill of you 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to abstaine from fleshly lusts which warre against the soule 1 Pet. 2.12 having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speake evill against you as evill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10.11 Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devill for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evill day and having done all to stand Stand therefore having your loynes girt about with truth and having on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance Thus shall our corruption bee weakned our flesh subdued our old man crucified the body of sinne destroyed our consciences quieted Gods Commandment obeyed himselfe well pleased our selves both in soule and body here and hereafter really and truly blessed Iude 24. Now unto him that is able to keepe us from falling and to present us faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy To the onely wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen FINIS
Amplification XIII An Use of Confutation how to be amplified An Use of Confutation may be thus amplified 1. By a plain narration and description of the errour to be refuted and that as year as may be in the very words used by the Adversary 2. By shewing how contrary the Doctrine in hand and the point to be confuted are each to other and how they cannot stand together 3. By taking away such idle distinctions as the Adversary haply doth or may use to reconcile them Or if no shift be yet by a concession that if it were as they say and think yet that would not follow which they intend XIII How an Use of confirmation and instruction is to be amplified An Use of Conformation of the truth and Instruction to rest in it may be amplified after the same manner that the former 1. By declaring the Point to be confirmed 2. By shewing directly that it must needs follow upon the Point in hand 3. By answering such Cavils as are or may be brought against it XV. How to amplifie an Use of Reproof An Use of Reproof may be amplified 1. By a clear describing of the parties to be reproved namely they that do so and so offend that no man may exempt himself that is guilty and here it will be best and most fit to use the very words of Scripture 2. By declaring certain Adjuncts of the fault viz. 1. The Commonness of it whereby the Reproof will appear to be needfull and therefore the more to be attended unto 2. The Dangerousness of it to the Soul Body Name Estate of every of which it 's fit to give one or more pregnant examples 3. The Unfitness and unbeseeming of it in respect of our Profession Age Calling c. 4. The Easiness or Hardness of leaving it hereby to make such as are guilty ashamed not to overcome or diligent to resist And here the means would be propounded to keep against it 3. By meeting with such Cavils as are used in defence thereof or any Objection that may be made against the Reproof which yet must be done with the spirit of meekness to prevent an occasion of grief to any weak heart XVI An Use of admonition or exhortation how to be amplified An Use of Admonition or Exhortation to the practice of a vertue must be amplified 1. By a lively description of the thing and parties to whom and of which the Exhortation is made and is tob e pressed 2. By a Declaration of the profit commodity and benefit that will arise from such practice and here an example is very fit and convenient as also of the possibility of attaining to the vertue by striving where the means furthering the performance of the duty must be declared 3. By meeting with doubts and objections that may be made against the duty or why a man should not do it XVII An Us of Comfort how to be amplified An Use of Comfort may be amplified 1. By a description of the parties to whom it belongeth and that clearly that no man may abuse himself 2. By a declaration of the Comfort it self how needful certain great constant it is and here also examples are of great force 3. By meeting with the loose conclusions of carnal men and setting them down in brief by shewing how the comfort doth not appertain to them and also of the doubts that a tender heart will never move against it answering them lovingly where are to be shewed the notes of the vertue that is the foundation of the Comfort XVIII A Caveat about the kindes and order of amplifications It is not necessary to use all the kindes of Amplifications but such of them as shall appear most convenient nor to use them all in order but so as shall be best to delight teach and move the hearer XIX The Conclusion of the Uses how to be ordered The Conclusion of all Uses is alike by an Apostrophe wherein the most worthy things must be in some variety of speech repeated and urged upon every several soul with Interrogations more or less earnest as the Point requireth And if it may be the whole ended with some pithy Apophonema or the like XX. A necessary direction about the Uses All Points afford not every one of those Uses or if they do yet some one of them most principally which must be handled more largely and the rest more briefly delivered And the Minister must be sure to use as well Instruction and Comfort as Reproof else the hearer will think hardly of him FINIS A briefe of the ensuing TREATISE CHAP. I. Deciphereth the enemy to be encountred from its I. Nature 1 A secret sinne 2 Sinne. 3 The lusts of the flesh 4 Enmity against God 5 The vanity of the minde 6 Earthly members II. Places of residence 1 Flesh 2 The deeds of the body 3 The desires of the flesh and of the minde III. Time of manifestation 1 The evill imagination of mans heart from his youth 2 The since wherein we are conceived and borne IV. Continuance 1 Sinne that dwelleth in one 2 The old man V. Power 1 Strong holds 2 The sinne which doth so easily beset us and hangeth so fast on us VI. Effects 1 An uncleane thing 2 The body of sinne 3 The motions of finne 4 A warring law in our members 5 The body of death 6 The lusts of concupiscence 7 The deceitfulnesse of sinne 8 A root of bitternesse 9 Entising lust VII Aime and end 1 The law of sinne in our members 2 The body of death Those it names profitably serving for the discovery of the same as by the conclusions deduced therefrom plainly appeareth CHAP. II. Declareth that the flesh with the inordilusts and affections thereof is to be encountered Where is shewed What it is to encounter it in Scripture phrase How God out of his goodnesse towards us answerable unto the severall forementioned names of this our enemy instructeth us how to deal with the same CHAP. III. 〈…〉 the persons by whom the flesh with its lusts and off 〈…〉 encountered viz. The children of God On whom alone God is pleased to bestow the grace of mortification Vnto whom alone the meanes tending thereunto become effectuall Who alone in truth labour for mortification CHAP. IV. Sbeweth the reasons why the flesh with its lusts and affections is to be encountered There in respect of Its Nature Its Effects shamefull harmfull for body posterity goods good name Our selves 1 So vowed in Baptisme 2 Called with an holy calling 3 Professe our selves Gods children 4 If we live after the flesh shall die 5 At the length shall 〈…〉 6 The more we yeeld the worse Others God Sinne is his enemy It grieveth him He injoyneth this duty Christs Others Death Others Christs Worke of redemption Others Christs Blood Others Christs Himselfe Spirit Tempted Others Spirit Grieved Others Spirit Quenched Others Spirit Absenteth himselfe The holy Angels The Saints Dead Alive The wicked Not fit patterns of imitation Others The
