Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life, Chapter 6

Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life · Chapter 6

p. 100CHAP. VI. How Christ is to be made use of, in reference to th… k…lling and crucifying of the old man.

HAving thus shortly pointed out something… ▪ in generall, serving to the clearing and opening up the way of our usemaking of Christ for sanctification, we come now more particularly to the clearing up of this business. In sanctification we must consider First the renewing and changeing of our nature and frame: and next the washing and purging away of our dayly contracted spots. The first of these is commonly divided into two parts▪ viz. 1. The mortification, killing and crucifying of the old man of sin and corruption, which i… within; and 2. The vivification renewing, quickening and strengthening of the new man of grace, and this is a grouth in grace, and in fruitfulnesse & holinesse.

As to the first of these viz the mortification … crucifying of the old man, we would know, th… there is such a principle of wickednesse and enmi… ▪ against God, in man by nature now, since the fall, p. 101whereby the man is inclined to evil, and only to evil. This is called the old man, as being, like the body, made up of so many parts, joynts and members▪ that is, so many lusts & corruptions and evill inclinations, which together make up a corpus, and they are f…st joyned and compacted together as the members of the body, each usefull and serviceable to another, and all of them concurring and contributing their utmost to the carrying on of the work of sin▪ and so it is the man of sin and it is also called the old man, as ha…ing first possession of the soul, before it is by grace renewed; and is … dying more and more dayly. Thus it is called the old man, and the body of sin Rom. 6: 6. This old man hath his members in our members & fa… cultyes, so that none of them are free, understanding, will, affections, and the members of our body are all servants of unrighteousnesse to this body of sin, and old man. So we read of the motions of sin Rom 7: 5. which work in our members to bring for… fruit unto death: and of the lusts of the flesh Rom. 13: 14. Gal. 5: 16, 24. and the lusts of sin Rom. 6: 12. So we hear of the desires of the flesh, and of the minde Ephes. 2: 3. and of affections and lusts Gal. 5: 24. And the old man is said to be corrupt, according to the deceitfull lust…. Ephes. 4▪ 22. all which lusts and affections are as so many members of this body of sin, and of this old man. And further, there is herein considerable a power, force and efficacy, which this old man hath in us, to carry us away, and, as it were, command us, o… constraine us▪ as by a forcible law. Hence we read of the law of sin and death Rom. 8: 2▪ which only p. 102the law of the Spirit of life in Christ doth make … free from. It is also called a law in our mem…rs warring against the law of our minde Rom. 7: 23. and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin, which is in our members. So it is said to lust against the Spirit and to warre. Gal. 5: 17 All which point out the strength, activity and dominion of sin in the soul; so that it is as the husband over the wife Rom. 7: 1. yea it hath a domineering and constraineing power, where its horns are not held in by gr…e. And as its power is great, so its nature is wicked & malicious; for it is pure enmity against God Rom. …: 7. so that it neither is, nor can be reconciled, … therefore must be put off, and abolished Ephes. 2: 15. killed & crucified Rom. 6: 6. Now herein lyeth the work of a beleever, to be killing, mortifying and crucifying this enemy, or rather enmity; and delivering himself from under this bondage and slavery, that he may be Christ's free man, and that through the Spirit. Rom. 8▪ 13.

Now if it be asked, how shall a beleever make life of Christ, to the end this old man may be goten crucified: or how should a beleever mortifie th… Old man, and the lusts thereof, through Christ, or by the Spirit of Jesus? We shall propose thos… things which may helpe to cleare this.

1. The beleever would have his eye on this old man, as his arch enemy, as a deadly cut-throat, lying within his bosome. It is an enemy ludging within him, in his Soul, Minde, Heart and Affections, so that, there is no part free; and therefore is acquant with all the motions of the soul, and i… alwayes opposeing, and hindering every thing that p. 103is good, It is an enemy, that will never be reconciled to God, and therefore will not be reconciled with the beleever, as such; for it is called enmi…y it self: and so it is actively alwayes seeking to promove the ruine of the soul, what by prompting, inclineing, moving and forceably drawing or driveing, (sometimes with violence and rage) to evil; what by withstanding resisting, opposeing, counter working, and contradicting what is good; so that the beleever can not get that done, which he would do; and is made to do that, which he would not. Therefore this being such an enemie, and so dangerous an enemie, so constant and implacable an enemy, so active▪ and closse an enemie, so deadly and destructive; it is the beleevers part, to guaird against this enemy, to have a vigilant eye upon it, to carry as an irreconcilable enemy thereunto; and therefore never to come in tearms of capitulation, or agreement, therewith, never o…ce to parlie, let be, make peace. And the beleever would not have his vigilant eye upon this or that Member of this body of death, so much as upon the Body it self, or the Principle of wickednesse and rebellion against God; the Head, Life, Spirit or Law of this body of death: for there lyeth its greatest wickednesse, and activity: and this is alwayes opposeing us though not in every joy at and member; but sometime in one, sometime in another.

2. Though the beleever should have a maine eye upon the Body, this innate, strong and forcible law of sin and death; yet should he have friendshipe and familiarity with no part, member or lust of p. 104all this body: all the deeds of the body should be mortified, Rom. 8: 13. the old man with his deeds should be mortified Col. 3: 6. & we should mortifie our members, which are upon the earth, vers. 5. for all of them are against us, & the least of them countenanced, intertained & imbraced, will worke ou… ruine, & cut our souls throat; therefore should the beleever look on each of them, & on all of them, as his deadly enemies.

