The Christians daily sacrifice containing a daily direction for a setled course of sanctification. Expressing the scope of the seuen treatises of Master Rogers, as also the summe of Master Greenham his spirituall obseruations, with some further increase tending to perfection. By Tho. Cooper.

CHAP. X. (Book 10)

NOW being thus armed, we are pre∣pared to encounter such occasions as occurre in the day, which are general∣ly and necessary:* 1.1

• 1 To auoyde euill. Esay 1. 16, 17.
• 2 To prosecute that which is good.

Concerning the auoyding of euill:

First, we must labour to haue our iudgement rectified.

Concerning

1 The euill it selfe.

2 Our owne estate in respect of it.

3 God, who hates it and yet or∣ders it.

That which wee are to be informed concerning euil, is; that there is euil,* 1.2

1 By nature, & such is whatsoeuer is

against or besides the law of God, and this is properly called sinne.

2. Accident, so a good thing may be made euill. Psal. 69. 22. Malach. 2. 2.

3 Opinion, so afflictions are coun∣ted euils; yea, the truth and power of good in the censure of the world, vsually is counted euill. Esay 5. 20.

The vse hereof is:

3 That we may discerne things that differ, not stumbling vpon euil in stead of good, nor auoyding good in stead of euill, not fearing afflicti∣ons when they come for good, not distrusting our goodnesse, though it be accounted euill. Phil. 1. 10.

2 We must vnderstand the true author of euill, which is not God, but our selues, that so wee may blame none but our selues. Iames 1. 13.* 1.3

3 That euil is not onely a meere priuation of good, but a quality in∣herēt & defiling the soule. 1. Ioh. 3. 4

4 That it is not only committed in act, but in thought, though con∣sent come not thereto. Exo. 20.

5 That it is as well committed

in omitting what we should doe, as in doing what we should not.

6 That sinne is seen in the least that is forbidden, as well as in the greatest. 1. Iohn 3. 4.

That the least sinne breaketh the law of God, and maketh vs guiltie of the whole. Iames 2. 12. Ephes. 5. 11, 12. Rom. 6. 21.

8 That sinne is filthie and loth∣some euen in the greatest pleasure and act thereof.

9 That the end thereof is bitter, and the inward parts most abomi∣nable.

And this knowledge serueth,

1 To conclude all vnder sinne. Rom. 3. 9.* 1.4

2. To lay the fault iustly where it is.

3 To preuent diminishing and encreasing of sinne.

4 To auoyd the custome and punishment thereof.

Concerning our owne estate in respect of sinne, we are to learne:

1 That if we neuer committed sin, yet we are not free from it, as

being guilty of the sin of another, & deriuing it from the loynes of our parents▪ Rom. 5. 14. Psal. 51. 5. Ephe. 2. 3.

2 That hereby our nature is wholly tainted with corruption, and vncleanenesse. Iob 14. Psalme 51.

3 That we are depriued of all originall and actuall righteousnesse. Ephes. 2. Rom. 6.* 1.5

4 And proone, yea desperately set to commit all sinne with gree∣dines. Gen. 6.

5 That we delight in sinne, and repose our chiefe contentment ther∣in. Pro. 2.

That naturally we hate to be re∣formed and pluckt out of sinne. Ro. 10. 21.

7 That we cannot but necessa∣rily and yet willingly sinne. 1. Cor. 12. 2.

8 That our best actions are beau∣tifull sinnes. Esay 64. 6.

And this knowledge serueth:

1 To iustifie God in his iudge∣ments. Rom. 3. 5.* 1.6

2 To confound the goodnes of

nature Romans 3. 19.

3 To magnifie the riches of Gods mercy. Ephes. 2. 3, 7.

4 To send vs to Christ. Roman. 3. 22.

Concerning God,* 1.7 we are thus to conceiue of sinne.

