The Parable of the Prodigal, Part 3

The Parable of the Prodigal · Part 3

p. 88LUKE 15. 18.

I will ariſe, and go to my Father.

Theſe words contain in them, the other fundamental part of Repentance appearing in the Prodigal, viz. The Reſolution of his Will. To apprehend evil, is ſomthing; but to leave it, is the The Reſolution of the Prodigal,ſafeſt thing; to ſee a better condition, ſhews that the eye is opened, but to go to our Father, this ſhews that the heart is changed. This Reſolution of the Prodigal, is ſet forth, partly by the 1. Matter of it, which is very compleat; it contains as much as Repentance Set forth by The Matter of it.requires, (Surgam & ibo,) I will ariſe, I will go. St. Auſtin is ſomething facetious upon the words; Surgam, I will ariſe, quia jacebat, for the Prodigal was down before: Sin is a fall, and Repentance is a riſing: and ibo, I will go to my Father, quia longe aberat, for the Prodigal was far from home: Sin is a long travel, a wandring rather; and Repentance is a ſweet returning: We go abroad when we ſin, we come home when we repent. And Chryſoſtome upon Ibo ad patrem, I will go home to my Father, wittily compares the motions of Repentance to thoſe of a journey. That though which I do moſt conjecture at in the words, is, The Prodigals compleat Reſolution for the matter of Repentance. Repentance is a motion twixt two terms, and is made of Averſio and Converſio; Averſion from a ſinfull courſe, and that is in Surgam, I will ariſe; Converſion to God, and this is in Ibo ad patrem, I will go to my Father. 2. The Manner or Form of it: It is not votum, a wiſh, nor yet velleitas, a woulding, The Manner of it.nor yet volitia de futuro, I will hereafter: But his Reſolution to ariſe and to go home, is as compleat as the Matter on which he doth reſolve; I will ariſe, I will go: It was a ſtrong and peremptory and preſent Reſolution. 3. The Motive or Inducement to it, and that is in the word [my Father.] The apprehenſions of a Father, The Motive to it.work moſt to the return of a ſinner. That I ſhall find a Father of God, prevails much to make a penitent Child of men. There are many excellent Propoſitions obſervable out of the words; ſome I will onelyonly point at, the reſt I will inſiſt upon. Thus then.General Propoſitions.

1. That Repentance is a Gradual thing in working. Though the habitual implantation of it be inſtantaneous, (for it is a Grace Repentance is a Gradual thing in working.infuſed, and therefore admits not of ſpace and leiſure,) yet the actual operation of it is ſucceſſive, and by degrees; as here in p. 89the Prodigal, 1. He came to himſelf. 2. He conſiders of his periſhing condition. 3. Then compares it with the happy condition of thoſe in his fathers houſe. And then 4. Reſolves to leave his ſins, and go home to his fathers houſe.

2. That Repentance is an Active thing; it will make a ſinner to leave his place and to find his feet: riſing and going are Repentance is an active thingactive motions. He who repents indeed, is doing indeed; it is not an an indifferent, cold, grave, dull nothing, but the Soul ſtirs indeed againſt ſin, and ſtrives indeed to enjoy and pleaſe God. Ephraim defiles his graven Images, and will no more have to do with them; and readily come unto the Lord, Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. And therefore S. John ſaith, Bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Repentance is a working Grace, it ſets the judgment, the will, the affections, the whole man on work.

3. That ſound reſolution is requiſite to ſound Reformation. Sound Reſolution is requiſite to ſound Reformation.The Prodigal here is peremptory, I will ariſe, I will go to my Father: This is a point of great conſequence, and very proper to the Text, and therefore I will inſiſt upon it, by inquiring, 1. What this ſound reſolution is? 2. Why it is requiſite to a ſound Reformation? 3. Then what uſeful Application of this to our ſelves?

Queſt. 1. What ſolid Reſolution is?What Solid Reſolution is.

Sol. It is a well grounded, ſtrong, conſtant and active purpoſe of the Will of a penitent ſinner, wherein he is peremptorily bent to forſake a ſinful courſe, and to lead a holy and a better life.

1. It is a purpoſe or bent of the Will: So it is called, Act. 11. 23. It is a purpoſe or bent of the will.A purpoſe of heart: when matters of faith or fact are only diſcovered unto us, the work of the mind about them is called Apprehenſion; when they are debated and diſputed there, this is called Deliberation: and when the will is fully inclined and wrought upon, that it is with it as with the body carried to the Center, the natural Inclinations poyſe and bend it thither; So the very Spirits, as it were, of the will, the Pondus of it, is carryed about the work, it is ſet upon it; this is called Reſolution.

2. To forſake a ſinful courſe: You muſt diſtinguiſh twixt Intermiſſions, To forſake a ſinful courſe.and Exciſions; twixt pauſing and forſaking. In ſolid reſolution the will is purpoſed not to make only a ſtop, or to admit of ſome interruption, but alſo to make a divorce, an utter ſeparation: p. 90What have I to do with idols any more? ſaid Ephraim; and this ſeparation is not only in reſpect of a particular or perſonal act; as thus, I will do this evil this time, or for ſo long a time; but alſo in reſpect of courſe, I am purpoſed to relinquiſh it, both in part, and in whole, both now and for ever: there is difference betwixt 1. Abſteining. 2. Forſaking. 3. Stopping. Non propono peccare, ſed propono non peccare. Iſai. 30. 22. Thou ſhalt caſt them away as a menſtruous cloath, and ſay, get thee hen…e. In the extent and latitude, though they have been Mulu utilia, jucunda & chara.

