CONTENTS
THE
METHOD OF GRACE.
** * SERMON XXVIII.
GAL.V.24. Andthey that are Christ's, have crucified thefleſb, with the affections andlufts.
From hence our obſervation was, HAT afaving interest in Christ, may beregularly and thefleſb, with its affections andlufts.
Havingopenedthe nature, and neceſſity of mortification in the former fermon, and ſhewn how regularly a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt may be concluded from it; we now proceed to apply thewhole, byway of 1. Information .
2. Exhortation .
3. Direction.
4. Examination.
5. Confolation.
First use, for information.
Infer. 1. Ifthey that be Chriſt's have crucified the fleſh, Then the lifeofChristians is no idleor easy life : the corruptions ofhis heart continually fill his hands with work, with work ofthe moſt difficult nature; fin-crucifying work, which the ſcripture calls the cutting off therighthand, andplucking out of the right eye : fin-crucifying work is hardwork, and it is conſtant work throughout the life of a Chriſtian; there is no timenor place freed from this conflict ; every occaſion ſtirs corruption, and every ſtirringofcorruptioncalls for mortification : corruptions work in our very beſt duties, Rom. vii. 23. and put the Chriſtian upon mortifying labours. Theworld and the devil aregreatenemies, andfountains ofmanytemptationstobelievers, butnot like the corruptions ofourown hearts; they only tempt objectively and externally ; but theſe tempt internally, and therefore much more dangerous; they onlytempt attimes and feaſons; theſe continually,at alltimes andſeaſons: beſides, whatever Satan, or the world attempts uponus, would be alto. getherineffectualwere it not for our owncorruptions, Johnxiv.
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30. So that the corruptions ofourown hearts, as they give us moſt danger, fo they must give us more labour; our life and this labour muſt end together; for fin is long a dying in the beft heart : thoſe that have been many years exerciſed in the frudyofmortification, mayhaply feel the fame corruptiontempting and troublingthemnow, whichputthem into tears, andmany times brought them to their knees twenty or forty years ago.
It may be faid of fin as itwas of Hannibal, that active enemy ; that it will never be quiet, whether conquering or conquered ; anduntil fin ceaſe working the Chriſtian must not ceaſe mortifying
Infer. 2. If mortificationbe the great work of a Chriſtian, then certainly those that give the corruptions of Christians an occafion to revive, must needs do them a very ill office : they are not our best friends that ftir the pride ofour hearts by the flattery of their lips.
The graces ofGod in others, I confefs, are thankfully to be owned, and under diſcouragements, and contrary temptations, to be wiſely and modestly spoken of; butthe ſtrongest Chriſtians do ſcarcely ſhew their own weakneſs in any onethingmorethan theydo in bearing theirown praiſes. Chriſtian, thouknoweſtthou carrieſtgunpowder about thee,defirethoſe that carry fire to keep at a diſtance from thee ; ' tis a dangerous crisis when a proud heart meetswith flattering lips ; auferte ignem,&c. take away the fire, (faid aholy divineofGermany,when his friend commended him upon his death-bed) for I have yet combustible matter about me; faithful, ſeaſonable, difcreet reproofs are much more fafe to us, andadvantageous toour morti fying work; but alas, how few have the boldness or wisdom duly to adminiſter them? It is faid ofAlexander, that hebid a philoſopher (whohadbeenlongwithhim) tobe gone ; for, faid the, ſo long thou hast been with me, and never reproved me; which must needs be thy fault; for either thou faweſt nothing in me worthy of reproof, which argues thy ignorance ; or elfe, thoudurft notreprove me, whicharguesthy unfaithfulness. A wife and faithful reproveris offingular uſe tohim thatis heartily engagedinthedeſign ofmortification; ſuch a faithful friend, or fome malicious enemy, must be helpful to us inthat work.
Infer. 3. Hence it follows, that manifold andfucceffive afflictions areno more than what is neceffary for the best of Chritians; the mortification of our lufts requires them all, be they never fo many, 1 Pet. i. 5. " If need be, ye are in heaviness ;" itisnomore than need, that one loſs ſhould follow another, tomortifyanearthly heart; for ſo intensely are our affections fet upon the world, that it is not one, or two, ormany checks of
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providence, that will fuffice to wean and alienate them.
Alas , theearthlineſs of our hearts will take all this, it may be much more than this, to purge them: the wife God fees it butneceſſary to permit frequent diſcoveries ofour own weakneſs, and toletlooſe thetongues ofmany enemies upon us, and all little enough to pull down our pride, and the vanity that is inour hearts : Chriſtian,how difficult foever it be for thee to bear it ; yet the pride of thy heart requires all the ſcoffs and jeers, all thecalumnies and reproaches, that ever the tongues or pens of thy bittereſt enemies, or mistaken friends, have at any time thrown upon thee.
Such rank weeds as grow in our hearts, will require hard froſts and very ſharp weather to rot them; the ſtraying bullock needs aheavy clog, and ſo doth a Chriftian, whom God will keep within the bounds and limits ofhis commandments, Pfal. cxix. 67. Dan. xi . 35.
Infer. 4. If they that be Chriſt's have crucified the fleſh *, Then the number of real Christians is verysmall.
