thou art yet in thy eld 2)vIson . can thei'c bo a change of government in a nation by a conqueror that invades it, and liis subjects not hear of this ? one king enthroned, and anotlier crowned in thy soul, and tliou hear no sculile all this while ? 'I'lie regenerating Spirit is compared to the wind, John iii. 8 ; his first attempts on the soul may be so secret, that the creature knows not whence they come, or whither they tend ; but before he hath done, the sound will be heard throughoiit the soul, so as it cannot but see a great change in itself, and say, I tliat was blind, now see : I that was as hard as ice, now relenting for sin ; now my heart gives, I can melt and moiun for it : I that was well enough witliout a Christ, yea, did wonder what others saw in him, to make such ado for him, nov,- have changed my note with the 'daughters of Jerusalem;' and for What is your beloved.' as I scornfully have asked, I have learned to ask where he is, that 1 might seek him with you. O soul I canst thou say it is thus with thee ? thou mayest know who has been here, no loss than Christ ; who, by his victorious Spirit, hath translated thee from Satan's power into his own sweet kingdom.
Secondly, Whose law dost thou freely subject thyself unto ? The law's of these princes are as contrary as their natures ; the one a law of sin, Rom. viii. 2, the other a law of holiness, Rom. vii. 12 ; and therefore if sin hath not so far bereaved tliec of thy wits, as not to know sin from holiness, thou mayest, except resolved to cheat thy own soul, soon be resolved ; confess, therefore, and give glory to God. To which of these laws doth tliy soul set its seal? When Satan sends out his proclamation, and bids. Sinner go, set thy foot upon such a com- mand of God ; observe, what is thyv behaviour, dost thou yield thyself, as Paul phraseth it, Rom. vi. 16? a metaphor from princes, servants, or others, who are said to present themselves before their lord, as ready and at hand to do their pleasure ; by which the apostle elegantly describes' the forwardness of the sin- ner's heart to come to Satan's foot, wlien knock or call. Now doth thy soul go out thus to meet thy lust, as Aaron his brother, glad to see its face in an occa- sion ? Thou art not brouglit over to sin witii much ado, but thou likest the command ; ' Transgress at Gilgal,' saith God, ' tliis liketh you well,' Hos. iv. 5. As a courtier, who doth not only obey, but thank his prince that he will employ him. Needest thou be long in resolving whose thou art ? Did ever any ques- tion whether those were Jeroboam's subjects who willingly followed his com- mand ? Hos. V. 11. Alas for thee, thou art under the power of Satan, tied by a chain stronger than brass or iron : thou lovest thy lust. A saint may be for a time under u force, 'sold under sin,' as the apostle bemoans, and therefore glad when deliverance comes ; but thou sellest th3'self to work iniquity. If Christ should come to take thee from thy lusts, thou woiddst whine after theHi, as Micah after his gods.
Thirdly, To whom goest thou for protection ? As it belongs to the prince to protect his subjects, so princes ex])ect their subjects should trust them with their safety. The very bramble bids, Judg. xi. 1.5, ' If in truth ye anoint me king, then put j'our trust under my^ shadow.' Now who hath thy confidence ? Barest thou trust God with thy sold, and the affairs of it in well doing? Good subjects follow their calling, commit state matters to the wisdom of their prince and his counsel ; when wronged, they appeal to their prince in his laws for right ; and when they do ou'end their pi'ince, tliey submit to the penalty^ of the law, <md bear his displeasvu'c patiently, till lumibling themselves they recover his favour, and do not in a discontent fall to opm rebellion. Thus a gracious soul follows his Christian calling, connnitting himself to God as a faithful Creator, to be or- dered by his wise providence. If he meets with rtolence from any, he scorns to beg aid of the devil to lielp liiu), or l)e his own judge to riglit himself: no, he acquiesceth in the counsel and comfort tlie word of God gives him. If himself offends, and so comes under the lash of (Jod's correcting hand, he doth not then take up rebiUious arms against God, and refuse to receive correction, but saith, ' Why should a living man complain ; a man for the punislnnent of his sin ?' whereas a naughty heart dares not venture his estate, life, credit, or anything he hath with God in well-doing ; he thinks he shall l)e undone pre- sently, if he sits still under the shadow of God's promise for protection ; and therefore he runs from (Jod as from vnder an old house that would fall on his head, and lays the v.eight of his confidence in wicked policv, making lies his
94 AGAIXST PRIXCIPALlTIEf.