2. Consider the several ways liow this root sprouteth forth. Two are mentioned by the apostle in the fore-cited place : Gal. v. 24, 'With the affections and lusts,' 7ra^j;/iocrt, passions; iinOvixiai,^, affections; the first word noteth vexing passions, the next desirable lusts. There ore two dispositions in the soul of man, of aversation and prosecution ; by the one we eschew evil, by the other we pursue good. Corruption hath invaded both, and therefore grace is necessary to rectify and
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 69
govern both : 2 Cor. vi. 7, ' By the armour of righteousness both ou the right hand, and on the left.'
[1.] We must crucify our passions, which have to do with evil vexations to the flesh ; and we must subdue our lusts or affections, which have to do with those good things wliich are pleasing to the flesh. There are vexing evils in which the mind suftereth a kind of affliction ; but it is a disorder arising from self-love, and therefore it must be mortified ; as envy, which corrodetli and fretteth the heart of him that is surprised by it ; but yet self-love is the cause of it, for we are troubled that any water should pass by our mill ; or that others should enjoy any honour, or esteem, or trade, or profit which we covet for ourselves. So anger at anything done by man, which is displeasing to us, if given way to, is a short fury and madness ; and hindereth a clear discovering of what is right and equal, Jam. i. 20. So worldly sorrow at any thing done by God displeasing to the flesh: 2 Cor. vii, * Worldly sorrow works death.' So inordinate fear, which l)etrayeth the succours which reason and grace ofiereth to fortify us upon any sudden incursion of evil : ' The fear of man bringetli a snare,' Prov. xxix. 25. So worldly cares, which divert us from God and dependence on his providence, Phil. iv. 6, 7; yea, set up an anti-providence in our own hearts. The like may be said of malice and revenge, all which bring a torture with them ; and if allowed ur indulged, would soon destroy our love to God or men ; as, — if God withholdeth from us any good that we desire, or sendeth that which we desire not, but crosseth our humour ; as sickness, want, reproach, or disrespect, or whatever the heart is carried to eschew ; or if men enjoy anytliing more than we wouUl have them, or do auytliing contrary to the con- veniency of our flesh, we storm and fret, and justify our passions, think we do well to be angry. Though these are a sort of sins which are a punishment to themselves, and do destroy not only our duty, but our peace ; and disquiet and torment the .soul that harbours them ; yea, will soon destroy that love we owe to God or man ; therefoi'e they must be mortified.
[2.] Not only our passions, but our affections must be mortified, — our more pleasant lusts, to which we are carried by a sweeter inclination of nature ; such as are stirred up by carnal baits and pleasures, as to instance, in sins of the more sordid and brutish part of mankind, motions to intemperance, luxury, uncleanness, and brutish satisfactions ; or to instance, in the more refined jiart of the world, to worldly greatness, honour, and vain delights, to be distinguished from others by estate, rank, and outward dignity ; as every man is apt to be carried away by some inordinate lust or other. Now whatever the distemper be, it must be purged out of the heart, if we would have Christ have any interest there. And here we must not only restrain the act, but mortify the habits ; for otherwise we cannot be safe ; for every temptation f'alleth in with some or other of these sins, and givetli a new life to it; unless the lusts are weakened, the conversation cannot be cln-istian : 1 Pet. ii. 4, ' Abstain from fleshy lusts ; having your conversation honest ; ' and Jam. iv. 1, 'From whence come wars and fightings?' Come they not hence, even from your lusts that war in your members ? ' All their strifes and contentions come from their carnal hearts, or sensual
70 SERMONS UPON ROJIANS VIII. [SeR. XVIII.
inclinations, wliicli first rebelled against the upper part of the soul, or the dictates of grace and reason, and then broke out into outrageous or misbecoming practices. And our Saviour telleth us tliat murders, thefts, adulteries, come first out of the heart, Mat. xv. 19. From the polluted fountain of the lieart, floweth all the pollution of the life ; and if the act should be restrained, yet unless the heart be cleansed, all is loathsome to God, Mat. x.xiii. 27. Therefore kill the lusts in your heart, and ye shall more easily curb the sins of the outward man, that they may not break out to God's dislionour. Many think to fashion the life, but neglect the heart; and if they keep from scandal, yet they do not advance the authority and power of grace in the heart, but self-love securely beareth rule in the soul. Many die by inward bleed- ing as well as by outward wounds ; therefore unless our irascible (u- concupiscible faculty be bridled, and made pliable to the conduct of the heavenly mind, we shall do nothing in Christianity to any good effect.