3. And to lead a Holy or Godly Life: And in this reſpect, this reſolution is called ſometimes, a chooſing of the way of God, To lead a Godly life.ſometimes a cleaving to the Lord, ſometimes a ſerving of the Lord, ſometimes a Covenant to ſerve the Lord, and to walk with him, and ſomtimes a readineſs to hear what the Lord will ſpeak; I and my houſe will ſerve the Lord. Pſal. 119. 106. I have ſworn and will, &c. The ſum of all is this, Then is it a reſolution of the will, when a perſon attains thus far; This is an evil way, I am heartily purpoſed never to walk in it more; this is an holy and good way, I am heartily purpoſed to walk therein for ever; theſe ſins I will follow and ſerve no longer; but this God ſhall be my God, his Lawes ſhall be my rule, and guide, and his wayes ſhall be my wayes in the which I will walk.

4. In the diſcription conſider the properties of this Reſolution, which The properties of this Reſolution. A well grounded purpoſe.are four. 1. It is a well grounded purpoſe of the will; it is not a houſe without a foundation, nor a ſhip without a bottom, nor yet with a weak bottom; It is not raiſed, I know not how, or on a ſudden, in an irrational and humorous way, or in all haſt: Ordinarily, he who will leave an ill courſe in haſt, comes off from it (indeed) with too much leiſure; but it is ſuch a purpoſe, as is throughly bottomed upon ſuch grounds as can give life, and maintain the bent and inclination of the will. It doth ariſe from, and depend upon mature conſideration, and upon deep conviction: The ſinner doth firſt look into, and ſeriouſly peruſe and weigh an impenitent and ſinful courſe, and ſeeth the ſtrongeſt, and forcibleſt, and juſteſt cauſes to renounce it for ever; and alſo upon due trial, and ſearching, and weighing in the ballance of the Sanctuary, he doth find the wayes of new obedience to be the … and only wayes of life, to which if he doth not turn, he p. 91cannot pleaſe God, nor be ſaved; and unto which if he doth turn, then he is under the beſt God, and in the moſt excellent and ſaving condition: and hereupon begs of God for grace and ſtrength; and ſo reſolves, &c. In a Word, the Reſolution is well grounded; when it followes ſerious deliberation, and is raiſed upon divine aſſiſtance, and entred into with earneſt ſupplication; for our ſtrength cannot bring forth, nor maintain ſo great a work as reformation.

2. It is a ſtrong purpoſe of the will: The operations of the will are reputed ſtrong, when either they are not divided, A ſtrong purpoſe of the will.but united; or when they are rooted in an habit or principle, and not only in an occaſion and accident; or when they are abſolute, and not conditional: If the operations be divided, they are weak as Rivers, &c. ſo when a man partly wills this, and partly that; he is inclined ſomewhat to leave his ſin, and yet he is inclined to keep it; this diviſion hinders right reſolution, which is not ſo indifferent, ſo indeterminate, ſo divided, but centers the inclination of the will, only one way, viz. to a peremptory rejection of evil, and a peremptory election of good; the ſoule goes down, and it is not a grain which will turn it: Again, if the operations of the will ariſe only from occaſions which is buſied in alterable circumſtances, they can never be ſtrong; as the colour in the face, which ariſeth from violent exerciſe only, goes off preſently; ſo that reſolution (if it may be ſo called) which ariſeth from changeable impreſſions, is alwayes weak and fading; a deceitful bow, unſtedfaſt. In their afflictions they will ſeek me early, but, &c. Hoſ. 6. 4. But to the production of a penitential reſolution (which makes a ſtrong purpoſe in the will) there muſt be an habit which will ſet the heart, and incline it ſo, that it will not be taken off; as in Ruth to Naomi, Intreat me not, &c. there was a ſtrong principle of love, which made up this ſtrong purpoſe to cleave unto her. Again, if the operations of the will be conditional, they can never be ſo ſtrong, as when they are abſolute; for a ſuppoſition and caſe, where the will may put off and diſpence with it ſelf, cannot make the act of the will ſo firm as where the caſe is abſolute (for now the whole bent of the will is carried without any check or diminution.) If a man ſaith, I will leave ſuch a ſinful courſe, in caſe I may have the countenance of ſuch friends, or the benefit of ſuch an eſtate; and I will lead a godly life, in p. 92caſe I may hold correſpondence and eſteem in the world, &c. purpoſes upon variable conditions are variable. Theſe conditions do diminiſh the ſtrength of Reſolution; but when a perſon is carryed in an abſolute way, come what will come, friendſhip or enmity, greatneſs or poverty, life or death, I will change my courſe; this is a ſtrong purpoſe of will, and a right Reſolution.

3. It is a conſtant purpoſe, or continued: The …hyloſophers do It is a conſtant purpoſe.well diſtinguiſh twixt Paſſions, which are but the ſoul in a mood, and a fit, and twixt Qualities, which are ſetled tempers and Conſtitutions, as it were. Reſolution is not a tranſient paſſion, but it is a fixed quality. Not that it is not interrupted, but that it is not renounced and given over, but is ſtill maintained. Nor that it is not aſſaulted, but that it is not changed. A twiſted Cord, Propoſiti tenax, that is a reſolute man, & ſibi conſtans, but a double minded man, an unſtable ſpirit, a will, though ſtrong as Paſſion, yet if unſtable as water (hot in the firſt aſſault, as if we would be ſtronger then Men, and flat in the ſucceeding aſſaults, as if we were weaker then Women) theſe humours are rather ſome complements, which ſtill ſhrink at the acting, then reſolutions for change of Life: Paſſions are violent, but not conſtant, as the Galathians to Paul.

