Inf. 4. If they that be Chrisfs have crucified the flesh*, then the number of real Christians is very small. It is true, if all that seem to be meek, humble, and heavenly, might pass for Chris- tians, the number would be great ; but if no more must be ac- counted Christians, than those who crucify the flesh, with its affections and lusts, O, how small is the number ! For, O, how many be there under the Christian name, that pamper and in- dulge their lusts, that secretly hate all who faithfully reprove them, and really affect none but such as feed their lusts, by praising and admiring them ? How many that make provision for the flesh to fulfil its lusts, who cannot endure to have their corruptions crossed ?
* He who is not crucified with Christ, and who is not a member of Christ, is not saved by his cross. Prosper.
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How many are there that seem very meek and humble, until an occasion be given them to stir up their passion, and then you shall see in what degree they are mortified : the flint is a cold stone, till it be struck, and then it is all fiery. I know the best of Christians are mortified but in part ; and strong corruptions are oftentimes found in very eminent Christians ; but they love them not so well as to purvey for them ; to protect, defend, and countenance them ; nor dare they secretly hate such as faithfully reprove them ; as many thousands that go under the name of Christians do. Upon the account of mortification it is said, Mat. vii. 13. " Narrow is the way, and strait is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few there be « that find it."
Inf. 5. If they that be Christ's have crucified the flesh, i. e. if mortification is their daily work and study ; then how falsely are Christians charged as troublers of the world, and disturbers of the civil peace and tranquillity of the times and places they live in ; Justly may they retort the charge, as Elijah did to Ahab, " It is " not I that trouble Israel, but thou and thy father's house :" It is not holy, meek, and humble Christians that put the world into con- fusion ; this is done by the profane and atheistical ; or by the de- signing and hypocritical world, and laid at the door of innocent Christians : as all the public calamities which from the immediate hand of God, or by foreign or domestic enemies befel Rome, were constantly charged upon Christians; and they condemned and pun- ished, for what the righteous hand of God inflicted on the working heads of the enemies of that state without their privity contrived. The apostle James propounds and answers a question very perti- nent to this discourse, James iv. 1. " From whence come wars " and fightings among you ? Come they not hence, even of your " lusts that war in your members ?" O, if men did but study mor- tification and self-denial, and live as much at home in the constant work of their own hearts as some men do ; what tranquillity and peace, what blessed halcyon-days should we quickly see ! It is true, Christians are always fighting and quarrelling, but it is with them- selves and their own corrupt hearts and affections ; they hate no enemy but sin ; they thirst for the blood and ruin of none but of that enemy ; they are ambitious of no victory, but what is over the corruptions of their own hearts ; they carry no grudge except it be against this enemy, sin ; and yet these are the men who are the most suspected and charged with disturbing the times they live in ; just as the wolf accused the lamb, which was below him, for puddling and defiling the stream. But there will be a day when God will clear up the innocency and integrity of his mistaken and abused servants ; and the world shall see, it was not preaching and
384? THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XXVII**
praying, but drinking, swearing, profaneness, and enmity unto true godliness, which disturbed and broke the tranquillity and quietness of the times : mean time let innocency commit itself unto God, who will protect, and in due time vindicate the same.
Inf. 6. If they that be Christ's have crucified the flesh, then whatsoever reUgion, opinion, or doctrine doth in its own nature coun- tenance and encourage sin, is not of Christ. The doctrine of Christ every where teacheth mortification : the whole stream of the gos- pel runs against sin ; the doctrine it teacheth is holy, pure, and heavenly ; it hath no tendency to extol corrupt nature, and feed its pride, by magnifying its freedom and power, or by stamping the merit and dignity of the blood of Christ upon its works and performances ; it never makes the death of Christ a cloke to cover sin, but an instrument to destroy it. And whatsoever doctrine it is which nourishes the pride of nature, to the disparagement of grace, or encourages licentiousness and fleshly lust, is not the doc- trine of Christ, but a spurious offspring begotten by Satan upon the corrupt nature of man.
Inf. 7. If mortification be the great business and character of a Christian, Then that condition is most eligible and desirable by Christians, which is least of all exposed to temptation, Prov. xxx. 8. " Give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me with food convenient." That holy judicious man was well aware of the danger lurking in both extremes, and how near they border upon deadly temptations, and approach the very precipice of ruin that stand upon either ground : few Christians have an head strong and steady enough to stand upon the pinnacle of wealth and honour ; nor is it every one that can grapple with poverty and contempt. A mediocrity is the Christian's best external security, and therefore most desir- able : and yet how do the corruption, the pride and ignorance of our hearts grasp and covet that condition which only serves to warm and nourish our lusts, and make the work of mortification much more difficult ? It is well for us that our wise Father leaves us not to our own choice, that he frequently dashes our earthly projects, and disappoints our fond expectations. If children were left to carve for themselves, how often would they cut their own fin-
Inf. 8. If mortification be the great business of a Christian, then Christian fellowship and society duly managed and improved, must needs be of singular use and special advantage to the people of God. For thereby we have the friendly help and assistance of many other hands to carry on our great design, and help us in our most difficult business ; if corruption be too hard for us, others this way come in to our assistance, Gal. vi. 1. " Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a " fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of
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