3. He would consider, that as it is a very unseemly thing for him, to be a slave to that old tyrant, and to yeeld his members, as so many servants to iniquity; so it is dangerous & deadly: his life lyeth at the stake: either he must get it mortified, killed & subdued, or it will kill him: his life will goe for its life: if this enemy escape, he is a gone man. The consideration of this would cause the beleeve… act here in earnestnesse and seriousnesse, with care and diligence; and set about this work of mortification, with labour and paines.

4. Much more must it be against all reason and christianity, for the beleever to be making provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof, Rom. 13: 14. To be strengthening the hands of, and laying provision to this enemy, which is l…t & sworne against us, can stand with no reason. And here is much of the christians prudence & spirituall wisdome required, to discerne, what may make for fostering of this or that corruption, or member of the body of sin & death, and to withdraw that, as we will labour to take away provision of any kinde, from an enemy, that is comeing against us: Paul acted herein, as a wise gamster, & combatant, p. 105when he keept under his body, & brought it into subjection 1 Cor. 9: 27. It were but to mock God, & to preach forth our own folly, to be looking to Christ for help against such an enemy, and in the mean time, to be under-hand strengthening the hands of the enemie: this would be double dealing and trearchery against our selves.

5. To the end, their opposition unto this enemy may be the stronger and more resolute, they would consider, that this body of sin is wholly set against God, & his interest in the soul, being very enmity it self against God Rom. 8: 7. and alwayes losting and fighting against the work of God in the soul Gal. 5: 17. & against every thing that is good, so that it will not suffer (so far as it can hinder) the soul to do any thing that is good, at least in a right manner, and for a right end: nay, with its lustings it driveth constantly to that which is evill, raiseth evil motions & inclinations in the soul, ere the beleever be aware: sideth with any tentation that is off…ed, to the end it may destroy the soul, like a traitour within; as we see it did in David, when he fell in adultery; and with Asaph Ps. 73: 2. yea it self opposeth and tempteth Iam. 1: 14. by setting minde, will & affections, on wrong courses: and thus it driveth the soul to a course of rebellion against God, or diverts it and drawes it back, that it cannot get God served aright; yea sometimes it sets a fire in the soul intangling all the facultyes, filling the minde with darknesse or prejudice, misleading or perverting the affectious, and so miscarrying the will, & leading it captive Rom. 7: 23. p. 106so that the thing is done, which the regenerate soul would not do, and the duty is left undone which the soul would fain have had done: yea, and that sometimes notwithstanding of the souls watching, and striveing against this; so strong is its force.

6. The beleever would remember that this enemy is not for him to fight against alone, and that his owne strength and skill will make but a slender opposition unto it: It will laugh at the shaking of his spear: it can easily insinuate it self, on all occasions, because it lyeth so neare & close to the soul, alwayes resideing there, and is at the beleevers right hand, whatever he be doing, and is alwayes openly or closely, opposeing, and that with great facility: for it easily besetteth Heb. 12: 1. because it lyeth within the soul, & in all the faculties of it, in the Heart, Minde, Will, Conscience & Affectiones; so that upon this account, the deceitfulnesse of the heart is great, & passeth the search of Man Ier. 17: 9. Man cannot know all the windeings and turnings, all the drifts and designes, all the lurking and retireing places, all the falshoods and double dealings, all the dissimulations, lies and subterfuges, all the plau…ible and deceitfull pretexts and insinuations of this heart, acted and spirited by this law of sin and death. And beside this slight and cunning, it hath strength and power to draw, by lusts, into destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 4: 9. and to carry the soul headlong. So that it makes the mans case miserable Rom. 7: 24. All which would say, that the beleever should call in other help than his owne, and remember, that through the Spirit he must mortifie the deeds of the body. Rom. 8: 13.

p. 1077. And therefore the beleever must lay aside all his carnall weapons, in dealing with this adversary; and look out for divine help & assistance, even for the promised Spirit, through which alone he can be instructed & inabled for this great work; for of himself he can do nothing, not so much as think a good thought as of himself 2 Cor. 3: 5. fa… lesse will he be able to oppose such a mightie adversary, that hath so great & many advantages, and therefore all his carnall meanes, purposes, vowes, & fightings in himself, will but render himself weaker, & a readyer prey unto this adversary, which gaineth ground while he is so opposed. It is Christ alone and his Spirit, that can destroy the works of the devil, and kill or crucify this enmity.

8. So that the beleever must have his recourse, for help and succour here, unto Iesus the Captaine of salvation; and must follow Him, and fight under his b…nner, make use of his weapons, which are spiritu…ll; fight according to his counsell and conduct, taking Him as a leader & commander▪ & lying open for his orders & instructions: waiting for the motions of his Spirit. & following them: and th…s oppose & fight against this deadly enemie, with an eye alwayes on Christ by …aith, depending on Him, for light to the minde, resolution to the will, and grace to the whole soul, to stand in the battel; and to withstand all assaults, and never engadge in a disput with this enemie, or any lust or member of this body, without Christ the Principall: that is, the soul would dispaire in it self, and be strong in Him, and in the power of his might, by faith gripping to Him, as Head, Captaine and p. 108Commander in chiefe, resolving to fight in his strength, and to oppose, through the helpe of his Spirit.

