The Gospels Glory, Chapter 10

The Gospels Glory · Chapter 10

p. 221CHAP. X.

Treating of the third great truth; The lively deſcription of the perſons that ſhall be ſaved, and do partake of this ſalvation by Jeſus Christ, viz. They are ſuch who walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit.

SECT. 1.Doctrin 3. The perſons for whom God gave his Son, and the Son came into the world, and gave himſelf, are thoſe that walk not after the fleſh but after the Spirit.

THe third great doctrine delivered by our Apoſtle in theſe verſes, this.

They that walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, theſe are they for whom God ſent his own Sonne to become fleſh, in the likeneſſe of ſinful fleſh, to be a ſacrifice for their ſinnes, and whoſe ſinnes God condemned in the fleſh of his Son, that in and for them the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled; or take it thus:

Thoſe in whom the Spirit dwels, applying p. 222ſavingly the love of the Father and the grace of the Sonne, in them he ſo mightily rules, that they walk not after the fleſh but after the Spirit.

That we may not be deceived in a matter of ſuch importance as this is of, let us

1. Underſtand the force of the words.

2. Take them aſunder in particular Opened in ſix particulars.doctrines.

3. And then Conſider the Regency of the fleſh.

4. The Regency of the Spirit.

5. The walk after the fleſh.

6. The walk after the Spirit.

And ſeventhly, the uſes of the whole.

Firſt, for the meaning of the words: By fleſh, is meant the unregenerate part 1. The meaning and force of the words. Col. 2. 18. Mat. 15. 19 20.Col 2:18Matt 15:19in the ſanctified believer; the man as defiled with ſinne; the nature of man, of man corrupted by ſinne. By fleſh is not meant, 1. Fleſh in the ſubſtance of it, the body oppoſed to the ſoul, but both body and ſoul made fleſh and carnal, as carnal is oppoſed to ſpiritual; there is the fleſhly mind; the ſoul as well as the body is defiled with ſinne and depraved; the ſoul defiles the body; out of the heart cometh that which defiles the man; by p. 223fleſh therefore we muſt not underſtand the ſubſtance of fleſh which is Gods Creature, and therefore good: and hath no cauſe of ſinne in it, for God is not the Author of ſin: neither may his workmanſhip be blamed, without committing that great wickedneſſe of caſting reproach upon our Maker. This is to be held firm againſt the vile and pernicious opinions of all ancient Heretiques, and our newly up-ſtart erroneous ſpirits: and againſt the received ſayings of Philoſophers, and the dangerous tenets and expreſſions of ſome Divines, as if the mind and ſoul were pure, and receiveth its defilement from the body. By fleſh is not meant, 2. Fleſh in the natural deſires of food, ſleep, generation, rayment, recreation, motion, reſt, and if there be any thing elſe that accompanies the life of man in this world. Theſe are not evil in themſelves, it is inordinacy that makes them evil, faulty and ſinful. Nor doth fleſh note out, 3. Humane wiſdome and reaſon, and the moral actings and projectings thereof: All which kept within their own ſphere, and acting regularly, are moſt uſeful to ſocieties, commendable among all, and ſerviceable to the Kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt. p. 224Nor much leſſe by fleſh may be underſtood 4. The ſparkles of the light that is born with us and in us, or the reliques of Gods Image in body or ſoul, or in the whole man. Nor yet under the word fleſh may we underſtand 5. The neceſſary helps of this preſent life, as lands, money, friends, with the like ſubſidiary ayds. Nor 6. Natural diſeaſes, infirmities, or defects of body or mind. In this ſenſe there is an honour due to the fleſh, and a lawful ſatisfying of its deſires and needs: and to deny them to it, though Col. 2. 23.Col 2:23upon devout pretence, is ſinful, and falls under that Commandment, Thou ſhalt not kill. But by fleſh is meant the ſinful diſpoſition; and this is called fleſh, not as if this ſinfulneſſe were firſt in the body; for the ſoul, the faireſt part of it, the top of it, the mind is polluted; we are ſtrangers from God in our mindes; the ſpirit foreign. Eph. 4. 23. Col. 1. 21.Eph 4:23Col 1:21of the mind muſt be renewed, ere ever it will be good.

Queſt. Why then may it be ſaid, Is corruption of nature which is firſt and moſt notably in the chiefeſt faculties of the ſoul, called fleſh?

Anſw. Firſt, Becauſe the very ſoul is fleſh; that is, it is defiled with ſinne, and p. 225tyed down to the ſenſes. Secondly, this pollution is innate and connate, it is born in us and born with us. It is as old as we are. It was in us in our very conception, it is bred up with us; It diſcovers it ſelf as we diſcover the uſe of our reaſon, and it will be in us while we are in this frame and building. Thirdly, becauſe we are as tender of it, as we are of our very fleſh. Fourthly, becauſe there is a body of it, a whole conſiſting of many members joynted together, and miniſtring nouriſhment to every part for the encreaſe of the whole. A whole compoſed heap, not only ſpreading it ſelf through the whole man, and diſcovering it ſelf in every member of the body; but having alſo all the ſeveral wickedneſſes which ever were committed in it, in the ſeed and ſpawn of them: It is not ſome one tranſgreſſion, but many; as the body is not one member, but many; and theſe many are knit together in an helliſh order. Fifthly, becauſe this is propagated, as our bodies and fleſh is propagated, but our ſouls are not. God is the Father of our ſpirits, but men the fathers of our bodies; therefore it may well be called fleſh. Sixthly, becauſe the motions of this original pollution p. 226are in the members of our bodies.

By ſpirit is meant, not the ſoul, nor the mind, or underſtanding faculty, the higheſt that is in man; nor conſcience, the Character of the reaſonable creature. But by ſpirit, is meant the Spirit of Chriſt ſanctifying the man, and dwelling in him through the Word of God engraffed: and the regenerate part, the Divine nature or diſpoſition wrought by the Spirit of God, the holy Ghoſt, and conformable to the Image of Jeſus Chriſt. I… this work there is the ſeed; firſt, of all grace, and that under the New Teſtament, in a largeneſſe; Secondly, it is in the whole man, in ſoul, ſpirit, and body; Thirdly, and that too in truth or ſincerity. Fourthly, it is of God in Chriſt, for its original. And fifthly, for its continuance, it is of incorruptible ſeed and abideth for ever. Sixthly, for its piercing effectualneſſe in operation, it leavens the whole man. It is deepeſt and chiefeſt in the ſoul. It is ſpreading, and thorow in what it works. It is active, according to its own ſphere, which is ſupernatural, and celeſtial, yea ſuperceleſtial, and according to its riſe which is from the Spirit; for whatſoever p. 227is of the Spirit, is Spirit.

After, notes the rule and guide; and from that rule the force which ſwaies and carries out the man in his actions.

Walking, notes 1. The courſe taken upon choice: and 2. The progreſſe in that courſe or way: with 3. Preſſing on ſtill forwards: and 4. With perſeverance, and conſtancy till we come to the end.

Not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. That is, refuſing that, and chooſing this for guide: and removing from the wayes and walks of the fleſh, to go in theſe that are after the Spirit.

Walking after the fleſh is mentioned to ſhew that Original ſinne is the ſinne that reigns; every actual ſinne hath its ſtrength in the corruption of nature. Thither we muſt aſcend in the work of mortification; if we would kill ſinne, dead the root. Crucifie the fleſh with the affections and luſts thereof. The lopping of a tree, deſtroyes not the tree; he that would not ſerve any ſinne, muſt deſtroy the body of ſinne, and not ſome one or two members only: and he that would deſtroy the body of ſinne, muſt crucifie the old man.

p. 228Walking after the Spirit, ſheweth that all grace is brought into us from without, from above, from the holy Ghoſt. It is not from a ſeed in us which is born with us, and lyeth as the ſeed of Corn doth awhile buried in the earth. It is not from any power or ſpirit that is in the Creature, or in this viſible Globe, or in the Creatures Angelical. It is from the Spirit of the Father and of the Sonne. Again, this ſheweth that all grace is yet truely in us, from the holy Ghoſt dwelling in us through the Word engraffed, or the revealed truth of the Goſpel; from the holy Ghoſt thus dwelling in us, and renewing, ſanctifying, acting, and leading of us. And laſtly, that we are born anew of the Spirit, are in the Spirit, do live in the Spirit, and are after the Spirit, and then we walk after the Spirit. We muſt firſt be, and live, and afterwards walk.

Thus you have the force of the words.

SECT. 2.

The particular truths or doctrines which 2. The words taken aſunderin nine doctrines.are wrapped in this deſcription, are theſe.

1. In thoſe that are in Chriſt, in them there is the Spirit of Chriſt. The Spirit p. 229in renewing, unites to Chriſt: their union with Chriſt is ſpiritual, not phyſical, not moral alone, not perſonal at all. The Spirit of Chriſt is in them, and uniteth them to Chriſt, and Chriſt and they are one Spirit, as Man and Wife are one fleſh; this truth ariſeth from this deſcription as it is referred to the words before in ver. 1. of this Chapter. To them that are in Chriſt there is no condemnation. Now this is to be underſtood of the holy Ghoſt, as he is the Anointing wherewith Chriſt is anointed, even Jeſus Chriſt, not conſidered as he is the Sonne of God ſimply and abſolutely, but as he is the Chriſt, God-man: and wherewith from Chriſt that Holy One, they are anointed: the work is the work of the third Perſon, but not a work that makes a perſonal union of them to the Holy Ghoſt.

2. Where the Spirit of Christ is in any, there is alſo fleſh, whiles they are in this life; where there is grace, there is corruption: though it holds not on the contrary, where ever there is corruption, there is grace alſo. Nay, it is far otherwiſe, untill regeneration there is nothing but corruption in any or all the men in the world, no, not in the elect of God: p. 230but where the Spirit is, there is fleſh, although not walked after. This is gathered from the deſcription as made up of a negative firſt, and then of an affirmative, which ſheweth a nature or diſpoſition in the deſcribed here, which is declining and renouncing one principle, and cleaving to and following ſweetly another principle. Therefore with the regenerate it is thus, their works are mixed, their actings of their graces are mixt and maimed: All their beſt duties ſmell ſtrong of the fleſh; therefore the Regenerate ought to be watchful, and jealous over themſelves, humble to God-ward, meek towards man, and making uſe of Chriſt and faith in him in all, doing all in his name or mediation, and looking for acceptation of all in him alone.

3. That fleſh, even in the regenerate and spiritual is ſo ſinful, that if it were followed, it would deſtroy them; therefore it is ſinne in it ſelf, and in the luſts of it, even in the regenerate; for if it were not ſinful, why ſhould it be renounced? why ſhould it not at ſome times, and in ſome caſes be allowed?

4. Theſe two, the fleſh and the Spirit, Gal. 5. 17.Gal 5:17are contrary one to another. When the Spirit p. 231comes in and rules, and the fleſh or corruption of nature cannot rule more, yet it will never yield, it will ne're be good: it is not ſubject to the Law of God, nor can be; the beſt that can be made of it, is to mortifie it, crucifie it, fight it out againſt it; therefore from theſe two contrary principles in one and the ſame man it is that in the godly there is a continual fight or deadly war; and curſed be that that would make up a peace between theſe two; therefore hence it is that he that is born again, is born a Souldier, lives by his ſpiritual ſword and valour, and dies in the Field, and ſo never dies but is a Conquerour in his death.

5. Where the Spirit is, he rules and reignes; he will not be underling, he leads where he is; all that is born of God overcometh the whole world. And the Spirits rule is ſet up by pulling the fleſh out of the Throne, and ſubduing its Dominion; therefore the leaſt meaſure of true grace, the leaſt ſpeak of this holy fire, be it but as that in ſmoaking flax, is Soveraign, it is judgment which will come unto victory.

6. The Regency of the Spirit appears in ordering the walks of every one in whom p. 232he is; he renews and ſanctifies throughout, he makes a new creature, a new man, from the ſpirit of the minde to the outward members; he creates a new heart, and a new ſpirit, that there may be a new walk.

7. Thoſe who walk after the fleſh, have not the Spirit at all; and therefore they are not in Chriſt.

8. By our lives and converſations we may infallibly know w…ether Christ were ſent for us; whether our ſinnes were condemned in his fleſh; whether God the Father loved us ſo as to ſend his own Son for us to be our propitiation, or the Son became fleſh, became ſinne for us; whether he be our righteouſneſſe, our redemption; or whether the Spirit of the Father and the Sonne hath taken poſſeſſion of us to ſhed abroad the Fathers love into, and ſprinkles the Sonnes blood upon our hearts; whether theſe be ſo or no, may be known by the walks of our lives.

9. So it is, and ſo it hath ever been, and it will for ever be ſo in this life, that even among Chriſtians who profeſſe the true Religion, there are two ſorts, ſome that walk after the fleſh, contrary to their p. 233profeſſion; and ſome that walk after the Spirit, and not after the fleſh.

SECT. 3.

Let us now therefore conſider of the The Regency of the fleſh diſcovered generally in ten things.reign of the Spirit and the fleſh, that ſo theſe two ſorts of Chriſtians, the carnal and the ſpiritual, the true and falſe may know themſelves; and becauſe the fleſh is the elder brother in the world, he ſhall have the honour to be ſpoken of in the firſt place.

The Regency of the fleſh may be ſet forth more generally, or more particularly; in general, the fleſh's Regency conſiſteth,

1. In its loneneſſe; if there be in us John 3. 6. Joh. 3. 3, 5John 3:6John 3:3John 3:5nothing but fleſh, then be ſure the fleſh reigns; we are firſt in the fleſh, conceived and born in ſinne. If there be nothing but nature, and that which is natural, the fleſh is regnant; for that which is of the fleſh is fleſh, it can never ariſe higher than the compaſſe of its own principle, it can never get up to things that are above; there is nothing but fleſh, unleſſe we be born of the Spirit; there is nothing but fleſh and nature where the p. 234Spirit by the Goſpel hath had no changing work; and where mans righteouſneſſe, or the righteouſneſſe of works, whether of our own works, or of the works of the Law, is ſtill ſought after, and the ſinner never yet ſo farre humbled, that now Gal. 3. 10, 12, 18. Phil. 3. 3, 6, 7.Gal 3:10Gal 3:12Gal 3:18Phil 3:3Phil 3:6Phil 3:7he hath no confidence in the fleſh any more.

2. In the love of the luſts of the fleſh; theſe luſts are of three ſorts: the luſt of … Joh. 2. 16.John 2:16the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life, which do all of them ſpring from the love of the world; this is the worlds trinity in unity, which all men by nature do ſerve. If the love of the world be in us, the love of the Father cannot be in us.

