Thirdly, as assumed bodies are unconstant, that is, walk only for a time, but they walk not always; 1even so if you have but a common spirit, you will not be constant in good, but off and on the rule. A man that is living in Christ, you shall ⟨p. 152⟩still find him living and moving, and doing the actions of the new man, a man that hath but a common spirit, may do somethings that are good, he may keep and press down some sin awhile, but not always; neither then, because it is sin, but because it crosseth his profit or pleasure or some other thing. Again, he may have some taste and relish of spiritual things, but he is not purged and cleansed by them; First, he may walk as a living man walks, that is, perform holy duties, but they are not constant in holy duties, neither do they perform them in obedience, but out of self love, that is, they are still ebbing, and seldom flowing, they omit oftener then they perform. Therefore let me exhort you that are alive, and have been dead, be you careful to prize your life, and you that have been alive, but now are dead, that is, you that have fallen from your holiness, and zeal, and have lost your first love, and strength, labour now to recover it again. And you that are alive, and yet are falling, let me exhort you to strengthen the things that are ready to dye: if there be any here such, let them now humble themselves, and seek the spirit with earnestness, that ye may be renewed, that ye may be strengthened, and quickened to good, and received to favour again, but if you will not, but continue in this condition still, you have but a name that you are alive, but indeed you are dead. Rom. 6. 8. it is said, that they that dye in Christ shall live in him, 2if you once live the life of grace, and have received […] ⟨p. 161⟩[…] ⟨p. 150⟩[…] ⟨p. 151⟩⟨p. 153⟩the sanctifying spirit, you shall never dye but live for ever in Christ: this was the promise that Christ made unto his Disciples, and in them unto every Christian that he would send the spirit, and he should abide with them forever, Therefore examine, if the spirit do not remain in you, and make you constant in good, it is not the sanctifying spirit.
Thirdly, as assumed bodies are unconstant, that is, walke onely for a time, but they walke not alwayes; 1even so if you have but a common spirit, you will not be constant in good, but off and on the rule. A man that is living in Christ, you shall ⟨p. 152⟩still find him living and moving, and doing the actions of the new man, a man that hath but a common spirit, may do somethings that are good, hee may keepe and presse downe some sinne awhile, but not alwayes; neither then, because it is sinne, but because it crosseth his profit or pleasure or some other thing. Againe, he may have some taste and rellish of spirituall things, but hee is not purged and cleansed by them; First, he may walke as a living man walkes, that is, performe holy duties, but they are not constant in holy duties, neither doe they performe them in obedience, but out of selfe love, that is, they are still ebbing, and seldome flowing, they omit ofter then they performe. Therefore let me exhort you that are alive, and have beene dead, be you carefull to prize your life, and you that have beene alive, but now are dead, that is, you that have falne from your holinesse, and zeale, and have lost your first love, and strength, labour now to recover it againe. And you that are alive, and yet are falling, let me exhort you to strengthen the things that are ready to dye: if there bee any here such, let them now humble themselves, and seeke the spirit with earnestnesse, that ye may be renewed, that ye may be strengthned, and quickned to good, and received to favour againe, but if you will not, but continue in this condition still, you have but a name that you are alive, but indeed you are dead. Rom. 6. 8. it is said, that they that dye in Christ shall live in him, 2if you once live the life of grace, and have received 〈…〉 ⟨p. 161⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 150⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 151⟩⟨p. 153⟩the sanctifying spirit, you shall never dye but live for ever in Christ: this was the promise that Christ made unto his Disciples, and in them unto every Christian that he would send the spirit, and hee should abide with them forever, Therefore examine, if the spirit doe not remaine in you, and make you constant in good, it is not the sanctifying spirit.
- 13.
- 2Rom. 6. 8.
