CHAP. I.

The Foundation of the whole ensuing Discourse laid in Rom. 8.13. The words of the Apostle opened. The certain connexion between true Mortification and Salvation. Mortification the work of Believers. The Spirit the principal efficient Cause of it. What meant by the [Body] in the words of the Apostle. What by the [Deeds of the Body.] Life in what sence promised to this Duty.

THat what I have of Direction to contribute to the carrying on of the work of Mortification in Believers, may receive order and perspicuity, I shall lay the foundation of it in those words of the Apostle, Rom. 8.13. If ye by the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live; and reduce the whole to an Improvement of the great Evangelical Truth and Mystery contained in them.

The Apostle having made a Recapitulation of his Doctrine of Justification by Faith, and the blessed Estate and Condition of them who

are made by Grace partakers thereof, vers. 1, 2, 3. of this Chapter, proceeds to improve it, to the Holiness and Consolation of Believers.

Among his Arguments and Motives unto Holiness, the Verse mentioned containeth one, from the contrary Events and Effects of Holiness and Sin. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye. What it is to live after the flesh, and what it is to dye, that being not my present aym and business, I shall no otherwise explain, than as they will fall in with the sence of the latter words of the verse, as before proposed.

In the words peculiarly designed for the Foundation of the ensuing Discourse, there is

1. A Duty prescribed; Mortifie the deeds of the body.

2. The Persons are denoted to whom it is prescribed; Ye; if Ye Mortifie.

3. There is in them a Promise annexed to that Duty, Ye shall Live.

4. The Cause or Means of the Performance of this Duty, the Spirit; If ye through the Spirit.

5. The Conditionality of the whole Proposition, wherein Duty, Means, and Promise, are contained, If ye, &c.

The first thing occurring in the words, as they lye in the entire Proposition, is the conditional

Note; [gap], but if. Conditionals in such Propositions may denote two things.

1. The uncertainty of the Event, or thing promised in respect of them to whom the duty is prescribed. And this takes place where the condition is absolutely necessary unto the Issue, and depends not its self on any determinate Cause, known to him to whom 'tis prescribed. So we say, If we live we will do such a thing. This cannot be the Intendment of the conditional Expression in this place. Of the Persons to whom these words are spoken, it is said vers. 1. of the same Chapter, there is no condemnation to them.

2. The Certainty of the coherence and Connexion that is between the things spoken of. As we say to a sick man, If you will take such a potion, or use such a remedy, you will be well. The thing we solely intend to express, is the certainty of the Connexion that is between the potion or remedy, and health. And this is the use of it here. The certain Connexion that is between the mortifying of the deeds of the Body, and living, is intimated in this conditional particle.

Now the connexion and coherence of things being manifold, as of Cause and Effect, of Way and Means, and the End; this between Mortification and Life, is not of Cause and Effect properly and strictly, for Eternal Life

is the gift of God through Jesus Christ, Rom. 6.23. But of Means and End: God hath appointed this Means, for the attaining that End, which he hath freely promised. Means though necessary have a fair subordination to an End of free Promise. A Gift, and a procuring Cause in him to whom it is given, are inconsistent. The intendment then of this Proposition as conditional, is, That there is a certain infallible connexion and coherence between true Mortification and Eternal Life: if you use this Means, you shall obtain that End: If you do mortifie, you shall live. And herein lyes the main motive unto, and Enforcement of the Duty prescribed.

2. The next thing we meet withall in the words, is the persons to whom this Duty is prescribed; and that is expressed in the word Ye, in the Original included in the Verb [gap], if ye mortifie: that is, ye Believers; ye to whom there is no Condemnation, vers. 1. ye that are not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit; vers. 5. who are quickened by the Spirit of Christ, vers. 10.11. to you is this Duty prescribed. The pressing of this Duty immediately on any other, is a notable Fruit of that Superstition and self-Righteousness that the world is full of▪ the great work and design of devout men, ignorant of the Gospel, Rom. 10.3, 4. Joh. 15.5. Now this description of the Persons, in conjunction

with the prescription of the duty, is the main Foundation of the ensuing Discourse, as it lyes in this Thesis or Proposition.

The choisest Believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their dayes, to mortifie the indwelling power of sin.

3. The principal efficient Cause of the performance of this Duty, is the Spirit: [gap], if by the Spirit. The Spirit here, is the Spirit mentioned vers. 11. the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God, that dwells in us, vers. 9. that quickens us, vers. 11. the Holy Ghost, vers. 14. the Spirit of Adoption, vers. 15. the Spirit that maketh Intercession for us, vers. 26. All other wayes of Mortification are vain, all helps leave us helpless, it must be done by the Spirit. Men, as the Apostle intimates, Rom. 9.30, 31, 32. may attempt this work on other Principles, by Means and Advantages administred on other accounts, as they always have done, and do; but (saith he) this is the work of the Spirit, by him alone is it to be wrought, and by no other power is it to be brought about. Mortification from a self-strength, carried on by way[gap]s of self-inven[gap]on, unto the End of a self-Righteousness, is the Soul and substance of all [gap]alse Religion in the world: And this is a second Principle of my ensuing Discourse.

