MORTIFICATIONOFSININBELIEVERSbyJOHNOWEN

THENECESSITY,NATURE,ANDMEANSOFIT:WITH

ARESOLUTIONOFVARIOUSCASESOFCONSCIENCEBELONGINGTOIT.

BYJOHNOWEN,D.D.,ASERVANTOFJESUSCHRISTINTHEWORKOFTHEGOSPEL.

fromTHEWORKSOFJOHNOWEN

EDITEDBY

WILLIAMH.GOOLDVOLUME6ThisEditionof

THEWORKSOFJOHNOWENfirstpublishedbyJohnstone&Hunter,1850-53

Source:AgesSoftware

Modernized,formatted,andannotatedbyWilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.org©Dec2002

Lastupdated3/7/2015

TABLEOFCONTENTSEDITOR’SPREFACE

CHAPTER1

ROMANS8:13EXPLAINED1.Thisdutytomortifysinisconditional,“Butifyou...”2.Thepersonstowhomthisdutyisprescribed.3.WhatcausesustoperformthisdutyistheSpirit4.Thedutythatisprescribedisthis:“Mortifythedeedsofthebody.”

(1.)Whatismeantbythebody.(2.)Whatismeantbythedeedsofthebody.(3.)Whatismeantbymortify.

5.Thepromiseforfulfillingthisdutyislife:“Youwilllive.”

CHAPTER2

THEDUTYOFTHEBESTBELIEVERSI.Thefirstgeneralprinciple:despitethedeathofsinonthecross,sinremains.

1.Indwellingsinstayswithuswhileweareinthisworld;thereforewealwaysneedtomortifyit.2.Sinnotonlystillabidesinus,butitstillacts,stilllaborstobringoutthedeedsoftheflesh.3.Sinnotonlytroublesus,butifleftalone,itproducessoul-destroyingsins.4.TheSpiritandthenewnaturearegiventoussowehavethemoralstrengthtoopposesin.5.Neglectingthisdutyrenewstheoldman,androtsthenewman.6.Itisourdutytobe“perfectingholinessoutofthefearofGod.”Twoevilsaccompanyeveryunmortifiedprofessoroffaith.1.Theevilinhimself.2.Theevilinrelationtoothersaroundthem.

CHAPTER3

FALSEMORTIFICATIONOFSINII.Thesecondgeneralprinciple:OnlytheSpiritissufficienttodothisworkofmortification;

1.Menseekotherremediesinvain.2.ItistheworkoftheSpirit.(1.)GodpromisedtogivetheSpirittoustodothiswork.(2.)MortificationisagiftofChrist,andallthegiftsofChristcometousbytheSpiritofChrist.HowdoestheSpiritmortifysin?IfthisistheworkoftheSpiritalone,whyareweurgedtodoit?

CHAPTER4

USEFULNESSOFMORTIFICATIONIII.Thethirdgeneralprinciple:thevitalityofourspirituallifegreatlydependsonourmortificationofsin.

1.Life,strengthandcomfortinourspirituallifearenotthenecessaryresultofmortification.2.Life,strengthandcomfortinourspirituallifeareprivileges,notrights.

3.Life,strength,andcomfortinourspirituallifegreatlydependonmortification.(1.)Mortificationalonekeepssinfromdeprivingusofthem.(2.)MortificationprunesallthegracesofGod,andmakesroomforthemtogrowinourhearts.(3.)Mortification,sincerelyapplied,producespeace.

CHAPTER5

MORTIFICATIONNEGATIVELYCONSIDEREDHowdowefightindwellingsininawaythatmaintainspeaceinourcommunionwithGod?I.MortifyingaSin-

1.Negatively(1.)Mortifyingasindoesnotmeancompletelykillingit.(2.)Mortifyingasindoesnotmeandisguisingthesin.(3.)Mortifyingasinisnotchangingournaturaldispositiontoaquiet,sedateone.(4.)Mortifyingasinisnotdivertingthesintoanotheroutlet.(5.)Mortifyingasinisnotgettingoccasionalvictoriesoverit.

CHAPTER6

MORTIFICATIONDESCRIBEDINITSPARTICULARSI.MortifyingaSin-

2.Positively(1.)Habituallyweakeningit.(2.)Constantfightingandcontendingagainstit.(3.)Realizingsuccessoverit.

CHAPTER7

MORTIFICATION:THEWORKOFBELIEVERSII:Thewaysandmeanswemayusetomortifyanyparticularsin

1.The1stgeneralrule:besuretogetaninterestinChrist.(1.)Unlessamanisabeliever,hecannotmortifyasinglesin.(2.)Mortificationistheworkoffaith,andtheuniqueworkoffaith.

CHAPTER8

UNIVERSALSINCERITYNEEDED2.The2ndgeneralrule:StrivetomortifyALLlusts,orfailtomortifyANYlust.

(1.)Thiskindofselectivemortificationistheresultofacorruptmotive.(2.)Godmaybeusingthepersistentlustthattroublesyoutostrengthenyou.

Reasonsforthepredominanceofaparticularlust.(1.)Asitsnaturaleffect(2.)Aspunishmentforothersins

CHAPTER9

SYMPTOMSOFAPARTICULARLUSTIII.Particulardirectionsfordealingwithadisturbinglust

TheFIRSTdirection:Considerwhichdangeroussymptomsaccompanyyourlust.1.Thesinislong-standinganddeep-rooted.2.Whentheheartsecretlypleastoapproveandnotopposeit.3.Thereisfrequentsuccessinsin’sseduction.4.Whenamanfightsagainsthissinonlywithlegalisticarguments.5.WhenitisprobablethatthereisGodlyrehabilitationinvolvedthroughpunishment.

6.WhenyourlusthasalreadywithstoodparticulardealingsfromGodagainstit.

CHAPTER10

ASENSEOFTHEGUILTOFSINREQUIREDTheSECONDdirection:Grasptheguilt,danger,andevilofyoursin

1.Getaclearandlastingsenseoftheguiltofsin.(1.)Continuingsininbelieversisworsethansininunbelievers.(2.)Sinhiddeninourheartisworsethansinevidencedbyouracts.2.Considerthemultipledangersofcontinuingtosin:(1.)Thedangerofbeinghardenedbythedeceitfulnessofsin.(2.)Thedangerofreceivingseriouscorrectioninthislife.(3.)Thedangeroflosingofpeaceandstrengthallyourlife.(4.)Thedangerofeternaldestruction.3.Considertheevilsofcontinuingtosin;(1.)ItgrievestheholyandblessedSpirit.(2.)TheLordJesusChristiswoundedagainbyit.(3.)Itwilltakeawayaman’susefulnessinhisgeneration.

CHAPTER11

FIVEMOREDIRECTIONSFORDEALINGWITHSINTheTHIRDdirection:Loadyourconsciencewiththeguiltofyoursin.

1.Beginwithgeneralities:(1.)Considertheguiltthatarisesfromtheholinessofthelaw.(2.)ConsiderChristwhomyouhavepierced.2.Descendtoparticulars.(1.)ConsidertheinfinitepatienceandtoleranceofGodtowardsyoupersonally.(2.)ConsiderhowoftenyouhavebeenrestoredbyGod’sgrace.(3.)ConsiderallofGod’sgraciousdealingswithyou.

TheFOURTHdirection:getaconstantlongingtobedeliveredfromitspower.TheFIFTHdirection:Considerifthesinisrootedinyournaturaldisposition.

1.Thisdoesnotminimizetheguiltofyoursinintheleast.2.YoumustfocusmorebecauseSatanhasanadvantageoveryou.3.Forceyourbodyintosubmission.

TheSIXTHdirection:Guardagainsttheoccasionsandopportunitiesofyoursin.TheSEVENTHdirection:Reactswiftlyagainstthefirstsignsofyoursin.

CHAPTER12

SELF-ABASEMENTBEFORETHEMAJESTYOFGODTheEIGHTHdirection:ConsiderthemajestyofGodandhowlittleyouknowofHim.

1.ThinkaboutthegreatnessofGod,andwhoyouarebycomparison.2.Thinkabouthowunfamiliaryouarewithhim.(1.)WeknowsolittleofGod,becauseitisGodwearetryingtoknow.(2.)WeknowlittleofGod,becauseitisbyfaithalonethatweknowhiminthislife.(3.)NomatterhowmuchmoreweknowthroughJesusChrist,westillknowverylittle.

CHAPTER13

PRECAUTIONSAGAINSTFALSEPEACETheNINTHdirection:DonotspeakpeaceaboutasinuntilGodspeaksit.

1.ItisthegreatprerogativeandsovereigntyofGodtogivegraceandpeacetowhomhepleases.

2.ItistheprerogativeofChristtospeakpeacehometotheconscience.RulestoknowwhetherGodisspeakingpeaceaboutasinoritisfalsepeace:

Rule1:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifthereisnohatredofthesinorself-loathingRule2:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifitisbasedonconvictionsandrationalconclusions.Rule3:Wespeakpeacetoourselveswhenwedoitcarelessly.Rule4:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifweareholdingontoanothersin.Rule5:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifthereisnohumiliationinoursouls.

CHAPTER14

NECESSITYOFFAITHINCHRIST1.SetyourfaithonenlistingChristtokillyoursin.

(1.)Byfaith,fullyconsidertheprovisionwehaveinJesusChristforthispurpose.(2.)BolsteryourheartbyfaithtoexpectrelieffromChrist.

Tofurtherengageyouinthisexpectation,(1.)ConsiderChrist’smercifulness,tenderness,andkindness.(2.)ConsiderthefaithfulnessoftheOnewhohaspromised.[1.]SuchexpectationenlistsChrist’squickandcompleteassistance.[2.]SuchexpectationmakestheheartattentivelylistenforChrist.First,letyourfaithactspecificallyonChristcrucifiedandslain.Secondly,expectpowerandthenendeavortoconformtoChrist.

2.TheworkoftheSpiritinmortification.(1.)TheSpiritaloneconvictstheheartofitssin.(2.)TheSpiritalonerevealstousthefullnessofChristforourrelief.(3.)TheSpiritalonebolstersthehearttoexpectrelieffromChrist.(4.)TheSpiritalonebringsthecrossofChristintoourheartswithitssin-killingpower.(5.)TheSpiritistheauthorandfinisherofoursanctification.(6.)TheSpiritsupportsthesoul’spetitionstoGod.

EDITOR’SPREFACE

John Owen was one of the Westminster Divines, Dean of Christ Church ofOxford,Vice-ChancellorofOxfordUniversity,andchaplaintoOliverCromwell.The treatisewaswritten in1656, roughly150years afterLuthernailedhis95thesestothedooroftheWittenbergChapel.Itwas100yearsaftertheslaughterof theHugenots in France, and just 45 years after theKing James Biblewaspublished.SomeoftheanimositybetweentheProtestantsandCatholicsduringthatperiodisopenlyexpressedinthispaperandshouldbetakeninitshistoriccontext. The restatement of this important work is not intended as a renewedattack. Nonetheless, any current practice of fighting sin that substitutessomethinginplaceofGod’sgrace,andthepowerofHisSpirit,maybejudgedbytheBiblicalstandardsJohnOwenoutlineshere.ThisisarestatementandsimplificationofOwen’sMortificationofSin.Becausethe text has beenmodified, it should be used for teaching purposes only. If Ihave misrepresented the original text in any way, it is best to limit thepermutation of such errors by sending readers back to that original. Youmayreproduce the text as long as you do not change it and you do not sell it toanyone. What has been done is this: the Old English terminology has beenupdated so that “thee” and “thou” are now “you” and “yours.” The difficultstructure has been simplified, and the internal structure has been modified tobetter lead the reader through Owen’s train of thought. Sentences have beenshortenedandinmanycasessplit intoseveralsentencesforclarity.Parallelismhas been employed to maintain rhythm, and his unreferenced pronouns havebeenmadeexplicit.Thepassivevoicehasbeenchangedtoactiveinmostplaces.However, the full argument and supporting text aremaintained.A fewcurrentcolloquialisms have been substituted to crystallize the imagery. I apologize iftheyseemoutofplace.Thisisnotasynopsis,buttheentiretreatisepresentedintheoriginalwork.Asaresult,theexpositorystyleremains.TheoldKingJamespassagesofScripture,andOwen’sdirecttranslations,havebeen restated inmany cases for readability.Where thiswas done, the originalHebrew andGreekmeaningswere used to preserve his intent. The Scripturalreferences may be used to obtain a current translation in your favoritecopyrightedversion.Forthemostpart,theyhavebeenmovedtofootnotestoaidthereadability.PassagesinOwen’soriginalworkthathadnocitationsarenowmarked to help the reader find them more easily. Mis-marked passages havebeen corrected. Where Owen cites the original Greek, a bracket containing

[NT:xxxx]hasbeen insertedwith theAnglicizedGreekandStrong’snumbers.Where you see “Cant.” in the footnotes, it refers to the Song of Solomon (acanticleisasong).Archaicwordssuchas“temper”havebeenchanged,inthisinstanceto“state.”Theword “distemper” can have severalmeanings. Literally itmeans “againsttemperate or moderate behavior”, but it can also mean “disease”, or“disturbance”. So it has been variously rendered “disease”, “infection”,“compulsion”, “agitation”, “disorder”, “perverted”, or “cancer of the soul”depending on the context. “Vigor” has been updated to “strength” in someinstances, but left alone in others where he implies more than that, such asfullnessof life,vitality,andpotency.Thewordmortification,because it is thetopicofthework,hasbeenleftalone.Owendefinesitinthetextoftheworkashemeantittobeused.Itissimplytheprocessofkillingsomething,ofputtingittodeath.A table of contents has been created to make it easier to locate particularpassages and to serve as a general outline of the argument. The publishedchapterbreaksandsynopseshavebeenmaintained,althoughOwendidnotusethem inhisoriginalmanuscript. I hope the restatementof this importantworkmakes itmore accessible to you, and helps you understand the importance ofputting sin to death so that Christ might reign in your life in fullness ofcommunion.Owenexploresingreatdepthwhatitmeanstokillsininourlives.Killingsinisapaththatwetaketowardpersonalholiness.ItishowwemaintaincommunionwithGodbyhonoringhimwithourobedience, exercised in cooperationwith,andunderthepowerof,theHolySpirit.Holinessisnotalistofdo’sanddon’ts,likenotswearingornotdrinkingalcohol. Thatwouldonlybereturningtothelaw thatChrist freed us from. In his bookPursuit ofHoliness, JerryBridgesreminds us that holiness means “morally blameless” as God defines it in theBible (Ps. 18:21-23). Itmeans set apart forGod’s purposes. It does notmeansinless. Ifwe never broke a law,wewould be sinless. That is an impossiblegoal. TheBible tellsus that, “allhave sinnedand fallen shortof thegloryofGod”(Rom.3:23,Pro.20:9,1Jn.1:8).Holiness,ontheotherhand,isverypossible.Ithappenswhenwerenounceourlifestyleofsin,anddevoteourselvestoGod.ItisanattitudetowardGodmorethanperfectbehavior.Wearecommanded to“beholy”so thatwewillbe likeour Father in heaven (Lev. 11:44, Lev. 19:2, Lev. 20:26, 1Cor. 1:2, Eph. 1:4,Heb. 12:14, 1 Pet. 1:14-16). That means our attitude toward sin needs to be

centeredonGod,notonourselves.AsJerryBridgessuccinctlyputit,itisnotwhat we are against (sin), but what we are for (God) that counts. JosephunderstoodthisideawhentemptedbyPotiphar’swife(Gen.39:9).Davidsaid,“Against you only have I sinned” (Ps. 51:4). We sin against God, not otherpeople.BecausesinseparatesusfromGod,wewanttokillittodrawclosertoHim.Ifthatisourmotiveandourpurpose,thenwecansucceedinkillingit.Toooftenweattacksinbecauseweworryaboutwhatothersthinkofus,orhowwefeel about ourselves. That is notwhat holiness is about. Thatwouldbe self-centered.Holinesscomesbyfaith,andyet faith takeseffort. Itmeansbeingfaithfulandtrustworthy in our relationship with God. Killing sin is a duty that we arecommittedto,ratherthanahobbyorasportthatweplayat.Allsin,nomatterhowlittle,breaksfaithwithGodandviolateshislaw(Mt.5:19).Thatiswhyweneedtoputallsinaway,thelittlethingsaswellasthebigthings. JohnOwentells us sin ismore a reflection of our heart than a behavior. It is the inwarddesire,not theoutwardaction thatembodiessin. Thesinswecommitare justsymptomsofanunderlyingdeadly disease.Sinkills, and soweneed tokill itbefore it kills us. It destroys relationships; it shames us; and it ruins our fullenjoymentoflife. ButwithfaithinChrist,andbythepowerofHisSpirit,wecanovercomesinsothatitnolongerrulesus.Onenotebeforewebegin.Thereisaphraseyouwillseethatindicatessinneverleavesus,anditneverstopstryingtocontrolus.Itiscalled“residingsin.”Allour lives,weeither letsincontrolus,orwelet theSpiritofChristcontrolus.JohnOwenisspeakingaboutwhathappenstouswhenweletsincontrolus,orwhenweletoneparticulardesireruleus. Heisnottalkingaboutitspresence,butitspower.GodspoketoCainaboutthisconstantstruggleforpower.“Ifyoudowhat is right,won’t yoube accepted?But if youdon’t, sin is crouching atyour door. It desires to have you [meaningmanipulate you], but you mustmasterit.”Gen.4:7.Owengivesusthetoolsandtheattitudeweneedtomastersininourlife.HedescribesamindcontrolledbytheSpirit.Oursinfuldesiresbecomesoweakthattheycannotproducethedeedsofsin.Usinghisanalogyofdiseaseandsymptoms,thediseaseissocontrolledthatthevisibleoutbreaksofinfectiondisappear.Tohelpyoumaintainthisdistinctionwhilereading,

categorical“sin”or“lust”referstothisoveralldesire(thesinfulnatureorlustoftheflesh)asingular“sin”or“lust”referstoourspecificdesireforsomethingtheword“deed”referstoactingonthedesire(committingthesin),and

theword“wound”referstotheeffectofthedeedonourconscienceandonthosearoundus.

IhopeyouuseOwen’streatiseinthisupdatedlanguagetobenefityourpersonalwalkwithGod.

WilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.org©December2002

CHAPTER1

ROMANS8:13EXPLAINED

ThebasisofPaul’sargumentinRom.8:13ThewordsoftheapostleopenedTheconnectionbetweentruemortificationandsalvationMortificationistheworkofbelieversTheHolySpiritisthemaincauseofmortificationWhatismeantby“thebody”inthewordsoftheapostleWhatismeantby“thedeedsofthebody”Life,inthesenseoffullvigorandpower,isaconsequenceofthisdutyofmortification.

To provide some direction in order to make the work of mortification inbelievers clearer, Iwill lay a foundation on thewords of the apostle inRom.8:13,“Ifyoumortifythedeedsof thebodybytheSpirit,youwill live.”Iwillbuildonthisversetorevealthegreatevangelicaltruthandmysteryitcontains.In verses 1-3 of Romans chapter 8, the apostle restates his doctrine ofjustificationbyfaith,andtheblessedconditionofthosewhoshareinitbygrace.Heproceedstoexpandonit toexplaintheholinessnecessarytobelievers,andthecomfortthatisavailabletothem.Amonghisargumentsandmotivationstoholiness,theversesmentionedcontrastwhathappenswhenwechoosetosin:“Ifyouliveaftertheflesh,youwilldie.”What it means to “live after the flesh,” or what it means to “die,” is notmypresentfocus.Evenso,IwillexplaintheminthecontextofRom.8:13.Thiswilllayafoundationfortheensuingdiscourse.First, it makes our duty, the means to perform it, and the resulting promise,conditional:“Ifyou,”Second,itidentifiesthepersonstowhomitisprescribed:“Ifyoumortify.“Third, it identifies theSpirit as thecauseormeans of performing this duty: “throughtheSpirit.”Fourth,thereisadutyprescribedinthisverse:“Mortifythedeedsofthebody.“Fifth,thereisapromiseannexedtoperformingthatduty:“Youwilllive.“

1.Thisdutytomortifysinisconditional,“Butifyou...”

Conditionalphrasesmayspecifytwothings–(1.)Thatitisuncertainthatthepersontowhomthedutyisprescribedwillrealize the event or receive the thing promised. This is true where thecondition is absolutely necessary to the event or thing occurring, and theconditionitselfdoesnotdependonanythingelseknowntothatperson.Sowesay,“Ifwelive,wewilldosuchathing.”Butthisuncertaintycannotbethe intentofusing theconditionalphrase in thisverse. I say thatbecauseverse 1 of the same chapter says, “There is no condemnation for them;”thereisnouncertaintyinthat.(2.)Theconditioncanalsospecifythecertaintyoftheconnectionbetweenthethingsspokenof.Forexample,wecansaytoasickman,“Ifyou takethismedicine,thenyouwillbewell.”Weareexpressingthecertaintyoftheconnectionbetweenthemedicineandthehealthofthepatient.Thisishowitisusedhere.Thecertainconnectionbetweenmortifyingthedeedsofthebodyandlivingiswhatisintimatedinthisconditionalphrase.

Therearevariouswaystoconnectthingsconditionally.Theycaneitherbecauseand effect to each other, or themeans and the end achieved. This connectionbetweenmortificationandlifeisnotcauseandeffect,for“eternallifeisthegiftofGodthroughJesusChrist.”1Itismeansandtheendachievedbyit.Godhasappointed this means for attaining that end, which he has freely promised.Means,thoughnecessary,aresubservienttotheendofthefreepromiseoflife.Providingagift,andrequiring therecipient toprocure it,are inconsistentwitheachother.Theintentofthiscondition,then,istomakeacertainandinfallibleconnectionbetweentruemortificationandeternallife:ifyouusethismeans,youwillobtainthatend;ifyoumortify,youwilllive.Inthisprescriptionforlife,wefindtheprimarymotivetoperformtheduty.

2.Thepersonstowhomthisdutyisprescribed.Theaudienceisexpressedintheword“you.”Intheoriginalitisincludedintheverb,[NT:2289thanatoo]“ifyoumortify;”thatis,youbelievers;youforwhom“thereisnocondemnation,”Rom.8:1;youwhoare“notintheflesh,butintheSpirit,”verse9;whoare“givenlifebytheSpiritofChrist,”verses10,11.Thisdutyisprescribedtoyou.ImposingthisdutyonanyoneotherthanaChristianischaracteristicoftheself-righteousnessthattheworldisfullof,thegreatlaborofdevoutmenwhoare ignorantof thegospel.2Thisdescriptionof thepersonstowhomthedutyisprescribed,isthemainfoundationofthisthesis.

Thebestbelievers,whoarecertainly freed fromthecondemningPowerofsin,stillneedtomakeittheirbusinesstomortifytheindwellingpowerofsinalltheirlife.

3.WhatcausesustoperformthisdutyistheSpirit“If…by theSpirit”[NT:4154pneuma] -TheSpirithere ismentioned inRom.8:11.He is theSpiritofChrist, theSpiritofGod, that“dwells inus,”verse9,that “gives us life,” verse 11; “the Holy Ghost,” verse 14; the “Spirit ofadoption,” verse 15; the Spirit “thatmakes intercession for us,” verse 26.Allotherwaysofmortifyingsinareuseless;allotherhelpsleaveushelpless.ItmustbedonebytheSpirit.AstheapostleimpliesinRom.9:30-32,menmayattempttodothisbasedonotherprinciples,orbyothermeans,justastheyhavealwaysdoneandstilldo.But,hesays,“ThisistheworkoftheSpirit.Itisdonebyhimalone,and itcannotbeaccomplishedbyanyotherpower.”Mortificationusingour own strength, or carried on by ways that we invent, to make ourselvesrighteousinourowneyes,isthecoreofeveryfalsereligionintheworld.Andthisisthesecondprincipleofmyensuingdiscourse.

4.Thedutythatisprescribedisthis:“Mortifythedeedsofthebody.”Threethingsneedtobeexamined:

(1.)Whatismeantbythebody;(2.)Whatismeantbythedeedsofthebody;(3.)Whatismeantbymortifyingthem.

(1.)Whatismeantbythebody.Thebodyinthecloseoftheverseisthesameasthefleshinthebeginning:“Ifyouliveafterthefleshyouwilldie;but ifyou...mortify thedeedsofthe body, etc.” That is, the body is the same thing the apostle has beenreferringtoastheflesh.ThisisevidentfromthecontrastbetweentheSpiritand the flesh, or the before and after. The body, then, represents thecorruption and depravity of our nature. In great part, the body is thecontainer,andthemeansofexpressingoursinfulnature.Oursinfulnaturemakes the members of the body servants to unrighteousness.3 What ismeant by the body is indwelling sin, the corrupted flesh or lust. Manyreasonsmightbegivenforusingthisfigureofspeech,butIwillnotgointothem.The“body”hereisthesameaswefindinRom.6:6,referringtothe

“old man” [NT:3820,444 palaios anthropos], and “body of sin”[NT:4983,266somahamartia]More comprehensively, itmay express thewholepersonascorrupted,andthepersonhimselfas theseatof lustsandpervertedaffections.

(2.)Whatismeantbythedeedsofthebody.The word is “praxis” [NT:4234], which, indeed, indicates mostly theoutward actions, “theworks of the flesh” as they are called inGal. 5:19,[NT:2041ergon].Theretheyaresaidtobe“manifest”orobvious;andtheyareenumerated.Theoutwarddeedsareonlyexpressionsofourinnerself.Primarily,theintentistohaveusdealwiththeinwardcauseofthosedeeds.The“axeissettotherootofthetree.”4Wearetomortifythecausesofthedeeds of the flesh. The apostle calls them deeds because they are whateverylustleavesbehindasevidence.Whenlustconceives,itseemstohaveno effect.But its goal is to produce a perfect sin, the perfect crime – noevidence,nosuspect.Inthebeginningofchapter8,andagainin8:7,Paultreatsindwellinglustandsinasthesourceofallsinfulactions.Hementionsitsdestructionusingtheeffectsitproduces.Byatwistofthephrase,“Carnalminds”5[NT:4561sarx], are no different than the “passions and lusts of the flesh”6 [alsoNT:4561sarx].Thedeedsandfruitsoftheflesharisefromthecarnalmind;andthisisthesenseinwhichthebodyisusedinRom.8:10:“Thebody isdeadbecauseofsin.”

(3.)Whatismeantbymortify.“Puttodeath”[NT:2289thanatoo]-Thisisametaphor,takenfromputtinganylivingthingtodeath.Tokillamanorotherlivingthing,meanstotakeawayallhisstrength,vigor,andpower,sothathecannotactorexertonhisown.Thatisjustwhatitmeansinthiscase.Indwellingsiniscomparedtoaperson,alivingperson,called“theoldman.”Hehashiswayofthinking,histendencies,hiswisdom,craft,subtlety,andstrength.Thisoldman,saystheapostle,mustbekilled,put todeath,mortified.That is, theoldman’spower,life,vigor,andstrength,hisabilitytoproduceeffects,mustbetakenaway by the Spirit. In fact, it is to be “crucified with Christ” as a goodthing.7We,asthe“oldman,”aresaidtobe“dead”withChrist.8Whenweare resurrected inChrist and regenerated,9 a principle contrary to the oldman,onedesignedtodestroyhim,10isplantedinourhearts.Butthewhole

process towardsperfection (Christ-likebehavior) is carriedonbydegreesallofourlife.Moreaboutthislater.Theintentoftheapostleinprescribingthedutytomortifysinisthis:it istheconstantdutyofbelieverstomortifytheindwellingsinstillremainingintheirmortal bodies, so that itwill not have the life andpower needed toproducethedeedsoftheflesh.

5.Thepromiseforfulfillingthisdutyislife:“Youwilllive.”Thelifepromisedisopposedtothedeaththreatenedinthepreviousclause,“Ifyoulivefortheflesh,youwilldie.”Paulrepeats,“Ifyousatisfythefleshyouwillreapdestruction.”11Now,perhapsthewordmeansnotonlyeternallife,butalsothespirituallifeinChrist.Wehavethatinthislife,nottheessenceofit,butthejoy,comfort,andvitalityofit.Astheapostlesaysinanothercase,“Nowwelive,ifwestandfast.”12 Inotherwords,“Nowmylifewilldomegood;Iwillhavejoyandcomfortinmylife.Iwillleadagood,vital,comfortable,spirituallifewhileIamhere,andthenobtaineternallifeafterwards.”As to what was said before, about the connection between mortification andeternallife,Iaddasecondmotivetothedutyprescribed:thatthevitality,power,andcomfortofourspirituallifedependsonthemortificationofthedeedsoftheflesh.

CHAPTER2

THEDUTYOFTHEBESTBELIEVERS

ConfirmingtheneedformortificationMortificationisstillthedutyofthebestbelievers13

Indwellingsinstayswithus;thereisnoperfectioninthislife14

Whatsindoesinthelifeofbelievers15

Sin’sfruitfulnessandtendencyEverylustaimsatthemostextremeformofitskindTheSpiritandanewnaturearegiventocontendagainstindwellingsin16

Thefearfulconsequenceofneglectingmortification17

The first general principle ofmortification – the sorrowof failing in thisduty.

