say if a Christian made the world but his servant little would content him but if once he make the world his master and lord of his affections then his desires will be infinit and cannot at all be satisfied We shall not long stand to inveigh against that too much addictedness of man to those passing and transient vanities of the world we conceive there are these three things which men do most earnestly covet there is pleasure riches and honour And certainly these are below an immortal spirit to fix their desires upon them would ye have Solomons verdict of riches O ye that trust in uncertain riches ye have it sweetly in Prov. 23. 5. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not In a manner riches they have not a being for they take wings to themselves and they flee away as Solomon doth most sweetly speak Eccles. 5. 11. If riches increase what profit saith he is there to the owner thereof save to be beholder of them with their eyes all that the owner of riches hath is the seeing of them which a man who is a passer by may likewayes have though he be not a possessor of them And hence is that word L. k. 14. where the man desiring to be excused for not coming to Christ saith of himself I have bought a piece of ground and must needs go see it all his enjoyment of it was comprehended in that one poor thing to behold it And as for honour and glory which spirits that are more refined and are not so wedded to the things of a world pursue after I would only have them knowing that one word Psal. 62. 9. Men of high degree are a lie and men of low degree are vanity as if he would have said any preheminency that one hath that hath an excellent lot in the world above a poor one doth consist in this the one is a vanity and the other is a lying vanity speaking somewhat to be in him which is not really in him and that word Act. 25. 23. where speaking of Bernice that came in with great pomp and glory unto the Senat-house the word that is there rendered pomp and glory is this he came in with a great fantasie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a great show and image without any thing in reality And as for pleasures of the world with which these epicurean spirits of the world are so much besotted know that verdict of Solomon which he hath of these things Vanity of vanities and all things are vanity and vexation of spirit And what can the man do that cometh after the king If Solomon found no more no doubt none that cometh after him can find any more But that which we shall speak to first upon this shall be what are the causes and principles from whence the discontentment of one doth flow under any anxious or sad lot that doth befal him And we conceive that it either doth proceed from this a Christian not being much in the exercise of selt-examination as it is clear from that word Psal. 4. 4. Examine your selves upon your bed and be still speaking so much that the compendious way unto submission and contentment under any lot is to be much in self-examination And certainly self-examination hath much influence upon contentment under every lot because such a one doth most accuratly take up these imperfections and blemishes that are in him so in stead of complaining he is constrained to wonder and cry forth Why should a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sin likewayes one that is much in self-examination is a man that can take up the intendment of the rod as likewayes the advantage of it and so he is constrained patiently to bear the rod in his youth and to sit down and adore the unsearchable wisdom of God in dispensing such things to him That word Prov. 19. 3. is oft-times verified of us the heart of man perverteth his way and then he fretteth against the Lord when he is chastened for it O! but if a Christian were dwelling much at home he might wonder that yet he hath a being in the world and is not cut off from the right hand of the Lord. O! bless him eternally that ye are not sent away to be reserved in everlasting chains There is this likewayes that doth occasion discontentment under our lot and it is want of that divine preparation to meet with every lot that can befal us before it come We think a Christian ought to be general in his resolutions to bear every cross that Christ will carve out And certainly there are these two advantages that a Christian hath of general and universal resolutions First he hath this advantage that when he is chastened as it were in his goods or any other thing that belongeth to him he beginneth to sing a song of praise because it is not worse with him there can no lot befal a man who is universal in his resolutions but he will have a song of praise unto God because of it Secondly he hath this advantage that foresight and resolution to meet with any cross doth exceedingly dispose the Christian for meeting with it we conceive that word which is Iob 3. 25. hath had great influence on Iobs patience for the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me afflictions do oft-times surprize us and so we faint in the day of adversity and so prove our strength to be but small There is this likewayes which occasioneth our discontentment and it is this that little heavenly mindedness that is in a Christian when he meeteth with his rod O! but a Christian sitting down upon mount Pisgah to behold that promised land might with patience bear his rod this is clear 2 Cor. 4. 