The Use and Practice of Faith, Question 7 · Part 2 · Branch 3
BRANCH III. IN THE LIFE of FAITH IN SANCTIFICATION; VIZ. MORTIFICATION.
THE juſt lives by Faith the Life of Mortification: which conſiſteth in the killing and crucifying of ſin; and this follows fitly upon the Life of Fructification. For ſin is the Caterpillar upon the Branch, that devours all the fruits: Nay, it is the Worm at the Root, that hinders the fruitfulneſs of it; or elſe it is the Toad at the Root, that poiſons the fruit. Deut. 32.32, 33. Their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrha; their grapes are grapes of gall, their cluſters are bitter, their wine is the poiſon of dragons, and the cruel venom of Asps. The beſt fruits of natural men, where ſin lives in the dominion of it, are no better than ſuch poiſonous fruits. Therefore the juſt man lives by Faith of Mortification: He is dead to ſin, and dead to the law, that he may bring forth fruit unto God, Rom. 7.4 For the more ſin dies,Faith reſem…les the expulſive faculty in the natural body. the more grace lives; and the more ſin lives, the more grace dies. Therefore Faith lives in killing that, which is an enemy to its life; and is as the expulſive faculty in the body.
Obj. But is not ſin dead as ſoon as a man believes? Rom. 6.11. Likewiſe reckon ye your ſelves to be dead indeed unto ſin, but alive unto God, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
Anſ. Sin indeed hath receiv'd its deadly wound at the firſt blow, but yet it will not be wholly dead, till we die. Nay, it fares with it, as with a creature that hath received its deadly wound; it ſtruggles and ſtrives more violently than ever before. Rom. 7.8, 9. Sin taking occaſion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiſcence; for without the law ſin was dead, &c. Inſomuch that this combat continues till our dying day. Gal. 5 17. The fleſh luſteth againſt the spirit, and the spirit luſteth againſt the fleſh, and theſe are contrary the one to the other; ſo that ye cannot do the things that ye would. And Satan, he takes part with our corruption; he is Sins Second in the field. Now Faith is a Chriſtians chief weapon, by which he defends himſelf, and offends his adverſary: Eph. 6.16. —the ſhield of faith.
For the method of proceeding in this Head; it ſhall be to ſhew, 1. How Faith proceeds in Mortification of ſin. 2. Why Faith will have ſin to be mortified. 3. The Uſes hence.
Queſt. I. Firſt, How Faith proceeds in mortifying ſin?
I anſwer,
It does it as men uſe to do in the proſecution of a Malefactor: As the avenger of blood purſued the Murtherer in a legal way: Sin is put to death by the law:Rom. 3.22. By what law? of works? nay, but by the law of faith. So that as the Jews ſaid of Chriſt, faithful men may ſay of ſin, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.
Art. 1 Firſt, there is a riſing of the heart againſt the perſon.How faith goes about the mortifying of ſin. Gal. 5.6. A man will never proſecute him whom he hath no quarrel againſt. So Faith ſtirs up a Chriſtian to hate his ſin; as it ſtirs him up to love God, ſo conſequently to hate ſin, Gods deadly enemy: yea, he hates it to death: Col. 3.1, 5. Ye that love the Lord, hate that which is evil, Pſal. 97.10. Nay, ſayes Faith to ſin, I will have thy life; nothing ſhall ſatisfie me but thy life. Thou haſt wrong'd my dear God, therefore I will be reveng'd of thee. True Repentance, and true Faith, work indignation and revenge; 2 Cor. 7.11. Yea, what indignation, what revenge— As we cannot love God too much, ſo we cannot hate ſin too much.
Art. 2 Secondly, There is a diligent enquiry after the Malefactor. So faith ſends out Hue and Cry, VVhere is the Rebel, the Traytor? It is the voice of Faith, that Lam. 3.40. Let us ſearch and try our wayes, &c. Faith knows, if we finde not ſin out, ſin will finde us out; Num. 32.23.and if it ſees us firſt, it ſlayes us, as the Baſilisk. Faith knows all the haunts of ſin, as Saul ſaid of David to the Ziphites, 1 Sam. 23.22. Go, I pray you—know and ſee his place where his haunt is. It ſearches the root of all actual ſins: Pſal. 51.5. In ſin was I ſhapen, &c. An unbeliever hides, extenuates, excuſes, denies his ſin: But Faith never leaves till it diſcover, and brings it before the judgement-ſeat. As Rahab entertained the ſpies, Heb. 11 31. So faith entertains the ſpies of enlightned reaſon, Pſal. 119.105. and Prayer, Pſal. 139.23.
Art. 3 Thirdly, Faith brings in the Accuſers of ſin: 1. The Law, Joh. 5.45. There is one that accuſeth you, even Moſes: Rom. 7.7. I had not known ſin but by the Law. 2. The Goſpel, though it ſaves the ſinner, it condemns the ſin, Rom. 6.1, 2. Shall we (we believers) continue in ſin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How ſhall we that are dead to ſin, live any longer therein? 3. The Renewed man, converted by the Goſpel: Rom. 7.17. It is no more I that do it, but ſin that dwelleth in me: whereas ſin accuſeth the godly man to be the troubler of the perſon, family,1 Kin. 18.18. Joſh. 7.25. ſtate, &c. Faith ſayes to ſin, Thou art the troubler of Iſrael, therefore thou deſerveſt to be ſtoned to death: Jam. 4.1. From whence come wars and fightings amongſt you? come they not from your luſts?
