The Method of Grace

Fourthly, In the next place we are to enquire into the true principle of mortification: 'tis true there are many ways attempted ¹by men for the mortification of sin, and many rules laid down to guide men in that great work: some of which are very trifling and impertinent things; such are those prescribed by popish votaries: but I shall lay down this as a sure conclusion, that the sanctifying spirit is the only effectual principle of mortification: and without him no resolutions, vows, abstinencies, castigations of the body, or any other external endeavours can ever avail to the mortification of one sin: the moral Heathens have prescribed may pretty rules and helps for the suppression of vice. Aristides, Seneca and Cato ⟨p. 468⟩were renowned among them upon this account: but yet as Lactantius well observes, moral Philosophy did rather abscondere vitia, quam abscindere, hide it, rather than kill it: formal Christians have also gone far in the reformation of their lives, but could never attain true mortification: formality pares off the excrescences of vice, but never kills the root of it: it usually recovers it self again, and their souls like a body not well purged, relapse into a worse condition than before, Mat. 12. 43, 44. 2 Pet. 2. 20.

Fourthly, In the next place we are to enquire into the true principle of mortification: 'tis true there are many ways attempted ¹by men for the mortification of sin, and many rules laid down to guide men in that great work: some of which are very tristing and impertinent things; such are those prescribed by popish votaries: but I shall lay down this as a sure conclusion, that the sanctifying spirit is the only effectual principle of mortification: and without him no resolutions, vows, abstinencies, castigations of the body, or any other external endeavours can ever avail to the mortification of one sin: the moral Heathens have prescribed may pretty rules and helps for the suppression of vice. Aristides, Seneca and Cato ⟨p. 468⟩