The Christians Daily Sacrifice, Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
NOW being thus armed, we are prepared to encounter such occasions as occurre in the day, which are generally and necessary:Of the pursuit of God, and the auoyding of euill.
1 To auoyde euill. Esay 1. 16, 17.
2 To prosecute that which is good.
Concerning the auoyding of euill:
First, we must labour to hauehave our iudgement rectified.
Concerning
1 The euill it selfe.
2 Our owne estate in respect of it.
3 God, who hates it and yet orders it.
That which wee are to be informed concerning euil, is; that there is euil,Sect. 1. Difference of euill.
1 By nature, & such is whatsoeuer is against or besides the law of God, and this is properly called sinne.
2. Accident, so a good thing may be made euill. Psal. 69. 22. Malach. 2. 2.
3 Opinion, so afflictions are counted euils; yea, the truth and power of good in the censure of the world, vsually is counted euill. Esay 5. 20.
The vse hereof is:
3 That we may discerne things that differ, not stumbling vponupon euil in stead of good, nor auoyding good in stead of euill, not fearing afflictions when they come for good, not distrusting our goodnesse, though it be accounted euill. Phil. 1. 10.
2 We must vnderstand the true author of euill, which is not God, but our selues, that so wee may blame none but our selues. Iames 1. 13.Sect. 2 What the euill of it is.
3 That euil is not onelyonly a meere priuation of good, but a quality inherēt & defiling the soule. 1. Ioh. 3. 4
4 That it is not only committed in act, but in thought, though consent come not thereto. Exo. 20.
5 That it is as well committed in omitting what we should doe, as in doing what we should not.
6 That sinne is seen in the least that is forbidden, as well as in the greatest. 1. Iohn 3. 4.
That the least sinne breaketh the law of God, and maketh vsus guiltie of the whole. Iames 2. 12. Ephes. 5. 11, 12. Rom. 6. 21.
8 That sinne is filthie and lothsome euen in the greatest pleasure and act thereof.
9 That the end thereof is bitter, and the inward parts most abominable.
And this knowledge serueth,
1 To conclude all vnderunder sinne. Rom. 3. 9.Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge.
2. To lay the fault iustly where it is.
3 To preuent diminishing and encreasing of sinne.
4 To auoyd the custome and punishment thereof.
Concerning our owne estate in respect of sinne, we are to learne:
1 That if we neuer committed sin, yet we are not free from it, as being guilty of the sin of another, & deriuing it from the loynes of our parents▪ Rom. 5. 14. Psal. 51. 5. Ephe. 2. 3.
2 That hereby our nature is wholly tainted with corruption, and vncleanenesse. Iob 14. Psalme 51.
3 That we are depriued of all originall and actuall righteousnesse. Ephes. 2. Rom. 6.Sect. 4. How farre sinne hath taken hold on man.
4 And proone, yea desperately set to commit all sinne with greedines. Gen. 6.
5 That we delight in sinne, and repose our chiefe contentment therin. Pro. 2.
That naturally we hate to be reformed and pluckt out of sinne. Ro. 10. 21.
7 That we cannot but necessarily and yet willingly sinne. 1. Cor. 12. 2.
8 That our best actions are beautifull sinnes. Esay 64. 6.
And this knowledge serueth:
1 To iustifie God in his iudgements. Rom. 3. 5.The benefite of this knowledg.
2 To confound the goodnes of nature Romans 3. 19.
3 To magnifie the riches of Gods mercy. Ephes. 2. 3, 7.
4 To send vsus to Christ. Roman. 3. 22.
Concerning God,Sect. 4. Gods ordering sin. we are thus to conceiue of sinne.
1 That he hateth al euil as a righteous God. Psa. 5. and no vncleane thing shall dwel with him. Reuela. 21.
2 That he permitteth and ordereth euill in speciall wisedome to his glory. Act. 5.
3 That he knoweth and searcheth the most inmost closet of sinne. Ierem. 17. 10.
4 That he is able to punish & to take vengeance of the same. Isaiah 40.
5 That he punisheth sinne with sinne, and yet most righteously. 2. Thess. 2. 11.
6 That though hee hauehave laide the chastisement of our peace vponupon his Sonne: yet hee will correct vsus as his children for sinne. Esay 53. Psalme 88. 89.
And this knowledge serueth,
1 To iustifie the perfect holines of God.And the vse. Psal. 18. 30. Psal. 145. 17.
2 To magnifie his wisedome in disposing of euill. Rom. 11. 33.
3 To giuegive him his prerogatiue, that he is foreign, the searcher of the heart. Ier. 17. 10.
4 To ascribe vntounto him the glorie of his power and super excellent greatnes, that we might be humbled before him. Psal. 86. 9, 10.
5 To worke in vsus an hatred of euill, and louelove of righteousnes. Gen. 17. 1.
6 To preuent presumption, and cause vsus to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling. 2. Cor. 5. 11. Phil. 2. 12.
