We learn from the preface, that it embodies what he had preached with such acceptance that " sundry persons, in whose hearts are the ways of God," pressed him to ])ublish it. lie bad a desire also to correct certain " dangerous mistakes" into which some preachers or writers of that day had fallen, who recommended and enforced a process of mortifying sin which was not conducted on evange- lical principles, and only tended to ensnare the conscience, and foster self-right- eousness and suiJerstition. 'J'lie directions which our author gives in order to subdue the power of internal corruption are at the farthest remove fi'om all the arts and practices of a hollow asceticism. There is no trace in this work of the morbid and dreamy tone of kindred treatises, which have emerged from a life of cloistei'ed seclusion. Our author's knowledge of human nature, in its real elements, and as it appears in the wide arena of life, is only surpassed by his acquaintance with the truths of the Word, and their bearing on the experience and workings of every heart. The reader is made to feel, above all tilings, that the only cross on which he can nail his every lust to its utter destruction, is, not the devices of a self-inflicted maceration, but the tree on which Christ hung, made a curse for us.
After an analysis and explanation of the passage in Scripture (Rom. viii. 13) on which the treatise is based, some general jn-inciplcs arc deduced and ex- pounded. What follows is designed — first, to show wherein the real mortifica- tion of sin consists; secondly, to assign general directions, without which no sin can be spiritually mortified; and, lastly, to unfold at length and in detail specific and particular directions for this important sjiiritual exercise.
The treatise has been so much a favourite, that it passed through several edi- tions in the author's lifetime. It is given iiere as corrected and enlarged in the second edition (Ifi'iS), though by some oversight modern reprints of it have been always taken from the first. The estimate of its value indicated by the number of the early editions, is confirmed by the circumstance, tliat it has since obtained the esjiecial recommendation of Mr Wilberforce. (!See his "Practical V^iew," etc. p. .'3f)2.)-l'n.
PREFACE.
Christian Reader, I SHALL in a few words acquaint thee with the reasons that obtained my consent to the publishing of the ensuing discourse. The consideration of the present state and condition of the generality of professors, the visible evidences of the frame of their hearts and spirits, manifesting a great disability of dealing with the temptations wherewith, from the peace they have in the world and the divisions that they have among themselves, they are encompassed, holds the chief place amongst them. This I am assured is of so great importance, that if hereby I only occasion others to press anore effectually on the consciences of men the work of considering their ways, and to give more clear direction for the compassing of the end proposed, I shall well esteem of my lot in this undertaking. This was seconded by an obser- vation of some men's dangerous mistakes, who of late days have taken upon them to give directions for the mortification of sin, who, being unacquainted with the mystery of the gospel and the efficacy of the death of Christ, have anew imposed the yoke of a self-wrought-out mortification on the necks of their disciples, which neither they nor their forefathers were ever able to bear. A mortification they cry up and press, suitable to that of the gospel neither in respect of nature, sub- ject, causes, means, nor effects; which constantly produces the deplorable issues of superstition, self-righteousness, and anxiety of conscience in them who take up the burden Avhich is so bound for them.
What is here proposed in weakness, I humbly hope will answer the spirit and letter of the gospel, with the experiences of them who know what it is to walk with God, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace. So that if not this, yet certainly something of this kind, is very necessary at this season for the promo- tion and furtherance of this work of gospel mortification in the hearts of believers, and their direction in paths .safe, and wherein they may find rest to their souls. Something I have to add as to what in particular relates unto myself. Having preached on this subject unto some comfortable success, through the grace of Him that administereth seed to the sower, I was pressed by sundry persons, in whose hearts are the ways of God, thus to pviblish what I had delivered, with such addi- tions and alterations as I should judge necessary. Under the inducement of their desires, I called to remembrance the debt, wherein I have now for some years stood engaged unto sundry noble and worthy Christian friends, as to a treatise of Com- munion with God, some while since promised to them ; ' and thereon apprehended, that if I could not hereby compound for the greater debt, yet I might possibly tender them this discourse of variance with themselves, as interest for their for- bearance of that of peace and communion with God. Besides, I considered that I had been providentially engaged in the public debate of sundry controversies in religion, which might seem to claim something in another kind of more general 1 Since the first edition of this tre.itise, that other also i.s publisherl.