It is true, if allthat ſeem to be meek, humble, and heavenly, might paſs for Chriſtians, the number wouldbe great; but if no more muſt be accounted Chriſtians, than those who crucify the flesh, with its affections and luſts, O how ſmall is the number! For, O howmany be there under the Chriſtian name, that pamper and indulge their luſts, that ſecretly hate all that faithfully reprove them, and really affect none but ſuch as feed their lufts, by praiſing and admiring them ? How many that make provifion for the flesh to fulfil its luſts, who cannot endure tohave their corruptions croſſed ? How many are there that ſeem very meek and humble, until an occaſion be given them to ſtir up their paffion, and then you ſhall fee in what degree they are mortified: the flint is a cold ſtone, till itbe ſtruck, and then it is all fiery.
I know the best of Chriſtians are mortified but in part ; and ſtrong corruptions are oftentimes found in very eminent
Chriſtians; but they love them not ſo well as to purify for them ; to protect, defend, and countenarce them; nor dare they ſecretly hate fuch as faithfully reprove them: as many thousands thatgo under the name of Chriſtians do.
Upon the account of mortification it is faid, Mat. vii. 13. "Narrow is " the way, and ſtrait is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few
" there be that find it."
Infer. 5. Ifthey that be Chriſt's have crucified the flesh, i. e.
* He who is not crucified with Chriſt , and who is not a member ofChriſt, is not ſavedby his croſs.
Profper.
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Mortification is their daily work and ſtudy; then how falfely are Chriftians charged as troublers ofthe world, anddisturbers ofthe civilpeace, and tranquillity ofthe times, andplaces they live in?
Juſtlymaythey retort the charge, as Elijah did toAhab, " Itisnot Ithattrouble Ifrael, butthou andthy father'shouse :"
It is not the holy, meek, and humble Chriſtians that putthe world into confuſion: this is done by the profane and atheiftical; or by the deſigning and hypocritical world, and laid at the innocent Chriſtian's door ; as all the public calamitieswhich from the immediate hand ofGod, or by foreign, or domeftic enemies befel Rome, were conſtantlycharged upon Chriftians ; andtheycondemnedandpuniſhed, for what therighteoushand ofGod inflicted, on the working heads of the enemies ofthat ſtate, without their privity, contrived.
The apoſtle James propounds, andanſwers a queſtion, very pertinent to this difcourſe,
James iv. 1. " From whence come wars and fightings among 66 you ? Come they not hence, even ofyour lufts thatwar in " your members ?" O ifall mendidbut ſtudymortification and ſelf-denial, and live as much at home in the conſtant work of their own hearts, as ſome mendo; what tranquillity and peace, what bleſſed halcyon-days ſhould we quickly ſee! it is true,
Chriſtians are always fighting and quarrelling, but it is with themſelves, and their own corrupt hearts and affections ; they hateno enemy but fin ; they thirst for theblood and ruin of nonebutof that enemy ; they are ambitious of no victory, but what is over the corruptions oftheir own hearts ; they carry no grudge except itbe against thisenemy, fin: and yet theſe are themen who are the moſt ſuſpected and charged of disturbing the times they live in; juſt as the wolfaccuſed the lamb, which was below him, for puddling and defiling the ſtream. Butthere willbeaday, whenGod will clear up the innocencyand integrity ofhis mistaken and abuſed ſervants ; and the world ſhall fee, it was not preaching, and praying, but drinking, ſwearing, profaneneſs, and enmity unto true godliness, whichdisturbed and broke the tranquillity, and quietness of the times : meantime letinnocencycommit itſelfuntoGod, who will protect, and in due time vindicate the fame .
Infer. 6. If they that be Chriſt's have crucified the fleſh, Thenwhatsoever religion, opinion, or doctrine doth inits own nasure countenance and encouragefin, is not of Christ.
The doctrine of Chriſt every where teacheth mortification : the whole ſtream ofthe gospel runs againſt ſin; the doctrine it teacheth is holy, pure and heavenly, it hath no tendency to extol corrupt nature, andfeed its pride, bymagnifying its freedom andpow
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The Method ofGrace. er, or by ſtamping the merit anddignity of the bloodofChrift upon its works and performances; itnever makes the death of Chrift a cloke tocover ſin, but an inftrument todestroy it. And whatſoever doctrine it is which nourishes the pride of nature, tothe diſparagement of grace, or encourages licentiouſneſsand flethly luſt, is not the doctrine of Chriſt, but a fpurious offſpring begottenby Satanuponthe corrupt natureofman.
Inter. 7. If mortification be the great buſineſs and character of a Chriſtian, Then that condition is most eligible and defireable by Christians, which is least ofallexposedto temptation,
Prov. xxx. 8. " Give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed " me with food convenient."
That holy judicious man was well aware of the danger lurking inboth extremes, and how near they border upon deadly temptations, and approach the very precipiece of ruin, that ſtand upon either ground : few
Chriftians have anyhead ſtrongand ſteadyenough to ſtand upon the pinacle of wealth and honour; nor is it every one that can grapplewith povertyand contempt. A mediocrity is the Chriſtians beſt external ſecurity, andtherefore moſtdesirable : and andyethowdo the corruption, the pride and ignorance ofour hearts grafpand covetthat condition which only ſerves towarm and nouriſh our lufts, and make the work of mortification much more difficult ?
