Here it is supposed that you know this much following of the nature of his Laws: For to be Willing to be Ruled by his Laws in General, and utterly Unwilling when it comes to particulars, is no true Willingness or subjection. 1. You must know that his Laws reach both to heart and outward actions. 2. That they command a holy, spiritual, ⟨p. 89⟩heavenly life. 3. That they command things so cross and unpleasing to the flesh, that the flesh will be still murmuring and striving against obedience: Particularly 1. They command things quite cross to the inclinations of the flesh: as to forgive Wrongs, to Love Enemies, to forbear Malice and Revenge, to restrain and mortify Lust and Passion; to abhor and mortify Pride, and be low in our own eyes, and humble and meek in spirit. 2. They command things that cross the interest of the flesh and its inclination both together: I mean, which will deprive it of its enjoyments, and bring it to some suffering: As, to perform Duties even when they lay us open to disgrace, and shame, and reproach in the world; and to deny our credit, rather then forsake Christ or our duty: to obey Christ in doing what he commandeth us, though it would hazard or certainly lose our wealth, friends, liberty and life it self; forsaking all, rather then to forsake him: to give to the poor, and other good uses, and that liberally according to our abilities: to deny the flesh all forbidden pleasures, and make not provision to satisfy its lusts, but to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof: and in this combat to hold on to the end and to overcome. These are the Laws of Christ; which you ⟨p. 90⟩must know, before you can determine whether you are indeed unfeignedly willing to obey them. Put therefore these further questions to your self, for the trial of your willingness to be ruled by Christ according to his Laws.
Here it is supposed that you know this much following of the nature of his Laws: For to be Willing to be Ruled by his Laws in General, and utterly Unwilling when it comes to particulars, is no true Willingness or subjection. 1. You must know that his Laws reach both to heart and outward actions. 2. That they command a holy, spiritual, ⟨p. 89⟩heavenly life. 3. That they command things so cross and unpleasing to the flesh, that the flesh will be still murmuring and striving against obedience: Particularly 1. They command things quite cross to the inclinations of the flesh: as to forgive Wrongs, to Love Enemies, to forbear Malice and Revenge, to restrain and mortifie Lust and Passion; to abhor and mortifie Pride, and be low in our own eyes, and humble and meek in spirit. 2. They command things that cross the interest of the flesh and its inclination both together: I mean, which will deprive it of its enjoyments, and bring it to some suffering: As, to perform Duties even when they lay us open to disgrace, and shame, and reproach in the world; and to deny our credit, rather then forsake Christ or our duty: to obey Christ in doing what he commandeth us, though it would hazard or certainly lose our wealth, friends, liberty and life it self; forsaking all, rather then to forsake him: to give to the poor, and other good uses, and that liberally according to our abilities: to deny the flesh all forbidden pleasures, and make not provision to satisfie its lusts, but to crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof: and in this combate to hold on to the end and to overcome. These are the Laws of Christ; which you ⟨p. 90⟩must know, before you can determine whether you are indeed unfeignedly willing to obey them. Put therefore these further questions to your self, for the trial of your willingness to be ruled by Christ according to his Laws.
