Two Treatises, Part 2 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. By what meanes the Fleſh with the Luſts and Affections thereof is to bee encountred.
IT is not enough that a Souldier have skill, or know how to encounter his enemy, but alſo he muſt be ſo provided of Armour and Weapons, both offenſive and defenſive, that hee be not conſtrained with ſhame and loſſe to turne his back in the day of battell. As therfore we have learnd how to encounter this our ſpirituall adverſary; ſo are wee in like manner to take notice by what meanes the ſame may be encountered.
The meanes are not.By what means we are not to encounter the Fleſh.
Firſt, To walke careleſly, and ſecurely till wee ſhall experimentally find our ſelves to be encountered hereby, as dreaming (belike) that either becauſe it doth not as yet aſſaile us, it will not aſſaile us at all, or becauſe wee meddle not therewith, it will not meddle with us.
Secondly, to connive thereat for a time, till we ſhall judge our ſelves to bee better fitted and prepared for the encounter.
Thirdly, to conſent thereto, though but in ſhew, as if thus wee ſhould be quickly freed therefrom.
Fourthly, to put in execution any of thoſe deeds of the Fleſh, wherunto we have conſented, as if we ſhould not be troubled with any more.
Fifthly, to fulfill the deſires of the fleſh; obey ſinne in the luſts thereof, and for a time goe ſo farre therein, as the ſwinge of our corrupt heart would carry us, as if our yeelding unto ſinne would make us loath it, and the taſt of the pleaſures of ſinne in action, did not increaſe our naturall thirſt after iniquitie.
But they are either extraordinary or ordinary.
Extraordinary.The extraordinary meanes.
Faſting and vowes, whereby extraordinary ſinnes eſpecially which poſſeſſe us, (as ſo many Devils) are expelled. I have ſworne and will performe it (ſaith David) that I will keep thy righteous judgements; Pſal. 119.106.and againe,Pſal. 39.1. I ſaid I will take heed to my wayes, that I ſinne not with my tongue. Pſal. 69.10.With him alſo it was uſuall to faſt, as in like manner it was with St. Paul, 2 Cor. 6.5.who accordingly chargeth Husbands and Wives not to defraud one another, 1 Cor. 7.5.except it be with conſent for a time, that they may give themſelves to faſting and prayer.
Ordinary.Ordinary meanes.
Conſiſting as in the avoiding of ſuch things as may further our luſts; ſo in the attaining of ſuch as may repreſſe the ſame.
Things to be avoided.Things to bee avoided.
1 Exceſſe even in things lawfull. Exceſſe in things lawfull.We muſt not goe to the utmoſt of them; for if we doe, it is a thouſand to one we ſhall exceede from the utmoſt confines of lawfull liberty, ther's but a ſmall ſtep to the border of unlawfull delights, wherein how eaſily may a man fall that comes ſo nigh them?Simil. As he that would not fall into a ditch muſt not come nigh it, and he that would not be drowned, ſhunne even the rivers brinke; ſo that we may not be drunke, that we may not prophane Gods Sabbath, that we may not be laſcivious, ambitious, covetous, or the like: we are in reſpect of theſe outward things to abridge our ſelves of our lawfull liberty, being ſparing in meat, drink, attire, ſports, eaſe,2 Sam. 23.15. ſleep, and the like. Oh, ſaid David, that one would give me drinke of the water of the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate; nevertheleſſe (the ſame being brought, ſuch was his moderation, that) he would not drinke thereof, but poured it out to the Lord. The like was Abrahams, Gen. 14.23.in refuſing the King of Sodoms offer touching the ſpoile by him recovered. The like Saint Paul, who had learned in whatſoever ſtate he was in therewith to be content, Phil. 4.11.knowing both how to be abaſed, and how to abound: every where and in all things inſtructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to ſuffer need; yea, as exceſſe in things lawfull is dangerous in reſpect of our ſelves, Exceſſe dangerous in reſpect of others.ſo it is alſo in regard of others: as is implied in that of Saint Paul, 1 Cor. 8.9.But take heed leſt by any meanes this liberty of yours become a ſtumbling blocke to them that are weake, for if any man ſee thee, which hath knwledge, ſit at meat in the Idols temple, ſhall not the conſcience of him which is week be emboldned to eat thoſe things which are offered to idols? and through thy knowledge ſhall the weake brother periſh for whom Chriſt died? wherefore if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no fleſh while the world ſtandeth, leſt I make my brother to offend. As therefore Daniel purpoſed in his heart that he would not defile himſelfe with the portion of the Kings meat, Dan. 1.8.nor with the wine which he dranke; ſo muſt wee reſolve not to abuſe our Chriſtian liberty,1 Cor. 7.30. but ſo to rejoyce as though we rejoyced not; and to buy, as though we poſseſſed not, and to uſe this world as not abuſing it.
