Thirdly, Back both these with a daily endeavour to mortify those lusts which most prevail over thy grace. Weeds cannot thrive and the flowers also ; when grace doth not act vigorously and freely, conclude it is oppressed with some contrary lust, which weighs down its spirits, and makes them lumpish ; even as superfluous humours do load the natural spirits in our bodies, that we have little joy to stir or go about any business till they be evacuated : and therefore ply this work close ; it is not a day's work or two in the year, like physic at spring and fall. Nothing more vain than to make a bustle, as the papists do at their Lent, or as some unsound professors among ourselves, who seem to bestir them- selves before a sacrament or day of fasting, with a great noise of zeal, and then let those ^'ery lusts live peaceably in them all tl>e year after. No, this is child- play, to do and undo ; thou must ' mortify daily thy lusts by the Spirit," Rom. viii. 13. Follow but this work conscientioiisly in thy Christian course, making it thy endeavour, as constantly as the labouring man goes out every day to work in the field where his calling lies, to watch thy lieart, and use all means for the discovery of sin ; and as it breaks forth, to be humbled for it, and be chopping at the root of it with the axe of mortification; and thou shalt see, by the blessing of God, v\'hat a change for the better there will be in the constitution of thy grace ; thou, who art now so poor, so pale, that thou art afraid to see thy own face long in the glass of thy own conscience, thou shalt then reflect with joy upon thy own conscience, and dare to converse with thyself without those surprisals of horror and fear which before did appal thee ; thy grace, though it shall not be thy rejoicing, yet h will be thy evidence for Christ, in whom it is, and lead thee in with boldness to lay claim to him ; while the loose Christian, ■whose grace is overgrown with lusts, for want of this weeding-hook, shall stand trembling at the door, questioning whether his grace be true or no ; and from that, doubt of his welcome.
Secondly, If, upon inquiry, thou findest that thy armour decays, rather for want of scouring than by any blow from sin presumptuously committed, (as that is most common and ordinary, rust will soon spoil the best armour, and negligence give grace its bane, as well as gross sins,) then apply thyself to the use of those means which God hath appointed for strengthening grace. If the fire goes out by taking oft' the wood, what may preserve it but by laying it on again ?
First, I shall send thee to the word of God. Be more frequently conversant with it. David tells us where he renewed his spiritual life, and got his soul so oft into a heavenly heat, when grace in him began to chill: 'The word,' he tells us, 'quickened him ;' this was the sunny bank he sat under. The word draws forth the Christian's grace, by presenting every one with an object suitable to act upon, this is of great power to rouse them up ; as the coming of a friend makes us, though sleepy before, shake oft" all drowsiness, to enjoy his company. Aftections are actuated when their object is before them; if we love a per- son, this is excited by sight of him ; if we hate one, our blood riseth much more against him when before us. Now the word brings the Christian's graces and their objects together. Here love may delight herself with the beholding Christ, who is set out to life there in all his love and loveliness ; here the Christian may see his sins in a glass that will not flatter him ; and can there any godly sorrow be in the heart, any hatred of sin, and not come forth, while the man is reading what they cost Christ for them ?
Secondly, From the word go to meditation ; this is a bellows to the fire : that grace which lies choked and eaten up for want of exercise, will by this be cleared and break forth ; while thou art musing this fire will burn, and thy heart grow hot within thee, according to the nature of the subject thy thoughts dwell upon. Resolve therefore. Christian, to inclose some time from all worldly suitors, wherein thou mayest every day, if possible, at least take a xievf of the most remarkable occurrences that have passed between God and thee. First, ask thy soul what takings it hath had that day, what mercies heaven hath sent in to thee ; and do not, when thou hast asked the question, like Pilate, go out, but stay till thy soul hath made report of God's gracious dealings with thee. And if thou art wise to observe, and faithful to relate them, thy conscience must tell thee that the cock was never tuined, the breast of mercy never put up all tlio day ; yen, while (lion art viewing these fresh mercies, telling over
THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD. 1 7 J