6. A well ordered uniform life, not by fits or starts, shews a well ordered heart a m a cloc;k when the hammer strikes well, and the hand of the dial points well, it is a sign that the wheels are right set. 7. When Christ's will Cometh in competition with any earthly loss or gain, yet if then, in that particular case, the heart will stoop to Christ, it is a ti'ue sign ; for the truest trial of the power of grace is in such particular cases which touch us nearest, for there our corruption maketh the greatest head. When Christ Came near home to the young man. Matt. x. 22, in the gospel, he lost a disciple of him. 8. When we can practise duties pleasing to Christ, though contrary to flesh, and the course of the world, and when we can over- come ourselves in that evil to w'hieh our nature is prone, and standeth so much inclined unto, and which agi-eeth to the sway of the times, and which others lie enthralled under, as desire of revenge, hatred of enemies, private ends, &c., then it appears that grace is in us above nature, heaven above earth, and will have the victory.
88 THE BRUISED REED
For the further clearing of this and helping of us in our trial, we must know there be three degrees of victoiy. 1. When we resist though we be foiled. 2. When grace gets the better though with conflict. 3. When all corruption is perfectly subdued. Now we have strength but only to resist, yet we may know Christ's government in us will be victorious, because what is said of the devil is said of all our spiritual enemies, ' If we resist, they shall in time fly from us,' James iv. 7 ; because ' stronger is he that is inns,' thattaketh part with his own grace, ' than he that is in the world,' 1 John iv. 4. And if we may hope for victory upon bare resistance, what may we not hope for when the Spirit hath gotten the upper hand ?
[Chapter XXIII. — Means to make Ch'ace victorious.]
For the second, that is, directions.
We must know, though Christ hath undertaken this victory, yet he ac- complisheth it by training us up to fight his battles ; he overcometh in us, by making us 'wise to salvation,' 2 Tim. iii. 15 ; and in what degree we believe Christ will conquer, in that degree we will endeavour by his grace that we may conquer ; for faith is an obedient and a wise grace. Christ maketh us wise to ponder and weigh things, and thereupon to rank and order them so as we may make the fitter choice of what is best. Some rules to help us in judging are these :
(1.) To judge of things as they help or hinder the main; (2.) as they further or hinder our reckoning ; (3.) as they make us more or less spiritual, and so bring us nearer to the fountain of goodness, God himself; (4.) as they bring us peace or sorrow at the last ; (5.) as they commend us more or less to God, and wherein we shall approve ourselves to him most; (6.) likewise to judge of things now, as we shall do hereafter when the soul shall be best able to judge, as when we are under any pubUc calamity, or at the hoiu" of death, when the soul gathereth itself from all other things to itself. (7.) Look back to former experience, see what is most agreeable unto it, what was best in our worst times. If grace is or was best then, it is best now. And (8.) labour to judge of things as he doth who must judge us, and as holy men judge, who are led by the* Spirit ; more particularly, (9.) what those judge, that have no interest in any benefit that may come by the thing which is in question : for outward things blind the eyes even of the wise ; we see papists are most corrupt in those things where their honour, ease, or profit is engaged; but in the doctrine of the Trinity, which doth not touch upon these things, they are sound. But it is not sufiicient that judgment bo right, but likewise ready and strong.
1. Where Christ cstablisheth his government, he inspireth care to keep the judgment clear and fresh, for whilst the judgment standeth straight and firm, the whole frame of the soul continucth strong and impregnable. True judgment in us advanceth Christ, and Christ will advance it. All sin is either from false principles, or ignorance, or mindlessness, or unbelief of tru^vt^ By inconsideration and weakness of assent. Eve lost her hold at first. Gen. iii. G. It is good, therefore, to store up true principles in om' hearts, and to refresh them often, that in virtue of them our affections and actions may be more vigorous. When judgment is fortified, evil finds no entrance, but good things have a side within us, to entertain them. Whilst true convincing light continucth, we will not do the least iU of sin for the greatest * ' His.' in A aud B.
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AMD SMOKING FLAX, 89
ill of punishment. * In vain is the net spread in the eyes of that which hath wings,' Prov. i. 17. Whilst the soul is kept aloft, there is little danger of snares below ; we lose oiu' high estimation of things before we can be drawn to any sin.