9. And for this cause, the beleever would eye the covenant of Redemption, the basis of all our hope and consolation, wherein finall and full victory is promised to Christ, as head of the elect, viz, that He shall bruise the serpents head; and so that in Him, all his followers, and members of his mysticall body, shall lift up the head, and get full victory at length over both sin and death. Now it is God, th…t giveth us the victory, through our Lord Iesus Christ, 1 Cor. 15▪ 57. The b…leever would also eye by faith the covenant of Grace, where▪in particularly this same victory is promi…ed to the beleever, in and through Jesus, Rom. 16: 20 & the God of peace shall br…ise Satan under your feet shortly: and, Sin shall not have dominion over you, for yee are not under the law but under grace Rom. 6: 14. The beleever, I say, would look out by faith unto, and lay hold on, these and the like promises; and thereby get strength conveyed to him. self, whereby he may strive lawfully, and fight valiently, and oppose with courage and resolution.

10. Further, the beleever would eye Christ as a fountaine of Furniture, as a full and compleat magazine, standing open, & ready for every one of his honest souldiers, to run to, for new supply of what they want: so that whatever they finde wanting in their Christian armour, they must run away to the open magazine, Christs fulnesse, that standeth ready for them; and by faith take & put on what they want & stand in need of, in their p. 109warfare. If their girdle of truth be slacked, loosed or weakened, and they be meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisie, and Satan objecting to them their double dealing, of purpose to discourage them, and to make them fainte & give over the fight; they must away to Him, who is the Truth that He may binde on that girdle better, and make their hearts more upright before God, in all they do. And if their breast plate of righteousnesse be weakened, & Satan there seem to get advantage, by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings towards God or Men, they must flee to Him, who only can help here, and beg pardon through his blood, for … failings, and set to againe a fresh to the battel. If their resolution, which is understood by the preparation of the gospell of peace, grow weak, it must be renewed in Christs armory, and the feet of new be shode therewith. If their shield of faith beginne to fail the…, away must they get to Him, who is the Author & finisher of faith Heb 12: 2. And if their helmet of hope beginne to fail them, In this armory alone can that be supplied. And if their sword be blunted in their hand, or they unable to weild it aright, the Spirit of Jesus can only teach their hands to fight, and instruct them how to mannage that usefull weapon with advantage. Thus must the beleever be strong in Him, and in the power of his might Ephes. 6: 10. He is their God that girdeth them with strength and maketh their way perfect. He maketh their feet like hindes feet, & setteth them upon their high places. He teacheth their hands to war, so that a bow of steal is brocken by their armes. He giveth them the shield of Salvation. His p. 110right hand upholdeth them. He girdeth with strength unto the battell, &c. Psal. 18: vers. 32, 33, 34, 35, 39. &c.

11. For the further strengthening of their Hope, Faith & Confidence, beleevers would eye Christ, as hanging on the crosse▪ and overcomeing by death, Death and him that had the power of death, the Devill; & so as meritoriously purchaseing this redemtion from the slavery of sin and Satan; and particulary, from the slavery of that body of death, and of the law of sin & death: for the Apostle tells us Rom. 8: 2▪ that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus, doth make us free from the law of sin and death, and that because, as he sayeth further vers. 3, 4. what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his owne son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. That the rig… ▪ teousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us. So that the beleever may now look upon that enemy, how fearfull so ever it appear, as condemned and killed▪ in the death of Christ. He, having laid downe the price of Redemption, hath bought this freedom from the chaines & fetters, with which he was held in captivity: faith then on the death of Jesus, satifying justice, for the poor captive, may & should support, and strengthen the hope & confidence of the beleever, that he shall obtaine victory at length.

12. And it will further confirme the hope and faith of the beleever, to look to Christ hinging on the crosse, and there vanquishing and evercomeing this …, as a publick person, representing p. 111the elect, who died in him, and virtually and legally did, in him, overcome that Jailour, and break his fetters: and the soul now beleeving, may, yea should, reckon it self, in Christ, dying, as it were, upon the crosse; and there overcomeing all those spirituall enemies: likewise, sayeth the Apostle Rom. 6: 11. Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin. From hence, even while fighting, the beleever may account himself a conquerour, yea more then a conquerour, through Him that loved him▪ Rom. 8: 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ▪ as a publick person, dying and overcomeing death and sin, the beleever may not only inferte the certainty of victory, knowing that our old man is crucified with Christ Rom 6: 6. but also from the crosse of Christ draw strength to stand, & fight against the struglings of this vanquished and killed enemy. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections & lusts, Gal. 5: 24. But how? even by the crosse of Christ, for thereby is the world crucified unto me (sayeth the Apostle Gal. 6: 14.) & I unto the world: your old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, Rom. 6: 6.