Having laid this foundation connecting mortification and life, the maindeductionsleadmetopropose,

I.Thefirstgeneralprinciple:despitethedeathofsinonthecross,sinremains.Thebestbelievers,whoarecertainlyfreedfromthecondemningPowerofsin,stillneedtomakeittheirbusinesstomortifytheindwellingpowerofsinalltheirlife.So theapostlePaulwrites,“Thereforemortify thepartsofyourbody thatbelong to the earth.”18 Towhomdoes he speak?Thosewhowere“risenwithChrist,”verse1;thosewhowere“dead”withhim,verse3;thosewhohavetheirlifeinChrist,andwhowill“appearwithhiminglory,”verse4.Doyoumortifythesininyourlife?Doyoumakeityourdailywork?Alwaysbeatthisworkwhileyoulive!Donotmissadayfromit.Youneedtobekillingsin,oritwillbekillingyou.BeingvirtuallydeadwithChrist,beingmadealivewithhim,willnot excuse you from thiswork.OurSavior tells us howhisFather dealswitheverybranchinhimthatbearsfruit,everytrueandlivingbranch.“Heprunesitsoitmaybearmorefruit.”19Heprunesit,andnotforadayortwo,butwhileitcontinuestobeabranchinthisworld.And the apostle tells youwhathis ownpracticewas: “I subduemybody, andbringitintosubmission.”20“Idoitdaily;”hesays,“itistheworkofmylife:Ido

notomitit;thisismybusiness.”AndifthiswastheworkandbusinessofPaul,whowas so exceptionally gifted in grace, revelations, enjoyments, privileges,andconsolations,wellbeyondtheordinarybeliever,whywouldwebeexemptfromthisworkanddutywhileweareinthisworld?Hereareafewreasonswhyweneedtodothisdaily:

1.Indwellingsinstayswithuswhileweareinthisworld;thereforewealwaysneedtomortifyit.The useless, foolish, and ignorant disputes we get into about keeping thecommands of God perfectly, of somehow reaching perfection in this life, ofbeingwhollyandperfectlydeadtosin, Iwillnotget intonow.It ismore thanprobable that the peoplewhopromote such ideas never knewwhat it takes tokeepanyofGod’scommands.Theyareso far fromperfection that theyneversincerelystrivedforevenpartialobedience,muchlessuniversalobedience.Andso,manyinourdaywhotalkofperfectionhavebeenwiser thanwe,and theyassertthatperfectionconsistsinknowingnodifferencebetweengoodandevil.Theirperfection isnot in the thingswecallgood. Instead it is all the same tothem;theheightofwickednessistheirperfection.Othershavefoundanewwaytoperfectionbydenyingoriginal, indwelling sin.Theybend the spiritualityofGod’slawtomen’scarnalhearts.TheyrealizethattheyareignorantofthelifeofChristanditspowerinbelievers,sotheyhaveinventedanewrighteousnessthatthegospelknowsnothingof.Theyareuselesslypuffedupbytheirfleshlyminds.Therearethoseofuswhodonotdaretobewisebeyondwhatiswritten,nordoweboastbyothermen’smeasureofwhatGodhasorhasnotdoneforus.Wesaythatindwellingsinlivesinustosomedegreeaslongasweareinthisworld.Wedo not dare to speak as “though we had already attained, or were alreadyperfect.”21Our“inwardmanistobereneweddaybyday”whilewelivehere.22Amidtherenovationsofthenewarethebreachesanddecaysoftheold.Whileweareherewe“knowbutinpart.”23Wehaveadarknessremainingthatneedsto be gradually removed by our “growth in the knowledge of our Lord JesusChrist.”24But“thefleshlustsagainsttheSpirit,sothatwecannotdothethingsthatwewanttodo,”25andwearethereforedefectiveinourobedienceaswellasinourlight.26Wehavea“bodyofdeath”27fromwhichwearenotdelivereduntilthedeathofourbodies.28Now,havingadutytomortify,tokillsinwhileitisinus,we need to get towork. If someone is appointed to kill an enemy, and heceasesstrikingbeforetheotherceasesliving,hedoesonlyhalfhiswork.29

2.Sinnotonlystillabidesinus,butitstillacts,stilllaborstobringoutthedeedsoftheflesh.When sin lets us alone,wemay let sin alone.But sin is never less quiet thanwhenitseemsmostquiet.Itswatersaredeepestwhentheyarestill.Soweneedtovigorouslyrootoutsinatalltimesandinallconditions,evenwhereweleastsuspectit.Sinnotonlystaysinus,but“thelawofthemembersofthebodyisstill rebelling against the law of themind,”30 and “the spirit that dwells in ustendstoenvy.”31Sinisalwaysatwork.“ThefleshopposestheSpirit.”32Lustisstill temptingandconceivingsin.33 Ineverymoralaction,sininclinestowardsevil,orithindersgood,oritdisengagesthespiritfromcommunionwithGod.Itinclines toevil.“Theevil Idonotwant todo, that is justwhatIdo,”says theapostle.34

Whyisthat?“Becausenothinggoodlivesinme(thatis,inmyflesh),”verse18.Andsinhindersmefromdoinggood:“ThegoodthatIwanttodo,Idonotdo,”verse19.“Inthesameway,eitherIdonotdoit,orIdonotdoitasIshould;allofmyholy things arebeingdefiledby this sin.”35 “The flesh lusts against theSpirit,sothatIcannotdothethingsthatIwanttodo.”36Sindistractsourspirit,andsoitiscalled“Thesinthatsoeasilyentanglesus.”37ThatiswhytheapostlehassuchgrievouscomplaintsaboutitinRomans7.Sosinisalwaysacting,alwaysconceiving,alwaysseducingandtempting.WhocansaythatheeverhadanythingtodowithGodorforGod,thatindwellingsindidnothaveahandincorrupting?Andsinwillhavethisimpactmoreorlessallofourlife.Ifsinisalwaysacting,andwearenotalwaysmortifying,thenwearelostcreatures.Ifamanstandsstillandallowshisenemies tobeathimwithoutresistance, then he will undoubtedly be conquered. If sin is subtle, watchful,strong, and always at work in the business of killing our souls, and we areslothful, negligent, and foolish in trying to ruin its efforts, then how can weexpectagoodoutcome?Thereisnotadaythatgoesbythatsineitherfoilsorisfoiled,thatiteitherwinsorloses;anditwillbethiswayallthewhileweliveinthisworld.Iwillreleaseanyonefromthisdutythatcanmakesinsurrender,thatcanbringacessationofarms in thiswarfare. If sinwill sparehimoneday,evenoneduty(assumingheisacquaintedwiththespiritualityofobedienceandthesubtletyofsin),hemaysaytohissoul,“Takethedayoffinthisduty.”Thesaintslongfordeliverance from sin’s bewildering rebellion. They know that the only safetyagainstitisconstantwarfare.

3.Sinnotonlytroublesus,butifleftalone,itproducessoul-destroyingsins.Sinnotonlystrives,acts,rebels,troubles,anddisturbsus,butifitisleftalone,ifit is not continuallymortified, it will produce great, cursed, scandalous, soul-destroying sins. The apostle tells uswhat theworks and the fruits of sin are.“The works of the flesh are apparent: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousy, anger, strife,sedition,heresies,envy,murders,drunkenness,carousing,etc.”38YouknowwhatitdidinDavidandmanyothers.Sinalwaysaimsattheextreme.Ifithaditsway,everytimeitrisesuptotemptorentice,itwouldgoouttothemostextremesinofthatkind.Ifitcould,everyuncleanthoughtorglancewouldbecomeadultery.Every covetous desire would become oppression. If it were allowed its ownreign,everythoughtofunbeliefwouldbecomeatheism.Menmayreachapoint,wheresinissounrestrained,thatitnolongerstingstheirconscience.Themostoutrageous sin no longer seems scandalous. If every impulse of lust weresatisfied,itwouldreachtheheightofvillainy.Sinislikethegravethatisneversatisfied.39

Thisispartofthedeceitfulnessofsin,whichhardensmen’sheartsandleadstotheirruin.40Itissubtleinitsinitialapproach,andsowesuccumbtoit.Butonceithasaholdonourheartbytheselittleconcessions,itgainsafooting;andthenit presses on in increasing degrees of the same kind. This continual pressingforward fools the soul into thinking the separation fromGod that has alreadyhappened is insignificant. It thinks that if there is no further progress, thennothing isdifferent.To theextent thesoul ismade insensitive toa sin, that is,insensitivetowhatthegospelrequiresofthebeliever,thatistheextenttowhichthe heart is hardened. But sin still presses forward. That is because the onlyboundary it has is our complete relinquishment ofGod, andour opposition tohim. Its ability to proceed towards this extreme end by degrees, and tomakegood theground ithasgottenbyhardness,doesnot come from itsnature,butfrom its deceitfulness. Nothing can prevent this infiltration but mortification.Mortificationwillwithertherootofthesin,andstrikeatitsheadeveryhour,sothatwhatever itaimsat it is thwarted. If thebest saint in theworldshirks thisduty,hewillfallintoasmanycursedsinsasanyoneelse.

4.TheSpiritandthenewnaturearegiventoussowehavethemoralstrengthtoopposesin.“ThefleshlustsagainsttheSpirit.”Well,sowhat?“TheSpiritalsolustsagainsttheflesh.”41ThereisatendencyintheSpirit,orournewspiritualnature,toact

againsttheflesh,aswellasatendencyinthefleshtoactagainsttheSpirit.42Itisourparticipationinthedivinenaturethatgivesusanescapefromthepollutionthatisintheworldthroughlust.InRom.7:23wefindthereisalawofthemind,aswell as a law of the fleshlymembers.When two people are fighting, it isunjustandunreasonabletobindoneandleavetheotheratlibertytowoundhimathispleasure.Inthesameway,itisfoolishtobindtheonewhofightsforoureternal salvation, and leave alone the onewho violently seeks our everlastingruin.Thecontestisforourlivesandsouls!NotemployingtheSpiritandthenewnature to mortify sin daily, is ignoring the excellent assistance that God hasgivenusagainstourgreatestenemy.Ifweneglecttousewhatwehavereceived,Godmayjustlyholdbackgivingmore.Hisgracesandhisgiftsarebestowedonus to use, to exercise, and to trade with. Not mortifying sin daily is sinningagainstthegoodness,kindness,wisdom,grace,andloveofGodwhofurnisheduswiththehelpandmoralstrengthweneedtodothat.

5.Neglectingthisdutyrenewstheoldman,androtsthenewman.Neglectingthisdutythrowsthesoulintoaconditionexactlyoppositetowhattheapostle proclaims: “Even though our outward man rots, the inward man isreneweddaybyday.”43Whenthisdutyisneglected,theinwardmanrots,andtheoutwardmanisreneweddaybyday.SinbecomeslikethehouseofDavid,andgracebecomeslikethehouseofSaul.Everythingisturnedupside-down.Exerciseandsuccessarethetwomainhavensofgraceintheheart.Whengraceisabandoned,itwithersanddecays.Thethingsofgracearereadytodie,44andsingainsgroundtowardshardeningtheheart.45WhatImeanisthat,byignoringthis duty, grace withers, lust flourishes, and the condition of the heart growsworseandworse.TheLordknowswhatdesperateandfearfuleffectssinhashadwithmanypeople.Whenweneglectmortification,singetsasubstantialvictory,anditbreaksthebonesofthesoul.46 Itmakesamanweak,sick,andreadytodie,47sothathecannotlookup.48 Whenwetakeblowafterblow,woundafterwound, foilafter foil, andnever riseup invigorousopposition,canweexpectanything but being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, and finding oursoulsbleedingtodeath?49

Indeed, it is sad to consider the effects of this neglect that lie under our eyeseveryday.Weseethosewhomweknewtobehumble,melting,broken-heartedChristians.Theywere tender and afraid of offending anyone, zealous forGodand all hisways, and respectful of his Sabbaths and laws. By neglecting this

duty,theyhavegrownearthly,carnal,cold,andwrathful.Theyconformtothemen and to the things of the world, making a scandal of religion; and theybecome a fearful temptation to those who know them. The truth is, trueevangelicalmortification is almost lost among us. Some havemade it earthly,legal, censoring, and partial. It is taintedwithwrath, envy,malice, and pride.Othershavemadeitseemobsoletewiththeirpretensesoflibertyandgrace,andIdonotknowwhatelse,tryingtojustifyitsneglect.Moreaboutthatlater.

6.Itisourdutytobe“perfectingholinessoutofthefearofGod.”50

Itisourdutyto“growingrace”daily.51Itisourdutyto“renewourinwardmandaybyday.”52Now,thiscannotbedonewithoutmortifyingsindaybyday.Sinstronglyopposeseveryactofholiness,andeverydegreetowhichwegrow.Nomanshouldthinkheismakinganyprogressinholinessifhedoesnotwalkoverthedeadbodiesofhislusts.Anyonewhodoesnotkillsinthatstandsinhiswayis not taking any steps towards his journey’s end. Anyone who finds nooppositionfromsin,anddoesnottakeeveryopportunitytomortifyit,isactuallyatpeacewithsin;heisnotdyingtoit.This,then,isthefirstgeneralprincipleofourensuingdiscourse.Letmeputitthis way: despite the death of each and every sin on the cross of Christ, sinremains.Despitethefoundationofmortificationaffordedbyourconversion,ourownconvictionofsin,andourhumiliationforsin,sinremains.Despitethenewmoral strength to oppose and destroy sin that has been implanted in us, sinremains.Sinhassuchaneffectonthebestofbelieversthat,aslongastheyliveinthisworld,theconstantdailymortificationofsinremainstheirobligation.Before I proceed to the next principle, I have to complain about the manyprofessedChristiansthesedayswho,insteadofshowinggreatandevidentfruitsof mortification, hardly bear any leaves of it. There is a growing popularmovement attracting those who display many spiritual gifts, and who freelyexpress their spirituality.There isanoiseof religionand religiousactivities ineverycorner.Thereispreachinginabundance.Anditisnotdoneintheempty,light, trivial, andvainmanner itoncewas.For themostpart, it results fromaspiritualgift. Ifyouwere tomeasure thenumberofbelieversby theattentionthey draw, the number of gifts they show, or the professions they make, thechurchmightbepromptedtoask,“Wheredidall thesefollowerscomefrom?”Butifyoumeasurethembytheirfruitsofmortification,thisgreatdiscriminatinggraceofChristians,perhapstheirnumberisnotsolarge.Therearesomanyofthosewhoconvertedduringthispopularmovement,who

talkaboutandprofesstheirfaithwithalevelofspiritualityseldomseenbefore.Butunfortunately,theygiveevidenceofamiserablyunmortifiedheart.Iwillnotjudgethem,butperhapsboastaboutwhattheLordhasdoneinthem.Ifwastingtime, idleness, squandering time in clubs, envy, strife, quarreling, jealousy,anger, pride, worldliness, and selfishness53 are badges of Christians, then wehavethemamongusinabundance.Andifsuchbehaviorcanbefoundinthosewhohavesomuchlight,andwhich,wehope,issavinglight,thenwhatdowesayaboutsomewhowouldliketobecalledreligiousandyetdespisethelightofthegospel?Whatdowesayaboutthosewhoknownomoreofthedutywearediscussing thanoccasionallydenying themselvesa fewoutward,harmless,andseldom practiced enjoyments? May the good Lord send out a spirit ofmortificationtocureourdiseasedstate,orwewillwindupinasadcondition!

Twoevilsaccompanyeveryunmortifiedprofessoroffaith.Thereare twoevilswhichcertainlyaccompanyeveryunmortifiedprofessoroffaith:thefirstisfoundinhimself,andtheotherisfoundinrespecttoothers–1.Theevilinhimself.

He can pretend not to, but he has careless thoughts of sin, sins of dailyweakness.Thesignofanunmortifiedsinfulhabitisbeingabletodigestthesinwithout anybitterness in theheart.Amanmay imagine thekindofgraceandmercythatwillallowhimtoswallowanddigesthisdailysinswithoutbitterness.Whenhedoes,heisatthebrinkofturningthegraceofGodintolewdness,andofbeinghardenedbythedeceitfulnessofsin.Thereisnogreaterevidenceofafalseandrottenheart,thantobeabletotradethatgraceandmercyforthesinfulhabit.

The blood of Christ is given to cleanse us.54 Christ lifted up gives usrepentance.55Thedoctrineofgrace teachesus todenyallungodliness.56Usingthesetocloakandapprovesin,isarebellionthatwillbreakthebones.MostoftheprofessorsofChristwhohavefallenfromgraceinourday,havedepartedusthrough thisdoorofunmortified sin.For awhilemostof themhad ideologicalconvictions; thoseconvictionskept them to theirduties andbrought them toaprofessionoffaith.Inthiswaythey“escapedthepollutionthatisintheworld,through the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”57 But enticed only by thedoctrineof thegospel, andbeingwearyofduty (forwhich theyhadnomoralfoundation), they neglected numerous requirements of the doctrine of grace.Oncethisevillaidholdofthem,theyquicklyfellintodamnation.2.Theevilinrelationtoothersaroundthem.

ThishastwoevilinfluencesonunmortifiedprofessorsofChrist–(l.) Ithardens them,bypersuading themthat theyareasgoodas thebestprofessorsofChrist.Whatevertheyseeexemplifiedinthebestprofessors,issocoloredbytheirownlackofmortification,thatithasnovaluetothem.They have a zeal for religion, but they lack restraint and universalrighteousness. They reject wastefulness, but practice worldliness. Theyseparatefromtheworld;butlivingentirelytothemselves,theytakenocaretoexerciseloving-kindness.Ortheytalkspiritually,buttheyliveinvanity.TheymentioncommunionwithGod,but theyareconformedtotheworldin every way. They boast of the forgiveness of sin, and yet they neverforgiveothers.Andwith suchmindsets, thesepoor creatures harden theirheartsbytheirunrepentance.(2.) They deceive others, by making them believe it would be good ifeveryonecouldbeasspiritualastheypurporttobe.Andsoitbecomesaneasythingforotherstobetemptedbyreligiousfame,andtogofarbeyondwhat they see in these false professors.Yet, theywill still come short ofeternallife.

Butthis,andalltheevilsofwalkingwithoutmortifyingsin,willcomelater.58

CHAPTER3

FALSEMORTIFICATIONOFSIN

ConfirmingthesecondgeneralprincipleofthemeansofmortificationTheSpiritistheonlyauthorofthisworkDiscoveringtheuselessnessoftheRomanCatholicritualizedmortificationManymeansusedbytheRomanCatholicchurcharenotspecifiedbyGodThosemeanswhicharespecifiedbyhimareabusedThemistakesofothersinthisbusinessTheSpiritispromisedtobelieversforthiswork59

AllthatwereceivefromChristisbytheSpiritHowtheSpiritmortifiessin60

SeveralwaystheSpiritoperatesinthisendeavorHowtheSpirit’swayswork,andourdutyinthatwork

The next principle involves the sovereign cause ofmortification,which is theHolySpirit.

II.Thesecondgeneralprinciple:OnlytheSpiritissufficienttodothisworkofmortification;Anyotherwaysormeansofmortifyingsinapartfromhimwillhavenoeffect.Heactsdirectlytodoit,andheworksinusjustashepleases.

1.Menseekotherremediesinvain.Menwillnotbehealedbyotherremedies.ThespecificwaysthatareprescribedbyGodtomortifysinareknowntous.AlotoftheRomanCatholicreligionandits practices consist ofmistakenways andmeans ofmortification. This is thepretenseof their roughgarments; theydeceive themselves.Theirvows,orders,fasting,andpenance,areallbuiltonthisfalsegroundwork;theyareallmeanttomortifysin.Theirpreaching,sermons,andbooksofdevotion,alllookthisway.That iswhysome think the locusts thatcameoutof thebottomlesspitare thefriarsoftheRomanCatholicchurch(Rev.9:3).Theyaresaidtotormentmentothepointthat“theyseekdeathbutcannot find it” (verse6).These interpretersthink the friars tormentedmen by their stinging sermons, throughwhich theyconvinced them of sin. But being unable to discover the remedywhich couldhealandmortify the sin, theykept thesepeople in suchperpetualanguishand

terror,andsotroubledtheirconsciences,thattheydesiredtodie.Thisisthecoreoftheirreligion.Theylabortomortifythesinsofdeadcreatures[prayer for the dead] because they are ignorant of the nature and purpose ofmortification.Theymixpoisonwithitbytryingtopersuadeusofitsmerit.Thecall it supererogation (going beyondwhat is necessary tomerit God’s favor).Thetermitselfisproudandbarbarous.Theirgloryinthisritualisactuallytheirshame–moreaboutthemandtheirpracticeofmortificationinchapter7.It is known that the ways and means they invented to mortify sin are stillprescribed for the same purpose by some who should know better from thegospel. Directions to this effect have lately been given by some, even thoseprofessingtobeProtestants.ItwouldhavebeenmoreappropriatecomingfromRomanCatholicdevoteesthreeorfourhundredyearsago.Suchoutsideefforts,such physical exercises, such self-performances, such merely legal duties,withouttheleastmentionofChristorhisSpirit,arevarnishedoverwithswellingwordsofvanityastheonlyeffectivemeanstomortifysin.Thisrevealsadeep-rootedignoranceofthepowerofGodandthemysteryofthegospel.Thatwasonereasonforpublishingthispaper.Tworeasons,amongothers,whytheRomanCatholicscannot trulymortifysinwithalltheirendeavorsarethese:

(1.)BecausemanyofthewaysandmeanstheyusewereneverdesignatedbyGod for thatpurpose. (Nothing in religionhasanyeffectunless ithasbeen designated by God for that purpose). Examples of these are theirrough garments, their vows, penances, disciplines, monastic life, and thelike.Godwill ask, “Who has required these things of you?” and then hewill say,“Youworshipme invain, teachingdoctrines thatcomefromthetraditions of men.” The same sort of self-punishment is advocated byothers.(2.)BecausetheydonotproperlyusethethingsthataredesignatedbyGodas a means of mortification. These include praying, fasting, watching,meditation,andthelike.Thesehavetheiruse in thebusiness inhand,butwhere they are meant to be streams flowing from other fountains, theyconsiderthemfountainsinthemselves.Thatis,theyareonlythemeanstoan effect, secondary to the Spirit and to faith. But they consider themvirtues in themselves. If they fast somuch, and pray somuch, and keeptheirhoursandtimes,thentheworkisdone.Astheapostlesaysinanothercase, “They are always learning, never coming to the knowledge of thetruth.” In this case, they are alwaysmortifying, but they never really kill

anything. In brief, they have a lot of means to mortify the natural manlivingthenaturallife,butnonetomortifylustorcorruption.

Thisistheusualmistakepeoplemakewhoareignorantofthegospelaboutthisthing.Itisthebasisofalotofsuperstitionandwill-worshipintheworld.Whathorrible starvation some of the ancient authors practiced in their monasticdevotion!Whatviolence theydid to theirnature!Whatextremesuffering theyputthemselvesunder!Searchforthebasisforsuchbehaviorandbeliefs,andyouwillfindtheyallmadethesamemistake.Inattemptingsuchrigidmortification,they struck at the naturalman instead of the corrupt oldman; they struck thebodyinwhichweliveinsteadofthebodyofdeath.Thenaturalpracticesofotherswillnotdoiteither.Menareexasperatedwiththeguiltofasinthathassucceededagainstthem.Theyinstantlypromisethemselvesand God that they will not do it anymore. They keep a close watch onthemselves.Theyprayforawhileuntilthefeverofitgoesaway,andthesenseofsiniswornoff.Butthenmortificationgoesawayaswell.Thesinreturnstoitsformercontrol.Dutiesmaybeexcellent food for aweak soul,but theyarenomedicineforasicksoul.Thepersonthatturnshismeatintohismedicinecannotexpect some great turn of events. Spiritually sickmen cannot sweat out theirdiseasebyworking.Butthisiswhatmenaredoingwhentheydeceivetheirownsouls,asweshallseelater.It is evident from the nature of the work itself that none of these ways areenough to accomplish the task. It is awork that requires somany concurrentactions that no self-effort can attain it. It requires an almighty energy toaccomplish,aswillbemadeevidentshortly.

2.ItistheworkoftheSpirit.Thisissobecause,

(1.)GodpromisedtogivetheSpirittoustodothiswork.

Theworkofmortificationingeneraltakesawaythestonyheart,thatis,thestubborn,proud,rebellious,andunbelievingheart.Thisisstillpromisedtobe done by the Spirit, “I will give my Spirit, and take away the stonyheart.”61AndthisworkisdonebytheSpiritofGodwhenallourownwaysfail.62

(2.)MortificationisagiftofChrist,andallthegiftsofChristcometousbytheSpiritofChrist.

“WithoutChristwecandonothing.”63Allofoursuppliesandrelief,eachexercise of grace from him, are communicated to us by the Spirit. It is

throughtheSpirit thatChristworksexclusivelyinandonbelievers.FromChristwehaveourmortification:“HeisliftedupandmadeaPrinceandaSavior,togiverepentancetous.”64Andourmortificationisnopartofourrepentance.Howdoeshedoit?Having“receivedthepromiseoftheHolyGhost,” 65 Christ pours him out for that purpose. You know the variouspromiseshemade tosend theSpirit.AsTertulliansaid,“Vicariamnavareoperam,”heisvicariouslydoingtheworksthatChristhadtoaccomplishinus.

The resolution of one or two questions will now lead me nearer to what Iprimarilywanttopointout.Thefirstquestionis,

HowdoestheSpiritmortifysin?Ianswerthat,ingeneral,hedoesitinthreeways–

[1.]TheSpiritcausesourheartstogrowingraceandinthekindoffruitsthatopposethefleshlyfruits,andtheirsource.TheapostleenumeratesthefruitsofthefleshinGal.5:19-21,andhecontraststhemwiththe fruitsofthe Spirit in verses 22, 23. They are nothing alike. But if these spiritualfruitsgrowinus,wouldn’ttheotherfleshlyfruitgrowtoo?Inverse24,hesays “No. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with itsaffections and lusts.” But how? Verse 25, “By living in the Spirit andwalkingaftertheSpirit;”thatis,bythegrowthoftheseSpiritualgracesinus,andwalkinginstepwiththem.Theapostlesays,“These[twokindsoffruit]arecontraryonetoanother,”verse17;sotheycannotcoexisttoanygreatdegree.This“renewingofusbytheHolyGhost,”66asitiscalled,isonesubstantialpath tomortification.TheSpiritcausesus togrow, thrive,flourish, and prosper in those graces which are contrary, opposite, anddestructive to all the fruits of the flesh, and to the quiet thriving ofindwellingsin.[2.]TheSpiritmakesarealphysicalefficientattackontherootandhabitofsin,toweaken,destroy,andremoveit.Thatiswhyheiscalleda“Spiritofjudgmentandburning.”67Heactuallyconsumesanddestroysourlusts.Hetakes away the stony heartwith an almighty efficiency.As he begins hisworkforeachkindofsin,hecarriesitonforeachdegreeofsin.Heisthefirewhichburnsuptheveryrootoflust.[3.]He brings the cross of Christ into the heart of a sinner by faith. HegivesuscommunionwithChristinhisdeath,andfellowshipwithChristin

hissufferings.Moreabouthowthatisdonelater.Thesecondquestionisthis,

IfthisistheworkoftheSpiritalone,whyareweurgedtodoit?IfonlytheSpiritofGodcandoit,maybeweshouldleavetheworkentirelytohim.

[1.] It is only theSpirit’swork in the sameway that all graces andgoodworksinusaretheSpirit’s.He“worksinus[NT:1754energeo“energizes”]towill and to act in accordwith his owngood purpose.”68He “exercises[OT:6466]allourworksinus.”69He“fulfills[NT:4137]everyworkoffaithwithpower.”70Heassistsus[NT:4878,5241]topray,andheisa“Spiritofhumbleprayer.”71Andyetwearerightlyexhortedtodoallthesethings.[2.]Hedoesnotworkoutourmortificationinanywaythatkeepsitfrombeingouractofobedience.TheHolyGhostworksinusandonusinawaythatisconsistentwithwhoweare,awaythatpreservesourownlibertyandfreeobedience.Heworksonourunderstanding,ourwill, our conscience,andourdesires,consistentwiththenatureofeach.Heworksinusandwithus, not against us orwithout us.His assistance is an encouragement tocompletethework,andnotanexcusetoneglectit.

Indeed, I might take time here to sorrow over the endless and foolish effortspeoplemakewhentheyareconvictedoftheirownsin.Theymanagetorestrainitbycountless,andbewilderingrituals.ButbeingstrangerstotheSpiritofGod,all of this is done in vain. They fight without victory and have war withoutpeace.Theyareinslaveryalltheirlife.Theyspendtheirstrengthonsomethingthatwillnotsatisfytheirhunger,laboringforwhatcannotbenefitthem.This is the saddest warfare any person can be engaged in. Someone who ispowerfullyconvictedby the law, ispressed to fightagainst sin.Buthehasnostrengthfor thecombat.Hecanonlyfight;hecanneverconquer.Suchpeopleare like men purposely thrown on their enemy’s sword to be slain. The lawdrivesthemon,andsinbeatsthemback.Sometimestheythinktheyhavefoiledsin,whenalltheyhavedoneisraiseacloudofdusttokeepfromseeingit.Theymistake their natural fear, sorrow, and anguish for an indication that sin isconquered.Inreality,itisnoteventouched.Bythattimetheyareexhausted,andyettheymustenterintothebattleagain.Thelusttheythoughtwasslainappearstohavenowound.If thecase is sosadwith thosewhoare lost,butat leastmake theeffort, then

whatistheconditionofthosewhodespiseallthis?Whatofthosewhoareunderthe perpetual power and control of sin,who love it, andwhoworry only thattheycannotsatiatethedesiresoftheflesh?

CHAPTER4

USEFULNESSOFMORTIFICATION

ThelastprincipleistheusefulnessofmortificationThe strength and comfort of our spiritual lives greatly depend on ourmortificationInwhatsensethisdependenceistrueThedependenceisnotabsoluteandnecessary;Ps.88,Heman’sconditionThedependenceisnotimmediateandconditionalRemovingthecontraryasameansofproofThe effect of any unmortified lust is toweaken and darken the soul, Ps.38:3,8AllgracesareenrichedbythemortificationofsinThebestevidenceofsincerity

Besides the necessity of mortification to life, and the certainty of life aftermortification,thelastprincipleIemphasizeisthis:

III.Thethirdgeneralprinciple:thevitalityofourspirituallifegreatlydependsonourmortificationofsin.Strengthandcomfort,orpowerandpeace,arethethingswedesireinourwalkwithGod.Ifanyofuswereaskedseriously,whattroublesus,wewouldpointtooneof these.Wewantstrength,power,vitality,and life inourwalkwithGod,that is, in our obedience, or we want peace, comfort, and consolation in thatwalk. Whatever else a believer may encounter, is not worth mentioning orcomplainingabout.Now,allofthesegreatlydependonaconstantcourseofmortification.Observethat,

1.Life,strengthandcomfortinourspirituallifearenotthenecessaryresultofmortification.Theydonotresultfromitasthoughtheywerenecessarilytiedtoit.Amanmayfollowaconstantcourseofmortificationallhislife,andyetperhapsneverenjoyagooddayofpeaceandconsolation.ThatishowitwaswithHeman.72Helivedalifeofperpetualmortification,andwalkedwithGod.Yet terrorsandwounds

followedhimallhislife.GodsingledoutHeman,agoodfriend,tomakehimanexampleforotherswhomightbeindistress.CanyoucomplainifyousufferasHemandid,thoughhewasaprominentservantofGod?Thiswillbehispraiseto the end of the world. It is God’s prerogative whether to speak peace andconsolationtous.“Ihaveseenhisways,andIwillhealhim;Iwillalsoleadhim,and restorecomforts tohimand tohismourners.”HowdoesGoddo this?Hecreatesit,andspeaksit.“Icreatethefruitofthelips:‘Peace,peacetohimwhoisfaroffandtohimwhoisnear,’saystheLORD,‘AndIwillhealhim.’”73Itisour choice whether to use themeansGod has provided to obtain peace. ButbestowingthemeansofpeaceisGod’schoice.

2.Life,strengthandcomfortinourspirituallifeareprivileges,notrights.Mortification is not the immediate cause for any of God’s providing us life,vigor,courage,andconsolation.Thesethingsaretheprivilegesofouradoption.TheSpirit informsoursoulwhentheyarepresent.“TheSpiritbearingwitnesswithourspiritsthatwearethechildrenofGod.”74Heistheonewhogivesusanewname,awhitestone,adoption,andjustification.Sotheimmediatecauseofthese things is the sense and knowledge we have of our adoption andjustification,deliveredinthehandoftheSpirit.Ihavetosaythat,nonetheless,

3.Life,strength,andcomfortinourspirituallifegreatlydependonmortification.InourordinarywalkwithGod,andinhisordinarycourseofdealingwithus,thestrengthandcomfortofour spiritual lifegreatlydependsonourmortification.Mortificationisnotonlythe“causasinequanon,”theindispensablecause,butithasaneffectualinfluenceonit.For,

(1.)Mortificationalonekeepssinfromdeprivingusofthem.

