by mortification They that are spiritually dead to finne are freed therfrom they are freed I say from sinne not in regard of its infection I confesse nor in regard of its corruption which cleaveth to their nature as skin to their flesh or as flesh to their bones nor in regard of the temptations unto sinne How a child of God is freed from sinne the godly being subject unto all these whilst they are in this life but in regard of the guilt and punishment of sin which is forgiven them through Christ as also in regard of the authority dominion rule command and compulsion of sinne from which they are freed so that although they doe sin yet are they not led or ruled thereby Art thou thus freed from sin then art thou spiritutually dead a mortified creature Q. How to know whether we are freed from sinne How shall I know whether or not I am thus freed from sinne A. If thou hast no purpose at all to sin but determinest with David to keepe Gods righteous judgements Psal 119.106 and so in all things to please him If thou art affraid of sin and with Ioseph resistest the inticements which may provoke thee thereunto Gen. 39.10 shunning every occasion of sinne and curbing even thy sudden motions unto evill If thou dayly callest upon God to strengthen thee against the power of sinne If sin dayly decreaseth in thee so that thou findest its force and vigour more and more abated If thou art truely grieved at thine owne and the sinnes of others If thou rejoycest at thine owne Rom. 7.24 and the spirituall freedom of others loving thy deare Saviour which hath freed thee Rom. 9.2 and tendring the glory of him thy deliverer above thine owne salvation Thou art thus freed from sin and so spiritually dead indeed a mortified creature 5. 2 Cor. 5.17 They that are new creatures are mortified creatures They are new creatures Old things are past away if all things are become new The more renewed thou art the greater thy reformation is both in heart and life the more dost thou prevaile against thy corruption the greater is thine encrease in the practise of Mortification How to know if we be new creatures An universal change Whether dost thou not finde in thy selfe an absolute change and alteration from that thou wast heretofore Hast thou not now new eyes New eyes leaving with delight to behold vanitie covenanting against Lust and searching into the wonders of Gods Law Hast thou not now new eares stopped against the entisements of the Serpent New eares and open to heare what God will speake Hast thou not a new tongue A new tongue not to sing the old Ditty of Nature to lye sweare backbite flatter and the like but to sing a new Song to the praise of Gods name Hast thou not new hands New hands not to smite with the fist of iniquity nor to pull in with rapine and robbery but to distribute unto the poore casting thy bread upon the waters and giving the right hand of fellowship to every good action within thy reach New feete Hast thou not new feete not to bee swift to shed blood but to run the way of Gods Commandements Art thou not renewed in thy nature New nature New gifts having new gifts Knowledge Faith Repentance Humility Prayer c. New delights in the Word New delights Sacraments Prayer Meditation on Gods Works and the like New sorrowes for Sinne New sorrowes for displeasing GOD for the afflictions of Gods People as in like manner new desires New desires after the purity of Nature pardon of Sinne softnesse of heart the presence of God audience in Prayer and such like New obedience for its manner matter and end Art thou not new in thy obedience both in regard of the manner of it of the matter of it or end of the same performing Gods commandements willingly diligently uprightly universally carefully at all times and in every thing ayming at Gods glory New affections Art thou not new in thine affections renewed in the spirit of thy minde New mind Eph. 4.23 New heart Hast thou not now a new heart for a stony a fleshy heart for an whorish a chast heart for a covetous an heart weaned from the world for a proud an humble heart for an hypocriticall deceitfull and false heart a sincere plaine and honest heart for a darkned an enlightened heart for a stubborne perverse and rebellious heart an obedient and willing heart New gesture Art thou not renewed even in thy outward gestures being affable and courteous to all and walking circumspectly towards those that are without If so then art thou a new creature Col. 4.5 a mortified creature a conquerour over the Flesh with its affections and lusts 6. A setting of ones self against all sinnes They that are in some measure truely mortified doe not approve or connive at any one sinne in themselves but to set themselves against some as that in the meane time they are in like manner watchfull over all others Settest thou thy selfe against all sinnes canst thou not indure to give way unto thine owne heart in the entertainment of any one Makest thou it a matter of conscience as to abstaine from publike notorious scandalous grosse sinnes so to abstaine from the least secret sinne every idle word or wandring thought Leavest thou not any one Amalekite alive that thou canst come at Canst thou so farre deny thy selfe as to forsake all and follow CHRIST Renouncest thou dayly even thy bosome sinnes thy darling sinnes thy best beloved sins of profit pleasure preferment Gal. 5.19 Canst thou not away with adultery fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnes idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envying murders drunkennesse revellings with such like workes of the flesh whether lesse or more manifest Thou art a mortified creature Simil. As in nature death seiseth on all the members of the body till which time who can be said to be truly dead so in grace mortification must take hold on all our earthly members else it is but unsound and frivolous Simil. As in nature a man may live though he cut off one of his limbs so may a man in sinne though he cast away not one but many sinnes The examples of Ahab Iehu and Herod are pregnant to this purpose 7 They that doe dayly grow in grace doe dayly mortifie sinne They grow in grace yet the more they doe grow in the one the more doe they mortifie the other 2 Sam. 3.1 Simil. As Davids house did dayly waxe stronger and stronger but Sauls weaker and weaker so being endued with the grace of mortification grace will overcome nature vertue vanquish vice faith repentance holinesse humilitie love prayer c. encrease when as thy lusts will decrease Growest thou not in grace Thou dost How will it appeare
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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