16. compared with vers 17. where Paul giveth this reason of his courage and constancy under his rod that he had an eye unto those things that were eternal did ye never know what such a thing meant as to drown the thoughts of your present misery in these precious depths of eternity to be beholding so much in heaven as might infinitly solace yea and make up all your losses here I confess that opinion of the Stoicks that did commend apathie and want of passions unto men that they should not be much moved with grief for the want of any thing nor be moved with joy for the having or possessing of any thing is in some sense good hence was it that in some sense they 〈◊〉 divinely nihil boni vel mali accidit homini nisi bonus vel malus animus that there was no evil nor good that did befal man but only a good and evil minde If the heart was in a divine and spiritual frame they knew not what any other sad or anxious lot could do to them There is this likewayes which occasioneth discontentment and it is this the want of the taking up God as the cause and author of those sad evils which befal
man that I am c. You have also the intensive nature of mortification that a Christian should be content with nothing but the death of his lusts which is held forth in that word crucifie O! to bind our self with a holy oath and vow not to dwell in much contentment till we have gotten the life of our predominant lust we must not give our idols quarter upon the most plausible and fairest termes of subjection otherwayes if ye do I shall not say that word which the Prophet spake to Ahab that your life shall go for his but sure I am that confederacy shall be broken and likely not without many sorrows to your spirits There is lastly the certainty of this victory held forth in that word they have crucified it is here in the preterite time as it were already accomplished and brought to passe and no doubt this may make us to rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory that once we shall have a triumphant song put in our mouth Now before we shall speak unto any of these we shall speak to some few things as previous to be known We shall not dwell long in pointing out the nature of Mortification we conceive it thus It is a divine quality of the immortal soul derived from the efficacy and vertue of Christs death whereby the strength of sin is impared and its dominion taken away so that we should not totally nor with full consent yield our self unto that iron-yoke of our iniquity Neither shall we stand long to prove that it is your duty to be much in the practice of this duty It is clear not only from Col. 3. 5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth but also from 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. and 2 Cor. 7. 1. it ought to be our great design and aim to bring all those things in subjection which stand in opposition to Iesus Christ and it is the noble prerogative of those young men 1 Ioh. 2. 13 14. that they have overcome that wicked one and hath in some measure trodden Sathan under their feet But we shall speak a little unto this first whether or not a Christian can fall again to the committing of that sin which once they have mortified and repented for and withall hath received an act of pardon We conceive indeed so far as we know there can be no explicit proof given of such a case in Scripture that ever any of those that were heirs of the grace of life did fall into that sin which they had once mortified and repented for but however we are confident to averre that it is not inconsistent with a gracious estate which we conceive is clear not only from his names but from his promises and from his commands doth not that name that he is a healer of our back-slidings and the repairer of our breaches and that name he will multiply to pardon speak out that a Saints relapsing into a mortified sin doth not put him without hope Is. 55. 7. Hos. 14. 4 but that he may have confidence that he shall not die but live and declare the wondrous works of the Lord though God may speak that word to him which Absalom spake to Hushai Is this thy kindnesse to thy friend and withall do not his promises speak this Ier. 3. 22. I will heal your back-slidings and do not his commands speak it Ier. 3. 1. 12. 14. 