3. In the acknowledgment of the Edicts Rom. 6. 13Rom 6:13and Commands of the fleſh; ſinne reigns where the luſts of it, that is, the motions of ſinne in our members are obeyed; obedience to it proves its Soveraignty: it is an undeniable truth, his ſervants we are to whom we obey. The offering up of the members of our bodies to be weapons to fight for it, and to be inſtruments to work for it, ſhews that fleſh is in the Throne.

4. In making proviſion to ful…ill the p. 235Ro. 13. 14Rom 13:14luſts of the fleſh; there is a lawful (foreign) Acts 24. 3. 1 Tim. 5. 8 Ro. 12. 17Acts 24:31 Tim 5:8Rom 12:17providence and fore-caſt for the diſcharge of the duties of our particular callings; for making proviſion for ours, and for thoſe of our families, for things honeſt in the ſight of all men; but none ought to be for the fleſh, or for our corrupt nature. The providence which is lawful hath this character, to take the ſeaſons and to improve them with diligence; thus the wiſdome of God teacheth, ſaying, Go to the Piſmire thou ſluggard, conſider her wayes …nd be wiſe, which having no Prov. 6. 6, 7, 8.Prov 6:6Prov 6:7Prov 6:8guide, over-ſeer or ruler, provideth her meat in the ſ…mmer, and gathereth her food in the H…rveſt; the ſluggard is he that ſleepeth out his Summer ſeaſon, and letteth ſlip the Harveſt, goeth forth in the dead of Winter to gather in the fruits of the earth; the ſinful providence hath two marks: firſt, to make it a buſineſſe to project and lay out for the fleſh: ſecondly, to aime at the ſatisfying of the luſts thereof; when the fleſh hath the (foreign) providential projecting and fore-caſting ability at command, and at her ſervice, it is certain her ſupremacy is in the full. It is the infallible ſigne of the renewing of the minde when the providential ability is p. 236ſanctified, and is ready under the command of the Word and Spirit.

5. In ſenſuality; when the ſenſes bea… rule, when what is pleaſurable hath the Luk. 17. 27 Mat. 24. 38. Jude 19. 2 Tim. 3. 4 Phil. 3. 19. Job 31. 7. Jam. 3. 15Luke 17:27Matt 24:38Jude 1:192 Tim 3:4Phil 3:19Job 31:7Jas 3:15ſtroak with us, and not what is honeſt, righteous and holy; when we are lovers of pleaſure, more than of God; or thoſe whoſe God is their belly: that live to eat, that minde earthly things; thoſe whoſe hearts walk after their eyes, and their ſouls are tyed down to their ſenſes; who are meer animals, whoſe wiſdome is earthly and ſenſual, their wiſdome is alſo Divelliſh.

6. In minding and ſavouring only fleſhly things; as to relliſh temporal things only or chiefly, and to have no relliſh of ſpiritual things, the things of Jeſus Chriſt, or to ſavour ſpiritual things no otherwayes than carnally; as when our Saviour ſpake of the gift of the Spirit, that living water, to the woman of Samaria, ſhe ſaid, Lord, give me of this water that I may not thirſt, nor come to this Well to draw. Job. 4. 15.Job 4:15And when he ſaid to the Jewes that there was bread of life, of the which whoſoever ſhould eate, he ſhould never dye; ſome cryed out, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Good words, but ariſing p. 237Joh. 6. 33, 34.John 6:33John 6:34wholly from earthly apprehenſions of the things of which Chriſt ſpake.

7. In the reign of ſome particular lust Gal. 5. 19, 20.Gal 5:19Gal 5:20or known ſinne, as uncleanneſſe, covetouſneſſe, malice, pride, profane ſwearing, railing, drunkenneſſe, gluttony; when we live in any manifeſt work of the fleſh.

8. In the power of carnal princ…ples, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5.2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:5reaſonings and objections againſt faith and holineſ…e; theſe are ſtrong holds, theſe are the fleſh's fortifications which while they ſtand undemoliſhed, the fleſh reigns; theſe be the in-works; when they are taken and ſleighted, the fleſh is diſmantled, and led Captive, but not till then.

9. In the hatred of the godly, the hatred of the brethren, which is the not loving Gal. 4. 29. 1 Joh. 3. 14, 1.Gal 4:291 John 3:141 John 3:1of them; we cannot know them to love them, but can finde them out to reproach, to ſhoot out the mouth at them; a ſtrange perverſeneſſe, when we can quickly diſcern them to ſlander them, and call them hypocrites, who though they will not ſwear, yet will lye; when we cannot ſee who are godly, Do not all offend in many things? yet can privily Pſal. 11. 2.Ps 11:2ſhoot at the upright in heart; when we can ſee them well enough to ſhoot at p. 238them, but we cannot ſee Chriſt in them to do them offices of love; brethren! Mat. 25. 43, 45.Matt 25:43Matt 25:45we cannot love this brotherhood; what is this communion of Saints? well ſaid, here is fleſh all over.

10. In the ſpeaking evil of the Goſpel, and of Chriſts name or way, and in an heart alienated from the life of God; 1 Tim. 5. 14 Eph. 4. 18.1 Tim 5:14Eph 4:18from a godly life, a life in which God is ſeen, and in which it is evident that the man hath ſeen and known God as he hath revealed himſelf in his Word; he is an adverſary that is glad of an occaſion to ſpeak reproachfully of Gods way; he is in the power of Heatheniſme whoſe heart cannot cloſe with the power of godlineſſe.

Thus far for a more general diſcovery of the reign of the fleſh.

SECT. 4.

In particular; the fleſh being a cloſe enemy, and in the times of the Goſpel it And in matters of Religion its reign diſcovered; as,ſtanding with the State policy of this Queen Regent to have ſomewhat of God and of Chriſt ſeemingly, and for a colour, that ſhe might ſit faſt in the chaire and reign ſtill indeed, let me ſhew you her p. 239in the Throne, and deſcry the Regency of the fleſh in the choiceſt works and means of Religion. And here we lay down this for a certain truth, that

There is not any outward duty, profeſſion or priviledge of Gods people, which the fleſh will not take to, and ſuck to her ſelf advantage out of it; ſhe is ſuch an hypocrite, and in her wickedneſſe hath wit at will.

Therefore ſee her Regency,

1. In prayer; they that live and walk 1. In prayer. Prov. 28. 9 Iſa. 1. 15.Prov 28:9Isa 1:15in ſinne and diſobedience to the Word of God, may make many prayers; but an abomination to the Lord are all their prayers, and the Lord ſaith, I will not heare when ye multiply prayers: for the fleſh hath the rule in them while they pray, and it is thus diſcovered.

Firſt, if an Heatheniſh ſpirit act them, Seven wayes. Mat. 6. 5.Matt 6:5which thinketh God is well-pleaſed with the work done, or the cries of a natural heart, with a few good and holy words, with much ſpeaking, or with the number and tale of our prayers, a touch and outſide of the duty.

Secondly, if a Phariſaical ſpirit act Mat. 6 5.Matt 6:5them, which thinks to merit at the hands of God, and prayes to be ſeen of men, and to be accounted for devout.

p. 240Thirdly, if things ſpiritual be asked as ſavoured onelyonly under carnal notions, and for carnal and worldly ends chiefly.

Fourthly, if the things of this life be asked onelyonly: as there are multitudes who never offered any deſires to God that were the deſires of their hearts, but what were for health when they were ſick, or for ſucceſſe in their earthly Affairs, or for deliverance when they were in diſtreſſe and dangers, or for a plentiful Harveſt and good Crop, with ſuch like; or if the things of this life be asked chiefly; if God ſhould give us Solomons priviledge, and then we have not Solomons heart, nor Davids one thing, nor Agurs diſcerning feare of ſinne and temptations, with preferring of contentation with food and rayment; if the requeſts we offer up in the words of prayer be never ſo ſpiritual, and in the work the affections ſtir, and are jogging, and make a great noiſe, but it is all but for the time of prayer, when the conſtant bent of the heart is for covetouſneſſe, and the heart is ſet upon riches or the things of this life; or if the things of life be asked as temporals, and not that they may be ſpiritualized and ſanctified to us in their uſe; they cry as the young Ravens p. 241cry, and pray as rhe Lyon hungry roars and ſeeks his meat of God.

Fifthly, if temporal afflictions and judgments make us pray and cry, but not ſinne nor ſpiritual judgments; ſuch prayers have not the heart to God in them, they are the howlings of wolves, and God Hoſ. 7. 14Hos 7:14ſo reckons of them. Travellers, captives, ſick folks, ſea-men, and all under extremities will cry unto God in their troubles, and the Lord hears ſo as to deliver them out of theſe diſtreſſes; but if when they are delivered, ſinne be ſtill their Idol, and ſpiritual plagues are not felt, lamented, nor prayed againſt, but rather danced under, their prayers are but the cries of ſwine when they are pinched, and the cryes of nature to the Lord of nature.

Sixthly, if ſinne and the wrath of God, becauſe of guilt and conſciences gripes and ſentence; or if the Laws threatnings and denunciations of judgments out of the word, and the work of the spirit of bondage which is upon us; if theſe do cauſe us to pray, cry out and repent, but yet there be no workings of the Spirit of grace and of Adoption, nor ſinnes filthineſſe and offence do put us to grief, and be a burden and heavy load, further then it is p. 242abominable to the light of nature, and is cryed ſhame on in the world; this kinde of ſorrow for ſinne is no more than what may be found in a Cain, or in a Judas.

Seventhly, if we pray, and becauſe we pray▪ we now think our ſelves free to commit ſinne; we have been at prayer, therefore we may be at our lewdneſſe; we have been at Church in the fore-noon of the Lords day, therefore we may dance about the May-pole, and keep Revels in the after-noon; this is like the Harlot, who ſaith to the young Wanton, I have peaceofferings with me, this day have I paid Prov. 7. 14, 15.Prov 7:14Prov 7:15my vows, therefore came I forth to meet thee.

2. In reference to the Law of God; for though the fleſh is not, nor will be ſubject 2. In reference to the holy Law. Sixwayes.to the holy Law, yet the wily wiſdome and ſubtilty thereof will make uſe of that alſo, and that moſt perniciouſly. And the Reign of the fleſh ſheweth it ſelf herein diverſly; as,

Firſt, when we ſeek righteouſneſſe and Rom. 6. 14. & 9. 32. & 10. 3.Rom 6:14Rom 9:32Rom 10:3ſalvation by the Law; while under the Law, we are under the Dominion of ſin; ſo long as we go about to eſtabliſh our own righteouſneſſe, as did the Jewes and p. 243as it is found in all men by nature; (a Phil. 3. 4, 5Phil 3:4Phil 3:5draught) whereof we have excellently and to the life drawn up in Mat. 19. 16, 17. to ver. 24. this is to have confidence in the fleſh.

Secondly, when we take the Law to be no more than as a Law commanding the Ro. 7. 7, 9. Mat. 5. 21. to the end of the ch.Rom 7:7Rom 7:9Matt 5:21outward man, and to forbid nothing but groſſe acts of ſinne, or to require no more than the outward duty; and ſo we are alive; we know not ſinne which reacheth to the heart, and hath its ſeat there in the deceitfulneſſe and wickedneſſe thereof, nor know we luſt or inordinate affections and concupiſcence to be ſinne, and therefore we bleſſe our ſelves, or flatter our ſelves in our own eyes in our natural eſtate.

Thirdly, when and whileſt that we cannot endure to hear the holineſſe of the Law opened and urged; and we love not the righteouſneſſe and purity of the Commandments; yet we will have the ſaying of the Commandments and the publick reading of them as part of Divine ſervice, and hold this better than all preaching, and without this we care not for Miniſter or preaching.

Fourthly, when all the fruit of the p. 244coming of the Law and Commandment is onelyonly to revive ſin, and to ſtrike us dead. I take the Apo…les phraſe, the meaning whereof is this, That the Spirit of God doth accompany the Law, and the ſpiritualneſſe of the Law being ſuch as Rom. 7. 9.Rom 7:9reaches to the thoughts and deſires of the heart, as well as to our words and deeds, when it is opened, the Spirit of God brings it home to the conſcience with power, this is the coming of the Law; now when the fruit of it thus coming, is this onelyonly, to revive ſinne, and to kill the ſinner, to ptovoke ſinne, ſo that it works in the ſinner all manner of concupiſcence, and then comes the threatning and the curſe and ſlays us, and ſtrikes us dead; if this be all that we receive by the Law, the fleſh yet will hold the Chair; for we wi…l diſlike the preaching of the Law, we cannot endure theſe men of ſowre ſpirits, theſe Legal Preachers, we will lay the fault on the Miniſter, and if we can but get from under this dinne, oh we like the reſpouſal to every Commandment, Lord have mtrcy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this Law; this God ſhall have, and then we are at quiet and alive again, though our ſinnes live in us, and we live p. 245and continue in them, love and plead for them.

Fifthly, when there is nothing in us that is ſubject to the Law of God; nothing that holdeth proportion with the platforme of holineſſe laid down in the Law, Rom. 8. 7.Rom 8:7but that only is found in us which rebels, frets, pulls away the ſhoulder and eſteems all grievous; for then we are wholly fleſh.

Sixthly, when we never received any further work of the Spirit, than that of the ſpirit of bondage, and yet becauſe thereof we conclude we have repented, and our eſtate is good, whereas by the Law we ſhould be ſhut up to the faith of Chriſt in the Goſpel, which having changed and made us anew, we ſhould live to God and delight in the ſpiritualneſſe and purity of the Law, with judging and condemning our ſelves thereby, and juſtifying God therein; the work of the ſpirit of bondage is to bring to the knowledge of ſinne, to work the ſenſe of Gods wrath againſt ſinne, and to fill with terrours upon awakenings; and there is no further work of the Spirit, when there is no h…tred of the pollution of ſinne, no heart-forſaking of the ſinnes of the heart, no hatred of p. 246ſinne in the ſinfulneſſe of our nature, whence all tranſgreſſions do come; when no further work did we ever finde than the convictions of rhe ſpirit; light great, and convictions ſtrong, but the will, the heart, not created anew that there might be converſion and healing; now though theſe convictions may be not onelyonly of ſinne through the Law, but of the ſinne of unbelief, and of righteouſneſſe, and of judgment, even of Chriſt and his Kingdome, and righteouſneſſe through all the good Word of the Goſpel, yet the fleſh may and will ſtill keep the Chair.

