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THE POWERS
AND
CONTESTS
OF
FLESH
AND
SPIRIT.
339
miserable,
if
there were
no
other
possible way
of
es-
cape.
Besides,
it
is
part
of
their
design also in popery,
to
make some
sort of atonement
and satisfaction
for
past
sins by
these
superstitious
severities, which
are
so
far
from
being
acceptable
to
God
in this
sense,
that
they
dishonour the blood
of
Christ, and
will be
abhorred
of
the
Father.
Some
protestants run
to
another
extreme, and because
our
religion
is
spiritual, therefore they neglect many
due
restraints of
the
flesh,
and think
to
secure themselves
from
sin merely
by
the exercises
of
the
mind,
without
due
guard or care
to
keep the body
under proper
disci-
pline,
in
order
to
mortify the lusts thereof.
They
are
reedy
to imagine
that
this
is
too legal
a
way
of
mortifi-
cation,
that it
detracts
from the liberty
and
privilege
of
the christian
state,
to
keep
under
the flesh
by
any
such
methods
of
self-government.
But
in
opposition
to
these
two
extremes, the
scripture
seems plainly
to
lead
us
to a
medium
;
and the
rules
which may
be
drawn
from
the
word
of God,
may
be
chie,fly
comprised
under
these
few
heads
:
1.
Never
dare
indulge the craving
of
the
flesh in
any
one sinful
appetite
or inclination
;
much
less
"
make pro
-
vision
for
it, to
fulfil
the lusts
thereof;"
Rom.
xiii.
14.
Here
indeed
you
should
be well
informed what
is
and what
is
not
sinful,
and
not
bind
the
body to
extravagant
and
unreason-
able restraints, under
a
mistaken
notion
of
sin
and
duty.
But
when
you
are
once upon
just
grounds
satisfied what
is
unlawful, then,
if
sinful
neighbours,
or
if
sinful
self " en-
tice,
consent
thou
not;
for every man
is
tempted when
he
is
drawn away
of
his own
lust,
and enticed
;"
Prov.
i. 10.
James
i. 14.
Compliance
with sin
is
the way
to
make
sin
strong:
Every
such
indulgence
gives
it
courage
to
demand
more,
and
makes the
inclinations
grow
into
a confirmed
habit.
It
is
the
character of the
children
of
wrath,
that
they
"
fulfil
the desires
of
the
flesh
;"
Eph.
ii.
3.
2.
Keep
out of
the
way
of temptation. Whatsoever
place, company, diversion,
or unnecessary
business,
you
have found
ready
to
provoke
corrupt
passion, avoid
it
as much as possible.
Remove
thy
way
afar
off,
and
come
not
nigh
the
door
of
her
house
;"
Prov.
v.
8.
z