4. The Duty it self, mortifie the deeds of the Body; is nextly to be remarked.

Three things are here to be enquired into,

• 1. What is meant by the Body.

• 2. What by the deeds of the Body.

• 3. What by Mortifying of them.

1. The Body in the close of the verse, is the same with the Flesh in the beginning. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye, but if ye Mortifie the deeds of the body; that is, of the flesh. It is that which the Apostle hath all along discoursed of, under the name of the flesh, which is evident from the prosecution of the Antithesis between the spirit and the flesh, before and after. The Body then here is taken for that Corruption and Pravity of our Natures, whereof the Body in a great part is the Seat and Instrument: The very Members of the Body, being made servants unto Unrighteousness thereby, Rom. 6.19. It is Indwelling Sin, the corrupted Flesh, or Lust that is intended. Many Reasons might be given of this metonymical expression, that I shall not now insist on. The body here is the same with [gap], and [gap], the Old man, and the body of Sin, Rom. 6.6. or it may synechdochically express the whole person considered as corrupted, and the seat of Lusts, and distempered Affections.

2. The deeds of the Body, the word is [gap],

which indeed denoteth the outward actions chiefly. The works of the Flesh, as they are called; [gap], Gal. 5.19. which are there said to be manifest: and are enumerated. Now though the outward deeds are here onely expressed, yet the inward and next Causes are chiefly intended, the Axe is to be laid to the root of the tree: The Deeds of the Flesh are to be mortified in their Causes, from whence they spring: the Apostle calls them Deeds, as that which every Lust tends unto: Though it do but conceive, and prove abortive, it ayms to bring forth a perfect Sin.

Having both in the seventh and the beginning of this Chapter treated of Indwelling Lust and Sin, as the Fountain and Principle of all sinfull Actions, he here mentions its Destruction under the name of the Effects which it doth produce. [gap], are as much as [gap], Rom. 8.6. the wisdom of the Flesh, by a metonymie of the same nature with the former; or as the [gap], and [gap], the passions and lusts of the flesh, Gal. 5.24. whence the deeds and fruits of it do arise: and in this sence is the Body used vers. 10. The body is dead because of sin.

3. To Mortifie; [gap], if ye put to death: a Metaphorical Expression, taken from the putting of any living thing to death. To kill a Man or any other living thing, is to

take away the principle of all his strength, vigour and power, so that he cannot act, or exert, or put forth any proper Actings of his own; so it is in this Case. Indwelling Sin is compared to a Person, a living Person, called the old man, with his faculties, and properties, his wisdom, craft, subtilty, strength; this (sayes the Apostle) must be killed, put to death, Mortified: that is, have its power, life, vigour and strength to produce its Effects taken away by the Spirit. It is indeed meritoriously and by way of Example utterly mortified and slain by the Cross of Christ: and the Old man is thence said to be crucified with Christ, Rom. 6.6. and our selves to be dead with him, vers. 8. and really, initiàlly in Regeneration, Rom. 6.3, 4, 5. when a Principle contrary to it, and destructive of it, Gal. 5.17. is planted in our hearts: but the whole work is by degrees to be carr[gap]d on towards Perfection all our dayes. Of this more in the Process of our Discourse.

The Intendment of the Apostle in this prescription of the D[gap]ty mentioned, is, that The Mortification of Indwelling Sin, remaining in our mortal bodies, that it may not have Life and Power to bring forth the Works or Deeds of the flesh, is the constant Duty of Believers.

5. The promise unto this duty is Life: ye

shall live. The Life promised, is opposed to the Death threatned in the clause foregoing: If ye live after the fl[gap]sh, ye shall die; which the same Apostle elsewhere expresseth; ye shall of the flesh reap corruption: Gal. 6.8. or destruction from God. Now perhaps the word may not only intend eternal Life, but also the spiritual Life in Christ which here we have; not as to the Essence and being of it, which is already enjoyed by Believers, but as to the joy, comfort, and vigour of it: As the Apostle sayes in another case, Now I live if ye stand fast, 1 Thess. 3.8. Now my Life will do me good; I shall have joy and co[gap]fort with my life: ye shall live, lead a good, vigorous, comfortable, spiritual Life whilest you are here, and obtain Eternal Life hereafter.

Supposing what was said before of the connexion between Mortification and Eternal Life, as of Me[gap]ns and End, I shall adde onely as a second Motive to the Duty prescribed, that

The vigour and power and comfort of our spiritual Life, depends on the Mortification of the deeds of the flesh.