3. In reference to God and his worſhip, 3. In reference to God and his worſhip. Two wayes. Col. 1. 21, 22. Iſa. 66. 1, 3 Pſal. 106.Col 1:21Col 1:22Isa 66:1Isa 66:3Ps 106the fleſh can yield to aſſume unto it, and chooſe both Gods name and ſervice with great ſtate, and thereby perk up the higher.

Firſt, with the mixture and blending of mens devices, our own inventions, the commandments of men to teach the fear and worſhip of God, and the rudiments of the world, theſe are ſavoury, theſe are devotions, humility and wiſdome, theſe are the rules to which the fleſh lyeth level.

Secondly, with philoſophical ſpeculations, wiſdome of words, great ſwelling p. 247words of vanity, and the worſhipping of Angels: diſputes about words and genealogies, Col. 1. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 3 1 Tim. 6.Col 1:181 Cor 2:31 Tim 6oppoſitions of ſcience, fables, depths, unwritten traditions vented for Apoſtolical; theſe and ſuch like, the fleſhly-minded is puffed up withall; it loves to be intruding into things it knows not; it would be reputed ſeraphical by amazing the ſimple with high-flown notions.

4. In reference to Chriſt and to his 4. In reference unto Chriſt. Eminently in Antichriſtianiſme.Goſpel, his Profeſſion, Miniſtry and Ordinances; all theſe to chooſe: never did the fleſh get more by any thing, ſhe appears like a Lamb, ſhe puts forth the two Horns of Chriſts vicegerency and beauty external, ſhe gets on the ſheeps skin and cloathing, ſhe haſps to her both the Keyes, the Key of knowledge and the Key of Diſcipline, the Keyes of the Kingdome of heaven; ſhe will be infallible, and give the ſenſe of Scripture unerringly, be the Holy Father, and the Holy Mother-Church; ſhe will exerciſe and conjure the Divel, and caſt him out, and do a thouſand more ſuch feats to admiration, till ſhe in her baſtard imp, the man of ſin be brought to light, and he exalt himſelf above all that is called God and worſhipped, and ſit in the Temple of God, ſhewing p. 248himſelf that he is God, confirming his doctrines of Divels with mighty ſigns and lying wonders; the Divel on the fleſh got Antichriſt the great, and ſurrogates him as Beaſt under the mantle of ſacred Chriſtianity by the cunning of name and ſhew ſevered from the thing and verity; for the fleſh domineers and is diſcovered, domineering as the Miſtreſſe and Lady of Whoredomes, in this reſpect, theſe wayes.

Firſt, when Chriſtianity is turned into And five wayes. 2 Tim. 3. 52 Tim 3:5a matter of form, and into a theatrical pomp and ſhow; as when the temptations, ſufferings, crucifyings and reſurrection, with the reſt of the great works of Chriſt for our ſalvation, are acted, repreſented and learnt in a Lent, a Maundie Thurſday, a Good Friday, an Eaſter Feſtival, an Holy Thurſday, a Whitſontide, a Chriſtmas, a Candlemas, (as they are Idolatrouſly named) with ſuch goodly traſh and trumpery; when Chriſt crucified is learned in a Crucifix, in the ſ…gn of the Croſſe; and the Lords Supper inſtituted for remembrance of Chriſt, is turned into an Altar-ſervice and Sacrifice with ſtately Altars, Altar-cloaths, Tapers, Pavements, Aſcents, Prieſts in rich embroidered p. 249Copes, Surpliſſes, Cringings and Bowings, Elevation of the Hoſt, as it is fond and ſuperſtitiouſly called, kneelings, knockings of the breaſt, and other geſtures of Adoration; ſumptuous Temples, Partitions and Chancels, Proceſſions, carrying of the Hoſt about, ſacring Bells, and the like of that rabble. What is Popery, but the outſide of Chriſtian Religion, dreſſed up with trappings and trinkets of humane inventions and ceremonies to take the outward man withall, and keep that employed? for which cauſe doctrines erroneous muſt be taught and added to the doctrine of the Goſpel, that whiles this is done, covetouſneſſe, pride and ambition may be fed, and the head and members of a belly-God Clergy from the Pope to the Apparitour may be ſtuffed and ruffle; and the Chriſtian ſeduced people from the Emperour to the Vaſſal may give them the honour, and cramme them with the beſt and choiceſt of all their temporals, that they may have the favour to live on mans dung, their own and others meritorious good works inſtead of the onelyonly merits and Spirit of our Lord Jeſus p. 250Chriſt: there are degrees of this formality; for although in the Papacy you have Phariſaiſme enthro…iz'd, yet whereever the form of godlineſſe is held to, with diſregard of the power of it, there is Phariſaiſme in the form, though it hath not the upper-ſeat in the Temple of God, and there the fleſh hath the rule. And how great is this wickedneſſe of formality, that the Word of life from the living God, ſetting forth Jeſus Chriſt the Lord of life, for the eternal life and ſalvation of the ſinful children of men, breathed by the Holy Ghoſt the Spirit of life and power, ſhould be turned into a dead powerleſſe ſhew, and the true Chriſtian Religion be turned into a form, a carcaſe, and then all the care is to embalme it according to art to keep it from ſtinking; and with ſuch folly and madneſſe to dote upon this form, that they will perſwade themſelves it muſt needs commend them unto God, and to Angels, and to Men; and if any would otherwiſe perſwade them to be either ſullen and pleaſ'd with nothing, or in a rage and fury; the formal have ever been the moſt abſurd and unreaſonable to deal with, and the moſt fiery bloody perſecutors of the godly in Chriſt Jeſus.

p. 251Secondly, when Chriſt, the Goſpel, Profeſſion, with the reſt is taken up to Gal. 6. 12, …3. foreign.Gal 6:12Gal 6:3make a faire ſhew in the fleſh; to carry a face, and act a part which may pleaſe men, and winne glory with thoſe of corrupt judgements, and thereby avoid perſecutions for the Goſpel, and for righteouſneſſe ſake. This way they take out of ſoftneſſe and delicacy, and out of ambition; theſe are theologi gloriae, not theologi crucis; Divines that hunt after glory, and not Divines of the Croſſe. Theſe Chriſtians are Chriſtians of the Church triumphant, and will not be of the Church militant; they frame their Religion to … doctore glorioſo, à paſtore contentioſo, ab inutilibus quaeſtionibus, liberet eccleſiam ſuam dominus. Joh. 5. 44.John 5:44hold with the times, and to get reputation with men; they will be godly, becauſe it is in faſhion: and that is now adayes their beſt intereſt in worldly and ſtate affaires. This courſe is inconſiſtent with faith in Chriſt, as our Lord ſaith, How can ye believe who r…ceive honour one from another, and ſe…k not the honour that cometh from God only? this is altogether repugnant to the Character of a true Chriſtian, which is, to be one crucified with Gal. 6. 14.Gal 6:14Chriſt, and to glory in the Croſſe, whereby he is crucified to the world, and the world to him.

p. 252Thirdly, when outward priviledges, Phil. 3. 7. Judg. 17. 13. Joh. 8. 39, 41. & 9. 28Phil 3:7Judg 17:13John 8:39John 8:41John 9:28profeſſion, and performances are accounted gaine to us; as Micah ſaid, Now know I that the Lord, the Lord will do me good, ſeeing I have a Levite to my Prieſt; and the Jews ſtood upon this, We have Abraham to our father. We are not born of fornication, we have one Father, even God. We are Moſes Diſciples.

Fourthly, when we will heap to our ſelves teachers, after our luſts, having itching eares, 2 Tim. 4. 3.2 Tim 4:3but will not endure ſound doctrine: we will not be without Preachers, but they ſhall be Women-Prophets, ſuch as dawbe, and can ſow pillowes under all arm-holes; we love trencher-Chaplains. Chriſt by his Spirit carrieth on his ſaving work by Preaching, writing of good books, Catechiſmes, bodies and Syſtems of Divinity, Rules of holy life, Expoſitions of Scripture: and Antichriſt he will have his order of Preachers, Colledge of Jeſuites, Monks, Fryars of ſeveral orders, Catechiſmes, Books of good life, Annotations upon the New Teſtament, as that of the Rhemiſts; and ſuch Writings of all ſorts to bolſter their lyes and ſuperſtitions, and hinder the propagation and obſcure the light of the truth of the Goſpel, p. 253that he will herein out-bid all the Churches, ſince ſo it is that they cannot keep up any longer groſſe ignorance, a… the Scripture and Religion in an unknown tongue.

Fifthly, many there are who bear reverence and obſervance to the faithful and Mar. 6. 20.Mark 6:20godly Miniſters, when yet (with Herod) they have their Herodias, their Minionluſt which they will not part with: and here let many be warned who ſeem to be gracious, how they put the ſtay of their hearts for their ſpiritual eſtate upon this, that they hear choice Miniſters as ſweet men, and call their preaching ſuch; or foreignupon this, that they tongue it now in the Dialect and language that hath a ſtrain of more than common plain expreſſion of the things of Chriſt, and take to ſome word, or tone, or mincing of words or utterance, as if it hung between the teeth when they ſpeak; as if yea, were better than yes, or I: or Gad, were better than God. It irketh me to name theſe, but the good and honour of the godly which I tender, compelleth me, for I know theſe things are not ſpiritual, and of the Spirit.

5. In reference to the godly with whom p. 254we live. The fleſh reigns5. In reference to the godly▪ three ways Jam. 2. 1.Jas 2:1

Firſt, when we have the faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Lord of glory, with reſpect of perſons; when worldly things give them the roome in our hearts, either in our choice for ſociety, or in our Church-Aſſemblies. When the Gold Ring on the finger, or rich apparel bears the ſway, and not the riches of faith, which is the true riches.

Secondly, when the times and reſpect to a Jehoiada, and the preſence of an Iſaac 2 King. 12 2. Gen. 27. 41 Gal. 4. 29.2 Kgs 12:2Gen 27:41Gal 4:29faſhion the outward man to ſome correſpondency and conformity with and to them, as in Joaſh, and Eſau: but hatred and perſecution of mocking were never cured. When we are the Iſrael of Kings and Parliaments, and not the Iſrael of God, as holy Greenham diſtinguiſheth them.

Thirdly, when the utmoſt we ſeek is a trimme Lamp of true and pure profeſſion Mat. 25. 1. to the 10.Matt 25:1burning, and look not to have oyle in our Veſſels, the Spirit of grace, and a lively faith in the heart; when it is enough for us if we be Virgins for truth of doctrine in profeſſion, and in tenet, and that we joyn our ſelves in Church-fellowſhip, and in ſociety in converſation to the wiſe Virgin-Profeſſors.

p. 2556. In times of diverſity of opinions, and ſects in Religion, as in ſuch dayes as 6. In times of diverſities of opinions, wayes. Mat. 16. 14 15.Matt 16:14ours are. The fleſh reigns

Firſt, when we cannot tell what to be or hold: and grow ſo unſettled, that we tend to be Neuters in Religion, or to be of no Religion; and unto this Neutrality are all thoſe ſubject to fall, who have no farther knowledge of the myſteries of godlineſs, than that which fleſh and blood, the light of wiſdome that is in all men doth reveale.

Secondly, when we runne into diviſions Rom. 16. 17, 18.Rom 16:17Rom 16:18without care had, either of the truth of doctrine, or of giving offence.

7. In times of extremities, the fleſh 7. In times of diſtreſſe three ways Hoſ. 8. 2, 3 Jer. 3. 5.Hos 8:2Hos 8:3Jer 3:5rules

Firſt, when we are full of large claimes of intereſt in God and Chriſt; and of confident Profeſſion of our aſſurance; and full of arguments pleaded from experiences of outward bleſſings, deliverances, preſervations and ſucceſſes: and yet the former life not led by the rule of the Word, nor the former ſinnes about which God ſtrove with us; theſe in the preſent extremity are not made the matter of humiliation and ſelf-accuſation in the preſence p. 256of God, nor is the heart right with God in things we do profeſſe, nor are we Pſa. 78. 34, 35, 36, 37.Ps 78:34Ps 78:35Ps 78:36Ps 78:37ſtedfaſt in his Covenant.

Secondly, when we are like Eſau the prophane, who preferred the ſaving of his Heb. 12. 16 17.Heb 12:16life before his birth-right, that is, before his title to the Promiſes of the Meſſiah. Eſau's caſe was the danger of preſent death; no leſſe; but he had not the faith of Abraham his Grand father, for then that faith would have carried him out prevailingly to the lively hope of a reſurrection, unto which, God that is able to raiſe the dead could bring him; and therefore thus truſting God, he would have dyed a thouſand deaths, rather than have parted with his birth-right. How many Eſau's, and more prophane than Eſau the Son of Jacob, are there in the viſible Church, which will part with the promiſe (wherein the title to Chriſt doth lie) for a far lighter thing than life!

Thirdly, when though we enquire of God in our diſtreſſe, in his own appointed 1 Sam. 28.1 Sam 28and inſtituted way, yet like Saul, if we be hard-beſtedd, we will out to unlawful and forbidden meanes, as he did to a witch. We will leap the hedge, and not keep the way of God till he therein accompliſh p. 257our deſired end, and his own promiſe: and we will reaſon thus for our practice, Why ſhould we wait on the Lord any longer?2 King. 6. 33.2 Kgs 6:33

8. In times of perſecution, the fleſh reignes

Firſt, when humane reaſon in the principles 8. In times of the fiery tryal, four ways. Pſa. 14▪ 6.Ps 14:6thereof againſt the Croſſe, doth ſo ſavour and ſway with us, that we deride and ſhame their counſel and courſe▪ who will hold faſt, and endure and live by faith to their greateſt hazard and extreameſt loſſe. Satan took hold of Peter, and he juſtly bare from Chriſt the name of Satan, for counſelling and admoniſhing out of humane principles, though with very entirely-loving Mat. 16. 23.Matt 16:23affections: but he ſuffered the juſt rebuke, and did not nouriſh his humane wiſdome with ſcorn of the way of Gods holy ſervants, who chooſing righteouſneſſe with the Croſſe, have preferred the life of faith before the life of reaſon, and have patiently with joyfulneſſe ſubmitted their lives in this world, and their all here on earth, to the holy diſpoſing of the All-wiſe and gracious God.

Secondly, when we cannot diſcern thoſe that tremble at Gods Word, to own Iſa. 66. 1, 5Isa 66:1Isa 66:5them from Pompous hypocrites, who can p. 258eaſily find them out to hate them: when we cannot ſee Chriſt in his Members, Mat. 25. 44, 45.Matt 25:44Matt 25:45through a poore, naked, impriſoned outſide.