Everyunmortifiedsinwillcertainlydotwothings:--[1.]Itwillweakenthesoul,anddepriveitofitsvigor.[2.]Itwilldarkenthesoul,anddepriveitofitscomfortandpeace.

[1.]Unmortifiedsinweakens thesoul,anddeprives itof itsstrength.WhenDavidharboredanunmortifiedlustinhisheart,itbrokeallhisbones, and left him no spiritual strength. For this reason, hecomplainedthathewassick,weak,wounded,andfaint.“Thereis,”hesays,“nohealth inme.”75 “I amfeebleandsorebroken,”verse8; “Icannotevenlookup.”76Anunmortifiedlustwillsapthespiritofallits

vigor,weakeningitforanythingwedo.For,1st.Itbringstheheartitselfintodisharmony,andweakensitsattitudeby misdirecting its affections. It diverts the heart from the spiritualframe that is required forhealthycommunionwithGod. Itgrabs theaffections,makingitselftheobjectthatismostbelovedanddesirable.It thereby displaces the love of the Father.77 In this way, the soulcannot truthfully say to God, “You are all I need,” because it hassomethingelse that it loves.Fear,desire,andhope,whicharechoiceaffections of the soul and should be full of God, become entangledwiththisunmortifiedsin.2nd.Itfillsourthoughtswithplotsandschemesaboutit.Thoughtsarethe great procurers of the soul. They find the provisions needed tosatisfy the soul’s affections. If sin remains unmortified in the heart,then thoughts will always make provision to fulfill the lusts of theflesh.Theywillenamel,adorn,anddresstheobjectsoftheflesh,andthenbringthemhometogivesatisfactiontotheflesh.Theydothisintheserviceofadefiledimaginationthatisbeyonddescription.3rd.Itbreaksoutofthemindandactuallyhindersourphysicaldutyaswell. When he should be worshipping God, the ambitious man isdriven tostudy, theworldlyone isdriven toscheme,and thesensualperson is driven to provide himself with all the adornments of hisvanity.IfIweretolistthebreaches,ruin,weakness,anddestructionthatoneunmortified lust will bring to us, this discourse would expand farbeyonditssubject.[2.]Assinweakensthesoul,itdarkensthesoul.ItisathickcloudthatspreadsitselfoverthefaceofthesoulandblocksallthelightofGod’sloveandfavor.Ittakesawayallsenseoftheprivilegeofouradoption.Ifthesoulentertainsthoughtsofconsolation,sinquicklyscattersthem.This iswhere the strength and power of our spiritual life dependonourmortification.Itistheonlywaytoremovethethingthatdeniesusthestrengthorcomfortwewant.Menthataresickandwoundedunderthepoweroflustmakemanycriesforhelp.TheycrytoGodwhentheconfusionoftheirthoughtsoverwhelmsthem,buttheyarenotrescued.TheytryotherremediesInvain.“Theywillnotbehealed.”78“Ephraimsawhis sickness, and Judah hiswound,” but nothingwill cure them

until they come to “acknowledge their offense,” verse 15.Menmaysee their sickness and wounds, but if they do not come to God toacknowledgetheirsin,andmortifyit,theywillnotbecured.

(2.)MortificationprunesallthegracesofGod,andmakesroomforthemtogrowinourhearts.

Thelifeandvigorofourspirituallivesisfoundinthevigorandflourishingoftheplantsofgraceinourhearts.Ifapreciousherbisplantedinagarden,and the ground is not tilled, then weeds will grow around it. Perhaps itsurvives, but itwill be a poor,withering, useless thing.Youmayhave tosearchdiligentlytofindit.Whenyoudo,youwillscarcelyrecognizeitasthe plant you’re looking for. Even if it is, you cannot use it. Set anotherplantofthesamekindintheground,asbarrenandasbadastheotheroneyou found. But let this one bewell-weeded, fed,watered, and protected,anditwillflourishandthrive.Youcanfinditatyourfirstglanceintothegarden,andyouwillhaveitforyourusewhenyouplease.ThatishowitiswiththegracesoftheSpiritthatareplantedinourhearts.Thegracesof theSpiritarestillpresent.Theycanabide inaheartwheremortificationhasbeenneglectedsome,buttheywillbeneardeath.79Theyarewitheringanddecaying.Thisheartislikethelazyman’sfield.Itissoovergrownwithweedsthatyoucanhardlyseethegoodcorn.Suchamanmaysearchforfaith,love,andzeal,andhardlyfindany.Ifhecandiscoverthesegraces,stillaliveandsincere,theywillbesoweak,socloggedwithlusts, that they are of little use. But cleanse this heart by mortification,constantlyanddailyuproot theweedsof lust (because it is theirnature tospringupdaily),provide roomforgrace to thriveand flourish, andeverygracewillactitspartandbereadyforeveryuseandpurpose!(3.)Mortification,sincerelyapplied,producespeace.

Iknowofnothingthatisdonewithsinceritythatdoesnotproducepeace.Sincerity is no small foundation of peace.Andmortification is the soul’svigorousoppositiontoself.Assuch,itisthedutyinwhichsinceritywillbemost evident. Therefore, the path to peace is found in the sincereapplicationofmortificationtoourwalk.

CHAPTER5

MORTIFICATIONNEGATIVELYCONSIDERED

TheprincipalintentofthewholediscourseTheprimarycaseofconscienceWhatmortifyingasinisnot(negativeconsiderations)ItisnotcompletelydestroyingsininthislifeItisnotdisguisingsinItisnotimprovingsomenaturaldispositionItisnotdivertingsinItisnotanoccasionalconquestofsinOccasionalconquestsofsin,handlingitsoutbreaks;timesofdanger

Having begun with the general principles of mortification, I come now tohandling some practical cases that arise in this business of mortifying sin inbelievers.Thefirst,whichencompassesalltherest,liesunderthefollowingproposal:

HowdowefightindwellingsininawaythatmaintainspeaceinourcommunionwithGod?Supposeamanisatruebeliever,andyethediscoversapowerfulindwellingsinthatholdshimcaptivetothelaw.Itconsumeshisheartwithtrouble,confuseshisthoughts, and weakens his soul with regard to his duties of communion withGod. Itdisquietshispeace.Perhaps itdefileshisconscience, andhardenshimthrough thedeceitfulnessof sin.What canhedo?What course canhe take tomortify this sin, lust, compulsion, or corruption? Even though the sin is notcompletely destroyed, how can thisman continue his contestwith it in awaythatmaintainspower,strength,andpeaceinhiscommunionwithGod?Inanswertothisimportantinquiry,Iwilldothefollowing:

Chapters5and6–Thefirstprincipleofmortifyingsin:showwhatitmeansto mortify a sin, both negatively (Chapter 5) and positively (Chapter 6).This is so that wewill not bemistaken in laying the foundation for thisendeavor.Chapter7–Thesecondprinciple:Thewaysandmeansasoulmayuse to

mortify a particular lust. I will give some general rules for what isabsolutelynecessarytomortifyasin.ThefirstgeneralruleistobesuretogainaninterestinChrist.IfyouintendtomortifyasinwithoutrelyingonChrist,itwillneverbedoneChapter 8 – The second general rule: lay out how this is to be done. Inconsidering this courseof action, it isnot thedoctrineofmortification ingeneralthatIamaddressing,butthespecificcasesproposed.Chapter9–Basedonthetwoprinciplesmentioned,Iwillgiveparticulardirectionsforguidancewhenabelieverisundertheweightofadisquietinglustorcompulsion.

I.MortifyingaSin-1.Negatively

(1.)Mortifyingasindoesnotmeancompletelykillingit.

Itdoesnotrootoutanddestroyitsothatitnolongerhasanyholdonus,orno longer resides in our hearts. This is the target, but it will not beaccomplishedinthislife.Everymanwhoseheartissetonmortifyingasin,intends to completelydestroy it.Hedoesnotwant to leaveeither rootorfruitinhisheartorinhislife.Hewantstokillitinsuchawaythatitwillnevermoveor stir again. Itwill never cry or call, seduce or tempt, fromnowtoeternity.Hewantsitexterminated.Now,bytheSpiritandgraceofChrist,theremaybewonderfulsuccess,andanover-ridingvictoryagainstasin. He may realize nearly constant triumph over it. Even so, absolutelykillinganddestroyingitshouldnotbeexpectedinthislife.Paulassuresusofthisfactwithhiscaveat,“ItisnotasthoughIhadalreadyattained thepowerof the resurrection,norhadalreadybecomeperfect.”80

Hewas a choice saint,a pattern for believers.Hewas onewho in faith,love, and all the fruits of the Spirit, had no equal in the world. On thataccount,heascribesperfectiontohimselfincomparisontoothers,verse15.Hehadnotyet“attained,”hewasnotyet“perfect,”buthewas“followingafter.”Hestillhadacorruptiblebody,justaswehave,thatmustbechangedatlastbythegreatpowerofChrist,verse21.Thisiswhatwewanttohave.ButGodthinksitbestforustobecompleteinnothingbyourselves.Inallthingswemustbe“completeinChrist.”81

(2.)Mortifyingasindoesnotmeandisguisingthesin.

Whenamangivesuppracticingasinonlyinsomeoutwardrespects,others

may see him as a changedman. But God knows that he has now addedhypocrisytohisformersinfulness,andthatheisnowonastraighterpathtohellthanhewasbefore.Hishearthasonlybecomemorecunning.Hedoesnothaveanewheartthatismoreholy.(3.)Mortifyingasinisnotchangingournaturaldispositiontoaquiet,sedateone.

Somemen have an advantage by their natural constitution. They do nothaveviolentandunrulypassionsasmanyothersdo.Ifsuchmencultivateand improve theirnaturalstatebydiscipline,consideration,andprudence,thentheymayseemtobeverymortifiedmen,tothemselvesandtoothers.In reality their hearts may be a cesspool. Some people may never bebotheredbythesamekindofangerandunrulypassionsinalifetime,thatbothersomeoneelseeveryday.Andyetthelattermayhavedonemoretomortifyhissinthantheformer.Theyshouldn’tjudgetheirmortificationbythe things that their natural state gives no life or vigor to. They need tojudgethemselvesbytheirself-denial,unbelief,envy,orsomeotherspiritualsin.Thentheywillhaveaclearerviewofthemselves.(4.)Mortifyingasinisnotdivertingthesintoanotheroutlet.

SimonMaguslefthissorceryforawhile,buthiscovetousnessandambitionremained;andsoitwouldhavefoundanotherrelease.ThereforePetertellshim,“Iseeyouarefilledwithbitterness.”82Ineffectheissaying,“Despitetheprofessionyoumade,despiteabandoningyour sorcery,your lust isaspowerfulasever.Itisthesamelust,onlyitsstreamsarediverted.Itflowsanotherwaynow,butitisstilltheoldbitterness.”Amanmayrecognizealust, resolve toprevent itsoutburst,and takeeveryprecaution toensure itwillnotbreakoutagain.But the samecorruptedhabit simplyvents itselfsomeotherway. It is like someonewhoheals aweeping sore and thinkshe’scured.Buthisfleshisstillinfected,anditbreaksoutinanotherplace.This diversion of sin,with its altered behavior, is often brought about bychangesinareasofourlifethathavenothingtodowithgrace.Achangeinour relations, interests, or plansmay bring it about.A change in aman’sconstitution,broughtonbynaturalprogress in thecourseofhis life,mayproducesuchchanges.Oldermendonotusuallycontinueintheirpursuitofyouthful lusts, even though they never mortified them. It is the same asbarteringlusts,leavingonetoserveanother.Amanmayexchangeprideforworldliness, sensuality for legalism, pride in himself for the contempt ofothers.Heshouldn’t thinkhemortifiedasin justbecauseheabandoneditforanother.Hehaschangedhismaster,butheremainsaservanttohissin.

(5.)Mortifyingasinisnotgettingoccasionalvictoriesoverit.

Therearetwooccasionsorseasonswhenamanwhoiswrestlingwithasinmaythinkhehasmortifiedit:

[1.] It happens when he has a regrettable outburst that rattles hiscomplacency and terrorizes his conscience, It has a potential forscandal, and it obviously provokes God. This is a wakeup call thatshocks and startles him. It fills himwith disgust for his sin and forhimself.ThissendshimtoGod,andmakeshimcryoutasforhisverylife. It stimulateshim toabhorhis lust likehell itself,andsohesetshimselfagainstit.Nowthatthewholeman,bothspiritualandnatural,has been awakened, sin pulls in its head. It takes a low profile, andseemsdeadbefore him. It is like someonewho sneaks into an armycampatnightandkillsanofficer.Instantlytheguardsawake.Themenare roused, and a search begins for the enemy. In themeantime, thekiller hides himself until the uproar is over, or he lies down likesomeonewhoisdead.Yetheisfirmlyresolvedtodothesamethingagain,assoonashehasanopportunity.When the Corinthians were accused of sin, they quickly musteredthemselves to destroy it.83 It is the same way when a person’sconscience has been pierced, perhaps by his lust in an outbreak ofactual sin. Caring, indignation, desire, fear, revenge, all with axe inhand,arebentonworkingagainstthesin.Andso,foraseason,thelustisquiet.Ithasbeenruntogroundlikeafoxinahunt.Butwhenthehurryisoverandtheinquestispast,thethiefappearsagain,alive,andasbusyaseverathiswork.[2.] It happenswhen he is convinced that he hasmortified it in thecrucibleofsomejudgment,disaster,orpressinghardship.Theheartisconsumed with thoughts of how to flee from the present troubles,fears,anddangersofhissin.Apersonconvictedinthisway,believeshecanescapeonlybyrelinquishinghissintogainpeacewithGod.Itis theangerofGod thatdisturbshim.ToberidofGod’sanger,menresolvetoputawaytheirsin.Theyvowthatsinwillneveragainhaveaplaceinthem.Theywillneverserveitagain.Accordingly,thesinisquiet. It does not stir. It seems to be mortified. It is not that it hasreceivedawound.Itismerelybecausetheperson’ssoulhasregaineditsfaculties.Itassertsitselfwiththoughtsthatareinconsistentwiththebehavior of sin.Once such thoughts are laid aside, sin returns to its

formerlifeandvigor.InPsalms,theIsraelitesprovideagoodexampleofthisframeofmind:“Despiteallthis,theycontinuedtosin,anddidnotbelievehiswondrousworks.ThereforeGodconsumedtheirdays infutility,and theiryears in trouble.Whenhekilledthem,thentheysoughthim.Thentheyreturnedtohim,andinquiredafterhimearly. They remembered that God was their rock, and the high God theirredeemer.Neverthelesstheyflatteredhimwiththeirmouth,andtheyliedtohimwiththeirtongues.Theirheartwasnotrightwithhim,norweretheytruetohiscovenant.”84

Ihavenodoubt thatwhen theysoughthim,and returned tohim,and inquiredafterGodearly,theyfullyintendedtorelinquishtheirsins.Itisexpressedintheword“returned.”To turnor to return to theLord isdoneby relinquishingsin.Theydid this“early,”withearnestnessanddiligence.Andyet,despiteall this,their sinwas unmortified, verses 36, 37. This can be the statewe are in afternumerous defeats under trial. This can often lead to a great deception in theheartsofbelieverswhensinremains.There are many other ways through which people deceive themselves, andassumetheyhavemortifiedtheirlusts.Theythinktheyareinvincible.Andthenthey succumb again and again to sin, bringing upheaval and worry onthemselves.

CHAPTER6

MORTIFICATIONDESCRIBEDINITSPARTICULARS

ThemortificationofsindescribedThecomponentsanddegreesofmortificationThehabitualweakeningofsin’srootandsourceThepoweroflusttotemptusDifferencesinthatpowerastopersonsandtimesConstantfightingagainstsinTheaspectsofthefightconsideredSuccessagainstsinConcludingthoughtsabouttheprocess

Howtomortifyasiningeneral,toprepareforparticularcoursesofaction.

I.MortifyingaSin-2.Positively(seeChapter5forMortifyingaSinNegatively)Mortifyingalusthasthreecomponents:

(1.)Habituallyweakeningit.(2.)Constantlyfightingandcontendingagainstit.(3.)Realizingsuccessoverit.

(1.)Habituallyweakeningit.

Everylustisadepravedhabitorattitudethatcontinuallyinclinesthehearttowardevil.Fromthat,wehaveadescriptionofsomeonewhohasnottrulymortifiedhislust,“Everypurposeofthethoughtsofhisheartisfilledwithevil, frommorning to night.”85He is always under the power of a stronginclination to sin. The only reason a natural man does not pursue aparticularlustdayandnight,isbecausehehassomanytoserve.Eachonecriesout tobe satisfied.Althoughhepursueshis lusts ingreatvariety, inrealityheonlywantstosatisfyself.Letussupposethenthatthelustorcompulsionisastrong,deeply-rooted,habitual inclination, of both will and affections, toward some actual sin.Thesinitselfisirrelevant.Nomatterwhatitis,italwaysstirsupfantasies,

thoughts,andschemesabout itsobject.That iswhymenare said tohavetheir“heartssetonevil;”thebentoftheirspiritsleanstowardsit tomake“provisionfortheflesh.”86Asinful,depravedhabitdiffersfromallnaturalormoral habits. Those incline the soul gently and appropriately to itself,whilesinfulhabitsimpelwithviolenceandfierceness.Thatiswhylustsaresaidtofightorwage“waragainstthesoul,”87[NT:4754strateuomai].Theyrebel or rise up with the type of brutality and conflict that would beexpectedinawar.Romans7:23saysweare ledcaptive,ormadecaptive,after sin’s success in battle [NT:497 antistrateuomai]. All of these areworksofgreatviolenceandfierceness.Icouldmakeitblatantlyobvious,fromthedescriptionwehaveinRomans7,thatitdarkensthemind,extinguishesourconvictions,overthrowsreason,blocksthepowerandinfluenceofwhateverhampersit,andconsumesthemallinflames.Butthisisnotmypresentfocus.Thefirstthingweneedtodoinmortification is toweaken thishabitof sinor lust.Thatway, it cannotriseup inus toconceive,agitate,provoke,entice,anddisturbuswith thesameintensity,seriousness,andfrequencyitnormallydoes.88

I’dliketogiveonecautionorrule,bytheway,anditisthis:thougheverylustbyitsnatureequallyanduniversallydrawsordrivesustosin,therearetwolimitations,

[1.]Aparticularlustmaybeunexpectedlyamplified,heightened,andstrengthenedinsomeone.Ithaslife,power,andvigorfarbeyondwhatanother lust might have in him, or the same lust might have insomeoneelse.Whenalustalignswithaman’spersonality,theseasonorpathofhislife,therightcircumstances,orwhenSatanhasahandleonit,thenthatlustgrowssevereandfierceaboveallothers,orabovethesamelust inanotherman.That iswhenits intensesteamdarkensthemind.Eventhoughamanknowsthesameboundaries, theyhavenopowerorinfluenceonhiswill.Instead,theconsuminglustliberatesallkindsofpervertedaffectionsandpassionsinhim.Lust gets its strength especially by temptation. When a suitabletemptationmeetsupwith amatching lust, it gives it new life, vigor,power, violence, and rage, that it did not seem to have before, norseemtobecapableof.Numerousexamplesofthismightbelisted,butthatisforanothertreatise.[2.]Somelustsarefarmoreobviousintheirseveritythanothers.Paul

notes a difference between sexual impurity and all other sins, “Fleesexualimmorality.Everyothersinamandoesisoutsidethebody;butsexual immorality sins againsthisownbody.”89 For this reason, thebehaviorofsexualsintendstobemoretangible,morediscerniblethanothers. Perhaps someone is consumed by love of theworld, and hislust in thisarea isnolessdominant thansexual lustwouldbe.But itdoes not ignite the same consuming, forceful frenzy that sexual lustdoes.Considerfurtherthatsuchmenmaythinktheyaremortified,andtheymay appear so in the eyes of the world. Yet they have the samedominating lust as those who cry out in astonishment when theiruntamedanddisturbingbehaviorappears. Indeed, their craving isnoless than those who have been driven by its power into scandaloussins.It isonly that their lustsarefor things thatdonotproducesuchdisruption in their soul. They can be exercised more with a calmerdemeanor. Or their natural temperament does not generate the sameintensityassomeoneelse’smight.

Irepeat,theprimarythinginmortificationistoweakenthishabit,sothatitdoesnotdriveandagitateusasmuch,orenticeanddistractusasoften.Wedonotwantittobeabletodisruptandconfoundusaswetakeawayitslife,vigor,promptness,andambition.Thisiscalled“crucifyingthefleshwithitspassions.”90 That is, we take away its blood and vitality which give itstrengthandpower.Wewasteawaythebodyofdeath“daybyday.”91

Whenamanisnailedtothecross,hestrugglesandtoilsatfirst.Hecriesoutwithgreatstrengthandmight.Butashisbloodandvitalitywasteaway,his efforts become fainter and fewer. His cries become low and hoarse,scarcelyaudible.Inthesameway,whenamanfirstsetsouttodealwithalustoracompulsion,itstruggleswithgreatviolencetobreakloose.Itcrieswithallseriousnessandimpatiencetobesatisfiedandrelieved.Butwhenmortificationspills itsbloodandvitality, itmovesmoreseldomandmorefaintly.Itcriesoutsparingly,andishardlyheardintheheart.Sometimesitmayhaveadyingoutburstofgreatvigorandstrength;but that isquicklyover,especiallyifitiskeptfromanymeaningfulsuccess.TheapostledescribesthisinRomans6,especiallyverse6:“Sin,”hesays,“iscrucified;itisnailedtothecross.”Towhatend?“Thatthebodyofsinmight be rendered useless.”The power of sin isweakened and abolishedlittlebylittle,sothat“wewillnolongerservesin;”Thatis,wedoitsothat

sinmaynotinclineandimpelussoeffectivelyastomakeusitsservants,asit has done in the past. And this is not only with respect to carnal andsensual affections, or the desires of worldly things. It is not only withrespecttothelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife.92Butitisalsowithrespecttothefleshofthemindandwill,andtheirnaturaloppositiontoGod.Whateverthetroublingdiseaseis,andhoweveritshowsitself,eitherbydrivingus toevilorkeepingusfromgood, therule is thesame:unlessitiseffectivelyweakened,alloureffortswillmissthegoal.Amanmaycutdownthebitterfruitfromaneviltreeuntilheisexhausted.Aslongastherootkeepsitsstrengthandvigor,cuttingdownthehangingfruitwillnotkeepthetreefrombearingmore.Thisisthefoolishnessofsomemen.Theyapplythemselvesearnestlyanddiligentlyagainstanoutbreakoflust,butbyignoringitsunderlyingcause,theymakelittleornoprogresstowardmortification.(2.)Constantfightingandcontendingagainstit.

A largepart ofmortification is to always layheavily into it.When sin isstrongandenergetic,thesoulcanhardlymakeheadwayagainstit.Itsighs,groans,mourns,andistroubledbysin,butitseldomhasitontherun.ThisishowDavid speaksofhimself.David complains that his sinhad “takenholdofhim,so thathecouldnotsee.”93Hecouldbarelyfightagainst it!Severalthingsareinvolvedinfightingagainstsin:

[1.]Amanhastoknowthathehasthiskindofenemytodealwith.Hemust recognize it, andconsider it tobeanenemy indeed. Itmustbedestroyedbyallmeanspossible.AsIsaidbefore,thecontestistaxingandhazardous.It isabouteternalthings.Whenmenhaveindifferent,fleeting thoughts of their lusts, it is not a good sign that they aremortified,nor that theyareon theirway tomortification.Everymanmustknow“theplagueofhisownheart.”94 Withoutthisknowledge,nothingelsecanbedone.Itisfrighteningtothinkhowmanyhavesolittle knowledge of the main enemy they carry in their hearts. Thisignorancemakesthemreadytojustifythemselves,torejectreprimandsandwarnings,becausetheydonotknowtheyareindanger.95

[2.] To begin this warfare, we need to work at learning the ways,deceits, methods, opportunities, and circumstances of sin’s success.That is howmendealwith their enemies.They assess their enemy’splan of action, examine their motives, and consider how they have

woninthepast,sothattheymaypreventtheirenemyfromsucceedingagain. This is the greatest skill we need to develop. If we take thisaway, then waging war, through which we’ve gained our greatestimprovementsinhumanwisdomandzeal,wouldbemindless.Thisishow those who are successful against lust deal with it. Theycontemplate it not onlywhen it is actually tormenting, enticing, andseducing them,but in theirquietermoments.Theyconsider,“This isour enemy; this is his path and his progress to date. These are hisadvantages.This ishowheprevailedbefore,and this iswhathewillcontinuetodoifnotprevented.”SoDavidsays,“Mysiniseverbeforeme.”96

Practical spiritual wisdom is finding out the subtleties, policies, anddepths of an indwelling sin.We have to consider where its greateststrengthcomesfrom,whatadvantageithasinvariouscircumstances,when it has opportunities, and how it tempts us.What are its pleas,pretenses, and reasons? What are its strategies, emblems, andexcuses?AgoodpartofourwarfareistosetthewisdomoftheSpiritagainstthecraftoftheoldman,totracethisserpentinallitsturningsandwindings. It is being able to say, “I recognize your oldways; Iknowwhatyouareafter,”andsoalwaysbeingreadytodealwithit.[3.] We need to hinder it daily using all the things below that arepainful, deadly, and destructive to it. That is the epitome of thiscontest.Wecanneverthinkourlustisdeadjustbecauseitisquiet.Weneedtoworkatgivingitnewwounds,newblowseveryday.Thosearethe apostle’s instructions, “Kill the parts of your earthly nature.”97Whilethesoulisinthisframeofmindanddealswithsininthisway,ithastheupperhand.Sinwillbeundertheswordanddying.

(3.)Realizingsuccessoverit.

Frequent success against any lust is another piece of evidence ofmortification.Bysuccess, Idonotmeanameresetbackforsin,so that itdoes not appear or succeed this time. It is gaining a victory over it, andpursuingituntilweconqueritcompletely.Forinstance,anytimetheheartfindssinatworkseducingandscheminghowtofulfillthelustsoftheflesh,theheartmustinstantlyarrestsin.ItmustdragitbeforethelawofGodandtheloveofChrist.There,itmustcondemnandexecuteit.I’msayingthatwhenamanfollowsthiscourseofaction,lustisweakenedatitsveryroot.Itsactivitiesarefewerandweakerthanbefore.Theyarenot

abletohinderhisdutynorinterrupthispeace.Hecanquietlyandsedatelyuncover sin, fight against it, and have success. Then sin will beconsiderably mortified, and despite all its opposition, a man may havepeacewithGodallhislife.

These two approaches, then, will work for any troubling compulsion whichpervertsandcorruptsournature:

First,weakenitsindwellingtemperament,throughwhichitattracts,entices,anddrivesustoevil,andtorebelagainstGod.Thisisdonebyimplantingandcherishingahabitualprincipleofgracethatstandsindirectoppositionto it, and ruins it. By implanting and developing humility, pride isweakened; by patience, anger is weakened; by purity of mind andconscience,immoralityisweakened;byheavenly-mindedness,loveofthisworldisweakened.ThesearethegracesoftheSpirit,ortheyarethesamegrace which is variously acted out by the Holy Ghost according to thediversityofour lusts.Our samenaturalcorruption likewisevariouslyactsitselfoutaccordingtotheopportunitiesandcircumstancesitencounters.Second, we need to promptly, eagerly, and with the power of the Spirit,fight with a battle cry against this lust by all the ways, and with all themeans and aid, that are at ourdisposal.Success largelydependson thesetwothings.

Nowthis:ifthecompulsiondoesnothaveaninsurmountableadvantagefromitsnaturalsituation,wecanexpectitscompleteconquestsothatwemayneverfeelits opposition again. We can rise to a level of peace in our conscience thatmatchesthetruemeaningofthecovenantofgrace.

CHAPTER7

MORTIFICATION:THEWORKOFBELIEVERS

GeneralrulesnecessarytomortifyalustThereisnomortificationfornon-believersThedangersofunregeneratepeopleattemptingmortificationofsinConsidering the duty of unconverted persons to this business ofmortificationThevanityoftheRomanCatholics’attemptsat,andrulesfor,mortification.

NextweconsidertheSecondPrinciple,

II:ThewaysandmeanswemayusetomortifyanyparticularsinSatanmaytakeadvantageof thesemeanstodistractandweakenus.Therearesome general rules concerning the basis of this work that are foundational tosuccess.Noone,nomatterhowconvictedandresolvedheistomortifyhissins,can achieve success apart from these rules. The general rules necessary tomortifysinarethese:

1. Be sure to get an interest in Christ. If you intend to mortify any sinwithout it, it will never be done.Unless a man is a believer, he cannotmortifyasinglesin.Mortificationistheuniqueworkoffaith.2.Withoutbeingsincereanddiligenttomortifyalllusts,wecannotmortifyasinglelust(seeChapter8).

1.The1stgeneralrule:besuretogetaninterestinChrist.(1.)Unlessamanisabeliever,hecannotmortifyasinglesin.

By“believer”, Imeansomeonewho is trulygrafted intoChrist. I amnotsaying unless a man thinks he is a believer, but unless he is indeed abeliever. Mortification is the work of believers. “If you through theSpirit,”98 etc.Youbelievershaveno condemnation.99 Believers alone areexhortedtomortify.“Mortifythereforethepartsofyourbodythatbelongtothe earth.”100 Who should mortify? You who “are risen with Christ,”101

whose“lifeishidwithChristinGod,”verse5;who“shallappearwithhiminglory,”verse4.

