This, therefore, is another thing which belongs unto that state of repentance which faith will bring the soul unto, and whereby it will evidence itself on the occasions before mentioned; and indeed, if this sorrow be constant and operative, there is no clearer evidence in us of saving faith. They are blessed who thus mourn. I had almost said, it is worth all other evidences, as that without which they are none at all ; where this frame is not in some good measure, the soul can have no pregnant evidence of its good estate.
4. Another thing that belongs to this state, is outward observances becoming it; such as abstinence, unto the due mortification of the flesh, — not in such things or ways as are hurtful unto nature, and really obstructive of greater duties. There have been great mistakes in this matter; most men have fallen into extremes about it, as is usual with the most in like cases. They did retain in the Papacy, from the beginning of the apostasy of the church from the rule of the Scripture, an opinion of the necessity of mortification unto a penitent state; but they mistook the nature of it, and placed it for the most part in that which the apostle calls the " doctrine of devils," when he foretold believers of that hypocritical apostasy, 1 Tim. iv. 1-3. Forbidding to marry, engaging one sort of men by vows against the use of that ordinance of God for all men, and enjoining abstinence from meats in various laws and rules, under pretence of great auste- rity, was the substance of their mortification. Hereunto they added habits, fasting, disciplines, rough garments, and the like pretended self-macerations innumerable. But the vanity of this hypocrisy hath been long since detected. But therewithal most men are fallen into the other extreme. Men do generally judge that they are at their full liberty in and for the use of the things esteemed refreshments of nature ; yea, they judge themselves not to be obliged unto any re- trenchment in gamients, diet, with the free use of all things in themselves lawful, when they are under the greatest necessity of godly sorrow and express repentance. But there is here a no less pernicious mistake than in the former excess; and it is that which
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our Lord Jesus Christ gives us in charge to watch against, Luke xxi. 34-36.
This, therefore, I say, is required unto the state we inquire after : Those things which restrain the satisfaction of the appetite, with an aversation of the joyous enticements of the world, walking heavily and mournfully, expressing an humble and afflicted frame of spirit, are necessary in such a season. The mourners in Zion are not to he ashamed of their lot and state, but to profess it in all suitable outward demonstration of it; — not in fantastical habits and gestures, like sundry orders of the monks; not in affected forms of speech, and uncouth deportments, like some among ourselves ; but in such ways as naturally express the inward frame of mind inquired after.
5. There is required hereunto a firm watch over solitudes and re- tirements of the night and day, with a continual readiness to conflict temptations in their first appearance, that the soul be not surprised by them. The great design, in the exercise of this grace, is to keep and preserve the soul constantly in an humble and contrite frame ; if that be lost at any time, the whole design is for that season disap- pointed. Wherefore, faith engageth the mind to watch against two things: — (1.) The times wherein we may lose this frame; (2.) The means whereby. And, —
(L) For the times. There are none to be so diligently watched over as our solitudes and retirements by night or by day. What we are in them, that we are indeed, and no more. They are either the best or the worst of our times, wherein the jjrinciple that is predomi- nant in us will show and act itself. Hence some are said " to devise evil on their beds, and when the morning is light they practise it," Mic. ii. L Their solitude in the night serves them to think on, contrive, and delight in, all that iniquity which they intend by day to practise, according to their power. And on the other side, the work of a gracious soul in such seasons is to be seeking after Christ, Cant, iii. 1, — to be meditating of God, as the psalmist often expresseth it. This, therefore, the humble soul is diligently watchful in, that at such seasons vain imaginations, which are apt to obtrude themselves on the mind, do not carry it away, and cause it to lose its frame, though but for a season; yea, these are the times which it principally lays hold on for its improvement : then doth it call over all those considerations of sin and grace, which are meet to affect it and abase it.
(2.) For the means of the loss of an humble frame. They are temp- tations; these labour to possess the mind either ])y sudden surprisals or continued solicitations. A soul engaged by faith in this duty is aware always of their deceit and violence ; it knows that if they enter into it, and do entangle it, though but for a season, they will quite cast out or deface that humble, contrite, broken frame, which it is its