4. Laſtly, It is an active purpoſe: for as it is a vain thing to It is an active Purpoſe.deliberate much, and to reſolve on little at length, ſo it is a vain Reſolution which purpoſeth great things, but doth nothing. If I reſolve to take Phyſick for my health, and never take any, what avails that Reſolution? Like Antigones, I will give, but never gave. So, if a man reſolve to leave his ſins, but the day is ſtill to morrow; he ſets not upon it indeed, but yet a little ſlumber, yet a little ſleep, as S. Auſtin ſpake of himſelf, cras, cras, this is vain. But true reſolution is ſtirring and ſtriving; it puts a man upon the work, as the Prodigal, I will ariſe and goe to my Father, who indeed did thereupon ariſe and go. I am reſolved to confeſs my ſins, to judge my ſelf, to ſeek unto God by prayer; and I do indeed do ſo, I do confeſs, judge, pray, uſe the means, &c.

Queſt. 2. Why this Reſolution is requiſite to a ſound Reformation?Why Reſolution is Requiſite.

p. 931. Becauſe Reformation of our wayes cannot be performed without much Oppoſition: As when Nehemiah began to repair the walls, There can be no Reformation without much oppoſi…ion.was wi…h much oppoſition. If you will not ſerve ſin as a Lord, you muſt expect to hear of ſin as an Enemy; if you will not ſerve its Luſts, you ſhall be hindred and moleſted with its Luſts. Stronger rowing is requiſite againſt a ſtrong Tide: So for Satan, he will not eaſily be diſpoſſeſt; if you will not follow his Counſels, you ſhall feel his Dar…s; and the world will wonder at you, and reproach you, and vilifie you; temptations on the right hand, and on the left. Now, all theſe ſhocks and brunts, will not be ſuſtained without a firm Reſolution. It muſt be an houſe ſtrongly built, upon an unmoveable Rock, which will ſtand againſt all winds and waves.

2. Becauſe ſin hath been very dear unto us, and is beyond meaſure Sin is very ſubtle to Intice us.ſubtile to perſwade and entice us. It is not an eaſie thing (though death otherwiſe be threatned) to make a man willing to have his Arm or Leg cut off. Sin is as our members ot us, it is called our ſelf, born and bred with us. The ſeparation is not eaſie where the Conjunction is Natural, and hath been more familiar: It will not be done by reaſoning or intreaty, but Reſolution is neceſſary. Again, Sin is moſt ſubtile to alure us, to entice us, to put out our thoughts of Reformation. How often doth it untwiſt the Cord and propound delights and pleaſures (ſome ſweet baits or other) which take us quite away from our private intentions? How extremely doth it fill the heart with Unbelief, that the Reformation of ſuch a ſin can never be? and if we ſet upon it, how ſtrangely doth it amaze us, that there is no hope of mercy, and therefore we were better enjoy ſome pleaſure a while, then bitterneſs and anguiſh for ever.

3. The heart is naturally deceitful, and apt to turn or be turned: The heart is naturally D…cei…ful.A ſmall thing will make the eye to ſhut, and the very imagination of danger is enough to diſcourage many a man, and to make him to recoyl: A cunning man muſt be tyed in firm bonds. We think that we will do much, and ſuffer any thing; but this we find, that if the way be good, we do not eaſily like it; if it be long, we are quickly weary of it; if it be harſh, we are ready to forſake it. Now occurrents and accidents do ordinarily put on us new Intentions and Byaſſes.

4. If you conſider the frame and diſpoſition of that new courſe of The frame of the new courſe of Godly walking.Godly walking, you will confeſs that a reſolution is neceſſary; for, p. 941. It is ſpiritual, and wholly heavenly. 2. It is ſtrict, and muſt It is ſpiritual. Strict.be ordered by rule: no room for any one ſinful luſt or way, ſtrait is the gate. 3. It is oppoſite and contrary to that nature and will which is corrupt in us, it is ſupra & contra. 4. It is difficult Oppoſite to corrupt nature. Difficult.and very high; grace and ſupernatural works are hard, to deny our ſelves, our own righteouſneſs, &c. 5. It is capable of ſuch dangers, which will not eaſily be digeſted, even loſs of life it Capable of great dangers. Very laborious.ſelf. 6. It is very laborious, it muſt coſt a man much ſtudy and ſearch, much care and watchfulneſs, much prayers, and many tears, much ſelf-denial, and mortification; much going out of himſelf, and adventuring upon pure promiſes. 7. Of neceſsity, the ſoul must undergoe much, if it will lead a godly life; many The Soul muſt undergoe much for i….violent temptations from Satan, inward conflicts with the love of ſin, outward perſecutions from the world, They that will live godly muſt ſuffer perſecution. Now tell me whether a firm reſolution be not neceſſary, when a man changeth to a courſe which is very ſpiritual and holy, whereas before he lived in a courſe that was ſenſual and impure; again, into a courſe very ſtrict and contrary to him in great part, and very difficult, and very dangerous, and wherein he muſt be very induſtrious, and go through many a ſharp trial and brunt.

All the uſe which I ſhall make of this aſſertion ſhall be reduced Ʋſeunto two heads. 1. Of Exhortation. 2. Direction.