1 That he hateth al euil as a righ∣teous God. Psa. 5. and no vncleane thing shall dwel with him. Reuela. 21.

2 That he permitteth and orde∣reth euill in speciall wisedome to his glory. Act. 5.

3 That he knoweth and search∣eth the most inmost closet of sinne. Ierem. 17. 10.

4 That he is able to punish & to take vengeance of the same. Isaiah 40.

5 That he punisheth sinne with sinne, and yet most righteously. 2. Thess. 2. 11.

6 That though hee haue laide the chastisement of our peace vp∣on his Sonne: yet hee will correct vs as his children for sinne. Esay 53. Psalme 88. 89.

And this knowledge serueth,

1 To iustifie the perfect holines of God.* 1.8 Psal. 18. 30. Psal. 145. 17.

2 To magnifie his wisedome in disposing of euill. Rom. 11. 33.

3 To giue him his prerogatiue, that he is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the searcher of the heart. Ier. 17. 10.

4 To ascribe vnto him the glo∣rie of his power and super excellent greatnes, that we might be humbled before him. Psal. 86. 9, 10.

5 To worke in vs an hatred of e∣uill, and loue of righteousnes. Gen. 17. 1.

6 To preuent presumption, and cause vs to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling. 2. Cor. 5. 11. Phil. 2. 12.

Secondly, Our iudgment being thus rectified,* 1.9 we must proceed to the practise of auoyding euill.

And this is seene either in

• 1 Preuenting sinne, or
• 2 Recouering out of it by vnfained repentance.* 1.10

Sinnes is preuented either:

• 1 Generally or
• 2 Particularly.

Generally: by

1 A continual watchfulnes ouer our heart and outward man.

2 A feare and suspecting of our selues, as at all times, so when wee haue most experience of Gods mer∣cy. Pro. 28. 14. Iob 1.

3 A continuall resigning of our selues into the hands of God.

4 Walking as alwaies in his presence. Gen. 5. 22. Gen. 17. 1.

5 To haue a continuall eye to Gods commaudements. Psal. 119.

6 To meditate on Gods iudge∣ments, inflicted on his deerest chil∣dren for sinne. 2. Sam. 12. 11, 14.

7 Consider the inestimable loue and mercy of God towards vs. Exod. 34. 6.

Eightly, Imploying our selues in some honest calling. 2. Thess. 3. 11, 12. and that

1 In faith and without distrust of Gods prouidence, with a good conscience. Mat. 6. 25. Heb. 13. 18

2 With cheerfulnes and content∣ment, without murmuring and co∣uetousnes. Heb. 13. 5.

3 Committing the successe to God and waiting for his blessing, with∣out

making hast to be rich, or inden∣ting with God for these outward things. 1. Tim. 6. Ge. 30. 1. Ha. 1. 16.

4 In humility, and lowlines, not sacrificing to our net, but giuing God the glorie. Gen. 32. 10.

5 In holines sanctifying the same by the word and prayer, and laying a good foundation thereby towards heauen. 1. Tim. 6. 1. Tim. 4.

6 In faithfulnes and diligence, re∣deeming the time, and accounting for it. Eph. 5. 16.

Ninthly, learning to vse our Chri∣stian libertie a right.

1 Herein not so much to stand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lawfulnes, as expedience. 1. Cor. 10.

2 That all things be done to e∣dification, not offence. 1. Cor. 14.

3 That as we remit of our liberty in regard of such as are weake of ignorance, so we vse it in respect of the obstinately ignorant, lest wee harden them in their sin. Mat. 15. 14.

4 That we vse the things of this life within the compasse of our cal∣lings. 1. Cor. 7. 1. Cor. 10.

5 For our recreation that it be in things indifferent. Phil. 4. 8.

2 Very spare and sober.

3 Tending to a spiritual end, not the satisfying of the flesh. Gal. 5. 13.

6 That all things be done to the glorie of God. 1. Cor. 16.

Tenthly, By auoyding the occasions of sinne, which are

1 Euill company. Ephes. 5. 11.

2 Excesse in the vse of the crea∣tures. Luc. 21. 34.

3 Giuing the bridle to the out∣ward man. Gen. 31. 1.

4 Opportunity & seasonablenes. Eccles. 3. 1.

5 Appearance and shew of euil, &c. Thes. 5. 22.

And this sinne generally may be pre∣uented: particularly thus, when we are assaulted by any tentation.