'Tis well for us, that our wife Father leaves us not to our own choice, that he frequentlydaſhes our earthly projects, and diſappoints our fond expectations.
If children were left to carve for themſelves, how often would they cut their own fingers ?
Infer. 8. If mortificationbe the great buſineſs of a Chriſtian, then Chriftianfellowship, andsocietydulymanaged, and improved, must needsbe offingular use, andspecial advantage to the people of God.
For thereby we have the friendly help and affiſtance ofmany other hands, to carry on our great deſign, and help us in our most difficult buſineſs; ifcorruption be too hard for us, others, this way, come intoour affiſtance, Gal. vi. 1 .
" Brethren, ifaman be overtaken in a fault, ye which are ſpi- " ritual reſtore ſuch an one in the ſpirit ofmeekneſs."
Iftemptations prevail, and overbear us that we fall under fin, it is a ſpecial mercytohave the reproofs, and counſels ofour brethren, whowill not fuffer fin to reſtupon us, Levit.xix. 17.
Whilst we are fluggish and fleepy, others are vigilant, and careful for our fafety : The humility of another, reproves and mortifies my pride : The activity, and liveliness of another, awakens and quickens mydeadneſs: The prudence, and gravityof another, detects andcures mylevityandvanity: The heavenlineſs, and
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The Method ofGrace. ſpirituality ofanother, maybe exceeding useful,both to reprove, andheal the earthliness, and ſenſuality ofmy heart. Two are better than one, but wo unto him that is alone. The devil is well aware of this great advantage, and therefore ſtrikes with ſpecial malice against embodied Chriſtians, who are as a well diſciplined army, whom he therefore more eſpecially endeavours to rout, and ſcatter by perfecutions, that thereby particular
Chriſtians may be deprived of the ſweet advantages of mutual ſociety.
Infer. 9. How deeply hath fin fixed its roots, in our corrupt nature, that itshould be the constant work of a Chriftian's whole life, tomortify and destroy it ?Godhathgiven us many excellent helps, his Spirit within us, varietyof ordinances and duties are alſo appointed as inſtruments of mortification: And from the verydayofregeneration unto the last momentofdiffolution, the Chriftian is daily at work, in the use ofall ſanctified means, external and internal, yet can never dig up, and destroy corruption atthe root all his life long.
The moſt eminent Chriftians, oflongeſt ſtanding in religion, who have ſhed millions of tears i for fin, and poured out many thousand prayers for the mortification of it, do, after all, find the remains of their old diſeaſe, that there is ſtill life, and ſtrength in thoſe corruptions which they havegiven ſo manywounds unto in duty. O the depth, and ſtrength of fin! which nothing can ſeparate from us, but that which feparates our souls and bodies. Andupon thataccount, thedayof a believer's death, is better than the day of his birth. Nevertill then, do we put offour armour, ſheath our fword, and cry victory, victory.
Second use, for exhortation.
Ifthey that are Chriſt's have crucified the fleſh , &c.
Then as ever we hope to make good our claim to Chriſt, let us give alldiligence to mortify ſin, in vain elſe are all our pretences unto union with him.
This is the great work, and difcriminating characterofabeliever. Andfeeingit isthemainbuſineſs of life, andgreat evidence for heaven, I shall therefore preſs you to it by the following motives and confiderations.
I Motive. And firſt, methinks the comfort, and ſweetneſs, reſulting from mortification, ſhould effectually perfuade every believer tomorediligence about it.
There is adouble ſweetneſs inmortification,one in the nature of the work, as it is a duty, a ſweet chriſtian duty; another as it hath respect to Chriſt, and is evidential of our union with him.
In the firſt conſideration there is a wonderful ſweetneſs in mortification, fordoſt thou not feel a bleſſedcalmneſs, chearineſs, and tranquillity in thy con,
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ſcience, when thou hast faithfully repelledtemptations, fucceſsfullyrefiftedandovercomethy corruptions ? Doth notGod fimile uponthee; confcience encourage, and approve thee ? Haſt thou not anheaven within thee ? whilft others feel a kind of hell in the deadly gripes, and bitter accufations of their own conſciences : arecovered withſhame, andfilled with horrors.
But then, confider it alſo as an evidence ofthe foul's intereſt in Chriſt, as my text confiders it; and what anheaven upon earth muſtthenbe found in mortification ! Theſe endeavours ofmine tofubdueandmortifymy corruptions, plainlyſpeak the Spirit of God in me, and my being in Chriſt; andOwhat is this ! What hearthath largeneſs, and ſtrength enough to receive and contain thejoy, and comfort which flow froma cleared intereſt in Jeſus
Chrift ! Certainly, Chriſtians, the tranquillity, and comfort of yourwhole life depends upon it: andwhat is life without the comfort of life ? Rom. viii. 13. " Ifye through the Spirit do
" mortify thedeeds ofthebody, ye ſhall live," (i. e.) you ſhall live a ferene, placid, comfortable life; for it is corruption unmortified which cloudstheface ofGod, and breaks the peaceof his people, and confequently imbitters the life a Chriſtian.
2. Motive. As the comfort ofyourown lives, which ismuch, ſoyour inſtrumental fitneſs for the ſervice ofGod, which is much more,depends upon the mortification ofyour fins, 2 Tim. ii. 21 .