Art. 4 Fourthly, Faith brings in Witneſs againſt ſin: whereas ſin pleads for it ſelf, and accuſeth Holineſs and ſtrictneſs to be the cauſe of all miſery. Faith brings in witneſs to the contrary: 1. Outward; By faith we underſtand the world was made, &c. Heb. 11. and ſo, that the world was deſtroyed by ſin; once drown'd; again reſerved for fire, to waſh, 2 Pet. 3.to burn out the filth of ſin. All evils that ever befel the world, in the world, from Adam to this day, is laid to the charge of ſin. Faith ſayes, As where no tranſgreſſion no curſe; Rom. 3.ſo whereſoever there is curſe, there is tranſgreſſion. Whatever ſad ſtories are reported, of 70 years Captivity, of Sword, of Peſtilence, and Famine, &c. yea, ſayes Faith, you may thank ſin for all this. Was Cain a runnagate, Pharaoh drown'd in the Sea, Joſephs brethren in ſad perplexity, &c? Surely they may ſay, We are verily guilty, Gen. 42.21.&c. Yea, Gods people may thank ſin for all their affliction: Iſa 27.9. This is all the fruit, to purge away your ſin. Sin is like a ſtubborn Tenant, or a Thief, that will not out, unleſs the houſe be fired over his head. 2. Inward Witneſs, which is the Conſcience; in ſtead of a thouſand witneſſes: Rom. 2.15. Their own conſciences bearing them witneſs, &c. What ſaiſt thou Conſcience? did not ſin do thus and thus, and is the cauſe of all this miſery, &c?
Art. 5 Fifthly, Faith empannels the Jury of Saints or Believers (not as unbelievers, that compare themſelves with themſelves; 2 Cor. 10.12. For what part hath he that believeth with an infidel, 2 Cor. 6.15.) and calls in the Judge. For ſin muſt be judged by God and the Bench: See Pſal. 50.5, 6. and not by the Countrey of Carnal men. For though the Conſcience of Carnal men can bear evidence againſt ſin, yet they are partial Jury-men; they would fain have ſin live: Let looſe Barabbas, and crucifie Chriſt. But the Bench of godly men (ſitting with Chriſt upon his Throne) as they ſhall judge the world, 1 Cor. 6. ſo they judge ſin. They finde ſin guilty and worthy of death, and cry out for Juſtice, Juſtice, my Lord, upon ſin. Theſe are the cloud of Witneſſes, and Jury-men, that account ſin as the greateſt burthen in the world, Heb. 12.1. Therefore, ſayes Faith, (if asked, to which of the Saints wilt thou turn? Job. 5.1.) I will be judged by all the godly in the World.
And this Jury, ground their Verdict upon Evidence:Note. Works outwardly, Conſcience inwardly, have brought in this witneſs againſt ſin. 1. 'Tis a deadly enemy to God and his Grace: Rom. 8.6. —'tis enmity againſt God. Nothing is contrary to God, but ſin. 2. It gives Laws againſt God: Rom. 8.2. —the law of ſin and death. God ſayes, This muſt be done; Sin ſayes the flat contrary. 3. It forceth its Obedience; 'tis a Tyrant over Gods people; makes them cry out, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me, Rom. 7.24.Luke 19.14. Indeed wicked men are voluntary ſlaves. 4. It is guilty of all the ſlain that lie in the pit. If it be ſaid, Who ſlew all theſe? we may ſay, Sin.2 Kin. 10.9. Though the Devil be a Murtherer, John 8.yet he cannot ſlay one Soul, without the aſſiſtance of Sin. The Soul than ſinneth ſhall die, Ezek. 18.5. 'Tis guilty of Chriſts blood. Sin, thou haſt crucified the Lord the Life: Our ſins were the nails in his hands, and ſpear in his ſide; and is not he worthy to die, that put Chriſt to death?
Art. 6 Sixthly, Faith calls in the Judge; as the importunate widow, Luk. 18.3. Avenge me of mine adverſary. Faith makes God in his VVord to be the Judge; (viz. the Doctrine of the Twelve Apoſtles) Both, Whether ſin be thus guilty, or no? Jam. 1.13. Let no man ſay when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, &c. Sin would lay the fault upon God; but God layes the fault upon ſin. And ſecondly, What puniſhment ſin is worthy of: No leſs than death, ſaith God. Therefore thou muſt die, ſaith Faith to Sin. 1 Cor. 11.31. For this cauſe many—ſleep, i.e. die.
Art. 7 Seventhly, He therefore lives by Faith for the condemnation of Sin. God hath condemned ſin to die: Rom. 6.14. Sin ſhall not have dominion over you. Therefore, ſayes Faith, I have Gad on my ſide: Sin muſt not reign: nay Sin muſt not live. As the ſoul that ſins muſt die: ſo the Soul than is freed from death, is freed from ſin, both in the guilt and power.
