320 DIORTiFICAT of the body, he therein expresseth the effect I'M the cause metonymically; for he intends zn. cagier rov r"s watstsarsi sass ra,, ia,3utc,a,s, as he expresseth the same thing, Gal. v. 24. Theflesh with its affections and lusts; whence all the corrupt deeds, wherein the body is in- strumental, do arise. Sect. l.. (o.) The same duty, with relation unto the death of Christ, as the meritorious, efficient, and exem- plary cause, is expressed by crucifying, Rom vi., 6. " Our old man is crucified with him." Gal. ii. 20. " 1 r, am crucified with Christ;" chap. v. 20. s, They that u are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affec- ' tions and lusts;" chap. vi. It-. " By the Lord Jesus " Christ, the world is crucified unto me, and I unto " the world." Now, as perhaps there may be some- thing intimated herein, of the manner of mortification of sin, which is gradually carried on unto its final de- struction, as a man dies on the cross; yet that which is principally intended, is the relation of this work and duty to the death of Christ," whence we and our sins are said to be crucified with him, because weand they are so by virtue of his death; and herein do we always bear about in the body, rnr avgars, +, the dying ofour Lord Je- sus Christ, 2 Cor. iv. 10. representing the manner of it, and expressing its efficacy. Sect. 5.Second/y, Thus is this duty expressed, whose nature, in the next place, we shall more parti- cularly inquire into, and declare, in the ensuing obser- vations. f. Mortification of sin is a duty always incumbent on us, in the whole course of our obedience. This the com- mand testifieth, which represents it as an always present duty. When it is no longer a duty to grow in grace, it isso not to mortify sin. Noman under heavencan at any time say, that he is exempted from this command, nor on any pretence. And he who ceaseth from this duty, lets go all endeavours after holiness. And, as for those who pretend unto an absolute perfection, they are, of all persons living, the most impudent, nor do ever, in this matter, open their mouths, but theygive themselves the lie: For, 2. This duty being always incumbent on us, argues undeniably the abiding in us of a principleof sin whilst we are in the flesh, which, with its fruits, is that which is to be mortified. This the scripture calleth " the sin " that dwelleth in us, the evil that is present with us, ION OF slit, "the law of the members, evil concupiscence, lust, the flesh," and the like. And thereànto are the proper- ties and actings offolly, deceit, tempting, seducing, re- belling, warring, captivating, ascribed. This is not a place to dispute the truth of this assertion, which can- not, with any reputation of modesty, be denied by any who own the scripture, or pretend to-an acquaintance with themselves. But yet, through the croft of Satan, with the pride and darkness of the minds of men, it is so fallen out, that the want of a true understanding hereof, is the occasion of most of those pernicious errors wherewith the church of God is at present pestered; and which practically keeps men off from being seriously troubled for their sins, or seeking out for relief by Je- sus Christ. 'Thus one bath notfeared of late, openly, to profess, that he knows of no deceit or evil in his own heart, though a wiser than he, hath informed us, that he who trusteth in his own heart is a fbol, Prov. xxviii. 26. Sect. 6. -3. Indwelling sin, which is the object of this duty of mortification, falls under a threefold consi- deration: 1. Of its root and principle. 2. Of its disposi- tion and operations. 3. Wits effects. These, in the scrip- ture, are frequently distinguished, though mostly under metaphorical expressions. So are they mentioned toge- ther distinctly, Rom. vi: 6. " Our old man is crucified " with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, " that henceforth we should not serve sin:" (1.) The root'.or principle of sin, which, by nature, possesseth all the faculties of the soul, and, as a depraved habit-, inclines unto all that is.evil, is the old man, so called in opposition unto the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (2.) There is the inclination, actual disposition, and operations of this principle or habit, which is called the body of sin, with the members of it: for, under those expressions sin is proposed as inprocinctu, in a readiness to act it- self, and inclining unto all that is evil. And this.also is expressed by the affections and lusts of the flesh, Gal. iv. 25. Deceitful lusts, Eph. iv. 24. Theold man is cor- rupt, according unto the deceitful lusts, the will of the flesh_und the mind. (3.) There are the effects, fruits, and products of these things, which are actual sins, whereby, as the apostle speaks, we serve sin, as bring- ing forth the fruits of it, that we should not henceforth servesin. And thesefruits are of two sorts: 1. Internal,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=