against the law of our mind and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin which is in our members The enemy to be encountred even our naturall corruption and in-borne pravitie which as a spirituall kinde of disease gall leaven and poyson dayly diffuseth it selfe throughout our whole man so infecting the same that as thereby wee are made in our selves unapt to any good though most prone and ready to all evill so most bitter fruits are in us produced even inordinate motions of the minde will and affections which doe entice and stir us up unto sinne Iam. 1.14 and are now and then acted and executed by the body both inword and deed This is in Scripture made knowne unto us under divers names How it 's in Scripture made knowne to us which upon divers and different respects are appropriated heereunto as namely in regard of its nature its places of residence the time of its manifestation its continuance its power its effects its ayme and end and the like Names from its nature It s nature so is it termed 1. A secret sinne as in that of David Psal 19.12 Clense thou me from secret faults and that of Moses Psal 90.8 Why termed secret sinnes Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance the word in the former derived from a Roote which signifieth hid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chem. loc com implying that our originall sin or corruption of nature is hid even from our very thought till it bee revealed by the law of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Sam. 17.56 as the latter from a Roote whence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a young man or stripling is derived that as a young man abideth hid and unknowne till hee undergoe either the domesticke change of a familie or some publike office in the common-wealth So our originall corruption till it manifest it selfe by its inward stirring and outward acts of sin is unto us wholly unknowne unto God onely knowne 2. Sin as in that of S. Paul Rom. 7.8 But sinne taking occasion by the commandement wrought in me all manner of concupiscence Why termed sin even because it is out of measure sinfull yea the ground and roote of all other sinnes as S. Iames testifieth Iam. 1.14.15 But every man is tempted when hee is drawne away of his owne lust and enticed then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin To which purpose S. Paul Rom. 6.12 let not sinne reigne in your mortall body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof 3. The lust of the flesh as in that of Paul Rom. 13.14 make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof And againe walke in the spirit Gal. 5.16 and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh So fleshly lusts 1 Pet. 2.11 as in that of S. Peter Abstaine from fleshly lusts which warre against the soule intimating Why termed the lust of the flesh that as the same proceed from the flesh and savour of the flesh so are they marveilous pleasing to sensualitie and such as the flesh doth especially delight in 4. Enmitie against God as in that of S. Paul Rom. 8.7 because the carnall minde is enmitie against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be 5. The vanitie of the minde as in that of the same Apostle Eph. 4 17. This J say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walke not as other Gentiles walke in the vanitie of their minde having the understanding darkned c. All our fleshly lusts our inward motions and stirrings unto sinne they are but the vanitie of our minds how pleasing soever to us 6. Earthly members as in that unto the Colossians Col. 3.5 Mortifie your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleannesse inordinate affection c. Members 1. Why termed members because as in the fit and apt joyning together of the severall parts and members of the body the being of the humane body doth consist so doth our wickednesse consist in many particular disorders inordinate lusts and affections the joyning of which together doth make up the universall sinfulnesse of our nature wherby the heart is made no lesse fit for all manner of sinne then by the members of the body the body is made fit for action 2. because they are no lesse naturall unto us then the members of our body beginning and growing in us with the beginning and growing of our limbs according to that of the Psalmist Behold J was shapen in iniquity Psal 51.5 and in sinne did my mother conceive mee 3. because as the members of the body doe the actions of the body so doe these base affections doe the actions of the unregenerate part 4. because as the members of the body doe serve as weapons for the defence one of another so these as weapons of unrighteousnesse doe warre against the soule 5. because they are as deare unto the heart as any member is unto the body its right hand Mat. 5.19 and right eye which without much adoe it will not part withall Earthly members Why earthly members as being the signes of the earthly man and tend onely to earthly pleasures and contentments still carrying and drawing our mindes from an high valuing of heavenly things to a base esteeme of them and from a base esteeming of earthly things unto an high esteeme of them Its places of residence Names from its places of residence so is it termed 1. Flesh as in that of Saint Paul Rom. 8.1 who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit and againe Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Why termed the flesh 1. Because the Flesh is the instrument by which it is propagated 2. because it is executed in our carnall and earthly members 3. because it is strengthened augmented and nourished by carnall and fleshly objects 4. because it is the end it drives us to namely to affect the same and fulfill the lusts thereof 2. The deeds of the body as in the fore-mentioned Chapter Rom. 8.13 if yee through the Spirit doe mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Why termed the deeds of the body Because the body is the subject wherein they are and instruments wherby they are executed visibly manifesting themselves in the same 3. Eph. 2.3 The desires of the Flesh and of the Minde Neither is it any marvell that such as walke in the vanitie of their minde Eph. 4.17.18 having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart it 's no marvell I say that such fleshly desires doe reside in their minds and are in like manner obeyed in their outward
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