Art. 8 Eighthly, He lives by Faith in the Execution of the Sentence upon Sin;Heb. 11.17. Offers up the dearly beloved ſin. And that in reſpect 1. Of the time; preſently, whileſt it is called to day. There is no truce, no reprival, no ſparing of ſin: Life muſt go for life. Sin is never the better for kinde uſage: Some ſinners are won that way, but not ſin it ſelf. God cannot reconcile ſin to himſelf, though he reconcile ſinners to himſelf. 2. For the Means: where there is, 1. Arming our ſelves, Eph. 6. Take to you the whole armour of God—eſpecially the ſhield of faith. 2. Diſarming ſin: The ſtrength of ſin lies either in the Law of God, 1 Cor. 15.56. The ſtrength of sin is the law: Or in the power and policy of Satan: Epheſ. 2.2. —that worketh in the children of diſobedience. Now Faith diſarms Sin: 1. It cuts the ſinews of the Law; Rom. 6.14 We are not under the law, but under grace. 2. It cuts the ſinews of Satan; 1 John 3.8. For this cauſe the Son of God was manifeſted, that he might deſtroy the works of the devil. Therefore, that Soul that is willing Chriſt ſhould live in it, ſhall be ſure to have ſin die in it. Laſtly, Taking ſin captive; leading this Captivity captive; Eph. 4.8. Pſal. 149.6.and putting it to death by the two-edged ſword of the Word in its hand, and ſo executing the judgement written. Heb. 4.12.So much for the firſt Quaere.
Queſt. II. Secondly, What are the Reaſons, why Faith will have ſin to be mortified?
Anſw.
Many. 1.Reaſons of the mortification of ſin. Becauſe ſin is moſt contrary to the nature of Faith. Faith is a moſt holy Faith, Jude v. 20. It is that which purifies the heart, Acts 15.9. And ſin is loathſome and impure: For it defiles 1. The Perſon: Tit. 1.15. To the unbelieving,—even their minde and conſcience is defiled. 2. The Actions: Hag. 2.12, 13. —every work of their hands, and that which they …ffer, is unclean. 3. The Name: as Jacob ſaid to Simeon and Levi, Gen. 34.30. Ye have troubled me, to make me to ſtink among the inhabitants of the land. 4. It defiles others; as that inceſtuous Perſon's ſin, 1 Cor. 5.6. as leaven, ſpreads over the whole lump. 5. The Land it ſelf: Gen 6 11. The earth alſo was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So the Lord ſayes, Num 35.33. The land is polluted and defiled with blood. Therefore Faith and Sin are contraries and contraries hate one another to the death;Mutuò ſe expellunt— they cannot live together.
Reaſ. 2 Becauſe they have moſt contrary Ends and Deſignes. The deſign of Faith is to bring life to the Soul. The juſt ſhall live by Faith. The deſign of Sin is to bring death to the Soul.Ezek. 18. The ſoul that ſins ſhall die the death; and, The wages of ſin is death, Rom. 6. laſt. Therefore Faith muſt kill ſin, or elſe not bring its deſign to paſs: for Rev. 21. laſt, No unclean thing ſhall enter into life. Even Gods own people ſhall not enter, until they attain perfection of Sanctification.
Reaſ. 3 Becauſe the mortification of ſin, is the end of Chriſts death: Rather than ſin ſhould not die, he would die, Rom. 4. ult. who was delivered for our tranſgreſſions, &c. O, ſayes Chriſt to Sin and Death; I will be your death, though it coſt me my life. Hoſ. 13.14. O death, I will be thy death, &c. He was crucified, that our old man might be crucified with him, Rom. 6.6. Therefore, ſays Faith, as I believe in Chriſt crucified, I muſt alſo crucifie ſin, Rom. 6.11. Wherefore reckon ye your ſelves dead unto ſin; foreign: Hoc enim refero ad fidei ſyllogiſmum, ſays Beza. 'Tis the reaſoning of Faith.
Reaſ. 4 Becauſe it is the Commandment of God; as God commanded the Avenger of blood. OnelyOnly 'tis in this unlike, that there is no City of Refuge for ſin. Col 3.5. Mortifie therefore your members on earth; fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affection, evil concupiſcence, &c. And Gods command is the object of Faith, as well as a Promiſe.
Reaſ. 5 Becauſe Promiſe is alſo made. Alas! ſayes the Chriſtian, I have no power to deal with Sin or Satan! O, ſaith God, I will help thee, I will give thee my word for it, if thou wilt take it. Micah. 7.19. He will ſubdue our iniquities, and thou wilt caſt all their ſins into the depth of the ſea. As Satan is Captain on the one ſide: ſo is Chriſt on the other ſide; as was held forth in the Viſion to Joſhua, cap. 5.14. As Captain of the hoſt of the Lord am I now come. 2 Chro. 20.12.Therefore, ſayes the faithful Soul, I know not what to do; though I have no power, yet mine eyes are unto thee. And ſo, as David againſt Goliah, they go out againſt ſin, in the Name of the Lord, with this poor Sling of Faith, and the Pebble-ſtone of the Word; and ſo ſtrike this Giant of Corruption in the forehead, that it ſinks down by degrees, and at laſt they tread upon the neck of their proudeſt Luſts.
Ʋſe 1 Information. Information from this Branch of the Life of Faith, in ſeveral particulars.
