3. It showeth what care we should take how we employ our bodies ; for the members of the body are instruments of the soul, to execute that which it willeth and desireth, and sin without the body is unfur- nished with arms. But chiefly two things should we take care of in the body, the senses by which we let in sin, and the tongue by which ■we let out sin, for it is the interpreter of the heart.
[1.] For the senses, a christian should not be guided by his senses. but by his reason and conscience as sanctified by grace. Our Lord would teach us that it were better to want senses than gratify them with an offence and wrong to God, against them that cannot deny the pleasures of senses : Mat. v. 29, 30, * If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee ; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee ; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and riot that thy whole 'body should be cast into hell.' Better be blind than by wanton gazing run the hazard of damnation ; not that we should maim ourselves, but, of the two, count it the less evil. Therefore, to want the sinful pleasure should not be so grievous, when we should be content to want the sense itself. The far greatest part of the world are merely guided by their senses, because the far greatest part of the world are unconverted and unsanctified, and the world is full of allurements to the flesh, and the more we enjoy the good things thereof, the more is corruption strengthened within us : and as the heart stands affected, sensitive objects make a deeper or slighter impression on us. Some temptations, which are nothing to
VbR. 13.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS Vf. 255
another, may be great matters to some, who cannot deny themselves without great difficulty. Therefore when such temptations as suit \vith our fancies and appetites assault us with more than ordinary potency, we must remember sense is not to be the ruling power in our souls, but grace. Sometimes sin is brought to our hands, and the bait is played to our mouths ; as Josh. vii. 21, Achan saw, coveted, and purloined the wedge of gold ; Prov. vi. 25, ' Lust not after her beauty in thy heart, neither let her take thee with her eyelids ;' 2 Sam. xi. 2. David saw Bathsheba, and so his heart was fired. In short, sense is an ill and dangerous guide ; it was never given for a judge or coun- sellor to determine or direct, but an informer to represent the outward forms of things ; partly natural, to inform us of things profitable or hurtful to the outward man ; partly spiritual, to transmit the objects of God^s wisdom, power, and goodness to our minds, or to be the ordinary passage by which the daily effects of God's love and mercy are conveyed to our hearts. God instituted them for helps, but we make them snares. Well, then, better want senses than gratify them with the displeasure of God : to lose an eye is a far less evil than to lose a soul.
[2.] For the tongue. The apostle saith it produceth a world of evil. It hath a great use in religion, to vent the conceptions of our minds to the praise and glory of God : James iii. 9, ' Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.^ In the general, think of this ; every member must be an instrument of righteousness : is my tongue now employed for God or for Satan ? when you are apt to run into censur- ing, detraction, vain and frivolous talk.
tlse 2. To press you to this solemn dedication of yourselves to God, entirely, unreservedly, irrevocably.
1. God giveth himself to you in covenant, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all their infinite goodness, wisdom, power, &c. ; and will not you give yourselves wholly to God ?
2. You are already absolutely, wholly his, and will not you consent that he shall be your God, and you his people ? That is all that is wanting : Jer. xxiv. 7, ' And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God ; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.' This God worketh by his renewing grace.
3. You are never so much your own as when you are God's, not as to disposal, but as to enjoyment : 1 Cor. iii. 23, ' All are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.' There lieth your safety, glory, and happiness ; it is the foundation of all obedience, and of all com- fort. (1.) Of obedience, you will not easily yield to temptations ; a christian hath this answer ready, I am dedicated to God : 1 Cor. vi. 15, ' Know ye not that your bodies arc the members of Christ ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot ? God forbid 1 ' Nor will you stick at interest : 2 Cor. viii. 5, ' They first gave their ownselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.' (2.) Then for comfort: John xiv. 1, 'Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me;' 1 Tim. vi. 8, ' Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content ;' 1 Peter v. 7,