Pro. i7 22 for amerry heart doth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones as David found by experience Psal 32.3.4 To our posterity Posterity as the examples of Pharaoh Ahab Ieroboam Iehu with others manifest according to that of Moses from the Lord. Deut. 28.18 If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God c. cursed shall be the fruit of thy body In Hell when many both Parents and Children shall meet these may blame those as the especiall cause of their Condemnation Goods both directly and indirectly To our goods directly Pro. 6.26 as because of the whorish Woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread whereof the Prodigall Sonne had particular experience Luc. 15.16 Indirectly as which bringeth a curse upon the goods which they have painefully gotten by gracelesse children Unfaithfull servants costly tho fruitlesse Physicke and such like So that often Hag. 1.6 what they earne is put as it were in a bagge with holes Eccles 2.6 and what they painfully gather is heaped up to give to him that is good before God Yea sometimes it falleth out that a man to whom God hath given riches Eccles 6.2 and treasures and honour and he wanteth nothing to his soule of all that he desireth yet God giveth him not power to eate thereof but a strange man shall eat it agreeable to that of Iob. Iob. 27 i6.17 Though he should heape up silver as the dust and prepare rayment as the clay he may prepare it but the just shall put it on and the innocent shall divide the silver Iob. 20 i5 As a little before Hee hath devoured substance and hee shall vomit it for God shall draw it out of his belly yea God maketh their Table a snare unto them Psal 69.22 To our good name Good name according to that of the Wise man The name of the wicked shall rot Pro. 10.7 and that of Iob He shall perish for ever like his dung Iob. 20.7 It makes them odious both to God and good men Is not the Flesh then with the lusts and affections therof to be encountred Is not the same to be mortified as in regard of its nature so the wofull and dangerous effects of the same Our selves Reasons from our selves First because wee have so promised and vowed in Baptisme as also often renewed the same at our participatiō of the Lords Supper even to forsake the Devill and all his workes the pomps and vanities of the wicked world and all the sinfull lusts of the Flesh If then wee would not become forsworne and perjured persons as it were Souldiers forsaking their colours casting downe their weapons and running away from their Captaine we must faithfully keepe touch in the performance of our Covenant accordingly arming our selves to this battell Secondly because wee are called with an holy Calling i Pet. 1.14 As obedient children saith Saint Peter not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance but as he which hath called you is holy so be yee holy in all manner of conversation Because it is written be yee holy for I am holy Thirdly Because we professe our selves to bee the children of GOD and so consequently enemies unto our owne corruptions Rom. 8 7. which are enmitie against GOD. Fourthly Rom. 8.13 because If wee live after the Flesh we shall die but if through the Spirit we doe mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live Fiftly Because at the length we shall be victorious against the same God will so accept of our weake endevours that he will more enable us to hold on yea so strengthen us that through him wee shall do valiantly in crucifying this Old man mortifying these earthly members subduing this body of Sin and putting to death this body of death We are weake indeed in our selves Rom. 8 3i but if God be with us who can prevaile against us not Goliah against David our gyant-like sinnes against us being under the Almighties protection and clothed with the Armour of God Sixtly because the more we yeeld unto our lusts Pro. 30 i5 the more will they insult over us being so unreasonable that they are never satisfied like the horsleech whereof the Wiseman speaketh that the more it is given the more it craves and is never satisfied like the fire which the more is cast into it burneth the more yea 2 Per. 1.4 notwithstanding whatsoever corruption is in the World hath proceeded from lust yet is not contented but still desireth to corrupt more If thou give it an inch it will take an ell if it can get but in its head it wil quickly wind in its whole body If it once take possession of the Soule it will not be an easie matter to dispossesse the same entertainest thou it in any measure it will quickly force thee to give it good entertainment Others GOD. Reasons from others GOD. First because Sinne is Gods enemie Every Lust hath in it the seed of Rebellion and as it increaseth so rebellion increaseth Secondly because the same grieveth him as which opposeth his Mercy Truth Patience love and every thing else in him Simil. if we must not doe that which will grieve our earthly Parents much lesse that which grieveth the God of Heaven Thirdly because he enjoyneth us to performe this Dutie whose Commandements doe not admit of a Dispensation yea binde our Consciences and impose upon our Soules a necessity of doing what he commands Christ CHRIST Whose death through our sinfull lusts is despised his worke of Redemption vilified his most precious blood troad under foot and himselfe as it were pull'd downe from Heaven and crucified afresh The Spirit SPIRIT Who is hereby extreamly both tempted grieved and quenched yea forced to withdraw it selfe as it were and to forbeare those comfortable operations which it did once worke for our good insomuch as at length wee shall have no feeling of it and scarce bee able to discerne whether it bee in us at all yea or no. The holy Angels The holy Angels Who rejoycing at the conversion of sinners doe therefore grieve at their impenitencie The Saints departed The Saints departed As whose consummation of blisse is through us hindered for if wee belong unto God they without us cannot be glorified if Reprobates our sinnes must be ripe and come to the height ere everlasting judgements shall bee inflicted on us till which time neither can they be perfectly glorified Alive Alive As who grieve at our impieties mourne for the abominations by us committed The wicked The wicked First because they walke after their lusts Col. 3.7 whose lives are not fit patternes for our imitation Secondly because through our wickednesse they will be the more encouraged to goe on in Sinne as the Israelites by the evill example of Elies Sonnes 1 Sam. 2.17
To which purpose the Lord by the Prophet Ieremiah Ier. 2.33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seeke love therfore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy wayes The Creatures The creatures Hos 4.2 As upon whom judgements are inflicted for mens sinnes and which being for our cause made subject to vanitie Rom. 8.20.21 groane for the day of Redemption when they shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God I may adde The Devill himselfe The Devil himselfe As who shall thus displease him Gods adversary and our most deadly enemy Yea else Notwithstanding of our outward Profession our Religion is but vaine Rom. 2.29 for hee is not a Iew which is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Iew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit whose praise is not of men but of God Thus why the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountred and so of the fourth particular CHAP. V. After what manner the Flesh with the lusts and affections thereof is to be encountred AS in temporall warfare so in this Spirituall skill is no less requisit then strength Skil requisite in encountring the Flesh especially having to do with such a cunning deceitfull and subtile adversary as the Flesh is who for the most part prevailes more by secret cunning then open force Experience also shweeth that our mightiest Enemies have received most notable foyles of the weakest Christians but else carefull and skilfull in the use of their armour Now that wee may know how to warre against the Flesh we are first to take notice how the Flesh warreth against us Whereby we shall be the better enabled both to defend our selves and offend it How the FLESH warreth against us