The Voice of the Spirit, Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII. Some diſcoveries of ſuch a freedome from and unwillingnes to ſin, as the Goſpel owneth as an Evidence of Adoption.
BUt in regard wicked men may have ſome unwillingnes to commit ſome ſins; and to helpe weake Chriſtians, I ſhall adde ſome diſcoveries, when there is [a heartie chooſing freedome from ſin, and a heartie unwillingnes to ſin] ſuch as the Goſpel owneth as an Evidence of Adoption.
1. When it is free in its choice, or without coaction: the Apoſtle maketh an oppoſition between doing by conſtraint, and doing willingly. 1 Pet. 5.2. and between acting out of neceſſitie and willingly. Phil. v. 14. which clearely intimate, that if a man acteth in Goſpel duties (as thoſe were which he exhorts to) yet if it be by neceſſitie or conſtraint, then it is not willingly, in Gods account. Things that a man is obliged to, by the neceſſitie of a Divine Command, yet if there be not a freenes in coming up to them, it is not willingly, or out of choyce, nor acceptable obedience to the Lord. He that is in a tempeſt caſts his merchandize into the Sea, not properly by compulſion, but by a neceſſitie of a ſuppoſition or condition. i.e. if he will ſave the Ship and his life, he muſt caſt out the goods, yet he doth not this willingly. i.e. not with a voluntary freenes: and yet with a kinde of willingnes. i.e. rather then looſe his life, and all, he will caſt out the goods; ſuch acts he doth willing with a nilling minde, or nilling with willing minde.
So, a man may acknowledge, not onelyonly in the generall that he is a ſinner, but even particular ſins, and may really wiſh them uncommitted, and make promiſes and take up reſolutions for the future not to commit them, and may without diſſimulation. i.e. not feignedly, but meaning as he ſaith, be unwilling to commit ſome ſin that he is preſſed on to; and yet may be under the dominion of ſin ſtill. He chooſeth and conſenteth to part with ſin rather then to be damned; or, to avoyde eternall death, and wrath to come, horrours of conſcience, or ſuch like foreſeen dangers; Alas, this is but by neceſſitie or conſtraint, and ſo it is not willingly. Pharaoh concluded his ſinfulnes. Exod. 10.16. and Judas. Matth. 27.3. and repented himſelfe, v. 3.. i.e. it was ſo imbittered to him, as he was ſorry for what he had done, and wiſhed it had been otherwiſe: and both were reall in what they ſaid; for it was their diſtreſſe that made them acknowledge; and becauſe Judas caſt away the gaine he had by his ſin. v 5. But, all this being extorted from them by Conſcience, they were under the dominion of ſin ſtill. If it be a free choyce, that ſuppoſe there were no danger of wrath, hell or damnation for ſin, yet the nature of ſin would make you deny ſervice or ſubjection to it; then, you are not under the dominion of ſin. Rom. 6.16.22. Joh. 8. v. 34.36.
2. When the choice is univerſall: when it conſenteth to part with all ſin: Not that a man can be really freed from one ſin, who is under the reigning power of others: but, he may be reſtrained from many, and yet be freed from the ruling power of none. Pſal. 119. v. 104.128. I hate [every] falſe way. Pſal. 139.23. Search me O God — and ſee if there be [any] wicked way in me — He was unwilling to have any ſin finde entertainment in his heart. The ſubduing of one ſin may diſcover freedome from the dominion of all, when the heart is carryed out againſt the nature of fin, in that one. But, the hearts indulging one (though never ſo ſmall) argueth the dominion of all: for, the leaſt partaketh of the nature of ſin, as well as, the greateſt. Jam. 2. v. 10, 11. The Apoſtles ſcope is, to advance love without reſpect of perſons. v. 8, 9. and enforceth it this way; for, whoſoever ſhall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, is guilty of all. And addeth this reaſon of it, v. 11. For, he that ſaid, doe not commit adultery, ſaid alſo doe not kill. It is taken from the authoritie of the Commander: if this did oblige to one Command, the ſame obligation would extend to all; becauſe there is the ſame Divine authoritie ſtamped upon one, as upon another.
