[5.] There being this universal contrariety, opposition, contending, and warfare, between grace and sin, the Spirit and the flesh, in their inward principles, powers, operations, and outward effects, the work and duty of mortification consists in a constant taking part with grace, in its principle, actings, and fruits, against the principle, actings, and fruits of sin ; for the residence of these contrary principles being in, and their actings being by, the same faculties of the soul, as the one is increased, strengthened, and improved, the other must of ne- cessity be Aveakened and decay. Wherefore, the mortification of sin must consist in these three things:— r-1 si. The cherishing and improving of the principle of gi'ace and holiness which is implanted in us by the Holy Ghost, by all the ways and means which God hath appointed thereunto ; which we have spoken unto before. This is that which alone can undermine and ruin the power of sin, Avithout whicli all attempts to weaken it are vain and fruitless. Let men take never so much pains to mortify, crucify, or subdue their sins, unless
544 MORTIFICATION OF SIN, [BOOK IV.
they endeavour in the first place to weaken and impair its strength by the increase of grace and growing therein, they will labour in the fire, where their work will be consumed. 2dly. In frequent actings of the principle of grace in all duties, internal and external ; for where the inclinations, motions, and actings of the Spirit, in all acts, duties, and fruits of holy obedience, are vigorous, and kept in constant ex- ercise, the contrary motions and actings of the flesh are defeated. Zdly. In a due application of the principle, power, and actings of grace, by way of opposition unto the principle, power, and actings of sin. As the whole of grace is opposed unto the whole of sin, so there is no particular lust whereby sin can act its power, but there is a particu- lar grace ready to make effectual opposition unto it, whereby it is mortified. And in this application of grace, in its actings in opposi- tion unto all the actings of sin, consists the mystery of this great duty of mortification. And where men, being ignorant hereof, have yet fallen under a conviction of the power of sin, and been perplexed therewith, they have found out foolish ways innumerable for its mortification, wickedly opposing external, natural, bodily force and exercise, imto an internal, moral, depraved principle, which is no way concerned therein. But hereof we must treat more afterward under the third head, concerning the manner how this work is to be carried on or this duty performed.
[6.] This duty of weakening sin by the growth and improvement of grace, and the opposition which is made unto sin in all its actings thereby, is called mortification, killing, or 'putting to death, on sun- dry accounts: — First and principally, from that life which, because of its power, efficacy, and operation, is ascribed unto indwelling sin. The state of the soul by reason of it is a state of death ; but where- as power and operations are the proper adjuncts or effects of life, for their sakes life is ascribed unto sin, on whose account sinners are dead. Wherefore this corrupt principle of sin in our depraved na- ture, having a constant, powerful inclination and working actually towards all evil, it is said metaphorically to live, or to have a life of its own. Therefore is the opposition that is made unto it for its ruin and destruction called mortification or killing, being its depriva- tion of that strength and efficacy whereby and wherein it is said to live. Secondly, It may be so called because of the violence of that contest which the soul is put unto in this duty. All other duties that we are called unto in the course of our obedience may be per- formed in a more easy, gentle, and plain manner. Though it is our work and duty to conflict with all sorts of temptations, yea, to wrestle with " principalities and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places," yet in this which we have with ourselves, Avhich is wholly within Tis and from us, there is more of warring, fighting, captivating,
CHAP. VIII.] THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF IT. 545
wounding, crying out for help and assistance, a deep sense of such a violence as is used in taking away the life of a mortal enemy, than in any thing else we are called unto. And, thirdly, the end aimed at in this duty is destruction, as it is of all killing. Sin, as was said, hath a life, and that such a life as whereby it not only lives, but rules and reigns in all that are not born of God. By the entrance of grace into the soul it loseth its dominion, but not its being, — its rule, but not its life. The utter ruin, destruction, and gradual annihilation of all the remainders of this cursed life of sin is our design and aim in this work and duty; which is, therefore, called mortification. The design of this duty, wherever it is in sincerity, is to leave sin neither being, nor life, nor operation.
And some directions, as our manner is, may be taken from what we have discoursed concerning the nature of this duty, directive of our own practices. And, —