22. how often is back-sliding Israel exhorted to return and he who imposed that commandement upon us to forgive our brother untill seventy and seven times if he return and repent will not his bowels be moved within him towards a back-sliding heifer But withall to provoke you to beware of that sin to sin after repentance and mortification we shall propose these things First such a sin doth creat and beget much hardnesse and stupidity of heart so that our own back-slidings do reprove us and become not only our sin but our punishment and when God hath spoken peace to us should we again turn to folly Secondly there is this to disswade you that such Apostacy as this makes a Christian to losse the sense and comfortable assurance of their Interest so that sometimes they will be even razing as it were the foundations O! but backsliders in heart are filled with the fruit of their own way and are made to walk in darknesse and to have no light it is much for a Christian to keep fast his hands when after this manner he hath lost his feet Fourthly such an one doth ordinarily give much reins and much liberty to his corruptions that is indeed their year of Jubilee and release as is clear from Ier. 5 6. where these two are joyned and may not the nature and aggravating circumstances of that sin make you to eschew it is it not a sinning against light is it not a sinning against God after he hath appeared unto you twise So that this may be the manner of your bemoaning your self If it had been an enemy that had thus done O Lord thou mightest have born it but that it should be one whom thou didst condescend to make thy familiar and to take sweet counsel together with that hath lift up his heel against thee this no doubt is an iniquity of deep dye and we shall only say this that it is imprinted upon the effigie of godly Iudah Gen. 38. 26. that after his first fall with Tamar he knew her again no more And no doubt it were your advantage to obey that counsel let him that standeth take heed lest he fall Now that which secondly we would speak to is to propose something to you by which you may know your growth in Mortification since there are many that delude themselves in this supposing that their lusts are really mortified when they are but sleeping and that they are really cast out when they only go out for a season those are they that are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed from their iniquity And before we shall speak any thing to this we would have you considering these things First that there may be a growth of leafes where there is not much growth of fruit a plentifull measure of profession and yet much barrennesse in practice there are some whose leaf doth not wither though their fruit doth much decay who have many specious appearances and yet cannot say that the root of the matter is with them and with all we would say that there may be some real growth to the fruit when there is not much growth to the root so that though we spread forth our branches yet we do not cast forth our root as Lebanon we grow sometimes more in prayer and knowledge and joy of the Holy Ghost then in mortification and humility though there be a promise for both their growthes Hos. 14. 5. 6. Now there is this secondly that we would have you knowing that there is a divine necessity for Christians to grow somewhat in
saved and obtain this crown of life which is the great encouragment of a Christian in this exercise Likewayes the grace of watchfulnesse is exercised in this blessed warfare for watchfulnesse if so we may speak is the centinel of the Christian that standeth upon the watch-tower and giveth warning unto a Christian of the motions of his adversary watchfulnesse warneth us when first corruption begins to stirre So the grace of love is much exercised in this blessed warfare for a Christian where he beholds that divine and unsearchable compassion of Jesus Christ which he exerciseth towards it in upholding it under its straits that when the archers shoot at him and do grievously wound him that yet his bow should abide in its strength this makes the grace of love to burn and live within a Christian. And lastly the grace of Prayer is much exercised in this blessed warfare for when faith begins to die and hope begins to losse its courage when watchfulnesse begins to sleep and love begins to be remisse and to wax cold then prayer as a flying Cherub doth go to the Captain of our salvation and desireth that he might help them in the day of their need prayer is the sweet correspondent of the Christian betwixt heaven and earth prayer stayeth upon the Mount with Christ when faith and watchfulnesse are in the field with our corruptions and lusts that are in us and we shall only say this by the way I know not whether a Christian be more obliged to Jesus Christ for justification than for sanctification but we conceive it is better to conjoyn those together than to compare them one with another There is this third advantage that a Mortifying Christian hath such a Christian doth most ordinarily meet with most divine solace and intimate communion and fellowship with God such a Christian is admitted to taste of the honey out of the rock and to be satisfied with the finest of the wheat Would ye know the reason why you have not been in heaven these many dayes it is this ye have not been fighting these many dayes Now this this clear from Rev. 2. 17. where that promise is given to the mortifying Christian that he shall taste of the hidden manna which is the sweetnesse of Iesus Christ as likewayes Rom. 8. 13. If ye through the spirit mortifie the deeds of the flesh ye shall live as also Rom. 7. 