Secondly, Our iudgment being thus rectified,Sect. 5. How sinne to be auoyded. we must proceed to the practise of auoyding euill.
And this is seene either in
1 Preuenting sinne, or
2 Recouering out of it by vnfained repentance.And first how preuented. 1. generally.
Sinnes is preuented either:
1 Generally or
2 Particularly.
Generally: by
1 A continual watchfulnes ouer our heart and outward man.
2 A feare and suspecting of our selues, as at all times, so when wee hauehave most experience of Gods mercy. Pro. 28. 14. Iob 1.
3 A continuall resigning of our selues into the hands of God.
4 Walking as alwaies in his presence. Gen. 5. 22. Gen. 17. 1.
5 To hauehave a continuall eye to Gods commaudements. Psal. 119.
6 To meditate on Gods iudgements, inflicted on his deerest children for sinne. 2. Sam. 12. 11, 14.
7 Consider the inestimable louelove and mercy of God towards vsus. Exod. 34. 6.
Eightly, Imploying our selues in some honest calling. 2. Thess. 3. 11, 12. and that
1 In faith and without distrust of Gods prouidence, with a good conscience. Mat. 6. 25. Heb. 13. 18
2 With cheerfulnes and contentment, without murmuring and couetousnes. Heb. 13. 5.
3 Committing the successe to God and waiting for his blessing, without making hast to be rich, or indenting with God for these outward things. 1. Tim. 6. Ge. 30. 1. Ha. 1. 16.
4 In humility, and lowlines, not sacrificing to our net, but giuing God the glorie. Gen. 32. 10.
5 In holines sanctifying the same by the word and prayer, and laying a good foundation thereby towards heauen. 1. Tim. 6. 1. Tim. 4.
6 In faithfulnes and diligence, redeeming the time, and accounting for it. Eph. 5. 16.
Ninthly, learning to vse our Christian libertie a right.
1 Herein not so much to stand … lawfulnes, as expedience. 1. Cor. 10.
2 That all things be done to edification, not offence. 1. Cor. 14.
3 That as we remit of our liberty in regard of such as are weake of ignorance, so we vse it in respect of the obstinately ignorant, lest wee harden them in their sin. Mat. 15. 14.
4 That we vse the things of this life within the compasse of our callings. 1. Cor. 7. 1. Cor. 10.
5 For our recreation that it be in things indifferent. Phil. 4. 8.
2 Very spare and sober.
3 Tending to a spiritual end, not the satisfying of the flesh. Gal. 5. 13.
6 That all things be done to the glorie of God. 1. Cor. 16.
Tenthly, By auoyding the occasions of sinne, which are
1 Euill company. Ephes. 5. 11.
2 Excesse in the vse of the creatures. Luc. 21. 34.
3 Giuing the bridle to the outward man. Gen. 31. 1.
4 Opportunity & seasonablenes. Eccles. 3. 1.
5 Appearance and shew of euil, &c. Thes. 5. 22.
And this sinne generally may be preuented: particularly thus, when we are assaulted by any tentation.
1 To mourn at the priuy motions of sin, & at no hand to set light by it.2 How in particular we may resist sin.
2 To know that I beare a traytor in my bosom, & therfore here at no hād cōsult with flesh, nor giuegive way to the temptation. Iames 1. 14.
3 To choake it by strong cries and groanes to God. Mat. 6. 13.
4 To put it off by exercising the mind with contrary meditations and affecting the contrarie vertue. Psal. 1.
5 Examine thy heart why it is thus, and thou shalt find some cause of this tentation. Psal. 4.
6 The cause found either,
1 Want of sound repentance for some former sinne,
2 Security,
3 Some greater euill like to follow, whereof this tentation is a messenger, or such like negligence, dispose thy selfe accordinglie.
5 Intend thy calling more carefully and conscionably. Eph. 5. 15.
6 Renue thy repentance and vowes to God more effectually. Psal 116.
7 Dispute not with Satan, neither play with the flame, but flie away with Ioseph, though thou leaue thy coate behind thee. Iacob 4. 7. Gen. 39. 12.
8 Labour not so much to avoyd the outward act, as to hauehave thy heart purged from the euil thought. Ps. 51. 2. 10.
9 Submit thy selfe rather to any punishment (if it so please God) then to yeeld to the tentation. Matth. 5. 29.
10 And looke for one temptation in the necke of another.
11 Yet faint not in thy resistance: but perseuer constantly, & by Gods merciemercy satan shall flie away. Iam. 4. 7. Matth 4.
If Satan preuaile,Sect. 6. 3 How to recouer our sinn…. and thou art foyled, then thou must rise againe by repentance. To this end consider:
1 Thy estate in grace, which must be renued by repentance. Psal. 51.
2 Gods mercies, which are aboue all thy sinnes. Psal. 103. 8. Exo. 34. 16.
3 Thy former experience how thou hast recouered. Psal. 77. 5.
And so pract…se thy raysing vp in this manner:
First, view thine iniquitie in the glasse of the law, to bruse thine hart, and there thou shalt find what an euill and bitter thing sin is. Ier. 2. 19.
