The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. The ſecond rule to judge of Deſertion is taken from the increaſe of ſinne, where how the increaſe of ſinne may be knowne.
THe ſecond rule to guide in the judgment of this matter whether a may be deſerted or not, is the conſideration of his ſinnes; where ſin is increaſed, there is leſſe of God; ſin is contrary to godlineſſe, and the nature of all contraries, is, that the intention and increaſe of the one, is the remiſſion and decreaſe of the other; as in the ayre, when there is moſt darkneſſe, then there is leaſ… light; when the ſpirit of holineſſe is preſent in his powerfull working, then the power of ſin is weakned; but when he withdrawes his influence, then ſinne breakes out; as when the Sun ſets, then the beaſts that lay before lurking in their dennes, come forth with roarings and howlings for their prey; and as when the King is gone out of his kingdome, then the trayterous rebells, who before concealed themſelves, riſe up in armes to work their wils.
And it muſt needs be that upon Gods departure and his ceaſing the acts and operations of his power in the ſoule,When God departs, ſin increaſeth. that ſin muſt revive, and returne upon a man with a renewed ſtrength, and prevaile much. For,
1. Firſt, Satan is vigilant,For 1. Satan takes the opportunity. and takes his time to doe all the miſchief that he can, when God leaves a man, he ſeekes to make a re-entry, as theeves break open houſes, and pill and ſpoyle in the abſence of the maſter. And indeed when God thus leaves the ſoule, there is not a meere Deſertion onelyonly, but a tradition alſo of a man into the hands of Sathan; God permitting him to deale with the ſoule in a ſort, as with Iobs body, to lay his hand on them, to ſpoyle them, to ſmite them with many ſoares, and though he cannot ſlay them, yet he may much hurt them, ſo that they come out of his hands as the man in the Goſpell that fell among theeves, and was robbed and wounded and left half dead. Luke 10.30.
2. Sinne is potent.Sinne is a potent thing, it hath indeed many things againſt it, but more for it, and onelyonly God above it; ſo that if God ceaſe to watch, and keepe the heart in his way, and to keep down this monſter, it will be ſtirring.
Take a ſhort view of the power o… ſin: It is compared to an husband which overcomes by kindneſſe, to a Lord which prevailes by power, yea, it is compared to the things of the greateſt power, it is called a Conquerour, leading all in captivity, a tyrant holding all in bondage, a King holding all in ſubjectiō, and draw near and ſee the ſtrength of it. Conſider the City that ſhe is mured in, it is man, an active creature; and as fire is more fierce in gunpowder, that in wood, and rebellion ſtronger in a generall than in a peaſant, ſo ſin is ſtronger for the ſubject of it; hence it come that the devils exceed man in wickedneſſe, becauſe their natures are more active, and more potent; ſin alſo is in the whole man, therefore as fire that hath hold in every part of an houſe, burnes exceeding fiercely, if men ceaſe to quench it; ſo ſin rageth much when God ceaſeth to ſlake it by pouring in his Spirit, which is compared to water, Ioh. 3.3. Ezech. 36.25. as ſin is compared to fire. Iames 3.5, 6.
Again, behold the forts of ſin, which is carnall thoughts and reaſonings: which are called ſtrong holds, 2 Cor. 10.4. in which it both ſtrengthens its owne power, and defends it ſelf againſt all adverſe power.
Then behold her weapons, every faculty, ability, endowment, riches, wiſdome, ſtrength, honour, friends, and the members of the body, which are weapons of unrighteouſneſſe. Rom. 6.13.oforeign. Gre. Naz. orat. 1..
Then behold her allies, and aides, many things come in to contribute ſtrength, I ſay many things without a man, as Satan by counſell, ſuggeſtions, perſwaſions, diverſions, diſcouragements, and ſtrong operations: And all the objects of ſinne, yea every creature, and the examples and counſells of men, yea, and the acts of ſin it ſelfe, all theſe make the power of ſin greater: therefore conſidering theſe things, who can wonder that there ſhould be a renewing of the power and working of ſin, when God denyeth his gracious preſence in the ſoule?But about the renued power of ſin, conſider, But concerning this renewed power of ſinne, take theſe conſiderations.