1. From the Object of Mortification, ſin; viz. 1. From the object of mortification.That thoſe that are in Chriſt, have ſin and ſinful affections remaining in them. For what muſt the juſt that lives by Faith mortifie? Surely, not his grace. It is ſomething that is ſinful; he muſt not fight with his own ſhadow. The body of ſin muſt be deſtroyed; Rom. 6.6 The law of ſin and death aboliſh'd, Rom. 8.2. God ſees ſomething, and an enlightned Soul ſees ſomething that is to be mortified, and fights with ſome-body. Col. 3.5. Mortifie therefore your members that are on the earth, &c. And leſt they ſhould ſay, We have no earthly members; the Apoſtle gives inſtance—fornication, uncleanneſs, &c. And leſt they ſhould ſay, VVe do not live in theſe ſinſ now, the Apoſtle anſwers by way of Conceſſion,Ver. 7. You do not live in them indeed, you do not walk in them; but yet a remainder of the ſeeds of theſe ſins is in you ſtill; you may be tempted to them, and therefore ſtrive againſt them: Put off all theſe vile affections, &c.
2. From the Act. To mortifie, is to kill outright.2. From the Act. It's not enough to abſtain from the outward acts of ſin; but we muſt ſubdue the inward deſire, will and affection to ſin. VVhy? Becauſe abſtaining from the outward act, is but a reſtraining or impriſoning of ſin. But the ſubduing the inward deſire, will, and affection of Sin, is the Mortifying of Sin. For, the Life of Sin lies in the Will. And therefore of the two (in evil things) it is leſs dangerous to do that which we will not, Rom. 7.19, 20.than to will that which we do not. Sin is never mortified, until inordinate affections be mortified: In theſe lies the heart-blood of ſin. Mat. 5.27. Whoſoever ſhall look— to luſt—hath committed adultery in his heart.
3. From the Inſtrument.3. From the Inſtrument. If by Faith ſin be mortified; ſee the miſtake of thoſe, that will needs have ſin mortified before they believe, or elſe they will not believe. O, ſay they,The errour of ſuch who will not believe till firſt made whole. if ſuch and ſuch a luſt were mortified, I could believe; but ſo long as the caſe ſtands thus, I dare not. As much as to ſay, If they were rid of the diſeaſe beforehand, they would go to the Phyſician, and take Phyſick. Indeed its required, they ſhould be ſenſible of their diſeaſe. And though we do not ſay, we muſt thus prepare our ſelves; yet we may ſafely ſay, God thus prepares his people for Chriſt. Mat. 9.12, 13. They that are whole need not the phyſician, but they that are ſick— I am not come to call the righteous, but ſinners to repentance. Now then, ſeeing we cannot be rid of our diſeaſe, till we come to the Phyſician, and we cannot come without faith, therefore we ſee the errour and miſtake of thoſe that will not believe, till firſt made whole.
Ʋſe 2 Let us Examine if we live by Faith in Chriſt, by this; Then we live the Life of Mortification.Examination. Gal. 5 24. They that are in Chriſt, have crucified the fleſh, with the affections and luſts. Haſt thou done ſo? Many are miſtaken, and think, ſome, that ſin is not mortified, when it is, others, that it is, when it is not. A poor childe of God cries out, Mine enemies (my ſins) live, and are mighty &c! therefore I live not by Faith. But a Moral man, he can ſay, I was once a Drunkard, or Swearer, but now I have left all my vain company, therefore my ſin is mortified: and yet it may be he is as covetous now as luxurious as before. VVherefore, its hard to know whether ſin be truly mortified: for as in ſome, Grace hath a name to live, and is dead; ſo in others, Sin hath a name to be dead, and is alive. Sometimes, one ſin drives out another; while particular ends and aim, or light of Nature, &c. over-rule in this, rather than that.
Therefore Examine. But how ſhall we know if ſin be mortified indeed?
Anſ. 1. If ſin die, then we are firſt ſick of ſin:Marks of true Mortification. as commonly before men die, Ipſa ſenectus, morbus; themſelves are weary of themſelves. As the Soul is ſick of love to Chriſt, Cant. 2.5. ſo it is alſo ſick of ſin: Pſal. 38.4. Mine iniquities are gone over my head; as an heavy burthen they are too heavy for me: my wounds ſtink, and are corrupt, &c.
2. If ſin dies aright, it dies in all parts. 2 Mark. Col. 3.Mortifie your members, not one member onelyonly. As a natural death ſeizeth on all parts, heart and all; ſo true Mortification extends it ſelf to all parts of the old man; even to the beſt beloved ſin, and that which lies next the heart.
3. Then there is no more delight in ſin.3 Mark. Rom. 6. If ſin be dead in us, we are dead to ſin. Bury my dead out of my ſight, ſaid Abraham of his beloved Sarah, when ſhe was once dead, Gen. 23.4.
4. Further, let us ſee,4 Mark. if we have proceeded againſt ſin as the avenger of blood, in thoſe eight Particulars abovementioned; viz. Is there 1. A riſing of the heart againſt ſin? 2. A diligent enquiry after it. 3. An accuſation of it, &c.
Obj. But my ſin revives in me, rather than is mortified.
Anſ. I anſwer, as before: VVhen a beaſt is ſtruck, it ſtruggles. Beſides, as Chriſt died a lingring death; ſo doth a believers ſin, that is crucified with him. There is a long Combate between the fleſh and Spirit, as there was between the houſes of Saul and David. Gal. 5.17.2 Sam. 3. The fleſh luſteth againſt the Spirit, &c.
Obj. Yea, but there is a combate in the Conſcience of Natural men againſt ſin (as there is in the Regenerate, of the Spirit againſt the fleſh:) And I am afraid mine is no more; how ſhall I know it?
