VeR. 11.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 233
2. The use of it here.
[1.] It is actus mentis cogitantis ; it is an act of the mind considering or meditating upon this matter, and the effect here mentioned doth much depend upon meditation as the means. The weightiest things work not if they be not thought of ; therefore we must not slightly pass over this mystery of Christ's dying and rising, but consider how they concern us, and what we were before regeneration, and what we are now to be, who profess to follow our Kedeemer unto glory.
[2.] It is actus rationis concludentis, an act of reason concluding from due premises, and inferring that this is our duty. Because the heart is averse from God, we need positively to determine upon rational deductions that it is our unquestionable duty ; for we must certainly know a thing to be our duty before we will address ourselves to perform it ; and herein reason is a good handmaid to faith, for sanctified reason ever concludeth for God ; whilst it improveth principles discovered by faith, it is our light to discover many things evident by natural light ; it is our instrument to improve other things which it cannot discover, but depend on God's revelation. We ponder and weigh things in our minds, then determine what is our duty. So that reckon is hy reason collect ; as often in scripture : 1 Cor. x. 15, ' I speak as to wise men ;' ye have reason, ' Judge ye what I say.'
[3.] It is actus fidei assentientis ; it is the syllogism of faith. It is not the bare knowledge, nor the bare discourse of these things doth make them operative and effectual ; but as faith is mingled with them : Heb. iv. 2, ' The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.' This is not matter of conjecture or opinion only, but of faith, to own the obligation which dependeth on the authority of Christ, which is a supernatural truth ; to believe the power which doth assist us, which is also a matter of pure faith, and seemingly contradicted by sense. For though mortification and vivifi- cation be begun in us, yet because of the troublesome relics of corruption, to reckon ourselves with any degree of confidence and trust to be dead unto sin and alive unto God is an act of faith ; the thing is not liable to external sense, and internal sense contradicts it, we being oppressed with so many remaining corruptions.
[4.] It is actus fidei appUcantis. We must not only know and dis- course of these things, but apply them to ourselves. The best and the most profitable knowledge is in applying general truths to a man's own case : ' Likewise reckon ye yourselves also to be dead unto sin,' &c. This is a truth which concerneth us in mortification : I profess faith in Clnist, am baptized with Christ, I must die unto sin. Omnis operatio est per contactum — the closer the truth, the more effectual the (operation : Kom viii. 31, ' What shall we say to these things V
[5.] It is actus judicis decernentis ; we do determine. This we must do or be undone : 2 Cor. v. 14, 15, ' We thus judge, tliat if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that he died for all, that they which live should not hencefortli live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.'
[6.] It is actus voluntatis consentientis ; this death and life is much promoted by the firm purpose and resolution of our minds : 1 Peter iv. 1, ' Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
234 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. IX.
yourselves likewise with tlie same mind ; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.' The sum of the whole is —
(1.) That we should think of it seriously ; and here many are defec- tive, who little think of dying to sin or living to God ; all their thoughts are how they may please the flesh : Rora. xiii. 14, ' To make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof ; ' or thrive in the Avorkl : Luke xii. 17, 18, koX SceXoyL^ero, ' And he thought within himself, saying, Wliat shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits ? And he said. This will I do : I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.' Or as those, James iv. 13, 'To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain ;' and so their great work lieth neglected.
(2.) That by reason we should so evidence it to ourselves to be our duty that we should make conscience of it. A sluggish heart needs to be awakened by plain and evident conclusions ; for wherefore was reason given us ? to lie asleep ? No ; we must argue and conclude for God, that we may bring it to this issue, that either we are flat rebels, or must do those things he hath given us in charge.