1. We muſt diſtinguiſh of ſins: every ſin is contrary to all holineſſe,Sin muſt be diſtinguiſhed. and to the whole law in a ſenſe, becauſe holineſſe in the nature of it is contrary to ſin, and the law condemnes all ſin as a tranſgreſſion againſt it; but ſome ſins are more directly contrary to all holineſſe, as totall apoſtaſie, poſitive hatred of God, &c. theſe,1 Joh. 3.6.9. ſuch as abide in Chriſt are kept from; but other ſinnes which are particular defects, though in their kinde grievous, they may poſſibly fall into, &c. But let me adde this caution, 1. that they are ſeldome found in ſuch, if heynous evils. 2. That it concernes men to watch, becauſe ſuch waies are waies of death; and the proper effect of great ſins is waſting of the conſcience, and incenſing of much wrath.
2. The power which ſin gains is but a limitted, not an abſolute power, Chriſt is not willing to loſe his ſubjects, though he may ſuffer them to be vexed, yet not conquered; ſin may rage, but not rule, or as I ſaid, its power is limitted.
1. It is not full: ſin may have much power, but Chriſt ſtill keepes the throne, though he permit it to doe much, yet he keeps the Scepter in his hand; yea, though he let ſin looſe in a degree, yet he holds the reines in his hand to curb it at his pleaſure, and though it find a part yielding in a man, yet it ever finds a part reſiſting, Gal. 5.17. he that hath fully and reſolutely given up himſelfe to Chriſt as a King, can never admit of another Soveraigne, it is not only contrary to his duty, but to his nature, and that anointing, by which he is ſet above the world, and above Sathan and above himſelfe, and under none but Chriſt: This anointing is the Spirit of Chriſt, which is a Royall Spirit, and makes us Kings like himſelfe, both in Nobleneſſe of ſpirit, which abhorres bondage to baſe luſts, and in victorious power by which he overcomes all, yea our ſtrength is the bloud, mercy, power, and truth of Chriſt, who hath undertaken to rule his people with the rod of his ſtrength, Pſal. 110. and to beate downe their enemies with his Iron rod, Pſal. 2. and he hath ſaid, Sinne ſhall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace. Rom. 6.14.pDeſtituitur peccatū potentia, dā nandi et dominandi. Epiſ. Sariſ. de juſtitia operum. c. 5. vid. etiam Abbot. Epiſ. Sariſ. animad. in Thomſ. diatrib. c. 21.. God will throw out ſin by pouring out upon his ſervants a ſpirit of repentanceqFortior eſt ſpiritus in nobis, quia ſemper facit ut de malis actibus reſipiſcamus, at caro praeſtare non poteſt ut reſipiſcamus de bonis. Twiſ. vindic. l. 3. errat. 8. §. 12. of faith, of prayer, and power, yea, and luſt by winning looſeth, and her preſent renewed ſtrength proves the occaſion of her future and greater weakneſſe:rPyrrhus Romanos vicit, at mullos ſuorum in praelio perdidit et eis proinde dixit, foreign. Plut. Apoph. Vt vere poſſunt dicere, foreign. id. ibid. For when the heart is awakened, and ſeeth the ruines which luſt have made, now it ſtirres up it ſelfe, and girds its ſword and buckles its armour about it, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon it, that it ſubdues her enemies, and drives out thoſe peſts from her territories, and takes up a reſolution of perpetuall enmity, and warre againſt them, never to admit leagues, or to ſhew favour, but to be avenged on them, not one ſhall eſcape. Thus as the Sun ſets in a cloud, and ſeemes buryed in darkneſſe, but riſeth againe in glory; and as the earth ſeemes vanquiſhed, and to loſe her crowne and life by the fierce invaſion of the cold armies of winter, yet at laſt regaines her ſtrength, when the Sun breakes forth, and untyes her bonds, that her impriſoned power and life may come forth againe; and now, where are thoſe bluſtering ſtormes, thoſe battering hayles, thoſe heapes of ſnow, thoſe nipping windes? So, the ſoul renewed, though it may be farre gone, yet ſhall revive again, and ſins greater riſe, ſhall prove her greater fall, and at laſt ſhall perfectly be deſtroyed.
Theſe being premiſed; I ſay that the encreaſe of corruption is a ſigne of Deſertion:Cautions in concluding deſertion by renewing of ſin. But yet with Caution.
1 Caution, take not all renewed motions and ſtirrings of luſt, for the renewed power of it,ſActio violenta non eſt violentia patientis ſed inferentis. Guli. Par. de tentat. & reſiſt. p. 284. col. 2. for ſin may ſtirre much where it is much weakned, tentations may be ſtronger, and ſo that grace which we have received may be leſſe able to prevent all riſings and workings of inherent luſts: God may ſeeme to leave us, when he doth but try and exerciſe us by ſuffering incurſions of ſin, and by permitting us to be aſſaulted with Sathans depths, and ſtratagems, and power, as hereafter I ſhall declare.
