Thirdly, The crucifixion of the flesh doth not consist in the ces- sation of the external acts of sin; for, in that respect, the lusts of men may die of their own accord, even a kind of natural death. The members of the body arc the weapons of unrighteousness, as the apostle calls them ; age or sickness may so blunt or break those weapons, that the soul cannot use them to such sinful purposes and services as it was wont to do in the vigorous and healthful seasons of life ; not that there is less sin in the heart, but because there are less strength and activity in the body. Just as it is with an old soldier, who hath as much skill, policy, and delight as ever in military actions ; but age and hard services have so enfeebled him, that he can no longer follow the camp.
Fourthly, The crucifixion of sin doth not consist in the severe castigation of the body, and penancing it by stripes, fasting, and tiresome pilgrimages. This may pass for mortification among Pa- pists, but never was any lust of the flesh destroyed by this rigour. Christians, indeed, are bound not to indulge and pamper the body, which is the instrument of sin ; nor yet must we think that the spiritual corruptions of the soul feel those stripes which are inflicted upon the body : See Col. ii. 23. it is not the vanity of superstition, but the power of true religion, which crucifies and destroys corrup- tion ; it is faith in Christ's blood, not the spilling of our own blood, which gives sin the mortal wound.
Secondly, But if you enquire, what then is implied in the mortifi- cation or crucifixion of sin, and wherein it doth consist ? I an- swer,
First, It necessarily implies the soul's implantation into Christ, and union with him : without which it is impossible that any one cor- ruption should be mortified ; Thcij that are [Chri.sfs] hare crucified
-j<% THE METHOD OF GRACE. , SERM. XXVII.
thejlesh : * The attempts and endeavours of all others are vain and ineffectual : " When we were in the flesh, (saith the apostle) the " motions of sin which were by the law did work in our members, " to bring forth fruit unto death,'1 Rom. vii. 5. sin was then in its full dominion, no abstinence, rigour, or outward severity ; no pur- poses, promises, or solemn vows could mortify or destroy it ; there must be an implantation into Christ before there can be any effec- tual crucifixion of sin : What believer almost hath not in the days of his first convictions, tried all external" methods and means of mortifying sin, and found all in experience to be to as little pur- pose as the binding of Samson with green withs or cords? But when he hath once come to act faith upon the death of Christ, then the design of mortification hath prospered and succeeded to good purpose.
Secondly, Mortification of sin implies the agency of the Spirit of God in that work, without whose assistances and aids, all our en- deavours must needs be fruitless : Of this work we may say as it was said in another case, Zech. iv. 6. " Not by might, nor by power, " but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." When the apostle therefore would shew by what hand this work of mortification is performed, he thus expresseth it, Rom. viii. 13. " If ye through the Spirit do " mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live iv The duty is ours, but the power whereby we perform it is God's : The Spirit is the only successful combatant against the lusts that war in our members, Gal. v. 17. It is true, this excludes not, but implies our endea- vours ; for it is we through the Spirit who mortify the deeds of the body ; but yet all our endeavours without the Spirit's aid and in- fluence avail nothing.
Thirdly, The crucifixion of sin necessarily implies the subversion of its dominion in the soul : A mortified sin cannot be a reigning sin, Rom. vi. 12, 13, 14. Two things constitute the dominion of sin, viz. the fulness of its power, and the soul's subjection to it. As to the fulness of its power, that rises from the suitableness it hath, and pleasure it gives to the corrupt heart of man : It seems to be as necessary as the right hand, as useful and pleasant as the right-eye, Mat. v. 29. but the mortified heart is dead to all plea- sures and profits of sin ; it hath no delight or pleasure in it ; it be- comes its burden and daily complaint. Mortification presupposes the illumination of the mind and conviction of the conscience ; b reason whereof sin cannot deceive and blind the mind, or bewi
* They mistake the very nature of Christian mortification, who place it in afflict- ing and using violence to the body ; whereas true mortification refers not principally to the body or inferior part of the soul, but chiefly to the rnind and will, Dav. on Col. p. 25 b.
6ERM. XXVU. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 373
and ensnare the will and affections as it was wont to do, and con- sequently its dominion over the soul is destroyed and lost.
Fourthly, The crucifying of the flesh implies & gradual weakening of the power of sin in the soul. The death of the cross was a slow and lingering death, and the crucified person grew weaker and weaker every hour ; so it is in the mortification of sin : The soul is still " cleansing itself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, " and perfecting holiness in the fear of God," 2 Cor. vii. 1. And as the body of sin is weakened more and more ; so the inward man, or the new creature, is " renewed day by day," 2 Cor. iv. 16. For sanctification is a progressive work of the Spirit : And as holi- ness increases and roots itself deeper and deeper in the soul ; so the power and interest of sin proportionally abates and sinks lower and lower, until at length it be swallowed up in victory.