1. The Ex…ortation is, that as we do deſire a real reformation of our ſinful wayes, ſo we ſtrive to bring our hearts to a ſolid reſolution Exhortation to bring our hearts to this Solid Reſolutition. Motives. Six dangers of Irreſolution. You will not be free from ſtrong temptation.againſt them. Two things I will propound as motives to edge this exhortation. 1. The folly and inconvenience of an irreſolute and tottering and hovering ſpirit viz. 1. Till you attain to a firm reſolution, you will never be free from ſtrong temptations: Faint denials are interpretative Encouragements; as it is with the ill humours of the body, they flock and reſort to a crazy part; So it is with Satans temptations, they will ever be frequent where the heart is ready to embrace, or not reſolved to reſiſt: why ſhouldeſt thou expect that Satan ſhould fall off, when thou art yet irreſolved to reſiſt him? that he ſhould not be backward to tempt, when thou art not reſolved not to yield? 2. Till you attain to a firm reſolution, you will never come to a firm peace; Conſcience cannot be clear in its teſtimony, when we are indifferent in our You will never come to a firm …eace.purpoſe againſt ſin. Paul could ſay, the evil that I would not doe; p. 95thou canſt not ſay ſo: The deciſion of that eſtate will be under a cloud, and you will be ſtruck with more ſuſpicions of hypocriſie and wrath, while you come to be plain-hearted and reſolute, I will ſerve no ſin any longer. 3. Till you attain to a firm reſolution, you will be ſubject to the frequent intanglings of ſin; weak You will be ſubject to the en…anglings of Sin.reſolutions are like a weak child, or a feather, or like weak walls, through which any bullet will flye: Thou haſt no armour on, till thou be reſolved; any ſinful occaſion or opportunity is too hard for him, whoſe heart is not clad with a peremptory denial: How can he be ſtedfaſt, who is not …ound? a …ame Legg is apt to …ll; or what ſhock can a weak body ſuſtein? it cannot be, but thou ſhouldeſt be under the guilt of much corruption, who art not determinately fixed in thy reſolves againſt all ſinful ſuggeſtions: Thou wondredſt at it, that perhaps after many Prayers, and much hearing, yet ſome ſin or other ſtill prevails: but can it well be expected, that Sin ſhould not be thy Conqueror, when as yet, thou art not reſolved to be its enemy? 4. Till you attain to a firm reſolution you will but ſhuffle in a good courſe, off and on, ſometimes You will but ſhuffle in a Good Courſe.much, ſometimes little, ſometimes nothing: A doubleminded man is unſtable in all his wayes, ſaith St. James 1. 8. every buſineſs will withdraw you, and any occaſion will excuſe you from Gods ſervice, while you are indifferent unto it; every wind drives through thy Boat, and every froſt will nip thy Bud. 5. Nay, Irreſolution will prove a bitter root of apoſtacy: if dangers ſurprize thee on the left hand, or temptations on the right It will prove a bitter Root of Apoſtacy.hand; it is a thouſand to one, but thou wilt deny the faith, and make Shipwrack of conſcience. There lies much of our hopeful conſtancy in Religion as we ſet forth; if we begin with faint and irreſolved hearts, we ſhall fall back with wounded and broken Souls; he cannot be long good, who is not reſolvedly good. 6. Flat and poor communion with God: You will make no prayer, or but cold indifferent Prayer: Auſtin was affraid that God There will be flat and poor Communion with God. The Benefits of a full Reſolution. It will be a teſtimony, our hearts are upright.would hear him.

2. The benefits and comforts o… a firm Reſolution, which are many. 1. It will be a great Teſtimony unto you, that your hearts are upright. He who will not reſolve againſt a ſinful courſe, either his heart hath a flaw of hypocriſie, or a ſink of impiety; he loves ſin, or would not yet le…ve it: the greateſt part of our integ…ity lies in the hearts frame and purpoſe: that man who is reſoled p. 96to part with all ſin, hath an heart who loves all good; it is only ſound grace which breeds ſound reſolution. 2. It will be a It will be an Apology in caſe of falling.great apology, in caſe of falling, that yet it is not preſumptuous, but of In…irmity. (The evil that I would not do, that do I, &c. Rom. 7.) and rather an affect of a ſtrong temptation, then of any ſecret affection of the heart to ſin; for where the purpoſe and reſolution of the heart is ſet againſt a ſin, and makes its reſiſtence; though the ſinning may be great, yet it is not preſumptuous. Four effects this firm Reſolution worketh about ſin; either it doth, 1. Ceaſe the motions of it; or 2. Abates and leſſens them; or 3. Diſappoints and fruſtrates them; as Joſeph about his miſtreſs: or elſe, 4. It mitigates and corrects them in the degree of guilt; either it keeps me ſound, or elſe cauſeth that the wound is leſs. 3. Such a man may confidently go to God for help and Such a one may confidently go to God for help.aſſiſtance. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer (ſaid David) but verily, God hath heard me, he hath attended to the voice of my Prayer, Pſal. 69. 18, 19. Thou ſhalt not ſtruggle with ſin in vain, nor cry unto God in vain; if once thou couldſt be firmly reſolved againſt ſin, thou ſhouldſt more confidently repair to Chriſt, and ſhouldſt aſſuredly find more Victory over it, as Paul, Rom. 7. 24, 25. What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and obſerved him; I am like a green Fir-Tree, from me is thy fruit found. Hoſ. 14. 8. 4. And more confidently, expect the remiſſion of ſins paſt; with what face can a m…n embolden himſelf before the And Confidently expect Remiſſion of ſins paſt.Lord? O Lord I beſeech thee to pardon ſuch or ſuch a ſin, and I truſt thou wilt do it, but I am not yet reſolved to leave it. And when a perſon can come before the Lord, and ſay, Search and tell me, O Lord, if there be any way of wickedneſs, which I know and allow againſt, which I am not reſolved and ſtrive. Now O Lord, thou art a gracious God, I beſeech thee for thy mercies ſake, forgive my ſins, blot them out, I hate them with an unfeigned hatred, do thou for thine own ſake pardon and ſubdue them. 5. You ſhall much free your ſelves from the ancient ſuggeſtions of Satan, about particular Sins: It will free us from the Suggeſtions of Satan about particular ſins.Reſiſt the Divel and he will flee from you, Jam. 4. 7. Where there is no hope of Victory, there will be little encouragement to fight; firm reſolutions are like rocks, againſt which the waves may beat and ſtrike, but cannot move nor alter; Satan may indeed p. 97ſomewhat moleſt, but the heart is in a ſort impregnable, which is ſtedfaſtly reſolved. Chriſtiana ſum, ſaid ſhe, I am a Chriſtian, who was much aſſaulted to deny the Faith; and Luther in Gen.ſo ſilenced all threats and allurements for the abnegation of Chriſt. When they ſaw Paul's reſolution fixed for Jeruſalem, they gave off their importunity: ſo Temptations will ſlack when our Reſolutions are ſettled. It is in vain, I will not hearken; thou mayeſt moleſt me, Satan, but I will never yield unto thee.