Secondly,1 By viewing sinne and that, first in the law. hereupon applie that knowledge vntounto thine owne soule by the power of conscience assisted by the blessed spirit of bondage: and proceede to iudge thy salfe, concluding that thou art guiltie of eternall death. And hence will follow compunction, and wounding of the heatt:
3 The heart being thus wounded that thou maist bee kept from despaire,2 In the Gospel. view thy selfe secondly, in the glasse of the Gospell, that the bruised reede may not be broken, by considering what a bitter and yet precious ransome was paid for thy sinne. Mat. 20. 28.
4 Hereupon make application vntounto thine heart by the worke of conscience renued by the spirit of adoption, and raise vp thy selfe with this assurance, that though thou art a sinner, yet Christ is thine, and thou hast pardon of thy sinne, and shalt hauehave life eternall in him. Mat. 11. 28. Mat. 5. 3. 4. Lu. 15. 2. Cor. 7…
This application worketh two contrarie effects:
1 Thou shalt reioyce that thy sins are forgiuē thee in Christ Iesus.
2 Thou shalt be sorrowfull that thou hast displeased so good and gracious a father.
And this sorrow is expressed:2 By iudging.
First, by Iudging thy sin before God in the court of thy conscience.
And this Iudgement contayneth:
1 By examining thy sinne, and taking a more particular notice thereof.
2 Confessing it, Psalm. 32. 5. and that
1 With greefe and detestation.
2 Particularly, not generally, not onelyonly so farre as thou knowest, confessing herein thy knowledge to be short, and yeelding vp thy vnscearchable heart vntounto God. Lord clense me from my secret sinnes. Psalm. 19.
3 Against thy selfe not excusing or diminishing: not laying the fault vponupon God, the creatures, &c. but blaming especially that corrupt fountaine of thy heart herein. Psal. 32. 5. Psal. 51.
4 VntoUnto God, not vntounto Angels or men, &c. who onelyonly is able and ready to forgiue. Psal. 103.
Thirdly, Thou must condemne sinne, and this is done:
1 By acknowledging what is due vntounto thee for it, namely shame and confusion of face for euer. Ezra 9. 6.
2 Professing thine owne vilenes, and vnworthinesse of the least of Gods mercies. Iob 39. 16.
3 Iustifying God in what hee might doe, and submitting thy selfe vnderunder his mightie hand. Ely. 2. Sam. 2. Dauid, 2. Sam. 15.
4 Execute vengeance vponupon thy selfe for thy sinne, 2. Cor. 7. in as this maner:
First, lie downe in thy confusion and couer thy face with shame. Ier. 3. Luk. 18.
2 Abhorre and detest thy selfe in sackcloth and ashes. Iob 42. 6.
3 HaueHave indignation and zeale against thy selfe for offending so good a God: 2. Cor. 7. Peter wept bitterly. Psal. 73. 22. so foolish, &c.
4 Groane vnderunder the burthen of thy flesh, and desire to be rid of it Rom. 7. 21.
5 Possesse a broken heart for thy sinne all thy life long. Psal. 51. 17.
6 Refraine thy selfe from lawfull comforts. Ioel. 2.
7 Impose all meanes of mortifiing thy rebellious flesh, as feare of thy selfe, lest thou fall againe. Pro. 28. 14.
8 Mingle thy drinke with thy teares, and in thy greatest security, let the remembrance of thy sinne, awake and rouse thee vp. Psal. 51.
9 Desire euer after more carefully to please God. 2. Cor. 7.
10 To this end preserue a record of thy sinne and retaine some monument thereof with thee.
11 Consider often what punishments thou hast felt for sinne.
12 And let the day of thy death and appearing before the iudgment seate of Christ be alwaies in thy mind, make thou sure account of it, & daily make readie for it. 2. Pet. 3.
13 Cease not crying out against thy corruptions and complaining vntounto God of thy rebellions, that he may strengthen thee against them. Psal. 119. 49.
14 Bind thy selfe by the oath, and by the curse to forsake all sin, & to continue constant in the seruice of thy God. Ezra, 10. 3. 2. Chro. 15.
15 Reprooue sinne boldlie in others, and plucke them out of the fire: Iude 23. though thou beest scorcht for thy labour.
16 Suffer affliction as a good souldier of Iesus Christ, and prepare thy soule vntounto tentations. 2. Tim. 2.
Thus shalt thou cut off sin, and happily preserue thy selfe in a constant course of godlines.
For thy better instruction herein.
1 Cal to mind what before is deliuered in the sixth part of the girdle of truth concerning holy actions, which may helpe thee both in the true knowledge of God to informe thy iudgment, as also in the right & holy practise of good things, which must be part of thy daily sacrifice.