24. vers compared with 25. where wrestling Paul doth receive songs of everlasting praise put in his mouth would ye know the person that is admitted to sing one of the songs of Zion while he is in a strange land it is the Mortifying Christian for when he is in the pursute of his enemies he is then admitted to put out his singer and taste of the honey that his eyes may be enlightened There is a mortification that is pleaded for by many in these dayes whose highest advancement in this precious grace doth not consist in that which it is in knowing and being convinced of and mourning over sin but this is their Mortification that one should be dead to the sense and conviction of sin we shall passe no other verdict upon such Antinomian Mortification as this but only this it is indeed the Mortification of godlinesse it is a crucifying of repentance and holinesse it is a killing of the new man within a Christian as likewayes a quickning of the old-man in its lusts and affections this Mortification is no other thing but Sathan transformed in an angel of light and this is a peece of that new Gospel which is so much preached in these dayes which if an angel should bring from heaven we ought not to believe it this is no new light but old darknesse covered over with the vail of a glistering light O! study to be much under the impression of the bitternesse of sin that so ye may taste of the consolations of the holy Ghost There is this fourth advantage that a Christian hath by being continually exercised in this warfare which is that such a Christian hath distinct and perfect discoveries not only of the deceitfulnesse of his own heart but also of the subtility of corruption and sin that doth assault him a mortifying Christian is a most experienced Christian this is clear all along Rom. 7. where wrestling Paul hath so distinct discoveries of himself as he saith there being a law in his members rebelling against the law of his minde and bringing him into subjection And certainly there is much precious advantage that redounds unto the Christian by being convinced of the deceitfulness of his own heart and of that mystery of iniquity that is within him for such a Christian doth attain to the exercise of the grace of humility for when he beholdeth himself as in a glasse he cryeth forth Wo is me I am undone I think it is in some sense lawfull for Christians to practice much of Peters divinity which he had Luk. 5. 8. Depart from me for I am a sinful man not that it was well argued by him but it spake forth the high apprehensions he had of the holiness of God and the low apprehensions he had of himself as likewise such a Christian is much denyed to his own strength and so is necessitat to go unto one on whom his strength is laid as likewise such a Christian is much in the exercise of the grace of watchfulnesse he is not ignorant of the devices of Sathan which make him to stand continually upon his guard lest he be overtaken with the snare of the devil There is this fifth advantage that a Christian hath by being much in the exercise of mortification he doth attain to much divine conformity with God and is made a partaker of the divine nature of that invisible Majesty this is clear from Rev. 3. 5. where that promise I will cloath him in white is in a part accomplished to a Christian even while he is in this valley of tears And certainly this is the compend and sweet epitome of all Christian advantages to be made like unto the Majesty of God and it is not a conformity unto him for a day but such a mortifying Christian is most constant in keeping the divine lineaments and spiritual characters of that precious image undefaced in him as it is promised Rev. 3. 12. Him that overcometh I will make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out And certainly that promise of stability is in a part accomplished to a Christian even while he is here below what could a Christian desire more then this to be admitted to partake of the image of the invisible God and to be made like unto him There is this last advantage that a Christian hath by being continually exercised in this precious work of mortification such an one hath his antipathy and hatred against sin much increased would you know the Christian that liveth under the impression of the sinfulnesse of sin
ye may take it up in its nature and in its effects I think if one should come from the dead having the chains of everlasting wrath wreathed about his feet and the sheckles of the fury of the Lord wreathed about his hands and should preach to you concerning the nature of sin and how damnable a thing it is there are many who would not take heed much to such doctrine Now that which thirdly we proposed to speak to from these words was the difficulty to attain to Mortification which we conceive was held forth under that word Crucify which doth import that Mortification is a longsome work as crucifying was a longsome death as likewayes it doth import that Mortification was a painful work as crucifying was one of the most painful deaths And like wayes it holds forth the intensive nature of Mortification that a Christian should study not to be content until he did kill corruption And concerning these three we shall speak together And we shall point out the difficulty of attaining to Mortification in these things Is there not this which points out the difficulty of it that there is a woful unity of affection betwixt us and our lusts they are dear to us as the right eye and our right hand and right foot And I confesse to convince you of that unity that is betwixt you