1 To mourn at the priuy motions of sin, & at no hand to set light by it.* 1.11

2 To know that I beare a traytor in my bosom, & therfore here at no hād cōsult with flesh, nor giue way to the temptation. Iames 1. 14.

3 To choake it by strong cries and groanes to God. Mat. 6. 13.

4 To put it off by exercising the mind with contrary meditations

and affecting the contrarie vertue. Psal. 1.

5 Examine thy heart why it is thus, and thou shalt find some cause of this tentation. Psal. 4.

6 The cause found either,

1 Want of sound repentance for some former sinne,

2 Security,

3 Some greater euill like to fol∣low, whereof this tentation is a messenger, or such like negligence, dispose thy selfe accordinglie.

5 Intend thy calling more care∣fully and conscionably. Eph. 5. 15.

6 Renue thy repentance and vowes to God more effectually. Psal 116.

7 Dispute not with Satan, nei∣ther play with the flame, but flie a∣way with Ioseph, though thou leaue thy coate behind thee. Iacob 4. 7. Gen. 39. 12.

8 Labour not so much to avoyd the outward act, as to haue thy heart purged from the euil thought. Ps. 51. 2. 10.

9 Submit thy selfe rather to any punishment (if it so please God) then

to yeeld to the tentation. Matth. 5. 29.

10 And looke for one temptati∣on in the necke of another.

11 Yet faint not in thy resistance: but perseuer constantly, & by Gods mercie satan shall flie away. Iam. 4. 7. Matth 4.

If Satan preuaile,* 1.12 and thou art foyled, then thou must rise againe by repentance. To this end consider:

1 Thy estate in grace, which must be renued by repentance. Psal. 51.

2 Gods mercies, which are a∣boue all thy sinnes. Psal. 103. 8. Exo. 34. 16.

3 Thy former experience how thou hast recouered. Psal. 77. 5.

And so pract••se thy raysing vp in this manner:

First, view thine iniquitie in the glasse of the law, to bruse thine hart, and there thou shalt find what an euill and bitter thing sin is. Ier. 2. 19.

Secondly,* 1.13 hereupon applie that knowledge vnto thine owne soule by the power of conscience assisted by the blessed spirit of bondage: and

proceede to iudge thy salfe, con∣cluding that thou art guiltie of e∣ternall death. And hence will fol∣low compunction, and wounding of the heatt:

3 The heart being thus woun∣ded that thou maist bee kept from despaire,* 1.14 view thy selfe secondly, in the glasse of the Gospell, that the bruised reede may not be broken, by considering what a bitter and yet precious ransome was paid for thy sinne. Mat. 20. 28.

4 Hereupon make application vnto thine heart by the worke of conscience renued by the spirit of adoption, and raise vp thy selfe with this assurance, that though thou art a sinner, yet Christ is thine, and thou hast pardon of thy sinne, and shalt haue life eternall in him. Mat. 11. 28. Mat. 5. 3. 4. Lu. 15. 2. Cor. 7••

This application worketh two con∣trarie effects:

1 Thou shalt reioyce that thy sins are forgiuē thee in Christ Iesus.

2 Thou shalt be sorrowfull that thou hast displeased so good and gracious a father.

And this sorrow is expressed:* 1.15

First, by Iudging thy sin before God in the court of thy conscience.

And this Iudgement contayneth:

1 By examining thy sinne, and taking a more particular notice thereof.

2 Confessing it, Psalm. 32. 5. and that

1 With greefe and detestation.

2 Particularly, not generally, not onely so farre as thou knowest, confessing herein thy knowledge to be short, and yeelding vp thy vn∣scearchable heart vnto God. Lord clense me from my secret sinnes. Psalm. 19.

