[1.] Things apparently evil, as all vices and sins : Gal. v. 19, 20, 'Epja (TapKo<; j>dvepa — ' The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witch- craft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.' Though the inward root from whence these things flow be hidden, yet these effects are apparent rank weeds, that smell strong in nature's nostrils. These are not all, but he concludeth it with a such like ; and instanceth in these, as the most known, and most commonly practised ; as the commandments forbid the grosser sin in the kind, some serve the flesh in a more cleanly manner. And mark in the things enumerated, some belong to the blind and corrupt will, as idolatry and heresy ; some to the depraved will, as witchcraft and hatred ; some to the affections both of the irascible faculty, as emulation, wrath, strife ; some to the concupiscible, as uncleanness, revellings ; some to the sensual appetite as adultery and drunkenness. He instanceth not only in the grosser evils, as adultery, but wantonness, or any unseemly behaviour, that tendeth to excite the lust of filthiness in ourselves or others : not only in witchcraft, but hatred or malice, which is a temptation to it ; not only in murder, but wrath and strife ; not only in drunkenness, but revelling, riotous feasts, and meetings. There is a difference between sins ; but the least is to be avoided, if we would shun the greater.
[2.] Things good in their own nature, but immoderately aftected, as all the comforts and appurtenances of the bodily life, which are used as baits of corruption, as worldly profits,. honours, and pleasures, some that immediately tend to the pleasing of the flesh, as bodily pleasures; others remotely, as they lay in provision for that end. What are here called the things of the flesh, are elsewhere called earthly things: Phil, iii. 19, * They mind, ra eiriyeia, earthly things;' such things as, if rightly used, would be comforts in our passage, but through our folly prove snares. Meat, drink, marriage, pleasures, profits, preferments, ease, idleness, softness, daintiness — these things immoderately sought, not in respect to God, or in subordination, but opposition to heavenly things, become baits of corruption, and fuel wherewith to feed the flesh.'
442 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. VI.
While men seek tliem for themselves, and only to please themselves, they are not adjumenta, helps to heaven, but impedimenta, lets and snares. Our greatest danger doth not lie in things simply evil, but in lawful things. Carnal men esteem these things as the best, and place their happiness in them ; these things they affect, and love, and like, and care for : so that the heart is turned off from God and the- pursuit of better things, to entertain itself with these baser objects. This is to seek out baits for the flesh ; for the flesh is nothing else but the corruption of nature, which inclineth us to any inferior good, and diverteth us from things truly good and spiritual, as communion with and enjoyment of God. Well, now we have suited those that are after the flesh, with an object proper to them, and agreeable Avith their inclinations.
2. The next thing is, what are ra rou Trvevfiaro'i — ' the things of the Spirit ? ' They are all things pertaining to spiritual life and godliness. You may conceive of them thus :
[1.] Such things as the Spirit revealeth. Now he revealeth the mysteries of salvation, or the deep things of God in Jesus Christ, which the natural man is not capable of : 1 Cor. ii. 14. The whole doctrine of godliness, or salvation offered by God in Christ, is the element of the renewed man, his life and soul is bound up in it : Ps. cxix. 103, ' How sweet are thy words unto my taste ? ' But a natural man savoureth not these things, nor knoweth them, nor loveth them> if he be told of them. They that are in a common way partakers of the Spirit, are ^aid to ' taste the good word,' Heb. vi. 4. So far as the Spirit worketh upon them, so far they have a relish for these things.
[2.] Such things as the Spirit worketh, Kapiro'i Trvev^aro'^ : Gal. v. 22, * The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, patience, meekness ; ' all internal excellences. The renewed man ever seeks to excel and advance in these things ; not to trim the body, but to deck and adorn the soul : 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4, ' Whose adorning, let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of gold, and putting on of apparel : but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' All his desires are to be ' strengthened with might in the inner man by the Spirit,' Eph. iii. 16. He rejoiceth, and faints not under troubles, while the inward man is safe ; 2 Cor. iv. 16, for ' as the outward man decreaseth, the inward man is renewed day by day.' If they can keep grace alive in their souls, that is their care, their business, their comfort. The natural heart is altogether taken up about the outward man, but the renewed heart about the inward man, and an increase in holiness, or spiritual strength ; for that is the great product of the sanctifying Spirit, and that which they should mainly look after.