13. The beleever, being dead indeed unto sin, through the crosse of Christ, is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yock of bondage under sin & death. The law hath dominion over a man, so long as he liveth Rom. 7: 1. but by the body of Christ, beleevers are become dead to the law, vers. … ▪ That law of sin & death, which hath dominion over a man, that liveth still in nature, and is not yet by fai…h planted in the likenesse of Christs death, no… p. 112buryed with him by baptisme into death Rom. 6: 4, 5. hath not that dominion over beleevers, it had once: for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made them free from the law of sin & death Rom. 8: 2. So that now the beleever is free from that tyranny; and that tyrant can exerce no lawfull jurisdiction or authority over him, and therefore he may with the greater courage repell the insolencies of that tyrant, that. contrare to all right and equity, seeketh to Lord it over him still. They are no lawfull subjects to that cruell and rageing Prince, or to that spirituall wickednesse.

14. So that the beleever renunceing that jurisdiction, under which he was formerly, and being under a new husband, and under a new law▪ even the law of the Spirit of li…e in Christ Iesus▪ is to look upon all the motions of sin as illegall, and as treasonable acts of a tyrant. The old man being crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, the beleever is not any more to serve sin Rom. 6: 6. And being now dead they are freed from sin vers. 7. and are married to another, even to Him, who is raised from the dead, & so they should not serve sin, but bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7: 4. & therefore look upon all motions of the flesh, and all the inclinations and stirrings of the old law of sin, as acts of treachery and rebellion against the right and jurisdiction of the beleevers new Lord & Husband; and are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man, this body of death, and all the members of it, as traitours to the rightfull King▪ & Husband, and to take them prisoners to the King, that He may give out sentence, and execute the same, against p. 113them, as enemies to his kingdome and interest in the soul: They being now no more servants of sin, but of righteousnesse Rom. 6: 18. they ought no more to yeeld their members servants to uncleannesse & iniquity, un…o iniquity vers. 19. and being debters, no more to the flesh, to live after the flesh Rom. 8: 12. they are to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit vers. 13. and to crucify the flesh with the affections & lusts Gal. 5: 24. that is, by bringing them to the crosse of Christ, where first they were condemned and crucified, in their full body and power; that a new sentence, as it were, may goe out against them, as parts of that condemned Tyrant, and as belonging to that crucified body.

15. So that the beleever, that would carry faithfully in this matter, and fight lawfully in this warfare, and hope to obtaine the victory, through Jesus Christ, must bring these Traitours, that appeare in their sinfull motions, and lusts in the soul, working rebellion against the lust authority, and equitable lawes of the lawfull Prince, Iesus, before the tribunal of Him, who hath now gote all power and authority, in heaven and earth. Mat. 28: 18. and hath all judgment committed to Him. Ioh. 5: 22. And to this end, both died and rose, & revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Rom. 14: 9. that He may execute justice upon the T…aitor, head and members, that He may tr…mple these devils under, and bruise the head of these serpents within us. The beleever then is, by faith in prayer, to carry these open enemies to Christ, and declare and witnesse against p. 114them as Traitours, by what mischief they have done in the soul, by their hindering the righteous lawes of the king to be obeyed; and constraining & forceing, what by arguments or allurements, and what by forceable inclinations and pousings, to disobedience and a counteracting of Christ; and he should urge and plead, upon the fundamentall lawes of the land, viz the articles of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son; and the faithfull promises of the Covenant of grace; and upon Christs office as King, and Governour, and his undertaking as Mediator; upon the merites of his death and sufferings; upon his dying as a common person; upon the constitution of the gospell, whereby they are in law repute as dying in him, and so free from the law of sin and death; and upon their relation to Him as their new Lord, Head▪ Husband, King▪ Commander &c. Upon these arguments (I say) to plead for justice against the rebell, that is now brought to the barre, and so by faith leave the prisoner in His hand, that He may, in his own time, and way, give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable and rageing enemy, that he may no… rise up to disturbe the peace of the soul, as before; or to trouble, impede, and molest the soul in paying the homage and obedience due to his lawfull Master and Soveraigne King Jesus.

Cautions & Directions.

For furder clearing of the premises, I would propose a few particulars, for caution & direction: as,

p. 1151. This work of laying the burthen of this businesse on Christ by faith, would be gone about, with much singlenesse of heart, aimeing at the glory of God, and the carying on of his work in the soul: and not for self ends, and carnal by … respects, lest thereby we marre all.

2. It would be carryed on, without partiality, against all and every one of the lusts, and motions of the Old man: for if there be a complyance with and a spareing of any one known lust, the whole work may be marred, they may meet with a disappointment, as to the particular lust, they a… desireing victory over: and the lust they are harbouring, though it may seem little, may open a door to many stronger; and so occasion sad dayes to the man, ere he be aware.

3. As they would bring the particular lust, or lusts, unto Christ, as chiefe Lord justice; so they would alwayes lay the axe to the root of the tree; and crave justice against the maine body, that yet lieth within the soul; and these particular corruptions and affections, that are as members of that body of sin, should put them in minde of the old man; for they should crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Gal. 5: 24. the body and the members: these lusts are the lusts of sin▪ or of that Head-sin, which hath a law, or the force and impulse of a law, in the soul: and therefore, their maine designe would be against this root, where lyeth the strength and body of the enemy, and which acteth in those members; this is the capitall enmity, and should be mainely opposed: and the following of this course, would prove more p. 116succesfull, than that which many a time we take: out nibling at or wreastling against this or that member of the body of death, is but of little advantage▪ so long as the maine body of sin, the bitter root of wickednesse, the carnall minde, this innate enmity, is miskent, and not opposed: but on the contrary strick at this, we strick at all.