An unregenerate man may do something similar to it, but he can neverperformtheworkitselfinawaythatwouldbeacceptabletoGod.Someofthe philosophers, such as Seneca, Tully, and Epictetus, have written instirring terms of the contempt they have for the world and its self-indulgence. They have written of the need to control and conquer allexcessive desires and emotions! Their lives made it evident that theirmaximsdiffered asmuch from truemortification as the sun painted on asign-postdiffers from the sun in the sky.Theyhadneither lightnorheat.Their own Lucian represents quite adequately what they all were [arhetoricianforhireandamusement].ThereisnodeathofsinwithoutthedeathofChrist.YouarefamiliarwiththeattemptstheRomanCatholicsmadetomortifysinapartfromChristintheirvows,penances,andindulgences.Imightsayof theirpracticeswhatPaul says of Israel concerning righteousness: “They have pursuedmortification,buttheyhavenotattainedit.Whynot?Becausetheydonotseekitbyfaith,butbyworksofthelaw.”102Thesameistrueofthosewho,in obedience to their convictions and awakened consciences, attempt torelinquishsin.Theyfollowafterit,butdonotattainit.Everypersonwhohearsthelaworgospelpreached,isrequiredtomortifysin.Itishisduty,butitisnothisimmediateduty.Itishisdutytodoit,buthemustdoitinGod’sway.Ifyourequireyouremployeetopayabillforyou,butyourequirethathefirstgotothebanktowithdrawcash,thenhisdutytopaythebillisnothisimmediateduty.Youwillblamehimifhefailstopay it, but according toyourdirections,his firstdutywas towithdrawcash from the bank. That is the case here: sin must be mortified, butsomethingmustbedonefirsttoenableustomortifyit.IprovedthatitistheSpiritalonewhocanmortifysin.Hewaspromisedtousforthatpurpose.Allothermeansofdoingitwithouthimareemptyanduseless.HowcananyonewhodoesnothavetheSpiritmortifysin?Itwouldbe easier to see without eyes, or speak without a tongue, than to trulymortifysinwithouttheSpirit.HowdoweobtaintheSpirit?ItistheSpiritofChrist.Astheapostlesays,“IfwedonothavetheSpiritofChrist,wedonothaveChrist.”103So,ifweareChrist’s,andwehaveaninterestinhim,thenwehavetheSpirit,andwehavethepowertomortify.The apostle discusses this extensively in Rom. 8:8. “Those in the fleshcannot please God.” It is the conclusion he draws from his precedingcommentaboutournatural state, inwhichwehaveenmitywithGodand

hislaw.Ifweareintheflesh,andwedonothavetheSpirit,thenwecannotdoanythingtopleaseGod.Buthowcanweberescuedfromthiscondition?Verse9:“Butyouarenotintheflesh.YouareintheSpirit,iftheSpiritofGoddwellsinyou.”“Youbelievers,whohavetheSpiritofChrist,arenotintheflesh.”ThereisnorescuefrombeinginthefleshexceptbytheSpiritofChrist.AndifthisSpiritofChristisinyou,thenyouaremortified.“Thebody isdeadbecauseof sin,”verse10,or at least it isdead to sin. IfwehavetheSpirit, thenmortificationiscarriedon,andthenewmanismadealivetorighteousness.Theapostleprovesthisinverse11.FromtheunionwehavewithChristby theSpirit, similarchangeswillbeproduced inusthatwereproducedinhim.Therefore,allattemptstomortifyalustwithoutaninterestinChristarepointless.Many men that are chafed by sin, by Christ’s convicting arrows, by thepreaching of the word, or by some adversity that pierced their hearts,vigorously set themselves against the lust that most troubles theirconscience.But they labor in the fire,and theirwork isconsumed.WhentheSpiritofChristcomestothisworkhewillbe“likearefiner’sfireandlike cleaning soap,” and he will purge men like a refiner of gold andsilver.104Hewilltakeawaytheirwasteandimpurities,theirfilthandblood,asinIsa.4:4.Butmenmustfirstbemadeofgoldandsilvertohaverefiningdo themanygood.Theprophet Jeremiahgivesus the sad account of theultimateattemptsatmortificationmadebywickedmen:“Thebellowsareburned,andtheleadisconsumedinthefire;thefoundermeltsinvain.Menwillcallthemrejectedsilver,becausetheLORDhasrejectedthem.”105Andwhatisthereason?Verse28,Theywere“brassandiron”whentheywereputintothefurnace.Mencannotrefinebrassandironlongenoughtoturnthemintogoodsilver.Mortification is not the business ofunregeneratemen.God does not callthem to it yet. Conversion is their first duty and work. And it is theconversionofthewholesoul,notthemortificationofthisorthatparticularlust.Youwouldlaughatamanwhosetsupalargestructurewithoutlayingafoundation.Especiallyifyouhadseenhimrepeatthefiascoathousandtimes.Hebuildsitonedayonlytoseeitfallthenext.Soitiswithpeoplewhoareconvincedtheirwayisright.Thoughtheycanplainlyseethattheground theygainagainst sinoneday is lostanother, theycontinueon thesameroadwithoutaskingwheretheflawliesintheirprogress.WhentheJews,convictedoftheirsin,werecuttotheheartandcriedout,

“What shallwe do?”106 what does Peter direct them to do? Does he askthem tomortify their pride, anger,malice, cruelty, and the like?No! Heknewthatwasnottheirpresentwork.Hecallstheminsteadtoconversionandfaith inChrist,verse38.Convert thesoul first,and then,“lookingontheOne they pierced,”107 humiliation andmortificationwill ensue. In thesameway,whenJohncametopreachrepentanceandconversion,hesaid,“The axe is now set to the root of the tree.”108 The Pharisees had beenlayingheavyburdensonthepeople,imposingtediousduties,andrequiringrigidmeansofmortificationby fasting,washing, and the like.All of thisservednopurpose.Johnsaysessentially,“Thedoctrineofconversionisforyou;theaxeinmyhandislaidtotherootofyourproblem.”AndourSaviortellsuswhattodointhiscase,“Domenpickgrapesfromthorns,or figs from thistles?”109Supposea thorn iswell-pruned, andwelltakencareof?“Nonetheless,itwillneverbearfigs,”verses17,18.Itcannotbe any other way. Every tree bears fruit of its own kind.What must bedone,hetellsus,isthis:“Makethetreegood,andthefruitwillbegood.”110

Therootmustbedealtwith.Thenatureofthetreemustbechanged,oritcannotbeargoodfruit.ThisisthepointIamtryingtomake:unlessamanissaved,unlessheisabeliever, all attemptshemakes tomortify sin areuseless.Nomatterhowdeceptively attractive or promising his efforts, whatever diligence,earnestness,watchfulness,andgoodintentionshemayhave,hiseffortsareuseless.Hewilltrymanycuresinvain,andhewillnotbehealed.In fact, there are several nasty evils which accompany efforts by non-believerstomortifysin:

[1.]Hismindisconsumedbysomethingthat isnot theman’sproperbusiness,andsoheisdivertedfromsomethingthatishisbusiness.ByhisWord and his judgments,God has laid hold of a sin in him.Hechafes theman’s conscience, troubles his heart, and deprives himofhisrest,so thatotherdiversionswillnotservehisneeds.Themanissupposedtoapplyhimselftotheworkinfrontofhim.AndthatworkistoawakenandconsiderhisconditionapartfromGod,hisneedtobebroughthometoGod.Instead,hesetsouttomortifythesinthatchafeshim.Thisattempt tobe freed fromhis trouble isapurecaseofself-love.Thisisnottheworkheiscalledtoatall.Andsoheisdistractedfrom his true work. God tells us similarly of the tribe of Ephraim,

when he “spread his net on them, and brought them down like thefowlsofheaven, andchastised them.”111 Hecaught them, entangledthem, and convinced them that they could not escape fromhim, norfind solutions elsewhere. “They return, but not to the Most High.”They were determined to relinquish their sin, but not the way Godcalledfor,whichwasbycompleteconversion.Thus,men are diverted from truly coming toGod by devising theirowningeniouswaystocometohim.Thisisoneofthemostcommondeceitsbywhichmenruintheirsouls.Iwishsomedidnotteachthisdeceit.Theymakeit theirbusiness tosmearweakenedmortaron thethingsofGod.Theycausepeopletoerrfromignorance.Whatdomendo, what are they often directed to do, when their consciences arechafedbysinanduneasinessbecausetheLordhastakenholdofthem?Are theynot told to giveup the sin they are troubledby?And aftermakingsomeheadwayagainstit,dotheynotdevotethemselvesallthemoretoit?Butintheend,theseconvictionshavecostthemtheaimofthegospel.Thisishowmenremainintheirsinandrot.[2.]Thisdutyofmortificationisagoodthinginitsproperplace.Itisaduty that evidences sincerity, andbringspeace to the conscience. Amanmight conclude he is in good shape if he is committed to thisduty. His mind and heart are set against a particular sin, and he isresolved to have no more to do with it. But he deludes himselfbecause,1.Whenaman’sconscienceissickenedwithsin,andhecanfindnorest, he shouldgo to thegreatPhysicianof souls tobehealed inhisblood. But themanwhomerelywants to pacify his conscience byending a sin, sits downwithout going to Christ at all. There are somanywhoaredeceivedoutofeternitythisway!“WhenEphraimsawhissickness,hesent tokingJareb.”112ThatkepthimfromGod.TheentireRomanCatholicreligioniscomprisedofdesignsandschemestopacify the conscience without Christ, as described by the apostle inRom.10:3.2.Bydoingthis,menconvincethemselvesthattheyareallright.Afterall, it isagoodwork,and theyarenotdoing it tobe seen.Theyaresincere.Butallthisdoesishardentheminakindofself-righteousness.[3.] When a man has pursued this course for awhile, and deceived

himselfbyit,hefindsoverthecourseofhislifethatindeedhissinhasnotbeenmortified.Ithassimplytakenanewform.Hebeginstothinkthatheiswastinghistime.Hewillneverbeabletoprevail.Heisonlybuildingadamagainstconstantlyrisingwaters.Thatiswhenhegivesup,despairingof any success.Heyields himself to the power of sinandtheformalityoffightingit.ThisistheusualresultforpeoplewhoattempttomortifysinwithoutfirstobtaininganinterestinChrist.Itdeludesthem,hardensthem,anddestroysthem.Themostloathsomeanddesperatesinnersintheworldarethosewhopursuedthiscourseoutofconviction,founditfruitless,andthendeserteditwithoutdiscoveringChrist.Thisisthebasisofallthe world’s formalist religions, and all those in the Romancongregation who are drawn to mortification. They think they canforceIndiansintobaptism,orcattletowater.Irepeat,mortificationisforbelieversandbelieversonly.Killingsinistheworkoflivingmen.When men are dead, as unbelievers are dead, sin is alive, and itcontinuestolive.

(2.)Mortificationistheworkoffaith,andtheuniqueworkoffaith.

Ifsomethingcanbeachievedbyonlyonemeans,itismadnesstoattemptitanotherway.Itisfaiththatpurifiestheheart,113or,asPetersays,we“purifyoursoulsbyobeying the truth through theSpirit.”114Without faith, itwillnotbedone.What has been spoken is sufficient, I suppose, to provemy first generalrule: Be sure to get an interest in Christ; if you intend to mortify a sinwithoutit,itwillneverbedone.

Objection. You may say, “What should non-believers do when they areconvincedof theevilofsin?Should theystop fightingagainst it?Should theylivewithoutmoralconstraints,give their lusts free reign,and join theranksoftheworstofmen?Thisisagoodwaytoputthewholeworldintochaos.Itwillreturnustothedarkages,opentheflood-gatesoflust,andspurmentorushintosinwithdelightlikeahorseintobattle.”Ans.1.Godforbid!Itisatestamenttothewisdom,goodness,andloveofGod,thatbynumerouswaysandmeans,herestrainsthesonsofmen.Hekeepsthemfrom pursuing the excessive and riotous behavior that their depraved naturewouldviolentlyleadthemto.Bywhatevermeanshedoesthis, itdemonstratesthe care, kindness, and goodness of God that he keeps the whole earth from

beingahellofsinandconfusion.Ans. 2. There is a unique convincing power in the word, which God is oftenpleasedtodisplay.Itwounds,amazes,andinsomesortofway,humblessinners,eventhoughtheyareneverconverted.Thewordisnottobepreachedwiththisinmind,butitwillhavethiseffectnoless.Therefore,letthewordbepreachedand the sins ofmenwill be rebuked. Lust will be restrained, and sin will beopposed,althoughthesearenottheresultsweseek.Ans.3.EventhoughkillingsinistheworkofthewordandtheSpirit,andeventhough it is good in itself, it is not available to those who still suffer frombitterness,andwhoremainunderthepowerofdarkness.Itwillnotleadtotheirsalvation.Ans. 4. Let men know it is their duty,but only in its proper place. I do notremovemenfrommortificationunlessI intendtoconvert them.Someonewhostopsamanfrommendingaholeinhiswall,toputoutafirethatisconsuminghiswholehouse,isnotthatman’senemy.Youpoorfool!Itisnotasorefingerbut a raging fever that you need to worry about. You set yourself against aparticularsin,butdonotrealizethatyouarenothingbutsin.Letmeaddthisforpreachersoftheword,orthosewhoaspiretothatprofessionbythegoodhandofGod.Itistheirdutytopleadwithmenabouttheirsins,andtoweighintoparticularsins.Butalwaysrememberthatitistobedonewiththepropergoalofbothlawandgospel.Thatis,insodoing,theirintentmustbetoreveal the sinner’s truecondition.Otherwise,byaccident, theymaydrivemenintomere formalityorhypocrisy.Littleof thepurposeofpreaching thegospelwillbeservedbythat.Itdoesnothelptobeatamanoutofdrunkennessonlytodrivehimintosoberformality.Askillfulpreacherstrikesattherootwithhisaxe,andhestrikesattheheart.Itisa goodwork to angrily attack the particular sins of ignorant and unregeneratepersons,whichtheworldisfullof.Wecandothatwithgreatefficacy,vigor,andsuccess.However,if thatleadsthemtopainstakingputawayonlythesinsthatwerepreachedabout, thenwemayhavebeaten theenemy in the field,butwehavedriventhemintoanimpregnablestrongholdbeyondourreach.Youdonotgainanythingbypickingonasinglesin.Youhavenothingtoholdthesinnerby.Instead,gettothepointofhissinfulcondition.Drivetheargumenttoitssource,andthendealwithhimthere.Breakingmenofparticularsins,withoutbreakingtheirhearts,deniesustheadvantageindealingwiththem.AndhereiswheretheRomanmortificationisseriouslyinerror.Theydriveallsorts of people to mortification, without considering whether they have a

principle fordoing thatornot.Theyareso intentonhavingmenmortify theirlusts,thattheycallmentomortificationinsteadofcallingthemtobelieving.Thetruthis,theydonotknowwhatitmeanstobelieve,orwhatmortificationisusedfor.Faithforthemisjustageneralassenttothedoctrinetaughtintheirchurch.Mortificationiswhenamantakesavowtoseekacertaincourseoflife,todenyhimselfsomeofthethingsofthisworldatacost.SuchmendonotknoweithertheScripturesorthepowerofGod.Whentheyboastoftheirmortification,theyarereallycelebratingtheirshame.Some ethicists among ourselves also overlook the necessity of regeneration.Theydirectpeoplewhocomplainofasinorlust,tovowagainstitforamonthorso.Theyhavenoclueastothemysteryofthegospel,muchlikeNicodemuswhenhecamefirsttoChrist.Theyaskmentoabstainfromtheirsinforawhile.This usuallymakes their lust stronger.Maybewith a struggle they keep theirword;maybenot.Thisonlyincreasestheirguiltandtorment.Doesthismortifytheirsinatall?Dotheyconquerit?Istheirconditionchangediftheymanagetorelinquishthesin?Dotheynotstillsufferfrombitterness?Isthisnottantamounttomaking brickwithout straw, orworse,without strength?What promise hasbeenmadetoanyunregeneratemantojustifydoingthiswork?Whatassistancecanheexpectforperformingit?CansinbekilledwithoutaninterestinthedeathofChrist,ormortifiedwithouttheSpirit?Ifsuchdirectionssucceedinchangingmen’slives,whichtheyseldomdo,theyneverreachthepointofchangingtheirheartsorconditions.Itmaymakethemself-justifiedorhypocrites,butnotChristians.Itoftengrievesmetoseepeoplewith a zeal for God and a desire for eternal happiness, kept under a hard,burdensome,externalworshipandserviceofGodbysuchdirections.Theytoilall theirdayswith thesedeceptiveefforts tomortify theirsins,obliviousto therighteousnessofChrist, andunacquaintedwithhisSpirit. I know toomanyofthem. If God ever shines into their hearts, giving them the knowledge of hisglory in the face of his Son JesusChrist, then theywill see the folly of theirpresentwayoflife.

CHAPTER8

UNIVERSALSINCERITYNEEDED

ThesecondgeneralruleproposedUnlesswemortifyeverylust,nosinglelustwillbemortifiedPartialmortificationalwayscomesfromacorruptmotiveTroublingtemptationfromalustisoftenapunishmentforotheroversights.

ThesecondgeneralruleIproposeisthis:

2.The2ndgeneralrule:StrivetomortifyALLlusts,orfailtomortifyANYlust.(SeeChapter7forthe1stgeneralrule).Withoutbeingsincereanddiligenttomortifyallourlusts,wecannotmortifyasinglelust.Theothergeneralrulereferredtotheperson;thisruleappliestothesinitself.Letmeexplain.Anylustcanputamanintheconditiondescribedearlier.Itispowerful,strong,andsevere.Itleadshimcaptive,troubleshim,disturbshim,andtakesawayhispeace.Hecannotbear it,andsohesetshimselfagainst it.Hepraysagainst it,groansunderit,andsighstobedeliveredfromit.Butinthemeantime,perhaps,inhisotherduties,inhisconstantcommunionwithGod,inhisreading,prayer,andmeditation,orinotherwaysthatareunrelatedtothelustthattroubleshim,he becomes lax and negligent. He should not expect to mortify the lust thatbothershim.Thisistheconditionthatoftenplaguesmenintheirpilgrimage.The Israelites, aware of their sin, sought Godwith diligence and earnestness,with fasting and prayer. They profess their earnestness repeatedly. “They seekmedaily,anddelighttoknowmyways;theyaskmeforthelawsofjustice;theytake delight in approaching God.”115 But God rejects it all. Their fasting is aremedythatwillnothealthem.Thereasongiveninverses5-7isthattheywereselective in this duty. They attended diligently to that one, but they werenegligent and careless in their other duties. Let us say someone contracts a“running sore” through indulgence and bad diet. If the underlying generalconditionofhisbodyisdiseased,thenanyefforthemakestocurehissorewillbeinvain.Itwillnotmatterhowdiligentlyandskillfullyhetreatsthesoreitself.

Itisnodifferentifhetriestostopthebloodyissueofsinandfilthinhissoul.Hemustbeequallycarefulofhisoverallspiritualcondition.Thatisbecause,

(1.)Thiskindofselectivemortificationistheresultofacorruptmotive.It can never have good results. The correct and acceptable principles ofmortificationwillbeemphasized fromhereon. It ishatingsinas sin,notjustasapainfulordisturbinghabit,andcomprehendingtheloveofChristas revealed in the cross, that lie at the bottom of all true spiritualmortification. It is obvious that the selective mortification I speak of isspawned by self-love.You resolve with all diligence and earnestness tomortify aparticular lustor sin.What is the reason? It bothersyou. It hasrobbedyouofyourpeace.Itfillsyourheartwithsorrow,trouble,andfear.Youhavenorestbecauseofit.Friend,Isuspectyouhaveneglectedprayeror reading. You have been conceited and loose in your conversation, orinvolvedinthingsdifferentthanthelustthatbothersyou.Thesearenolesssinful,andnolessevil,thantheonecausingyoupain.JesusChristbledforthosetoo.Whynotsetyourselfagainstthemaswell?If you hate sin as sin, and every evilway that grieves and disturbs yoursoul,thenyoushouldbejustaswatchfulagainsteverythingthatgrievesanddisturbstheSpiritofGod.Itisobviousthatyoustruggleagainstsinmerelybecauseofthetroubleitcausesyou.Ifyourconsciencewasquietaboutit,youwouldletitalone.Ifitdidnotbotheryou,youwouldn’tbotherit.Now,doyoureallythinkGodwillputupwithsuchhypocriticalendeavors?Doyounot thinkhisSpiritwill testify to the treacheryandfalsehoodofyourspirit?Doyouthinkhewillrelieveyouofwhatbothersyou,soyouwillbefreetopursuesomethingelsethatgrieveshimjustasmuch?No,saysGod.“Ifhecouldberidofthislust,Iwouldneverhearfromhimagain.Lethimwrestlewithit,orhewillbelost.”No one should think to do his own work if he will not do God’s work.God’s work consists in universal obedience. To be freed of the presentproblem is our own work. That is why the apostle writes, “Cleanseyourselvesfromallpollutionof thefleshandspirit,perfectingholiness inthefearofGod.”116Ifwewilldoanything,wemustdoallthings.Sothen,what isacceptable toGod isnotonlyan intenseopposition to thisor thatspecificlust,butauniversallyhumbleframeofheart.Wearetobewatchfulovereveryevil,andperformeveryduty.

(2.)Godmaybeusingthepersistentlustthattroublesyouto

strengthenyou.HowdoyouknowthatGodhasnotputupwiththelustthattroublesyouinordertostrengthenyou,gainpoweroveryou,andpunishyouforyourotheroversights, and for your usual lukewarmwalkwith him? At least it hasawakenedyoutoconsideryourways,tobemorethoroughinthework,andtochangethewayyouwalkwithhim.

Reasonsforthepredominanceofaparticularlust.Therageandpredominanceofaparticularlustisusuallytheresultofacareless,negligentcourseingeneral,andthatisfortworeasons:

(1.)AsitsnaturaleffectLust, as I showed ingeneral, lies in theheartof everyonewhilehe lives,eventhebestofus.DonotthinktheScriptureisjustsomanywordswhenitsaysthatsinissubtle,cunning,andcrafty,thatitseducesandenticesus,fightsandrebelsagainstus.Theheart is thesourceandthefountainfromwhichflowalltheissuesoflifeanddeath.Aslongasamankeepsdiligentwatchoverhisheart,lustwithersanddiesinit.Butifitbreaksitsrestraintsthroughnegligence,itmaygainpassagetoourthoughtsthroughpreviouslysuppresseddesires.Andbythesethoughts,perhapsitbreaksoutintoopensin in our life. Its strength is applied to theway out that it has found. Itcontinuestopressforreleasebythatsamewayuntilitgainsopenpassage.It then annoys and torments us, andwill not be easily restrained. This ishowamanendsupwrestlingwitha lust in sorrowallhis life thatmighteasilyhavebeenpreventedbyastrictanduniversalwatch.

(2.)AspunishmentforothersinsAs I said, God often endures a sin to punishour other oversights. Withwicked men, he gives them over to one as the judgment for another, agreater for the punishment of a lesser.He substitutes one that will holdthemmoresecurelyforonefromwhichtheymighthaveescaped.117Sotoowithhisownpeople,hemayleavethemwithsomeirksomecompulsiontopreventorcuresomeotherevil.ThatwasthecasewhenthemessengerofSatanwasletlooseonPaulsothathe“mightnotbemadehaughtythroughextraordinary spiritual revelations.”118Was it not punishment for Peter’ssmugconfidencethathewaslefttodenyhisMaster?ItmaybethatGodoftenallowsthiscommonstateoflusttocontinue.He

doessoatleasttoadmonishus,maybetohumbleus,andperhapstochastenand correct us for our generally loose and careless walk. If so, is itconceivable that theeffectwould be removedwhile the causecontinued?That is,could theparticular lustbemortifiedwhile thegeneralconditionremained unreformed? Doubtful. If someone really, thoroughly, andacceptablymortifiedadisturbinglust,hehadbettertakecaretobeequallydiligentinallaspectsofhisobedience.Hemustknowthateverylust,everyomission of duty, is as burdensome to God as it is to him.119 Whendisloyaltycontinuesintheheartbyindulgingnegligence,andnotpressingforuniversalandperfectobedience,thesoulbecomesweak.Itisnotgivingfaithitswholeeffort,andsoitbecomesselfish.It isconcernedmorewiththe trouble of sin than the filth and guilt of it. The soul in such a stateconstantlyprovokesGod.Itshouldnotexpectacomfortableresolutiontoasingle spiritual duty it undertakes, much less this universal duty underconsideration.Toaccomplishthatwouldrequireawhollydifferentattitude.

CHAPTER9

SYMPTOMSOFAPARTICULARLUSTParticulardirectionsconsideringthesedangeroussymptomsofanylust:

Itislong-standinganddeep-rootedPeacecanstillbeobtainedunderit;severalwaysthatisdoneItisfrequentlysuccessfulinitsseductionsThesoulfightsagainstitwithargumentsonlytakenfromtheeventofitItisprobablethatrehabilitationisatworkItwithstandsdealings fromGod–Thestateof those inwhomthese lustsarefound.

III.ParticulardirectionsfordealingwithadisturbinglustNowthatIhaveproposedsomegeneralrules,thereareparticulardirectionstoguidethesoulwhenitdiscoversadisturbinglustorcompulsion.Someoftheseare preparatory, and some contain the work itself. The following are thepreparatorysort:

TheFIRSTdirection:Considerwhichdangeroussymptomsaccompanyyourlust.Examine your sin to seewhether it has a deadlymark on it or not. If it has,extraordinaryremediesare tobeused;anordinarycourseofmortificationwillnotdoit.Youmayask,“Whatarethesedangerousmarksandsymptomsthatyoumean,thedesperateaccomplicesofanindwellinglust,?”Letmenamesomeofthem:1.Thesinislong-standinganddeep-rooted.

Bythis,Imeanthesinhasbeenwithyoualongtime,corruptingyourheart.Ifyouhaveallowedittocontinueinpowerandacceptanceforsometime,withoutattempting to vigorously kill it, and heal thewounds it caused you, then yourdiseaseof thesoul isdangerous.Haveyoupermittedworldliness,ambition,orexcessivestudytopushasidetheotherdutiesyouneedtomaintainyourconstantcommunion with God, and done so for an extended period? Have you letimmoralitydefileyourheartwithpointless, foolish,andwicked fantasies foranumberof days?Thenyour lust has a dangerous symptom.Thiswas the case

withDavid:“Mywoundsstinkandareinfectedbecauseofmyfoolishness.”120

Whena lusthas remained in theheart for long time,corrupting, festering,andinfectingit,thenitwillputthesoulinasorrystate.Inthesecases,anordinarycourseofhumiliationwillnotdothejob.Whateverthelustmaybe,itwillinfectallthefacultiesofthesoul.Itwillaccustomyourfeelingstoitspresenceanditsvalues. Itwillbecomeso familiar to themindandconscience thatneitheronestartles at it. They will become brazen, treating it like something they want.Indeed,itwilloftenassertitselfwithoutanynoticebeingtakenatall.This seems to have been what happened with Joseph swearing by the life ofPharaoh.121 Unless some extraordinary course is taken, a person afflicted thiswayhasnoreasonintheworldtoexpecttheoutcomewillbepeace.First,howwill he be able to distinguish between a long-term unmortified lust, and thecontrolorsovereigntyofsin,whichcannothappentoabeliever? Andsecond,howcanhepromisehimselfthatitwilleverbeanydifferent,orthathislustwillstoptormentingandseducinghim?Thisisespeciallytruewhenthelusthasbeenembeddedandtoleratedthiswayforsolong,andinsuchvariety.Itmaybethatthesinhasalternatedbetweenleniencyandtorment.Thoseactionshavebeensoextraordinary,thatthesoulcouldnotavoidtakingnotice.Itmaybethat the lusthasweatheredmanya storm,andbeenunaffectedbyamyriadofsermons and bible studies.Will it be easy to dislodge an inmate who claimssquatter’s rights? Lust is that kind of inmate if it has been allowed to remainunopposed. It will not be ejected easily. Old neglected wounds are alwaysdangerous, and often fatal. Indwelling infections grow inflamed and stubbornwhentheyareleftunattended.Ifitisnotkilleddaily,itwillgatherstrength.Sinneverdiesonitsown.2.Whentheheartsecretlypleastoapproveandnotopposeit.

Ifthelusthasremainedwithoutavigorousgospelattempttomortifyit,wehaveanotherdangeroussymptomofadeadlydisease in theheart.Thereareseveralwaysthisisevidenced:

(1.)Whentroublingthoughtsaboutasinarise,insteadofseekingtodestroythe sin, aman searches his heart to seewhat evidencehe can findof hisowngoodness.Heoverlooksthesinandlustsothathecanfeelgoodabouthimself.Now,gatheringuptheexperiencesofGod,recallingthem,collectingthem,considering,trying,andenhancingthem,areallexcellentthingstodo.Itisadutypracticedbyallthesaints.ItiscommendedinboththeOldandNew

Testaments.ThiswaswhatDaviddidwhenhe“communedwithhisownheart,”andcalledtomindtheformerloving-kindnessoftheLord.122ThisisthedutyPaulsetsus topractice,“Examineyourselves toseewhetheryouareinthefaith.Proveyourselves.Doyounotknowyourselves,thatChristisinyou,unlessyouarelost?”123Notonlyisrecallingexcellentinitself,butitimproveswhenitisemployedinitsproperseason,suchasatimeoftrialortemptation,orwhentheheartistroubledbysin.Thisisapictureframeofsilvertosetoffthisgoldenapple,asSolomonmightputit.Butdoingittosatisfyconscience,whichcriesoutforquiteanotherreason,isthedesperatedeviceofaheartinlovewithsin.Whenaman’sconsciencedealswithhim,whenGod rebukeshim for the sin troublinghisheart,heshould be striving to get that sin pardoned in the blood of Christ, andmortifiedbyhisSpirit.Instead,hetriestorelievehisguiltbythrowingofftheyokethatGodhasputonhisneck.Hisconditionisverydangerous.Hiswound is barely curable. When the convicting preaching of our Saviorstung their consciences, the Jews supported themselves saying theywere“Abraham’schildren.”Becauseof that, theyfeltacceptedbyGod;andsotheyapprovedoftheirownreprehensiblewickednesstotheirutterruin.Tosomedegree,thisisamanblessinghimself,sayingthatbyonewayoranotherhewillhavehispeace,“althoughheaddsdrunkennesstothirst.”124

Inpointoffact,thisattituderevealsaloveofsin,anditcheapensthepeaceandloveofGod.Suchamanplainlyshowsthatifhecanjustkeepuphopeof escaping the “wrath to come,”125 he is content to be unfruitful in theworld.AnydistancefromGodthatisnotfinalseparationisfinewithhim.Whatistobeexpectedfromsuchaheart?(2.)Thisdeceitiscarriedonbyseekinggraceandmercyforanunmortifiedsin, or for one that is not attempted to bemortified sincerely. This is thesignofaheartgreatlyentangledwiththeloveofsin.Aman’sconditionissadwhen he has secret thoughts in his heart similar to those ofNaamanconcerninghisworshipinthehouseofRimmon.126“InallotherthingsIwillwalkwithGod, but in this thing,Godbemerciful tome.”Resolving theissue by indulging in a sin with hopes of mercy, seems to be altogetherinconsistent with Christian sincerity. It is the badge of a hypocrite, and“turnsthegraceofGodintowantonness;”127YetIdonotdoubtthatthroughthe craft of Satan and their own remaining unbelief, the children ofGodmay themselvessometimesbeensnaredwith thisdeceitof sin.Thatmust

be true, or Paul would never have cautioned them against it as he did,“Shall we go on sinning so that gracemay abound?”128 The fleshwouldhaveusbelievethatitshouldbeindulgedforthesakeofgrace!Sinstandsready to pervert every word that is spoken ofmercy for its own corruptpurposes. To applymercy to a sin that is not vigorouslymortified, is tofulfillthepervertedaimsofthefleshundertheguiseofthegospel.A deceitful heart will sometimes make use of these and other ways toapprove its detestable acts.When aman secretly cherishes the sin in hisheart, even if he is not consumedby it, and if hewouldpractice that sinexceptforhisfearoftheconsequences,thenheisatthedoorofdeath.Ifheexcuses itwithoutmortifying it, andwithout seeking pardon for it in thebloodofChrist,thenthatman’s“woundsstinkandarecorrupt.”129Heisatthedoorofdeath.Hemustquicklyseekpardonforit.