How the Flesh warreth against us This may be specified especially in three particulars First Covertly that somtime its manner of warre is covertly and under colour of vertuous affections that thereby wee may be intrapt at unawares So did the Flesh deceive both the Daughters of Lot Gen. 19.31 And the first-borne said unto the younger our Father is old and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth Come let us make our Father drink wine and we will lie with him that wee may preserve seed of our Father A goodly bait to draw on Incest Not unlike was NABALS answer unto Davids messengers 1 Sam. 25.10 There be many servants now adayes that break away every man from his master Shall J then take my bread and my water and my flesh that I have killed for my sheerers and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be Agreeable hereunto was the ground of Ahabs desire of Naboths Vineyard 1 Kin. 21.2 Give me thy Vineyard said hee unto him that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is neere to my house and I will give thee for it a better Vineyard then it or if it seeme good to thee I will give thee the worth of it in money Herein doth the Flesh resemble Harlots The Flesh an harlot as they garishly attire themselves that they may draw affections so doth fleshly concupiscence garishly adorne and paint over the things desired 1 Thes 2.5 that by their seeming beauty as Paul speaketh of a cloke of covetousnes they may bewitch us Gen. 3.6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise shee took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also unto her husband with her and hee did eate Oh how glorious seems wealth to a covetous eye It is the way to reputation Note the best proof-armour of defence from wrongs the only self-sufficient condition here on earth Oh how goodly things are high Places Honours and Dignities in the eyes of the Ambitious No vitious desires doe so insinuate themselves into well-disposed natures as those which are coloured and cloaked with the shew of vertues Goliahs sword lay hid under an Ephod 1 Sam. 21.9 as much wickednes doth under the pretence of Religion Secondly By faigning flight That at other times it saineth flight that therby for the present it may draw us into its ambushes and for the time to come into carelesnes Security Presumption throwing our selves into occasions of evill and the like When the Flesh may seeme to be mortified but is not The Flesh indeed may seeme to bee mortified as when the occasion is removed when it is not violent but quiet when it is removed but from one sinne unto another when through terror in the conscience it is restrained from desired acts and the like but herein putteth it tricks upon us Iosh 8.15 and as Josuah by his flight from the Inhabitants of Ai Iudg. 20.39 and the Israelites from the Benjamites getteth no small advantage against us Thirdly With open force that when It cannot prevaile against us by any of the former wayes then as a roaring Lyon setteth it upon us with all its force yea and at some times so prevaileth that the very best and strongest of Gods Children are for a time brought into very great straits as S. Paul instanceth in himselfe in the seventh to the Romans Adde hereunto that It 's not in jest with us Other considerations about the manner of its fight it doth not drouzily or unwillingly fight against us It s at no time idle neither through delay or negligence letteth slip any opportunity wherby it may in any sort get the mastery It 's not partiall see king the mastery over this man but in the meane time willingly vanquished by another yea it useth no small discretion in its fight seasonably laying hold of all opportunities as time place company complexion age and such like Thus how the Flesh warreth against us How wee are to warre against the Flesh How wee are to warr against the Flesh It must be sincerely impartially discreetly cheerfully forcibly seasonably and constantly Sincerely Both in respect of the qualitie Sincerely and quantitie of those things which wee are to oppose Both in respect of the quality quantity qualitie we are not to mortifie actions either naturall or indifferent we are not to oppose the motions of Gods good Spirit we are not to strive against the meanes of grace but against our sinful and fleshly Lusts quantity we must not oppose one alone Iam. 2.10.11 but as well all as one for whosoever shall keepe the whole Law and yet faileth in one point hee is guilty of all for he that said Thou shalt not commit adultery said also Thou shalt not kill yea who so alloweth of one cannot but allow of others howsoever one sin
God as was the heart of David his father Evill places Evill places Gen. 14 12 By reason of the evill company as Sodom unto Lot Mat. 26.58 the judgement hall unto Peter Gen. 42.15 Pharaohs court unto Joseph 1 Kings 22.32 Ramoth in Gilead unto Jehoshaphat Tavernes Alehouses and Stage-playhouses unto many Tempting objects Tempting objects 2 Sam. 11.2 Josh 7.21 as was Barsheba to David the wedge of gold unto Achan the painted beauty and garish attire of whores to many Gen. 39.12 good Joseph would not stay alone with his mistresse and holy David prayed Psal 119.27 To turne away his eyes that he might not behold vanity As in like manner Job 31.1 Job made a covenant with his eyes Want of a calling Want of a calling Note for those who have nothing wheron to imploy themselves the devill usually useth to set on work Want of diligence in ones calling Want of diligence in ones calling for a man is never in better temper then when by a conscionable walking in his calling he keepeth himselfe closest unto God 4. Vnwillingnesse to fight Vnwillingnesse to enter the lists with this our spirituall adversary which is indeed for the most part occasioned partly through the sense and feeling of our weaknesse Whence this let commeth partly through the supposed force and strength of our adversary partly through our feare of the foile and conceived impossibility that wee shall not prevaile partly through the paines and diligence which wee must use herein and partly being loath to forgoe the pleasures of sinne 5. Lazi esse and cowardise Lazinesse and cowardise Security and carelesnesse as whereby this active and vigilant enemy receiveth more courage and in like manner more easily vanquisheth us Things to be attained Things to be attained Faith Act. 15.9 1 Joh. 5. â—0 Eph. 6.16 Eph. 3.17 1. Faith As which purifieth the heart over commeth the world and is a shield whereby we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked yea whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts 2. Love Love Joh. 14.15 If yee love mee saith our Saviour keepe my commandments 3. Feare Feare of God both of God and our selves God according to that of Solomon Prov. 16.6 By the feare of the Lord men depart from evill and that of Saint Paul 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the feare of God implied in that speech of Abraham unto Abimelech Gen. 20.11 I thought the feare of God was not in this place and they will slay me for my wives sake and that of Joseph unto his Mistresse Gen. 39.9 How can I doe this great wickednesse and so sin against God Our selves Feaze of our selves As where by we shall keepe on our harnesse have our weapons in readinesse bee alwayes on the watch-tower for the discovery of our approaching enemy yea this feare will make us distrust our selves deny our selves