The Christian centurians observations, advices, and resolutions containing matters divine and morall / collected according to his owne experience by Philip Skippon ...

Of Mortification out of Master Wheatly's Sermon on Colos. 3.5.

ALL must study it, and that

• 1 From the necessity of it; and that
  • 1 In regard of Gods com∣mand.
  • 2 In regard of the danger that will else ensue, and that
    • 1 In suffering our selves to be Satans slaves, &c.

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    • 2 And Gods enemies.
    • 3 Grieving Gods Spirit.
    • 4 Interrupting our communi∣•••• with God.
    • 5 Committing grosse sinnes.
    • 6 Procuring sore afflictions.
• 2 From the good will follow ••e doe it, as
  • 1 Great peace.
  • 2 Patience and joy in afflicti∣••••ns.
  • 3 Certaine freedome from ••••sse sinnes.
  • 4 Good esteem from men.
• 3 From the equity of the duty
  • 1 For sinne in Gods enemy.
  • 2 A murther of Christ.
  • 3 A breaker of our Vowes:
  • 4 An unseasonable thing, as
    • 1 Being contrary to all right ••••d reason:
    • 2 A meer cozener.
    • 4 From the good successe ••ein, as
      • 1 We shall lose nothing ther∣•••• that is worth having.

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    • ...
      • 2 Our endeavour herein shall be accepted.
      • 3 And he will reward o•••••• paines taken in this.
      • 4 We shall surely overcome
• 2 The degrees of mortificati∣on in this life.
  • 1 The least degree we c•••• have, if we have any, is
    • 1 To forbeare the usuall pra∣ctice of any grosse sinne.
    • 2 And the allowance of the least sinne.
  • 2 The highest degree of mor∣tification, is
    • 1 To be ever kept from any grosse sinne.
    • 2 To be freed from any set led liking of an ill motion.
• 3 The meanes of mortificati∣on, as
  • 1 Naturall, as
    • 1 Moderation in things indifferent.
    • 2 Shunning the occasions •••• sinne.

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  • 2 Spirituall, as
    • 1 Frequent and fervent prayer, as
      • 1 Confession of the sins and ••••rruptions we are most guilty 〈◊〉〈◊〉
      • 2 Requests for strength a∣••••inst them, urging the Lord ••••th such promises as he hath ••••de to subdue our iniquities, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
      • 3 Thanksgiving for any ••••••ngth received against our ••••••ruptions.
    • 1 Spirituall meanes. 1 Me∣ditation.
      • 1 Of Gods holy nature.
      • 2 His terrible judgements.
      • 3 His gracious Promises.
      • 4 Of Christs sufferings.
    • 2 Spirituall meanes, feare of our selves.
    • 3 Watchfulnesse over all the powers of our soules and mem∣b••rs of our bodies.
• 4 In what manner we must

• use all the helps of mortificati∣on:
  • 1 Seasonably, when sinne begins to arise, or any motions or inclinations thereto.
  • 2 Constantly; that is,
    • 1 Every where.
    • 2 Continually.
  • 3 Orderly, setting upon our master-sinne first.
  • 4 Spiritually.
    • 1 Not resting on the means, or our owne strength.
    • 2 But relying on the mighty power of God.
• 5 And lastly, generall Uses of all.
  • 1 Examination of our selves in regard of the time past, how we have performed this duty?
  • 2 Humiliation, that we have not performed this duty at all, or not in due measure.
  • 3 Exhortation to reforme the former negligence hereafter.
  • 4 Consolation to such as have

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  • been, and are painfull herein.