" If aman therefore purge himself from theſe, he ſnall be a veſſel unto honour ; ſanctified and meet for the Maſter's
" uſe, and prepared unto every good work."
Where is the mercy of life, but in the usefulneſs and ſerviceableness ofit unto God? It is not worth while to live fixty, or ſeventy years in the world, to eat and drink, tobuy andfell, to laugh and cry, and thengodown to the place of filence. So far as any man lives to God, an uſeful, ſerviceable life to his praiſe and honour ; fo far only, and no farther doth he answer the end of hisbeing . But it is the purged, mortified foul which is the veſſel ofhonour, prepared, andmeetfor theMaſter's uſe.
Leta proud, or an earthly heart be employed inany ſervice forGod, andyou ſhall find that fuch an heart will both ſpoilthe work, by managing it for a felf-end as Jehu did; and then devour the praiſe of it by a proud boast : Comefee my zeal.
When the Lord would employ theprophet Ifaiah inhis work and ſervice, his iniquity was firſt purged; and after that he was employed, Ifa. vi . 6, 7, 8. Sin is the foul's fickness, a conſumption upon the inner man ; and weknow that languishing confumptive perſons are very unfit to be employ'd in difficult and strenuous labours :
Mortification, fo far as it prevails, cures the diſeaſe, recovers our
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3. Motive. Your ſtability, and ſafety in the hour of temptation, depends upon the ſucceſs of your mortifying endeavours.
Is it then a valuable mercy in your eyes to be kept up . right, and ſtedfaſt in the critical ſeaſon of temptation, when
Satan ſhallbe wrestling with you for the crown, and prize of eternal life ! Then give diligence to mortify your corruptions.
Temptation is a ſiege, Satan is the enemy without the walls, labouring to force an entrance; natural corruptions are the traitors within, thathold correſpondence with the enemy without, and openthe gate of the foul to receivehim.
It was the covetouſneſs of Judas his heart which overthrew him iu the houroftemptation. They are our fleſhly luſts which go over untoSatan in theday ofbattle, andfight against ourfouls, I Pet. ii. 11. the corruptions (or infectious atoms which fly up and downthe world intimes oftemptation, asthat word μιασματα,
2 Pet. ii. 20. imports) are through luſts, 2 Pet. i. 4. It is the luſt within, which gives a luſtre to the vanities ofthe world without, andthereby makes them ſtrong temptations to us, I John ii . 16.
Mortify therefore your corruptions, as everyou expect to maintainyour ſtation intheday oftrial : cut offthoſe advantages ofyour enemy, leſtby them he cut offyour fouls, andall your hopes fromGod.
4. Motive. As temptations willbe irreſiſtable, fo afflictions will be unſupportable to you without mortification.
My friends, you live in amutable world, providencedaily rings the changes, in allthe kingdoms, cities, and towns, all the world over.
You that have husbands or wives to day, may be left deſolate to-morrow : You that have eſtates, and children now, maybe bereaved ofboth before you are aware .
Sickness will treadupon the heel ofhealth, and death will affuredly follow life, as the nightdoth the day.
Confider with yourſelves, are youable to bear the loss ofyour ſweetenjoyments with patience ? Can you think upon the parting hour without fome tremblings ? O get a heart mortified to all theſe things, and you willbleſs ataking, as well as a givingGod.
It is the living world, not the crucified world, that raiſes ſuch tumults in our fouls in the day of affliction. How chearful was holy Paul under all his fufferings ! and what think you gave him that peace and chearfulneſs, but his mortification to the world?
Phil. iv. 12. " I know both how tobe abaſed, and I know how to abound; every where, and inall things Iam inſtructed,
"both tobe full, and tobe hungry, both toabound, and fuf- " fer need."
Job was the mirror of patience, in the greateſt
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5. Motive. Thereputation, and honour of religion, is deeply concerned in the mortification of the profeſſors of it: For unmortified profeſſors will, firſt or laſt, be the ſcandals, and reproaches of it.
The profeſſion of religion maygive credit to you, but to be fure you will never bring credit to it. All the ſcandals, and reproaches that fall upon the name of Chriſt in this world, flow from the fountain of unmortifiedcorruption.
Judas and Demas, Hymeneus and Philetus, Ananias and Saphiraruined themſelves, and became rocks ofoffence to others, by thismeans.
If ever you will keep religion ſweet, labour to keep your hearts mortified and pure.
6. Motive. To conclude, what hard work will you have in yourdying hour, except yougetaheart inortified to this world, and all that is in it ? Your parting hour is like to be a dreadful hour, without thehelp of mortification.
Your corruptions, like glew, faften your affections to the world, and how hard will it be for ſuch aman to be ſeparated by death ? O what a bitter, and doleful parting have carnal hearts from carnal things ! whereas the mortified foul can receive the meſſengers of death
without trouble, and as chearfully put offthe body at death, as amandoth his cloaths at night : Death need not pullandhale ; fuch amangoes half way to meet it, Phil. i. 23. " I defire to " be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt, which is far better."
Chriſtian, wouldſtthou havethydeath-bed foftandeaſy ; wouldſt thou have an ευθανασια, as the philofopher defired for himself, an eaſy death, without pain or terror ; thenget a mortified heart : the chirurgeon's knife is ſcarce felt, when it cuts off amortified member.