4. This would be the beleevers constant work, to be crucifying the flesh, with the lusts thereof; to be mortifying their members, wherein the members of the old man quarter and lodge▪ Colos. 3: 5. to be spiritually minded, and to minde the things of the spirit Rom 8: 5, 6. for this carnall minde is enmity against God Rom. 8: 7. and so is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. It is not only an enemy, which may be reconciled; but enmity, in the abstract, which never can be reconciled: and this enmity will never be idle, for it c…nnot, till it be fully and finally destroyed: the flesh is alwayes lusting against the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. for they are contrary one to the other. So that though, to our sense, it may sometimes appear as sleeping, in regaird that it doth not by some particular lust so molest and perplexe the soul, as formerly it did; yet it is restlesse, and may be more active in another lust; and so by changeing weapons upon us deceive us. Here then is much spirituall wisdome and vigilancy required; when they think they have gotten one lust subdued, they must not think the war is at an end; but after all their particular victories, watch and pray, that they enter not into temptation.

5. This way of laying the weight of the p. 117matter on Christ, should and will keep them humble, and teach them not to ascribe the glory of any good that is done unto themselves, but to give Him all▪ the glory, who is jealous of his glory and will not give it to another, that the crowne may alone floorish on his head, who is the Captane of their salvation, and who by his Spirit worket… all their workes in them.

6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ, and putting it over on Him, cause the beleever become negligent in commanded dutyes, reading, hearing, prayer &c. for it is there he must exspect to meet with Christ, there must he seek Him, and there must he waite for Him, and his Spirit, to do the work desired: for though He hath not limited himself to these meanes, so as He cannot, or will not, any other way helpe; yet He hath bound us to them; and it is our duty to waite there, where He hath commanded us …o waite, though He should sometime …hink good to come another way, for the manifestation of the soveraignity of hi… grace.

7. Yet while we are about the meanes, we would guaird against a le…ning to them, lest in stead of getting victory over corruption, we be brought more in bondage thereunto, another way: we must not think, that our Prayers, or our Hearing or Reading &c. will bring downe the body of death, or subdue any one corruption: for that were but an yeelding to corruption, and opening a back door to the carnal minde, and to another deadly lust, and a beating corruption with a sword of straw: This is not to mortifie the deeds of the body p. 118through the Spirit, but through the flesh; and a fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spirituall wickednesse, or old man; or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof: and yet how many times doth our deceitfull heart by as us thi… way? Our work would be, as is said, to use the ordinances, a… meanc… ▪ whereby we may get the businesse laid on Christ, and help from Christ to do the b…sinesse. We must go to the meanes with our prisoner to finde Christ there at his court, and a…ifes; that He may take course with the Traitor.

8. In all this there would be a looking to, and dependance on Christ for helpe and grace: because of our selves, as of our selves, we can not do this much; we cannot complean aright of corruptions, nor take them away to Christ, not ask for justice against them: a… constable… ▪ and other officers must carry malefactores to the courts of justice, u…on publick charges; so Christ will not have us doing or attempting this m…ch, on our own charges: for He giveth noble allowance.

9. In following of this course, we would not think alwayes to come speed at the first. Sometimes the Lord, for the encourageing of his children, may give them a speedy hearing, and deliver them from the tyranny of some particular lust or other, that hath troubled them; that for some time, at least, it sh…ll not so trouble them, as it did. Yet He will not do so alwayes; but may think it good, to keep them waiting on Him, and hanging on his courts, for so…e considerable time, that He may thereby exercise their Faith, Patience, …, …, and Diligenc… ▪ So that it should p. 119not seem strange to us, if we be not admitted a… the first, and get▪ not our answer, at the first cry.

10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our desires, and the execution of justice on the Malefactor & Traitour, or to deliver us from his tyranny and trouble, we would beware of thinking to capitulat with the enemy for our peace and quiet, or to enter into a ce…lation of armes with him: that is, our …mity against him should never abate, nor should our desire after the mortification and crucifixion of this lust grow lesse; nor should we be quiet and at peace, though it should seem to grow a little more calme and still, or not to rage as formerly … this looks but like a covenant or confedera… …, which will not stand.

11. We would also know, that w…at Christ said of devils, holdeth good of these lusts▪ viz. Th… some of them do not goe out, but by fasting and prayer; that is, by Christ sought unto and found in these meanes. There are some lusts, that will not be gote so easily killed and mortified, as others; but will cost us more paines and labour, as being corruptions, which possibly have some greater advantage of our naturall temper, and constitution of body, or of long continuance and a cursed habit, or the like. We must not then think it strange, if some such lust be not subdued, so easily as some others, to which we have fewer, and weaker, and not so frequent▪ temptations.

