fin, Chrift by way of expiation, fuffering, and fatisfying for the ~ns of ot~er~, we by way ofmortification, killing, and flaying, and cructfymg our own fins. I .Jook upon this fignc as the very touchftone of a Chriftian, and therefore I fl1all infift upon it. Two queftions I fuppofe needful, to refolve the grounds of our hope concerning our intereft in the death of Chrift. x. Whether indeed and in truth our finnes are mor~ tified? 2. Whether. we encreafe, or grow in our mortifi_;; cation? For the firft, whether indeed and in truth our fins are mor~ tified ? it is a skill worth our learning becaufe of the many de~ ceits that are within us; fin may feem to be mortified when the occafion is removed; or fin may feem to be mortified when it is • : , not violent but quiet ; or fin may feem to be mortified when it i$ but removed from one fin unto another; or fin may feem to be mortified when the fap and frrength of fin is dead, . as the lainpe goes out when either the oy leis not fupplyed, or taken away. N"ow that irt this fcrutiny we may fearch to the bottome, and know the truth and certainty ofour mortification, it will appear.e by thefe rules. · 1. True mortification fprings from a rooteoffaith. Every thing in the world proceeds from fome caufe or other; and if the caufe be good, the effed mufr needs be good; but if the caufe be evil, the effed mufr needs be evil; agood tree cannot hringforth evilfruit,and an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit . In this cafe therefore let us examine the caufe, ifwe can make out this truth that we beleeve in Chrifr, that we role our felves on the Lord Jefus Chrifr for life and for falvation; and that now we begin to feele in us the decay of f:n, we may conclude from the caufe or .rife, that this decay offin is .true mortification; furely it hath re· ceived the deadly wound: it is ableffed effed arifing from a good, and right, and genuine caufe. 2. True mortification is general; not only one fin, but all fins are mortified in a true beleever. As death is unto the mem~ bers of the body, 'fo is mohification unto the members of fin; nowdeath feazeth upon every member, it leaves not life in any one
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