Third use, for direction.
Areyou convinced, and fully fatisfied ofthe excellency and neceſſity of mortification, and inquifitive after the means, in the uſe whereof, itmay be attained? then, for your help and encouragement, I will, in the nextplace, offer mybeſt aſſiſtance, in laying down the rules for this work.
Rule 1. Ifever you will fucceed, and proſper inthe work of mortification, then get, and daily exerciſe more faith.
Faith is the great inſtrument of mortification : "This is the victory, (or " ſwordby which the victory is won, the inſtrument) by which " you overcome the world, even your faith," 1 John v. 4.
Byfaith aloneeternal things are difcovered to your fouls, in
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their realityand excelling glory, and theſe arethe preponderating things, for the fake whereof, ſelf-denial and mortification becomes eaſy to believers; by oppoſing things eternal to things temporal, we reſiſt Satan, 1 Pet. v. 8.
This is the ſhieldby whichwe quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, Eph. vi. 16.
Rule 2. Walk indaily communion withGod, if ever you will mortify the corruptions ofnature; that is the apoſtle'sownpreſcription, Gal. i. 16. " This I ſay then, walk in the Spirit,
" and ye ſhall not fulfil the lufts of the flesh."
Spiritual and frequent communion with God, gives manifold advantages for the mortification of fin : as it is a bright glaſs wherein the ho lineſs ofGod, and the exceeding finfulness of fin, as it is oppofite thereunto, are moſt clearly and ſenſibly diſcovered, than which, ſcarceanything can ſet akeeneredge ofindignation upon the ſpirit ofamanagainſt ſin.
Besides, allcommunion with God is aſſimilating,and transformative of the ſoul into his image; it leaves alſo a heavenly reliſh and ſavour upon the foul ; itdarkens the luſtre and glory of all earthly things, by preſenting to the foul a glory which excelleth : it marvellously improves,andmore deeply radicates ſanctification inthe foul; by allwhich means it becomes fingularlyuseful and fuccefsful in the work of mortification .
Rule 3. Keep your confciences under the awe and in the fear ofGod continually, as ever you hopetobe fucceſsful in the mortification of fin. The fearofGod is the great preſervative from fin, without which all the external rules andhelps in the world fignify nothing: " By the fear of the Lord, men depart from " evil," Prov. xvi. 6. Not only from external and more open evils, which the fear of men, as well as the fear ofGod, may prevent, butfrom the moſt ſecret and inward evils, which is a ſpecial part of mortification, Lev. xix. 14.
It keeps men from thoſe evils, which no eye nor ear of man can poſſibly difcover.
The fear ofthe Lord breaks temptations,baitedwith pleaſure, with profit, andwith ſecrecy.
In aword, ifever you be cleanfedfrom allfilthineſs offleſh and ſpirit, it must be by the fear of God, 2 Cor. vii. 1.
* Rule 4. Study the vanity of the creature, and labour to gettrue notions ofthe emptiness and tranfitorineſs thereof; if * Readers, if ever you would have a true fight of the emptineſs and vanity ofthe creature, and get a mortifiedheart to the world, now is the time ; for at this day the providence ofGod hath witheredall the fading flowers of earthly delights, and ſhewed you the world'sback parts, as it isdeparting fromyou.
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It isthe falſepicture and image ofthe world, in our fancy, that crucifies us with ſomanycares,fears and ſollicitudes about it: and it is the true picture and image ofthe world, repreſentedtous, in theglaſs ofthe word, which greatly helps to crucify our affections to the world. O if wedid but know and believe three things about the world, we should never be ſo fond of it as we are, viz. the fading, defiling, and destroying nature of it.
The beſt and ſweeteſt enjoyments of the world, are but fading flowers and withered graſs, Ifa. xiv. 6. James is
10, 11. yea, it is ofa defiling, as well as a fading nature, i John v. 19. it lies in wickedness, it ſpreads univerſal infection among allmankind, 2Pet. i. 4. yea, itdeſtroys, as well as defiles multitudes of fouls, drowning men inperdition, I Tim. vi. 9. Millions of fouls will wiſh, to eternity, they had never known the riches, pleaſures, or honours of it.
Were this believed, how would men flacken their pace, and coolthemselves intheviolent andeager pursuit ofthe world ! This greatly tends to promote mortification.
Rule 5. Be careful to cutoffall the occaſions of fin, and keep at the greateſt diſtance from temptations, if ever you will mortify the deeds ofthe body: The ſucceſs, and prevalency of fin, mainly depends uponthe wiles, and ſtratagems it makes use of, to enſnare the incautious foul ; therefore the apoſtle bids us keep off, at the greateſt diſtance.
1 Thef. v. 22. "Abſtain " from all appearances of evil." Prov. viii. 8. " Come not nigh
" unto the door of her houſe."
He that dares venture to the verybrink of fin, diſcovers but little light inhis understanding, and leſs tenderneſs in his confcience ; he neither knows fin, nor fears it, as he ought todo: And it isuſualwithGod to chaſtiſe ſelf-confidence, by ſhameful lapſes into fin.
