The third property of assumed bodies, they are unconstant: That is, assumed bodies walk for a time but they 1walk not always: even so if you have but a common spirit you will not be constant in good, but off and on from the Rule: A man that is living in Christ, you shall find him living and moving, and doing the Actions of the new man. A man that hath a common spirit may do some things that are good: he may keep, and press down sin, for a while, but not always, nor then neither as it is sin, but because it crosseth his profit or pleasure, or some such thing: Again he may have some taste or relish o ⟨p. 101⟩spiritual things, But he is not cleansed or purged by them. Again they may walk as a living man walks, That is perform holy duties, but they are not constant in holy duties; neither do they perform them in obedience, but out of self love. That is they are still ebbing, and seldom flowing. They omit oftener then they perform. Therefore let me exhort you all. You that are alive, and have been dead, be you careful to prize your life: And you that have been alive, and now are dead; That is, you that have fallen from your holiness and zeal, and have lost your first love, and strength, labour now to renew it again: But you that are alive and yet are falling, let me exhort you to strengthen the things that are ready to die. If there be any here such, let them now humble themselves, and seek the spirit with earnestness, That they may be renewed, That they may be strengthened, and quickened to good, and received to favour again; But if you will not but continue in this condition still, you have but a name that you are alive, but indeed you are dead: In Rom. 6. it 2is said: That they that die in Christ shall live in him. That is, if you once live the life of grace, and have received the sanctifying spirit, you shall never die, but live for ever in Christ. This was the promise that Christ made unto his Disciples, and in them unto every Christian. That he would send the spirit and he should abide with them for ever; Therefore examine if the Spirit do remain in you, and make you constant in good: if not it is not the sanctifying spirit.
The third propertie of assumed bodies, they are unconstant: That is, assumed bodies walk for a time but they 1walk not alwayes: even so if you have but a common spirit you will not be constant in good, but off and on from the Rule: A man that is living in Christ, you shall find him living and moving, and doing the Actions of the new man. A man that hath a common spirit may do some things that are good: he may keep, and press down sin, for a while, but not alwayes, nor then neither as it is sin, but because it crosseth his profit or pleasure, or some such thing: Again he may have some taste or relish o ⟨p. 101⟩spiritual things, But he is not cleansed or purged by them. Again they may walk as a living man walks, That is perform holy duties, but they are not constant in holy duties; neither do they perform them in obedience, but out of self love. That is they are still ebbing, and seldom flowing. They omit ostner then they perform. Therefore let me exhort you all. You that are alive, and have been dead, be you careful to prize your life: And you that have been alive, and now are dead; That is, you that have faln from your holiness and zeal, and have lost your first love, and strength, labour now to renew it again: But you that are alive and yet are falling, let me exhort you to strengthen the things that are ready to die. If there be any here such, let them now humble themselves, and seek the spirit with earnestness, That they may be renewed, That they may be strengthned, and quickned to good, and received to favour again; But if you will not but continue in this condition still, you have but a name that you are alive, but indeed you are dead: In Rom. 6. it 2is said: That they that die in Christ shall live in him. That is, if you once live the life of grace, and have received the sanctifying spirit, you shall never die, but live for ever in Christ. This was the promise that Christ made unto his Disciples, and in them unto every Christian. That he would send the spirit and he should abide with them for ever; Therefore examine if the Spirit do remain in you, and make you constant in good: if not it is not the sanfying spirit.
- 13. Proper.
- 2Rom. […]Rom. 〈…〉