3. When the choice is abſolute without condition: a man may have a reall unwillingnes to commit one ſin, & yet if it ſtandeth in competition with another ſin, or ſomthing inordinately affected; he will rather commit it, then relinquiſh theſe. Pilate was unwilling to condemne Jeſus, as appeared by his ſeeking to releaſe him, and his waſhing his hands &c. Matth. 27. v. 18.24. And Herod was unwilling to behead John Baptiſt, Mark. 6.26, 27. The King was exceeding ſorry. Darius was unwilling to caſt Daniel into the Lyons Den. Dan. 6. v. 14.18, 19, 20. He was ſore diſpleaſed with himſelfe, and ſet his heart on Daniel to deliver him, could neither eate, drinke, or ſleepe, the night after he was caſt in, and rejoyced exceedingly at Daniels ſafetie. v. 20. All which argue a great unwillingneſſe that Daniel ſhould ſuffer; and yet all theſe under the dominion of ſin ſtill. There was a defect here, they were more unwilling to ſtaine their honours, then to commit the ſins; and they chooſe the ſin rather then their owne ſufferings that way.
Thus, a man may be ſo unwilling to commit a ſin, as he may take much paines to prevent the commiſſion of it, and may be exceedingly ſorry that he hath been drawne away to it; he may weep for it, and have no reſt night or day after he hath been ſo overtaken; and yet be under the ruling power of it ſtill. This is the language of his heart, I would not commit this ſin, but rather then I will part with this pleaſure, that profit, theſe honours, I will doe that which otherwiſe I am unwilling to doe. If there be any condition in the world, that will hire thee into ſin, it is not a heartie choice.
4. When there is a conflict between the fleſh. i.e. ſin, and the Spirit in the ſoule by this choice: Gal. 5. v. 17, 18, 19. The fleſh luſteth againſt the Spirit, and the Spirit againſt the fleſh — and his ſcope is to diſcover by this conflict, who ſhall inherit the kingdome of God, and who not; and who are given up to fulfill the luſts of the fleſh, and who not, as, v. 16.
Qu: When is the Conflict with ſin Evidencing?
Anſ. 1. When it is between the right parties. i.e. the fleſh and the Spirit. Gal. 5.17. There may be a great ſtrugling in a mans Spirit, by the enterfering of one corruption with another; or, between the inclination of the will to the commiſſion of ſome ſin, and the dictates of the natural Conſcience. Rom. 2.15. Or, between the judgement and inclination to that which is morally good; and very corrupt affections. But unleſſe it be between the Spirit and the fleſh it is not evidencing.
2. When the oppoſition is made by the hidings of the Word in the heart. Pſal. 119.11. Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not ſin againſt thee. 1 Joh. 3.9. For his ſeed remaineth in him, and he cannot ſin — The word within, is a ſeed that oppoſeth ſin. Thou mayeſt have a hundred Scriptures forbidding a particular ſin, which the fleſh luſteth towards; and as many promiſes of helpe againſt it; all theſe may be eyed, and thought upon, and ſome affections may be ſlightly touched herewith: but, if thy heart hath not treaſured up theſe words, thou mayeſt be ruſhed into the ſin, in the face of all theſe. But when the heart engageth by the word againſt ſin, then it is evidencing; for, the word is the ſword of the Spirit. Eph. 6.17. The following particulars will further evidence, when the Conteſt is between the fleſh and the Spirit.
5. When the ſoules chooſing freedome from ſin, doth lead to, and end in the mortification of ſin: that this is an evidence of Adoption is cleare. Rom. 8.13. If ye by the Spirit, doe mortifie the deeds of the body, ye ſhall live. There may be a ceſſation from the actings of a ſin, and yet no mortification of it. He that hath been a drunkard, ſwearer, Sabbath-breaker &c. may deſiſt from theſe prophane practiſes, which he hath followed, and yet be under the dominion of ſin ſtill. Act. 8.11.13.
There may be a change of ſin, and no change of heart; one ſin may be left and another taken in the roome of it. A ceſſation chiefly reſpecteth the acts of ſin, and aimeth at the repreſſing of them; but, mortification ſtriketh at the root, the nature of ſin. Rom. 7.24. aimeth at the deſtruction of it. Rom. 6.6. That the body of ſin might be deſtroyed — Yea, in ſome meaſure it extinguiſheth the vigour, and expelleth or driveth out the very life of ſin.