Marks of the combate of fleſh againſt Spirit.Anſ. Know it thus: 1. By the Cauſe. What is the Cauſe of this Combate or Trouble of Conſcience? Is it onelyonly ſome groſs ſin or great judgement; That, may proceed from the horror of natural Conſcience? But if thy very corrupt frame of Nature troubles thee, and its putting forth in the leaſt ſins, in ſinful thoughts, in ſinful looks, &c. This combate proceeds from a Nature renew'd by the Spirit of God: Rom. 7.23, 24. I ſee a law in my members, rebelling againſt the law of my minde—O wretched man that I am, &c!
Second Mark of the difference 'twixt a true and falſe combate.2. By the Aim. The aim of a natural man in his combate or wreſtling, is onelyonly to give ſin a foil, or at moſt, a fall; and he is willing to let it riſe again, ſo it will be quiet, and not bring him to ſhame, by giving him a fall in the place of lookers-on. But the aim of a ſpiritual man in his combate, is not onelyonly to give ſin a fall, but to kill it, and crucifie it. He lives the Life of Mortification; he deſires that all that natural enmity which is in his heart againſt God,Eph. 2.16. may be utterly ſlain.
3 Mark.3. In the Effects and Iſſue. For 1. the combate of a Natural man drives him to falſe ſuccours. When the evil Spirit troubles Saul, he runs now to his Muſick, now to the Witch of Endor; Cain to his building of Cities: But a ſpiritual man runs to Chriſt; Rom. 7.25. Who ſhall deliver me from the body of death? I thank God, ſayes he, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. 2. The combate of a Natural man endeth uſually either in Despair, or Diſſoluteneſs. The fleſh gets the better hand, and at laſt his troubled conſcience comes to be drown'd or ſear'd. But the combate of Spiritual men ends in Victory: his conſcience is more tender, and ſmites him for the lap of a garment, or any ſmall thing; and ſo he gets more power againſt ſin from day to day. Though he halts for it, yet he gets the victory.
Ʋſe 3 Thirdly, It Reproves all that live not by Faith the Life of Mortification.Conviction & Reproof to 7 ſort of perſons
1. Such as rather make peace with ſin, than fight againſt it. Though the Lord hath ſworn that he will have war with (this) Amalek, from generation to generation.Exod. 17.16. What is this, but to make a Covenant with Death, and to be at an Agreement with Hell? Iſa. 28.15.
2. Such as in ſtead of fighting againſt ſin, fight for it. See alſo Jer. 44.16.As the Sodomites for theirs, Gen. 19. or the Benjamites in defence of theirs, Judg. 20. or the Epheſians for their Diana, Acts 19. Such take the Devils part, and fight againſt Chriſt, as the Dragon againſt Michael, Rev. 12.7.
3. Such as nouriſh and cheriſh their Sin (as the countryman did the Snake) till it ſting them to death, What Solomon ſayes of one Sin, may be ſaid of all, Prov. 23.32 At laſt it biteth like a Serpent, and ſtingeth like an Adder, Theſe are ſuch as make proviſion for the fleſh, to fulfil the luſts of it, Rom. 13. laſt.
4. Such as ſeem Neuters in this Chriſtian Warfare. Though none are ſo indeed; for all are either with Chriſt, or againſt him. But ſome ſeem Neuters, as Laodicea, Rev. 3.16. that is neither hot nor cold. Double-minded men, that are unſtable in all their wayes, Jam. 1.8. Such as the Lord will ſpew out of his mouth. Why halt ye between two, ſaid Elijah, 1 Kings 18.21. if Baal be God, follow him, if God be God, follow him.
5. Such as will chide and rate their Sins, and themſelves for their Sins; as Saul did before David, My Son—I have done very fooliſhly: and Pharaoh before Moſes, 1 Sam. 14.16. Exod 9.27.The Lord is righteous, but I and my people are wicked: and Judas did before the High-Prieſt, I have ſinned, in betraying the innocent blood; and yet for all that, they ſpare the life of them. They had rather kill themſelves, than kill their Sins; as Saul did, and Judas alſo.
6. Such as will reſtrain Sin, or impriſon it, or binde it to its good-behavior, or caſt it ſo bound into a pit (as Joſeph was caſt by his Brethren) that the world may not ſee their wickedneſs,Gen. 27.21. but they are reſolved they will never kill it outright: No, but they plead for the life of it, as Reuben pleaded for the life of his Brother; Let us not kill him, 2 Sam. 18.5.&c. Or as David for Abſolom, Deal gently with the young man. Juſt ſo men deal with their Sins; they are kinde-hearted to their Sins, but cruel to their Souls.
7. Such as will whip and ſcourge their Sins, and themſelves for their Sins, but ſpare the life of it: As Papiſts do, by their Faſtings, Pilgrimages, and Scourgings; and then preſently give a new Indulgence to Sin. As the worſhippers of Baal cut themſelves with knives and lancers: 1 Kings 18.So theſe mortifie the outward man, but the inward man is never pricked at the heart. Alas! it's eaſier to endure all outward torments, than to mortifie one luſt. The ſinner will endure any pain,Job 2. ſo his ſin may live: Skin for skin, and all that a man hath will he give for his life. Now Sin is the very life of a ſinner, in his own apprehenſion, dearer than his right hand or his right eye.