and your lusts I think that expression which ordinarily ye use when one is reproving you for your passion or for your swearing may suffice ye will answer what aileth you at me which doth speak this that you say your lusts and you are one And I confesse Paul hath an expression like this Rom. 7 8. I know saith he that in me dwelleth no good thing There are two me 's in a Christian there is a spiritual and a refined Me there is a carnal and a wicked Me as Paul doth distinguish them in that verse I know saith he that in me dwelleth no good thing and yet he subjoyneth In me to will that is present which is one good thing And we confesse that word is accomplished in Me They are joyned to their idols let them alone There is that secondly which pointeth out the difficulty of Mortification and it is the strength of those lusts that are within us we think the Scripture is so abundant in pointing out the strength of sin that we need not speak much to it there is that expression Rom. 8. 2. which is a most strange word it is there called the law of sin and of death as it were sin pleads for as much subjection from us as if we were tyed by law to obey it And in that verse there is a sweet contrariety of laws the law of the spirit of life hath made me free from the law of sin and of death If so we may speak there is in a manner one decree and statute of heaven declaring another to be null for it was a law in heaven that we should be under death because we were under sin but behold here is a posterior law that doth sweetly reduce this prior law and it is the law of the Spirit of life As likewayes that expression pointeth forth the strength of corruption which is 2 Cor. 10. 4. where he saith we are to fight for the pulling down of strong holds as it were sin fortifieth it self within our bosome and we confesse if this were believed we should study to mortify our corruptions with a great deal of more pains and constancy There is this likewayes which pointeth it out and it is the deceitfulnesse of our lusts and the subtilty which they vent in their deceiving of us which is clear from that expression Iam. 1. 14. When a man saith he is drawn away and entised of his lusts the word there that is rendered entised is taken from the fishers who deceive the silly fishes with an apparent bait of pleasure We confesse these two are the great obstrucions of a Christians progresse to heaven there are temptations of fear and there are temptations from advantage which two if they were removed we might with greater facility overcome our lusts and sing a song of triumph over our Idols oft-times that expression is recorded the deceitfulness of sin we confesse if this were believed we would use a more divine and holy prudence least we should be ensnared And to shut up our discourse upon Mortification upon which we have been speaking so long we shall only speak a little to obviat any mistake that may be about the difficulty of any Mortification which shall include that which we intended to speak upon which was the certainty of overcoming And that which first we would say unto you is this Be perswaded of this that there is more divine satisfaction in the resisting of your lusts and wrestling against them then there is in the actual fruition of them all that word of Solomons Stollen waters are sweet saith the adulterous woman but at last they shall be convinced of the contrary and that word which he speaketh Bread of deceit is pleasant to the mouth but he knoweth not that the dead are there c. And we think the Apostle sweetly chydeth the Romans concerning this thing What fruit have you of those things whereof you are now ashamed it is sad to think upon that woful disappointment that many shall meet with There is this which we would likewayes say that there is a divine certainty of a Christians overcoming let the difficulties be never so many and O beloved in the Lord are not these glad tidings from a far country and may be as cold water to a thirsty mans soul that a Christian shall once overcome And I confesse there are these four things that speak the certainty of a Christians overcoming 1. The faithfulnesse and the love of Jesus Christ is laid in pawn for our overcoming which is clear from that Joh. 6. 39. And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should losse nothing but should raise it up again at the last day And we confesse this is certain it is more of Christs concernment that a believer should overcome then it is of his own O! what songs to the faithfulnesse of Christ what songs to his love shall be sung that day when the precious troup of his Saints shall return from the day of judgment and that general infare shall be of all those that have been begotten unto a lively hope when they shall convey Christ home through the ports of the new Ierusalem every one having a harp of God in his hand and shall cry forth Halelujab Halelujab to him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the lamb for ever and ever that song shall have no period though it have a beginning There is this likewayes which pointeth forth their certainty of overcoming Christ hath overcome and therefore a Christian shall overcome It was the sweet divinity of the Apostle Paul Heh