Of Self-Denial. 15 tions confirmed by habit, and the reluctance S F R M. arifing from their prevalence in the heart Inuit be overcome, be it ever fo painful. This is the difadvantage which attends our infancy in a virtuous Rate ; and therefore the fcripture account of felf-denial under the idea of mor- tification was well adapted to the new difciples of Chrift in the firft age, as it is to others in every age, whofe condition is parallel in re- fpect of weaknefs. But Chriftians fhould always be growing up to perfection in every virtue : and in order to that increafing in feif-denial, which it may be expected will go on the more fuccefsfully, be- caufe it Hill becomes more eafy. And indeed it may be very ufeful for Chriftians of the higheft attainments who are zealouflypreff ingon toper - fefion, by a cuflomary feverity towards their inferior appetites, to lay reftraints upon their liberty, within the limits of what is ftriäly lawful, that they may the more effectually re- ftore and preferve a dominion over themfelves, that thereby they may be the more ftedfaft, abounding in the work of the Lord. This kind of difcipline St. Paul ufed, as he tells r Cor. ix. 27. I keep under my body, and bring it into fubjeSion ; that is, as appears from the preceding verfes, by denying myfelf liberty in the ufe of indifferent things, in order to my being
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=