6. You will be leſs interrupted in your holy ſervices. Whileſt the heart is any thing indifferent and flexible, ſinfull motions, We ſhall be leſs interrupted in our holy ſervices.like the Birds, will return and flock about the Corn, if the Watchman be now there, and anon removed. When the Miniſter is ſpeaking to your ear, Sin will be ſpeaking to your heart; and when your tongues are ſpeaking to God, your thoughts will be buſied in giving Sin an anſwer, or the World: But if the heart were more reſolved againſt ſin, it would be more united in duty; the thoughts, and mind, and affections would be more collected and center'd upon the foreign, the work in hand; it would not ſcatter ſo much, it would not follow that which it cares not for, but peremptorily abhors.

The next Uſe ſhall be for Direction, and that in two particulars: Ʋſe 2. Direction.1. How to raiſe a ſolid Reſolution: 2. How to keep and maintain it.

Firſt, The Means to raiſe it. There are ſome things of How to raiſe a ſolid Reſolution.which you muſt take heed and ſtrive againſt, as being vigorous impediments to the rearing of this frame, and twiſting of this firm cord.Take heed of

1. A ſecret favouring of ſin. As long as your hearts cunningly connive at, and harbour your luſts (thoſe evil Inmates) A ſecret fa…ouring of ſin.you will never throughly come to a Reſolution to caſt them off. For love will untwiſt many arguments, and prevail againſt ſtrong Motives; it will let down your mind, as faſt as reaſons do raiſe it up. It is the beſt Friend, and ſtrongeſt Advocate that ſin hath. You ſee a Parent (perhaps David againſt Abſalom) reſolved to exile his Child from his preſence; but natural affection turned him, and wrought ſo, after a while, that David longs for Abſalom again. As a Spring will work out that which is caſt in; ſo will a ſecret affection to ſin, work off the impreſſion of all Arguments, p. 98and any ſuch prepoſterous Reſolves againſt ſin.

2. A tenderneſs or delicacy of ſpirit: I mean, an inordinate Delicacy of ſpirit.ſelf-love: Love of ſin, and ſo alſo the love of our ſelves, both of them are adverſaries to a penitential Reſolution: If a man will go to Heaven aſleep, have his eaſe, and his friends, and his liberty, and his ſafeties, and his quiet, and his pleaſures, and great matters, he will never come to a through Reſolution. God likes no ſuch bargain, no condition; as, I am willing to ſerve thee, but I am reſolved never to ſuffer for thee; I will be good, if I may be ſafe; I will go to ſea, but on condition I ſhall meet with no ſtorms; I will enter into the war, but on condition that I will have no blows. We muſt be at a point for all things except what is good, if we be reſolved to be good indeed; no, not Life it ſelf muſt be dearer to us, than that which is far better than Life.

3. A perverſneſs of ſpirit, on ſelf-wilfulneſs; if you do reſolve A perverſneſs of ſpirit.to be your own Maſter, you can never reſolve to be Gods Servant; if your hearts be not diſpoſable to his will, they will never be flexible and fixed on his work. You muſt in many things be contented to deny your own thoughts, and to captivate your own judgments and reaſonings, and to ſubmit both your judgment and will to a Divine Rule, and there take forth directions for your lives, how contrary ſoever to your own conceits and delights.

4. A faintneſs of ſpirit. If you make the work abſolutely impoſſible, A faintneſs of ſpirit.you do but cool and quaſh reſolutions. There is a need of bellows, not waters, for tender ſparks; for no man will attempt a hopeleſs work, or that which he knows will certainly prove fruitleſs. Do not ſide with ſuch thoughts as theſe; I ſhall never be able to get victory over ſuch ſtrong ſins, and long corruptions: Or, I ſhall never be able to do what the Lord requires, ſo much, and with ſuch affections; nor ſhall I ever bear ſuch reproaches, loſſes, diſgraces, indignities. Never conſult with fleſh and bloud in a caſe of holy Reſolution, nor credit Satan about the leaving of ſin: but if thou wilt conſult with what may fear and diſhearten thee, conſult alſo with what may encourage and quicken thee. Though thy ſins be ſtrong, yet they are conquerable, (onelyonly true Grace is invincible.) It is poſſible for a ſinfull nature p. 99to be altered and renewed, and therefore it is not impoſſible for any ſin to be ſubdued: Though thy own ſtrength be inſufficient, yet Chriſt's is not; He who hath commanded thee to combat with Sin, hath likewiſe promiſed to conquer ſin; if thy duty be active, he is able to work in thee both to will and to do; if thy duty be paſſive, he can give thee not onelyonly to do, but to ſuffer for his ſake; if thou muſt not be leſs then a Sufferer, he can make thee more than a Conqueror: Thy helps are far greater than thy diſcouragements, there are more with thee than againſt thee: Therefore fear not to reſolve; 'tis a vanity to talk of another, or fitter ſeaſon; you will be more unwilling to leave ſin, the more time you take to commit ſin.