3 Against thy selfe not excu∣sing or diminishing: not laying the fault vpon God, the creatures, &c. but blaming especially that corrupt fountaine of thy heart herein. Psal. 32. 5. Psal. 51.

4 Vnto God, not vnto Angels or men, &c. who onely is able and ready to forgiue. Psal. 103.

Thirdly, Thou must condemne sinne, and this is done:

1 By acknowledging what is

due vnto thee for it, namely shame and confusion of face for euer. Ezra 9. 6.

2 Professing thine owne vilenes, and vnworthinesse of the least of Gods mercies. Iob 39. 16.

3 Iustifying God in what hee might doe, and submitting thy selfe vnder his mightie hand. Ely. 2. Sam. 2. Dauid, 2. Sam. 15.

4 Execute vengeance vpon thy selfe for thy sinne, 2. Cor. 7. in as this ma∣ner:

First, lie downe in thy confusion and couer thy face with shame. Ier. 3. Luk. 18.

2 Abhorre and detest thy selfe in sackcloth and ashes. Iob 42. 6.

3 Haue indignation and zeale a∣gainst thy selfe for offending so good a God: 2. Cor. 7. Peter wept bitter∣ly. Psal. 73. 22. so foolish, &c.

4 Groane vnder the burthen of thy flesh, and desire to be rid of it Rom. 7. 21.

5 Possesse a broken heart for thy sinne all thy life long. Psal. 51. 17.

6 Refraine thy selfe from law∣full comforts. Ioel. 2.

7 Impose all meanes of mortifi∣ing thy rebellious flesh, as feare of thy selfe, lest thou fall againe. Pro. 28. 14.

8 Mingle thy drinke with thy teares, and in thy greatest security, let the remembrance of thy sinne, awake and rouse thee vp. Psal. 51.

9 Desire euer after more care∣fully to please God. 2. Cor. 7.

10 To this end preserue a record of thy sinne and retaine some mo∣nument thereof with thee.

11 Consider often what punish∣ments thou hast felt for sinne.

12 And let the day of thy death and appearing before the iudgment seate of Christ be alwaies in thy mind, make thou sure account of it, & daily make readie for it. 2. Pet. 3.

13 Cease not crying out against thy corruptions and complaining vnto God of thy rebellions, that he may strengthen thee against them. Psal. 119. 49.

14 Bind thy selfe by the oath, and by the curse to forsake all sin, & to continue constant in the seruice of thy God. Ezra, 10. 3. 2. Chro. 15.

15 Reprooue sinne boldlie in others, and plucke them out of the fire: Iude 23. though thou beest scorcht for thy labour.

16 Suffer affliction as a good souldier of Iesus Christ, and prepare thy soule vnto tentations. 2. Tim. 2.

Thus shalt thou cut off sin, and hap∣pily preserue thy selfe in a constant course of godlines.

For thy better instruction herein.

1 Cal to mind what before is de∣liuered in the sixth part of the girdle of truth concerning holy actions, which may helpe thee both in the true knowledge of God to informe thy iudgment, as also in the right & holy practise of good things, which must be part of thy daily sacrifice.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of the pursuit of God, and the auoy∣ding of e∣uill.
• * 1.2

  Sect. 1. Difference of euill.
• * 1.3

  Sect. 2 What the euill of it is.
• * 1.4

  Sect. 3. The vse of this know∣ledge.
• * 1.5

  Sect. 4. How farre sinne hath taken hold on man.
• * 1.6

  The bene∣fite of this knowledg.
• * 1.7

  Sect. 4. Gods or∣dering sin.
• * 1.8

  And the vse.
• * 1.9

  Sect. 5. How sinne to be a∣uoyded.
• * 1.10

  And first how pre∣uented. 1. generally.
• * 1.11

  2 How in particular we may resist sin.
• * 1.12

  Sect. 6. 3 How to recouer our sinn••.
• * 1.13

  1 By vie∣wing sinne and that, first in the law.
• * 1.14

  2 In the Gospel.
• * 1.15

  2 By iudg∣ing.