12. As we cannot … full conquest of the p. 120body of death, so long as we are here, as was shown above; so nor can we exspect a full and finall victory over any one lust, which ever we have been troubled with. It is true, Beleevers may be keeped from some grosse outbreaking of a corruption, which sometime prevailed, as Peter was from relapseing into an open and down-right denying his Master; yet that same corruption did afterward stirre, though not so violently as to carry him to such an hieght of sin; yet so farr as to cause him do that, which was a partiall denying of his Master, when Paul withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed, for withdrawing from the Gentils, for fear of them of the circumcision &c▪ Gal. 2: 11, 12. So, though a particul… … be so far subdued through grace, as … considerable time, a man may not finde it so violent, as it was; yet he cannot say, that it is totally killed, because it may stirre thereafter in some weaker measure; yea he cannot tell, but ere he come to die, that same corruption may rise to be as violent as ever, and that Satan may againe think to enter the soul, at that same breach, which once he entered at; yea, and who can tell, whether God may not suffer that corruption, which lay long as dead, to revive againe, for a time, and for a time drive the soul as violently as ever, and prevaile for a time? And this should teach all to walk soberly, watchfully, and in feare, and to have a vigilant eye, even upon such lusts and carnall affections, as they may suppose, they have gote the victory of.

p. 12113. We would not think, that we gaine no ground upon corruption, because we still perceive it stirring, lesse or more; for as corruption is not alwayes strongest▪ (as was said above) nor hath the deepest footing in the soul, when its motions and stirrings are most felt; so nor must we think that there is no ground gained upon a lust, because we are still troubled and molested with its▪ stirrings: for it is a great advantage to be more sensible of the motions of this enemy; and our more faithfull, and active wreastling against it, may make its least stirrings more sensible to us; as the motions and trouble, which a malefactor, while in grips & in prison, maketh, may be thought more of, than his greater rageings, before he was apprehended; yet he may be sure in fetters for all that: a beast that hath gotten deaths blow may get out of grips and run more mad then ever, and yet will die at length of the same blow.

14. Though we should not finde present ease and quiet, by our following this way; yet we should think it much, if the Lord helpe us to stand, when we have done all we can; though we meet not with the hoped for successe presently: If he give us grace to continue, without wearying or fainting, and to be resolute never to give over, we have reason to blesse Him: if we be keeped still in the conflict with pursuite of the enemy, it is our great advantage; the victory shall come, in God's owne time. If our opposition …o continue, that we are resolved never to take, nor give quarter, though our trouble and exercise should be the greater, and our ease and quiet the lesse, we p. 122ought to blesse Him, yea and rejoyce in hope of what He shall yet do for us. For He that will come shall come, and will not tary. Let us waite for Him, in doing our duty, and faithfully keeping our post.

15. Yea, if we get quietnesse or ease from the violence of rageing lusts, for any little time; and be not continually driven and carryed head-long therewith, we ought to be thankful for this, and to walk humbly before Him; lest He be provoked, through our unthankfulnesse and pride, to let these furious dogs loose upon us againe.

16. When we are bending our strength and all our forces against some one corruption or other, which possibly hath been most troublesome to us; we would not be secure as to all others; or think that we are in hazard only on this side: for Satan may make a sainte here; and really intend a… assault at another place, by some other corrupt affection. O What need have we of spirituall wisdome, that we may be better acquanted with his stratagems and wiles? Let us so then fight against one member of this body of death, as to have our eye upon others, lest when we think to keep out Satan at the fore door, he enter in at the back door. He can make use of extremities, and play his game, with both; yea, and gaine his poynt, if we be not aware.

Objections answered.

It will not be amisse, for further explaining of the matter, to remove a scruple or two. Some may say. That they cannot perceive, that all p. 123their paines in this matter come to any good issue; for they never found corruption stir more, & act more lively and incessantly, than since they began to fight against it in earnest, So that this would seem not to be the right way.

I answere: Though, from what is said before, particularly cautions 9th and 13th a resolution of this doubt may be had; yet I shall propose those things, for further clearing of the matter.

1. May not much of this flow from thy not laying the whole work so wholly off thy self, and upon Christ, as thou oughtest to do? Try and see.

2. May not the devil rage most, when he thinks ere long to be ejected? May he not laboure to create most trouble to the soul, when he seeth that he is like to be put from some of his strengths▪

3. May not the devil be doing this of purpose, to drive thee to dispaire, of ever getting corruption subdued and mortified; or to a fainting and …itting up in the pursuite; and to a despondency of spirit, that so in stead of fighting or standing, thou may cede and turne the back? and should we comply with him in his designes?

4. May not the Lord give way to this for … time, to try thy Seriousnesse, Patience, Submission, and Faith, and to sharpen thy diligence, and kindle up thy Zeal? And should we not submit to his wise dispensations?

5. How can thou say, that thou gainest no advantage, as long as thou are not made to lay aside the matter wholly, as hoplesse of any good issue; p. 124but on the contrary, art helped to stand, and to resist sin, to cry out against it, to fight as thou canst, and at least not to yeeld?

6. What if God see it for thy advantage, that thou be keeped so in exercise for a time, to the end thou may be keeped Humble, Watchfull and Diligent? He may see more of thee, than thou canst see of thy self: and so may know what is best for thee; and should thou not condescend to be disposed of by Him, as He will, and to let Him make of thee, and do with thee, what He will?

7. What if God be about to chasten thee thus, for thy former Negligence, Secur…y, and Unwatchfulnesse, and giving too too much advantage to those lusts, which now, after his awakening of thee, thou would be delivered from? Should not thou bear the indignation of the Lord, because thou hast sinned against Him, as the Church resolved to do Micah. 7: 9.