2. Where repentance and prayers, and reſolutions are multiplyed, according as the tentations, motions, ſuggeſtions, and ſollicitations of ſin are encreaſed, there ſin though it ſeeme to grow, doth not, and he that argueth that God is abſent, becauſe of his luſts ſo working, ſhould conſider that thoſe luſts doe not argue Gods abſence, but theſe graces ſtirring and working argue his preſence.
Indeed where ſin and luſt is growne ſtronger, there a man hath cauſe to conclude againſt himſelfe, that ſo farre as his ſins have gained in him, he hath loſt of God.
Queſt. How may it be known when ſin hath thus revived, and is become ſtronger?
Anſ. It will be neceſſary to conſider foure things.When ſin is growne ſtronger, it may be known by
The roote,
The branches,
The ſoyle,
The fruit.
1. The roote of ſin:Firſt, the roote which is, the life of the plant is in the root, and there is ſomething which hath the reſemblance of a roote to ſin in the ſoule, by the meanes whereof ſin lives:
1. Affection,Affection and the minde.
2. Vnderſtanding.
The affection and love of ſin is the life of it: then ſin dyeth, when we hate it; then it lives, when we love it: hence flow all reſolutions to ſin, and all voluntary acts of ſin, and all yielding to tentations and occaſions of ſin: love is an affection, begetting union and action; a man is deſirous to be and doe that which he loves; judge then theincreaſe of the power of ſinne, by the increaſe of love to ſinne.
There are foure degrees of love to ſinne.Foure degrees of love to ſin.
1 Degree is a non-reſolution againſt ittCum non ſit dicendus velle, qui quod potuit non confecit, non vult proculdubio reſiſtere, qui non facit quod poteſt ut reſiſtat. Aug. apud Pariſienſ., which is when though a man be not come to a reſolution to fulfil his luſt,Non-reſolution againſt it. yet he is not at all, or but ſlightly reſolved againſt it; his hatred againſt it is not ſogreat as hath beene; therefore his watch is neglected, his ſinne connived at, the courſe of mortification ſlacked; though he open not the doore to entertaine ſinne, yet he leaves it unlocked and unbarred, that if occaſion preſent it ſelfe, ſinne may not be excludeduPlanevult qui plene non eſt nolens, qui deliberat, deſcivit..
2 An allowed deſire of ſinne: deſire is love, or an act of love tending to that which pleaſeth and ſuteth with the heart; and as hatred begetteth an averſion, Allowed deſire.ſo love begets deſire; when you finde a leaning, and hankering, and luſting unto ſinne with allowance, it is a ſigne of love, and this is a wofull temper of ſpiritaMalorum ultimum eſt malaſua amare; ubi turpia non ſolum delectant, ſed etiam placent. Sen. ep. 39..
3 A reſolution to runne to ſinne, when the heart hath decreed with it ſelfe, that it will doe evill; it is a ſigne of a great ſtrength of ſinne, when a man retaines a purpoſe of ſinning, and for the moſt part is a token of a rotten heart: What greater ſtrength of ſinne can there be imagined,Reſolution. then againſt reaſon, religion, vowes, threats, promiſes, heaven, hell, to maintaine a reſolution of evill in the heart? this begets a deſperate proſecution of ſinne, and argueth a great meaſure of Atheiſme, and contempt of God, and is ever joyned in perſons enlightned with a reſiſting of the Holy Ghoſt, in the counſels of his Word, and the checks and dictates of conſcience.
4 A delightfull acting of ſinne, Delightful a …ing.and taking pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe; as here the acts of ſinne are very ſinfull, becauſe the more an evill act is wilfull, the more it is ſinfull; ſo the power of ſinne is very great, becauſe the more it is in delight, the more in the will; and the more it hath of the will, the ſtronger it is.
The ſecond thing which is a part of the root,The other root is the minde, Which feedeth ſinne. and the maine part is the underſtanding; as it is in the root of the tree, one part conveyes ſap to another, and then that coveyeth ſap into the tree; ſo here affection feeds action, and the minde feeds affection; the minde gives ſtrength to ſinne,
1 By good opinion of it: that fleſhly wiſdome that is in us,By good opinion of it. that carnall minde is wholly for the ſtrengthning of ſinne, and the more this miniſters that which gives life to ſinne, the ſtronger it is: as in the Church, ſo in every particular man there is a falſe prophet and a beaſt; the beaſt of ſenſuality and brutiſh luſts, and the falſe prophet of carnall wiſdome, working miracles before the beaſt, raiſing up many repreſentations of a bewitching nature, by which luſt is quickned and ſtrengthned; now while Chriſt rules with power in the ſoule, the beaſt is bound, and the falſe prophet is ſilenced; but when he departs, then they are looſed, and walke up and downe, with power and deceit woring in the heart.