Thirdly, when we ſuffer but in faction, and do drive on worldly intereſts and deſignes, 1 Cor. 13. 1, 3.1 Cor 13:11 Cor 13:3and not out of love to Chriſt, his Goſpel, and to righteouſneſſe: or we ſuffer out of opinion of merit, not in ſelf-denial: or out of vain-glory, not with lowlineſſe and love of the brethren: or out of a Roman reſolution, as it is called, not out of a ſound mind: or out of tenaciouſneſſe of what we have once profeſſed and maintained, not in obedience to the truth, ready to receive light from the Word, in caſe that any could evidence by the Scripture our miſtakes: or when we ſuffer upon deſign to get the more, as Judas 2 Tim. 1. 7 Rev. 21.2 Tim 1:7Rev 21forſook all and followed Chriſt, but he hoped to get by the bargain: or out of heat of blood▪ when in cold blood we are void of the power of the Spirit, and poſſeſſed with the ſpirit of baſe feare; the feareful and unbelieving go together.

Fourthly, when we ſort and ſuit out holy truths and practices, and con…oyne with them errours that are plauſible, or p. 259firſt-Table and Goſpel-ſinnes, according as the times will bear to avoid perſecution, Act. 20. 39 Pſal. 91. 1.Acts 20:39Ps 91:1to get followers, and to ſatisfie one luſt or other. We would dwell in the ſecrets of men, of Princes, whereas we ſhould dwell in the ſecrets of the moſt High.

9. In extraordinary duties, and about the great work of Reformation, this hath 9. In extraordinary duties, four ways.been no unuſual thing for the fleſh to admit of theſe, and ſometimes on occaſion to be forward in them, and yet clearly to be diſcerned to ſit on the throne: As for extraordinary duties,

Firſt, All of them called for, and delighted Iſa. 58. 1, 2 3.Isa 58:1Isa 58:2in, ſo that we may hold our ſpecial ſinnes of violence, oppreſſion, uncleaneneſſe, filthy lucre or the like.

Secondly, All theſe continued, but Zach. 7. 5, 6, 7.Zech 7:5Zech 7:6Zech 7:7Refo…mation according to the Word neglected.

Thirdly, God ſought with droves and heards for ſacrifice, with outward performances Hoſ. 5. 6. Mic. 6. 6, 7. Hoſ. 14. 2, 3.Hos 5:6Mic 6:6Mic 6:7Hos 14:2Hos 14:3and flaſhes of Devotion, ſparing therein neither for paines and coſt, and price, but not looking to the Sacrifice of righteouſneſſe, the ſacrifice of a contrite and broken heart, nor with renouncing of carnal and forbidden confidences.

Fourthly, When all our humiliations p. 260are Ahabs humiliations; ſuch outward penitentials proceeding even from the belief of an Elijah's threatning, that they draw the eye of God and man, and receive ſome anſwers from God in temporal mercies: and yet Ahab is Ahab ſtill, 1 King. 21. 27, 29.1 Kgs 21:271 Kgs 21:29when that fit is over, and ſome breathing time given.

Again, in the work of Reformation, The unregenerate may cry, call Aſſemblies, About Reformation five ways. Hoſ. 7. 14, 17.Hos 7:14Hos 7:17promiſe reformation, and return too, (though not up to the moſt High,) but be as a deceitful bow that is bent, hath the arrow upon the ſtring, and puts off with a levelling at the white, but flies quite aſide, mounts in the ayre, or falls ſhort, or …ver many a ſcore: and then the Lord hearing and giving deliverance, they keep ſtill their old wont, Reforming no further than will ſtand with their worldly intereſts, and driving on their intereſt to the endammaging of Chriſts intereſt.

More particularly, in Reformation the fleſhes Regency is diſcovered,

Firſt, in a partial Reformation. This ſinne hath been too too palpable with us ſince our firſt juſt with-drawing from the bed of that Romiſh Jezebel, and caſting off the yoke of Romiſh Antichriſtian tyranny. p. 261In the dayes of Henry the eight, the Popes ſupremacy was caſt off, but other parts of Popery retained: Witneſſe, the ſix Articles, for refuſal of which Articles many faithful Chriſtians burnt at the ſtake. In King Edward the ſixth's reign, a gracious young Prince, when the worſhip of God was ſo far reſtored as to be Celebrated in the Mother tongue, and groſſe ſuperſtitions abandoned, the ſix Articles taken away, truth of doctrine held forth, nevertheleſſe, in ſome the fleſh ſo cunningly wrought that Leiturgy and Prelacy were retained, and by a Law many holy dayes (as men call them) ranged in the ſame rank with the Lords day. In Queen Elizabeths dayes of bleſſed Memory, the mind of the fleſh was ſo potent in many, that there was kept up a reading Miniſtery, Non-reſidency, and Pluralities, Ceremonies with ſubſcription, leiturgy with an encreaſe of length, Prelacy, the Royal Chappels and Cathedrals with chantings, Altars, Copes, Bowings at Altars, and at the name of Jeſus kept up, Croſſe in Baptiſme urged unto Suſpencion, and ejection of many choice Miniſters, Canons, Canonical obedience, and the abuſe of excommunication, with the ſpiritual p. 262Courts, as they were carnally named. In King James's Reign, beſides all the former continued with many acceſſions, the book of ſports was given out. In King Charles his Reign, many corruptions in Doctrine vented, the book of ſports urged upon Miniſters to publiſh it, the new-Canons with an oath made by the Convocation houſe, Altars and Organes brought into Pariſh Churches, with other of the like leaven: So that Reformation was highly needful. In the time of the Parliament in 1642. and forwards Reformation was ſolemnely Covenanted. An Aſſembly for that end called, the things of Jeſus Chriſt Covenanted, were prepared and pre…ented; but how far they took any effect, is at preſent by the godly ſoberminded laid to heart and bewailed. And now though no Popery, Prelacy, nor Leiturgy, bleſſed be the holy Name of our God: yet there is no confeſſion of faith for unity in Doctrine, no Directory for uniformity in worſhip, no Church-Diſcipline or Government, no Catechiſme, no Communion of Congregations, of Churches, of Miniſters ſettled. Thus in the edificative part we may ſay, where ſhall our Reformation be found? p. 263our Covenant Reformation where is it? The Lord hath been upon the work of purifying and refining his Church for the ſpace now of above one hundred years, even ever ſince the year 1517. and he will effect it; ſhall he begin, and ſhall he not make an end? how is it that we are ſlack and follow not the Lord more fully, and obſerve not more his goings forth with Hoſanna's, ſaying, Save now we beſeech thee, ſend now prosperity. It was the Ex. 10. 24, 26.Exod 10:24Exod 10:26antient voice of the godly in this Land, a hoof muſt not be left behinde; let us reaſſume it, let us reſt aſſured that inventions of men muſt not come in.

Secondly, in abhorring one ſinne (as to the out-ſide) and ſetting-up another; as when it may be ſaid of us, thou that abhorreſt Idols, dost thou commit ſacriledge? Ro. 2. 22.Rom 2:22thou pulleſt down all the reliques of Superſtition, and ſuffereſt not a Croſſe in a ſtreet, nor on a Steeple, nor an image painted in a Church-window, nor a conſecrated Font for Baptiſme, and thou doeſt well; and wilt thou continue in the ſinne of ſacriledge; ſhall the maintenance of the Miniſtery that labours in the Word and Doctrine remain impropriated, in that very day when thy Supreme Governour who undertaketh p. 264great things righteouſly for the good of the Church in all the world, cuts off all unneceſſary expences for his Court, needeth great ſupplies, doth yet freely give home the firſt fruits and renths (which none ever before did do) to provide that there may be no ſcandalous livings in the Nation, whiles he endeavours the ejection of ſcandalous Miniſters? is that no ſcariledge now adayes, which was ſacriledge, and ſo preached and proved to be in all parts of the Land by the faithful Miniſters in the days of Queen Elizabeth?

Thirdly, in the execution of judgment, and in purſuing Reformation to be like Jehu; zealous for the Lord of Hoſts in fulfilling 2 Kings 10. 28. 29, 30, 31.2 Kgs 10:282 Kgs 10:292 Kgs 10:302 Kgs 10:31the Word of the Lord againſt the Idolatry of the houſe of Ahab, when he could not live by faith above his carnal reaſon, that the ten Tribes ſhould not return to the houſe of David in the line of Solomon, if they ſhould all come up to Jeruſalem yea…ly to worſhip God according to Gods command; and therefore he would keep up Jeroboams Idol-calves, and not depart from his ſinne: oh this reaſon of ſtate, what evil work hath it not produced! How hath it turned a man, a brave Prince 2 Kings 8. 12, 13.2 Kgs 8:122 Kgs 8:13into a dog! David was a man after Gods p. 265own heart, who did live by faith, in the matter of getting and keeping a Crown and a Kingdome.

Fourthly, in pretending zeal for Reformation, and againſt Gods diſhonour, Rev. 19. 18Rev 19:18and when God makes a Feaſt in the ſlaughter of his enemies to fall from the work begun, and to be like Vultures and Kites, and Birds of prey, feeding on the fleſh of Kings, Captains, and mighty men, and …ied by the teeth on the Collops, Flanks and fat of rich Demeans, Lands and Eſtates; whereas when God giveth great reward for ſervice done, we ſhould be the more, and the more faithful in the work of the Lord.

Fifthly, in ſeeking to joyne with the ſincere in building the Lords Temple, that we may corrupt the ſtructure, or hinder the work, like the Adverſaries of the Jews Ezr. 4. 1, 2, 3.Ezra 4:1Ezra 4:2Ezra 4:3in the dayes of Ezrah.

10. In great undertakings; the fleſh may rule where the enterprizes, atchievements and ſucceſſes are above her…ical, and the right hand of God is lifted up on high, as the Medes and Perſians are called Gods mighty ones, and his ſanctified ones; Heathens may be Saints, Saints of the Iſa. 13. 3.Isa 13:3most high God in this ſenſe; ſo theſe were p. 266Saint-ſouldiers. And Chriſtians may go farther, and yet be under the Regency of the fleſh.

Firſt, they may enquire of God by his Prophets, by the Scriptures in their great expeditions; but herein they are like Ahab, who ſaid there is one Micaiah, but I 1 Kings 22. 6, 8.1 Kgs 22:61 Kgs 22:8hate him; or they are like Johanan and his company, who will needs be ſatisfied what the Lords minde is, and promiſe obedience, and binde it to the utmoſt; but when they underſtand that it is againſt their minde, they will abſolutely refuſe, and hold their own will and way; and Jeremy the Prophet must be charged with speaking falſely in the Name of the Lord.Jer. 42. 1, 2, 5, 6, 10. & 43. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1 Kings 22. 4.Jer 42:1Jer 42:2Jer 42:5Jer 42:6Jer 42:10Jer 43:1Jer 43:2Jer 43:3Jer 43:4Jer 43:5Jer 43:6Jer 43:71 Kgs 22:4

Secondly, they may uſe the friendſhip, and ſeek and hold correſpondence with the truly godly, but it is like Ahabs compliance with Jehoſhaphat, upon earthly grounds, and for worldly ends.

Thus have I endeavoured to diſcover the fleſh maintaining her ſtate through ſpiritual walks; the next that follows is to ſet out the Regency of the Spirit.

p. 267SECT. 4.

4. The Reign of the Spirit may be ſeen in a ſix-fold diſcovery of his working; for 4. The Regency of the Spirit in ſix works.where he is, he works, and where he works, he works, but not as one that doth his work in a corner, and his work is with efficacy and power, his work is like himſelf; thus then,

1. The Spirit carrieth him in whom he is, unto the Word, and in the Word unto J…ſus Chriſt; he carries to the Word Pſal. 19. 7. & 119. 1. 64Ps 19:7Ps 119:1Ps 119:64which he breathed, and in which alone he ſavingly works: he that hath the Spirit, ſaith, The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting 1 Cor. 1. 23, 24.1 Cor 1:231 Cor 1:24the ſoul. Bleſſed are the undefiled in the war, who walk in the Law of the Lord; O teach me thy ſtatutes. The Goſpel of Chriſt is to them the power of God, and the wiſdome of God; likewiſe in the Word, the Spirit carries to Jeſus Chriſt, Prov. 8. 35Prov 8:35he waiteth there to finde Chriſt, and in him favour with God, and life eternal; he ſ…ith, O that I might be found in him; in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt have I righteouſneſſe and ſtrength. And in the knowledge of Chriſt revealed in the Word, the Spirit carries to faith and love which is in Jeſus p. 268Chriſt, that is, which is ſet on Chriſt as the object, which is formed by the Goſpel Iſa. 45. 24.Isa 45:24of Jeſus Chriſt, and which is truly Chriſtian; now the heart is for ſuch faith, and ſuch love, and not content with any kinde of faith in God and Chriſt, or any kinde of love to God.

The Spirit is the Spirit of faith, and the Spirit of love, in converting a ſinner to Chriſt, the Spirit makes faith and love to abound in the exceedings, above the 1 Tim. 1. 14 foreign.1 Tim 1:14power of inbred, unbelief, and hatred, beyond the power and malice of men or Divels to deſtroy, and with the living, increaſing aſpirings to perfection from degree to degree.

2. It makes very ſenſible of ſpiritual wants and evils, and fills with deſires like hunger and thirſt after ſpiritual good things. Where the Spirit of Chriſt is, (for where he is, there he reigns;] that man is made ſenſible of the fleſh, even of the corruption of his nature; I am carnal, ſold under ſinne; I was conceived in iniquity, Rom. 7. 14 Pſal. 51. 5. Rom. 7. 18Rom 7:14Ps 51:5Rom 7:18I know that in me, that is, in my fleſh, dwells no good. Theſe are the feeling expreſſions of the godly; that man is ſenſible of his ſpecial ſinnes, I do know mine own iniquity, and my ſinne is ever p. 269Pſal. 51. 3.Ps 51:3before mine eyes; that man is very ſenſible of inward ſinnes, of the ſinnes of his thoughts, his heart-impurities, the deceitfulneſſe and hardneſſe, the deſperate wickedneſſe of his heart, ſo that it needs a new Creation, and the renewing of a right Spirit, a new heart, and a new Spirit: that man is ſenſible of the evils of his beſt Iſa. 64. 6.Isa 64:6works, all our righteouſneſſes are as a menſtruous cloth: that man is ſenſible of the utter need he hath of Chriſt for righteouſneſſe and for ſtrength, and of his want of ſpiritual bleſſings, and ſaving graces. A poor, empty, vain, fooliſh, and loſt creature he findes himſelf, without Chriſt, without God, and without hope; his invincible deſires are after reconciliation; Cauſe thy face to ſhine, Lord, lift thou up Pſ. 80. 3, 7, 19. Pſal. 4. 6. Hoſ. 14. 2.Ps 80:3Ps 80:7Ps 80:19Ps 4:6Hos 14:2the light of thy countenance upon us; Take away all iniquity and receive us graciouſly; theſe invincible deſires after reconciliation through Jeſus Chriſt, to enjoy Gods reconciled face in the Atonement made in the blood of his own Sonne, are in that Pſal. 4. 6. Pſal. 26. 3. & 17. 15. & 30. 5. & 63. 3.Ps 4:6Ps 26:3Ps 17:15Ps 30:5Ps 63:3man ſet to attain it, to retain it being had, and to recover it if any way loſt, and to walk in the light of this his countenance as his true bleſſedneſſe and chief good: that mans deſires alſo are invincibly p. 270ſet after renovation; Create in me a clean heart O God; Turn us, and we ſhall Pſ. 19. 15. Pſ. 51. 10.Ps 19:15Ps 51:10be turned.

