476 SERMONS UPON KOMANS VIII. [SeR. IX.
to their duty; our reason still too often stoopeth to our sensuality. Fifthly, Accidental evil is matter of compassion ; but natural, of indig- nation ; we pity a dog poisoned, but hate a toad that is poisonous. If it were only a slip of our natures, or a frailty, it were another thing ; but it is the rooted disposition of our hearts. We can better dispense with a fit of anger, than with cankered malice ; a blow and away may be forgiven, but an abiding enmity provoketh us to take revenge. Thus it is necessary to know the evil, that we may seek after and admire the cure.
Use 2 is to press us to come out of this estate of carnality : will you live in enmity against God ?
1. Can you make good your part against him ? 1 Cor. x. 22, * Will you provoke the Lord to jealousy? are you stronger than he?' Secondly, He hath potestatem vitce et necis: Jam. iv. 12, ' There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.' Thirdly, God is an enemy to those that are enemies to him : Ps. v. 5, ' He hateth all workers of iniquity ; ' and Ps. vii. 11, 12, ' He is angry with the wicked every day : if he turn not, he will whet his sword, he will bend his bow, and will make it ready.' God's justice, if it doth for a while spare the wicked, yet it doth not lie idle ; he can deal with us, comminus and eminus — at a distance, and near at hand. He is whetting his sword, and bending his bow ; if he fall upon us, what shall we do ? If a spark of his wrath light upon the conscience, how soon is man made a burden to himself ? Ps. ii. 12, much more when he stirreth up all his wrath against us. What shall we do ? First, Accept of the conditions of peace God hath provided : 2 Cor. v. 19, 20, ' to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself; not imputing their trespasses to them ; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors of Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.' We read of princes that, Luke xiv. 31, while their enemy is yet a great way oflf, they send an embassy, and desire conditions of peace. God sendeth the embassy to us, let us accept of the offer ; we are no match for God. Secondly, Get corrupt nature healed, and the heart renewed by the Spirit : for there is no peace as long as the old heart remaineth. When renewed, we are reconciled ; we receive the atonement, if God sanctifieth ; he is a (xod of peace. Be once after the spirit, and then you will be spiritually minded ; and to one that is spiritually minded, there is life and peace.
Secondly. The next thing is our impotency to recover ourselves out of this estate ; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Hence observe :
Doct. That while we remain carnally minded, there is no breakmg off this enmity between God and us. The reasons of this repugnancy, or why the carnal mind standeth in such direct opposition to the law,
are — . , -d
1. ' The law is spiritual, and we are carnal, sold under sm, Rom. vu. 14. Men in an habitual state of carnality, cannot obey a spiritual law.
2. The law is pure and holy : Ps. cxix. 140, ' Thy law is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it.' But it is otherwise with fleshly crea- tures, impuriias est mixtura vilioris.
VeR. 7.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 477
3. The law is directly contrary to the fleshly mind, and therefore the fleshly mind is directly contrary to it. The law of God forbiddeth many things that are pleasing to carnal nature, as all excess of bodily pleasures, inordinate seeking after the profits and honours of the world ; commandeth many things tedious to flesh and blood, as the loving God with ail our hearts, serving him with all our might and strength, loving enemies, doing good to all, seeking others' welfare as our own. Secondly, Besides its repugnancy, there is an utter incapacity. But may it not be brought to obedience by the law demanding its right and due in the name of God? (1.) Not by a bare prohibition, for that exasperateth the evil : Eom. vii. 5, ' For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins which were by the law, did work in my members to bring forth fruit unto death.' (2.) Not by persuasions or instructions ; for spiritual arguments work little with a carnal heart; persuasion alone prevaileth not against inclination : 1 Cor. ii 14, ' For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.' (3.) Nor will resolutions, vows, and covenants, make us subject, for these are but the dictates of conscience, till the will be renewed. It is our judgment we should, but the bent of our hearts lieth as a weight against it : Eom. ii. 18, ' Thou approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law.'