II. There are ſome things which you muſt, in ſome meaſure Labour forpoſſeſs, if ever you would be brought to a penitential Reſolution.

1. Get as diſtinct a knowledge of ſin, as clear conviction as Clear Conviction.you can. It is our blindneſs which keeps us in ſervice; and the Will is uſually perverſe, becauſe the Judgment is greatly dark: Did we know ſin aright, (truly, fully, experimentally,) you have attained to Reaſons enough, why you ſhould reſolve againſt it. Sin carries its own condemnation with it: Sometimes the particular effects of ſin do half perſwade us to be Chriſtians, to leave the ſervice of ſin; a ſtroke or two upon the Conſcience, do thus far prevail, as to pauſe and ſtop; If then we knew ſin in the latitude of its bitter effects, and in the intenſiveneſs of them (beyond all thoughts) for bitterneſs and perpetuity, as alſo that extreme vileneſs in the formal nature of it, which is the vaſt womb and Ocean, out of which theſe bitter waters do flow; if we did know ſin as the darkeſt blot, and loathſome blur, oppoſite to the trueſt Glory of pureſt Holineſs; and as the moſt deformed and higheſt Rebellion to the moſt equal Laws and Rules of Divine Soveraignty; and as the very Eclipſe, and utter Inconſiſtence with all real Happineſs; and as the infallible and unavoidable Precipice of our intollerable and eternal Damnation: At leaſt, this would be an occaſional excitation, if not a ſtrong foundation, upon which to raiſe a Reſolution to quit and forſake it. Sure I am, the defect of this, that men know not ſin, makes them bold and venturous, obſtinate, and tenacious; they will not deſiſt from the p. 100practice of ſin, becauſe they know not the evil of ſin.

2. You muſt get an hatred of ſin, elſe you will never truly and Cordial deteſtation.effectually reſolve againſt it: All the actions of our lives are fed by the affections of the will; theſe are (in morals) principia immediate & vincentia; and of all the affections (as the Anatomiſts obſerve in the body, two maſter-Veins, Vena cava, & vena aorta;) ſo in the ſoul, there are two which are Soveraign, and bear ſway; one is Love, and the other is Hatred; that bears ſway in matters elegible and practicable, this in matters ſinfull and declinable. Reſolutions againſt ſin, not rooted in hatred, will ſlack like a deceitfull Bow; and Reſolutions to a better courſe, not raiſed from love, will be but as the morning dew: It is hatred which makes us bent and peremptory againct evil, and it is love which mak…s us reſolute and ſtedfaſt for good. Hatred hath three properties in it againſt an evil Object, Enmity, Flight, and Irreconcileableneſs: And Love hath two properties in it, Union, and Adhaeſion; Ruth clave in love to Naomi, and was ſe…ed in it, never to leave her: And Ephraim was ſtrong in deteſtation, and therefore peremptorily in reſolution, What have I to do any more with Idols?

3. There muſt be Faith, and then there will be Reſolution. Faith.Faith, 1. To believe the Word of God, diſcovering and threatning an evil condition and courſe; 2. To believe the excellency of a good Condition, and Life, and Rewards. If thou didſt indeed believe that ſin would damn thee, wouldſt not thou reſolve againſt it? if thou didſt indeed believe that the holy life were the happy life, couldſt thou by Faith ſee him that is inviſible, and the beauties of holineſs, which are hid from the World, and thoſe great conſolations and rewards reſerved for a pious heart and converſation, thou wouldſt quickly turn the Scale, m…ke the cho…ce, and reſolve, 'Tis true, I muſt leave my ſins, but I ſhall gain my God; their pleaſures, but I ſhall gain his delights; I may forfeit the love of Friends, but I ſhall find kindneſs of God; I quit Earth, but I ſhall get Heaven; I leave but filthineſs, but guilt, but miſery, but Hell; I ſhall get holineſs, and peace, and Chriſt, and Comfort, and Heaven; I am inſufficient, but God is ſufficient.

4. Vehement Prayer, that the Lord would give a heart willing Vehement prayer.to forſake ſin, and willing to chooſe him and his ways: For the p. 101purpoſes of our hearts are from him. Reſolution ſhould be a Poſ…e of Prayers, ſteept in prayer, blown up by the breath of Heaven; Pſal. 119. 5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy ſtatutes. v. 8. I will keep thy ſtatutes; O forſake me not utterly: What you undertake without prayer, you will forſake without c…mfort: All reſolutions are beſt made, which are made upon the knee of prayer.

Secondly, The means to maintain and keep up this Reſolution. The means to maintain this reſolution. Let it not be preſump…uous, but humble.If you would attain to a ſolid and permanent Reſolution, then,

