Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

First, Mortification is a fruit of Faith, indeed none but a Believer is in a posture to reach it. Could a man which yet never falls out, improve his Reason and Will to the utmost, he could not truly mortify Sin: Reason and Will improved might in some measure triumph over the gross inordinations in the lower faculties, but they would ever spare the corruptions ⟨p. 251⟩in themselves as their own flesh; like politic Princes, who keep down mutinies among the common People, but lay the reins down to their own personal vices: It would fare with such an one, as it doth with frozen waters, which though broken in one place, will freeze in another; should he break and dissolve his sensual Sins, he would freeze in spiritual; and if his eyes were open, he would see that it is desperate pride and presumption to attempt Mortification in any other way than that of Faith, which brings a general thaw upon the heart, melting it into a compliance with the Divine Pleasure, and tracing the method of the Gospel, derives a power and spirit from Christ for the work. Mortification must be done through the Spirit, Rom. 8.13. and none hath that but the Believer; it slows from an implantation into the death of Christ, and none is so but he; Faith purifies the heart, and without it there can be no such thing as Mortification. God doth not command Mortification immediately, but in its own place, first Faith, and then Mortification; Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, saith the Apostle, Col. 3.5. Therefore, wherefore? Because you are risen with Christ; because your life is hid with Christ; therefore mortify; None but Believers, who are in Union with Christ, are capable to do it. When in Popery all sorts are driven to this work, as the poor Indians are to Baptism; they do but set up a Faithless, Christless Image of ⟨p. 252⟩Mortification in Penances and Satisfactions, void of the true spirit and principle requisite thereunto.

First, Mortification is a fruit of Faith, indeed none but a Believer is in a posture to reach it. Could a man which yet never falls out, improve his Reason and Will to the utmost, he could not truly mortifie Sin: Reason and Will improved might in some measure triumph over the gross inordinations in the lower faculties, but they would ever spare the corruptions