2 The approving liking, Harbouring the cauſes of our ſinfull luſtssentertaining, and harbouring the cauſes of our inordinate luſts and affections, viz.
Ignorance; Ignorance.whereby we become alienated from the life of God; Eph. 4.18.of which the Lord by his Prophet,Hoſ. 4 6. My people are deſtroyed for lack of knowledge.
Pride; when men think it a diſgrace to ſhew forth the power of Religion.Pride. The contrary whereof we read in King David, 2 Sam. 6.22who would yet be more vile (then he had ſeemed to Michal) and would be baſe in his owne ſight, the ſame being before the Lord, and to ſet forth his praiſe.
Hardneſſe of heart; Hardneſſe of heart. Rom. 2.5.A main cauſe of impenitency. But after thy hardneſſe, and impenitent heart (ſaith Saint Paul) treaſureth up unto thy ſelfe wrath againſt the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God.
Carnall confidence; Carnall conſidence.whereby man makes fleſh his arme, and truſts in it.
Infidelity; Infidelity.when men will not beleeve in God, doe not perſwade themſelves of his perfection and all-ſufficiency, as neither of his mercy & truth, or other his attributes.
3 The occaſions of ſinne; yea,The occaons of ſin. the very appearance of evill. Haply we may fall into an occaſion,Note. as one ſailing by Sea meet with a ſtorme, or one travelling by land be aſſaulted by a robber, but we muſt not ſeeke an occaſion; for he that willingly runs into danger deſerves to pay for his raſhneſſe. Even the prieſts were to abſtaine from wine or ſtrong drinke, Levit. 10.9, 10.when they went into the Tabernacle of the congregation. And the Nazarites, Numb 6.3.4.not onelyonly to abſtaine from wine and ſtrong drinke, but alſo they were to eat nothing that was made of the Vine-tree, from the kernels even to the huske. To this end were the Iſraelites, as to eat unleavened bread ſeven dayes: Exod. 12.15.ſo even the firſt day to put away leaven out of their houſes. leſt haply the having of it in their houſes might have beene an occaſion to make them to break the commandment.Note. So ſoone hath the heart given a ſecret conſent to the defire of evill doing, as it conſents to adventure on the occaſions of evill doing. The withdrawing of a mans ſelfe from theſe things, is a pulling of the fuell from the fire, as the adventuring upon them doth blow the coales, and admiſter fuell alſo. Thoſe are divers; as
Evill company: Evill company. Pſal. 119… 115.Depart from me ye evill doers (ſaith David) for I will keepe the commandments of my God. Prov. 4.14.Enter not into the path of the wicked (ſaith Solomon) and goe not in the way of evill men. And againe, Be not among Wine-bibbers, Prov. 23.20.among riotous eaters of fleſh, as a little before. Pro. 18.20.He that walketh with wiſe men ſhall be wiſe, but a companion of fools ſhall be deſtroyed. He himſelfe found it by experience,1 King. 11.4. his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.
Evill places: Evill places. Gen. 14 12By reaſon of the evill company, as Sodom unto Lot, Mat. 26.58the judgement hall unto Peter, Gen. 42.15Pharaohs court unto Joſeph, 1 Kings 22.32.Ramoth in Gilead unto Jehoſhaphat; Tavernes, Alehouſes, and Stage-playhouſes unto many.
Tempting objects: Tempting objects. 2 Sam. 11.2. Joſh. 7.21.as was Barſheba to David, the wedge of gold unto Achan, the painted beauty and gariſh attire of whores to many:Gen. 39.12 good Joſeph would not ſtay alone with his miſtreſſe, and holy David prayed,Pſal. 119.27. To turne away his eyes that he might not behold vanity. As in like manner,Job 31.1. Job made a covenant with his eyes.
Want of a calling: Want of a calling. Note.for thoſe who have nothing wheron to imploy themſelves the devill uſually uſeth to ſet on work.
