Again, we may learn fi'om hence, that '
Obs. A ground of lightness is to purpose things according to the flesh.
To purpose according to carnal reason, and affection, it is a ground of lightness. For mark the reason of it, when a man is carried in his delibe- rations by carnal respects, this will be for my profit, this will incline such a man to me, by this I shall get such a place, &c., when he is led by low and base respects, it makes him light with God, though he be never so good otherwise. Because carnal respects build on outward things that are uncer- tain ; therefore all resolutions built on outward things, and carnal respects, are uncertain. He that takes fleshly wisdom for his counsellor, and adviser, and intelligencer, what doth he ? He is led with by-respects, with one of the three idols of the world, some honour, or pleasure, or base profit, now when the rule of deliberation is the flesh, and the flesh carries to outward
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2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. I, VER. 17. 349
things that are variable. A man is alway Hght and inconstant, that pro- pounds the dehberation of things according to the flesh.
What is the reason that a wicked man (though he be not notoriously, outwardly wicked ; but a shrewd man, that is for himself, that makes him- self the end of all his projects), what is the reason that such a man can never be a sound friend ? He is never a sound friend ; he is only a friend, so long as it makes for himself ; so long as he gets to his own in all things. As the Jesuits use to say, so it is true of every natural man, they do all they do, and consult in an order to spiritual things ; they do this, and that, and overrule kings and states, and this is for the good of society, and in an order of spiritual things. A man that hath not grace in him above nature, and above respects of nature, he can never be a sound friend ; for when fleshly advantages come, of pleasures, and profits, and honours, when these rise one way or other, there he leaves the bonds of friendship ; because there is a nearer bond between him and the things of this life ; he is led with the flesh, and deliberates according to the flesh.
Aiid that is the reason likewise why such a man can never be a good Christian. He can never go through the variety of times. Why ? Because he consults of things according to the flesh, and as long as religion stands with his aims, that he may enjoy his riches, and his greatness, and the contentments of this life with religion, so long he is content to be religious ; if religion cross him in these, he hath not learned to deny himself, and therefore he is not constant.
Or if times do not fall out so cross, he is not constant in his disposition ; and God looks on him as he is in his disposition, and so he will judge him at that day. Now being led with the flesh, his disposition alters, and varies.
How shall I know whether I consult according to the flesh or no ?
In a word, examine two things : (1.) the ground, and (2.) the aim of our actions, whence they rise, and what they aim at. Spring they from self- love ? Aim they at our self- contentment and private interest ? Then a man is led with the flesh.
To use a familiar instance. In marriage, when a man looks more to wealth than to religion, he adviseth according to the flesh. And so for a minister to respect his living more than anything that might weigh with his conscience otherwise, if he were good ; he is led with respects according to the flesh. Those that leave their former good acquaintance, and choose such as they only hope to gain by, and forsake those acquaintance that they cannot gain by, though they be never so good otherwise, they are led ac- cording to the flesh.
How shall we know that we do not things, and consult not of things ac- cording to the flesh ?
1. Some men may know it easily ; as when men are of pregnant parts, when the strength of their wit leads them one way, and reliffion leads them another way, yet in the awe of God they do not go that way that politic respects would carry them. They could be as errant politicians as the best, but they dare not. Here now is a man that is ' led by the Spirit,' when it is not for want of parts, but out of conscience, he doth not so miscarry by his enemy. Many times an honest man could be rich by ill means as well as another. He knows the way. It is not for want of wit, but because he dares not. The awe of conscience and the awe of God lead him to better rules and aims. So it is easily discerned in eminency of parts.
2. And likewise in fitness of opportunities, if there be not parts, when a man hath all outward advantages to satisfy the flesh, to yield to it, to have