renounce all carnall confidence in our selves and be the cause of our safety Thus alwayes fearing shall be alwayes blessed Acts and Monuments Pendleton the proud cowardly yeelds and forsakes Christ making shipwracke of a good Conscience whereas on the contrary fearfull Sanders stands for the truth sacrificing his life for the same in the midst of the fire 4. Fervent praver unto God Fervent and frequent prayer unto God at set times As at other times upon occasion of some idle thought tempting object or evill motions unto sinne frequent ejaculations or short meetings with God both are of dayly and continuall use and will prove no lesse usefull unto us then they must be usuall with us Neh. 2.2 4 As Nehemiah by occasion of King Artaxerxes his question Why is thy countenance sad seeing thou art not sick this is nothing else but sorrow of heart secretly prayed to the God of Heaven was graciously heard So being fearfull of our lusts Simil. afraid of our naturall inbred corruption if we doe but pray unto God through Christ questionlesse we shall be comforted yea I may truly affirm that hereby especially we are daly kept from the execution of our corrupt and evill inclination Whoso cannot pray Neglect of prayer how dangerous neglecteth prayer or prayeth not in faith is at all times under the dominion of sin in bondage sla very to his lusts daily runing into the very excesse of riot 5. Dayly renuing of our Covenant A daily renuing of our Covenant with God and that both in respect of our outward members and inward affections calling every of them as it were to an account and both shewing them wherein they have violated their allegiance unto God and directing them how to oppose the flesh and conform themselves to Gods will 6. Holy wisdom in the practice of the contrary to that evill wherunto we are incited Wisdome in the constant practice of the contrary to that evill whereunto we are incited as to strengthen a crooked staffe it must be bent backwards Thus being tempted to gluttony we must fast to covetousnesse be liberall to intemperancy be sober to revenge love our enemies to prodigality be thrifty and so in other particulars Gal. 5 16. Walking in the Spirit that we may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Note This is to crosse and thwart our fleshly inclinations which abates corruption and blunts the point even of Satannicall temptations Neither will it be amisse at some times to turne away the bent of affection to another object though haply not the contrary as who must be brought on by degrees so far to deny our selves and curbe our corrupt nature as to do the very contrary unto that it commandeth yea herein also shall we manifest our wisdome in subduing our lusts An excellent point of wisdom and preventing sinnes to come if we doe punish our selves by fasting giving to the poore or otherwise for sins already committed 7. Watchfulnesse Watchfulnesse as well over our inward affections as outward members as well over the motions that arise within as the words deeds that come forth This is to consider our owne wayes What watchfulnesse is wherein manifested a looking to our hearts eyes eares tongues hands feet and whole man This is to marke what we think say and do whether we goe to what end by what warrant and upon what calling This is to keep the heart and so the whole man with all diligence Hereby shall wee exactly know what corruptions we are troubled with The profit hereof what things hurt us what doe help us whether we grow stronger or weaker whether corruptions decay or increase whether our soule fareth well or ill Had David beene watchfull over his eyes 2 Sam. 11 2. when he beheld Bathsheba he had not with her committed adultery had he been watchfull over his eares 2 Sam. 16.4 when
he heard Ziba's treacherours report he had not so rashly condemned innocent Mephibosheth had he been watchfull over his heart 2 Sam. 24.2 he would not have so vented the pride thereof in bidding Joab goe number the people Gen. 19.33 had Lot been so watchfull as he should his daughters had not so couzned him Mat. 26.33 had Peter not beene too confident of his own strength he had not denied his master when we presume most of our own strength Note then are we in most danger when we are most distrustfull most suspicious of our selves then are we in most safety Simil. The more gates a City hath the more wayes the enemy may enter the more windowes a house hath the more wayes may a thiefe breake thorow and therefore the more care and watchfulnes is required for prevention Our little City hath store of gates our house store of doors and windows we must therefore be watchfull over them lest ruine come upon us ere we be aware 8. Spirituall joy and gladnes Spirituall joy and gladnesse in the worship and service of God and the things which concerne his glory when the soule rejoyceth in God it opposeth whatsoever displeaseth him Prov. 2.10 When wisdome entreth into thine heart and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soule discretion shall preserve thee understanding shall keep thee to deliver thee from the way of the evill man from the man that speaketh froward things to deliver thee from the strange woman even from the stranger which flattereth with her words I protest by our rejoycing 1 Cor. 15.31 which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord saith S. Paul I die daily 9. Spirituall and holy medition that 1. of Gods nature Spirituall meditation of 2. of Gods word 3. of Christs sufferings 4. of heaven it self Gods nature Gods Nature Psal 5.4 that he is not a God that hath pleasure in wickednesse neither shall evill dwell with him The foolish shall not stand in his sight he hateth all workers of iniquity Prov. 5.21 That the ways of man are before the eys of the Lord and he pondreth all his goings Heb. 4.13 That there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight all things being naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Rom. 2.6 who will render to every man according to his deeds to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seeke for glory honour immortality and eternall life But unto them that are contentious and doe not obey the truth but obey unrighteousnes indignation and wrath This is the will of God 1 Thess 4.3 even your sanctification and therefore as he which hath called you is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Gods word Gods Word Rom. 1.16 as being the power of God unto salvation quick and powerfull and sharper then any two-edged sword Heb. 4.12 piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joints and marrow a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Gods sword which doth most wound Satan and kill the body of sinne which in like manner through the assistance of Gods Spirit shaketh the very foundation of mans corruption Doth it incite us unto covetousnesse what saith the Word 1 Tim. 6.10 The love of money is the root of all evill which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows unto whoredome what saith the Word Heb. 13.4 Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Unto wrath and envy what saith the Word Job 5.2 Wrath killeth the foolish man and envy slayeth the silly one Unto falshood what saith the Word Lying lips are abomination to the Lord. Pro. 12.22 Unto drunkennes what saith the Word Pro. 23.29 Who hath woe who hath sorrow who hath contentions who hath babling who hath wounds without cause