8. Such as deal with their Sins (as thoſe Cutters in the 10 of Luke, dealt with the Traveller between Jeruſalem and Jericho) wound them ſore, and leave them half dead. He that was drunk over night, ſmites upon his breaſt in the morning, as if he and his ſin would die together. But alas! worldly ſorrow doth but leave it half dead; and therefore no ſooner is it carried to a common Inn, but preſently it recovers life again.
9. Such as would be willing to kill ſome Sins, but not all. They ſeem to kill many of theſe ſpiritual Amalekites, but they spare Agag, 2 Sam. 15.and the beſt of the spoil (ſome fat, profitable Sin, of Bribery, or Oppreſſion, or Lying, or Over-reaching in Bargains, &c.) this they are reſolved to ſpare. But as good never a whit, as never the better. True Mortification ſtrikes at all Sins: Jam. 2.10. He that offendeth in one, is guilty of all: kill all, or we kill none. He that onelyonly lops and tops his Sin, and never ſtrikes at the root, he does but make it grow the thicker and the faſter. By true Faith are pull'd up vitiorum fibrae, the ſprigs of wickedneſs; leſt any root of bitterneſs ſhould ſpring up, to the deſtruction of the Soul, Heb 12.15.
Ʋſe 4 Fourth Uſe. Let us make uſe of Faith for this end,Exhortation to mortifie ſin. to mortifie our Sins: Not onelyonly as a ſhield (a weapon defenſive) to defend us from our enemies, but as a ſword (a weapon offenſive) to kill and deſtroy our enemies, eſpecially our Sins, our worſt enemies. The life of a Chriſtian, is a Souldiers life: The life of man upon earth, is a warfare, ſayes Job. Our firſt Sacrament is a military Sacrament; we take Chriſts Preſt-money to fight manfully againſt the Fleſh, the World, and the Devil: and he that conquers the Fleſh, will eaſily conquer the other two. And therefore, I ſay with the Apoſtle, 1 Cor, 16.13. Behave your ſelves like Souldiers; watch ye, ſtand faſt in the faith, quit your ſelves like men, be ſtrong in this war: Let nothing ſatisfie but the life of your adverſary. Lo, here is a lawful Murther, ſuch an one as is both commanded and commended, to mortifie our earthly members. And let no man ſay, I have done this already, and therefore what need I do any more? for this is a work we muſt be doing to our dying day. Natural Corruption is that monſtrous Hydra; as ſome Heads are cut off, others are ſtill ſpringing up in their room: and therefore we muſt follow our firſt blow as long as we live. We muſt not be negligent in following the victory: Jer. 48 10. Curſed be he that doth the work of the Lord negligently; and curſed be he that keepeth back his hand from blood. And if he be curſed that ſpareth the life of Sinners, (when God calls him to their ſlaughter) much more he that ſpares the life of Sin. Therefore that Gods Trumpets may put ſome life into you in this Spiritual warfare, let me adde ſome quickning Alarms to ſtir you up to live this Life of Faith in Mortification. (The Miniſters of God were to ſound the Alarm before the battel, Num 10.8, 9.) And then ſome Means or Martial Diſcipline, by which you may know your poſtures.
Motives to Mortification.Firſt, The firſt Alarm or Motive, is, Gods Command, above all Motives. The great General of the Field, he gives the Word, and therefore we muſt fall on. God ſpeaks, as Abſolom to his Servants, 2 Sam. 13.28. When I ſay unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him; fear not, have not I commanded you? Be couragious, and be valiant.
Motive 2 Secondly, Conſider the Danger of violating Gods Command. 'Tis preſent death in a ſouldier, not to obey the Word of his Commander. As it is a great ſin to kill where God hath ſaid, Thou ſhalt not kill: ſo 'tis as great a ſin not to kill, where God hath ſaid, Thou ſhalt kill. Remember what God ſaid to Ahab, 1 Kings 20.42. Becauſe thou haſt let go out of thine hands a man, whom I appointed to utter deſtruction, therefore thy life ſhall go for his life. If we kill not ſin, ſin will kill us. In Col. 3.4, 5, 6. it is obſervable, that Mortification of ſin is ſet between Life Eternal and Death Eternal. As if God ſhould ſay, When I command you to mortifie your ſins, I ſet before you Life and Death: Life, if your ſins die; and Death, if your ſins live.
Motive 3 Thirdly, Sin is Gods Enemy, as well as ours. Suppoſe ſin were our dear friend, yet if Gods deadly Enemy, we muſt not ſpare it. Who is on the Lords ſide? ſaid Moſes, Ex. 32.26.—ſlay every man his brother, &c. If we be of Chriſts ſpiritual kindred, we will avenge his blood on ſin. Sin crucified the Lord of Life: Acts 3. Pſal. 105.this was the iron that entred into his ſoul. God indeed hath appointed a City of Refuge for ſinners, even for thoſe that murthered the Lord of Life; they may hide themſelves in the wounds themſelves have made: but no City of Refuge for ſin. Therefore follow it to the death.
Motive 4 Fourthly, God will help us in our warfare. VVhat encouraged Joſhua and Iſrael to be ſtrong, and of a good courage? Becauſe God had ſaid, I will not fail thee, Joſh. 1.nor forſake thee. Take heed you bring not an evil report upon the Lords Battels,Num. 13. as the Spies did on the Land of Canaan: Our Corruptions are ſo ſtrong we ſhall never maſter them, &c. But remember it is the Lord your God that fighteth for you; therefore be ſtrong and couragious, 2 Cor. 10.4.