3. It filleth full of grace and ſupplications, with mournings, bemoanings and ſelf-abhorrings; Jer. 31. 16. Zach. 12. 10, 11. Ezek. 36. 31. & 16. 61 Ro. 6 21. Ezra 9. Jer. 31. 18, 19.Jer 31:16Zech 12:10Zech 12:11Ezek 36:31Ezek 16:61Rom 6:21Ezra 9Jer 31:18Jer 31:19the confuſion and ſhame for ſinne wrought by the Spirit given, is voluntary and of choice, not without ſome pleaſure taken therein; (I will declare mine iniquity, I will be ſorry for my ſinn…,) the confeſſions of ſinnes guileleſſe and open-hearted without hiding and cloaking, and with holy bluſhings in Gods preſence; this is true of him now aſhamed.

4. The Spirit where he cometh, he giveth a new light, even the light of life, a new ſavour and relliſh to minde and relliſh the things of the Spirit; new inclinations, a new bent of ſoul, a new by as on the will, ſet, fixed, centered and pointed Heaven-Ward, God-Ward, Chriſt-Ward.

5. The Spirit diſpoſeth to do all good; firſt, from a ſpiritual principle of faith Epheſ. 5. 9 1 Tim. 1. 5Eph 5:91 Tim 1:5unfeigned, of a heart purified, of a good conſcience, and of love. Secondly, with a godly force and impulſe. Thirdly, in obedience to the Word, and by the Rule of the words of the new creature made up of p. 271the Word. Fourthly, with a ſearching heart, a Spirit making diligent ſearch that all be done with repentance becauſe of the evils of the beſt we do; and with faith in the blood of Jeſus Chriſt for acceptation: for our repentance needs ſtill to be repented of; and none can live an houre in the ſight of God any other way than by faith in Jeſus Chriſt. Fifthly, and unto high and ſupernatural ends; as 1. To the glory of God, and not to our own praiſe and glory. 2 To the ſalvation of our own ſouls and others. 3. To the increaſe of grace in our ſelves and in others. 4. And to the adorning of the Goſpel, and of our holy profeſſion. And that all may thus be done, the Spirit diſpoſeth to delight in the Law in our inner man, to rejoyce to work righteouſneſſe, to glory and make our boaſt in the Lord Jeſus, and in him only to ſerve God with our ſpirits in the Goſpel of his Sonne, to ſolace our ſelves in fellowſhip with Chriſt, and through him with the Father by the Holy Ghoſt, according to the Covenant of Grace, now ſet forth fully in the Goſpel. It diſpoſeth to follow the Lord fully, as did Caleb and Joſhua, Num. 14. 24.Num 14:24in the times of murmurings, declinings, and evil and hard reports brought upon the p. 272wayes of God, to walk with a right foot in the Goſpel, when patties and diviſions tempt to diſſimulations and haltings. To make more ſtreight ſteps to our paths, and ſtrengthen our feeble hands and knees in all purſuits of holineſſe with peace and quiet ſubmiſſion, when ſore perſecutions abide or threaten us.

6. The Spirit at his firſt entrance into a ſinner, in his renewing act and preſence heals the ſoul for ever of ſore and grievous wickedneſſes, which ſhew their poyſon with ſtrength in every natural man; they are four:

Firſt, Impenitency, ſuch a hardneſſe of heart that it cannot repent, but it abuſeth Ro. 2. 3, 4.Rom 2:3Rom 2:4the riches of the goodneſſe of God their Creatour, and the riches of the patience and long-ſuffering of a gracious God. Repentance unto life Chriſt giveth; and in the Regenerate a ſpring of godly ſorrow is opened, and the flint-ſtone of the heart before hard as a Rock, now gives floods; before he had a heart that could not repent, and now he hath an heart that cannot but mourn for ſinne.

Secondly, Proneneſſe to be ſcandalized, and to take offence; 1. At the afflictions, Mat. 13. 21.Matt 13:21tentations and perſecutions p. 273which comes for the Goſpels ſake; 2. At the fewneſſe, meanneſſe, infirmities, ſinnes and ſorrowes of the godly; 3. At Joh. 6. 60, 61. 1 Cor. 1. 23John 6:60John 6:611 Cor 1:23the truths of the Goſpel, croſſe to our corrupt ſenſe and reaſon; 4. At Chriſt crucified. 5. At the ſimplicity of the Goſpel, and of the Goſpel-Ordinances, their poor mean out-ſide, and among them, of plain edifying preaching in demonſtration of the Spirit, and of Power, and not with wiſdome of words nor Philoſophy, and ſuch vain deceits. 6. At the purity of Gods commands, the hardſhip of mortification, the ſtrangeneſſe, and as we naturally think, the unreaſonableneſſe and folly of a Saints life, the life of a ſtranger and pilgrim, the life of faith; what? can we be Saints on earth? ſhall we live like no body? we muſt live, and wee'le truſt God with our ſouls: when the Spirit comes, he works ſuch great love to the Word, that nothing ſhall offend them; ſuch knowledge and aſſured faith of the Meſſiah the great Prophet who hath the words of eternal life, and Pſ. 119. 165 Joh. 6. 68, 69.Ps 119:165John 6:68John 6:69none but he, that they ſhall never go away from his bleſſed Goſpel, although at the firſt they are not able well to apprehend many truths there delivered.

p. 274Thirdly, The hatred of the godly and of holineſſe, and the speaking evil of both: when the Lord by his Spirit g…aciouſly viſits their ſouls, now they have another language, they glorifie God for and in the godly, to whom before they 1 Pet. 2. 121 Pet 2:12could not afford a good word; now they are to them the only excellent ones in the earth: holineſſe hath now their hearts, and that for ever; and therefore the Saints are their delight.

Fourthly, Inſenſibleneſſe of, and under spiritual plagues; now they feel and fear, Iſa. 63. 17. Zeph. 3. 18.Isa 63:17Zeph 3:18and pray againſt a heart hardening and hardened under afflictions, and from Gods fear, they mourn for the famine of the Word, for the want of the ſolemn Aſſembly, the taking away of faithful ſearching preaching; they fear to be left to their own hearts, to walk in their own counſels; they are ſenſible of the hiding away of Gods face, and of loſſe of the joy of Gods ſalvation; they fear to have their Table made a ſnare, and to have their temporal bleſſings curſed to them, and not ſanctified to them; they know it for a great curſe to have ſucceſſe and proſperity in an evil way. A ſpirit of ſlumber and carnal ſecurity they ſo dread, p. 275that they love an awakened, and preſerve atender conſcience, an awakening Miniſtery, and dare not live without a watch ſet chiefly over the heart and mouth, and in holy jealouſie over themſelves they pray Pſ. 141. 3. Pſ. 141. 4.Ps 141:3Ps 141:4to God that he would ſet the watch; they ſo fear the proſperity of wicked men, and the heavy judgment to be left of God to incline in heart to the liking of their condition and eſtate, that it is their earneſt prayer that they may never chooſe or deſire in heart to eat of their dainties. Thus of the Regency of the Spirit.

SECT. 6.

5. The walk after the fleſh, is a life led

Firſt, After the courſe of the world, 5. What the walk after the fleſh is, in eight things. Eph. 2. 2, 3Eph 2:2Eph 2:3after the will of men; in their religions, idolatries, ſuperſtitious vanities, and the inventions of men in doctrine and worſhip, in Philoſophy and wiſdome of words, devotions and wayes of Religion, Traditions and Commandments of men to teach the fear and ſervice of God; there are that ſpeak of the world, and the world will hear them; the world hath not only his profane ones, but his ſacra, his p. 2761 Pet. 4. 31 Pet 4:3holy things, and the world hath his juſt ones, and his devout and holy ones; here lies one ſpecial part of the way and courſe of the world, and ſo is the will of men that people ſhould walk after that courſe, but ſo is not the will of God. To live after the courſe of the world, is to live after the lusts of men, to live the life of the Gentiles, following and imitating their manners, hunting after their favours, this is the broad way where moſt go; this is the way of the men of this world. To live after the courſe of the world, is to live ſeeking what the Gentiles ſeck Mat. 6. 32.Matt 6:32after, what we ſhall eat, what we ſhall drink, wherewith we ſhall be cloathed, how we may riſe, grow rich and great, how we may build, plant, purchaſe, leave our names great on earth, and leave our children ſo, and thus eternize Pſal. 49. 1.Ps 49:1our ſelves here as the men of this world do, that minde and are addicted unto this preſent life, ſeeking their good things, and making up their portion in this world; Pſ. 17. 14.Ps 17:14how alſo they may do well to themſelves, fare deliciouſly, wear gorgeous artire, ſwim in vanity, jollity and pleaſure; this is their way, and their poſterity like and applaud it, and others that have neither p. 277power nor hopes to attain it, count theſe the happieſt under the Sunne; and though the Spirit of God ſaith, it is their folly, and they ſhall never ſee light, yet this the world doth as their [foreign] their eternity, as if there were no other life, nor other world.

Secondly, After the luſts of the fleſh, 2 Pet. 3. 3, 4. Gal. 5. 1…2 Pet 3:32 Pet 3:4Gal 5:1that is, in ſome manifeſt work of the fleſh, a manifeſt wickedneſſe either againſt piety or againſt charity, or righteouſneſſe, or chaſtity, or temperance.

Thirdly, after Satan, as if joyned in 1 Tim. 5. 15.1 Tim 5:15marriage with him, ſo the Apoſtle expreſſeth it; that is, to live in love, fidelity, and obedience to the Divel, lo…ding it in lying vanities, in darkneſſe of ſinne, in ignorance of God, and in unbelief ruling; he is the liar and the murtherer, the father of luſts and of lies of all ſorts; the enemy and envious one, the tempter, the accuſer of the brethren, and the back-biter: now when Satan may in his temptations play with us, touch us with his love-touches in any of thoſe wherein his works conſiſt, from which he hath thoſe his former proper names and titles; may bed with us, and we with him; when he may enter into us, as he did into Judas p. 278Iſcariot, and fill our hearts as he did the heart of Ananias and Sapphira, and take us Captives as fiſh that love the bai…, at his own will: when we keep open houſe for him, by giving place to wrath, revenge, uncleaneneſſe, covetouſneſſe, idolatries, lyes taught in hypocriſie, hatred of the godly, cavilling at the Word of truth, or at the way of holineſſe, or the like: or when we keep the houſe empty, not ſtored with holy truths and graces, the furniture of the mind and heart: when our hearts are true to evil motions and luſts, but falſe to Gods Commandments and Goſpel, and we paſſe not much that it is ſo, then we live after Satan. Theſe are they in whom Satan works effectually, and Eph. 2. 2, 3.Eph 2:2Eph 2:3they fulfill the deſires of the fleſh, and of the mind.

Fourthly, In darkneſſe: no diſcerning of men, either of the godly to make their companions, and to chooſe their portion and lot, even the reproaches of Chriſt; or of the wicked, to avoid their company, counſel, way, and chaire; although they Pſa. 11. 1, 2 1 Joh. 4. 1.Ps 11:1Ps 11:21 John 4:1can finde out the godly, even the upright in heart, to ſhoot privily at them, no diſcerning of ſpirits; of Miniſters and Miniſtery: nor of things and doctrines, unleſſe p. 279it be this, to account the things of the Spirit fooliſhneſſe: no diſcerning of Joh. 10. 4, 5.John 10:4John 10:5graces from moralities and civilities, which they prefer before the feare of God, and faith in Chriſt, the love of the Saints, and the patience of hope. No diſcerning of wayes; the way which is called holy, from the way of the worldling, prophane Luk. 12. …6 2 Cor. 6. 2. Mat. 16. 3. Luk. 19. 44Luke 12:62 Cor 6:2Matt 16:3Luke 19:44or formal. No diſcerning of the ſignes of the times; the ſeaſons of grace, the day of ſalvation, the day of their viſitation.

Fifthly, a life led in ſecurity; no wonder if the dark and blind who ſee not their 1 Theſ. 5. 5, 6, 7. Deut. 29. 19.1 Thess 5:51 Thess 5:61 Thess 5:7Deut 29:19danger, be altogether ſecure; the night is for ſleep; they that ſleep are of the night, and of darkneſſe; they that are of the night are ſleepers. No queſtions; no caſes of conſcience; the fleſh bleſſeth them in their evil imaginations, and flatters Pſa. 36. 1, 2Ps 36:1Ps 36:2them in their iniquities; no ſerious enquiries about their ſpiritual eſtate, or about their wayes; about theſe two are all the main caſes of conſcience; no watchfulneſſe over the heart, the mouth, the eyes, the feet, and all their goings. A man muſt be awake before he can watch.

Sixthly, In vanity of mind, and of converſation. In vain principles, reaſonings, p. 280thoughts and inventions: they walk in emptineſſe of the power of ſaving truths Epheſ. 4. 18 1 Pet. 1. 18.Eph 4:181 Pet 1:18and graces, the converſation vaine, fooliſh, unprofitable, void of godlineſſe in power, the words idle, unſavoury, not good for the uſe of edifying, and the works not directed in truth according to the doctrine which is after godlineſſe; this is upon them at the beſt, and many times they break out to that which is vile and abominable.