6. When there is an irreconcileable oppoſition in the ſoule againſt ſin: a man may miſlike the way it cometh in, as having ſome ill conſequences attending it, and there may be a kinde of parting upon it; ſin may ſeeme to ſoffer baniſhment, for a time upon ſome particular diſcontents againſt it, Matth. 12. v. 43, 44, 45. The uncleane Spirit, i.e. Sin or Satan, is gone out of a man; but, v 44. it returneth, — there is a re-entrance, and the latter end of that man is worſe then the beginning. But if there be ſuch enmitie againſt, and deteſtation of ſin, as it can upon no termes admit of any reconciliation; that mountaines of gold, nor the greateſt advantages, can win the leaſt token of favour or reſpect from the ſoule towards ſin; but it cryeth out under it, as, Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am — then it is freed from the dominion of ſin.
7. When it is upon ſpirituall and Evangelicall accounts, that it chooſeth freedome from ſin: A man may be incenſed againſt ſin upon natural, civil, moral, and religious accounts, and yet be under the dominion of ſin ſtill. Rom. 10.2. They have a zeale of God.
Qu: When doth a man chooſe freedome from ſin, upon Evangelicall accounts?
Anſ. 1. When the contrariety of ſin to the will of God in Chriſt, doth diſ-ingage the heart from it: Chriſt is often called a King, a Lord, a Law-giver—to note, that all Commands, whither injoyning duties or forbidding ſins, they are to be received not onelyonly as from the hands of an All-powerfull, and infinitely juſt God, but as from the hands of the Mediatour.
Not, but that a ſoule is to looke upon ſin as a violation of the Fathers will, yet, his will, not according to the tenor of the old Covenant. Gal. 3. v. 10, 11. but, as he hath revealed it in the new Covenant, & as Commanded over againe by Chriſt. Joh. 14.15. Keep [my Commandments] & 21.23. Joh. 13.34. 1 Joh. 2.8. Matth. 5.27. to the end of the Chapter. 1 Cor. 9.21. I am under the Law [to Christ] So that the loweſt duty ought to be ſervice to Chriſt. Eph. 6. v 5, 6. Servants are to obey their Maſter in ſingleneſſe of heart [as unto Chriſt].
You may feare ſin, and be ſorry for it, and make oppoſition againſt it, as contrary to the will of God as Creator, but if its ſtriking at Chriſt as Redeemer, carry not out againſt ſin, it is not Evangelicall, nor witneſſing.
2. When a ſight of the injury offered to Chriſt by ſin, doth carry out the heart againſt it: a man may have a ſorrow for, a feare of, and hatred againſt ſin, as procuring diſcredit, or loſſe of reputation, ſufferings &c. and yet be under the dominion of it ſtill. But, when the ſoule is touched with a deep ſenſe of it, in Chriſts ſufferings for and by it, when its piercing, wounding, and grieving of Chriſt, doth melt the heart for it, then it acteth Evangelically. Zech. 12.10.
3. When a diſcoverie of the love, kindneſſe, and goodneſſe of God in Chriſt, is the conſtraining thing from ſin: when the appearances of the grace of God teach to deny ungodlines. Titus 2.13. and the goodneſſe of the Lord leadeth to repentance. Rom. 2.4. Ingenuity did exceedingly affect Sauls heart with his ſin. 1 Sam. 26.21. David had but cut aſunder the lap of his garment, when he might have cut aſunder the thred of his life; and this love and kindneſſe of David in ſparing his life, drew out an acknowledgement of his ſin in the aggravations of it, for the preſent [I have ſinned, and erred exceedingly] yea, it put him upon reſolutions againſt it for the future [I will no more doe thee harme] A man may be much affected with a ſin upon ſome great deliverance, or the like; may confeſſe it, in its aggravations, and that upon very ingenuous conſiderations, and yet be under the dominion of it ſtill, as Saul was. But ſee how the Lord ſeeketh to affect the beart of David with his ſin. 2 Sam. 12. v. 7, 8, 9. I have anointed thee King over Iſrael &c. And if this had been too little I would moreover have given unto thee ſuch and ſuch things. Wherefore haſt thou deſpiſed the Commandment of the Lord — And when this love of God had evercome his heart into an acknowledgment of his ſin. v. 13. preſently he had a ſentence of abſolution. He ſeemeth to be interrupted in ſpeaking out his ſorrow, with this [the Lord alſo hath put away thy ſin]. When the remembrance of the former loving-kindneſſes of the Lord, doth melt the heart for ſin, this is ſoone followed up with a teſtimonie of remiſſion.