Motive 5 Fifthly, VVe are ſure of the victory before-hand; and ſo more than Conquerors, Rom. 8. This ſhould make us fight with courage: 1 Cor. 15.57. Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. As Jehoſaphat encouraged the people, 2 Chron. 20.17. Ye ſhall not need fight in this battel, ſet your ſelves, ſee the ſalvation of the Lord: or as Jonathan himſelf, and his Armour-bearer, 1 Sam. 14. So ſhould we, though there be the greateſt unlikelineſs, becauſe of the Lords Promiſe.
Motive 6 Sixthly, It is the Property of all true Chriſtians, all that are eſpouſed to Chriſt, thus to do. The Soul cannot be married unto Chriſt, unleſs the firſt husband be dead; viz. The Law and Sin, Rom. 7.1, 2.
Motive 7 Laſtly, If we die with Chriſt, we ſhall live with Chriſt, If our old man die with him, our new man ſhall live with him: For ye are dead, Rom. 6.and your life is hid with Chriſt in God, &c. Now who would not be willing to have ſin die, that Chriſt may live in their Souls, and they in him to all eternity. Otherwiſe, if ſin live to eternity, we muſt die to eternity. If ſin be not kill'd here, it will never be kill'd. In Iſa. 66. laſt, 'tis ſaid of the damned, Their worm ſhall never die. Therefore now learn to live by Faith this Life of Mortification.
Queſt. It may be thou wilt ſay, I am willing to kill my ſins, if I knew how: what means therefore ſhould I uſe; for I am a very unskiful Souldier in this warfare?
Means of mortification.Anſ. The firſt Means is to look up to God, who teacheth thy hands to war, and thy fingers to fight. Go out in his Name, as David did againſt Goliah. Fall down before him, as Joſhua before the Captain of the Lord, hoſt, Joſh. 5.14. Be much in Prayer, and adde Faſting to Prayer. Some ſins cannot be caſt out without this.
Means 2 Secondly, Learn to loath and hate ſin. A man hates to death, what he mortifieth; and though he cannot kill it outright,1 Job. 3. yet, as he that hates his Brother is a manſlayer; ſo he that hates his ſin (as ſin) is a ſin-ſlayer, in Gods account. For ye are dead— ſayes the Apoſtle, Col. 3.3. then follows, Mortifie therefore your Members, &c. ver. 5.
Means 3 Thirdly, Get aſſurance of the Love of Chriſt, and this will conſtrain to ſuffering and doing: 2 Cor. 5.14. For the love of Chriſt conſtraineth us. We love our ſins naturally as our right eye, and therefore are loath to part with them. It muſt be the ſenſe of a greater love, that will make us willing to pluck out our right eye. He that was next of kin to the perſon murthered, was to be the Avenger of blood, becauſe it was to be ſuppoſed, he loved him beſt. If we conſider what enemies our ſins are to Chriſt our beſt beloved, we ſhall do that part. Love Chriſt much, and you will hate ſin much; and the way to love Chriſt much, is to be aſſured of Chriſts love to us; 1 Cor. 15.31. I proteſt by our rejoycing we have in Chriſt Jeſus, I die daily.
Means 4 Fourthly, Apply the Croſs of Chriſt; Rom. 6.6. knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him. The death of Chriſt is the death of ſin: Firſt, becauſe it is the meriting Cauſe, meriting the Spirit by which our ſins are mortified. Secondly, the ſerious Conſideration of Chriſts death, doth give ſin a deadly wound. What, did Chriſt die for my ſins! O let me crucifie them, that crucified him! Did Chriſt love me ſo well, as to be willing to loſe a precious life? Let me love him ſo well, as to part with a ſinful life, or the life of ſin. The death of Chriſt, is the ſlaying of the Enmity, not onelyonly betwixt man and man,Eph. 1.16. but between God and Man: I am crucified with Chriſt, ſayes the Apoſtle Gal 2.20
Means 5 The fifth Means is ſet down, Eph. 6.11. Put on therefore the whole armour of God, &c. VVhere you ſee two things, 1. God hath provided for a Chriſtian Complete Armour. 2. Every Chriſtian that would ſtand in the day of battel, muſt put it on.
But what is the Armour God hath provided?
Anſ. See there in the verſes after; they are the Graces of Gods Spirit, all Chriſtian Vertues
1. Truth, the Souldiers Belt, that knits all other graces (all other pieces of the Armour) faſt together. Truth of Doctrine, oppoſed to Errour; Truth of Graces and Actions, oppoſed to Hypocriſie. Hypocrites are fearful; true men are valorous: One true man beats two or three thieves, Prov. 28.1.
2. The Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs: Righteouſneſs imputed, and Righteouſneſs imparted; and this is Murus aheneus. Though infirmities may be in many, yet this ſaves the Vitals.
3. Shoes of Patience, like brazen Greaves, whereby the Chriſtian Souldier treads upon Scorpions; he treads down Satan under his feet in this Spiritual Combate.
4. The Shield of Faith above all, or over all: For this covers all our Armour, all our Graces, and ſtrengthens them in the Combate.
5. The Helmet of Salvation, which is Hope, 1 Theſſ. 5.8.
Then laſtly, there is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; of which in the next Means.
