" It is one of the greatest follies, not to
labour by all means to be rid of the encumbrances of sin. Much violence
offered to it, and a total resignation of ourselves to God, may be great
pain, but it is short pain, then the pleasure is greater and continues;
but now Christians lengthen their pain, and draw out their cross and
vexation to a great extent, because they deal negligently in the business,
they suffer the Canaanites to live, and these are thorns and briers in
their sides continually. Then this business is called _mortification_, as
the word is here, and Col. iii. 5, which imports a higher degree of pain,
for the agonies of death are terrible, and to hold it out yet more, the
most painful and lingering kind of death is chosen to express it,
_crucifixion_, Gal. v. 24. Now, indeed, that which makes the forsaking of
sin so grievous to flesh and blood, is the engagements of the soul to it,
the oneness that is between it and our natures, as they are now fallen,
for you know pain ariseth upon the dissolution or division of any thing
that is continued or united, and these things that are so nearly
conjoined, it is hard to separate them without much violence. And truly,
as the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, so we must offer violence to
ourselves, to our lusts and inclinations, who are almost ourselves, and if
you would be truly Christians, this must be your business and employment,
to cut off these things that are dearest unto you, to cast out the very
idols your hearts sacrifice unto, and if there be any thing more one with
you than another, to endeavour to break the bond with that, and to be at
the furthest distance from it. It is easy to persuade men to forsake some
sins and courses that they are not much inclined to, and find not much
pleasure or profit by them. You may do that and be but dead in sins, but
if you aim at true mortification indeed, you would consider what are the
chief idols and predominant inclinations of your heart, and as to set
yourself impartially against all known, so particularly against the most
beloved sin, because it interrupts most the communion of God, and
separates from your Beloved, and the dearer it be, the more dangerous
certainly it is.

But to encourage and hearten you to this, I would have you look back to
that former victory that Christ hath gained in our name, and look about to
the assistance you have for the present, the Spirit to help you. Truly, my
beloved, this will be