Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises,…

(1.) The cleansing must be universal, as the pollution is: We are directed to cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts, ¹that we may draw near to God with acceptance. 'Tis observable that, in a general sense, all Sins are the works of the Flesh: what ever is not divine and spiritual is carnal, in the language of Scripture. For since the separation of Men from God by the rebellious Sin of Adam, the Soul is sunk into a state of Carnality, seeking for satisfaction in lower things. The two jarring opposite Principles are Flesh and Spirit, lusting against one another. 'Tis as carnal to desire vain Glory, or to set the Heart on Riches, as to love sensual Pleasures: For our Esteem and Love are entirely due to God for his high Perfections; and 'tis a disparagement to set them on the Creatures, as if he did not deserve them in their most excellent degrees. Whatever things are below the native worth of the Soul, and unworthy of its noblest operations, and are contrary to its blessed end, defile and vilify it. A more precious Metal mixed with a baser, as Silver with Tin, is corrupted, and loses ⟨p. 11⟩of its purity and value: But in a contracted▪ sense Sins are distinguished; some are attributed to the Spirit, and some to the Flesh. The Spirit is always the principal agent, and sometimes the sole agent in the commission of Sin, and the sole subject of it: Of this sort are Pride▪ Infidelity, Envy, Malice, &c. There are other Sins, wherein the Body conspires and concurs in the outward acts: They are specified by the Apostle, and distinguished according to the immediate springs from whence they flow; the desiring and the angry Appetites. The works of the Flesh are manifest, Adultery, ²Fornication, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Idolatry, Witchcraft▪ Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Heresies, Envyings, Murders, Drunkenness, Revellings, and such like. The cleansing from carnal foul Lusts, is like the washing one that is fallen into the mire, which is a mixture of the two lowest Elements, heavy Earth and slippery Water, that defile by the touching them. The more spiritual Lusts are like the stormy Winds, and smoky Fire, in which the two higher Elements are contained. Pride swells the Mind, and causes violent agitations in the Thoughts: Anger darkens and fires it.