who hath rednesse of eyes they that tarry long at the wine they that goe to seeke mixt wine Unto theft what saith the Word Exo. 20.15 Thou shalt not steale The like might be instanced in every other particular Besides the Word containeth a twofold Catalogue the one of blessings for the penitent the other of judgements for the impenitent Moses in the 28. of Deuteronomy laying downe as it were a briefe of both as more briefly Saint Paul unto the Romans Rom. 2.9 Tribulation and anguish upon every soule of man that doth evill of the Jew first and also of the Gentile But glory honour and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile The due meditation of either with the certainty as well of the one as the other serving not a little to further us in our mortification Christs sufferings Christs sufferings An especiall furtherance unto mortification 1 Pet. 4.2 For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh saith Saint Peter arme your selves likewise with the same minde for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God Hereof the same Apostle informs us in the second Chap. Who his owne selfe saith he bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 that we bring dead to sinnes should live unto righteousnesse Heaven Heaven who so looketh for Christ from Heaven cannot but lead an heavenly life for our conversation is in Heaven saith Saint Paul from whence also we looke for the Saviour Phil. 3.10 the Lord Jesus Christ So unto Titus Teaching us that denying ungodlines and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the glorious Appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ Thus Moses Hee chused rather to suffer affliction with the people of God Heb. ii 25.26 then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the Reproch of Christ greater Riches then the Treasures in Egypt for hee had respect to the Recompence of the Reward Finally that wee may indeed mortifie our lusts deale wee with them as Ioseph did with his Mistris and Pharaoh with the Israelites For Ioseph 1. Being tempted by his Mistresse to lye with her Gen. 39.8 he gave her at the very first a flat deniall 2. Hee yeelded sufficient reasons for his refusall as well in respect of his master her selfe as God 3. Though shee spake unto him day by day yet hearkned not he unto her to lie by her or to be with her 4. When being occasionally alone in the house with him shee had caught him by his garment saying lye with me he left his garment in her hand and fled and got him out So being tempted by our lusts and entised We are to
that the bitternesse thereof be not discovered as also the naughtinesse of our owne hearts ready at all times to give him entertainement if through his goodnes we did not watch over the same with all diligence What a good God have wee who not only fighteth for us but also advertiseth us of all the enemies of our salvation Much vvas the King of Israel obliged to the Prophet of God 2 Kin. 6.9 for revealing unto him the King of Arams purposes against him Simil. as vvhereby he did more then once avoid the danger but much more are vve to our gracious God for reveiling unto us by his faithfull Embassadors Sathans manifold guiles vvho is at all times and in every place and with every lust ready to deceive us standing at our right hand to bee our Adversarie yea for our sakes fiercely rebuking him Zech. 3.2 And the Lord said unto Sathan The Lord rebuke thee O Sathan even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem rebuke thee Js not this a brand pluckt out of the fire Though wee at some times feare to be overcome though wee may doubt that vve are indeed overcome though vve may be as it were at the very last cast even ready to faint and give over yet through the power of God are wee so preserved that not any shall pluck us out of his hands yea Hos 14.5 as the dew revives the withered herbs the meditation of foregoing comforts shall so revive us that our youth shall bee renewed like the Eagles Oh for pitty Psal i03 5 that our God should thus by his powerfull presence accompany us and out of his affectioned love towards us be ever arming us by his counsels comforts exhortations threatnings c. and yet that wee should at any time give place to the Divell in making provision for the Flesh Rom. 14.13 to accomplish the lusts thereof 3. No small glory doth redound unto God No small glory doth redound unto God He that made the withered stick of Aaron to bring forth fresh flourishing Almonds Num. i7 8 and made the poore mans withered hand to become whole Mat. i2 i3 to the glory of his name and in like manner opened the eyes of the blinde Mar. 8.23 even the same powerfull God by our dayly Mortification and the subduing the remainder of corruption wherewith we are diseased defiled wounded getteth glory to himself as who not only forgiveth our iniquities Psal i03 3 but likewise healeth our infirmities To vvhat end were wee created but to set forth the glory of God Delaying to mortifie our Lusts we delay the performance of that duty for which we came into the World A necessary consideration to further Gods glory would wee but consider that howsoever Sathan with his Adherents hath done vvhat in him lieth to hinder us from the remission of our sinnes from renovation in Christs blood from sanctification of the Spirit as in like manner he hath gone about to hinder the power of the Word and blessing powred upon the Sacraments and the Blessing that accompanieth the sanctified fiery fornace of affliction out of which the Children of God come like purified gold yea and would hinder deaths sting to be taken away and so us from lying downe void of sinne pure chast Virgins for Christ and yet that hee is letted in every of those his designes would we by denying to mortifie our Lusts thus rob God of his glory i Sam. ii 2. As the men of Iabesh Gilead answered Nahash the Ammonite requiring that he might thrust out all their righteyes and lay it for a reproch upon all Israel Give us seven dayes respite that we may send messengers into all the Coasts of Israel and then if there bee no man to save us we will come out to thee So might we Sathan endeavouring by his continued and reiterated temptations to draw us unto sinne that if we should not be succoured we were unable to withstand him Simil. But as they were delivered on the seventh day So inasmuch as herein Sathan aimeth at the eternall reproch of our gracious God and of his deare Sonne Iesus Christ and holy Spirit with the shame of the holy Angels our attenders and our owne who are the Israel of GOD seeking to pierce our soules and bodies thorow with the speace of sinne 1 Sam. 18.11 as Saul cast a speare at David to have nailed him to the wall Our gracious God who is jealous of his owne glory will undoubtedly by inabling us to oppose this our spirituall Nahash and our sinnes his Ammonits thus glorifie himselfe His head is already broken in the person of our Saviour at sundry times also he hath had notable foiles given him by Christs members being no more able to prevaile against them then Goliah against David the Egyptions against the Israelites the Canaanits against Ioshua and his Successors What remaineth but that we should still continue the warre untill in the full and finall Mortification of our lust to the everlasting praise of Gods glory hee be trod under foot As Naamans servants unto him 2 King 5.13 My father if the Prophet had bid thee done som great