SPIRITUAL PEACE AND COMFORT.. 437 lyoppose that sin, and deal roundly and conscionably against it, till you have overcome it, and then you may ease yourself of your complaints and troubles. If you say, ' O, but it is not so easily done. I cannot overcome it. I havé prayed and strove against it long.' I answer, But are you heartily willing to be rid of it? If you will, it will be no impossible matter to be rid ofthe outward ex- pressions, and the high degree of the passion; though not of every' degree. Try'thiS course awhile, and then judge. 1. Plainlycon- fess your guiltiness. 2. Never moreexcuse it, or plead for it, to any thatblamethyou. 3. Desire those that live and deal with you to tell you roundlyof it as Soon as they discern it, and engage your- self to them to take it well, as a friendly action which yourself re- quested of them. 4. When you feel the passion begin to stir, enter into serious consideration of the sinfulness, or go and tell some friend of your frail inclination, and presently beg their help against it. If it be godly persons that you are angry with, instead of giving them ill words, presently, as soon as you feel the fire kindle, say to them, ' I haveavery passionate nature, which already is kindled : -I pray you reprehend me for it, and help me against it, and pray to God for my deliverance.' Also go to God yourself, and complain to him of it, and beg his help. Lastly, be sure that you make not light of it, and see that you avoid the occasions as much as you can.'. If you are indeed willing to be rid of'the sin, then do not call these directions too hard. But show your willing- ness in ready practicing them. And thus you may see that it is better to make your corruptions the matter ofyour humiliation and reformation, than ofyour torment. And for the other part of the doubt that you grow not in grace, I answer: 1. The promises of growth are conditional, ór else signify what God will usually do for his people: but it is certain that they be not absolute to all believers. For it is certain that all true Christians do not always grow; nay, that many do too oft decline, and lose their first fervor of love, and fall into sin, and live more carelessly.- Yea, it is certain that a true believer may die in such decays; or in a, far lower state than formerly he bath .been in. If I thought this needed proof, I could easily prove it; but he 'that openeth his eyes may soon see enough proof in England. 2. Many Christians do much mistake themselves about the very na- ture of true grace ; and then no wonder if they think that they thrive when they do . not, and that they thrive not when theydo. They think that more of the life and truth of gracedoth ,lie in pas- sionate feelings of sin, grace, duty, &c., in sensible zeal, grief, joy, &c., and do not know that the chief part lieth in the understand ing's estimation, and will's firm choice and resolution. And then they think theydecline in grace, because they cannot weep, or joy
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=