1. Let your Reſolution not be preſumptuous, but humble: If you raiſe your Reſolutions upon your own ſtrength, you will ſhortly quit them by your own weakneſs. No ſpiritual frame or work is ſafe or ſtrong, which is reared upon it ſelf alone; it muſt not be leſs than a rock higher than our ſelves, upon which we muſt build. The wings bear the body of the flying Fowl, but this they cannot do without air to ſpread and bear up thoſe wings. I can do all things through Chriſt that ſtrengthens me. Philip. 4. There muſt be ſome ſtrength in us to advance a Reſolution, but then there muſt be another Strength, upon w…ich both that Reſolution and that Strength muſt depend: And therefore as a Warrant is of no force, if it goes not out in the Kings name; ſo a Reſolution is too recoiling, which begins not in Chriſts power: As David encountred Goliah, not with his own Sword, but in Gods Name; ſo we muſt reſolve againſt our ſins, with Gods ſtrength aſſiſting of us; otherwiſe, our ſins may rerly to us, as the Devils to the ſons of Sceva, …eſus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye? A ſhip, though well built, muſt have wind to drive it, and ſet it forward; and a Chriſtian needs more ſtrength than his own, to forſake a bad, or to follow a good courſe. It is a wiſe courſe, in lendi…g of Money, to joyn another party in the Bond, who is more able and ſure than the borrower: Doeſt thou reſolve againſt ſuch a ſinfull way, or for a holy life? t…ke not ſingle Bond; (thy own heart, though to thy thinking well furniſht and ſtock… with reſolution, is yet but a creature, and may deceive thee, and m…ke thee to break:) but take double Bond, beſeech the Lord to be bound for thee, to give thee his ſtrength, which is indeed ſufficient to preſerve, and to perpetuate thy reſolutions.

2. You muſt be ſure that you get a mournfull heart for what Get a mournfull heart for what is paſt.is paſt, or elſe you will never get a reſolute heart for the p. 102future: if the heart be not broken for ſin, ſin will quickly break the reſolution of the heart; He who will without any more adoe be joyouſly good, I fear, leaſt after a while, you ſee him earneſtly bad. We ſeldome obſerve, that an unbroken heart is ſtedfaſt; that his foot ſtands ſure, whoſe eyes remains dry, (i.) who can leap into a good way, yet never was truly grieved for a bad. Peter's Reſolution to confeſs his Maſter, held out better after his tears, than after his confidence: The mournfull remembrance of a bad life, wherein God hath been ſo much diſhonoured, and his ſpirit ſo often grieved, it excites and quickens, and doubles our hatred, and fears, and cares, and reſolves, Should I any longer continue thus? ſhould I thus offend again? Paul doth frequently remember his ſinfull perſecutions of Chriſt, and then is inflamed, with a more zealous reſolution and induſtry, to preach and advance him: Nothing daunts him, in the righting of that good Lord and Chriſt, whom before he had ſo much wronged.

3. Be active againſt ſin, and that is the way to keep up your Be active againſt ſin.Reſolutions againſt it: My meaning is this, you muſt endeavour to mortifie an evil heart, if you would hold up your reſolutions againſt an evil courſe: The heart is all in all for Life or Death, for a good, or for a bad way; kill the root, and the branches will ſoon wither; diminiſh the Spring, and the Streams will fail; weaken the Spirits, and the Limbs will be uſeleſs. It is a fooliſh thing to ſay, I will not have the fit of the Ague again, unleſs you receive ſomething to alter the evil humour which cauſeth it: I will never ſin thus again! thus how often do we reſolve, and yet break out again! why? becauſe we would reſtrain effects, without ſurprizing their cauſes. Be more earneſt with God, for a ſober heart, and for a chaſt heart, and for an humble heart, and a heavenly heart, and a meek and quiet heart: Thou ſhouldeſt not onelyonly reſolve, but prevail againſt evil acts, if thou didſt vehemently ſtrive with God, to ſeaſon the Springs, to alter the nature, to better and ſtrengthen the heart, that fountain whence theſe ariſe and flow; for all things are ſtrongeſt in their cauſes, and the ſtrength of the cauſe is the ſtrength of the effect. An occaſion may be vigorous to produce a reſolve, but alteration is required to make it firm and effectual; it is health which breeds ſtrength.

p. 1034. Let it be watchfull, and not careleſs: They are not the many Souldiers which keep the City, but the watchfull Souldiers; Be watchfull, and not careleſs.the City which is got by ſtrength, may be loſt by careleſneſs. To be active and inquiſitive how to make reſolutions againſt ſin, and af…erwards to be negligent of our hearts, this is to make a ſtrong door, but not to mind whether it be lockt or no. Our hearts (take them at the beſt) are very untruſty and deceitfull (at leaſt in part) and are quickly weary of ſpiritual bonds; and as an untoward Servant, after all warnings and threatnings, is hankering to whisk out after his old companions; ſo our hearts, after all reſolutions, are yet inclining to evil. Therefore let us not onelyonly enjoyn our ſpirit to take heed of ſinfull courſes, but guard them, ſet a guard upon them, as David, Pſal. 39. 1. A man may quickly ſtumble, who hath an able foot, if yet he hath a careleſs eye; the eye and the foot muſt go together to keep us upright.

5. If you would ſtill keep up your Reſolutions, then often review and renew them. Our reſolutions come to be ſtrengthened Often review and renew reſolutions.by frequent enquiry, how they are performed. Daily accountings with the ſervant, may be the means to keep him faithfull. If we did daily ſequeſter our ſelves, and commune with our ſpirits, and take an account of them; O my ſoul, thou haſt ſeen the vileneſs of ſuch ſinfull courſes, and haſt felt the bitterneſs of them, and haſt ſolemnly proteſted againſt them before the Lord, and reſolved to proſecute them no more; thou haſt given thy Word and Bond for this unto the great God: Well! how haſt thou performed this purpoſe? art thou ſtill willing? haſt thou been faithfull to thy ſelf, and to thy God? waſt thou no way ſurprized this day? though thou didſt not break, yet didſt not thou bow to day? though thou didſt not fall, didſt not thou trip? did nothing come from thee to undo, or elſe to weaken thy reſolution? Such evil motions ſprang from thy heart to ſin again, didſt thou abhor them, and cry unto God againſt them? ſuch temptations preſented themſelves unto thee, didſt thou reject and ſtoutly reſiſt them? or haſt thou not found an heart ſomewhat hearkning, ſomewhat yielding, ſomewhat venturing? If ſo, then humble thy ſelf, and as David to Joab, 2 Sam. 11. 25. Make thy battel more ſtrong againſt the City; ſo do thou, bewail thy failings, and renew thy reſolution again more ſtrongly and carefully.