Means 6 Sixthly, Hear and apply the Word. In Hoſ. 6.5. God hews them by his Prophets, and ſlays them by the Words of his mouth. This is a ſharp and two-edged ſword, that pierces to the dividing aſunder of ſoul and ſpirit, Heb. 4.12. And here apply the threatnings as well as the Promiſes, to the mortifying of ſin. VVhen the Miniſter reproves ſuch ſins as we are guilty of, every one ſhould turn the Point to his own breaſt. Suppoſe it be Lying, or Adultery, or Idolatry, &c. out of that place, Rev 22.15. If there be an hundred in the Congregation, every one ſhould ſay, Surely God meant, I ſhould take this to my ſelf: Suppoſe Deſpiſing of the VVord, out of Prov. 1.25. Suppoſe partaking of other mens ſins, out of Pſal. 50.18. When thou ſaweſt a thief, thou conſentedſt, &c. VVe ſhould do as Job's friends adviſed him, Job 5.27. Hear it, and know it for thy ſelf. This was that, which prick'd their hearts, Acts 2.36, 37. when Peter told them, they had crucified that ſame Jeſus.
Means 7 Seventhly, Entertain the Spirit: for, the VVord is but the Sword of the Spirit: Rom. 8.11. If ye by the ſpirit mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, ye ſhall live: Gal. 5.16. Walk in the ſpirit, and ye ſhall not fulfil the luſts of the fleſh. This will conquer Corruption: For 1. It is of a moſt contrary nature to it; a holy Spirit. 2. It is an Almighty Spirit, able to caſt corruption out: 1 Joh. 4.4. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Therefore walk in the guidance and ſtrength of the Spirit Look higher than our ſelves for new ſupply of ſtrength, as we have new Employments, new Trials, new Temptations. Do not onelyonly deſire it, and pray for it, but uſe it kindely. The Spirit is of a tender and delicate nature; very free, where it is entertained, and acts with freedom. If thy Soul welcom the Spirit, he will ſoon thruſt out thoſe domineering luſts, that have diſturb'd his quiet and peaceable poſſeſſion. And hereunto look with an eye of faith unto thoſe great Promiſes of the Spirit, Iſa 44.2.3. Ezek 36.25, &c. Joel 2.28. The Spirit is promiſed to be poured out largely under the Goſpel; as Ezekiel's waters, chap. 47. 'tis obſervable, the further they run, the deeper they grew. They took the Jews up to the ankles, the Primitive Chriſtians to the knees, the Middle Times to the loyns, &c.
Means 8 Eighthly, Moderate the uſe of lawful things. Satan gets great advantage in theſe things: Corruption is ſtrengthned by immoderate uſe of lawful things. Luk. 17.27. They eat, they drank, they married, and gave in marriage—and the flood came and deſtroyed them all. They were firſt drown'd in their ſecurity and unbelief, and then the flood drown'd them:
Means 9 Ninthly, Keep corrupt Nature in compaſs by Vows. As they vow'd the death of Paul, Acts 23. ſo do thou of thy ſins. Vows are againſt, either things abſolutely unlawful; and theſe binde ad ſemper, alwayes, as the Vow in Baptiſm, againſt the World, Fleſh and Devil: or things indifferent, but in danger to be abuſed; and theſe it is beſt to be made onelyonly ad tempus, for a time, leſt afterwards they become a ſnare.
Means 10 Laſtly, Shun Occaſions of Temptations. Some do tempt the Devil to tempt them, by thruſting themſelves upon apparent danger of ſinning; as, into evil company, and lewd houſes: whereas the Holy Ghoſt ſayes, Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her houſe, Prov. 5.8.
Ʋſe 5 The laſt Uſe: A word of Comfort to a Chriſtian,Comfort againſt the vigor and rigor of ſin. againſt the vigour and rigour of ſin, which is like the Egyptian Taskmaſters, every day impoſing new burthens, by fleſhly luſts ever warring againſt the ſoul. A great diſcomfort this is, which makes a gracious Soul complain with David, Pſal. 120.5. Woe is me, that I ſojourn in Meſech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar: or Paul, Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from this body of death! Yet here is comfort, he lives by faith the Life of Mortification. Faith tells him, 1. Chriſt is on his ſide, as Jehu cried, Who is on my ſide, who? 2. The victory is ſure, 1 Cor. 15. pen. Let this therefore comfort a Chriſtian that is troubled more for ſin, Job 36.21.than affliction. And it is our duty to ſtrengthen the hearts and hands of ſuch in their ſpiritual, warfare: Heb. 12.12. Lift up the hands that hang down; Iſa. 40.1, 2. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, ſaith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jeruſalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accompliſhed, &c. As the houſe of Saul grew weaker every day, ſo ſhall ſin. Though there be cauſe to be humbled; yet alſo Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted. And as the Apoſtle exhorts Chriſtians not to ſorrow as men without hope for the dead, 1 Theſſ. 4.13. becauſe they ſhall live again at the laſt: So ſay I, let not Chriſtians ſorrow as men without hope, by reaſon of their living enemies, their powerful corruptions, for they ſhall die at the laſt. It may be ſaid to a Chriſtian at his laſt gaſp. Theſe Egyptians whom ye have ſeen to day, ye ſhall ſee them again no more for ever: The Red-ſea of death ſhall drown them all.