4. When it aimeth at a Conformitie unto Chriſt in its ſeeking freedomes from ſin. 1 Pet. 2.21, 22, 23. Cuſtome, and the example of Forefathers, and the credit of religion in the Country or place a man liveth in, as alſo education &c. may prevaile ſo farre as to reſtraine very much, and make a man diſcountenance ſin: but, except Chriſt be thy patterne of imitation, and thy ſorrow be becauſe thou falleſt ſo ſhort of him, he regardeth it not.
5. When it aimeth at the coming up to ſome ſpeciall Goſpell duty, or the attainement of ſome ſpeciall Goſpell priviledge, in ſeeking freedome from ſin: A man may ſee that ſin croſſeth ſome carnal intereſt, or procureth ſome outward diſadvantages, and may be incenſed againſt it upon that account: as, becauſe an inordinate uſe of the creature procureth diſeaſes to the body &c. a parent may hate drunkennes, or unlawfull games, becauſe his childe is like to become a bankrupt by ſuch practiſes. A childe, being threatned to be diſ-inherited if he followeth ſuch wayes, may hereupon bridle his affections, and yet may be under the reigning power of ſin ſtill. But if its hindring, in the exerciſe of ſome grace, or in the performance of ſome duty, or in the attainement of Communion with Chriſt &c. raiſe its feare of, ſorrow for, and hatred againſt ſin, then it acteth Evangelically. Pſal. 51. v. 2.7.13. Hebr. 12.1.
6. When it is by the application of the death of Chriſt in a promiſe, that it maketh reſiſtance againſt ſin: Rom. 6. v. 4.14 Heb. 9.14. Act. 5.31. Revel. 12. v. 9.11. And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their teſtimony — Joh. 8. v. 34.36. If the Son ſhall make you free, then you ſhall be free indeed.
This muſt be an ingredient in all the former particulars; no freedome from ſin, but by Chriſt. Luk. 1.71, 72.74, 75.
7. When ſin it ſelfe is in ſubjection: there is an inconſiſtency, between ſins reigning and its being in ſubjection; it cannot be both King and Subject in the ſame ſoule at the ſame time. There may be a Conflict with ſin, and yet it may ſeeme to get the upper-hand for a time: but, when the ſoule hath gotten ſin beneath it; then it is moſt conſpicuous, that ſin doth not reigne. As;
1. When the ſoule is enabled to a ſpeedy mortification of it upon all its rebellions: it is like a conquered enemy, that is not able to keepe the field any longer; ſome parties may rallie, and make ſome reſiſtance, but they doe but haſten their owne ruine thereby: ſo, the motions and ſtirrings of ſin may be felt, but the ſoule is enabled to looke unto Chriſt, and to oppoſe the Word and blood of Chriſt to theſe, and it is ſpeedily ſaved. Revel. 12. v. 8, 9.11. Sin, in the luſtings of it, is ſpeedily cruſhed, ſuppreſſed and conquered, it cannot prevaile upon the heart as formerly it hath done, but is layd lower by every onſet: this is the report that may be given upon their fighting, corruption is caſt out, caſt out. This argueth it hath not dominion.
2. When even the former prevailings of corruption, are made ſerviceable towards ſpiritual ends: as, when they produce ſoule-humiliation, ſelfe-abaſement, and fill it with the more admiration of, and cauſe it to be ſo much the more ſtudious for, the advancement of the exceeding riches of grace in opening a way to deliverance from ſin. Ezek. 16.61.63. Eph. 2. v. 5, 6, 7. that it can triumph over ſin through Chriſt. 1 Cor. 15.56, 57. Then ſin is in ſubjection. And thus I have diſcovered, when a ſoule is freed from the Dominion of ſin: but before I leave this, I ſhall anſwer one objection.