p. 1046. If your Reſolutions be any thing impaired, let them be preſently repaired. It is poſſible, notwithſtanding our Reſolutions When reſolutions are impaired, let them be preſently repaired.againſt evil courſes, to be ſurprized with evil acts, and now we are apt to give up the Reſolutions themſelves; but do not ſo: Though the winds drive back the Mariner, yet he holds faſt his reſolution ſtill for ſuch a Cape; and if a man falls in his journey, yet he will riſe and be going again: So let us do; if we have not anſwered our Reſolutions, let us not end them, but mend them: Above all, ſearch the cauſes of impairing thy Reſolutions, and then thou mayeſt ſee thy reparations. Say ſeriouſly, 1. Didſt not thou relie too much upon thy Reſolution, as if therefore thou wert ſafe, becauſe reſolved? 2. Didſt not thou grow weaker in Prayer, when thou greweſt ſtrong in Reſolution? or, 3. Haſt thou not been more venturous upon occaſions? haſt thou not been tampering with ſinfull occaſions, ſuch acts, ways, objects, as thou knoweſt have powder to irritate and inflame Luſt? Conſider ſeriouſly how thou cameſt to violate thy purpoſe and intention, and penitently confeſs it before the Lord, and take up thy Reſolution again upon right grounds.

7. Let your Reſolutions be accompanied with the uſe of all holy means which will ſtrengthen and perfect them. Doth not the Let reſolutions be accompanied with the uſe of holy means.ſtrong man grow weak by faſting, as well as by ſickneſs? How is it poſſible but that thy Bow ſhould ſlack, (i.) thy Reſolution, ſhould ſtart aſide, when thou art a negligent Hearer, and an inconſtant Petitioner? why! where lies thy ſtrength to perform? why doeſt thou put off thy helps? what! art thou alone? He who hath not ſtrength to fight, how ſhall he have power to conquer? wouldſt thou ſtand? wouldſt thou reſolve? wouldſt thou reſolve ſo as to reform? Be much in Prayer; Keep thy ſervant, O Lord, uphold me by thy Word, preſerve me by thy Spirit; work in me the will and the deed, work thine own works in me, finiſh what thou haſt wrought; ſhew thy power in my weakneſs, let thy Grace be ſufficient for me; leave me not, nor forſake me; incline my heart to thy teſtimonies, turn away mine eyes from vanity. And ſo for the Ordinances, attend them; they are the Strength of God for thee; they work holy qualities, holy motions, holy convictions, holy excitations, holy affections, deſires, a fear leſt we depart, and fall from our ſtedfaſtneſs; and they kindle p. 105more and more our purpoſes to walk with God, and to ſhun iniquity. Oh, how admirably the heart under them is cauſed to burn with ardent love of God! with deſires and reſolutions to keep cloſer to him, how is it ſtirr'd up with more deteſtation of ſin? how often do they melt the heart? recover the heart, reſtore the heart, and ſend it away with this reſolution, Well! by the grace of God I will never go on in ſuch a ſinful courſe, &c.

The laſt Uſe ſhall be for Exhortation unto us, though we have taken ill courſes formerly, yet now to reſolve againſt them, to 3. Ʋſe. For Ex…ortation, to reſolve againſt ſin.ariſe and go home to our Father; What ſhall I ſay to move and perſuade us here to conſider. 1. Either you muſt reſolve to leave your ſins, or be damned for them, why wil… thou loſe thy pretious ſoul for ever. 2. Whether is better to come back and find God a Motives.Father, or to depart ſtill from him, and feel him a Judge. If mercy be better then wrath, if heaven be better then hell, reſolve to ariſe and leave thy ſinful waies, and return unto a God and Father. 3. Haſt thou not found thy ſinful courſes to be evil and bitter unto thee already: why wilt thou ſerve an evil maſter for evil wages, the which alſo will ſtill be more fearful and heavie, by how much the longer thou continues ſinful and wicked; thy terrours will not ſhorten, while thou doſt lengthen thy ſins, nor maieſt thou expect that thy latter daies will be peace, when all thy daies have been wickedneſs; if thou liveſt in ſin, thou muſt lie down in ſorrow. 4. Sin is an hateful object, and a conquerable enemy, therefore reſolve againſt it. It onelyonly hath the moſt abſolute reaſons of the ſtrongeſt hatred, as being completely evil and vile; it is the baſeſt of all objects, and is thine higheſt enemy, there is nothing which can undo thee but ſin; and yet i is a conquerable enemy, it is very poſſible that a ſinner may be changed. 5. If thou once couldſt but get an heart to reſolve againſt ſin, thou ſhouldſt find the work more eaſie. Saint Auſtin profeſſeth, that though the thoughts of leaving his ſins were once a great burthen to him, yet at length being peremptorily reſolved he found it a moſt eaſie and delightful thing to live without them. 6. A new courſe of obedience; O this is liſe indeed. Now ar… thou alive from the dead, if thy heart be truly reſolved, I may ſay … as Chriſt to Zacheus, This day is ſalvation come to thine houſe; … holy life p. 106and courſe is the moſt excellent, is the moſt eaſie, is the moſt peaceable, is the moſt gainful, it is the beſt, it is the ſweeteſt, it is the happieſt life; it begins in Grace, it will end in Glory.