Rule 6. If you will fucceſsfully mortify the corruptions of your nature, never engage against them in your own ſingle ſtrength, Eph. vi. 10. When the apostledraws forth Chriſtians into the field, againſt ſin, he bids them " be ſtrong in the " Lord, and in the power ofhis might." O remember what a mere feather thou art, in the guſts oftemptation; call to mind the height of Peter's confidence, " though allmen forſake thee,
" yetwill not I;" and the depth ofhis fall, ſhame and forrow.
Aweak Chriſtian,tremblinginhimself, depending by faith, uponGod, and graciously aſſiſtedby him, ſhallbe able to ftand, against the ſhock oftemptation, when the bold, and confident
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SERM . XXVIIY,
reſolutions of others (like Pendleton in ourEngliſh ſtory) ſhall melt away, as wax before the flames .
Rule 7. Set in with the mortifying deſign ofGod, in theday of thine affliction; fanctified afflictions are ordered, and preſcribed inheaven, for the purging of our corruptions. Ifa. xxvii.
9. " By this, therefore, ſhall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, " and this is all the fruit, to take away his fin."
Itis a fair. glaſs to reprefent the evil of fin, and the vanity ofthe creature, to imbitter theworld, and diſguſt thy affections toward it : Fall in, therefore, with the gracious deſign ofGod ; follow every affliction with prayer, thatGod would follow it with his bletfing. God kills thy comforts, out of no other deſign but to kill thy corruptions with them ; wants are ordainedtokillwantonneſs, poverty is appointed to kill pride, reproaches are permitted to pulldown ambition : Happy is the manwho underſtands, approves, and heartily ſets inwith thedeſignofGod, in ſuch afflicting providences.
Rule 8. Bend the ſtrength of your duties, and endeavours, against your proper, and ſpecial ſin ; it is in vain tolop offbranches, whilst this root of bitterness remains untouched : This was David's practice, Pfal. xviii. 23. " I was, alſo, uprightbe- " fore him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity."
We obſerve, in natural men, that one faculty is more vigorous than another ; we find, innature, thatone foil ſuits with fome forts of feed, rather than another : And every believer may find his nature, andconſtitution, inclining him toone fin, ratherthan another : As graces, ſocorruptions exceed one another, even in the regenerate.
The power of ſpecial corruptions arifes from our conſtitutions, education, company, cuſtom, callings, and ſuch likeoccafions ; but from whencefoever it comes, this is the ſin that moſt endangers us, moſt easily beſets us ; and, according to the progreſs of mortification in that ſin,we may fafely eſtimate thedegrees of mortification in other fins : Strike, therefore, at the life, and root ofyour own iniquity.
Rule 9. Study the nature, and great importance of thoſe things which are to be won, or loft, according to the fucceſs, and iſſue ofthis conflict : Your life is a race, eternal glory is the prize, grace and corruption are the antagoniſts, and, accordingly as either finally prevails, eternal life is won, or loft .
1 Cor. ix. 24. "Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all, " but one receiveth the prize ? So run that ye may obtain."
This condition will make mortification appear the moſt rational, and neceſſary thing toyou, inthe whole world.
Shall I loſe heaven for indulging the flesh, and humouring awanton appe
SERM. XXVIII.
The Method of Grace. tite! God forbid.
" I keep under my body (faith Paul) and " bring it into ſubjection; left that by any means, when I " have preached to others, I myself ſhouldbe a caſt-away,"
1 Cor . ix. 28.
Rule 10. Accuſtom your thoughts to ſuch meditations as are proper to mortify ſin in your affections, elſe all endeavours, tomortify it, will be but faint, and languid : To this purpoſe,
I shall recommend the following meditations, as proper means todeſtroy the intereſt of fin.
Meditation 1. Conſider the evil that is in fin, and how terrible the appearances ofGod will one day be, against those that obey it, in the luft thereof.
Rom. i. 18. " The wrath ofGod " is revealed fromheaven, against all ungodliness, and unrigh .
". teouſneſs of men."
1 Thef. i. 7, 8 , 9. " The Lord Jefus " ſhall be revealedfromheaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them thatknow notGod, and " that obeynot the gospel ofour Lord Jesus Chrift : who ſhall
" be punishedwith everlasting deſtruction from the prefence of " the Lord, and from the glory of his power."
Let your thoughts dwell much upon the confideration of the fruits, and confequencesof fin; it ſhews its faireſt ſide toyou, in the hour of temptation. O but confider how it will look uponyou, in the day of affliction, Num. xxii. 23. in that day your fin will find you out : Think what its aſpect will be, ina dying hour..
1 Cor. xv. 56. " The ſting of death is ſin."
Think what the frightful remembrances of it will be, at the bar of judginent, when Satan ſhall accuſe, confcience ſhall upbraid, God ſhall condemn, and everlasting burnings ſhall avenge the evil of it : ſuch thoughts as theſe are mortifying thoughts.
Meditation 2. Think what it coſt the Lord Jesus Chriſt to expiate the guiltof fin,by ſuffering the wrath of the great and terribleGod for it, in our room : the meditations ofa crucified
Chriſt, are very crucifying meditations unto ſin,Gal. vi. 14. he fuffered unspeakable things for fin ; it was adivine wrath which layuponhisfoul for it; that wrath, ofwhich theprophet faith,
Nahum i. 5, 6. " The mountains quake at him, and the hills " melt. Whocan ſtandbefore his indignation ? And who can
" abide in the fierceneſs of his anger ? his fury is poured out " like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.". It was unmixed, and unallayed wrath, poured out in the fulness of it, even to the laſt drop; and ſhall we be ſo easily drawn to the commiſſion ofthoſe ſins, which put Chriſt under fuch fufferings ? O dobut read ſuch ſcriptures as theſe, Luke xxii. 44.