3.Thereisfrequentsuccessinsin’sseduction.

If thesinseduces thesoul frequently,and itobtains thegeneralconsentof thewill to do it, thenwe have another dangerous symptom. This is that I mean:whenthesingetstheconsentofthewillwithsomedelight,eventhoughitisnotactually committed, it has succeeded. A man may not be able to outwardly“finish”thesin,asJamesputsit,130becauseofthecircumstances.Yet,ifthewilltocommitthesinwasactuallyobtained,thenIsayithassucceeded.Now,ifalustisabletogetthisfar,itmaybequitedangerous.Themanisinabadstate,perhapsunregenerate.Itdependsonwhetherthisconsentisachievedbychoiceofwillorbyaccident.Inaway,anaccidentmaystillbechosen.Ifweare careless and negligent, wherewe are required to be careful andwatchful,thenthataccidentdoesnotreducethevoluntarynatureofwhatwedo.Althoughmendonotchoosetobecarelessandnegligent,iftheychooseacourseofactionthatwillmakethemso,thentheychoosetheaccidentitself.131Letusnotthinkthat theevilofmen’shearts is lessbecause theyseem tobe surprised into theconsent theygive to it. It isnegligence in theirduty towatchover theirheartsthatbetraysthemintothatsurprise.4.Whenamanfightsagainsthissinonlywithlegalisticarguments.

If a man opposes his sin only with arguments as to its consequences orpunishment, it is a sign that sin has taken substantial possession of his will.Thereisanoverflowofwickednessinhisheart.Amanwhoseonlyobjectiontotheseductionofsinandlustinhisheartisthefearofshameamongmen,orhellfromGod,wouldcommitthesinifnoshameorpunishmentwereinvolved.How

thatwoulddifferfromlivinginthepracticeofsin,Idonotknow.Those who are Christ’s act in obedience to gospel principles. To oppose theseduction of sin in their lives and lust in their hearts, they have the death ofChrist, the love of God, the repulsive nature of sin, the preciousness ofcommunionwithGod,andadeep-groundedabhorrenceofsinassin.Josephdidso.“Howshall Ido thisgreatevil,”hesays,“andsinagainst theLORD?”mygoodandgraciousGod.132AndPaulwrites,“TheloveofChristconstrainsus;”133

“Havingreceivedthesepromises, letuscleanseourselvesfromallpollutionofthefleshandspirit.”134

Butifamanissodominatedbythepowerofhislustthathehasnothingbutthelawtoopposeit,thenthatsinpossesseshiswill.Ifhecannotfightagainstitwithgospelweapons,anddealswithitentirelybyhellandjudgment(whicharetheproperarmsofthelaw),thenitisevidentthatsinhasconqueredhiswillandhisaffections,andtoaverygreatextent.Suchapersonhasrejectedtheconductofrenewinggrace.He is kept from ruin only by restraininggrace.He has fallenfrom grace and is now back under the power of the law. This must surelyprovokeChrist toanger.HehasthrownoffChrist’seasy,gentleyokeandrule,andputontheironyokeofthelaw,justtoindulgealust.Judge yourself by this: what do you say to your soulwhen sin forces you tomakeastand?Youmusteitherservethesinandrushintofolly,likeahorseintobattle, or you must make headway against it to suppress it. How does theconversationgowithyourself?Doyousay,“TheoutcomeofthiswillbeHell;vengeancewillfindme.”Ifso,thenitistimeforyoutolookaround;evilliesatyour door.135 To clearly demonstrate that sin shall not have control overbelievers, Paul’smain argument is that they “are not under the law, but undergrace.”136 Ifyourbattleswithsinareall legalistic,whatassurancedoyouhavethatsinwillnotcontrolyouandbeyourruin?Youneedtoknowthatthispreserveofthelawwillnotholdoutforlong.Ifyourlusthasdrivenyoufromstrongergospelforts,thenitwillspeedilyoverrunthisonetoo.Donotassumethatthelawwilldeliveryouwhenyouhavevoluntarilysurrendered to your enemy those helps and means of preservation that are athousand times stronger. Unless you recover from this condition quickly, beassured that the thing you fear most will come upon you.137 What gospelprinciplesdonotdo,legalmotivescannotdo.5.WhenitisprobablethatthereisGodlyrehabilitationinvolvedthroughpunishment.

Thisisanotherdangeroussymptom.IhavenodoubtthatGodsometimesleaves

evenhisownunderthebewilderingpowerofsomelustorsintocorrectthemfortheir former sins, negligence, and folly. That was cause for the church tocomplain,“Whyhaveyouhardenedusfromthefearofyourname?”138AndnoonequestionsthatthisisGod’swayofdealingwithunregeneratemen.HowdoweknowwhetherGod’sinterveninghandhasleftustotheanguishofourownheart?Answer:examineyourheartandways.Whatwastheconditionofyoursoulbeforeyoubecameentangledinthesinthatyoucomplainof?WereyounegligentinyourChristianduties?Hadyoulivedtoomuchforyourself?Doyousufferfromtheguiltofanunrepentedsin?Anewsinmaybepermitted,aswellasanewafflictionsent,tobringanoldsintoremembrance.Haveyoureceivedanyoutstandingmercy,protection,orpardonthatyoudidnotreciprocate,orforwhichyouwereungrateful?Haveyoubeensufferingunderasinwithoutlaboringtoputanendtoit?Haveyoufailedtouseopportunitiestoglorify God in your generation that he graciously provided? Have youconformed yourself to the world and its men, succumbing to the numeroustemptationsofyourday?Ifyoufindthishasbeenyourstate,thenawake!CalluponGod!Youarefastasleepinastormofangeraroundyou!6.WhenyourlusthasalreadywithstoodparticulardealingsfromGodagainstit.

Thiscondition isdescribed in Isaiah,“Becauseof theevilofhisgreed, Iburstout inangerandstruckhim. Ihidmyselfand raged.Andhewalkedon in theidolatrouswayofhisheart.”139Goddealtwiththemabouttheirprevailinglustinseveralways,byafflictionandbydesertion,buttheyheldoutagainstitall.Thisis a sad condition which nothing but sovereign grace can relieve (as Godexpresses it in thenextverse),andwhichnomanshould takeuponhimself tocure.Inhiscaringway,Godoftenmeetswithamanandspeaksspecificallytotheevilofhisheart.HedidthiswithJoseph’sbrothersaboutsellinghimintoEgypt.Thismakesthemanreflectonhissin,andjudgehimselfforit.Godcloakshimselfinthe voice of the danger, affliction, trouble, or sickness that assaults him.Sometimes,readingthewordofGodmakesamanstayonsomethingthatcutshim to theheart,andshakeshimabouthispresentcondition.More frequently,God meets with men through the preaching of the word, which is his greatarsenal for conviction, conversion, and edification.Godoften cutsmenby theswordofhisword in thatarsenal,strikingdirectlyat theirheart-loved lust.Hestartles the sinner, andmotivates him tomortify and relinquish the evil of hisheart.Now,iftheholdthathislusthasonhimcompelshimtobreakthesebondsoftheLord,ifitcanovercometheseconvictionsandregainitsoldposture,and

ifitcanclosethewoundsthathissoulhasreceivedfromGod,thenheisinasadcondition.Theevilsthataccompanysuchaframeofheartareunspeakable.Everywarningthat isgiven toamanwho is insuchastate isapreciousmercy tohim.Howmuch those who reject these pleadings must despise God! And what infinitepatienceGodmusthavenottocuthimoff,andswearinhiswraththatthismanshallneverenterintohisrest!Thisevidence,andmuchmore,existofalustthatisdangerous,ifnotfatal.Asour Savior said of the evil spirit, “This kind goes out only by prayer andfasting.”140 I say the same about lusts of this kind. An ordinary course ofmortificationwillnotdoit;extraordinarywaysmustbefocusedon.This is the firstparticulardirection:Considerwhether the lustor sinyouarecontendingwithisaccompaniedbyanyofthedangeroussymptomslistedabove.Before I continue, let me give you one caution, for fear someone might bemisledbywhathasbeensaid.Althoughthethingsmentionedabovemayhappentotruebelievers,justbecausesomeoneencountersthem,itdoesnotmeanheisatrue believer. These are the evils that believersmay fall into and be ensnaredwith,notthethingsthatconstituteabeliever.Amanmayaswellconcludethatbecause David fell into adultery, and he is an adulterer himself, that he is abeliever.Itislikethisargument:Awisemanmaybesickandwoundedanddosome foolish things; therefore, everyone who is sick and wounded and doesfoolishthingsisawiseman.Itdoesnotfollow.TheseventhchapterofRomanscontainsthedescriptionofaregenerateman,abeliever.Ifyouneedevidenceofbeingabeliever,itmustcomefromthethingsthatconstituteabeliever.Someonewhoevidences these things inhimself,andyetisplaguedbysin,maysafelyconcludethat,“IfIamabeliever,Iamamostmiserableone.”

CHAPTER10

ASENSEOFTHEGUILTOFSINREQUIRED

Theguiltofthesin–GuidelinesforhelpThemultipledangersinvolved-

HardeningTemporalcorrectionLossofpeaceandstrengthEternaldestruction--Rulestomanagethisconsideration

Theevilofit–

IngrievingtheSpiritWoundingthenewcreatureTakingawayaman’susefulness.

TheSECONDdirection:Grasptheguilt,danger,andevilofyoursinGetaclearandlastingsense inyourmindandconscienceof theguilt,danger,andevilofthesinthattroublesyou–

1.Getaclearandlastingsenseoftheguiltofsin.Oneofthedeceitsofaprevailinglustistominimizeitsownguilt.“Itisjustalittle one.” “When I go and bow myself in the house of Rimmon, God bemerciful tomeinthis thing.”141Wesaytoourselves,“It isbad,butit isnotasbadassome.OtherChristianssufferfromthisone,andtheysinfarworsethanthis!”Therearemanyways throughwhichsindiverts themindfromcorrectlyunderstanding itsguilt. Its foulvaporsdarken themind so that its judgment isdistorted.Confusedreasoning,extenuatingpromises,ragingdesires,conditionalrelinquishment,hopesofmercy,allhavetheirshareindistractingthemindfromconsidering theguiltofaprevailing lust.Theprophet tellsus thatwhena lustreaches its height, “Prostitution, wine, and newwine take away the heart.”142

That is, lust takes away our understanding, as “the heart” is often used inScripture.Itaccomplishesthiscompletelyinunregeneratepersons,andpartially

inregenerateones.Solomonspeaksofsomeoneenticedbyalewdwoman.Hesayshewas“amongthe foolish ones;” hewas “a youngmanwithout understanding.”143 Andwhatwas his folly about? “As a bird to the snare, he did not know his lifewas atstake.”144Hedidnotconsider theguiltof theevilhewasinvolvedin.AndtheLord gives a reason why his dealings with Ephraim had the same effect:“Ephraimislikeasillydovewithoutheart.”145Ephraimhadnounderstandingofhisownmiserablecondition.TheonlywayDavidcouldhaveremainedignorantforsolongaboutthetrueextentofhisatrocioussin,wasbecausehisreasoningwas corrupted time and again. It hinderedhim from taking a clear viewof itsugliness andguilt in themirrorof the law.Thismade it necessary to send theprophet to awaken him. He silenced all the subterfuges and pretenses by hisparable, so thatDavidmight completely grasp the guilt ofwhat he had done.Thisistheproperconsequenceoflustintheheart.Itdarkensthemindsothatitcannotrightlyjudgeitsguilt.TherearemanyotherwaysinwhichitextenuatesitselfthatIwillnotgointo.Letthis,then,bethefirstcautionforsomeonewhowantstomortifysin:rightlyjudgetheguiltofitinyourmind.Tohelpyouinthatregard,considerthese:

(1.)Continuingsininbelieversisworsethansininunbelievers.

Althoughthepowerofsinisweakenedbyinherentgraceinbelievers,anditdoesnothavethesamecontroloverthemthatithasoverothers,theguiltof sin that still remains is intensified by that grace: “What shall we saythen?Shallwecontinue insinso thatgracemaygrow?Godforbid.Howshallwewhoaredeadtosin, livewithitanylonger?”146 “Howshallwe,whoaredeadtosin?”Theemphasisisontheword“we.”HowcanwewhohavereceivedgracefromChristfortheoppositepurpose,continuetodoit?Doubtless,wearemoreevilthananyoneelseifwedo.Iwillnotgointothespecial aggravations of the sins of such people, or how they sin againstmorelove,mercy,grace,assistance,relief,means,andpardonthanothers.Butletthisconsiderationstayinyourmind:thereisinfinitelymoreevilandguilt in thesin that remains inyourheart, than therewouldhavebeen inthatsamesinifyouhadnograceatall.(2.)Sinhiddeninourheartisworsethansinevidencedbyouracts.

Godseesmoreabundantbeautyandexcellenceinthedesiresoftheheartofhis servants, than he does in themost gloriousworks of others. He seesmorebeautyinthedesiresoftheirheartthanhedoesinmostoftheirown

outwardperformances.SoGodseesagreatdealofevilinthelustoftheirhearts,infact,morethanheseesintheopen,notoriousactsofwickedmen,or in themany outward sins that the saintsmay fall into. There ismoreopposition to those outward acts than to their inward lust, and morehumiliation generally follows them. Thus, in dealing with his decayingchildren, Christ goes to the heart of thematterwith them.He lays asidetheir profession of faith: “I know you. You are something different thanwhatyouprofess,andthismakesyourepulsive.Iwillspityououtofmymouth.”147

So,then,lettheseandsimilarthingsleadyoutoaclearsenseoftheguiltofyour indwelling lust.There shouldbeno room inyourheart for thoughtsthat extenuate or excuse it, throughwhich sin, unfelt, gains strength andprevails.

2.Considerthemultipledangersofcontinuingtosin:(1.)Thedangerofbeinghardenedbythedeceitfulnessofsin.

Thisiswhat theapostlestronglyinstructs,“Payattentionbrothers,sothatnoneofyouhasanevilheartofunbeliefthatrevoltsagainstthelivingGod.Instead,exhortoneanothereachday,oryouwillbehardenedthroughthedeceitfulness of sin.”148 He is saying, “Pay attention! Use all means;consideryourtemptations;watchdiligently.Thereisatreachery,adeceitinsin,thattendstohardenyourheartsagainstthefearofGod.”Thehardeningmentionedhere is absolute and complete insensitivity towrongdoing.Sintends to do that. Every compulsion and lust will make at least someprogresstowardsit.Thoseofyouwhoweretender,whomeltedunderthewordandunder trials,willgrow“sermon-proofandnausea-proof.”ThoseofyouwhotrembledatthepresenceofGod,atthoughtsofdeathandyourappearance before him,will have such brazenness in your spirit that youwill no longer bemoved by these things.Your soul and your sinwill bespokenabout,andyouwillnotcare,hear,ornotice.YouwillbeabletopassoveryourChristiandutieslikepraying,hearing,andreading,andyourheartwill not be affected in the least. Sinwill become easy for you.Youwillignoreitasnothing.Thisiswhatitwillgrowtobe.Andwhatwillbetheresultofsuchacondition?Canasadderthinghappentoyou?Itisenoughtomakethehearttremble,tothinkofgettingtoapointin lifewhen thoughts of sin are inconsequential,when thoughts of grace,mercy, and the blood of Christ, of the law, heaven, and hell, leave little

impression on us. Take care, this is what your lust is working towards:hardeningtheheart,searingtheconscience,blindingthemind,dullingthesenses,anddeceivingthewholesoul.(2.)Thedangerofreceivingseriouscorrectioninthislife.

The Scripture calls these corrections “vengeance, judgment, andpunishment.”149 Though God would not completely cut you off for thisabhorrentlustinyourheart,hewillnonethelessvisityouwiththerod.Eventhough hemay pardon and forgive, he will still take vengeance on yourmethods.RememberDavidandallhistroubles!Lookathimfleeingtothewilderness,andconsiderthehandofGodonhim.DoesitmeannothingtoyouthatGodmightkillyourchildinanger,ruinyourhomeinanger,breakyourbones inanger,allowyou tobea scandal inanger,killyou,destroyyou,leadyouintodarkness,allinanger?Isitnothingthathewouldpunish,ruin,andcausethedownfallofothersforyoursake?Donotmisunderstand.IdonotmeanthatGoddoesinfactsendallthesethingseverytimehegetsangry.God forbid! But Ido say thatwhenhedoesdealwithyou in thisway, and your conscience bearswitnesswith him that you provoked thisresponse,youwillfindhisdealingswithyoufullofbitternesstoyoursoul.Ifyoudonotfearthesethings,thenIfearyouarehardened.(3.)Thedangeroflosingofpeaceandstrengthallyourlife.

The promises of the covenant of grace can be summed up in these twothings: to have peacewithGod, and to have the strength towalk beforehim.Inthesearefoundthelifeofoursouls.Ifwedonothavethemtosomecomfortabledegree,thentoliveistodie.Whatgoodislifeifwecannotseethe faceofGod in peace, or ifwedonot have the strength towalkwithhim?Anunmortifiedlustwillcertainlydepriveusofthesethings.ThisissoevidentinDavid;nothingcanbeclearer.Howoftendoeshecomplainthathis bones are broken, his soul tormented, and his wounds made painfulbecauseofhissin?Takeotherinstances:“Becauseoftheevilofhisgreed,Iburstoutinangerandstruckhim.Ihidmyselfinrage.”150Iaskyou,whatpeaceisthereforyoursoulwhileGodhideshimself,orstrengthwhilehestrikesyou?“Iwillgoandreturntomyplace,untiltheyacknowledgetheiroffenseandseekmyface;”151“Iwillleavethem,hidemyface.”AndwhatwillbecomeoftheirpeaceandstrengthwhenGoddoesthat?IfyoueverenjoyedpeacewithGod,ifhisterrorsevermadeyouafraid,ifyoueverhadstrength towalkwithhim,mourned inyourprayer,orwereever troubled because of your weakness, then think of this danger that

hangsoveryourhead.ItmayonlybeashorttimebeforeyouseethefaceofGodinpeacenomore.Perhapsbytomorrowyouwillnotbeabletopray,read, hear, or perform any of your Christian duties with the least bit ofcheerfulness,life,orvitality.Anditmaybepossiblethatyouwillneverseeanotherquiethourwhileyoulive.Youmaycarryaroundbrokenbones,fullof pain and terror, all the days of your life. Perhaps God will shoot hisarrows at you, and fill you with anguish and torment, fears andbewilderment. He may make you a terror and a shock to yourself andothers,orshowyouhellandfuryeverymoment.Hemayfrightenyouwithanticipation of his hatred so bad that the sores of your sinwill open andseep, and your soulwill refuse to be comforted.Youwillwish for deathrather than life. Consider this a little. Although God would not utterlydestroy you, hemight just throw you into this condition where youwillhaveimmediateandlivingvisionsofyourdestruction.Moveyourhearttothink of this.Let your heart knowwhat it is like to be the product of itssinfulness. Do not leave this imagery until you have made your soultremblewithinyou.(4.)Thedangerofeternaldestruction.

Toproperlymanagethisconsideration,takenote,[1.]That there isaconnectionbetweencontinuing in sinandeternaldestruction.ThoughGoddoeskeepsomefromcontinuingintheirsinsotheywillnotbedestroyed,hepardonsnoonefromdestructionthatdoescontinue insin. Because this is true,whileanyone isunder theabiding power of sin, the threats of destruction and everlastingseparation from God must be presented to him. Hence we arecautioned not to harden our hearts and depart from God.152We areadmonishedthatifGod’speopledrawbackfromlivingbyfaith,Godwillnotbepleasedwith them.153This is therule forGod’scourseofaction:Ifanyman“departs”fromhim,thatis,“drawsback” throughunbelief, then “God’s soul takes no pleasure in him.” That is, hisindignationwillpursuethatmantodestruction.Thatisevidentinthispassage addressed to believers, “For he that sows into his fleshwillreap ruin from the flesh; but he that sows into the Spirit will reapeternallifefromtheSpirit.”154

[2.]Someonewho issoentangledanddominated by thepowerof alust, as described above, has no clear proof that he is a child of thecovenant;andthereforehehasnoshelterfromthefearofdestruction.

SoheisrighttofeardestructionfromtheLord,andheoughttolookatit as the definite outcome of his course and ways.Youmay argue,“ThereisnocondemnationtothosewhoareinChristJesus.”155Thatistrue,butwhohasthecomfortofthisassertion?Whomayassumetobein Christ Jesus? “Those that walk after the Spirit, and not after theflesh.”Youmayask,“Doesthisnotpersuadementounbelief,andtodoubttheirsalvation?”Ianswer,No.

Therearetwo judgments thatamanmaymakeabouthimself.Thefirst isabouthisperson,andthesecond,abouthisways.Itisthejudgmentofhisways, not his person, that I am speaking about. He should get the bestevidenceabouthispersonthathecan.Butitishisdutytojudgewhetheranevilwaywillendindestruction;nottodothatisatheism.Iamnotsayingthatwhenamanissodominated,heoughttothrowawaytheevidencehehasofhispersonalinterestinChrist.ButIamsayingthathecannotsimplystoreitawayinanatticasathingofthepast.Thereareatwocondemnationsamanmayconsiderabouthimself.First,hemayconsiderhispunishment,whenheconcludesthathedeservestobecastoutofthepresenceofGod.Thisissofarfromunbeliefthat,ineffect,itisfaith. Second, he may consider the proclamation and event of hiscondemnation,whenheconcludesthathewillbedamned.Iamnotsayingitisanyone’sdutytocondemnhimself,noramIcallinganyonetodothat.ButIdosaythatamanoughttoconsiderthattheoutcomeofhiswayswillbedeath,sothathemaybeprovokedtoflyfromit.Thisissomethingelsethatamanshoulddwellonifhedesirestobefreedfromtheentanglementofhislusts.

3.Considertheevilsofcontinuingtosin;BythisImeanitspresentevils.Dangerreferstowhatistocome;evilreferstowhat ispresent.Someof themanyevils thatattendanunmortified lust followbelow:

(1.)ItgrievestheholyandblessedSpirit.

TheSpirit isgiventobelieverstodwellinthemandperseverewiththem.After discouraging the Ephesians from many lusts and sins, the apostlegives this as theprimarymotive. “Donotgrieve theHolySpirit, throughwhichyouaresealedforthedayofredemption.”156Heissaying,“Donotgrieve that Spirit of God through which you receive so many and suchwonderful benefits.” He specifies a remarkable and comprehensive one,

“sealing to thedayof redemption.”TheSpirit isgrievedby the sin.Asatenderandlovingfriendisgrievedattheunkindnessofamanhehasservedwell,soisitwiththistenderandlovingSpirit.Hehaschosenourheartsforaplace todwell,and therehedoesall thatoursoulsdesire forus. He isgrievedwhenweharborhisenemiesbesidehiminourhearts, thosehe ischargedtodestroy.“Hedoesnotwillinglydepressorcausegrief.”157Whyshould we daily grieve him? Sometimes he is said to be “annoyed,”sometimes “grieved in his heart,” to express the strongest sense of ourprovocation.Now,ifthereisanythingleftofgraciousimaginationinthesoul,ifitisnotcompletely hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, considering this willcertainlyaffectit.Considerwhoandwhatyouare,whotheSpiritisthatisgrieved,andwhathehasdoneforyou.Considerwhyhehascometoyoursoul,andwhathehasalreadydoneinyou.Andthenbeashamed.AmongthosewhowalkwithGod,thereisnogreaterincentivetouniversalholinessthanthis:toknowthattheblessedSpiritwhodwellsinthemastemplesofGod, preserves them fit for himself. He continually considers what theyentertainintheirhearts,andherejoiceswhenhistempleiskeptundefiled.TheaggravationofthesinofZimriwasthathebroughthisadulteressintothecongregationinthesightofMosesandtherest,whowereweepingforthesinsofthepeople.158Isitnotasimilaraggravationtoapproveofalust,ortoallowittoremaininyourheart,whenitisentertainedinthesightoftheHolyGhostwhoistakingcaretopreservehistabernacleasapureandholyplace?(2.)TheLordJesusChristiswoundedagainbyit.

Hisnewcreatureintheheartiswounded;hisloveisfoiled;hisadversaryisgratified. Relinquishing Christ completely, by the deceitfulness of sin, islike“crucifyinghimagain,andputtinghimtoopenshame.”159Inthesameway,each timeweharbor the sin thathecame todestroy,wewoundandgrievehim.(3.)Itwilltakeawayaman’susefulnessinhisgeneration.

If he continues to sin, then hisworks, endeavors, and laborswill seldomreceiveblessingfromGod.Ifheisapreacher,Godblowslikeabillowsonhis ministry, so that he labors in the fire.160 He is not honored with anysuccess,norishehonoredfordoinganyworkforGod.Theworldtodayisfullofpoor,witheringprofessorsofChrist.Howfewwalkinanybeautyor

glory! Howbarren, howuseless they are! Among themany reasons forthis sad state of affairs is thatmanymen harbor spirit-devouring lusts intheirhearts.Theyarelikewormsattherootoftheirobedience,eatingawayatit,weakeningitdaybyday.Allgraces,allthewaysandmeansbywhichany graces might be exercised and improved, are compromised by thisconsuminglust.Andastosuccess,Godblaststhelaborofsuchmen.

This, then, is my second direction. Oppose lust which has taken up habitualresidence inyour soul.Keepalive inyourheart theconsiderationsof itsguilt,danger,andevil.Meditateoftenonthesethings.Makeyourheartdwellonthem.Engageyourmindtoconsiderthem.Donotletyourthoughtswanderfromthisuntiltheybegintohaveapowerfulinfluenceonyoursoul,andmakeittremble.

CHAPTER11

FIVEMOREDIRECTIONSFORDEALINGWITHSIN

TheTHIRDdirection:LoadyourconsciencewiththeguiltofthetroublingcancerofsinTheFOURTHdirection:VehementlydesirerescuefromitThe FIFTH:Considerations of some compulsions rooted deeply inmen’snaturalstateTheSIXTHdirection:OccasionsandopportunitiestopreventsinTheSEVENTHdirection:Vigorouslyopposethefirstactionsofsin.

TheTHIRDdirection:Loadyourconsciencewiththeguiltofyoursin.Donotjustconsideryourselfguiltygenerally.Instead,loadyourconsciencewiththe guilt of sin’s actual outbursts and disruptions. To help understand how toapply this rule, let me give some specific directions. Use God’s method indealingwithit:

1.Beginwithgeneralities:(1.)Considertheguiltthatarisesfromtheholinessofthelaw.

Charge your consciencewith the guilt arising from themoral correctnessand holiness of the law.Apply the holy law of God to your conscience;compareyourimmoralitytoit,andthenpraythatyoumaybeaffectedbyit.Consider its holiness, spirituality, fiery severity, essence, and completeauthority.Then seewhether you can standbefore it.Donot holdback inimpressingyour consciencewith the terror of theLord that is in the law,and how righteous it is that every one of your transgressions receives itsjustreward.Perhapsyourconsciencewillinventdiversionsandevasionstokeepyoufromthispowerfulconsideration.Forexample, itmightrespondthat thecondemningpowerof thelawdoesnotapplytoyou, thatyouaresetfreefromit,andsoon.Thoughitistruethatyouarenotsubjecttothelaw,youneednotbepersuadedbysuchanargument:

[1.]Tellyourconsciencethatitcannotproduceanyevidencethatyouarefreefromthecondemningpowerofsinaslongasyourunmortifiedlust remains inyourheart. Itmaybe that the lawcanmakegood its

claimagainstyou,thatyouremainunderitsfullcontrol.Ifitcan,thenby definition you are a lost creature. For that reason, it is best toconsidertheworstcase,andthoroughlypondertheramificationsofthelawasifyouwerelost.Tobesure,anyonewhosecretlyarguesinhisheartthatheisfreedfromthelawasawaytojustifyholdingontoasinor lust, cannot produce any reasonable evidence, on gospel grounds,that he is indeed freed fromsin.Hemerelypretends to be deliveredfromit.[2.] Whether or not you are subject to the law, the law has acommissionfromGodtoseizetransgressorswhereveritfindsthem.Itistobringthembeforehisthronetopleadforthemselves.Thisisyourpresent situation. The law has found you out, and it will bring youbeforeGod.Ifyoucanpleadforapardon,wellandgood.Ifnot, thelawwilldoitsworkofcondemningyou.[3.] Say to your conscience, “this is the properwork of the law, todiscovertheguiltofsin.”Itistoawakenandhumblethesoulforthatsin,andtobeamirrortoreflectsininitstruecolors.Ifyourefusetodealwithitbecausethelawisdoingitsjob,thatdoesnotcomefromfaith.Itcomesfromthehardnessofyourheartandthedeceitfulnessofsin.

ThisisadoorthroughwhichtoomanyprofessorsofChristhaveexitedtopreachopenapostasy.Theypretend that if theyhavebeendelivered fromthe law, andno longerneed to consult it forguidanceanddirection, thentheynolongerhavetomeasuretheirsinbyit.Littlebylittlethisnotionhasinfluenced theirpracticalunderstandingofsin.Having taken root there, ithasturnedloosethewillandaffectionstopursueallmannerofdetestablelongings.Byusingwayssuchasthese,persuadeyourconsciencetolistenintentlytowhat the lawsays toyouaboutyour lust and immorality. It speaks in thenameoftheLord.Ifyourearsareopen,itwillspeakwithavoicethatwillmake you tremble, that will knock you to the ground, and fill you withastonishment.Tomortifyyourimmorality,youmusttieyourconsciencetothelaw.Youmustexcludeallshiftsandexceptions,untilyourconscienceownsitsguiltwithaclearandthoroughunderstanding.Tothatend,Davidsaysyour“iniquitymustalwaysbeinfrontofyou.”161

(2.)ConsiderChristwhomyouhavepierced.

