128 SERMONS upon Serm. XIX. why ? becaufe in corrupt Nature our Principles were intire, but in our renewed Eftate they are mixt, Gal. 5. 17. The flefh lufivh againil the Spirit , there is a counterpoife to the life of Grace , therefore our evil works were meerly evil , but the good we do is not meerly good. Our Lord telleth us , That the children of this world (and fuch we were all by Nature) are wifer, cis* ryevecir e'u -?ÿ', in their generation, than the children of light, Luke 16.8. We have the advantage of the World in matter of Motive and Reafon 5 but they have the advantage of us in matter of Principle. Grace is a power- ful thing , but it is like a keen Sword in the hands of a Child. The oppofition of the flefh caufeth weaknefs. Our Motives are more noble , but their Principles are more intire. 3. Though the exa& proportion will not ftriítly hold, yet there is enough to diltin guilh the Servants of Righteoufnefs from thofe that are not made free from fin, as, Firlt,, The main bent of the Heart and. Life is for Righteoufnefs, and not for Sin. Where the main bent of the Heart and Life is [till for the Flefh and the World, they are far from Grace 5 for there the Flefh and the World, and by them Satan is fuperior ftili, the influence of Corruption is more feen in their lives and anions , than the influence of Grace 5 but he whofe main bent both of Heart and Life is for God , he now ferveth God, as before he ferved Sin 5 and therefore being made free fromfin, is become the fer- vent of righteonfnej. Secondly , Becaufe there is fome proportion and refemblance between his a &ivity in the new and fpiritual Life, and the former a &ivity in a way of fin. To clear this, z. I will (hew wherein the Refemblance holdeth good. 2. The Keafons why it mull be fo. J. The Refemblance holds good in there things. Firfi, We may take notice of a care and folicitude to do evil : Rom. 13. 14. , b .nGlóecaE ZTellVOIr, Make no provifan for the flefh: they are provident in fin , ftudied to pleafe their Lults. Surely fuch a like care thould we have of San&icy, Providing things honefi, Rom. 12. 17. Pa the time of your fajourning here in fear, 1 Pet. t. 17. When men are folicitous , that the new Nature be not annoyed, as they were formerly , that the carnal Nature might be gratified , it is a fign that feriae, Godlinefs poffeffeth their hearts. Now men were careful heretofore, that their lufts :night want no fatisfa &ion, and !hall they not be careful, that the courfe of their obedience [hall be carried on with- out interruption? Secondly, Indufiry and Diligence is notable in the fervants of fin. We read of forne that do evil with both hands earnefily, Micah 7. 3. There is an eager difpofition in ma- ny to fin. Wicked men take a great deal of pains to go to Hell 5 we all ferved fin with all our might and ftrength. Now ( hould there net be fach an unwearied diligence in Holinefs? Rom. 12. 11. Not flothful in bufnefi, fervent in Spirit, ferving the Lord. As induftrious as you were in obeying your bafe lulls and vile affe &ions, fo induftrious thould you be in obeying the Precepts of Chrift. Our vigor is turned into another chanel. See Paul's inftance, Aiïs 26. t. 1 punifhed them oft in every Synagogue, and compelled them to blaf#heme, and being exceedingly mad ageinf{ them, I perfecuted them even unto grange Cities, compared with 2 Cor. 5. 13. For whether we be betides our felves, it w to God, or whether we be faber, it is for your caul. Thirdly, With a like promptnefs and readinefs of mind. There need no great deal ado to draw men to evil, as a (lone runneth down hill of its own accord , becaufe of its natural tendency thereto, and the fmallefl temptations feem to have an irrefiftible force in them, Prov. 7. 21. With the flattery of her lips flit forced him. Now after Grace re- ceived , we thould be as ready to obey the motions of the Spirit. There is no greater evidence of the new Nature, than that out obedience becometh more eafie and even. There needeth not much ado to perfwade the new Creature to fuch things as belong unto, and fuit with the new Nature: t Tbeff 4. 9. For as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write to you, for ye your feelves are taught of God to love one another. Inclination preventeth perfwafion. Others with much ado are brought to a fenfe of their Duty, and after all they put off God with a little compulfory fervice, which they have no mind unmo, and had rather forbear than do it. Fourthly, Refolution and Self denial. How firm are men to a purpofe of finning, and go on hill, though it colt them dear, much expence of time, walk their Mate, bring a blot on their Name, yea many a wound in their Confciences, and flefh and blood is confirmed, Prov. 5. 1 t. O that we could thus deny our (elves forChrift ! Every leffer hinderance is pleaded by way of hefitancy, and bar to our Duty, a little inconvenience in
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