Seventhly, In hypocriſie, with fleſhly 2 Cor. 1. 12 Mat. 6. 1, 2 & 23.2 Cor 1:12Matt 6:1Matt 6:2Matt 6:23wiſdome; hypocriſie, either natural, or phariſaical. The natural hypocriſie may ſtand with a particular uprightneſſe, as in Abimelech, of whom God teſtifieth that he did in the fact about Sara, Abrahams Gen. 20. 5, 6.Gen 20:5Gen 20:6wife, that which he did, in uprightneſſe: and it may ſtand with a general uprightneſſe to the light of a natural ſelf-deceived heart, and to the light of the Law in a man that ſeeketh righteouſneſſe in his own works: An uprightneſſe legal, Act. 23. 1. Phil. 3. 6, &c.Acts 23:1Phil 3:6ſuch as was in Paul before his converſion: but not an uprightneſſe Evangelical, which conſiſteth in renouncing all confidence in our works, and in the fleſh, or outward duties, and priviledges, or inward ſelf-abilities; in the life of faith, in heart-purifyings, p. 281and a Goſpel converſation, in rejoycing in Chriſt Jeſus, and our intereſt in him, and in conformity to his death, in hatred of all ſinne we know, in bearing reſpect to all Gods Commandments, and in all theſe, in humble ſtrenuous preſſings on to that which yet we have not attained, but is before us, with an heart and eye upon the prize of our high calling, to which we are called in Chriſt Jeſus by the Goſpel.

8. In natural Atheiſme, in alienations of heart from the life of God, in impenitency and unbelief. It is with them as with Iſrael, back-ſlidden Iſrael of old; they Hoſ. 5. 4.Hos 5:4cannot frame their doings to return, they can do any thing, but to order their ways, to return they will not; they have no heart: and when urged to it, and the threatnings of God applyed, they ſay, no, there is no hope; if nothing but a Goſpel Converſation, an holy life according to Gods Word will ſerve, then there is no hope. It is as bad as to be damned to hell, to be preſſed to holineſſe. God ſhall have any thing at their hands, if he will ſpare them in this. Ah, alas, for a ſpirit of whoredomes is in the midſt of them; and their ſinnes are their Idols: they hold faſt p. 282deceit, and refuſe to return.

Brethren, ſhall I hence deſcribe unto you a natural man? He is one that leads The Character of a natural man.his life (whiles perhaps Ingenious, witty, of fine parts, well-tempered, civil, moral, honeſt, fair in his dealings, and in ſome particular actions, yea, and in his general courſe, upright and blameleſſe according to his natural and acquired light, yet he leads his life) as if his eternity and his good were in this preſent world; his height and glory is to be humane and rational, or learned and philoſophical, or devout in the way of Religion which his own heart chuſeth, and which the people he liveth withal do like of; whoſe wills he followeth, and whoſe favour he hunts after, with an eye to his worldly pleaſure, or profit, or honour, or all; ever nouriſhing one or more manifeſt works of the fleſh, unto which his heart is true, as one that is wedded to the Devil the father of luſts and lies, a voluntary captive to his will, and taking pleaſure to bed with him in his effectual working, and to fill his ſoul with loves; he is in darkneſſe, loves darkneſſe, and walks on in darkneſſe without any ſpiritual diſcerning, p. 283though he be under the Goſpel-light, and have his day of viſitation; he ſleeps in deep and dead ſecurity, without any true awakenings to holy enquiries or watchfulneſſe. Empty of ſaving truth and graces in power, his Conver…ation is at the beſt but vain, from the vanity of his mind in which he lives, and thence he will not be moved, for his fathers and fore-fathers did ſo before him. Fleſhly wiſdome frames his converſation in ſtrength of hypocriſie, if not phariſaical, yet natural: And he never yet knew, nor can be perſwaded by all the preachers in the world, that ſecret Atheiſme, eſtrangings from God, much leſſe enmity to him, impenitency, and unbelief do reign in him, or that theſe in him are any great fault.

Oh the miſerable eſtate of ſuch a one! A Lamentation.oh, how many ſuch are in the world; there is a world of them: a world of them, even of thoſe who bear the beſt of names, which is Chriſtian. Who can with-hold from ſorrow and ſighings, if he underſtand and know things as they are? oh that we could mourn over you who cannot mourn for your ſelves! or that one could beare you p. 284on his heart, and bring you to Chriſt, that he might place you under his love ſo melting, and put you into the laver of his own blood, till waſhed there you might come forth other men, even new-men. Oh that the Spirit of life from Chriſt would at length breath upon you, till he breathed in you. May it be, may it not be? could you but unfeignedly deſire it, ſhould it not be? We leave you and the work with the Lord; and how ever it may fare with worlds of men in this ſad eſtate, yet as for you among us, if there be no remedy, this ſhall be your priviledge, you ſhall not go down to the Chambers of hell beneath, unlamented; you ſhall not deſcend to that infernal pit not mourned over: ſince ſuch as you are, drew tears in abundance, ſuch was his heart, from the eyes of Jeſus Chriſt our Lord and Maſter, when he came not to condemne, but to ſave the world: and being the Miniſter of the Circumciſion, beheld ſo many of his charge to periſh everlaſtingly, notwithſtanding he would ſo often have gathered them together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and they would not; he would, but they would not.

p. 285SECT. 7.

6. The walk after the Spirit, is a life led

Firſt, After the Word: therein he that 6. What the walk after the Spirit is. Pſ. 1. 1, 2. & 119. 1, 2, 5, 6.Ps 1:1Ps 1:2Ps 119:1Ps 119:2Ps 119:5Ps 119:6is in the Spirit exerciſeth himſelf with delight day and night; thereafter he walketh with deſires and endeavours from the whole heart to be undefiled in that way; and with earneſt prayers unto God that his wayes might be directed to keep Gods teſtimonies, and to have reſpect unto them all; this is the light and the Lamp of the Lord; and his heart ſaith, Come, let us walk in the light of the Pro. 6. 23. Pſal. 119. 105. Iſa. 2. 5. Iſa. 2. 3.Prov 6:23Ps 119:105Isa 2:5Isa 2:3Lord; there he findes Chriſt teaching Gods people of his wayes, and therefore taught there of God, he reſolves he will walk in his paths preſcribed in his Word; this is the holy Canon, and therefore he Gal. 6. 16.Gal 6:16will walk according to this rule, for ſo do all the Iſrael of God; this the Holy Ghoſt breathed, whoſe breath being the breath of Chriſts lips, is his life, and kills none but Antichriſt and Antichriſtians with the men of the world; and therefore he ſubſcribes to this cloſing acclamation, That man who ere he be is … worth his p. 286ears given him of his Maker to heare Rev. 2. 7, 11, 17, 29. & 3. 6, 13, 22.Rev 2:7Rev 2:11Rev 2:17Rev 2:29Rev 3:6Rev 3:13Rev 3:22withall, who will not hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches: the Scripture is his Rule for faith, for worſhip, for holy walking, in ſobriety, in righteouſneſſe, in godlineſſe, in all eſtates, in all relations, in the Family, Church and Common-wealth, and in his particular calling, and for holy order and diſcipline, and for incident caſes, with profeſſed ſubjection, 2 Cor. 9. 13. foreign. A ſubjection of publick profeſſion. Gal. 2. 14. foreign. Luk. 1. 6.2 Cor 9:13Gal 2:14Luke 1:6againſt which he can do nothing, and for which he can do any thing; and all this now according to the Goſpel-diſpenſation, in which his honour is to walk with a right foot, or to foot it right. This ſpiritual walker is righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameleſſe.

Secondly, After the power of inward graces; of theſe the Spirit is the Authour, and the root, and theſe are the fruits of Gal. 5. 22, 23. Eph. 5. 9. Gal. 5. 25. foreign.Gal 5:22Gal 5:23Eph 5:9Gal 5:25the Spirit; this holy walker as he lives in the Spirit who is the principle of life within him, ſpiriting and quickning his ſoul with his graces, ſo he walks in the Spirit, himſelf cloathed, and his converſation faſhioned and ordered by theſe graces of the Holy Spirit; he gives all diligence p. 287to adde, ſeaſonably bringing forth into practice, one grace to another, and 2 Pet. 1. 5, 8.2 Pet 1:52 Pet 1:8that orderly; that all graces being in him and abounding, he may not be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge and profeſſion of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. In the walk in this light of graces, as a childe of light, he is proving what is acceptable Epheſ. 5.Eph 5to the Lord; and that he may ſo walk he ſhunnes all fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſſe; theſe are his ſtudy and endeavour, this is the way which he doth chooſe.

Thirdly, After Chriſt, as thoſe that are betrothed unto him, and cleanſed by his blood, and anointed by his Spirit, are married unto him, riſen from the dead, and now they would keep themſelves chaſt to him in the ſimplicity and purity of his Goſpel and Ordinances, and in the ſincerity and incorruption of the love of their hearts, they would imitate him, walk as he walked, and be as he is, even in this world would they be ſuch; they would maintain communion and fellowſhip with him in the bed of his green and flouriſhing Ordinances, in their wayes, converſings, relations and enjoyments of the creatures, and in the ſecret loneneſſe, p. 288and the chamber of their hearts.

Fourthly, In light; this they love and come unto, becauſe it is that which makes manifest; they would walk as underſtanding, Joh. 3. 20, 21. Eph. 5. 10, 17. Phil. 1. 10.John 3:20John 3:21Eph 5:10Eph 5:17Phil 1:10wiſe and prudent, proving what the will of the Lord is, and approving what is excellent, and things that differ; this is their armour which they Rom. 13. 12.Rom 13:12put on and wear, knowing their ſpiritual holy walk cannot be kept, further then it is maintained by a War.

Fifthly, In ſearchings of heart, awakenings of conſcience, and holy watchfulneſſe; God awakens theit ears morning by morning; and with thoſe awakenings bores the ears, bows the heart, and in the bowing makes teachable and godly wiſe that they hear as the learned, as the taught of God; theſe gracious walkers are inquiſitive, asking the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, inquiring for the old and good way; they are ſeekers of the Lord, of his face and ſtrength; they ſeek and keep the Word of God, they keep and ſeek it, as not to ſeek of Word, Ordinances and means of Gods own giving and ſanctifying which have the promiſe of his preſence and Spirit: theſe they have, and in them they ſeek the face p. 289of the God of Jacob; they are full of the communings with their own hearts, their ſpirits make diligent ſearch within them that they may ſettle their ſtate ſpiritual, their doubts, their wayes through ſerious examinations by the Word. They come to the light daily, to ſee whether their Joh. 3. 22.John 3:22deeds be wrought in God or no; this is the manner of their walk, they conſider Pſ. 119. 59Ps 119:59their wayes, and turn their feet unto Gods teſtimonies.

Sixthly, In the power of ſupernatural Phil. 1. 27.Phil 1:27truths. This walk is a Converſation becoming the Gospel; the Goſpel frames and influenceth their converſation. It is a Converſation in heaven where their Saviour Phil. 3. 20, 21.Phil 3:20Phil 3:21is, and whence they look for him to change their vile bodies (in the reſurrection) into the likeneſſe of his own glorious body; theſe ſpiritual walkers do live their Creed.

Seventhly, In ſincerity, ſuch holy plainneſſe, 2 Cor. 1. 122 Cor 1:12perſpicuity and tranſparent clearneſſe which God worketh and witneſſeth withall, no way hypocritical and varniſhed over, but in ſimplicity purging from and ſtirring up himſelf againſt the hypocrite, and the hypocriſie of their own hearts. And all this by the grace of God, the p. 290free-grace of God which deſtroyes the dominion of ſinne in them, which thing the Law could not do; and by the which they are what they are in things pertaining to ſalvation; and by the gift of inherent grace which is now the leading principle guiding their converſation towards all men, and in the Church of God.

Eighthly, In repentance, faith and love; that is, they make it their every dayes work to be renewing their repentance towards God, their faith in Jeſus Chriſt, and their love to the Word, to the Saints, and to all men.

All this the ſpiritual do do, not without the feelings and motions, but with a contrary Gal. 5. 17.Gal 5:17ſtirring, egging and workings of the fleſh, inſomuch that they cannot do what they would, yet they truly would what they ſhould, and cannot do as they would. In all the eight fore-named, the fleſh being contrary, is in them luſting againſt the Spirit, but is not yielded unto, nay, it is reſiſted with mighty luſtings, and ſtill theſe walkings are choſen; their hearts and lives ſpeak thus, Not the fleſh, but the ſpirit; not the world, but the Word; not luſt, but grace; not Satan, but Chriſt; not in darkneſſe as a night bird, as one of the p. 291night and of darkneſſe, but in light, as a childe of light, and of the day; not in ſleep of ſecurity, but in awakings of tenderneſſe of a good conſcience; not in vanity, but in the power of Goſpel truths; not in hypocriſie with fleſhly wiſdome, but in godly ſincerity by the grace of God; not in with-drawings and forgetfulneſſe of God, but with drawings near of faith in power to the ſaving of the ſoul; not in thoſe, but in theſe would I unfeignedly have my walks; not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit will I walk, is the language of the ſpiritual.

Again, the order of placing is very ſignificant in this deſcription; he that is now in the Spirit, was firſt in the fleſh; he who now walks after the Spirit, had his former Converſation corrupt and after the fleſh; therefore the ſpiritual mans walk is thus: he is ever putting off, and Eph. 4. 22, 24, 25, &c.Eph 4:22Eph 4:24Eph 4:25getting further from his former corrupt Converſation, and is putting on a renewed Converſation day after day.

