Fourthly, In the next place, we are to enquire into the true principle of mortification ; it is true, there are many ways attempt- ed by men for the mortification of sin, and many rules laid down, to guide men in that great work ; some of which are very trifling and impertinent things : such are those prescribed by Popish Vo- taries. But I shall lay down this as a sure conclusion, that the sa?icti- Jll'inS SpirU is the only effectual principle of mortification ; and, without him, no resolutions, vows, abstinences, castigations of the body, or any other external endeavours, can ever avail to the mor- tification of one sin. The moral Heathens have prescribed many pretty rules and helps for the suppression of vice : Aristides, Seneca, and Cato, were renowned among them upon this account : formal
378 THE METHOD OF GKAfcE. SEEM. XXV'H.
Christians have also gone far in the reformation of their lives, but could never attain true mortification ; formality pares off the ex- crescences of vice, but never kills the root of it : it usually recovers itself again, and their souls, like a body not well purged, relapses into a worse condition tl^an before, Mat. xii. 43, 44. 2 Pet. ii. 20.
This work of mortification is peculiar to the Spirit of God, Rom. viii. 13. Gal. v. 17. and the Spirit becomes a principle of mortifica- tion in believers two ways, namely,
1. By the implantation of contrary habits.
2. By assisting those implanted habits in all the times of need. F 'w st^ The Spirit of God implants habits of a contrary nature,
which are destructive to sin, and are purgative of corruption, 1 John v. 4, Acts xv. 9- Grace is to corruption what water is to fire ; betwixt which, there is both a formal and effective opposi- tion ; a contrariety both in nature and operation, Gal v. 17. There is a threefold remarkable advantage given us by grace, for the de- struction and mortification of sin. For,
First, Grace gives the mind and heart of man a contrary bent and inclination ; by reason whereof spiritual and heavenly things become connatural to the regenerate soul. Rom. vii. 22. " For I " delight in the law of God after the inner man."" Sanctification is in the soul as a living spring running with a kind of central force heaven- ward, John iv. 14.
Secondly, Holy principles destroy the interest that sin once had in the love and delight of the soul ; the sanctified soul cannot take pleasure in sin, or find delight in that which grieves God, as it was wont to do ; but that which was the object of delight, hereby be- comes the object of grief and hatred. Rom. vii. 15. What I hate, that I do.
Thirdly, From both these follow a third advantage for the mor- tification of sin, in as much as sin being contrary to the new nature, and the object of grief and hatred, cannot possibly be committed without reluctancy and very sensible regret of mind ; and actions done with regret are neither done frequently nor easily. The case of a regenerate soul under the surprizals and particular victories of temptation, being like that of a captive in war, who marches not with delight, but by constraint among his enemies *. So the apos- tle expresseth himself, Rom. vii. 23. " But I see another law in " my members warring against the law of my mind ; and bringing " me into captivity unto the law of sin which is in my members."
* A/^/xaXwr/^w, When one is so taken that he can neither struggle, nor resist him by whom he is taken captive.
SERM. XXVII. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 379
Thus the Spirit of God promotes the design of mortification, by the implantation of contrary habits.
Secondly, By assisting those gracious habits in all the times of need which he doth many ways ; sometimes notably awakening and rousing grace out of the dull and sleepy habit, and drawing forth the activity and power of it into actual and successful resistances of temptations. As Gen. xxxix. 9- " How can I do this great " wickedness and sin against God ?" Holy fear awakens first and raises all the powers of grace in the soul to make a vigorous resist- ance of temptation : the Spirit also strengthens weak grace in the soul. 2 Cor. xii. 9. " My grace is sufficient for thee, for my " strength is made perfect in weakness :" And, by reason of grace thus implanted and thus assisted, " he that is born of God keepeth " himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not."
Fifthly, The last query to be satisfied is, how mortification of sin solidly evinceth the soul's interest in Christ ; and this it doth divers ways, affording the mortified soul many sound evidences thereof. As,
Evidence 1. Whatsoever evidences the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in us, must needs be evidential of a saving interest in Christ, as hath been fully proved before ; but the mortification of sin doth plainly evidence the indwelling of the Spirit of God ; for, as we proved but now, it can proceed from no other principle. There is as strong and inseparable a connection betwixt mortifica- tion and the Spirit, as betwixt the effect and its proper cause ; and the self-same connection betwixt the inbeing of the Spirit and union with Christ : So that to reason from mortification to the inhabita- tion of the Spirit, and from the inhabitation of the Spirit to our union with Christ, is a strong scriptural way of reasoning.
Evidence 2. That which proves a soul to be under the covenant of grace, evidently proves its interest in Christ ; for Christ is the head of that covenant, and none but sound believers are under the blessings and promises of it : but mortification of sin is a sound evi- dence of the soul's being under the covenant of grace, as is plain from those words of the apostle, Rom. vi. 12, 13, 14. " Let not " sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it " in the lust thereof; neither yield ye your members as instru- " ments of unrighteousness unto sin ; but yield yourselves unto " God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members " as instruments of righteousness unto God : for sin shall not have " dominion over you ; for ye are not under the law, but under " grace." Where the apostle presseth believers unto mortifica- tion by this encouragement, that it will be a good evidence unto them of a new covenant interest ; for all legal duties and endea- vours can never mortify sin : it is the Spirit in the new covenant,
380 THE METHOD OF GKACE. SEEM. XXVIII.
■which produces this. Whoever, therefore, hath his corruptions mortified, hath his interest in the covenant, and consequently in Christ, so far cleared unto him!