thing wouldst thou not have done it how much rather then when he saith to thee wash and be cleane So may I unto you If the Lord would for the glory of his owne name require us to part with our goods good name lives yea even the salvation of our Soules we ought willingly to assent thereunto much more when for our further and more cōfortable fruition of those requireth us but to mortifie our Lusts 4. Through our remnant of corruptions mortified by grace We obtain a continuall holy fear out of the sense of our owne weaknesse wee obtaine continuall feare through sense of continuall weaknesse on our owne part for certaine it is that if the Lord should leave us but for a time the very smallest temptation were of force to overcome the strongest Christian Note the least fiery dart of Sathan which hee taketh out of his owne Quiver being indeed extreamly venimous crooked and deceitfull The Wine that Noah drunke deceived him who notwithstanding was not purposely excessive therein Hee had strength no doubt to have overcome a stronger temptation if God had not left him for a season What a meane temptation was Davids looking on Bathsheba the damosels questioning of Peter Dalilahs feigned teares unto Samson The Sins I confesse in which the Saints fall thereby as also the dishonour of Gods Name and the Churches dammage through the same bee not small yet the LORD that brought light out of darknesse Gods children profit by the sins of others doth even hereby worke for the good of others as who learn from the same that even the best are unable to stand by themselves and that if even the strongest sort of Gods Giants bright shining Starres in the firmament of God have notwithstanding now and then
with us in every good worke and dutie though on our part in great weaknesse and infirmitie as well in abstaining from evill as performing of that which is good is no small injury to God as vvho hereby hides his manifold benefits bestowed upon us and thus either in censuring the dispensation of his grace because it is not according to our wishes or according to our sense and feeling or as we have received of his Majestie in times past or as others receive or not acknowledging the same with thanksgiving How dangerous it is for us rashly to condemne our selves Thus I say to judge our selves as it is dangerous So is it no lesse unprofitable neither furthers it our Spirit in progresse to Life eternall nor doth it provoke the good Spirit of God to help us since his Majestie getteth such an evill reward at our hand nor get we hereby our consciences pacified either yet obtaine our hearts desire It were best then as is manifest by the light of the Word and I have found by experience deare bought to let our soules keepe silence to God and to thank his Majestie every day for the least measure of grace Note for indeed the least blast of the winde of the Spirit is not onely miraculous and above deserving but also above the highest measure of thanksgiving either in this world or in the world to come Let then murmuring depart and thanksgiving keepe her roome whereby we shall obtaine as greater peace of conscience so greater encrease of grace to Gods both approbation and acceptation Againe What we are to doe when the Conscience doth justly accuse us for crimes committed if after triall the conscience doth justly accuse us in such and such points of blemishes inwardly and outwardly unknowne to any in ward unknowne either to Angels or Devils outward unperceived even by the most judicious Spirits for of grosse sinnes or such others as holy men of God would judge worthy of censure I doe not now speake wee are in no wayes to flatter or justifie our selves In these blacks and blemishes I would counsell thee poore soule not to flatter thy selfe but deeply to accuse thy selfe with great remorse Thus censuring thy selfe thus repenting for the sinnes of the day past yea the sinnes of thy best holiest and most zealous actions thou shalt goe to bed with the voice of joy and gladnes of praises and thanksgivings After that thou hast felt and uttered that which Ieremy speaks Ier. 3.22 It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions faile not They are new every morning thou liest downe with an assurance of pardon thou liest downe as it were without sinne as who both grievest for thy sinnes committed and resolvest to lead a new life Hast thou performed this Psal 127.2 joyfull will thy nights rest be unto thee God giving his beloved sleepe They certainly that have tasted this and of this wil say Amen to it But this tryall is yet to be abridged into a narrower roome An exact and compendious forme of selfe examination Ere the evening come we may not onely forget the dayes wandrings as in like manner the good influences of Gods goodnesse towards us but also wee may be many times hinder'd from this great necessary profitable and commendable triall what by our selves through sleepines and what by others it being likewise a maine policie of Sathan to make us put the same off from one time to another whence it commeth to passe that the worke becommeth more difficult this dongue requiring to be swept out every day and we unable to remember two or three dayes wandrings It is then most requisite for the good both of soule and body for the obtaining of that precious jewell tranquillitie of mind for the weakning and overthrow of the Divels forces to turne dayes into houres as houres into minutes If in praying reading conferring Meditation hearing of Gods word and the like wee be unfaith full The delay of selfe tryall how dangerous by the least delay of this self-triall and self-judging Sathan getteth too much advantage towards the troubling of our tender Consciences contrarily If at all times in all places in all companies and upon every occasion out of our particular secret separate walking with God we shall take our selves to doe demanding of our selves as it were What we said What we thought Whether we edified our selves and others Whether wee glorified GOD or not Whether we remembred our selves the Church our end the great day our heavenly inheritance though but by one ejaculation or some Pilgrims looks wee should quikly perceive the benefit much good would it worke to our selves and others Thus should we find vvhat good wee have received by others how we have been affected with the company of the ungodly as whether wee have vexed our soules or not whether we have reproved sin with boldnes or failed herein in vvhat state our conscience standeth as whether or not wee have had mercy to keepe the same undefiled and the tendernesse thereof continued the same being in us both at home and abroad as a sweet companion Hereunto if we be attentive thus if wee doe employ our time gathering withall the good things vvhich wee have seene and heard abroad as in like manner making use of all good provocations to sharpen us though this sort of iron to sharpen iron is very rare the good which we shall reap hereby by will much ease our soules and augment our spirituall treasure Thus if wee would doe I will not boast or whisper that I have exactly thus done yet others have with all their might endevored herein and mind through the assistance of Gods good Spirit so to doe unto the end of their Christian Race wee should thus doing get great aboundance of extraordinary Christian joyes and ravishments as pledges or the earnest of the Spirit given to us under the hope of the fulnesse of eternall joyes If we have left off those glorious exercises not any wayes hindring either praying reading meditating or any other spirituall worke in the Vineyard but rather much furthering the same If I say we have omitted them doe we blame our selves if vve have gotten dumb tongues in stead of open withered harts in stead of mollified dirt for gold blindnes for eye-salve poverty of grace for riches beggerly cloathes for rayment of white linnen for a feasting a troubled conscience a shew of godlines for the power therof small mire and dew in place of great waters senslesnesse for watchfulnes and tender feelings If this be thy state dolefull is thy change fearfull this desertion Thou must repent in time getting thy heart and endeavours inlarged mightily and sincerely renewing thy Covenant with God vvhereby thou shalt at the length perceive why the Lord hath absented himselfe so long and againe enjoy his sweet presence and the glorious tokens of his affectioned love 7. Wee doe further and further hate