Beloved, ſhall I hence preſent you The character of a ſpiritual man.with the draught of a spiritual man? The ſpiritual man is one, who, (being regenerated and ſanctified by the Holy Ghoſt, who in that work gives p. 292him a new life, no other than eternal life in the beginnings of it, and comes into him to rule and frame the whole ſoul, ſpirit and body in the power of the new life received,) he gives up himſelf unto the Word that he may be for ever under the governance of the Spirit; he dares not compaſſe himſelf about with ſparks, nor walk in the light of a fire of his own, or of mans kindling. The Law of God is in his heart, guiding his ſteps that none of them do ſlide; he is a walking bible; he is the Epiſtle of Chriſt of the beſt Edition, ſo fair written that it is to be ſeen and read of all men. Grace in his heart is ſtamped upon his daily courſe; from a good treaſure within he bringeth forth good things; he is married to Chriſt riſen from the dead, that he might bring forth fruit unto God; to him to live is Chriſt, being of the truth, and of the day; he walks Goſpelly-genteel **foreign. Rom. 13. 13.Rom 13:13in a truly honourable dreſſe; comely, beautiful, and terrible as an Army with Banners. That others ſleep, keeps him the more awake; and his ſecurity is in his keeping the watch and ward of the awakened. His converſation is on p. 293high, as is his high and heavenly calling, with the Moon under his feet, and himſelf ſet above himſelf, and above t…e world, while he treads on mould, and dwells in a leprous houſe of clay. He cannot abide hypocriſie, and loves nothing below that converſation which the grace of God in Chriſt teacheth. He is paſſing on from faith to faith, from glorious grace to glorious grace, from ſtrength to ſtrength, as one called▪ to glory and vertue; but ſpeeding his way through daily mortifications and crucifixions of a home enemy within his own bowels, he walks in the Spirit, and ſo fulfills not the luſts of the fleſh; he walks not after the fleſh, that he might walk cloſely after the Spirit; he that walks after the fleſh, knows not the fleſh ſo well as he; he avoids and paſſes by, he comes not near, but goes away from the fleſh's walks: for he hates the garment ſpotted with the fleſh. He would not defile his garments; for fine linnen, clean and white is his cloathing, even the righteouſneſſes of the Saints, all wrought without hands, as himſelf is the workmanſhip of God in Chriſt Jeſus by the p. 294Spirit in a new Creation: yet ſince that the fleſh will be with him, the heighth of his ſpiritual temper is this; he will take his garments and his fine array, and waſh them white in the blood of the Lamb.

O ſpiritual man! O Saint of the moſt high! bleſſed be thou; bleſſed be thy A bleſſing of his happy change.way: bleſſed be thy counſel in chooſing this way; thou art bleſſed in ſuch a leader, the Holy Ghoſt, the Spirit of life and power: what eye-ſalve but that which Chriſt alone is Merchant of by a Monopoly that enriches all the Church, and infringes the liberty of none, what eye-ſalve but that, could have made thee ſo welſighted clearly to diſcern theſe two-fold leaders, walks and walkers; and as if thine eyes were in thy feet, to turn thy way with ſuch exactneſſe from the one, and turn thy walks unto this other? Grace is in thy walk, and Glory will be thy Crown. Chriſt is not aſhamed to call them brethren, though he be in glory, and they on the dung-hill. Of this brood of travellers let my ſoul be; it ſhall be my hi…heſt honour among all men to be of this brother-hood which is ſo nearly allyed and ſo faſt, that they are all but one body animated, p. 295acted, and lead by one Spiri…, and have all one way and walk, and one deſcription agreeing to one and all.

Thus far of the ſix things propoſed for explication of this deſcription, which makes up the third great doctrine of this text: now follow the uſes to be made of this whole truth.

SECT. 8.

The uſe is three-fold. 1. Of Tryal. 2. Of comfort; and 3. Of exhortation.Three uſe… of the whole. 1. Of tryal.

1. This doctrine is full of tryal; it is of a diſtinguiſhing and differencing nature, ſuch are all deſcriptions; they deſcribe not, if they diſtinguiſh not, that one thing may not be taken for another; and the excellency of this deſcription is that it is plain and manifeſt; he that runnes may read who is in Chriſt by faith, and who is not; the Apoſtle would not have given it twice in one Context and in the ſame words, in matters of ſuch hi…h concernment, and on purpoſe to ſettle us in ſure conſolation, had it not been moſt eaſie to be diſcerned, and palpable to all, though malice will not ſuffer the tongue to own what they cannot but know in their heart. p. 296The walk, the converſation ſhews the man; try then who hath the command of our lives; obſerve that; for if we live after the fleſh, we ſhall dye for ever; but if through the Spirit we mortifie the deeds of the body, our members that are on earth, Rom. 8. 13Rom 8:13as uncleanneſſe, covetouſneſſe and the like, we ſhall live for ever, and never be damned. There are but two principles that rule the man; one of theſe have the command of all men; where the one commands, there the other cannot; that commands that hath power over the converſation. It's luſtings and motions are reigning indeed, that frame the walk of a man. It is then no difficult thing to know what we are by our walks; look upon your walk, and ſee your eſtate. The works of the fleſh are manifeſt; read, and ſee Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. And the fruits of the Spirit are many, and go in a chain unſevered; Gal. 5. 22.Gal 5:22they are ſweet; and ripe, not rotten, not hedge-fruit they are ſuch againſt which there is no Law, although they are Goſpel-fruit, & never grew but in that ſoil. Did ever any men make a Law againſt them? and the Law of God is wholly for them. Be not deceived by profeſſion and perſwaſion that thou haſt ſpiritual life p. 297within thee, if that inward ſpiritual life do not come forth in power to frame thy converſation after it, and no more after Gal. 5. 25, 26.Gal 5:25Gal 5:26the fleſh. If we ſaith our Apoſtle, do live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit; have you ſpiritual life in you? have a ſpiritual converſation alſo; have a ſpiritual converſation, and you ſhall not fulfill the luſts of the fleſh, though you have fleſh, and the fleſh luſting in you. The ſinnes of the godly are not as the ſinnes of the wicked; and the manifeſt difference is this, the godly have no way of wickedneſſe in them, no ſinne is their way Pſ. 139. 24Ps 139:24and trade, no ſinne commands their walk; they may fall into a ſinne, as a wicked man may ſometimes fall upon a duty, but that is not their courſe, they up again, and walk on in Gods way which their ſouls delight in and chooſe, humbled and aſhamed, and ſpeeding their way the more; their delight is in the Law of the Lord; now that allows no ſinne, neither do they; every word of God is pure, ſo is their way, and purity of way is that they love; there is no wickedneſſe in all the words of wiſdome; he that delights in the Word of God as his guide, ſhall of neceſſity be led in wayes wholly differing from the counſel, p. 298courſe and chair of ſinners, ungodly and ſcorners. Gods children have ſpots too many, but not the ſpots of unbelievers and hypocrites. The ſpot of Gods children, is not the ſpot of carnal Iſraelites, or carnal profeſſours of the Goſpel; whatever be the ſpot of the ſpiritual, this is his beauty, he walks after the Spirit; he walks not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. Mark here theſe three diſtinguiſhing points in the trial of our eſtate.

Firſt, the ſpiritual takes the Spirit for the Commander and Orderer of his converſation; as he would have the Holy Ghoſt live and rule in his heart and his ſoul live in the power of the Spirit given to him, and dwelling in him, ſo he reſolves to walk in the Spirit; the ſpiritual mans walk is a walk after the Spirit.

Secondly, he walks thus, refuſing and watching againſt, fleeing and warring againſt the fleſh, and againſt the affections, and the luſts thereof; this the words import, not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, is the ſpiritual mans walk.

Thirdly, and whereas the fleſh would impoſe upon the moſt ſpiritual, he glorifies the Spirit, and condemns the fleſh; the fleſh is rejected, but the Spirit is choſen p. 299for guide and leader; this refuſing and chooſing is his daily work; daily and continually in his wayes and walks, he is refuſing to walk after the fleſh, and chooſing to walk after the Spirit; the language of his walks and converſation is this, not the fleſh, but the Spirit; not the walk after the fleſh, but the walk after the Spirit.

2. Therefore for the ſecond uſe, here is 2. Of comfort.ſingular comfort to all whoſe wayes are holy; who have the Spirit of Chriſt the orderer of their lives. God will account of thee by the courſe of thy life; the wicked while their lives are vain, earthly, carnal, and they like not the way of the holy, and chooſe not the Word and Spirit for their rule and guide, they plead Pſ. 50. 16.Ps 50:16and pleaſe themſelves in the goodneſſe of their hearts; God knows them for wicked, and ſo will judge them: thou complaineſt of thy heart, and mourneſt over thy vain thoughts, thy weakneſſes, but holdeſt faſt the way which is called holy; thy walk is directed heaven-ward. Remember now, God reckons thee to be as the way is which thou haſt choſen; whoſe walks are ſpiritual, they are ſpiritual, they Rom. 8. 1.Rom 8:1are in Chriſt Jeſus, and not in Adam: p. 300fleſh may luſt in them, but they fulfill not thoſe luſts; for look upon their converſation, they walk in the Spirit, they walk after the Spirit, and that from the power of the Spirit in them as the ſpring of life, as the quickning, commanding, renewing inward life. The Holy Ghoſt hath his Throne in the heart of thoſe whoſe walks he frames, whoſe walks are after his minde; theſe holy walkers are in the Spirit, in the Sonne, and in the Father, as their walk doth evidence undoubtedly.

That this comfort may flow forth clear and ſtrong, it will be needful to give here ſomewhat of Conſideration, and ſomewhat of Caution.

SECT. 9.

For Conſideration, Conſider ſeriouſly Where, four relieving conſiderations. 1. What of the fleſh may be, where the Spirit rules; caſt under ſeven heads. Jam. 1. 14, 15.Jas 1:14Jas 1:15theſe four things following.

Firſt, What of the fleſh may be where the Spirit reigns; there may be

(1.) The luſtings of the fleſh contrary to the Spirit. In ſinne there is firſt the evil ſuggeſtion, or firſt motion, the firſt riſing▪ and peering out of ſinne. This is in the moſt gracious and ſpiritual, but with great difference; for to the unregenerate and wicked it is the babe of his boſome, but to the godly it is the brat of Babylon; p. 301happy would he be eſteemed of him, that could take and daſh them againſt the ſtones. Secondly, delight enſnaring and bird-liming the ſoul; this may be in the godly, but it is ſtollen, and of treachery from the inmate the fleſh; for his choſen delight is in the Law of God, his delight is to do Gods will, that is within his bowels; but as for the wicked, his Pſal. 1. 2. & 40. 8.Ps 1:2Ps 40:8inward parts are very wickedneſſe, he looks and welcomes, and with the whole heart cloſes with the enſnarings of ſinnes motions; he would not willingly have it to have check in any caſe, no, not ſo much as from his conſcience within. Thirdly, Conſent of will; this in the godly is but partial, but in the unregenerate it is a full conſent. Fourthly, the Act or Commiſſion in a formed thought, in word, or in deed; This in the godly is ſeldome, and then that which he would not; but in the wicked it is common and uſual, and yet not ſo oft as he would. Fifthly, perſiſting in it, and making the actings of ſinne their way in which they chooſe to ſtand and walk, taking pleaſure therein; this in the regenerate is never, much leſſe doth the godly man continue in ſinne obſtinately, pleading for it, and p. 302ſcorning reproof; much leſſe doth he take a pride in it, and boaſt of accompliſhing his ſinful deſires, bleſſing the wicked whom the Lord abhorreth, and hating the godly that fear to ſinne, in whom the Lord taketh pleaſure.

(2.) Sinnes motions may be lively in Ro. 7. 23.Rom 7:23the members of the truly godly; but not ſo as to be able to bring forth fruit unto death, as the phraſe is in ver. 5. of Rom. 7. for as lively as they be, the godly watch them the more, that they ſhall not be fruitful. Death is not their Lord, nor hath them under its power now, as it was while they ſtood married to the Law, the Covenant of Works; but God is their Lord unto whom they bring forth fruit, as married to Chriſt riſen from the dead. Therefore ſinne may ſtirre lively, but not be fruit-bearing in them; but in the ungodly the motions thrive, as the birth in the belly, which they ſeek carefully to midwife and ſuckle, hugge in the boſome, and dandle on their knees, becauſe there is no life of God in them, they being altogether in death, and abiding in death, as the Apoſtle Johns expreſſion is in 1 John 3. 14.

(3.) Evil may be preſent, when they p. 303Rom. 7. 21Rom 7:21would do good. To will that which is good, is preſent with the godly; but through the fleſh, that is, by reaſon of the corruption of their natures in which no good dwelleth, there is evil adjacent to that willing, and eaſily beletteth them.

(4.) Grievous untowardneſſe, awkerneſſe, Rom. 7. 14, 19, 20. Heb. 12. 1Rom 7:14Rom 7:19Rom 7:20Heb 12:1indiſpoſedneſſe, and averſeneſſe ſometimes. And this is the more burdening and preſſing down, begirting and encompaſſing, the more they preſſe unto the ſpiritualneſſe of any duty; nevertheleſſe unto ſpiritualneſſe in duty they preſſe on, they ſtirre up themſelves thereto; and their backwardneſſe, dulneſſe and deadneſſe with all formality they mourn over and judge.

(5.) The Law of the members, or corruption of nature, which no ſooner ſtirs, Ro. 7. 23.Rom 7:23but it is preſently in the members of the body, and there is working as a Law; this Law of the members, making Warre, and rebelling againſt the Law of their minds; yet their inner man, (and ſuch a man they have in them, and others have not;) that is the Maſter they own; his Law is their Law; the other they own not, but take for a Rebel, and his Law for tyranny.

p. 304(6.) Yea, there may be a Captivity Rom. 7. 23, 24, 25.Rom 7:23Rom 7:24Rom 7:25under the Law of the members; but it is a captivity in their eſteem, under which they cry out of their wretched condition, cry for deliverance, and reſt not untill they can upon experience bleſſe God for Chriſt their deliverer.

(7.) Sometimes they may have a 2 Cor. 12. 72 Cor 12:7thorne in the fleſh; Some ſpecial ſinne troubling, ſome great temptation or ſore affliction, or ſome Satanical moleſtation with which they may be buffered ſorely, that they might be kept more humble under choice abilities and high priviledges, and might ſhade themſelves under the power of Jeſus Chriſt alone.

