[2.] Wc must. For two reasons, —
(1.) That God may apply himself to us in our way.
(2.) That we may apply ourselves to God, and meet him in his way.
(1.) That God may apply himself to us in our way. God being our creator, doth preserve the liberty of his workmanship ; he applieth himself to every creature according to the nature of it, so as to improve it, not destroy it ; he offereth no violence to our natural faculties, but super-addeth grace ; draweth, that we may run. Cant i. 4 ; not hoistetli up, as dead things by pulleys and engines, Tlie will is not compelled, but overcome by the sweet efficacy of grace ; being actuated by God, we act under God ; that is, by our own voluntary motion, and in a way of operation proper to us. I say, God influenceth all things according to their natural inclination ; he enlighteneth by and with the sun, burneth by and with the fire ; reasoueth with man ; acts necessarily with necessary causes, and freely with free causes ; draweth us with the cords of a man, Hos. xi. 4. Now we pervert this order, if we lie upon the bed of ease, and cry, ' Christ must do all.' Christ that doth all for j^ou, doth all in you, and by you ; lie propoundeth reasons which we must consider, and so betake ourselves to a godly course ; he show- eth us our lost estate, the possibility of salvation by Christ, sweetly inviting us to accept of grace, that he may pardon our sins, sanctify our natures, and lead us in the way of holiness to eternal life.
(2.) That we may meet with God in his waj'. He hath appointed certain duties to convey and apply this grace ; we are to lie at the pool, till the waters be stirred ; to continue our attendance upon God with all diligence and seriousness, till he giveth grace. Mar. iv. 24, ' And he said unto them. Take heed what you hear ; with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you ; and unto you that hear, shall more be given.' God will have believers bestir and put forth them-
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. - 79
selves, and he will help them in and by their own endeavours. Wo must not idly think tliat grace will drop to us out of the clouds ; he was an evil and a slothful servant that did not improve his talent. To neglect duty is to resist grace, and to run away from our strength. God hath promised to be with us, while we are doing ; therefore we are to wait for this power in the use of all holy means, that our corrup- tion may be subdued and mortified.
The Use. Is to exhort, with all diligence, to set about the mortify- ing the deeds of the body, by the Spirit.
Two things I shall press you to ; —
1. Improve the deatn of Christ.
2. A right carriage towards the Spirit.
1. Improve the death of Christ. For the term, mortify, or crucify, often used in this matter, respects Christ's death ; and everywhere the scripture showeth that the death of Christ is of excellent use for the mortifying of sin. I shall single out a few places : Gal. ii. 20, ' I am crucified with Christ.' Three propositions included : 1. Christ crucified. 2. Paul crucified. 3. With Christ. It doth not imply any fellowship with him in the acts of his mediation ; there Christ was alone ; only that the effects of his death were accomplished in him, a participation of the benefits of his mediation. So Rom. vi. 6, ' Know- ing this, that our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.' Then was there a foundation laid for the destruction of sin, when Christ died ; then was the merit interposed, or price paid, and the obligation laid upon us to mortify it. Something there was to be done on God's jDart ; the body of sin was to be destroyed, which intimateth the communicating of his Spirit of grace to weaken the power and life of sin ; and something done on our part, that henceforth we should not serve sin. There was a time when we served sin ; but being converted, we must change masters, and betake ourselves to another service, which will be more comfortable and profitable to us. One place more : 1 Pet. iv. 1, ' For- asmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind ; for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin.' That is, since Christ hath suffered for you, you must follow and imitate him in suffering also, or dying with him, namely, in dying to sin, as he died for sin ; or mortifying our lusts and passions. For 6 iraOaiv iv crapKl, ' one that hath suffered in the flesh,' or is crucified in his carnal nature, it hath not respect to snflering afflictiou.s, but mortifying sins ; for it is presently added, — ' He hath ceased from sin,' given over that course of life ; so ' that he should no- longer live the rest of his life in the flesh to the lusts of men, but the will of God.' He inferreth the obligation of this correspondence and conformity from Christ's dying. From all these places we collect : —