Want of diligence in ones calling: Want of diligence in ones calling.for a man is never in better temper, then when by a conſcionable walking in his calling he keepeth himſelfe cloſeſt unto God.
4.Vnwillingneſſe to fight. Ʋnwillingneſse to enter the liſts with this our ſpirituall adverſary: which is indeed for the moſt part occaſioned partly through the ſenſe and feeling of our weakneſſe,Whence this let commeth. partly through the ſuppoſed force and ſtrength of our adverſary, partly through our feare of the foile, and conceived impoſſibility that wee ſhall not prevaile, partly through the paines and diligence which wee muſt uſe herein, and partly being loath to forgoe the pleaſures of ſinne.
5.Lazi. eſſe and cowardiſe. Lazineſſe and cowardiſe; Security and careleſneſſe, as whereby this active and vigilant enemy receiveth more courage, and in like manner more eaſily vanquiſheth us.
Things to be attained:Things to be attained. Faith. Act. 15.9. 1 Joh. 5.…0 Eph. 6.16. Eph. 3.17.
1. Faith: As which purifieth the heart over commeth the world, and is a ſhield whereby we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; yea, whereby Chriſt dwelleth in our hearts.
2. Love: Love. Joh. 14.15.If yee love mee (ſaith our Saviour) keepe my commandments.
3. Feare: Feare of God.both of God and our ſelves; God, according to that of Solomon, Prov. 16.6.By the feare of the Lord men depart from evill; and that of Saint Paul, 2 Cor. 7.1.Let us cleanſe our ſelves from all filthineſſe of the fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting holineſſe in the feare of God, implied in that ſpeech of Abraham unto Abimelech, Gen. 20.11I thought the feare of God was not in this place, and they will ſlay me for my wives ſake; and that of Joſeph unto his Miſtreſſe,Gen. 39.9. How can I doe this great wickedneſſe, and ſo ſin againſt God.
Our ſelves: Feaze of our ſelves.As where by we ſhall keepe on our harneſſe, have our weapons in readineſſe, bee alwayes on the watch-tower for the diſcovery of our approaching enemy; yea, this feare will make us diſtruſt our ſelves, deny our ſelves, renounce all carnall confidence in our ſelves, and be the cauſe of our ſafety. Thus alwayes fearing, ſhall be alwayes bleſſed. Acts and Monuments.Pendleton the proud cowardly yeelds and forſakes Chriſt, making ſhipwracke of a good Conſcience; whereas on the contrary, fearfull Sanders ſtands for the truth, ſacrificing his life for the ſame in the midſt of the fire.
4.Fervent praver unto God. Fervent and frequent prayer unto God at ſet times: As at other times upon occaſion of ſome idle thought, tempting object, or evill motions unto ſinne, frequent ejaculations or ſhort meetings with God, both are of dayly and continuall uſe, and will prove no leſſe uſefull unto us, then they muſt be uſuall with us;Neh. 2.2, 4 As Nehemiah by occaſion of King Artaxerxes his queſtion, Why is thy countenance ſad, ſeeing thou art not ſick? this is nothing elſe but ſorrow of heart, ſecretly prayed to the God of Heaven, & was graciouſly heard. So being fearfull of our luſts,Simil. afraid of our naturall inbred corruption, if we doe but pray unto God through Chriſt, queſtionleſſe we ſhall be comforted; yea, I may truly affirm that hereby eſpecially we are daly kept from the execution of our corrupt and evill inclination. Whoſo cannot pray,Neglect of prayer how dangerous. neglecteth prayer, or prayeth not in faith, is at all times under the dominion of ſin, in bondage & ſla▪ very to his luſts, daily runing into the very exceſſe of riot.
5.Dayly renuing of our Covenant. A daily renuing of our Covenant with God: and that both in reſpect of our outward members and inward affections; calling every of them as it were to an account, and both ſhewing them wherein they have violated their allegiance unto God, and directing them how to oppoſe the fleſh, and conform themſelves to Gods will.
