In ancient times, sundry persons designed a strict course of morti- fication and penitence, and they always laid the foundation of it in a renunciation of the world; but they fell most of them into a three- fold mistake, wliich ridned the v/hole undertaking. For, —
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(1.) They fell into a neglect of such natural and moral duties as were indispensably required of them : they forsook all care of duties belonging unto them in their relations as fathers, children, husbands, wives, and the like, betaking themselves into solitudes; and hereby also they lost all that political and Christian usefulness which the principles of human society and of our religion do oblige us unto. They took themselves unto a course of life rendering the most im- portant Christian duties, such as respect other men of all sorts, in all fruits of love, utterly impossible unto them. They could be no more useful nor helpful in the places and circumstances wherein they were set by divine Providence : which was a way wherein they could not expect any blessing from God. No such thing is required unto that renunciation of the world which we design; with nothing that should render men useless unto all men do Christian duties inter- fere. We are still to use the world whilst we are in it, but not abuse it ; as we have opportunity, we must still do good unto all. Yea, none will be so ready to the duties of life as those who are most mortified to the world. Thoughts of retirement from usefulness, unless [under] a great decay of outward strength, are but temptations.
(2.) They engaged themselves into a number of observances no- where required of them : such were their outward austerities, fastings, choice of meats, times of prayer; whereunto, at length, self-macera- tion and disciplines were added. In a scrupulous, superstitious ob- servance of these things their whole design at length issued, giving rise and occasion unto innumerable evils. Faith directs to no such thing ; it guides to no duty but according to the rule of the word.
(3.) At length they began to engage themselves by vow into such peculiar orders and rules of a pretended religious life as Avere by some of their leaders presented unto them ; and this ruined the whole.
However, the original design was good, — namely, such a renuncia- tion of the world as miglit keep it and all the things of it from being a hinderance unto us in an humble walk before God, or any thing that belongs thereunto. We are to be crucified unto the world, and the world unto us, by the cross of Christ ; we are to be so in a peculiar manner, if we are under the conduct of faith, in a way of humiliation and repentance. And the things ensuing are required hereunto : —
(1.) The mortification of our affections unto the desirable things of this life : they are naturally keen and sharp-set upon them, and do tenaciously adhere unto them ; especially they are so when things have an inlet into them by nearness of relation, as husbands, wives, children, and the like. Persons are apt to think they can never love them enough, never do enough for them (and it is granted they are to be preferred above all other earthly things) ; but where they fill and possess the heart, where they weaken and obtund the affections
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unto things spiritual, heavenly, and eternal, unless we are mortified unto them, the heart will never be in a good frame, nor is capable of that degree in the grace of repentance which we seek. It is so with the most, as unto all other useful things in this world, — as wealth, estates, and peace: whilst they are conversant about them, as they suppose in a lawful manner, they think they can never overvalue them, nor cleave too close unto them.
But here we must begin, if we intend to take any one step into this holy retirement. The edge of our affections and desires must be taken off from these things : and hereunto three things are necessary : —
[L] A constant, clear view and judgment of their uncertainty, emptiness, and disability to give any rest or satisfaction. Uncertain riches, uncertain enjoyments, perishing things, passing away, yea, snares, burdens, hinderances, the Scripture represents them to be; — and so they are. If the mind were continually charged home with this consideration of them, it would daily abate its delight and satis- faction in them.
[2.] A constant endeavour for conformity unto Christ crucified. It is the cross of Christ whereby we are crucified unto the world and all things in it. When the mind is much taken up with thoughts of Christ, as dying, how and for what he died, if it hath any spark of saving faith in it, it will turn away the eyes from looking on the desirable things of this world Avith any delightful, friendly aspect. Things will appear unto it as dead and discoloured.
[3.] The fixing of them steadily on things spiritual and eternal ; whereof I have discoursed at large elsewhere. The whole of this advice is given us by the apostle. Col. iii. 1-5.
Herein faith begins its work, this is the first lesson it takes out of the gospel, — namely, that of self-denial, whereof this mortification is a principal part. Herein it labours to cast off every burden, and the sin that doth so easily beset us. Unless some good degree be at- tained here, all farther attempts in this great duty will be fruitless. Do you, then, any of you, judge yourselves under any of those quali- fications before mentioned, which render this duty and work of faith necessary unto you? Sit down here at the threshold, and reckon with yourselves that unless you can take your hearts more off from the world, — unless your affections and desires be mortified and cruci- fied, and dead in you, in a sensible degi'ee and measure, — unless yon endeavour every day to promote the same frame in your minds, — you will live and die strangers to this duty.