420 TheNATUKE ancLPowER have not been crucified with Chriff. Now then when this law of fin can poffefs any affe&ion whatever it be, love, delight, fear, it will make from it, and by it, fearful affaults upon the foul. For inftance, hath it got the love of any one entangled with the world, or the things of it, the luft of the flefh, the lulls of the eyes, or the pride of life ? How will it take advantage on every occafion, to break in upon the foul. It fhali do nothing, attempt nothing, be in no place, or company, perform no duty, private or .publick, but fin will have one blow or other at it ; itwill be one way or :other foliciting for itfelf. Ufe. This is the fumm of what we flhall offer unto this aflíg of the law of fin in a way of fighting and warring againft our fouls, which is fo often niention'd in the fcripture. And a due confideration of it is of no fmall advantage unto us, efpecially to bring us unto felf abafement, to teach us to walk humbly and mournfully before God. There are two things that are fuited to humble the fouls of men. And they are firft, A due confideration of God, and then of themfelves. Of God in his greatnefs, glory, holinefs, power, majefty and authority ; of ourfelves in our mean, abje&, and finful condition. Now of all things in our condi- tion, there is nothing fo fuited unto this end and purpofe, as that which lyes before us ; namely, the vile remainders of enmity againft God which are yet in our hearts and natures. And it is no fmall evidente of a gracious foul, when it is willing to feárch itfelf in this matter, and to be helped therein from a word of truth. When it is willing that the word fhould dive into the fecret parts of theheart, and rip open whatever of evil and corruption lies therein. The prophet fays of' Ephrám5, Hof. x. r t. He loved to trozd out the corn ; he loved to work when hemight eat, to have always the corn before him; but God fays he, would caufe him to plough ; a labour no leis needful, though at prefent not fo delightful. Moft men love to hear of the do&rine of grace, of the pardon of fin, of free love, and fuppofe they find food therein ; however it is evident that they grow and thrive in the life and notion of them. But to be break- ing up the fallow ground of their hearts to be enquiring after the weeds, and briars that grow in them, they delight not fo much. Though this be no lefs neceffary than the other. Thispath is not fobeaten as that ofgrace, nor fo trod in, though it be the only way to come toa true knowledge of grace itfelf. It may be fome who are wife and grown in other truths, may yet be fo little lkijled in fearching their own hearts; that they may be flow in theperception and.underftanding of thefe things. But this floath andneglea is to be (haken off, ifwe have any regard unto our own fouls. It is more than 1b obable, that many a falfe h}ipocritewho have deceived themfelves, aswell as others, becaufe they thought the doctrineof the gofpel pleafed them, and therefore fuppofed they believed it, might be delivered from their foul ruining deceits, if they would diligently apply'themfelves unto this fearch of their osvn hearts. Or would other profeffors walk with fo much bold- nefs and fecurity asfome do, if they confider aright what a deadly watchful enemy they continually carry about with them and in them? would they fo much indulge as they do to carnal joys and pleafures, or purfue their perithing affairs with fo much delight and greedinefs as they do? It were to be wished, that we would all apply our hearts inure to this work, even to come to a-true underftanding of the nature, power and fubtiltyof this our adverfary, that our fouls may be humbled; and that, s. In walking with God. His delight is with the humble and contrite ones, thofe that tremble at his word, the mourners in Sion, and'fuch are we only when we have a due fenfe of our own vile-condition. This will beget reverence of God, fence of our diffance from him, admiratioti 3 of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=