6.Holy wiſdom in the practice of the contrary to that evill wherunto we are incited. Wiſdome in the conſtant practice of the contrary to that evill whereunto we are incited: as to ſtrengthen a crooked ſtaffe, it muſt be bent backwards. Thus, being tempted to gluttony, we muſt faſt; to covetouſneſſe, be liberall; to intemperancy, be ſober; to revenge, love our enemies; to prodigality, be thrifty; and ſo in other particulars,Gal. 5, 16. Walking in the Spirit, that we may not fulfill the luſts of the fleſh; Note.This is to croſſe and thwart our fleſhly inclinations, which abates corruption, and blunts the point even of Satannicall temptations. Neither will it be amiſſe at ſome times to turne away the bent of affection to another object, though haply not the contrary, as who muſt be brought on by degrees ſo far to deny our ſelves and curbe our corrupt nature, as to do the very contrary unto that it commandeth; yea, herein alſo ſhall we manifeſt our wiſdome in ſubduing our luſts,An excellent point of wiſdom. and preventing ſinnes to come, if we doe puniſh our ſelves by faſting, giving to the poore, or otherwiſe, for ſins already committed.
7. Watchfulneſſe: Watchfulneſſe.as well over our inward affections as outward members; as well over the motions that ariſe within, as the words & deeds that come forth. This is to conſider our owne wayes, What watchfulneſſe is, & wherein manifeſted.a looking to our hearts, eyes, eares, tongues, hands, feet, and whole man. This is to marke what we think, ſay, and do, whether we goe, to what end, by what warrant, and upon what calling. This is to keep the heart, and ſo the whole man with all diligence. Hereby ſhall wee exactly know what corruptions we are troubled with,The profit hereof. what things hurt us, what doe help us, whether we grow ſtronger or weaker, whether corruptions decay or increaſe, whether our ſoule fareth well or ill. Had David beene watchfull over his eyes, 2 Sam. 11, 2.when he beheld Bathſheba, he had not with her committed adultery; had he been watchfull over his eares, 2 Sam. 16.4.when he heard Ziba's treacherours report, he had not ſo raſhly condemned innocent Mephiboſheth; had he been watchfull over his heart, 2 Sam. 24.2he would not have ſo vented the pride thereof, in bidding Joab goe number the people; Gen. 19.33had 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. 4.3even 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 deale with our luſts, as Ioſeph with his Miſtris. doe we flatly refuſe to yeeld unto them; render we alſo reaſons of our refuſall, that therby they may appeare the more unreaſonable, as from the duty which wee owe unto God, the injunctions which wee have received of him; the variety of bleſſings, whereof (through his bleſſing) wee are dayly made partakers. The unexpreſſable joyes in Heaven laid up for mortifi'd perſons: the ſeverity of Gods juſtice to be ſhowne on the impenitent: the filthineſſe and pollution of Sin; with ſundry the like. But if yet they will not bee gone, ſuppoſing to weary us with their importunity, wee muſt bee as reſolute in refuſing, as they in urging, even ſtopping our eares at their inſinuating perſwaſions. Yet if at any time having ſome advantage, they make uſe of it, and lay hold on us, leave wee our garments with them, and get us gone, rather then they ſhall force us to yeeld, and to become defiled; be wee content to forgo goods, good name, friends, yea our very lives, that wee may bee preſented chaſt Virgins unto Chriſt.
For Pharaoh. 1. He made the Iſraelites, Exod. 1.10.11.bondſlaves.
2. Hee wiſely compaſſed their deſtruction in the death of their children, when they were firſt borne.
3. Hee commanded that the Male-children ſhould be drowned. So
1. Make we bondſlaves of our luſts, as which then will quickly be gone from us.
2. Do we wiſely compaſs their death,Deale wee with our luſts, as Pharaoh with the I raelites. even at their very conception, at the furtheſt their birth, being then weaker then (afterward cruſhing the viper in the very ſhell) not ſuffering the ſame to come in, though knocking at the dore of our hearts.
3. Caſt them in the ſea, drowning them by the teares of true repentance.
Object. But (may ſome ſay) here's a great ſtirre indeed, much a-doe about nothing. God I thank thee, Lu. 18.11.that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjuſt, adulterers. I finde not my ſelfe troubled with evill motions, and fleſhly luſts, as are others: I never had ſuch evill thoughts, or have been at any time aſſaulted with ſtrange temptations, as ſuch and ſuch complain themſelves to have beene: I doubt not but that I may ſpare the pains that are heere required, and y… doe well enough.