raigning bosome sinne May not an house set on fire in any one part bee at the length burnt to ashes as well as if it had beene set on fire in sundry places will not one cord as well hang a thiefe as many may not Saul be as really slain by his one one sword 1 Sam. 31.4 as hee had beene if every Philistim had given him a stab with a severall one nay further May not a Naile in the hand of Iael as well destroy Sisera Iudg. 4.21 as Baraks Sword or Speare could have done a stone out of a sling no lesse fell mighty Goliah to the ground 1 Sam. 17.49 then his owne sword cut off his owne head May not a man as well bee drowned in a pond or pit of water as in the middle of the Ocean I may yet descend lower May not an haire throttle one a flie choke one a crum of bread occasion a mans death It is thus with sinne with every sin with the smal lest sinne even the least wandring thought the least idle word the smallest sinne if any can be so truely termed deserveth Hell fire 8. We doe hereby attaine unto a true hatred of sinne We hate sin for sin or as it is a breach of Gods Lawes not so much for the punishment thereof as for it selfe For even Reprobates though they hate not sinne as sinne or because it is a transgression of Gods Law yet may they hate it in respect of the punishment ensuing thereupon and so in outward appearance seeme haters of sinne But Sathan herein howsoever with the Painter he draweth the colour of the fire yet cannot he paint the heat thereof The ungodly not true haters of sinne though his Instruments seeme haters of sinne yet are they not so in truth but for by respects They doe not hate sinne for sinne as the Saints do in heart and outwardly testifie in word and deed Mortification like circumcision This precise Mortification answers very prettily to the Figure of Circumcision as all the fore-skin was put away so will not the Lord have any one sinne to remaine in his Saints unmortified which they are not accordingly to oppose hate and persecute unto the death This sort of true Repentance as it is prophecied in the Person of the penitent Idolaters Isa 27.9 so is it verily accomplished in all penitent sinners to whom our God makes all sinne and that for sinne so odious and detestable both inwardly and outwardly that they cast it away like a menstruous clout crying against their Sinnes hence away in token of their extream indignation therat We understand that the Jews in signe of that inward hatred that they had at our Lord and Saviour without a cause cried Away with him away with him Luc. 23.18 we out of this should gather an infinite and endless hatred against sin The Iewes hatred of Christ an Argument to work in us hatred of sinne as through which our Lord taking upon him our sinnes suffered all this We must even so hate it as to cast it out to afford it no entertainment and from our very hearts to cry against it Hence away away with it yea dayly and hourly to run unto God by Prayer for the assistance of his Spirit against the same Note that if those pricks of the Flesh may not wholly be removed and we wholly rid of this Old man during our abode heere in this vale of misery Rom. 6.12 yet that sinne may not so reigne in our mortall bodies that we should obey it in the lusts thereof Thus ye see that howsoever our good God is pleased to leave even in his dearest Saints some dregs of corruption as the Canaanites were left in the land Iude 2.3 for the further triall of the Israelites yet as out of the belly of the Lyon Samson had honey Iudg. 14.8 so even out of them and in the dayly mortifying of them the Saints gather no small store of fruitfull benefits and heavenly comforts sweeter then the honey and the honey-combe Thus of the motives or encouragements which wee have unto this spirituall Combat and so of the seventh Particular CHAP. VIII Necessary Caveats to bee observed in this spirituall Encounter AS in temporall Warfare it is ordinary for the Generall of the Army to direct his Soldiers how to behave themselves in the Battell Directions no lesse needfull in this spirituall then they are in the corporal warfare when where how and against whom to fight what Weapons to use what courses to take to daunt the enemy how to discerne and make use of advantages against whom especially to bend their forces how to prevent the enemies Stratagems and so in other particulars no lesse requisite is this course in this our spirituall Warfare 2 Sam. 21.15 Skilfull David may venture too farre to the endangering of his life 2 Sam. 11.16 wary Vriah may step into the forefront of the Battell and fall when as another standing had been fitter for him 1 King 22.32 The Captains of the King of Syria may mistake Jehosophat for Ahab 2 King 14.12 Amaziah may provoke Iehoash to his owne overthrow 1 Sam. 4.3 the Israelites may so relye upon the Arke of GOD comming amongst them as if assuredly they should bee saved from their enemies that as wel they themselves shall be vanquished as if taken by the enemie Benhadad with his two and thirty Kings that helped him may be drunk 1 King 20.16 not dreaming in their jollity that an handfull of Israelites shall vanquish both him them and their populous Armies Thus may it befall us in encountering the Flesh Caveats therefore being prescribed accordingly must wee follow our prescriptions The Caveats are these The Caveats 1. We must not be lets unto our selves in vanquishing our corruuption Wee must not through our worldly mindednesse or unnecessary employment of our selves about the things of this world be le ts unto our selves in vanquishing our lusts as ESAV deprived himselfe of the blessing through his wearisome hunting and the Gadarens bad CHRIST depart out of their bounds Mat. 8.34 and the wicked Jewes caused God to depart frm the Temple Ezek. 10. How can those vanquish their lusts which doe not so much as to this end set the least time apart 2. We must not cast away our armour or in any sort yeeld Wee must not cast away our Armour or in any sort yeeld but still keep firme our confidence in GOD For if any man draw backe his Soule shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.38 Whereunto that of the Psalmist agreeth For loe Psalm 73.27 they that are farre from thee shall perish thou hast destroyed all them that goe a whoring from thee 3. We must be wise in the application of Scripture unto our selves We must not apply unto our falls of infirmity such places of Scripture as are to be