Mat. xxvi. 36, 37. Mark xiv. 33. and ſeewhata plight finput
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The Method of Grace. the Lordofglory into; how the wrath ofGod puthimintoa fore amazement, abloody ſweet, and made his foul heavy, even untodeath.
Meditation 3. Confider what a grief andwoundthe ſins of believers are tothe Spirit ofGod, Eph.iv. 30. Ezek. xvi . 43 .
Ifa. Ixiii. 10. O howitgrieves theholy Spirit ofGod ! Nothing is morecontrary to his nature, " O do not that abominable
" thing which I hate," ſaith the Lord, Jer.xliv. 4.
Nothing obſtructs, and croſſes the fanctifying deſign of the Spirit, as fin doth; defacing and ſpoiling the moſt rare, and admirable workmanſhip, that everGodwrought in this world ; violating allthe engagements laid uponusby the loveof the Father, by the death ofhis Son, by the operations of his Spirit, in all his illuminations, convictions, compunctions, renovation, preſervation, obfignation, and manifold confolations.
Lay this meditation upon thy heart, believer, andſay, Sicne rependis ? doſt thou thus requite the Lord, Omy ungratefulheart, for all his goodness ? Is this the fruit of his temporal, ſpiritual, common, andpeculiar mercies, which are without number ?
Meditation 4. Conſider with yourſelves, that no real good, either of profit, or pleaſure, can refult from fin ; you can have no pleaſure in it, whatever others may have, it being against yournewnature; andas for that brutith pleaſure, and evanid joy, which others have in fin, it canbe but for a moment ; for either they must repent,or not repent: iftheydo repent, the pleaſureof finwill be turned intothe gallofafps, here ; if they do notrepent, it will terminate in everlasting howlings, hereafter.
That is a ſmart queſtion, Rom. vi. 21. " What fruithad ye inthoſe things whereofyeare now ashamed ? For the end
" of thoſe things isdeath."
You that are believers, muft never expect any pleaſure in ſin; for you can neithercommit it, without regret ; nor reflect upon it, withoutthame, andconfuſion : expect no betterconſequents of fin, than the woundings of con ſcience, and diſmal cloudings of the face of God ; that is all the profit offin. O let theſe things fink intoyour heart.
Meditation 5. Conſiderwhat the damned fuffer for thoſe fins which the devil nowtempteth you tocommit; it hath deprived them of all good, all outward good, Luke xvi. 25. all ſpiritual good, Mat. xxv . 41. and of all hope ofenjoying any good, for ever: and as ithath deprived them ofallgood, ſo ithath remedileſlyplungedthem intoall poſitive miſery : miſery fromwithout, thewrath ofGod being come uponthem to theuttermoſt ; andmifery from within, for their worm dieth not, Mark ix. 44.
The memory ofthings paſt, the ſenſe ofthingspreſent, andthe
SERM . XXVIII.
TheMethod ofGrace. fearful expectationsof things to come, are the gnawings and bitings of the worn ofconfcience, at every bite whereof, damnedfouls give a dreadful thriek; crying out,O theworm ! the worm! Would any man, that is not forſaken by reaſon, run thehazard of thoſe eternal miſeries,for thebratiſh pleaſures of amoment?
Meditation 6. Bethink yourſelves what inexcufable hypocrify itwillbe in you, toindulge yourſelves inthe private fatisfaction ofyour luſts, under acontrary profeſſion ofreligion : you are a people that profeſs holiness, and profeſſedlyown yourſelves to beunderthe governmentanddominion ofChrift: and muſt the worthy name of Chriſt be only uſed to cloak and cover your lufts and corruptions, which are ſohateful to him ? Godforbid.
You daily pray against fin,you confefs it toGod,youbewail it, you pour out fupplications for pardoningand preventing grace; areyou in jeſt or earneft, in theſe folemuduties of religion ?
Certainly, if all thoſe duties produce no mortification, youdo butflatter Godwith your lips, and put adreadful cheat upon your own fouls.
Naydo you notfrequentlycenſure and condemn thoſe things in others, and dare you allowthem inyourſelves ? What horrid hypocrify is this ? Chriſtians are dead to fin, Rom. vi. 2. dead to itby profeſſion,dead to it by obligation,dead toitby relation to Chrift, who died for them; and howſhall they, that are ſo manywaysdead to fin, live any longer therein ? O think not thatGod hates fin the leſs in you, becauſeyou are his people *, nay, thatvery confideration aggravates it the more, Amos iii. 2.
Meditation 7. Confider withyourſelves what hardthings fome Chriſtians have choſen, toendure and ſuffer, rather thanthey woulddefile themselves with guilt; and ſhallevery small temptation enfnareand take your fouls ? Read over the xi. chapter to the Hebrews, and fee what the faints have endured to eſcape fin; no torments were ſo terrible to them, as thediſpleaſure of God, and woundings of confcience; and didGod oblige them moreby his grace and favour, than he hath obliged you ? O
Chriſtians, how can you, that have found ſuch mercies, mercies as free, pardons as full as ever any fouls found, ſhow lefs care, leſs fear, leſs tenderness of grieving the Spirit of God than othershavedone; certainly, if you did fee fin withthe fame eyes they faw it, you wouldhate it as'deeply, watch againft itas
*Thevery faults and fins ofthe faithful are the objects ofGod's hatredanddifpleaſure, but this is merelyahatred of their fin, not oftheir perfons.