Anſ. 1. Thy condition is not unlike unto his, Simil.who being deſperately ſicke, is notwithſtanding perſwaded, that hee is in good health; or the fool's, which conceiveth himſelfe to excell in wiſedome. The more inſenſible thou art of thy luſts, and of thy ſpirituall bondage under them, the more art thou in bondage unto them, the more is thy whole man under their ſlavery. 2. Naturally wee are Eagle-ey'd in reſpect of other mens corruptions, but purblind in reſpect of our owne, being hereof even willingly ignorant. 3. Whom the Divell hath once captivated, and marked for his owne, he ſuffereth to walke according to their hearts deſires; not troubling them as it were any further, as being already his owne in full poſſeſſion.Note. Neither indeed careth he, which way he bring men under, provided hee may in thrall them one way or other. 4. Unleſſe thou oppoſe thy corruption, and uſe the meanes here preſcribed for the killing of thy luſts; undoubtedly they will in the end kill thee, and bee the everlaſting deſtruction both of thy body and ſoule.
Ob. But thus ſhould I here live uncomfortably, as even thoſe doe which notwithſtanding truly endevour to mortifie their luſts, according to the rule of Gods Word.
1. It's only at ſome times, not at all times, as eſpecially when they doe firſt begin to mortifie their luſts, or God is pleaſed to viſit them by ſome great croſſe or temptation. 2. Mortification, hath in it indeed paine and ſorrow, ſin having a ſtrong heart, and ſo not ſoone killed, the ſame ſticking as faſt in our nature, as a tooth in our head, or our ſoule to our body, which will not be driven away without force and violence. 3. Though weeping may be in the Evening, Pſal. 30.5.joy commeth in the Morning: though our afflictions are many, Pſal. 34.i9.yet doth the Lord deliver us out of them all. Simil.The Sunne is ſomtimes eclipſed, ſometimes darkned by Clouds; wait a little while, it will ſhew it's light. Our life ſeemeth uncomfortable: it will not bee long ere we ſhal abound with comforts. Imagine we that any of us ſhould fall,Simil. and thereby breake a leg or an arme, though in reſpect of the pain, we could wiſh our ſelves in a manner out of the World; yet being well ſet, and carefully dreſt, and dayly growing more & more in ſtrength, we live in comfort, that all ſhall be well: we are contented to ſow in teares, Pſal. i26.5.even to indure the painefull dreſſing thereof, that we may reap in joy by enjoying the uſe of the ſame, as aforetime. Not unlike is our condition in this World; but much more comfortable, as being more certaine. 4. This World is not our place of mirth; and in us ſorrow muſt needs precede joy:Ioh. 16.20. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you (ſaith our Saviour) that yee ſhall weepe and lament, but the World ſhall rejoyce; and ye ſhall be ſorrowfull, but your ſorrow ſhall be turned into joy.
Ob. But if through Chriſt we obtaine ſalvation, what need wee taske our ſelves to this duty of Mortification? why may wee not live as wee liſt?
1. Becauſe Chriſts ſufferings are available unto no other, but ſuch as mortifying their luſts and affections, live religiouſly and holily. 2. Becauſe it's the voyce of Chriſt himſelfe;Luk. 9.23. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelfe, and take up his croſſe dayly and follow mee. Tit. 2.14.3. That hee gave himſelfe for us, that hee might redeeme us from all iniquitie, and purifie unto himſelfe a peculiar People zealous of good works.
Ob. But many have heere in this world uſed divers and ſundry meanes to bring their body under, as by watching, faſting, ſcourging of themſelves, going bare-footed and barelegged many miles together; who notwithſtanding have had no comfort here in the aſſurance of Gods favour, neither by all likelihood ſhall ſee the face of God with comfort hereafter.
It's no wonder, 1. becauſe Mortification as it conſiſteth not of ſome of thoſe externall ſhewes of Will-worſhip at all;Wherein Mortification chiefly conſiſteth. as to weare hair-cloth, ſcourge ones ſelfe, goe on Pilgrimage, and the like: ſo it conſiſteth not wholly in the others, watching, faſting, and the like; but eſpecially in the crucifying of the inward Luſts and Affections, which doe even reigne and domineere in them. 2. Becauſe they perſwade themſelves that by thoſe they doe merit at the hands of God the forgiveneſſe of their ſinnes, with life everlaſting, then which, what can more croſſe their preſent and future well being? 3. Becauſe God hath thus in juſtice dealt with ſuch ſorts of perſons from time to time,Ier. 2.13. even that by 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 allſufficient 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.