8. Is it not thy duty, the more that corruption stirre, to run with it the oftner to Christ, that He may subdue it, and put it to silence? May not thou improve this to advantage, by making many errands to Him?

9. May it not come in a day, that hath not come in a year? Art thou sure, that all thy paines shall be in vaine? Or thinks thou, that all his children have go…e victory alike soon over their lusts? What cause is there then to complaine thus?

10. May not all this convince thee, that it is thy duty to waite on Him, in the use of his appointed p. 125meanes, and to be patient, standing fast to thy post, resolving, when thou hast done all, yet to stand?

11. May not this satisfy thee, that God through grace accepteth thy labour and wreastling, as thy duty, and accounteth it service to Him, and obedience?

But againe, it may possibly be Objected thus▪ So long as I am in this condition, keept … under with my lusts▪ I cannot get God glorified and served, as He ought to be.

I answer, Though so long as it is so with thee… thou cannot glorifie and serve Him, in such a particular manner, as others, who have gote more victory over those evils, under which thou art groaning; yet God can get glory and service of thee another way; as,

1. By thy Submission with calmnesse of spirit, to his wise dispensations, when thou dar not speak against Him, and say with Rebecca, in another case, if it be so, why am I thus? But sweetly and willingly casts thy self downe at his feet, saying, good is the will of the Lord; let Him do what seemeth Him good &c.

2. By thy Patient onwaiting, when thou are not wearying, nor fainting; but saying, why should I not waite upon the great king's leasure; Is He not free to come, when He will? Dar I set limites to the holy one of Israel?

3. By thy Humility, when thou blesseth Him for keeping thee so long out of hell; and thinketh much of his giving thee grace to see, and observe the stirrings of corruption, which carnall wreatches p. 126never perceive; and helping thee to withstand, and complean of corruption, which they sweetly comply with.

4. By thy Hatred of sin, when all that Satan can do cannot make thee comply with those lusts▪ or sweetly imbrace those vipers, or lye down in peace with those rotten members of the old man, as others do.

5. By thy Watchfulnesse; when all thy disappointments cause thee, the more earnestly, wat… against that enemy▪

6. By thy Acting faith; when still thou art carrying sin in its lusts to Christ to kill and subdue, as beleeving the tenour of the gospell, and … covenant.

7. By thy Hope, which appeareth by thy not despaireing and giving over the matter as a hopelesse businesse, and turning aside to wicke… courses.

8. By thy Praying, when thou cryest to H… ▪ continually for help, who only can help.

9. By thy Wreastling and standing against all opposition, for thereby is his strength made perfect in weaknesse. 2. Cor. 12: 9.

10. By thine Obedience. For it is his command, that thou stand and fight this good fight of faith.

So that if thou hast a desire to glorify Him, th… wants not occasion to do it, even in this condition, wherein thou complainest, that thou cannot g… Him glorified. And if those grounds do not satisfie thee, It is to be feared, that it is not so much … desire to glorifie Him, that moveth thee to …y p. 127so earnestly, for actuall delivery from the trouble of the flesh, and the lusts thereof, a… some thing else, which thou may search after and finde out, such as love to ease, quietness; applause and commendation of others, or the like.

But in the Third place it may be objected, Is it not promised, that sinne shall not have dominion over us, as not being under the law, but under grace? Rom. 6: 14. How can we then but be troubled, when we finde not this promise made good?

I Answere. 1. Sin is not alwayes victorious and domineering, when it seemeth to rage and stirre most; your opposition thereunto, fighting and wreastling against it, sheweth that it hath not full dominion: So long as an invadeing …rper … opposed, he hath not full dominion, not having peaceable possession of what he is seeking …d thus the promise is in pa…t accomplished.

2. Victory and a full conquest over the … and the lusts thereof, is not promised to any beleever, at his first appearing in the fields to fight, nor granted to all, in any measure, at their first putti… on their armour.

3. Therefore it is thy part to fight on, and waite for that full victory, viz that sin shall not have dominion over thee; for it shall come in due time.

4. God hath his own time and seasons, wherein he accomplisheth his promises. And we must leave Him a latitude, both as to the time when, and as to the manner how; and as to the degree, in which, He shall make good his promises; and He is wi…e in his dispensations.

p. 128Therefore though the promise as yet appeareth not to be accomplished, there is no true cause of trouble of minde; because it shall be afterward fully accomplished; and thy wreastling against sin, sayeth that it is in a great measure accomplished already; because where it hath a full dominion, it suppresseth all opposition or contradiction, except some faint resistence, which a naturall conscience, for carnall ends, on carnall principles & grounds, may, now or then, make against this or that particular corruption, which occasioneth shame, disgrace, losse, challenges of a carnall conscience, and disquietnesse that way, when yet it is not hated nor wreastled against as sin, or as a member of the old man▪ & the body of death. The objecter would consider, that having subjected his consent to Christ, he is delivered really from that naturall state of bondage under sin as a lawfull Lord, how be it the …, now wanting a tittle, is making … v…sions, to trouble the peace and quiet of the soul.

Fourthly, It may be said. But what can then, in the meane time, keep up the heart of a poor soul from si…king?

Answer. Severall things, if rightly considered, might helpe to support the soul, in this …ase, as

1. That they are helped to wreastle against this body of death, in all the members of it, so soon, as they discover themselves, were it their right eye, and right hand.

