538 MORTIFICATION OF SIN, [BOOK IV.
are sanctified, and regardeth. not those which for the outward matter and manner of performance are the same witli them (as unto Abel and his offering lie had respect, but he had no respect unto Cain and his offering, Gen. iv. 4, 5), is not taken from the state and con- dition of the persons that perform them only, though that also has an influence thereinto, but from the nature of the acts and duties themselves also. He never accepts and rejects duties of the same kind absolutely with respect unto the persons that do perform them. The duties themselves are of a different kind. Those which he ac- cepts are supernatural effects of his own Spirit in us, whereon he re- wardeth and crowneth the fruits of his own grace; and as for what he rejects, whatever appearance it may have of a compliance with the outward command, it hath nothing in it that is supernaturally gracious, and so is not of the same kind with what he doth accept.
CHAPTER VIII.
MORTIFICATION OF SIN, THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF IT.
Mortification of sin, the second part of sanctification — Frequently prescribed and enjoined as a duty — What the name signifies, with the reason thereof; as also that of crucifying sin — The nature of the mortification of sin explained — In- dwelling sin, in its principle, operations, and effects, the object of mortifica- tion— Contrariety between sin and grace — ]\Iortification a part-taking with the whole interest of grace against sin — How sin is mortified, and why the subduing of it is so called — Directions for the right discharge of this duty — Nature of it unknoAvn to many — The Holy Spirit the author and cause of mortification in us — The manner of the operation of the Spirit in the morti- fication of sin — Particular means of the mortification of sin — Duties neces- sary unto the mortification of sin, directed unto by the Holy Ghost — Mistakes and errors of persons failing in this matter — How spiritual duties are to be managed, that sin may be mortified — Influence of the virtue of the death of Christ, as applied by the Holy Spu-it, into the mortification of sin.
/ 2. TiiERE is yet another part or effect of our sanctification by the Holy Ghost, which consisteth in and is called mortification of sin. As what we have already insisted on concemeth the improvement and practice of the principle of grace, wherewithal believers are en- dued ; so what we now propose concerneth the weakening, impairing, and destroying of the contrary principle of sin, in its root and fruits, in its principle and actings. And whereas the Spuit of God is everywhere said to sanctify us, we ourselves are commanded and said constantly to mortify our sins: for sanctification expresseth grace communicated and received in general; mortification, grace as so received, improved, and acted unto a certain end. And I shall
CHAP. VIII.] THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF IT. 539
be brief in tlie handling of it, because I have formerly published a small discourse on the same subject.^ And there are two things that I shall speak unto: — First, The nature of the duty itself; Secondly, The manner how it is wrought in us by the Holy Ghost, which I principally intend.
It is known that this duty is frequently enjoined and prescribed unto us: Col. iii. 5, " Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concu- piscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." ''Ev tui (psvynv, may be supplied. " 'Mortify your members which are upon the earth,' — that is, your carnal, earthly affections; avoiding (or 'by avoiding') 'forni- cation,'" etc.: and so a distinction is made between carnal affections and their fiTiits. Or, the special sins mentioned are instances of these carnal affections : " Mortify your carnal affections," — namely, forni- cation and the like ; wherein there is a metonymy of the effect for the cause. And they are called " our members," — (1.) Because, as the whole principle of sin, and course of sinning which proceedeth from it, is called the "body of sin," Rom. vi. 6, or the "body of the sins of the flesh," Col. ii. 11, with respect thereunto these par- ticular lusts are here called the members of that body, " Mortify your members;" for that he intends not the parts or members of our natural bodies, as though they were to be destroyed, as they seem to imagine who place mortification in outward afflictions and macera- tions of the body, he adds, ra et/ rng yvi, "that are on the earth," — that is, earthly, carnal, and sensual. (2.) These affections and lusts, the old man, — that is, our depraved nature, — useth naturally and readily, as the body doth its members ; and, which adds efficacy unto the allusion, by them it draws the very members of the body into a compliance with it and the service of it, against which we are cautioned by our apostle: Rom. vi. 12, "Let not sin therefore I'eign in your mortal bodies" (that is, our natural bodies), "that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof;" — which exhortation he pursues, verse 19, "As ye have yielded your members servants to unclean- ness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness;" which some neglecting, do take "the members of Christ," — that is, of their own bodies, which are the members of Christ, — and make them the " members of an harlot," 1 Cor. vi. 15. And many other commands there are to the same purpose, which will afterward occur.