2 In a word, By working for it.when the corrupt minde works unto ſinne, ſinne is growne.
Queſt. How doth it worke unto ſin?
Anſw. 1 By diverting it ſelfe from the thoughts that might detaine the heart from ſinne, By diverſion.being voluntarily inconſiderate.
2 By ſtudying to defend itbExcuſare non excutere. Sen.: Protectioneither making it no ſinne, or ſmall ſinne, being willingly careleſſe to ſearch and enquire into the utter ſinfulneſſe, and exceeding danger of ſinne.
3 Drawing the heart to ſinne by ſpeculation, Attractionpreſenting ſinne to the heart, as fire to powder; by perſwaſion ſuggeſting the ſweetneſſe, advantage, neceſſity, ſmalneſſe, ſecrecie, and ſingularity of the ſinne; or the poſſibility, facility, and efficacie of repentance, to remove the guilt of it; or ſuch like ſhifts or ſtratagems, doth the corrupt minde uſe by theſe perſwaſions and ſuggeſtions, as by cords drawing, and by gins entrapping the heart in ſin: now when the operations and efficacie of the minde in this kinde are increaſed, then ſinne is ſtrengthened in the root.
2 Conſider the branches of your ſinne: The increaſe of ſinne appeares in the branches.as it is a ſigne the tree groweth when it ſpreads; in this ſpreading of ſinne obſerve;
1 When thy ſinfulneſſe ſpreads into groſſe ſinnes, When it ſpreads into groſſe ſinnes.ſuch as the Apoſtle cals the manifeſt fruits of the fleſh, Gal. 5.19. and the defilements of the world, 2 Pet. 2.20. thou haſt cauſe to reckon, that thy ſinne hath regained much ſtrength.
2 When it ſpreads unto many ſinnes, Into many ſinnes.and various luſts, when ſwarmes of evils, and many ſinfull diſtempers are put forth, as pride, and envie, and paſſion, and earthlineſſe, and unbeleefe, and impatience, and the like: it is a ſigne a diſeaſe hath much prevailed in the body, when it hath brought it into a generall weakneſſe; ſo when diſtemper and ſickneſſe hath over-ſpread the ſoule, ſo that it is every way diſabled to an holy walking, and over-run with various and manifold corruptions, it is evident that ſin hath gained.
3 When thoſe ſins ſprout up with liking, Sinnes bewailed.which you have confeſſed and bewailed; if there were not a ſtrong ſtreame of ſinfulneſſe in your ſoule, ſuch a dam of reſolutions and vows as is made with teares and heavineſſe in repentance, could not be ſo borne downe.
3 Conſider the fruits of ſin,The increaſe of ſinne appeares in the fruits.
which are 1 Inclination.
which are 2 Action.
Firſt, inclination, and propenſeneſſe to ſinne, is the fruit of ſinne; Inclination.; diſpoſition begets action, and action corroborates the diſpoſition; ſinne foſtered, and favoured, and acted, groweth ſtronger in the habit, and ſtill doth more diſpoſe the heart to it; as a ſticke that hath beene in the fire, is more apt to take fire againe; ſo if thy heart be more bent and engaged to ſinne, if more eaſily drawne and overcome to ſin, ſin is growne in thee.
2 Action, Action.the more ſins bloſſome in the diſpoſition to it, and beare in the execution of it, the ſtronger they are; ſpirituall weakneſſe and declenſion, appeares more by the acts of ſin, then the inclination to it; for many have ability to withſtand the externall act of ſome ſins, the luſtings wherto they cannot withſtand: inward luſtings, whether they proceed from grace or ſin, are both in the regenerate, and theſe luſtings are as the commands of a maſter; now as two men, whereof one hath beene, the other is his maſter, may command a ſervant contrary things, but he obeyeth his command to whom he is moſt ſubject; ſo when the fleſh and the ſpirit luſt one againſt the other, it is the doing of the will of the fleſh that ſheweth the power of ſin, when a man is led and walks in the power of the ſpirit, though he cannot but luſt, yet he cannot ſo well fulfill the luſts of the fleſh: the victory of ſin lieth not ſo much in the riſing luſting o… the heart, as in the fulfilling of it, Rom. 6.16. a tree when it is cut downe, will ſometime ſprout, but it beares no fruit, there is not ſtrength to bring the bud to maturity, therefore if you be overcome to commit ſinne, it is a ſigne that the renewed part is on the foot-ſtoole, and luſt in the throne; that is weakned, and this ſtrenghthened: for as in wraſtlers both ſtrive, yet the victory is not in the tugging and contending on either part, but in the caſting, he that gets the fall proves the weakeſt.