Bringyourlusttothegospel,notforrelief,butforfurtherconvictionofits

guilt.LookonChristwhomyou have pierced, and be bitter. Say to yoursoul,“WhathaveIdone?Whatlove,whatmercy,whatblood,whatgracehaveIdespisedandtrampledon?IsthishowIrespondtotheFatherforhislove,totheSonforhisblood,andtotheHolyGhostforhisgrace?Is thishowIrepaytheLord?HaveIdefiledtheheartthatChristdiedtowash,andthattheblessedSpirithaschosentodwellin?AndcanIkeepmyselfoutofthedust?What can I say to thedearLord Jesus?Howcan I holdupmyheadwithanycouragebeforehim?DoIconsidercommunionwithhimofso littlevalue that, for thesakeof thisvile lust, Ihave left little roomforhiminmyheart?HowwillIescapejudgementifIneglectsalvationinthisway?Inthemeantime,whatdoIsaytotheLord?Love,mercy,grace,goodness,peace, joy, consolation; I have despised them all, and treated them asworthless, just so I couldharbor a lust inmyheart.Can I imagineGod’sfatherlyfeaturesbeforemesothatIcanprovokehimtohisface?Wasmysoulwashedonlytomakeroomforthisnewdepravity?WhywouldItrytofrustratethepurposeofChrist’sdeath?WhywouldIdailygrievetheSpiritthroughwhom I am sealed until the day of redemption?” Entertain yourconsciencedailywiththistreatment.Seeifitcanwithstandthisaggravationof itsguilt. If itdoesnotsinka littleandmelt, thenIamafraid thatyourcaseisadangerousone.

2.Descendtoparticulars.We considered all the benefits of grace under the general topic of the gospel,suchasredemption,justification,etc.Nowconsiderthelovethatgraceconveysto you personally, and how the benefits aggravate the guilt of your ownimmorality.

(1.)ConsidertheinfinitepatienceandtoleranceofGodtowardsyoupersonally.

Consider the opportunities hemight have taken over a period of time tomakeyouashamedandreproachedinthisworld,andanobjectofHiswrathforever.Thinkabouthowyoudealttreacherouslyandfalselywithhimfromtimetotime,flatteredhimwithyourlips,butbrokeallyourpromisesandobligationsthroughthesinyounowpursue.Andyethehassparedyoutimeandagain,despitethebrazenwayyouputHimtothetesttoseehowlonghewouldholdoffpunishingyou.Andyet,willyoustill sinagainsthim?Will you continue to weary him, and make him put up with yourimmorality?Haveyounotoftenconcludedthatitwascompletelyimpossibleforhimto

bearwithyouanylonger?Haveyoufeltthathewouldcutyouoffandbegraciousnomore,thatallhistolerancewasexhausted,andhellandwrathwas already prepared for you?And yet, beyond all your expectations, hehas returnedwithministrationsof love.Willyouevennowcontinuewiththisprovocationinhisglorioussight?(2.)ConsiderhowoftenyouhavebeenrestoredbyGod’sgrace.

Howoftenhaveyounearlybeenhardenedbythedeceitfulnessofsin,andthen, by the infinite and rich grace ofGod, been restored to communionwithhimagain?Haveyounotfoundgracedecaying,yourdelightinduties,practices, prayer and meditation vanishing, and your tendency to walkcarelessly thriving?Haveyounot foundyourself engagedwithdelight inthekindofbehavior,inthekindofplaces,andwiththekindofpeoplethatGodabhors?Whywouldyoutravelanymoretothebrinkofhardness?(3.)ConsiderallofGod’sgraciousdealingswithyou.

All of God’s gracious dealings with you, all of his divine exemptions,pardons, trials,mercies, and enjoyments should be considered here.Loadyourconsciencewiththeseandsimilarconsiderations.Donotleaveitaloneuntil it is thoroughlymovedwith the guilt of your indwelling sinfulness,untilitfeelsitswound,andliesinthedustbeforetheLord.Unlessthisisdone purposefully, all other efforts to ruthlessly remove it will be of noavail.Whiletheconsciencehasanymeanstoalleviatetheguiltofsin,thesoulwillnevervigorouslyattempttomortifyit.

TheFOURTHdirection:getaconstantlongingtobedeliveredfromitspower.Afterbeingmovedbyyoursininthisway,youneedtogetaconstantlonging,apantingtobedeliveredfromitspower.Donotletyourheartbecontentforonemomentwithyourpresentcondition.Longingforanythinginthephysicalrealmhas value only if it incites a person to diligently pursue what is desired. Inspiritual things it works differently. Longing, breathing, and panting fordeliveranceisagraceinitself.Ithasamightypowertoconformthesoultothelikeness of the thing longed for.The apostle, in describing the repentance andgodly sorrowof theCorinthians, counts this “vehement desire” as an eminentgraceatworkinthem.162Inthecaseofindwellingsinanditspower,howdoesPaul describe his frame of mind? His heart bursts with the most passionateexpressions of his desire for relief, “Who will deliver me from this body of

death?”163

My goodness! If this were the attitude of the saints when they consideredindwelling sin, they would be far more committed to its extermination,especiallyifweaddedtherageandpowerstimulatedbyaspecificlust!Unlessyoulongfordeliverance,beassuredthatyouwillnothaveit.Thiswillmaketheheartuseeveryopportunitytogainanadvantageoveritsenemy.Itwillbereadytouseanyhelpprovidedforsin’sdestruction.Strongdesiresarethelifebloodof“praying always,” which we are commanded to do in all situations.164 In nosituationisitmorenecessarythanthis.Strongdesiressetfaithandhopetowork,andtheyarethesoulmovingaftertheLord.Sogetyourheart into apantingandbreathing frameofmind.Long, sigh, cryout!YouknowtheexampleofDavid.Idonotneedtosayanymore.

TheFIFTHdirection:Considerifthesinisrootedinyournaturaldisposition.Considerwhetherthediseasethatafflictsyouisrootedinyournature,whetheritis cherished, encouraged, and strengthened because of your natural make-up.Thenaturaldispositionofsomemenmakesthempronetoparticularsins.Ifthatispossibleinyourcase,thenconsider,

1.Thisdoesnotminimizetheguiltofyoursinintheleast.Somepeople,withopen irreverence,blame theenormityof their sinfulnessontheirdisposition.Whetherothersrelievethepressingguiltoftheirsicknesswiththesameexcuse,Idonotknow.Itisfromthefall,fromtheoriginaldepravityofournatures, that thegrowthandnourishmentofanysin remainsaspartofournaturalstate.Davidfiguredthatbecausehewasshapedandconceivedinsin165itaggravatedhissubsequentsin,butitcertainlydidnotlessenorexcusetheguiltof it. The fact that you have a special fondness for a particular sin is only anexpression of the original lust in your nature. It should pointedly degrade andhumbleyouratherthanabsolveyourinclinations.

2.YoumustfocusmorebecauseSatanhasanadvantageoveryou.InreferencetoyourwalkwithGod,youhavetofocusallthemore,becausesinand Satan have a great advantage over by your natural disposition. Withoutextraordinary watchfulness, care, and diligence, they will certainly prevailagainst your soul.Thousands have been hurried headlong into hell because ofthisnatural inclination.Without it theymighthavegoneatamoregentle, less

provoking,andlessharmfulrate…166

3.Forceyourbodyintosubmission.Havingdescribedhowtomortifyasicknessthatisstronglyrootedinsomeone’snature,thereisonemethoduniquelysuitedtothetask.Thisoneisadvocatedbythe apostle. “I stay on my body to subdue it.”167 Bringing the body intosubjection is an ordinance of God designed to mortify sin. This checks thenatural source of the sickness. It weakens it by taking away its fertile soil.However,theRomanCatholicshaveplacedthewholeemphasisofmortificationonvoluntaryservicesandpenance.Thisdoesleadtothesubjectionofthebody,butthereisatemptationforsometoneglectthemeansofhumiliationthatGodhas appointed. Bringing the body into subjection by cutting short its naturalappetite, by fasting, watching, and similar denials, is doubtless acceptable toGod.Yetitoughttobedonewiththeselimitations:

(l.)Outwardlyweakeningandimpairingthebodyshouldnotbeseenasanendinitself;thatwouldbringusunderthelawagain.Itisonlyameanstoan end,which is toweaken sin at its natural root.Amanmaybe lean inbothbodyandsoul.(2.)Themeansbywhichthisisdone,namely,byfasting,watching,andthelike, should not be considered effective in themselves. They cannot trulymortify a sin of their own power. If they could, sin might be mortifiedwithoutanyhelpfromtheSpirit.Theyaretobeseenonlyaswaysthroughwhich the Spirit may, and sometimes does, instill strength in us toaccomplishhisownwork.Failure tocorrectlyunderstandandapply theseand similar considerations, has created a rite of mortification among theRomanCatholics thatmightbetterbeappliedtohorsesandbeasts thantobelievers.

To summarize, when the corruption complained of seems to be rooted in thenaturaldispositionofaman,aneffortmustbemadetoconstrainthenaturalrootofthatcorruption.Wehaveescapedthecorruptionof theworld.WemustnowapplyoursoulstoparticipateinthebloodandspiritofChrist.168

TheSIXTHdirection:Guardagainsttheoccasionsandopportunitiesofyoursin.Considertheoccasionsandopportunitiesyourdiseasetakestoassertitself.Thenguard against them all. This is one part of the duty that our blessed Savior

recommends to his disciples namedwatching: “I say to you all,Watch.”169 Inanother place, “Pay attention, or your heartsmay be overburdened.”170Watchagainstalloutburstsofyourimmorality.IamreferringtothedutywhichDavidclaimed toexercise:“Ihavekeptmyself frommywickedness.”171Hewatchedallthewayshissinfulnessworked,bothtoblockthemandtoopposethem.Thisis what we are called to do under the name of “considering our ways.”172

Consider which ways, companions, opportunities, studies, business, andconditions,haveusually(oratanytime)providedopportunitiesforyourdiseasetoassertitself?Thenattentivelysetyourselfagainstallofthem.Mendo thiswith respect to theirphysical infirmitiesanddiseases.Theyavoidtheseasons,diet,andair thathaveprovedoffensive.Thingsof thesoularenoless important. You need to know that anyone who dares to dally with theoccasions of sin, will dare to sin. Anyone who dares to be tempted towickedness,willdaretobewicked.Hazaelthoughthewouldnotbeaswickedastheprophettoldhimhewouldbe.Toconvincehim,alltheprophetneededtosaywas,“YouwillbekingofSyria.”173Ifherisksthetemptationtobecruel,hewillbecruel.Ifyoutellsomeonethathewillcommitsuchandsuchsins,hewillstartleat it.But ifyouconvincehimthathewillhaveopportunities tocommitthem,andbetemptedinspecificways,onspecificoccasions,thenhewillhavelittlegroundleftforhisconfidence.TherearemanyfacetstothistopicthatIwillnot go into here. But because this topic is no less important than the wholedoctrinehandledhere,Ihaveaddresseditatlargeinanothertreatise.

TheSEVENTHdirection:Reactswiftlyagainstthefirstsignsofyoursin.Reactswiftlyandpowerfullyagainstthefirstindicationsofyourdisease,at itsinitialconception.Donotletitgaintheleastbitofground.Donotsay,“Thisfarandnofarther.”Ifyouallowitonestep,itwilltakeanother.Itisimpossibletofixboundsforsin. It is likewater inachannel. If itbreaksout, itwill take itscourse. It is easier to contain if inactive than turbulent. James describes thegradationandprogressoflust,sothatwemaystopatitsentrance.174Doyoufindyourcorruptionbeginningtoentangleyourthoughts?Riseupagainstitatthatpoint with all your strength. Be no less indignant than if it had fullyaccomplishedwhatitaimstodo.Considerwhatanuncleanthoughtwouldhaveyoudo:itwouldhaveyourollyourselfinfollyandfilth.Askenvywhatitwouldhave you do: it would have youmurder and destroy as the result of it. Set

yourself against itwithno lessvigor than if it hadcompletelydebasedyou inwickedness. If you do not, you will not prevail. As sin gains ground on ouraffections, making them delight in itself, it also gains ground on ourunderstanding,makingitoverlooksuchsin.

CHAPTER12

SELF-ABASEMENTBEFORETHEMAJESTYOFGOD

ThinkabouttheexcellenceandmajestyofGodConsideryourunfamiliaritywithhimMeditateconstantlyinawaythatleadstoapropersenseofshame,andanappreciationofyourownvileness.

TheEIGHTHdirection:ConsiderthemajestyofGodandhowlittleyouknowofHim.1.ThinkaboutthegreatnessofGod,andwhoyouarebycomparison.Be thoughtful about the excellence and majesty of God and your infinite,inconceivabledistancefromhim.Itwillnotbelongbeforeyouarefilledwithasenseofyourownvileness.This realizationwill strikedeepat the rootofanyindwellingsin.WhenJobclearlydiscoversthegreatnessandexcellenceofGod,he is filled with self-abhorrence; he is pressed to humiliation.175 And whenHabakkuk grasps the majesty of God, he affirms the state he is in: “When Iheard, my stomach turned; my lips quivered at the voice: decay entered mybones and I trembled, hoping Imight be left alone in the day of trouble.”176.“WithGodthereisterriblemajesty,”177saysJob.Forthisreason,thoseintheOldTestamentthoughtthatwhentheyhadseenGod,theywoulddie.TheScriptureisfilledwiththisself-humiliation.WhencomparedtoGod,itdescribesmenas“grasshoppers,” “worthless,” the “powder left on the scales afterweighing themountains.”178Maintainthistrainofthoughttodegradetheprideofyourheart,andtokeepyoursoulhumblewithinyou.Thereisnothingbettertoinsulateyoufromthedeceitsofsinthanthisframeofheart.PonderextensivelythegreatnessofGod.

2.Thinkabouthowunfamiliaryouarewithhim.Thoughyouknowenoughtokeepyoulowandhumble,thatissuchasmallpartofknowinghim!ContemplatinghisownignoranceiswhatthrewSolomonintosuchafearfulunderstandingofGod.“SurelyIamasstupidasacow,andhavenot the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor do I knowholiness.Whatmanhasmounted theskies,orclimbeddownfromthem?Who

hasgatheredthewindinhisfists?Whohasenclosedtheseasinamantle?Whohasdefinedtheendsoftheearth?Whatishisname,andwhatishisSon’sname,ifyoucantellme?”179Wrestlewiththistoknockdowntheprideofyourheart.WhatdoyouknowofGod?Howlittleitis!HowimmenseGodisinhisnature!Canyoulookwithoutterrorintotheabyssofeternity?Youcannotbearthelightofhisgloriousbeing.BecauseIconsiderthisveryusefulinourwalkwithGod,Iwillcontinueemphasizingit.Iwantittoleavealastingimpressiononthosewhodesire to walk humbly with God. Keep in mind, it must be offset with thatbrotherlyboldnesswehavebeengiveninJesusChristtoapproachthethroneofgrace.Consider, then, keeping your heart in continual awe of the majesty of God.Appreciate the fact that people of extraordinary accomplishment, those whoknow themost about communionwithGod, still knowvery little of him, andverylittleofhisglorywhiletheyareinthislife.GodrevealshisnametoMoses,and reveals themost glorious qualities of the covenant of grace.180 Yet all oftheseareonlythe“back”ofGod.181AllthatMosesknowsisminisculecomparedtotheperfectionofGod’sglory.Forthisreason,withspecificreferencetoMosesand in contrast toChrist, it is said, “Noman has ever seenGod,”182 not evenMoses, the most eminent among us.We speak a lot about God.We can talkabouthimalldaylong:hisways,hisworks,hisguidance;thetruthis,weknowverylittleofhim.Ourthoughts,ourmeditations, thewaywespeakabouthim,areunworthyofhisglory;noneofthemtrulyreflectshisperfection.You may say that Moses was under the law when God wrapped himself indarkness, cloaking his mind in clouds of smoke and hidden practices. Butthroughthegloryofthegospel,whichbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolight,Godcandidlyrevealedhimself.Wenowknowhimmuchmoreclearlyandaccurately.Wenowseehisface,andnotjusthisback,asMosesdid.TowhichIreply,1. I acknowledge there is a vast difference between the acquaintancewe nowhavewithGodafterspeakingtousthroughhisSon,183andtheacquaintancethesaintshadunderthelaw.Theireyeswereasgood,sharp,andclearasours,andtheirfaithandspiritualunderstandingwereequaltoourown.Theobjectoftheiraffectionwasasglorioustothemasheistous.Andyetthingsareindeedclearerto us today. The clouds are blown away and scattered.184The shadows of thenightaregoneandfledaway.Thesunisrisen,andthemeansofsightarebetterandclearerthanbefore.Evenso,2.TheuniqueimagethatMoseshadofGodinExodus34wasagospel-image,a

sight ofGod in his “graciousness,” etc.; and yetwhat he saw is calledGod’s“back.” That is, it was inferior to the full extent of God’s excellence andperfection.3.Theapostleextols thisgloryof lightabovethatof thelaw.Hedemonstratesthatnowthe“veil”whichcausedthedarknesshasbeentakenaway.With“open”(oruncovered)“facewebeholdthegloryoftheLord.”185Howdowebehold?“As in a glass.”186 And how do we see in a glass? Clearly? Perfectly?Unfortunatelynot!Hetellsushow“weseethroughaglass,darkly.”187Heisnotspeakingofatelescopethathelpsusseethingsfaraway.Wearestillfarshortofthe truth of things, even with the help of such instruments! It is a tarnishedmirrorhealludesto.Thereareonlyobscureimagesofthingsinitsreflection,notthethingsthemselves.Thisis thekindofsighthecomparesourknowledgeto.Healsotellsusthateverythingwelookat[NT:991bepo)“by”or“throughthisglass,”isin“ariddle”[NT:135enigma).Itisdarkandobscure.Andspeakingofhimself,someonemuchmoreclear-sightedthananyofus,hetellsusthathesaw“in part” [NT:3313 meros) . He saw only the back of heavenly things. Hecompares all the knowledge that he accumulated of God to a child’sunderstanding.188 It is an interest [NT:5426 phroneo) that comes short ofknowing it well [NT:1987 epistemai), more like coming to know [NT:1097ginosko).Inanyevent,“itshallbedestroyed,”ordoneaway.We know the limited comprehension and the uneasiness children have withthingsthataredifficult tounderstand.Weknowthataschildrengrowupthoseconceptionsvanish,andtheyareashamedofthem.Weinstructachildtolove,honor, believe, and obey his father; because of the child’s limited grasp ofscienceandothernotions,hisfatheracceptshischildishnessandfolly.Despiteall our confidence in our accomplishments, all our notions about God arechildishcomparedtohisinfiniteperfection.Welispandbabblelikeachild.Inwhatwesay,weshowourignoranceinourconceptionsandnotionsaboutGod.Welove,honor,believe,andobeyourFather;andbecauseofthatheacceptsourchildishthoughts,forthatiswhattheyare.Weseeonlyhisback,andweknowverylittleofhim.Forthisreasonweareoftencomfortedinourdistressbythepromisethat,“wewillseehimasheis.”Wewillseehim“facetoface.”Wewill“know him as we are known, comprehend that for which we arecomprehended.”189Butfornow,“weseehimnot.”Weseeonlyhisback.Weseehimnotasheis,notinhisperfectglory,butinadark,obscurerepresentation.The queen of Sheba heard a lot about Solomon, and fantasized about hismagnificence.Butwhensheactuallycameandsawhisglory,shewasforcedto

confesssheheardonlyhalfthestory.Wecanassumewehavegreatknowledge,clearandhighthoughtsofGod.Butwhenhefinallybringsusintohispresencewewill cryout, “Weneverknewhimashe actually is; one-thousandthofhisglory,perfection,andblessednessneverenteredourhearts.”

Theapostle tellsus thatwedonotknowwhatwewillbe like.190WeareevenlessabletoconceivewhatGodis,orwhatwewillfindhimtobe.IfweconsiderGodwhoisyet tobeknown,orweconsider thewaythroughwhichwemightknowhim,thenthefollowingwillbecomeapparent:

(1.)WeknowsolittleofGod,becauseitisGodwearetryingtoknow.

That is,Godhas told us repeatedly thatwecannotknow him.What elsecouldhemeanwhenhecallshimself invisible, incomprehensible,and thelike?Wedonot,andcannot,knowhimasheis.Weknowmoreaboutwhathe is not thanwhat he is. Sowhenhedescribes himself as immortal andinfinite,weknowonly thathe isnotmortal, finite,and limitedasweare.Thisisthereasonforthatgloriousdescriptionofhimasone,“Whoalonehas immortality,dwelling in the lightwhichnomancanapproach,whomno man has seen, nor can see.”191 His light is the kind no creature canapproach. He is not seen because we cannot bear the sight of him, notbecausehecannotbeseen.ThelightofGod,inwhomthereisnodarkness,forbids all access to him by any creature whatever. If we cannot lookdirectlyintothebrightsun,wearecertainlytooweaktobearthebeamsofGod’sinfinitebrightness.Whenweconsiderhisglory,aswassaid,thewisemancallshimself“acowwithouttheunderstandingofaman.”192Thatis,heknewnothingtocomparetoGod.AndsoheseemedtohavelostallhisunderstandingwhenhebegantoconsiderGod’sworkandhisways.Letusgetdowntosomespecificsinthismatter:

[1.]AsfarasthebeingofGod-wearesofarfromaknowledgeofit,frombeingabletoinstructeachotherbywordsanddescriptionsofit,that if we were to frame any conceptions about it in our mind, wewouldmakeanidolforourselves.Wewouldworshipagodofourownmaking,andnottheGodthatmadeus.Wemayaswellcarvehimoutofwoodorstoneas try to forman image inourminds.ThebestwecandowithourthoughtsofthebeingofGodistohavenothoughtsofit.Ourknowledgeofabeingisworthlesswhenallweknowisthatwedonotknowit.[2.]TherearesomethingsaboutGodwhichhetaughtustospeakof,

andtocontrolourspeechconcerning.Butwhenwehavedoneso,wedonotsee thesethingsthemselves,norknowthem.Allwecandoisbelieveandadmire.Wearetaught,andweprofess,thatGodisinfinite,omnipotent,andeternal.Weknowwhatargumentsand theoriesariseconcerning infinity, omnipresence, immensity, and eternity.We havewordsand ideasabout these things,butwhatexactlydoweknoworcomprehendofthem?Canthemindofmandoanythingotherthanbeswallowedupby such ablackhole?Howcan it conceiveofwhat itcannot express? Our understanding is “beast-like” when wecontemplatesuchthings.Wearetryingtounderstandasifwewerenotbeast-like.

Thebestourunderstandingcando isnot tounderstand,and to rest there.Weonlyhaveaglimpseofthebackofeternityandinfiniteness.WhatcanIsayabouttheTrinity,orhowdistinctpersonscanhavethesameindividualessence?Itisamysterythatmanydenybecausetheycannotunderstandit.WhocandescribethegenerationoftheSon,theprocessionoftheSpirit,orthedifferencebetween them?But Iwill not go any farther in particulars.That infinite and inconceivable distance betweenGod andus keeps us inthe dark. We have no sight of his face, nor clear understanding of hisperfection.WeknowGodmorebywhathedoesthanbywhatheis,morebydoingusgoodthanbyhisessentialgoodness.AsJobputsit,howsmallaportionofhimisheardbyallthis!193

(2.)WeknowlittleofGod,becauseitisbyfaithalonethatweknowhiminthislife.

I will not talk about nature impressing the hearts of all men with theknowledge that there is a God. Nor will I discuss whether men may berationally taught concerning God from the works of his creation andprovidence - they can see and behold it. But it has been the regrettableexperienceofallages,thatnooneeverglorifiedGodastheyoughttobasedontheseevidences.DespitealltheirknowledgeofGod,theywere“withoutGodintheworld.”TheprimaryandperhapstheonlyacquaintancewehavewithGodandhisrevelationcomesbyfaith.“OnewhocomestoGodmustbelievethatGodexists, and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.”194 Ourknowledge of him, and of his rewards, comes by believing. It is thefoundationofourcomingtohim,andofourobedience.“Wewalkbyfaith,

andnotbysight;”195[NT:1223,4102diapistis“causedbyconviction”].Itisbyfaith,so thatwewillnothaveanyexpress idea, image,or formof theOne in whom we believe. Faith is all the proof we have of “things notseen,”196.Basedonthenatureofit,andfromallitsrelatedconcerns,whatlittleweknowofGodisbyfaithalone.Astothesourceofourfaith,itisbuilt purely on the testimony of Him whom we have not seen. As theapostleasks,“Howcanyoulovehimwhomyouhavenotseen?”197Thatis,howcanyou lovesomeonewhomyouknowonlyby faith?Faithacceptseverything,includingChrist,basedonhistestimonyalone.Astoitsnature,faithistheresultofanassentbasedontestimony,nottheresultofevidencebased on a demonstration of some kind. And the object of this faith isbeyondus.For this reasonour faith,asobservedbefore, iscalled“seeingthrough a glass darkly.” Everything we know in this way is dark, andobscure-andallthatweknowofGod,weknowinthisway.

Youmaysay,“Allthisistrue,butonlyforthosewhodonotknowGodasheisrevealedinJesusChrist.Forthosewhodo,itisotherwise.”Thattooistrue.“NomanhaseverseenGodbuttheonly-begottenSon.Hehasrevealedhim,”198“TheSonofGodhas come, andhas givenus anunderstanding, thatwemayknowhimthatistrue.”199“TheilluminationofthegloriousgospelofChrist,whoistheimage of God,” shines upon believers.200 “God, who commanded the light toshineoutofdarkness,shinesintotheirhearts,togivethemtheknowledgeofhisgloryinthefaceofhisSon.”201Sothat“thoughweweredarkness,”yetwearenow“lightintheLord.”202Andtheapostlesays,“WeallwithopenfacebeholdthegloryoftheLord.”203Wearenowsofarfrombeinginsuchdarkness,oratsuch a distance from God, that “our communion and fellowship is with theFatherandwithhisSon.”204Yousay,thelightofthegospelthroughwhichGodisnowrevealedisglorious.Itisnotastar,butthesuninitsbeautyisrisenuponus,andtheveilistakenfromourfaces.Althoughunbelievers,andperhapssomeweakbelievers,maystillbeinsomedarkness,thosewhohavegrownorrealizedanysubstantialprogressintheirwalk,dohaveaclearviewofthefaceofGodinJesusChrist.TowhichIanswer,

(3.)NomatterhowmuchmoreweknowthroughJesusChrist,westillknowverylittle.

[1.]Thetruthis,weallknowenoughabouthimtolovehimmorethanwe do.We know enough to delight in him, serve him, believe him,

obey him, and put our trust in him, beyond all that we haveaccomplishedsofar.Ourdarknessandweaknessisnoexcuseforournegligence and disobedience. Who can say he has lived up to theknowledgethathehasoftheperfection,excellence,andwillofGod?God’spurposeingivingusanyknowledgeofhimselfhereisthatwemay “glorify him as God.” That is, we are to love him, serve him,believeandobeyhim,andgivehimallthehonorandglorythatisduefrom sinful creatures to a sin-pardoning God. We must allacknowledgethatwearenotthoroughlytransformedintotheimageofthatknowledgewhichwehavereceived.Hadweusedourtalentswell,wemighthavebeentrustedwithmore.[2.]Comparatively speaking, the knowledgewhichwe have ofGod,by the revelation of Jesus Christ in the gospel, is outstanding andglorious.ItisbetterthananyknowledgeofGodthatmightotherwisebeattained,orthatwasdeliveredinthelawundertheOldTestament.That revelationwasonly the shadowofgood things,not theexpressimageofthem.Theapostlepursuesthisatlengthin2Cor.3.ChristhasnowrevealedtheFatherfromhisownheartintheselastdays.Hehasdeclaredhisname,andmadeknownhismind,will,andcounsel inafarclearer,exalted,anddistinctmannerthanhedidunderthelaw.[3.]Thedifferenceinknowledgebetweenbelieversandunbelieversisnotsomuchinthematteroftheirknowledgeasinthemanneroftheirknowing.Someunbelieversmayknowmoreandbeable tosaymoreof God, his perfection and his will, than many believers. But theyknow nothing in the way they should, nothing in the right manner,nothing in a spiritual and saving way, nothing with a holy andheavenlylight.Theexcellenceofabelieverisnotthathehasabroadunderstanding of things, but that what little he does understand, heseesinthesaving,soul-transforminglightoftheSpiritofGod.ThisiswhatgivesuscommunionwithGod,notintellectualcuriosity.[4.]JesusChrist,byhiswordandSpirit,revealsGodasaFather,asacovenantGod, and as a rewarder to the hearts of all his people.Hedoesthissufficientlyineverywaytoteachustoobeyhimhere,toleadusintohispresence,andtoenjoyhimthereforeternity.Andyet,[5.]Despiteallthis,weknowonlyalittleportionofhim;weseeonlyhisback.Thatisbecause,1st.TheintentofallgospelrevelationisnottounveilGod’sessential

glorysothatwecanseehimasheis.Itismerelytodeclareasmuchofhimasheknowswillsufficetomakeafoundationforourfaith,love,and obedience, and for us to come to him. That is, it is to make afoundation for the faith that he expects from us in this life, and thekindofservicesappropriateforcreaturesinthemidstoftemptations.Butwhenhecallsustoeternaladmirationandcontemplationwithoutinterruption, he will make a new way to discover him. The wholeshapeofthingsthatnowappearsbeforeuswilldepartlikeashadow.2nd. We are ignorant and hesitant to receive the things that arerevealed in the word. Because of our infirmity and weakness, Godkeepsusincontinualdependenceonhimtoteachusaboutandrevealhimself out of his word. God never brings anyone to a completeunderstanding and discovery of what is in the word. Althoughrevelationinthegospelisclearandevident,wereallyknowverylittleofthethingsthatarerevealed.

Let us review the purpose of considering how little we know of God. AnappropriateunderstandingoftheinconceivablegreatnessofGod,andtheinfinitedistancewestandfromhim,shouldfillthesoulwithaholyandawe-filledfearofhim. If itdoes, thesoulwillbeput ina framecompletelyunsuitedforanylust to thrive or flourish. If we keep the soul continually accustomed toreverentialthoughtsofGod’sgreatnessandomnipresence,thenitwillbeonitsguardforanyinappropriatebehavior.ConsidertheOnewithwhomyouhavetodeal.“OurGod isaconsumingfire.”205 Inyourgreatest shame inhispresenceandsight,knowthatyourverynatureistoolimitedtocomprehendhisessentialglory.

CHAPTER13

PRECAUTIONSAGAINSTFALSEPEACE

When the heart is disturbed by sin, do not speak peace to it until GodspeakspeacetoitPeace, without detesting sin, is unwise; so is peace that we authorizeourselvesHowtoknowwhenweauthorizeourownpeaceDirectionsforauthorizingpeacetoourselvesTheuselessnessofspeakingpeacecarelessly;ordoingitsingularlyandnotuniversally.

