640 Book. IV Part+ L1oking UISto :Jefus. Chap. 3.Sect.4 for the prefent, whereas a tuft umnortified ever reignetll. It iw with fin in a beleever, as it is with a man that h.uh received his deadly wound from his enemy; he will not prefently fly away, but rather he will run more violently upon him that hath wounded him, yet be he never fo viZ~lent in the middle of his action h~ finkes down,becaufe he hath received his deadly wound; fo it is with a beleev~rs fin, and with a mortified Jufl:, it may rage in the heO'lrt, and feem to beare fway for a time, but tbe power and ftrength of fin is mortified, it finkes down, a11d wants ability to prevaile, by this figne may we know whether the corrupcion·s and ftirrings ofour hearts proceed from a mortified, or from an unmortified lull:; a Juft rhough mortified may rage for a time, but it cannot rule; it may firi ve, but it cannot totally prevaile; it may be in the heart as a thiefe in the houfe, not to refide or dwell, but to lodge for a night and be gone; And (that which is evlir to be obferved) after its fwinge and breaking out, the heart ·chat lodged-it, abhorrs it·fdfe in duft and afhes, cryes mightily unto God for mercy and pardon, repayers the breach with flronger refolution, and more invincible watchfulndfe againft future a!faults ; ·But a lull: unmortified polfelfeth it felfe, and rules and reignes in the heart and foul; it abides there, and will not away; I !hall not deny but there may be a cetTation of its actin g~ for a time·; but that is not any want of good-will ,as they fay, but only ot matter, meaneS, opportunity, entifement, company, provocation, or the like; and after fuch celfation or forbearance the h ~art ufually ent~rcaines it againe with more greedinelfe, it !yes and delight_s in it as much as ever, i.t hardens it felfe moll: obfiinately in it, as if it were }mpoffible to leave it, or co live without it with any kin~e of comfort. 4. True mortification is a tJainful work. The very word imports no lelfe ; . to kill a man, or to mortifie a member,will not be without paine; hence it i> call ed a crucifying of theflefh, and a cutting off the right hand . a plucking out the right eye, they that au Chri(f s have crucified the fl~jb; ij1h) h..md offend thee, cut it off. and if rhy eye ojf:nd thee p!:~c k.. it out : in this refpect this death Ul'ltO fin, carrie! with ic a likenefs to the death ofChrift; it is attended with agonies,and foul-conflicts both oefore,and after our converlion. · z. Before '.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=