And in the acting of ſin,Power of ſinne appeares in acting. the power of ſin appeares.
1 When a man is brought under by a ſmall tentation; a ſmall thread will pull a childe downe,When tentation weake. which will not ſtirre a man, becauſe the childe is weak; and a maſter that hath his ſervant in much ſubjection, will doe more with a word or a beck, then another with much compulſion: it was the Centurions power that cauſed his ſervants to be eaſily commanded, I ſay unto one come and he commeth, and to another goe and he goeth, and to another doe this, and he doth it, Matth. 8.9. and he beleeved that herein was the greatneſſe of Chriſts power, That if he would but ſpeake the word onelyonly, his ſervant would bee healed. verſ. 8. So when ſmall occaſions of ſin and ſmall advantages, and weake provocations can prevaile, it is a ſigne of the power of ſinne.
2 When the acts are frequent; Acts frequent.ordinarily there are not many ſparks without much fire; and it is a ſigne the tree is very vigorous and full of life, that is full of fruit; when you are often overtaken, and frequently foiled, it is a ſigne you are much under the power of ſin, for all things as they are in operation, ſo they are in being; a full ſtreame argueth an abundant fountaine, and many children a fruitfull wombe.
3 When the ſins are ſuch as have been of old ſubdued, When the ſinnes are ſuch as were of old vanquiſhed.and long vanquiſhed; for if they had had th… ſtrength in thee formerly, why did they not work and prevaile as now. It is evident that here is an awakening and reviving of luſt, where that from which thou wert delivered, doth now again bring thee into ſuch bondage.
4 When the acts of ſins are with leſſe reluctance, and more delight: When with leſſe reluctance.Now ſinnes power is enlarged, for what greater power can be in any Soveraign, then to have his ſubjects yeelding obedience, willingly, and without reluctance? it may be the time hath beene, when the motions of ſinne have beene grievous, and thou haſt fought manfully by prayers, vowes, meditations, watchfulneſſe, &c. and if thou haſt fallen, thou haſt fallen fighting, with thy weapon in thy hand; yea, when thy ſin hath had the upper hand, yet thou haſt fought, being foiled; and though over-born, yet wouldeſt thou not yeeld: but now thy ſin comes upon thee as a Conquerour into a vanquiſhed city, where the gate is opened for him, and no man holds up a ſword againſt him; if it be ſo with thee, thy ſinne hath growne upon thee.
4 Conſider the ſoile that feeds thy ſinne, Increaſe of ſinne appeares by the ſoil of it, the objects.and that is the objects of ſin, which are as the earth to the tree, or as the fewell to the fire, as the oyle to the lamp: if there were no riches in the world, there would be leſſe covetouſneſſe; if no honour, leſſe ambition, &c. When the objects of ſin doe more prevaile, ſin hath the greater ſtrength: the offer of the whole world, by the God of this world, was unto Chriſt but as muſicke in a dead mans eares; it was but weake, becauſe in him was nothing found, John 14.30. and all earthly hopes and advantages prevailed not with the Martyrs, becauſe they were crucified unto the world, and the world unto them. If you offer to a dogge graſſe, or to a ſheep fleſh, you availe not, becauſe there is not a principle in them, not an appetite carried to ſuch things; ſin may lie aſleepe till he come to occaſions of ſin, as a ſwine may keepe cleane, if ſhee keep in the faire meadow, and come not to the foule lanes: lime, when it meets with water, ſheweth its latent heat: it was the ſight of the golden wedge, and the Babyloniſh garment, that quickned Achans covetouſneſſe; looke to your ſelves, for ſinfull objects could not worke upon you, if you your ſelves had not corrupt affections and luſts to be wrought upon; if you pile never ſo much wood in a chimney, there will be no burning, except there bee fire: it was the ſtrength of Davids wantonneſſe, that he was ſo enſnared with the ſight of Bathſheba; and the ſtrength of thy ſin will appeare by the operations of it, upon the preſence of ſutable objects.