TheNINTHdirection:DonotspeakpeaceaboutasinuntilGodspeaksit.IfGodmakes theheart uneasyabout theguilt of its sickness, as to its rootorindwelling, or its particular outbursts, be careful not to tell yourself to havepeaceaboutitbeforeGodtellsyoutohavepeace.Listentowhathesaystoyoursoul.Thisisournextdirection.Ifwefailtoobservethiscaution,theheartwillbeterriblyexposedtothedeceitfulnessofsin.Thishasgreatimportance.Itisasadthingforamantodeceivehisownsoulthisway.AllthewarningsGodtenderlygivesustotryandexamineourselves,tendtoprevent thisgreatevilofspeakingpeace toourselvesgroundlessly. It is likeblessingourselvesinoppositiontoGod.Itisnotmypurposetoprovethedangerofit,buttohelpbelieverspreventit,andtoletthemknowwhentheyaredoingit.Tomanagethisinstructioncorrectly,observethefollowing:

1.ItisthegreatprerogativeandsovereigntyofGodtogivegraceandpeacetowhomhepleases.

“Hehasmercyonwhomhewill.”206Amongallthesonsofmen,hecallswhomhepleases,andhesanctifieswhomhepleases.Amongthosecalledandjustified,amongthosehewillsave,amongthoseonwhomhehasbestowedgrace,hestillreserves the privilege to speak peace to whom he pleases, to the degree hepleases.

Heisthe“Godofallconsolation”inaspecialwayindealingwithbelievers.207

Thatis,ofthegoodthingsthathekeepslockedupforhisfamily,hegivesoutofthisstorehousetoallhischildrenathispleasure.TheLordinsistsondoingthis.“I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restorecomfortstohimandtohismourners.Icreatethefruitofthelips.Peace,peacetohim that is far off, and to him that is near, says the LORD, and I will healhim.”208ItisthesamecaseIammakinghere.WhenGodsaysthathewillhealtheirsinandsadness,heretains thisprivilegeforhimself inanspecialway.“Icreate thefruit.” Heissaying,“Evenfor thesepoorwoundedcreatures,Iwillcreatepeaceinaccordwithmysovereignty.IwilldistributeitasIplease.”For this reason,whatGod does is curious, aswewill findwhenwe examinesavinggraceforthoseinthestateofnature.Initsoutwardappearance,thewayhesaves someand leavesothers isoftencontrary toallprobableexpectations.That ishowit iswhenhecommunicatespeaceand joy to those in thestateofgrace.Hegivesoutpeaceandjoyquiteapartfromourexpectations,withoutanyapparentreasonforhisapportionment.

2.ItistheprerogativeofChristtospeakpeacehometotheconscience.JustasGodcreatespeaceforwhomhepleases,soitistheprerogativeofChristtospeak ithome to theconscience.The lukewarmchurchofLaodicea thoughtshe was rich because she had worldly wealth. But in fact she was spirituallypoor, blind, and naked. She healed her wounds falsely. She spoke peace toherselfwhensheshouldnothave.Addressing themin thebookofRevelation,Christ takes the title of primary witness, “I am the Amen, the faithfulWitness.”209 He testifiesconcerningour truecondition.Wemightmistakeourcondition, and trouble ourselves needlessly, or we might flatter ourselves onfalsegrounds.Buthe is the“Amen, the faithfulWitness.”Whathesaysaboutour condition is fact. It is said that he does not “judge after the sight of hiseyes.”210Hedoesnot judge according to anyoutward appearance, or anythingthatmaybesubjecttoamistake,aswearelikelytodo.Instead,hejudgesanddetermineseverycauseasitisindeed.

RulestoknowwhetherGodisspeakingpeaceaboutasinoritisfalsepeace:Take these twoprevious observations, and Iwill give some rules bywhich toknowwhetheritisGodspeakingpeacetous,orwhetherweareonlyspeakingpeacetoourselves.

Rule1:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifthereisnohatredofthesinorself-loathingMenarecertainlyspeakingpeacetothemselvesiftheydonothavethegreatesthatred imaginable of their sin, and theydonot abhor themselves for it.Whenmenarewounded,disturbed,andbewilderedbysin,andtheyknowthatthereisnoremedyapartfromthemercyofGodthroughthebloodofChrist,theylooktohim.Theylooktothepromisesofthecovenantinhim.Afterdoingso,theyquiettheirhearts.Theyknowthatitwillbewellwiththem.TheyknowthatGodwillbeexalted,andthathemaybegracioustothem.Butiftheirsoulsarenotdriventothegreatesthatredofthesinthatdisquietedthem,thenthishealing,thissenseofpeace,comesfromthemselves,andnotfromGod.It isstrongwindthat theLordisnear,buttheLordisnotinthewind.211Whenmentruly“lookonChristwhomtheyhavepierced,”withoutwhomthereisnohealingorpeace,theywill“mourn.”212Theywillmournforhimbecauseofthistransgressionoftheirs,andtheywilldetestthesinthatpiercedhim.WhenwegotoChristforhealing,faithlooksathimspecificallyastheonewhois pierced. Faith takes several views of Christ based on the circumstances inwhichheisaddressed,andbasedonthetypeofcommunionthatithaswithhim.Sometimes faithviewshisholiness, sometimeshispower, sometimeshis love,andsometimeshisfavorwithhisFather.Andwhenfaithgoestohimforhealingandforpeace,it looksespeciallyonthebloodofthecovenant,andonChrist’ssufferings.Thatisbecause“withhisstripeswearehealed,andthepunishmentforourpeacewasonhim.”213 Sowhenwelooktohimforhealing,hisstripesaretobeviewed,notintheiroutwardcruelstory(whichisthecoursetheRomanCatholicstake),butinthelove,kindness,mystery,anddesignofthecross.Andwhenwelooktohimforpeace,hispunishmentmustbeviewed.Ifthisisdoneaccording to themindofGod, and in the strength of theSpirit poured out onbelievers, it will produce a hatred of that sin for which healing and peace issought.Godtellsus,“NeverthelessIwillremembermycovenantwithyouinthedays of your youth, and Iwill establish an everlasting covenantwith you.”214

Andwhathappensthen?“Thenyouwillrememberyourways,andbeashamed.”WhenGod establishes a sure covenant of peacewith us, it fills the soulwithshameforallthewaysthroughwhichithasbeenalienatedfromhim.Andoneofthe things that the apostlementions as attending that godly sorrow, is revengeagainst the sin: “Behold, you had godly sorrow: what eagerness it evoked inyou, whatapologies,what indignation,what fear,whatvehementdesire,whatzeal,whatrevenge!”215TheCorinthiansreflectedontheirsinswith indignationandrevengefortheirfollyinthem.

AsJobrealizesthoroughhealing,hecries,“NowIabhormyself.”216Untilhedidso,hehadno lastingpeace.HemightperhapshaveexcusedhimselfbasedonthatdoctrineoffreegracesoexcellentlypreachedbyElihu,217buthewouldonlyhaveputabandageonhiswounds.Hemustreachself-abhorrenceifheistobehealed.So itwaswith those inPsalm78:33-35whosufferedgreat troubleandconfusionbroughtonbysin.TheyaddressGodinChrist,whichisevidentfromthe titles theyuse.They call him theirRock andRedeemer, twowordswhicheverywherepoint to theLordChrist. Ihavenodoubt that theyspokepeace tothemselves.Butwasitsoundandlasting?No.Itpassedawayliketheearlydew.Goddoesnotspeakonewordofpeacetotheirsouls.Butwhydidtheynothavepeace?Because,intheiraddresstoGod,theyflatteredhim.“Neverthelesstheyflatteredhimwiththeirmouth,andtheyliedtohimwiththeirtongues.”218

Buthowdoesthathappen?“Theirheartwasnotrightwithhim,norweretheyfaithfulinhiscovenant.”219Theydidnotdetestorrelinquishthesinaboutwhichtheyspokepeacetothemselves.Amanmaypetitionforhealingandpeace,makeittothetruePhysician,doitintherightway,andquiethisheartinthepromisesof the covenant. Yet, when peace is spoken, if it is not accompanied by thehatredandabhorrenceof that sinwhichwoundedhimandcausedhisdistress,thenthisisnotapeaceofGod’screating.Itisapeaceofhisownpurchasing.Heis simplyputtingabandageover thewound that remainsuntreatedbeneath. Itwillputrefy,rot,anddeteriorate,untilitbreaksoutagainwithscreams,pain,anddanger. Peoplewho speak peace to themselves know that the troublewith sininvolvesmorethanjusttheuncleannessthatcomeswithit.TheyknowenoughtoaskformercyfromtheLordinChrist.Andyettheykeepthesweetmorseloftheir sin under their tongue. Peoplewhowalk this path should never think tohavetrueandsolidpeace.Forinstance,youmayfindyourheartrunningaftertheworld.Thisdisturbsyouin your communionwithGod. The Spirit expressly says to you, “If anymanlovestheworld,theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim.”220ThissendsyoutoGodinChrist tohealyour soul andquietyourconscience;yetyoudonot thoroughlydetesttheevilitself.Ormaybeyoudetestitwellenough,butonlybecauseoftheconsequences.Perhapsyoumaybesaved,butnotwithoutgoingthroughfire.221

Godwillhavesomeworkwithyoubeforehe isdone.Butyouwillhave littlepeaceinthislife.Youwillbesickandweakallyourdays.222

ThisisadeceitthatliesattherootofthepeaceofmanywhoprofessChrist.Itexhausts their peace. They bargain with all their strength about mercy and

pardon,andtheyseemtohavegreatcommunionwithGodindoingso.Theyliebefore him and bewail their sins and follies. Anyone would think, as theyprobablydo,thatsurelytheyarenowpartedfromtheirsins.Andsotheyreceivethemercythatsatisfiestheirheartsforashorttime.Butwhencloselyexamined,theyhavekeptsomesecret reserve in theirhearts for their folly.At least, theyhavenothad the thoroughabhorrence that isnecessary topurge thissin.Theirentirepeaceisweakandrotten.Itwilllastonlyuntilthewordsbeggingforitarepasttheirlips.

Rule2:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifitisbasedonconvictionsandrationalconclusions.When men measure out peace to themselves based on their convictions andrationalconclusions,thisisafalsepeace,anditwillnotcontinue.IwillexplainalittlewhatImeanbythis.Amanhasawoundcausedbysin.Heisconvictedbyitinhisconscience.Hehasnotwalkeduprightinawayworthyofthegospel.Therefore,allisnotwellandrightbetweenGodandhissoul.Henowconsiderswhatshouldbedone.HehastheLightofScripture,andheknowswhatpathhemusttake.Heknowshowhissoulhasbeenhealedinthepast.HeconsidersthatthepromisesofGodaretheoutwardmeanshecanapplytohealhiswoundandquiethisheart.HesearchesforthesepromisesintheScripture,andfindsoneormoredirectlysuitedtohiscondition.Hesaystohimself,“Godspeaksaboutmysininthispromise.Iwillputonabandageaslongandaswideasmywound.”Andsoheappliesthewordofthepromisetohiscondition,andhesetshimselfdowninpeace.This issomeotherkindofappearanceonthemount.TheLordisnear,but theLordisnotinit.IthasnotbeentheworkoftheSpirit,whoalonecan“convinceus of sin, righteousness, and judgment.” 223These are themere actions of theintelligent, rational soul. We say there are three sorts of life: the vegetative(growing), the sensitive (responding to environment), and the rational orintelligent (analytical). Some things are only vegetative. Some are bothvegetative and sensitive. Some are rational, which includes both the others.Someonewho is rationalacts rationally,buthealsoactsaccording toboth theotherqualities:hegrowsandheisresponsive.ItislikethatwithmeninthethingsofGod.Somearemerenaturalandrationalmen, some have additional conviction with illumination, and some are trulyregenerate. Someone who is regenerate is also rational and enlightened.Therefore, sometimes he may act on rational principles, sometimes onenlightenedprinciples,andsometimesonregenerateprinciples.Histruespiritual

lifeisnotthestandardforallofhisbehavior.Hedoesnotalwaysactonthebasisofhisspiritualbeliefs,nordoallofhisfruitscomefromthatsource.InthiscaseI’m speaking of, he is merely acting on the principle of conviction withillumination,throughwhichhisrationalityisheightened;buttheSpiritdoesnotbreatheonallthesewatersatall.Takethisexample:Supposethewoundanddisquietinaman’ssouliscausedbyrelapses.Whatever theevilor follymaybe,nomatterhowsmall, therearenowounds given the soul that are deeper, nor have greater torment, than thosecaused by repeatedly returning to an evil. In his distress, the man finds thispromise,“TheLORDwillhavemercy,andourGodwillabundantlypardon.”224Thatis,Godwillmultiplyoraddtopardon;hewilldoitagainandagain.Orhefindsthispromise,“Iwillhealtheirbacksliding,Iwilllovethemfreely.”225Themanconsidersthesetwopromises,andbasedonthem,heconcludesthathemayhavepeace.Hedoessowhether theSpiritofGodapplies thispeace tohimornot,andwhetherthatgiveslifeandpowertotheletterofGod’swordornot.Hedoesnotevenconsidersuchthings.HedoesnotevenlistentowhethertheLordGodspeaksthispeacetohim.HedoesnotwaitforGod,whoperhapsstillhideshis face fromhim.He sees thepoorcreature stealingpeaceand runningawaywith it.Godknows that the timewillcomewhenhewilldealwithhimagain,andwhenhewillcallhimtoanewreckoning.226Buthewilldosoonlyafterthisman sees that it is useless to go anywhere thatGoddoes not take himby thehand.I see a number of other questions that arise and interpose themselves here. Icannotaddressthemall,butoneIwanttosayalittleabout.Itmaybesaid,“SeeingthatthisseemstobethepaththattheHolySpiritleadsusintohealourwoundsandquietourhearts,howdoweknowwhenwetakethispathalone,andwhentheSpiritalsoaccompaniesus?”Ans.(1.)Ifanyofyouareoutofthewayofthisrule,Godwillquicklyletyouknowit.Besidesthefactthatyouhavehispromisethat“hewillguidethemeekinjudgmentandteachthemhisway,”227hewillnot letyoucontinuetoerr.Hewillnotallowyournakednesstobecoveredwithfigleaves.Hewilltakethemawayandremoveallthepeacethatyoufindinthem.Hewillnotallowyoutosettleforsuchremnants.Youwillquicklyknowyourwoundisnothealed.Thatis, youwill quickly knowwhether you have stolen this peace.The peace youobtain this way will not last. While the mind is overpowered by its ownconvictions,thereisnothingfortheanxietytofixon.Waitalittle,andallthese

rationalizationswillgrowcoldandvanishbeforethefaceofthefirsttemptationthatarises.Ans. (2.) This course of rationalization is commonly taken without waiting,whichisthegrace.WaitingisthatuniqueactionoffaithwhichGodcallsforinsuch a condition. I know God does sometimes work on the soul instantly,woundingandhealingit,asIampersuadedwasDavid’scasewhenhecutoffthelapofSaul’sgarment.228Butordinarily,Godcallsforwaitingandlaboring,229asa servantmightwatchandwaitonhismaster.Says theprophet Isaiah, “IwillwaitontheLORD,whohideshisfacefromthehouseofJacob.”230Whentheyhaverunfromhishouse,Godwantshischildrentositonhisdoorstepawhile,andnotinstantlyrushinonhim.Iftheyaresoashamedthattheydarenotcometohim,he takes themby thehandandpulls theminside.Now,self-healers,ormenwhospeakpeacetothemselves,commonlyrushin.Theywillnothesitate.TheydonotlistentowhatGodsays,butonintheygotobehealed.231

Ans. (3.) Such a course of action, though itmay quiet the conscience and themind,doesnotsweetentheheartwithrestandgraciouscontentment.Theanswerit receives ismuch like the one Elisha gave toNaaman, “Go in peace.”232 Itquietedhismind,butIquestionwhetheritsweetenedhisheart,orgavehimanyjoy in believing, other than the natural joy that came over himwhen he washealed.“Donotmywordsdogood,”233askstheLord?WhenGodspeaks,thereisnotonlytruthinhiswordstoanswertheconvictionofourunderstanding,buthis words also do good. They bring soothing which is sweet, and good, anddesirabletothewillandtotheemotions.Bythesewords,the“soulreturnstoitsrest.”234

Ans. (4.)Theworst aspectof rationalizing, is that itdoesnot improve the life,norheal the evil, nor cure thedisease.WhenGod speakspeace, it guides andkeepsthesoulsothatit“doesnotreturnagaintofolly.”235Whenwespeakpeaceto ourselves, the heart is not dissuaded from its evil. It is the surest way topractice backsliding.After bandaging yourself, if you find you are in a battleagain,ratherthanbeingcompletelyweanedfromyoursin,thenitistooobviousthatyouhavebeenworkingonyourownsoul.JesusChristandhisSpiritwerenot there. Often, having done its work, our intellectual nature comes for itsreward after only a fewdays.That is, having instigated this false healing, theintellect is ready to justify applying its own peace again when a newwoundoccurs.WhenGodspeakspeace,thereissomuchsweetness,andsuchrevealingofhislove,thatitstronglyobligatesthesoultoturnbackfromthissin.236

Rule3:Wespeakpeacetoourselveswhenwedoitcarelessly.Theprophetcomplainsofthisinsometeachers:“Theyhavehealedthewoundofthedaughterofmypeoplecarelessly.”237Thesameistruewithsomewhohealtheirownwoundswithacarelesseffort.Aglanceoffaithtothepromiseswilldoit, andwe aredone.The apostle tells us that “theworddidnot benefit” somebecause“itwasnotmixedwith faith,”238 [NT:4786sugkerannumi].“Itwasnotwell tempered” and mingled with faith. It is not a mere look to the word ofmercy in thepromise thatheals,butmingling thepromisewith faithuntil it isincorporatedintoitsverynature.Thenthewordwillindeeddothesoulgood.Ifyou had awound in your conscience thatwas accompanied byweakness andanxiety,andyouarenowfreedofit,howdidyoumanagethat?“Ilookedtothepromises of pardon and healing, and so I found peace.” Thatmay be so, butperhaps you were too hasty. Youwere too obvious. You have not fed on thepromise in away thatmixes itwith faith, and diffuses all its virtue into yoursoul.Youdid itcarelessly.Before longyouwill findyourwoundbreakingoutagain,andyouwillknowthatyouarenotcured.

Rule4:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifweareholdingontoanothersin.Someonemayspeakpeacetohimselfaboutoneevil,whilehavinganotherevil,ofnolessimportancetohisspirit,thathehasnotbroughttoGod.Thatmancries“Peace”whenthereisnone.Alittletoexplainmymeaning:perhapsamanhasneglectedaspiritualdutyagainandagain,whenbyrightsitwasduefromhim.Hisconscience is troubled.His soul iswounded.Hehasnoquiet inhisbonesbecauseofhissin.Heapplieshimselftohealing,andhefindspeace.Meantimethereremainsinhisheartworldliness,orpride,orsomeotherfollythatseriouslygrievestheSpiritofGod.Itdoesnotbotherhim,nordoeshebotherit.HehadbetternotthinkanyofhisallegedpeacecomesfromGod.ItisbettertohaveanequalrespectforallofGod’scommandments.Godwilljustifyusfromoursins,buthewillnotjustifythesmallestsininus.“HeisaGodofpurereyesthantogazeatwickedness.”239

Rule5:Godisnotspeakingpeaceifthereisnohumiliationinoursouls.Whenmenspeakpeace to their conscienceson theirown,Godseldomspeakshumiliation to their souls.God’s peace is a humbling peace, amelting peace.ThiswasDavid’scase.Hewasnever indeeperhumiliation thanwhenNathanbroughthimnewsofhispardon.240

Youask,“Whenmaywetakethecomfortofapromiseasourown,anduseitto

quietourheartinresponsetosomeparticularwound?”First,generallywhenGodspeakspeace,hemaydoitintheveryinstantofthesin itself.Hedoes itwithsuchirresistiblepower that thesoulmustreceivehismind in it. Sometimes he makes us wait longer. But when he does speak,whethersoonerorlater,whetherwearesinningorrepenting,andregardlessofthe conditionof our souls, ifGod speaks, hemust be acknowledged.There isnothinginourcommunionwithhimthattroublestheLordmore,ifImaysayso,thanourunbelievingfearsthatkeepusfromreceivingthestrongconsolationthatheissowillingtogiveus.Youmaynowsay,“WhenGodspeakspeace,wemust receive it.That is true.Buthowwillweknowwhenhespeaks?”

(1.) Iwishwe could all get to the point of receiving peacewhenwe areconvinced thatGod speaks it, and realize that it is our duty to receive it.But,(2.)Thereisasecretinstinctinfaith,throughwhichitknowsthevoiceofChrist when he speaks. Just as the baby leaped in the womb when theblessedVirgincametoElizabeth,faithleapsintheheartwhenChristdrawsnear to it.“Mysheep,”saysChrist,“knowmyvoice.”241“Theyknowmyvoice; theyareused to the soundof it.”and theyknowwhenhis lipsareopenedtothem,fullofgrace.Thespousewassadandsecurelyasleep,butas soon as Christ spoke, she cries, “It is the voice of my beloved thatspeaks!”242 She knew his voice. She was so familiar with him, that sheinstantlyrecognizedhim,andsowillyou.Ifyoumakeanefforttoacquaintyourselfwithhimandcommunewithhim,youwilleasilydiscernbetweenhisvoiceandthevoiceofastranger.

Andtakethiswithyou:whenhedoesspeak,hespeakslikenomaneverspoke.He speaks with power. One way or another he will make your “hearts burnwithinyou,”ashedidtothedisciples.243Hedoesitby“puttinghishandthroughtheholeofthedoor,”244,byputtinghisSpiritinyourheartstotakeholdofyou.Thepersonwhoexerciseshissensestodiscerngoodorevil,whoimproveshisjudgmentandexperiencebyconstantlyobservingChrist’smethods,bystudyingthewaytheSpiritoperates,andtheeffecthispeaceusuallyproduces,isthebestjudgeforhimselfwhetheritisChristwhospeaks.Secondly, if thewordof theLorddoesyour soulgood, thenhespeaks it. If ithumbles you, cleanses you, and is useful for those purposes for which thepromises are given (to endear, to cleanse, to melt and bind to obedience, to

empty yourself, etc.), then he speaks it. If you do not see these things in thepeaceyoureceive,thenitisnotfromGod,andsinwillhaveagreatopportunitytohardenyourheart.

CHAPTER14

NECESSITYOFFAITHINCHRIST

ThegeneraluseofthepreviousdirectionsHowtoaccomplishtheworkaimedat:actwithfaithinChristSeveralwaysthroughwhichthismaybedoneConsiderthesufficiencyofChristforreliefGreatexpectationsfromChristGroundsfortheseexpectations:hismercifulnessandfaithfulnessEventsoftheseexpectations:onthepartofChrist;onthepartofbelieversFaithonwhichweactisbasedonthedeathofChrist,Rom.6:3-6TheworkoftheSpiritinallofthis

Alltheconsiderationspreviouslyexpressedprepareustomortifysin,ratherthanaccomplish it. I have been focusing on sufficiently preparing the heart for thework itself. Without this preparation, mortification will not be accomplished.Specificdirectionsfortheworkitselfareveryfew.Theyfollow:

1.SetyourfaithonenlistingChristtokillyoursin.Hisblood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls.Live in this belief,andyouwilldieaconqueror.Truly,youwill livetoseeyourlustdeadatyourfeetthroughthegoodprovidenceofGod.“HowdoesfaithenlistChristforthispurpose?”Severalways:

(1.)Byfaith,fullyconsidertheprovisionwehaveinJesusChristforthispurpose.Ifyoudo,thenallyourlusts,includingtheparticularlustyouareentangledby, may be mortified. By faith ponder this: although you are unable toconqueryourdiseasebyyourself,andyouarewearyoffightingwithit,andyou are exhaustedby it, there is enough strength in JesusChrist to bringyou relief. “I candoall things throughChristwhostrengthensme.”245 Itsustainedtheprodigalsonwhenhewasreadytofaint,knowing that therewasenoughbreadstoredinhisfather’shouse.246Althoughhewasstillatadistance,theknowledgethatitwasthererelievedhim,andbracedhim.Inyour greatest distress and anguish, consider that fullness of grace. 247

Considerthoseriches,thosetreasuresofstrength,might,andhelp,thatarestoredinChristforoursupport.“TheythatwaitontheLORDwillrenewtheir strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles.”248 Let theseconsiderationsenterandremaininyourmind.Considerthatheis“liftedupandmadeaPrinceandaSavior togiverepentance to Israel.”249 Ifhe isaSaviortogiverepentance,thenheisaSaviortogivemortification,withoutwhichthereisnorepentance.Christtellsusthatweobtainpurginggracebyremaininginhim.250IfweactinrelianceonthefullnesswehaveinChrist,then we have an excellent way to remain in Christ, because both ourgraftinginandourindwellingcomebyfaith.251

Letyoursouladmitthis:“Iamapitiful,weakcreature,unstableaswater.Icannotexcel.Thiscorruption is toohardforme,and it ison thevergeofruining my soul. I do not know what to do. My soul has become likeparched ground, and a habitat for dragons. I have made promises andbrokenthem;vowsandengagementshavemeantnothingtome.IhavehadmanytemptationsoverwhichIgotthevictory.Ishouldbedelivered,butIam deceived. So I can plainly see thatwithout some superior help, I amlost.IfIcontinueonthispath,IwillbetriumphedoveruntilIcompletelyrelinquishGod.Butalthoughthis ismycondition, let thehands thathangdownbe lifted up, and theweakknees be strengthened.Behold theLordChrist,whohasallthefullnessofgraceinhisheartandallthefullnessofpower in his hand. 252He is able to slay all thesewho are his enemies.”TherearesufficientprovisionsinChristformyreliefandassistance.Hecantakemydrooping,dyingsoulandmakememorethanaconqueror.253

Whydoyousay,mysoul,thatmywayishiddenfromtheLORD,andmycaseispassedoverbymyGod?HaveyounotknownorheardthattheeverlastingGod, theLORD, theCreatorof theendsof theearth,does not faint, and is not weary? There is no searching hisunderstanding.Hegivespowertothefaint;andtothosethathavenomighthe increasesstrength.Eventheyouthswill faintandbeweary,and the youngmen shall completely collapse:but those thatwait ontheLORDwillrenewtheirstrength;theywillmountupwithwingslikeeagles;theywillrun,andnotbeweary;theywillwalkandnotfaint.254

Hecanmakethe“dry,parchedgroundofmysoulbecomeapool,andmythirsty,barrenheartspringsofwater.”Indeed,hecanmakethishabitatofdragons, this heart, so full of abominable lusts and fiery temptations, a

placefor“grass”andfruitforhimself.”255

Whentemptedbyhisthorn,GodbracedPaulbyconsideringhisgrace:“Mygraceissufficientforyou,”256Thoughhewasnotgivengraceimmediatelytofreehimfromhis temptation, thefact that therewassufficientgrace inGod to do just that, was enough to brace his spirit. So then, by faithconsiderthesupplyofgraceanditsfullnessinJesusChrist.Considerhowhecangiveyoustrengthandfreedomatanytime.Byconsideringthis,evenifyoudonotconquerit,youwillremaininthechariotsothatyouwillnotflee the field until the battle is over. You will be kept from completedespair, and from collapsing under your unbelief. Youwill be kept fromturning to falsemeans and remedies that do nothing to relieve you. Theeffectivenessofthisconsiderationwillbefoundonlybypracticingit.

(2.)BolsteryourheartbyfaithtoexpectrelieffromChrist.Reliefinthiscaseisliketheprophet’svision,“Itisforanappointedtime.But after, it will speak and not lie. Though it takes its time, wait for it,because it will surely come. It will not be late.”257 While you are stilltroubled, the wait may seem long to you. Nonetheless, relief will surelycomeattheappointedtimeoftheLordJesus(whichisthebestseason).IfyoucanbolsteryourhearttodefinitelyexpectrelieffromJesusChrist,thenyoursoulwillbesatisfied.Ifyoureyesare towardshim“as theeyesofaservant to the hand of hismaster”when he expects to receive somethingfromhim, 258 thenhewill certainly rescueyou.Hewill slay the lust, andyouwillrealizepeace.Onlylookforit inhishand;expectwhenandhowhewilldoit.“Ifyouwillnotbelieve,surelyyouwillnotbeestablished.”259

Youmayask,“Whatgroundsdo Ihave for suchanexpectation, so that Imaynotbedeceived?”Youdonothaveachoice.Ofnecessityyoumusttakethiscourse.Youmustbe relievedandsaved in thiswayornotat all.Towhomwillyougo? 260

TherearecountlessthingsintheLordJesustoencourageandengageyouinthisexpectation. I spokeof itsnecessitybefore,whenIdemonstrated thatmortificationistheworkoffaith,anditisforbelieversonly.“Withoutme,”saysChrist,“youcandonothing.”Hewasspeakingespeciallyofpurgingtheheartfromsin.261Mortificationofanysinmustbebyasupplyofgrace.Wecannotdoitourselves.

Now,“ithaspleasedtheFatherthatinChristallfullnessshoulddwell,”262sothat

“ofhisfullnesswemightreceivegraceforgrace.”263Heistheheadfromwhichthe newmanmust receive his influence of life and strength, or hewill decayevery day. If we are “strengthened with might in the inner man,” 264 it is by“Christ’sdwelling inourheartsbyfaith.”265 Ihavealsoshownbefore that thiswork isnot tobedonewithout theSpirit.Fromwhere, then,doweexpect theSpirit?Fromwhomdowelookforhim?Whohaspromisedhimtous,havingprocuredhim forus?Shouldn’t allourexpectations for theSpirit’shelpbeonChristalone?Letthis,then,befixedinyourheart:ifyoudonothaverelieffromChrist,thenyouwillneverhaveanyreliefatall.Allways,allendeavors,andallstruggles that are not prompted by this expectation of relief fromChrist, andfromhimalone,servenopurpose.Theywilldoyounogood.Indeed,iftheydoanythingotherthansupportyourheartinthisexpectation,oriftheyarenotthemeansappointedbyChristtoreceivehelpfromhim,thentheyareuseless.

Tofurtherengageyouinthisexpectation,(1.)ConsiderChrist’smercifulness,tenderness,andkindness.HeisourgreatHighPriestattherighthandofGod.Certainlyhepitiesyouin your distress. He says, “As one comforted by his mother, so I willcomfort you.”266 He has the tenderness of a mother to a suckling child.“Therefore,inallthingshewasobligedtobemadelikehisbrothers,thathemightbeamercifulandfaithfulhighpriest in the thingsofGod, tomakereconciliationforthesinsofthepeople.Becausehehimselfsufferedbeingtempted,heisabletorelievethosethatarebeingtempted.”267How is Christ’s ability affected by his suffering? “Because he himselfsufferedbeingtempted,heisable…”DidthesufferingsandtemptationsofChrist add to his ability and power?Not in themselves. The ability hererefers to its readiness, proneness, and willingness to exert itself. It is anabilityofwillagainstalldissuasions.Heisable,havingsufferedandbeentempted, to break through all dissuasions to the contrary, to relieve poortempted souls: “He is able to help.” [NT:1426 dunamai “power”] It is afigureofspeechfortheeffect.Hecannowbemovedtohelp,havingbeensotempted.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with ourfrailty.Hewasinallwaystemptedasweare,yethedidnotsin.Letustherefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpinourtimeofneed.268

Theexhortation inHeb.4:16 speaks to the issueof expecting relief fromChrist, which the apostle calls “grace for opportune help,”[NT:5485,996,2121 charis… boetheia eukairos]. Says the soul, “If everhelpwereopportune,itwouldberightnow.ThisiswhatIlongfor:gracefor opportune help. I am ready to die, to perish, to be lost forever;wickednesswill triumph overme if help does not come.” The apostle issaying,“Expectthishelp,thisrelief,thisgracefromChrist.”Indeed,butonwhatbasis?Thebasisislaiddowninverse15:Christsympathizeswithourfrailty. Note verse 16, “that wemay obtainmercy.” Thewordwhichwehave translated to “obtain” is [NT:2983 lambano], “Thatwemay receiveit.”Suitable and opportune helpwill come. Bolster the soul by faith. Expectrelief from JesusChrist269because of hismercifulness as our high priest.Thisonethingwilldomoretoruinyourlustandaffliction,anddoitbetterandfaster, thanthemostrigidmeansofself-denialanymaneverengagedin. Truly, let me add that no one who could bolster his soul by faith toexpectrelieffromJesusChrist,270everdidoreverwillperishbythepowerofalust,sin,orcorruption.

