Secondly, The effect aimed at will never be accomplished without violence offered unto ourselves as unto all occasions of sin,—namely,
“as to the particular corruption supposed prevalent. In this case, when known occasions of the excitation or acting of the evil com-
240 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
plained of do occur, no deliberation or inclinations, or civil com- pliances are once to be admitted. Violence and sudden execution of foretaken resolves, without any parley or debate, are to be pursued. This is the condition wherein our Saviour’s advice must take place, if we intend to escape, namely, of “plucking out a right eye, and cutting off a right hand,” Matt. v. 29, 80; which cannot be done without offering violence unto our affections and inclinations. This is the meaning of the counsel given, Prov. iv. 14, 15, ‘‘ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” The multipli- cation of the expressions wherein the duty charged doth consist doth intimate that, in the obedience required in this particular, a resolu- tion acted with a holy violence is required. And there are three things in this holy violence with respect unto the occasions of a pre- valent corruption :—
1. The mind’s rejection of their first solicitations. When such seasons do befall or are befalling any man as wherein his lust or sin hath wonted to act itself, they smile on one another and are ready to shake hands in folly, Ps. 1. 18; Prov. xxiii. 31; and sundry things will present themselves unto the mind to render the occasion neces- sary, or at least not dangerous. But if all insinuations of that kind be not immediately rejected without parley or delay, the soul pro- bably will be again entangled and overcome.
2. A stated satisfaction concerning the folly of reserves, although the occasion should be complied withal or embraced, so as that the mind will hear no more of them, under any pretence whatever. Such reserves will offer themselves, as that although a man proceed so far or so far in the gratification of his present inclinations, yet he will put a stop unto or avoid what they may lead unto. When the mind is fully possessed [aware] of the deceitfulness of the heart in this matter, it will see its own folly in listening after such false promises or reserves, and reject the first thought of them with indignation.
3. Local mutation, or avoiding the place itself, or society and com- pany, with a holy force put upon the affections, where such occasions are offered. This is that which is so expressed and pressed on us in the place before mentioned, Prov. iv. 14, 15.
These things belong unto that holy violence which men are to use unto themselves, and must use, if ever they intend to be freed from the power of an habitually prevalent corruption ; and those who judge their deliverance not to be worth this watchfulness and care wi live and die under the power of sin.
Thirdly, Constancy % m private prayer against the power of ice a corruption. ‘This is all the way a man hath to deal with God about such an evil; for such things are to be thought and spoken, such
DIRECTIONS TO AVOID APOSTASY., 241
circumstances to be insisted on, and such pleas to be used, as are not meet to be communicated to or with others. And, for the most part, it will be found that constant, earnest, faithful, private prayer, and any strong corruption, will be like Moses and Amalek. When Moses’ hands were down Amalek prevailed, but when they were lifted up Israel had the upper-hand. And if a man engage into especial prayer in opposition unto any sin or corruption, whatever he thinks of his own resolutions, whatever confidence he hath in his purposes, as he begins to fail or faint in the constancy or fervency of that duty, so his sin gets strength in him, and will not fail to attempt him suc- cessfully on the next occasion; nor will the utmost effect of any man’s wisdom, or care, or ability, work out his deliverance in this case, without a conscientious attendance unto and discharge of this duty.
_. Sundry other things of an alike nature unto these might be in- sisted on, but that I must not too far digress from my principal design. This I thought meet to interpose for the direction of such
_ as may be kept off from a successful endeavour to “ perfect holiness
in the fear of God.”
CHAPTER XIII. Directions to avoid the power of a prevailing apostasy.
Unto the warnings given in the precedent chapter some directions may be added, perhaps not unuseful unto them who would be pre- served from the occasions, causes, and danger, of the apostasy thus far inquired into; for although, as hath been declared, a watchful attendance unto all gospel duties, and a vigorous exercise of all gospel graces in general, are required unto our preservation, yet there are seme things which have an especial respect unto the present state of the causes and circumstances of the evil insisted on, which ought in an especial manner to be remembered. And that things of this nature are by many despised is no argument why we should not be diligent in our attendance unto them; for if they are such things as the Scripture prescribeth in the like cases, the contempt of them proceeds only from that pride and security which are no small part of the apostasy complained of.