62 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VJil. [SeK. XVIIL
[2.] Our relation to him, both by external profession, and real implantation, both bind us to mortify sin.
(1.) External profession obligeth us to die unto sin ; it was a part of our baptismal vow, and we quite nullify and frustrate the intent of that ordinance, unless we mortify the deeds of the body. The flesh was renounced in our answer to God's covenant-questions : 1 Pet. iii. 21, Baptism is called 'the answer of a good conscience towards God.' It is an answer to tlie Lord's offers propounded in the gospel wliea we were first consecrated to this wai'fare ; and that dedication must never be forgottem : 2 Pet. i. 19, ' And hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.' To neglect, is to forget ; as ' to distribute and communicate, forget not ; ' that is, neglect not. So here, ' hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.' While they please the flesh, they neglect their baptismal vow, and so make that ordinance of pone effect to them. We are said (Col. ii. 13), to 'put off the body of the sins of the flesh.' That is, in vow and obligation, being bm'ied with him in baptism. Now if we do not stand to our vow, our solemn admission into Christ's family was in vain.
(2.) By real implantation. Surely they that are united to Christ cannot live in the servitude and slavery of sin ; for by this union with him they are assimilated and conformed to him : Gal. ii. 20, ' I am crucified with Christ ; ' and it was not his privilege alone, but all the justified : Gal. v. 24. ' And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof.' This conformity is called by the apostle, a being ' planted into the likeness of his death,' Kom. vi. 5. Christ was crucified in his human nature, and we in our corrupt nature ; we crucified him by our sins, and we are crucified with him by the Spirit ; Christ died for sin, and a cluistian dies unto sin.
2. With respect to sin, which remalneth in us after we are justified. Here are three considerations demonstrating why we should mortify sin.
. [1.] Tliat sin still abideth in us after we are taken into the justified estate. While we dwell in flesh, this woful and sad companion dwelleth with us ; we cannot get rid of this cursed inmate, till the house itself be pulled down ; we die struggling with it ; and when one of our feet is within the borders of eternity, yet it departeth not. As hair groweth after shaving, as long as the roots remain ; so is corruption sprouting ; therefore must be always mortifying ; always cleansing: 2 Cor. vii. 1, ' Having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit ; ' always purifying, 1 John iii. 3, ' He that hath this hope in him, purifielh himself as Christ is pure ; ' always ' laying aside the weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us,' Heb. xii. 1. Since sin is not nullified, it therefore must be mortified ; the war mu.st last as long as the enemy liveth, and hath any strength and force.
[2.] It still worketh in us, is very active and restless, not as other things, which as they grow in age, grow more quiet and tame : James iv. 5, ' The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy.' Tlie flesh is not a sleepy habit, but a working stirring principle : Kom. vii. 8, ' Sin wrought in me all manner of concupiscence ; ' that is, sinning nature ; it is always inclining us to evil, or hindering tliat which is good. (1.) Inclining us to that which is evil. It doth not only make us flexible
VeK. 13.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 63
and yielding to temptation.s; bat doth urge us, and impel us thereunto : Eom. vii. 23, ' But I seu another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind.' We think and speak too gently of sin, when we think it a tame thing, that worketh not till it be irritated by the suggestions of Satan. No, it is like a living fountain that poureth out its waters, though nobody come to drink of them ; it is irritated by the law of God many times, and the motions of the Spirit ; these corrupt liumours within us, are in a continual fermentation : Gen. vi. 5, ' And God saw that the wickedness of man was great upon earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continu- ally.' Temptations only make them more violent. (2.) Hindering us from that wliich is good. Either it draweth away the heart from duty, or distracteth the heart in duty. It draweth away the heart from duty : Eom. vii. 21, ' I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.' It abateth the edge of our affections, discourageth us by many unbelieving carnal thoughts, and so the heart is drawn away from God, that sin may the more domineer ; or distracting our minds in duty: Ezek. xxsiii. 31, 'Their hearts go after their covet- ousness ; ' filling our minds with thoughts of the world, vain pleasures ; revenge turneth our duties into sins.