(2.)ConsiderthefaithfulnessoftheOnewhohaspromised.Thismay bolster and confirm youwhile you arewaiting expectantly forrelief.Hehaspromised to relieveus in suchcases, andhewill fulfill hisword completely. God tells us that his covenant with us is like the“ordinances”ofheaven,thesun,moon,andstars,whichhavetheircertaincourses.271Accordingly,DavidsaidthathewatchedforrelieffromGod“asonewatchedforthemorning.”272Itisathingthatwillcertainlycomeinitsappointed season, and sowill your relief fromChrist. Itwill come in itsseason like dew and rain on parched ground, because the one who haspromisedisfaithful.SpecificScripturalpromisesforthispurposearefoundthroughouttheBible.Alwaysbereadytofurnishsomeonewithafewthatseemuniquelysuitedtohiscondition.Now, there are two excellent advantages which always attend thisexpectationofassistancefromJesusChrist:

[1.]SuchexpectationenlistsChrist’squickandcompleteassistance.

If someone has offered to help and promises to give relief, thennothing will enlist his heart to be useful and helpful more thansomeone else expecting it. Our Lord Jesus has encouraged this

expectationinusbyhiskindness,hiscare,andhispromises.Certainlyourexpectationmustengagehimtoassistusaccordingly.ThePsalmistgivesus thisasareliablemaxim,“You,LORD,neverabandonthosewhoputtheirtrustinyou.”273OncetheheartiswontorestinGod,toreposeonhim,Godwillcertainlysatisfyit.Hewillneverbelikewaterthatfailstoquench.NorhashesaidatanytimetotheseedofJacob,“Youseekmyfaceinvain.” IfChrist ischosenasthesourceofoursupply,thenhewillnotfailus.[2.]SuchexpectationmakestheheartattentivelylistenforChrist.

Such expectation makes the heart diligently pay attention to all theways and means through which Christ is likely to communicatehimself to the soul. It accepts the real assistance of all graces andordinances.Ifweexpectsomethingfromaman,weapplyourselvestoallthewaysandmeansthroughwhichhishelpmaybeobtained.Thebeggarwhoexpects analm lies in thedoorwayor in thepathof thepersonfromwhomheexpectstoreceiveit.Christ’sordinancesaretheway through which he ordinarily communicates himself to us.Someone who expects something from him must attend to hisordinances. It is faith’sexpectation that sets theheart towork in thisway.

Iamnottalkingaboutanidle,orgroundlesshope.Ifthereisanystrength,effectiveness,andpowertomortifyasinthroughprayerorsacrament,thenthisexpectationofrelieffromChristwillcertainlymakeamaninterestedinit.Hence, I reduceallmybehavior,whetherbyprayer,meditation,or thelike,tothisfoundationaltruth:IcanexpecthelpfromChristbyit.Thereisnootherneedtoemphasizethesedisciplineswhentheyarefoundedonthisbaseandspringfromthisroot.Theyareuniquelysuitedtothispurposeofexpectinghelp,andnoother.

Now,asforthisdirectiontomortifyaprevailinglust,youmayhaveathousandproofsthatexpectinghelpfromChristiscrucialtomortifyingsin.AnyonewhohaswalkedwithGodundersuchtemptation,hasfounditusefulandsuccessful.Iwill leave this topic without adding any more. I will only mention someparticularsrelatingtowhathasbeen.

First,letyourfaithactspecificallyonChristcrucifiedandslain.Letyourfaithactspecificallyonthedeath,blood,andcrossofChrist;thatis,onChristcrucifiedandslain.Mortificationofsinflowsuniquelyfromthedeathof

Christ.Hediedtodestroytheworksofthedevil.Itisoneexceptionaloutcomeof the death ofChrist thatwill certainly be fulfilled.Whatever cameover ournaturebythedevil’sfirsttemptation,whatevergainsstrengthinusbythedevil’sdailypropositions,Christdiedtodestroyitall.“Hegavehimselfforus,thathemight redeemus fromallwickedness, andpurify forhimself a specialpeople,zealousofgoodworks.”274Thiswashisaimandintentingivinghimselfforus(andhewillnotfail).Hisdesignwastofreeusfromthepowerofoursins,andpurify us from all our defiling lusts. “He gave himself for the church, that hemight sanctify and cleanse it, that he might present it to himself a gloriouschurch.Itwouldnothaveaspot,awrinkle,orablemish,butinsteaditwouldbeholy.”275 And, in varying degrees, thiswill be accomplished as a result of hisdeath.

Forthisreason,ourwashing,purging,andcleansingisattributedtohisblood.276

Sprinklingitonus“purgesourconsciencesfromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod.”277 This is what we aim at. This is what we pursue: to purge ourconsciencesfromdeadworks,androotouttheseactsofdeath,destroyingthemsotheynolongerhaveaplaceinus.Thiswillcertainlybebroughtaboutbythedeath of Christ, and virtue will bloom from it for this purpose. Indeed, allsupplies of theSpirit, all communications of grace and power, come from thedeathofChrist,asIhaveshownelsewhere.278Thisishowtheapostlestatesit:“How can we, who are dead to sin, live in it any longer?”279 Dead to sin byprofession; dead to sinbecause it is our obligation; dead to sinbecausevirtueandpowerareprovidedtokillit;deadtosinbecauseofourunionwithandourregardforChristthroughwhomitiskilled:howcanweliveinsin?Paulpressesthisusingseveralconsiderationsintheensuingverses.Allofthemare taken from the death ofChrist. Thismust not be: “Do you not know thatthoseofuswhowerebaptizedintoJesusChristwerebaptizedintohisdeath?”280

Baptism is evidence thatwe are implanted intoChrist, baptized into him.Butwhatinterestdowegaininhimbybeingbaptized?“Hisdeath,”Paulsays.IfweareindeedbaptizedintoChrist,beyondmereformality,thenwearebaptizedintohisdeath.TheapostlegivesusanexplanationofbeingbaptizedintothedeathofChrist in Romans 6:4, 6. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism intodeath, so that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of theFather, we may also walk in newness of life. Knowing that our old man iscrucifiedwithhim,renderingthebodyofsinwithouteffect,weshouldnotservesinasaslaveanymore.”Heissaying,“Thisisbeingbaptizedintothedeathof

Christ,namely,tobedeadtosin,tohaveoursinsputtodeathjustashewasputtodeathforoursins.Thiswasdoneso thatwemayberaisedup tograceandnewnessoflife,justashewasraiseduptoglory.”HetellsuswhywehavethisbaptismintothedeathofChrist:“Ouroldmaniscrucifiedwithhim,sothatthebody of sinmight be destroyed,”281 [NT:4957 sustauroo]. It is “crucifiedwithhim,”notastoitstiming,butastoitscause.Wearecrucifiedwithhim,

•meritoriously,inthatheprocuredtheSpiritforustomortifysin;•efficiently,inthatfromhisdeathvirtuebloomstoenableustocrucifysin;•representatively,inthatwewillcertainlybecrucifiedtosin,justashewasforoursin.

Thisiswhattheapostlemeans:byhisdeath,Christdestroyedtheworksofthedevil,procuredtheSpiritforus,andkilledthereignofsininbelieversinsuchawaythatitwillnotrealizeitsgoal,whichistocontrolanddestroyus.

Secondly,expectpowerandthenendeavortoconformtoChrist.LetyourfaithactonthedeathofChristintwoways:firstbyexpectingpower,andthenbyendeavoringtoconform.282Forthefirst,thegeneraldirectionIgaveabove should suffice.As for the latter, the apostle’s directionmay shed somelight. Let faith look on Christ as he is described in the gospel: dying andcrucifiedforus.Lookathimundertheweightofoursins,praying,bleeding,anddying.283Byfaithbringhimin thatcondition intoyourheart.Applyhisblood,shed foryou, toyoursin -anddo itdaily. Imightgoonatgreat lengthusingvariousexamples,butImustcometoaclose.

2.TheworkoftheSpiritinmortification.AllIhavelefttoaddistheworkoftheSpiritinthisbusinessofmortification,whichissouniquelyassignedtohim.Thiswholework,whichIhavedescribedasourduty,isaccomplishedinallitsaspectsbythepoweroftheSpirit.Suchas,

(1.)TheSpiritaloneconvictstheheartofitssin.Healoneclearlyandfullyconvincestheheartoftheevil,theguilt,andthedangerof the immorality, lust, or sin that is to bemortified.Without thisconviction,orwhile it issofaint that theheartcanhardlywrestlewithorabsorbit,therewillbenoprogress.Anunbelievingheart(asweallpartlyhave)willsidestepanyconsiderationofsinuntilitisoverpoweredbyclearandobviousconvictions.Now,thisis

theproperworkof theSpirit:“Heconvicts theworldofsin.”284Healonecandoit.Ifmen’srationalconsiderationofthewordwereabletoconvincethem of sin, we would see more convictions than we do. Preaching thewordletsmenunderstand thattheyaresinners,andthatcertainthingsaresins,andthattheyareguiltyofthem,butthislightisnotpowerfulenough.It does not lay hold of the practical beliefs of the soul in a way thatconformsthemindandwilltothem,andproducesbehaviorappropriatetosuchanunderstanding.Andsowiseandknowledgeablemen,whodonothave theSpirit,donotconsiderthebehaviorassociatedwithlusttobesinsatall.TheSpiritaloneconvictsthemofit.ThisisthefirstthingtheSpiritdoestomortifyalust.Itconvinces the soul of all the evil of its lust. It cuts off all of its protests,discoversallitsdeceits,stopsallitsevasions,andanswersallitspretenses.Itmakesthesoulownitsabomination,andmakesitsubmitinrecognitionofit.Unlessthisisdone,allthatfollowsisinvain.

(2.)TheSpiritalonerevealstousthefullnessofChristforourrelief.This is the consideration that keeps the heart from false ways and fromdespair.285

(3.)TheSpiritalonebolstersthehearttoexpectrelieffromChrist.

Thisisthegreatsovereignmeansofmortification,aswediscovered.286

(4.)TheSpiritalonebringsthecrossofChristintoourheartswithitssin-killingpower.TheSpiritbaptizesusintothedeathofChrist

(5.)TheSpiritistheauthorandfinisherofoursanctification.He gives new supplies and influences of grace for our holiness andsanctification,whenthecontrolofsinisweakened.287

(6.)TheSpiritsupportsthesoul’spetitionstoGod.Inallthesoul’spetitionstoGodwhileitisinthiscondition,ithassupportfrom the Spirit. Where do the power, life, and strength of prayer comefrom? Wheredoes itseffectivenesscomefromtoprevailwithGod? Dothese not come from the Spirit? He is the “Spirit of earnest prayer”promisedtothose“wholookattheonetheyhavepierced,”288whoenables

them“topraywithsighsandgroansthatcannotbeexpressed.”289

ThisisthegreatwaythatfaithprevailswithGod.ThatishowPauldealtwithhistemptation,whateveritwas:“IpleadedwiththeLordthatitmightleaveme.”290

ItistheworkoftheSpiritinprayerthatassistsusandmakesusvictorious.Itisnotmypresentintenttodemonstratehowandbywhatmeanshedoesthat,norwhatwearetodosothatwemayenjoyhishelpforthatpurpose.291

TheEnd

Notes

[←1]Rom.6:23

[←2]Rom.10:3,4;John15:5

[←3]Rom.6:19

[←4]Matt.3:10

[←5]Rom.8:6

[←6]Gal.5:24

[←7]Rom.6:6

[←8]Rom.6:8

[←9]Rom.6:3-5

[←10]Gal.5:17

[←11]Gal.6:8

[←12]1Thess.3:8

[←13]Col.3:5;1Cor.9:27

[←14]Phil.3:12;1Cor.13:12;2Pet.3:18;Gal.5:17,etc.

[←15]Rom.7:23;James4:5;Heb.12:1

[←16]Gal.5:17;2Pet.1:4,5;Rom.7:23

[←17]Rev.3:2;Heb.3:13

[←18]Col.3:1-5

[←19]John15:2

[←20]1Cor.9:27

[←21]Phil.3:12

[←22]2Cor.4:16

[←23]1Cor.13:12

[←24]2Pet.3:18

[←25]Gal.5:17

[←26]IJohn1:8

[←27]Rom.7:24

[←28]Phil.3:21

[←29]Gal.6:9;Heb.12:1;2Cor.7:1

[←30]Rom.7:23

[←31]James4:5

[←32]Gal.5:17

[←33]James1:14

[←34]Rom.7:18-19

[←35]Mk.7:23

[←36]Gal.5:17

[←37]Heb.12:1

[←38]Gal.5:19-21

[←39]Prov.30:15,16

[←40]Heb.3:13

[←41]Gal.5:17

[←42]2Pet.1:4,5

[←43]2Cor.4:16

[←44]Rev.3:2

[←45]Heb.3:13

[←46]Ps.31:10,51:8

[←47]Ps.38:3-5

[←48]Ps.40:12,Isa.33:25

[←49]2John8

[←50]2Cor.7:1.

[←51]1Pet.2:2,2Pet.3:18

[←52]2Cor.4:16

[←53]Gal.5:19-21

[←54]IJohn1:7,Tit.2:14

[←55]Acts5:31

[←56]Tit.2:11,12

[←57]2Pet.2:20

[←58]Thisideaof“walking”isametaphorforactingouttheChristianlifeoffaith.

[←59]Ezek.11:19,36:26

[←60]Gal.5:19-23

[←61]Ezek.11:19,36:26

[←62]Isa.57:17,18

[←63]John15:5

[←64]Acts5:31

[←65]Acts2:33

[←66]Tit.3:5

[←67]Isa.4:4

[←68]Phil.2:13

[←69]Isa.26:12

[←70]2Thess.1:11,Col.2:12

[←71]Rom.8:26,Zech.12:10

[←72]Ps.88

[←73]Isa.57:18,19

[←74]Rom.8:16

[←75]Ps.38:3

[←76]Ps.40:12

[←77]IJohn.2:15,3:17

[←78]Hos.5:13

[←79]Rev.3:2

[←80]Phil.3:12

[←81]Col.2:10

[←82]Acts8:23

[←83]2Cor.7:11

[←84]Ps.78:32-37

[←85]Gen.6:5

[←86]Rom.13:14.

[←87]1Pet.2:11

[←88]James1:14,15

[←89]ICor.6:18

[←90]Gal.5:24

[←91]2Cor.4:16

[←92]1John2:16

[←93]Ps.40:12

[←94]1Kings8:38

[←95]2Chr.16:10

[←96]Ps.51:3

[←97]Col.3:5

[←98]Rom.8:13

[←99]Rom.8:1

[←100]Col.3:5

[←101]Col.3:1

[←102]Rom.9:31-32

[←103]Rom.8:9

[←104]Mal.3:2,3

[←105]Jer.6:29,30

[←106]Acts2:37

[←107]Jn.19:37

[←108]Matt.3:10

[←109]Matt.7:16

[←110]Matt.12:33

[←111]Hos.7:12

[←112]Hos.5:13

[←113]Acts15:9

[←114]1Pet.1:22

[←115]Isa.58:2-7

[←116]2Cor.7:1

[←117]Rom,1:26.

[←118]2Cor.12:7.

[←119]Isa.43:24.

[←120]Ps.38:5

[←121]Gen.42:15

[←122]Ps.77:1-6.

[←123]2Cor.13:5

[←124]Deut.29:19

[←125]Matt.3:7

[←126]2Kings5:18.

[←127]Jude4.

[←128]Rom.6:1,2

[←129]Ps.38:5

[←130]James1:14,15.

[←131]Adrunkmanmaynotchooseinhisstuportodriveandrunoverachild,buthechoosestogetdrunk.

[←132]Gen39:9

[←133]2Cor.5:14

[←134]2Cor.7:1

[←135]Gen.4:7

[←136]Rom.6:14

[←137]Job3:25

[←138]Isa.63:17

[←139]Isa.57:17

[←140]Mt.17:21.

[←141]2Kings5:18.

[←142]Hos.4:11

[←143]Prov.7:7

[←144]Prov.7:23

[←145]Hos.7:11

[←146]Rom.6:1,2

[←147]Rev.3:15-16

[←148]Heb.3:12-13

[←149]Ps.89:30-33

[←150]Isa.57:17

[←151]Hos.5:15

[←152]Heb.3:12

[←153]Heb.10:38

[←154]Gal.6:8

[←155]Rom.8:1

[←156]Eph.4:25-30

[←157]Lam.3:33

[←158]Numb.25:6

[←159]Heb.6:6.

[←160]Jer.6:29,30.

[←161]Ps.51:3

[←162]2Cor.7:11

[←163]Rom.7:24

[←164]Eph.6:8

[←165]Ps.51:5.

[←166]Thatis,theycouldhavestrolledintohellinsteadofrunningheadlong–Puritanhumor.

[←167]1Cor.9:27

[←168]1Pet.4:13;2Pet.1:3,4

[←169]Mark13:37

[←170]Luke21:34

[←171]Ps.18:23

[←172]Hag.1:5,7

[←173]2Kings8:9-13

[←174]Jam.1:14,15

[←175]Job42:5,6

[←176]Hab.3:16

[←177]Job37:22.

[←178]Isa.40:12-25.

[←179]Prov.30:2-4

[←180]Exod.34:5,6

[←181]Exod.33:23

[←182]John1:17-18

[←183]Heb.1:2.

[←184]Cant.4:6.

[←185][NT:4383prosopon–“frontsurface”]

[←186]2Cor3:18

[←187]1Cor.13:12

[←188]1Cor.13:11

[←189]1Cor.13:12,1John3:2

[←190]1John3:2

[←191]1Tim.6:16

[←192]Prov.30:2

[←193]Job26:14

[←194]Heb.11:6

[←195]2Cor.5:7

[←196]Heb.11:1

[←197]1Pet.1:8

[←198]John1:18

[←199]1John5:20

[←200]2Cor.4:4

[←201]2Cor.4:6

[←202]Eph.5:8

[←203]2Cor.3:18

[←204]1John1:3

[←205]Heb.12:29

[←206]Rom.9:18

[←207]Rom.15:5

[←208]Isa.57:16-19

[←209]Rev.3:14

[←210]Isa.11:3

[←211]1Kings19:11

[←212]Zech.12:10

[←213]Isa.53:5

[←214]Ezek.16:60,61

[←215]2Cor.7:11

[←216]Job42:6

[←217]Job33:14-30

[←218]Ps.78:36

[←219]Ps.78:37

[←220]1John2:15.

[←221]1Cor3:15

[←222]Isa.57:21

[←223]John16:8.

[←224]Isa.55:7

[←225]Hos.14:4

[←226]Hos.9:9.

[←227]Ps.25:9.

[←228]1Sam.24:5.

[←229]Ps.130:6,123:2.

[←230]Isa.8:17

[←231]Isa.28:16.

[←232]2Kings5:19.

[←233]Micah2:7

[←234]Ps.116:7

[←235]Ps.85.8.

[←236]Luke22:32.

[←237]Jer.6:14

[←238]Heb.4:2

[←239]Hab.1:13

[←240]Ps.51:1.

[←241]John10:4

[←242]Cant.5:2

[←243]Luke24:32

[←244]Cant.5:4

[←245]Phil.4:13.

[←246]Luke15:17.

[←247]John1:16,Col.1:19

[←248]Isa.40:28-31.

[←249]Acts5:31

[←250]John15:3

[←251]Rom.11:19,20

[←252]John1:16;Matt.28:18.

[←253]Rom.8:37.

[←254]Isa.40:27-31

[←255]Isa.35:7

[←256]2Cor.12:9

[←257]Hab.2:3

[←258]Ps.123:2.

[←259]Isa.7:9.

[←260]John6:68.

[←261]John15:2-5

[←262]Col.1:19

[←263]John1:16

[←264]Col.1:11.

[←265]Eph.3:16,17

[←266]Isa.66:13

[←267]Heb.2:17,18

[←268]Heb.4:15,16

[←269]Matt.11:28.

[←270]Isa.55:1-3;Rev.3:18

[←271]Jer.31:36

[←272]Ps.130:6.

[←273]Ps.9:10

[←274]Tit.2:14

[←275]Eph.5:25-27

[←276]IJohn1:7;Heb.1:3;Rev.1:5

[←277]Heb.9:14

[←278]Owen,CommunionwithChrist,vol.IIchapters7-8

[←279]Rom.6:2

[←280]Rom.6:3

[←281]Rom.6:6

[←282]Phil.3:10;Col.3:3;IPet.1:18,19.

[←283]Gal.3:1;1Cor.15:3;IPet.1:18,19,5:1,2;Col.1:18,14.

[←284]John16:8

[←285]1Cor.2:10

[←286]2Cor.1:21

[←287]Eph.3:16-18

[←288]Zech.12:10

[←289]Rom.8:26

[←290]2Cor.12:8.

[←291]SeeCommunionwithGod,Part3,Chap.6-8.

TableofContents

Editor’sPrefaceCHAPTER1

ROMANS8:13EXPLAINED1.Thisduty tomortify sin is conditional, “But ifyou...”2.Thepersonstowhomthisdutyisprescribed.3.WhatcausesustoperformthisdutyistheSpirit4.Thedutythatisprescribedisthis:“Mortifythedeedsofthebody.”

(1.) What is meant by thebody.(2.) What is meant by thedeedsofthebody.(3.)Whatismeantbymortify.

5.Thepromiseforfulfillingthisdutyislife:“Youwilllive.”

CHAPTER2THEDUTYOFTHEBESTBELIEVERS

I.The firstgeneralprinciple:despite thedeathofsinonthecross,sinremains.

1.Indwellingsinstayswithuswhile we are in this world;therefore we always need tomortifyit.2. Sin not only still abides inus, but it still acts, still laborsto bring out the deeds of theflesh.3.Sinnotonlytroublesus,butif left alone, it produces soul-destroyingsins.4. The Spirit and the newnature are given to us so wehave the moral strength toopposesin.

5.Neglectingthisdutyrenewstheoldman, and rots thenewman.6. It is our duty to be“perfectingholinessoutofthefearofGod.”Two evils accompany everyunmortifiedprofessoroffaith.

1.Theevilinhimself.2. The evil in relation toothersaroundthem.

CHAPTER3FALSEMORTIFICATIONOFSIN

II.Thesecondgeneralprinciple:OnlytheSpiritissufficienttodothisworkofmortification;

1.Menseekotherremediesinvain.2.ItistheworkoftheSpirit.

(1.)GodpromisedtogivetheSpirit tous todo thiswork.(2.)MortificationisagiftofChrist,andallthegiftsof Christ come to us bytheSpiritofChrist.

How does the Spirit mortifysin?IfthisistheworkoftheSpiritalone,whyareweurgedtodoit?

CHAPTER4USEFULNESSOFMORTIFICATION

III.The thirdgeneralprinciple: thevitalityofourspiritual life greatly dependsonourmortificationofsin.

1. Life, strength and comfortinourspiritual lifearenot thenecessary result ofmortification.

2. Life, strength and comfortin our spiritual life areprivileges,notrights.3. Life, strength, and comfortin our spiritual life greatlydependonmortification.

(1.) Mortification alonekeeps sin from deprivingusofthem.(2.) Mortification prunesallthegracesofGod,andmakes room for them togrowinourhearts.(3.) Mortification,sincerely applied,producespeace.

CHAPTER5MORTIFICATIONNEGATIVELYCONSIDERED

How do we fight indwelling sin in a way thatmaintainspeaceinourcommunionwithGod?I.MortifyingaSin-

1.Negatively(1.)Mortifyingasindoesnot mean completelykillingit.(2.)Mortifyingasindoesnot mean disguising thesin.(3.) Mortifying a sin isnot changing our naturaldisposition to a quiet,sedateone.(4.) Mortifying a sin isnot diverting the sin toanotheroutlet.(5.) Mortifying a sin isnot getting occasionalvictoriesoverit.

CHAPTER6

MORTIFICATIONDESCRIBEDINITSPARTICULARSI.MortifyingaSin-

2.Positively(1.)Habituallyweakeningit.(2.)Constantfightingandcontendingagainstit.(3.) Realizing successoverit.

CHAPTER7MORTIFICATION:THEWORKOFBELIEVERS

II:Thewaysandmeanswemayusetomortifyanyparticularsin

1.The1stgeneralrule:besuretogetaninterestinChrist.

(1.) Unless a man is abeliever, he cannotmortifyasinglesin.(2.) Mortification is thework of faith, and theuniqueworkoffaith.

CHAPTER8UNIVERSALSINCERITYNEEDED

2.The2ndgeneralrule:Strivetomortifyalllusts,orfailtomortifyanylust.

(1.) This kind of selectivemortification is the result of acorruptmotive.(2.) God may be using thepersistentlustthattroublesyoutostrengthenyou.

Reasonsforthepredominanceofaparticularlust.(1.)Asitsnaturaleffect(2.) As punishment for othersins

CHAPTER9SYMPTOMSOFAPARTICULARLUST

III. Particular directions for dealing with adisturbinglust

TheFIRSTdirection:Considerwhich dangerous symptomsaccompanyyourlust.

1. The sin is long-standinganddeep-rooted.2.Whentheheartsecretlypleas to approve and notopposeit.3. There is frequentsuccessinsin’sseduction.4. When a man fightsagainst his sin only withlegalisticarguments.5. When it is probablethat there is Godlyrehabilitation involvedthroughpunishment.6. When your lust hasalready withstoodparticular dealings fromGodagainstit.

CHAPTER10ASENSEOFTHEGUILTOFSINREQUIRED

The SECOND direction: Grasp the guilt, danger,andevilofyoursin

1.Getaclearandlastingsenseoftheguiltofsin.

(1.) Continuing sin inbelievers is worse thansininunbelievers.(2.) Sin hidden in ourheart is worse than sinevidencedbyouracts.

2. Consider the multipledangersofcontinuingtosin:

(1.) The danger of beinghardened by thedeceitfulnessofsin.(2.) The danger of

receiving seriouscorrectioninthislife.(3.)Thedanger of losingof peace and strength allyourlife.(4.)Thedangerofeternaldestruction.

3. Consider the evils ofcontinuingtosin;

(1.) It grieves the holyandblessedSpirit.(2.)TheLordJesusChristiswoundedagainbyit.(3.) It will take away aman’s usefulness in hisgeneration.

CHAPTER11FIVEMOREDIRECTIONSFORDEALINGWITHSIN

TheTHIRDdirection:Loadyourconsciencewiththeguiltofyoursin.

1.Beginwithgeneralities:(1.) Consider the guiltthat arises from theholinessofthelaw.(2.) Consider Christwhomyouhavepierced.

2.Descendtoparticulars.(1.) Consider the infinitepatience and tolerance ofGod towards youpersonally.(2.) Consider how oftenyouhavebeenrestoredbyGod’sgrace.(3.)ConsiderallofGod’sgracious dealings withyou.

TheFOURTHdirection:getaconstantlongingtobedeliveredfromitspower.

TheFIFTHdirection:Considerifthesinisrootedinyournaturaldisposition.

1.Thisdoesnotminimize theguiltofyoursinintheleast.2. You must focus morebecause Satan has anadvantageoveryou.3. Force your body intosubmission.

TheSIXTHdirection:Guardagainsttheoccasionsandopportunitiesofyoursin.The SEVENTH direction: React swiftly againstthefirstsignsofyoursin.

CHAPTER12SELF-ABASEMENTBEFORETHEMAJESTYOFGOD

The EIGHTH direction: Consider the majesty ofGodandhowlittleyouknowofHim.

1.ThinkaboutthegreatnessofGod, and who you are bycomparison.2.Thinkabouthowunfamiliaryouarewithhim.

(1.)We know so little ofGod,becauseitisGodwearetryingtoknow.(2.) We know little ofGod,becauseitisbyfaithalone that we know himinthislife.(3.)Nomatterhowmuchmore we know throughJesus Christ, we stillknowverylittle.

CHAPTER13PRECAUTIONSAGAINSTFALSEPEACE

TheNINTHdirection:DonotspeakpeaceaboutasinuntilGodspeaksit.

1. It is the great prerogativeandsovereigntyofGodtogive

grace and peace to whom hepleases.2. It is the prerogative ofChrist tospeakpeacehometotheconscience.

Rules to know whether God is speaking peaceaboutasinoritisfalsepeace:

Rule 1: God is not speakingpeace if there is no hatred ofthesinorself-loathingRule 2: God is not speakingpeace if it is based onconvictions and rationalconclusions.Rule 3: We speak peace toourselves when we do itcarelessly.Rule 4: God is not speakingpeace if we are holding ontoanothersin.Rule 5: God is not speakingpeaceifthereisnohumiliationinoursouls.

CHAPTER14NECESSITYOFFAITHINCHRIST

1.SetyourfaithonenlistingChristtokillyoursin.(1.)Byfaith,fullyconsidertheprovision we have in JesusChristforthispurpose.(2.)BolsteryourheartbyfaithtoexpectrelieffromChrist.

Tofurtherengageyouinthisexpectation,(1.) Consider Christ’smercifulness, tenderness, andkindness.(2.) Consider the faithfulnessoftheOnewhohaspromised.

[1.] Such expectationenlistsChrist’s quick and

completeassistance.[2.] Such expectationmakes the heartattentively listen forChrist.

First, let your faith actspecificallyonChristcrucifiedandslain.Secondly, expect power andthen endeavor to conform toChrist.

2.TheworkoftheSpiritinmortification.(1.) The Spirit alone convictstheheartofitssin.(2.)TheSpiritalonerevealstousthefullnessofChristforourrelief.(3.) The Spirit alone bolsterstheheart toexpect relief fromChrist.(4.)TheSpiritalonebringsthecrossofChrist intoourheartswithitssin-killingpower.(5.) The Spirit is the authorand finisher of oursanctification.(6.) The Spirit supports thesoul’spetitionstoGod.