Daven, or Col. i. to
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The Method of Grace. carefully, and reſiſt itas vigorouſlyasanyofthefaintshavedone before you.
Meditation 8. Confider with yourſelves what ſweet pleafure, rational and folid comfort is to be found in the mortification of fin: Itis not the fulfilling ofyour lufts cangiveyou the thoufandth part of that comfort, and contentment that the reſiſtance of them, and victory over them will give you. Who can expreſs the comfort that is to be found in the chearing testimony ofan acquitting, and abfolving confcience ? 2 Cor. i. 12. Rememberwhat fatisfactionand peace it was toHezekiah upon his ſuppoſeddeath-bead, whenhe turned to the wall, and ſaid, " Re- " member now, O Lord, I beſeech thee, how I have walked
" before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart ; and havedone " thatwhich is good in thy fight," Iſa. xxxviii. 3 .
Fourth use, for examination.
Inthe next place, this point naturally puts us upon the exa mination, and trial ofour own hearts, whether we, who ſo confidently claim a ſpecial intereſt in Chriſt, have crucified the fleſh with its affections and lufts. And becauſe two forts of perſons will be concerned in this trial, viz . the weaker, and the ſtronger Chriſtians ; I ſhall therefore laydown two forts of evidences of mortification, one reſpecting the ſincerity, and truth, the other reſpecting the ſtrength, and progreſs of that work inconfirmed and grown Chriſtians, and both excluding falſe pretenders.
First, There are ſome things that are evidential ofthe truthand fincerity of mortification, even in the weakest Chriſtians : as, First, True tenderness of confcience in all known fins, one as well as another, is agood ſign ſin hath lost its dominion in the foul. O it is a ſpecial mercy to have a heart that ſhall ſmite and reprove us for thoſe things that others make nothing of:
To check, and admoniſh us for our fecret ſins, which can never turn toour reproach among men: this is a good ſign that we hate fin: However, through the weakness of the fleſh we may be enſnaredby it. Rom. vii. 15. " What I hate, that I do."
Secondly, The fincere and earneſt defires of our fouls toGod in prayer for heart-purging,and fin-mortifying grace, is a good fignour fouls have no love for ſip.
Canſt thou fay, poor believer, in the truth of thy heart; that ifGod would give thee, thy choice, it would pleaſe thee better to have fin caſt out, than to have the world caſt in; that thy heart is not ſo earnest withGodfor daily bread, as it is forheart-purging grace ? This is a comfortable evidence that fin is nailed tothe croſs ofChrift.
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The Method of Grace.
Thirdly, Do you make confcience of guarding against the occaſions of fin ? Do you keep a daily watch over your hearts and fenfes, according to 1 John v. 18. Job xxxi. 1.
This ſpeaks atrue deſign and purpoſe ofmortification alſo.
Fourthly, Do you rejoice, and bleisGod from your hearts, when the providence of God orders any means for the prevention of fin ? Thus did David, I Sam . xxv. 33. "And David
" faid toAbigail, Bleſſed be the Lord God of Ifrael which fent " thee this day to meet me, and bleſſed be thy advice, and blef- " fed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to " ſhed blood, and from avenging myſelfwith myown hand."
Fifthly, In a word, though the thoughts ofdeath maybe terrible in themselves, yet if the expectation, and hope of your deliverancefrom ſin thereby,do ſweeten the thoughts of it to your fouls, it will turn unto you for a teſtimony, that you are notthe ſervants and friends of fin. Andso much briefly ofthe firſt fort of evidences.
Secondly, There are other ſigns, ofamore deep and thorough mortification of fin, in more grown and confirmed believers, and fuch are theſe.
First, The more ſubmiſſive and quiet any man is under the will ofGod, in ſmart and afflicting providences, the more that man'sheart is mortified unto fin, Pfal. cxix. 67, 71. Col. i. 11 .
Secondly, The more able any one is to bear the reproaches, and rebukes of his fin, the more mortification there is in that man, Pfal . cxli . 5 .
Thirdly, The more easily any man can reſign, and give up his deareſt earthly comforts, at the call and command ofGod, the more progreſs thatman hath made in the work ofmortification,
Heb. xi. 17. 2 Sam. xv. 25.
Fourthly, The more power any man hath to reſiſt ſin in the firſt motions of it, and ſtifle it in the birth ; the greaterdegree ofmortification thatmanhath attained, Rom. vii . 23, 24.
Fifthly, If great changes, upon our outward condition, make nochange for the worſe upon our ſpirits, but we can bearprof. perous, andadverſe providenceswith an equal mind; then mortification is advanced far in our fouls, Phil. iv. 11, 12 .
Sixtoly, The more fixed, and ſteady our hearts arewithGod induty, andthe leſs theyare infeſted with wandering thoughts, and earthly interpofitions ; the more mortification there is in that foul. And so much briefly of the evidences of mortification.g
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