Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers

This then is the first General Principle of our ensuing Discourse: Notwithstanding the meritorious Mortification (if I may so speak) of all and every Sin in the Cross of Christ; notwithstanding the real Foundation of universal Mortification laid in our first Conversion, by Conviction of Sin, humiliation for sin, and the Implantation of a new Principle, opposite to it, and destructive of it; yet Sin doth so remain, so act, and work, in the best of Believers, whilst they live in this world, that the constant daily Mortification of it is all their days incumbent on them. Before I proceed to the Consideration of the next Principle, I cannot but by the way complain of many Professors of these days; who instead of bringing forth such great and evident Fruits of Mortification, as are expected, scarce bear any Leaves of it. There is indeed a broad Light fallen upon the men of this Generation; and together therewith many spiritual Gifts communicated; which with some other Considerations have wonderfully enlarged the bounds of Professors and Profession; both they and it are exceedingly multiplied and increased. Hence there is a noise ⟨p. 22⟩of Religion and Religious Duties in every corner; preaching in abundance; and that not in an empty, light, trivial and vain manner, as formerly, but to a good proportion of a spiritual Gift; so that if you will measure the number of Believers by Light, Gifts and profession, the Church may have cause to say, Who hath born me all these? But now if you will take the measure of them by this great discriminating Grace of Christians, perhaps you will find their number not so multiplied. Where almost is that Professor, who owes his Conversion to these days of Light, and so talks and professes at such a rate of Spirituality, as few in former days were in any measure acquainted with, (I will not judge them, but perhaps boasting what the Lord hath done in them) that doth not give evidence of a miserably unmortified heart? if vain spending of Time, idleness, unprofitableness in mens places, envy, strife, variance, emulations, wrath, pride, worldliness, selfishness, (1 Cor. 1.) be Badges of Christians, we have them on us and amongst us in abundance. And if it be so with them who have much Light, and which we hope is saving;

This then is the first General Principle of our ensuing Discourse: Notwith•tanding the meritorious Mortification (if I may so speak) of all and every Sin in the Cross of Christ; notwithstanding the real Foundation of universal Mortification laid in our first Conversion, by Conviction of Sin, humiliation for sin, and the Implantation of a new Principle, opposite to it, and destructive of it; yet Sin doth so remain, so act, and work, in the best of Believers, whilest they live in this world, that the constant daily Mortification of it is all their dayes incumbent on them. Before I proceed to the Consideration of the next Principle, I cannot but by the way complain of many Professors of these days; who instead of bringing forth such great and evident Fruits of Mortification, as are expected, scarce bear any Leaves of it. There is indeed a broad Light fallen upon the men of this Generation; and together therewith many spiritual Gifts communicated; which with some other Considerations have wonderfully enlarged the bounds of Professors and Profession; both they and it are exceedingly multiplyed and increased. Hence there is a noise