There is nothing so sharp in conflict as this. To resist carnal wisdom, it is the shrewdest temptation that is from carnal wisdom ; and as the temptation is the strongest, so the comfort is answerable. When Jezebel shall be oflered with her enticements, with her colours, with her paint ; and a man can dash her in pieces, and cast her out of the window, when a man can maintain sincerity and honesty, what a comfort is this ! The gi'eater and stronger the temptation is that is resisted, the more is the comfort, when we come to vneld ovxr souls to God, when we come to our account. Therefore, be not discouraged when you are set upon by carnal wisdom, by strong reasons of others, or subtle reasons of jom: own. Is it against the rule ? Is it against conscience ? Is it against the word ? withstand it ! That which is sharpest in the conflict, will be sweetest in the comfort.
Use 5. Again, if so be that carnal, fleshly, worldly wisdom (for it is aU one, for the flesh is led by the world, and both conspire together, and hold correspondence to betray the soul, if it) be such an enemy, that it hinders our joy and comfort, and that if ever we will joy, we must not be led by carnal wisdom ; then we ought in our daily com-ses 1o repent, not only of gross sins, but to repent even of carnal devices, and carnal designs. Why ? It is the motion and the counsel of God's enemy, and of om- enemy.
VOL. III. s
274 COMMENTARY ON
Therefore, as David, Ps. xxxvii. and Ps. Ixxiii., whon fleshly wisdom did suggest to him carnal motions of doubting of the providence of God, that ho began to think well of the ways of the wicked, that they prospered that were led altogether by fleshly wisdom, he censures himself (it is the drift of both Psalms), ' So foolish was I, and as a beast before thee,' Ps. Ixxiii. 22 ; as indeed, ' Man is a boast by his own knowledge,' as Jeremiah saith, X. 14. For all carnal men sympathise either with beasts in base lusts, or else with devils in politic lusts ; either they are like devils, subtle, or like beasts, brutish in all their courses.
Therciforc, when any base thought, opposite to the mnjcsty of God and his truth, and to the Spirit of God moving ourheai'ts, ariseth in our hearts, think, this is the motion of mine enemy, of an enemy that lurks in my bosom, of God's enemy, of a traitor ; let us renounce it, and be abased, and censure ourselves for it, as holy David did, * So foolish was I,' &c. Crush all thoughts and devices of carnal wisdom in the beginning.
We see that the godly, they ought not, nor do not lead their lives by fleshly wisdom ; nay, take it in the best sense, take it for the rales of reason, they do not lead their lives altogether by the light of nature, but only in those things wherein the light of nature and reason may be a judge. For the light of reason, the principle of reason, is given us as a candle in the dark night of this world, to lead us in civil and in common actions, and it hath its use. But yet natural reason, it becomes carnal reason in a man that is carnal. * All things are impure to him that is impure, even his very hght is darkness,' Tit. i. 15 ; Mat. vi. 23. Not that the light of nature, and that reason, which is a part of the image of God, is in itself evil. It is good in itself, but the vessel taints it. Those that have gi-eat parts of learning, that have great wits, and helps of learning as much as may be, what do they ? They trust in them, and so they stain them. Therefore, Luther was wont to say, ' Good works are good, but to trust in good works is damnable ' (im). Bo nature, and reason, and learning, they are good in themselves ; but trusting in them they become carnal, when a man neglects better rules for them. When men scorn religion, as your politicians usually do, then natural reason, in regard of this tainture, it becomes carnal. ' Not with fleshly wisdom,' or not with natural wisdom, as it is a higher rule of life.
What then shall become of a Christian, when he hath renounced that which is in him by nature ? Avhen he hath denied his wit and his will ? when he hath renounced a bad guide, shall he have no guide at all? Yes! For a man is never lawless. He is always under some guide or other. A man is alway under one kingdom or other. When he ceaseth to be under the kingdom of Satnn, he comes under the kingdom of Christ; and when he is not led by the flesh, he is led by the Spirit. God's children, when they have renounced natural, carnal wisdom, they have not renounced all wis- dom. They are wise still ; but they are wise by a supernatural light, they are wise in supernatural things. Yea, and in natural things after a super- natural manner. They are new creatures, advanced to a higher rank and order of creatures. So their wisdom is a gracious wisdom, when they are Christians.