2. That those lusts gaine not ground upon them; or if they do seem to gaine ground; yet p. 129they attaine not to a full dominion, not … their consent.

3. That God is faithfull, and therefore the promised victory shall be had, in due time, and Satans head shall certanely be bruised.

4. That the wreastling soul is about his duty, carrying as a good souldier of Jesus Christ, fighting the battels of the Lord, and waiting on Him in faith and hope.

But further Fiftly, some may say. If I were keeped from yeelding, my wrestling and standing would yeeld me some comfort; but when lust so stirreth, as that it conceiveth, and bringeth forth sin Iames 1: 15. what can support or comfort me then?

Answer. 1. Corruption can not stirre in us, but therein we sinne, for the very first rise, the motus primo-primi, as they are called, are sinfull, being contrare to the holy law of God: and the very inbeeing of that Old man, is our sin; for it is sinfull and rebellious against God, yea it is very enmity & rebellion it self: when Satan cometh with a temptation from without, he findeth alwayes much in us, to intertaine the temptation. So that the very stirring of corruption, which is occasioned by the temptation from without, is ou… guilt.

2. It is true, it is our duty, …o set against the first riseings and motions of corruption, when it first enticeth, before it hath conceived of brought forth sin: and it will argue grace in life and in action; to be able to hinder the motions of lust so farr, that it shall not conceive and bring forth sin. Yet we may not say, that there is no grace in the soul, or no p. 130measure of Mortification attained, where lust sometimes not only enticeth, but conceiveth and bringeth forth sin. The sad experience of many of God's worthies, registrated in the word, cleareth this abundantly. We must not say, Such an one is fallen, Therefore he is dead. Paul reasoneth otherwayes Rom. 7.

3. Yet even then, when lust conceiveth and bringeth forth sin, this may comfort and bear up the heart of a poor beleever, 1. That though corruption prevail so farr, as to bear down all opposition & run downe all that standeth in its way; yet it getteth not the full consent of the soul, there is still a party for God, in the soul, that opposeth, so farr as to protest against it, or at least, to dissent from it, and not to will, that which yet is done, and positively to will that which cannot be gotten effectuated. 2. And farther this may bear up the poor soul, that there is a party within, which, though for a time, dureing the violent overruning of corruption, can do little more than sigh & groan in a corner, yet is waiting & longing for an opportunity, when it may appear more for God, and against that wicked usurper. 3. So also this may comfort the poo… soul, that as it perceiveth corruption stirring, and the old man moving one member o… other, it runeth away to the king; and when it is not able to apprehend the Treator, & take him captive to the court of justice, doth there discover the Taitour, and tell the king, that there is such or such a traitou…, acting such and such rebellion against Him, and his lawes; and comple…, and s…k help to take the rebell prisoner, and bring p. 131him bound hand and foot to the King, that He may give out sentence against him; that is, when he can do no more against that rageing enemie, maketh his complaint to the Lord, & lyeth before Him, …ghing & groaning for help, & strength to withstand, and oppose more this enemy.

Lastly some may yet Object & say, if it were not worse with me, than it is with others, I could then be satisfied: but I see some mightily prevailing over corruption, and I am still at under, and can get no victory: and can I choose but be sad at this?

I Answere. 1. Dost thou know for a certan… ty, that those persons, whose condition thou judgest happy, are altogether free of the inward stirrings of those lusts, that thou art brought under by? Or dost thou know for a certainty, that they are not under the power of some other corruption, as thou thinkest thy self under the power of that corruption, whereof thou compleanest? What knowest thou then, but they may be as much complaining, on other accounts, as thou dost on that?

2. But be it so as thou supposeth, that thereis a difference betwixt thy condition, and the condition of others, knowest thou not, that all the members of the body are not alike great and strong, as not being equally to be imployed in works requireing strength? Are there not some young strong men, in Christs family, & some that are but babe…? May not a Captane send some of his souldiers to one post, where they shall possibly not see the enemy all the day long; and some others to another post, where they shall have no rest all the p. 132day? And why, I pray, may not God dispose of his souldiers as He will? He knoweth what He is doing: It is not saife, that every one of the souldiers know, what are the designes of the Commander or Generall; no… is it alwayes fit for us to know, or to enquire, what may be the designes of God with us, and what He may be about to do. He may intend to imploy one in greater works than another, and so exercise them otherwayes for that warfare and work. It may suffice, that the prevailing of others may encourage thee to hope, that, at last, thy strong corruptions shall also fall by the hand of the same grace of God.

3. If thy sadnesse …avoure not of envy & f…etting, thou should blesse Him, that hereby thou art put to the exercise of spirituall sorrow.

4. It is well of this bring thee to blesse God, for the successe of others, because hereby his grace is glorified 1 Cor. 12: 26.

Therefore 5. Let this satisfie us, that He is the Lord, who doth what He will in heaven and in earth; and may dispose of us, as He will; and make of us what He will, for his owne glory. And that we are to minde our duty, and be faithfull at our post, standing and fighting, in the strength of the Lord, resolving never to comply with the enemy: and to rejoyce in this, that the enemy is already conquered by the Captaine, and that we share in his victory: and that the very God of peace shall quickly bruise Satan under our feet Rom. 16: 20.