So much of the fleſh may be where the Spirit reigns; this is the firſt conſideration to eſtabliſh the comfort of the holy ſpiritual walker. Then again conſider

Secondly, There is a great difference 2. The difference between the reigne and the rage of ſin.between the reign and the rage of ſinne; ſinne may rage where it hath loſt its dominion or domination; ſinne may rage where the Spirit dwells and reigns; although it is true that it may rage in thoſe alſo in whom it reigns; ſinne while and where it reigns is ſometimes dormant, and ſometimes rampant; but in them in whom it p. 305reigneth, it rageth and rampeth, becauſe it is made much of and fuelled, pampered and well-fed, and hath its full ſwinge and ſcope; whereas in the godly it rageth, becauſe it is ſtoutly reſiſted, and the death of it is ſought with mortal hatred, and with immortal hatred, with an hatred that would have the very life and heart-blood of ſinne, and with an hatred that never dyeth but encreaſeth more and more. There is a wide difference between the rule and dominion, and the prevalency of ſinne. Where ſinne is not ſerved nor obeyed, yet there it may ſtruggle, and for a time prevaile; but this prevalency is prayed againſt, till they can ſay upon comfortable anſwers from God to thoſe prayers, O thou that heareſt prayers, thou wilt purge them away.Pſ. 65. 23.Ps 65:23

Thirdly, Conſider that the combate of 3. The combate of the Spirit againſt the fleſh. How known.the Spirit against the fleſh proves thy good eſtate. Not that it is good or comfortable that there is fleſh, and that it luſteth; but that there is Spirit luſting againſt it, and that there is a combating with it which thou deſireſt to maintain; this is good and comfortable. This combate is known thus; it is not only between the conſcience and the will, but between p. 306the will and the will; it is in the ſame faculty of the ſoul, and in the will the love is to righteouſneſſe, and not to iniquity; and the hatred is againſt iniquity, and not againſt righteouſneſſe. Again, it is a fight againſt all ſinne that he knoweth, and againſt inward ſinne, and ſecret in reſpect of other mens knowledge, and not only againſt outward or groſſe ſinnes, or ſinnes which come to light, or againſt ſome one ſinne. It ſeeks and attains to mortification, and not only ſuppreſſion, keeping in, and reſtraining. It is ſuch as carries the walk of converſation; it prevails to preſerve a good principle, rule and end; and not only to do that which is good for the matter with neglect of theſe. It carries to the uſe of the means and helps againſt ſinne which God hath ſanctified, and to the uſe of theſe means it carries us humbly and with deſire of fruit, with frequency, fervency and reverence, taking heed that frequency abate not …everence and fervency. It is maintained by ſpiritual weapons, not by carnal; and in Chriſts might pawned and promiſed in the Covenant of Grace, and not in our own might; no, not in the might of grace already received, and ſtill afreſh derived p. 307from Chriſt in the promiſe by faith acted on them anew. Laſtly, the weakneſſe and foiles received in this fight, and the wounds gotten, and the ground loſt, are recovered by renewing our repentance and faith; and the ſpiritual Warriour with all his might and atchievements, his valiant acts and victories are as before the Lord, looking at his approbation and his acceptation for the worthineſſe and mediation of Jeſus Chriſt alone, in which he reſts with ſelf-denial.

Fourthly, Conſider there is a Regency 4. The reigne of the Spirit hath a three-fold degree according to three ages of one in Chriſt. 1 Joh. 2. 12, 13, 14.1 John 2:121 John 2:131 John 2:14of the Spirit differing according to believers ages in Christ; and ſo there is a Regency in the b…b… in Chriſt, ſeeking aſſurance of Gods love as a Father, and expreſſing it ſelf in deſires, complaints and cryes of a childe in prayer. And there is a Regency in the ſtrong man, or young man in Chriſt, who is carried on with the Spirit of meekneſſe and love, skilful in the Word, and in the uſe of that Sword, full of the power and vigorous actings of faith, and of riches of aſſurance, full of exploits in the Field, delighting in putting forth the vigour of his ſtrength in deeds and conflicts; and there is a Regency of the Spirit in fathers in Chriſt, full p. 308of ſettledneſſe, of inlarged knowledge in the great myſteries of the Goſpel, and the perfection of his pure precepts, of experiences, and of ability and dexterity for counſel and comfort. To each of theſe three ages in Chriſt doth this deſcription here agree; they are all ſuch as walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit; nevertheleſſe theſe walkers in the truth, are not all of a ſize, but are of three degrees according to their ſeveral ages; and God doth not expect that of a childe which he doth of a young man, or of a father; this he requireth, that anſwerable to our time and means of enjoying the Goſpel, we ſhould paſſe on from infancy to youth, from youth to father-hood in Chriſt.

Theſe four conſiderations are of ſingular worth and uſe to eſtabliſh the … of true believers, that their joy …ight b… full.

SECT. 10.

Now for Caution, whiles theſe truths A preſerving caution that the ſpiritual walk not as men carnal; In twelve carnal paths.are opened to ſtay the heart, and to keep the conſolation cloſe to it, let all the ſpiritual and gracious be warned that they walk not as carnal; for they may walk p. 309ſo that they may look for all the world like carnal perſons, and thereby may diſhonour Chriſt, the Goſpel, and the Spirit of God, and deſtroy for the preſent the comfort of their eſtate. Be warned; for to look like carnal perſons, to walk as carnal, is not far from this, to be no other than carnal.

Quest. Who look like carnal perſons?

Anſw. Firſt, Thoſe Chriſtians (though they be regenerate) who are carried with 1 Cor. 3. 1, 3, 4.1 Cor 3:11 Cor 3:31 Cor 3:4envying, ſtrife, diviſions, and ſchiſmes in the Church, according to their ſeveral miniſters, though eminently gifted and holy; if one ſay I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollo, are ye not carnal? It ſavours of Schiſme, to call any particular Church by the name of the Miniſter; for every Church is the Church of God and of 1 Cor. 1. 12, 13.1 Cor 1:121 Cor 1:13Chriſt, not the Church of Paul, nor of Apollo; neither Paul nor Apollo was crucified for them: nor were they baptized into their names: this very thing cauſeth diviſions, envyings and ſtrife among Chriſtians. Chriſts name is that worthy name by which the Diſciples are to be called. If Jam. 2. 7.Jas 2:7any make ſeveral Church-wayes and Churches according to ſeveral points of p. 380leſſer moment than the faith of Jeſus and the Commandements of God, which are of perfect unity and agreement, and in reſpect whereof there is but one body, one Church, and one way: and all the particular Churches are all one in this that makes them Churches, that is, they are Churches of God, which are in Christ 1 Theſ. 2. 14.1 Thess 2:14Jeſus, holding the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jeſus; and the note of diſtinction that differenceth them one from another, and by which they are to be known one from the other is this; one is in or at Jeruſalem, another in Epheſus, ſome in Judea, ſome in Macedonia, with the like; all that otherwiſe make Churches, and Church-wayes which ſo hold and joyn together in, they are held and reputed for a particular Church, they make diviſions, and ſet bounds which Chriſt hath not ſet, and therefore they walk as men, and not as Chriſtians; whereas unity of the faith and of the Spirit, (which is one and the ſame thing) and love which that faith worketh with humbleneſſe of minde, and forbearance one of another expreſſed in our walks, is that alone which becometh our holy calling by the Goſpel.

p. 381Secondly, they that go to be made perfect in the fleſh, by receiving the opinions Gal. 3. 1, 3Gal 3:1Gal 3:3that ſet up the power of mans freewill, or the merits of mans works, or the works of the Law for juſtification of a ſinner in the ſight of God, or the ſufficiency of the light in man as he cometh into the world, or o…ght elſe that is of natural abilities, or that tends to the exalting of mans worth, or to boaſting or glorying in man, and not in the Lord Jeſus alone, and in the riches of Gods freegrace in Chriſt teſtifyed by the Holy Ghoſt in Scripture, all ſuch do ſavour of the fleſh, and look like carnal men, and not like ſpiritual men.

Thirdly, they that bite and devoure one Gal. 5. 13, 15.Gal 5:13Gal 5:15another, whereas they ſhould ſerve one another by love.

Fouthly, they that uſe their Chriſtian liberty for an occaſion to the fleſh, in Gal. 5. 13. with v. 11. Rom. 15. 1, 2. Gal. 5. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 16.Gal 5:13Rom 15:1Rom 15:2Gal 5:262 Pet 2:101 Pet 2:131 Pet 2:16ſelf-pleaſing, in vain-glory, in avoiding perſecution by pleaſing and humouring the perſecutors in the matters of Religion, and in deſpiſing dignities, and diſobeying their lawful, though but humane and civil Laws▪

Fifthly, they that are worldly, I mean, that take licence to plunge themſelves into p. 312too many affairs unneceſſarily for profit ſake, or for honours or pleaſures ſake; this is to live as the men of the world.Pſ. 49. 11. & 17. 14.Ps 49:11Ps 17:14

Sixthly, they that are ſowing to the fleſh, more than to the Spirit; that is, who beſtow their temporal goods and lay them out for the profits, the honours, Gal. 6. 6, 7, 8, 10.Gal 6:6Gal 6:7Gal 6:8Gal 6:10the comforts, the neceſſaries of this preſent life, and not for the Goſpel, the good of the Church, the upholding of the true Religion, Miniſtry and Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt, the relief of the neceſſities of others, eſpecially of the Saints; nor to get wiſdome and ſpirituals, nor unto ſpiritual uſes.

Seventhly, they that are indulgent to the body in its vanities for attire, culture and dreſſe, beauty-ſpots, paintings, criſpings and curlings, and womaniſh exceſſes; for delicious fare, ſpotts, idleneſſe, empty viſits, goſſipings as they are termed, expence of precious time in toyings and unprofitable talk, and being buſie bodies in other folks matters; together with the unweaned uſe of things lawful, and the unmanly vanities about the haire; they that are moll, ſoft and delicate ones, are like the worlds minions, and unlike Chriſtians who are called to ſelf-denial, and p. 313to the Croſſe, and to converſe like Citizens of the heavenly Jeruſalem.

Eightly, they that to enjoy their ſenſualities Jude 19.Jude 1:19will ſeparate themſelves from the grave, ſober and mortified Chriſtians.

Ninthly, they that have the faith of our Lord Jeſus Ch…iſt with reſpect of perſons; one in gay cloathing is more ſet by than another, Jam. 2. 1, 2, 3.Jas 2:1Jas 2:2Jas 2:3though farre more gracious than he, becauſe he is but a poor man in poor cloathing; and this reſpect of perſons takes place in Church Aſſemblies, Adminiſtrations and Affairs, as well as in the heart, the converſe and the ſetting of our ſelves in Company keeping.

Tenthly, they that grow careleſſe, and ſlighting of the Scriptures, the Ordinances of Chriſt, and means of grace, upon what pretence ſoever, as if they were above Ordinances, or ſeekers of another more ſpiritual diſpenſation than that in and of the New Teſtament, whereas this ſhall remain till the great day of judgment; or as if they were fed by immediate revelations and impulſes of the Spirit, or growing looſe, or having a ſufficient light within them, or ought elſe which they may runne into, being puffed up by their fleſhly minds.

p. 384Eleventhly, they that are in their ſorrowes 1 Theſſ. 4. 13.1 Thess 4:13for the death of their friends immoderate, and in their paſſions and affections violent, in their ſpeech fooliſh and jeſting, in their behaviour light and vain, in their recreations exceſſive, and under wrongs and injuries void of moderation of minde, and rigid exactors of their own right; whereas we ſhould in our own right be ready to abate and moderate our minds and affairs, bearing, forbearing, eaſie to be intreated, and ready to forgive, Phil. 4. 5. foreign.Phil 4:5but in matters of Gods right we ought not yield an hairs breadth.

Twelfthly, they that watch not againſt the ſinnes of lying, fraud and over-reaching in bargaining, with all deceit and guile.

Theſe ſinnes choſen and lived in, denominate us carnal; and if the regenerate give way to them, and they begin to deface their converſations, they make them look like men carnal, as if they would put on the old man again; as if they were in the firſt Adam, old Adam.

So far of this caveat, and of the uſe of comfort.

p. 385SECT. 11.

Thirdly and laſtly, be exhorted and 3. Of Exhortation to keep down the fleſh. By uſing ten helps to tame the fleſh. Iſa. 40. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 24, 25.Isa 40:62 Pet 1:242 Pet 1:25perſwaded to cheriſh the Spirit, and keep down the fleſh, and for this end take the helpes which God giveth to tame the fleſh; they are theſe,

Firſt, the neceſſity of dying. Cry, cry, to thine own ſoul, All fleſh is graſſe, the graſſe withereth, and the flower fadeth away. Nothing will abide but that which is born of the incorruptible ſeed of the Word, the Word which is preached, which liveth and abideth ever.

Secondly, The rejection of all excellenc…es Mat. 11. 5, 6. 1 Cor. 1. 26, 27, 28, 29.Matt 11:5Matt 11:61 Cor 1:261 Cor 1:271 Cor 1:281 Cor 1:29in which the fleſh glories, their rejection in Chriſts Kingdome. The poor are Goſpellized, when the wiſe and rich are ſcandalized. God doth chooſe the fooliſh, weak, deſpiſed, and things that are not, and paſſeth by the mighty, noble, learned, and brings to nought the things that are; he doth not always the greateſt works of converſion by the learnedſt Miniſters, or by men of greateſt parts and gifts.

Thirdly, An irrevocable curſe is upon all that the fleſh likes beſt; this the book p. 316called Eccleſiaſtes ſheweth; the whole viſible Creation is under bondage, and ſubjected to vanity; vanity and vexation of Spirit is attending man in the enjoyment of all things under the Sun.

Fourthly, The harmleſſe jollities of the Eccl. 11. 9.Eccl 11:9fleſh ſhall be brought into judgment.

Fifthly, A conſcience checking, galling, and gnawing for the fleſh's ryots.

Sixthly, The fleſh's naughtineſſe is diſcovered in the Word of God.2 Cor. 10. 4, 5, 6. Ro. 8. 13.2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:52 Cor 10:6Rom 8:13

Seventhly, powerful means are given of God to crucifie it; The Miniſtery, the Spirit, the crucifyings of the Sonne of God; and exceeding great and precious promiſes which preſent to us a draught of better things than the fleſh can propoſe.

Eightly, In the Word, commands and directions are given how to uſe the fleſh: ſuch are theſe, be temperate, be ſober, beat down your bodies, bring them into ſubjection. Accuſe and condemn the fleſh; ſilence her reaſonings, lay-in diſtinguiſhing and mortifying principles; they are ſuch as theſe; The belly for meat, and meat for the belly; but God ſhall deſtroy them both. The body is for the Lord, not for luſt. The body is the Temple of the Holy p. 317Ghoſt. The body ſhall be raiſed out of the grave, but not as it is ſowen; both ſoul and body are the more excellent, as they are leſſe fleſhly. All the things of this life are ſuch as periſh in the uſing. The ſcheme or faſhion of this world paſseth away. All that is in the world, and is of the world, as the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of the Father. All theſe things that are of this lower world ſhall be diſſolved.

Ninthly, A judgment day is appointed; and it ſhall as ſurely come, as it is ſure that men dye; then this whole viſible Creation which the fleſh abuſeth ſhall be burnt with fire. The heavens ſhall ſhrivel together as a ſcrole, and the earth with the works thereon ſhall be burnt up.

Tenthly, in the mean time, bitters are caſt into all our earthly ſweets; and waſting judgments are abroad in the viſible Church at this day. Meditate often upon theſe things, inlarge your thoughts upon each of them. All theſe will eat down proudfleſh.

Thus of the three grand doctrines more expreſſely delivered in this text, the laſt of which concerns the lively deſcription of the believer by his walks; the fourth doctrine followeth.