_Third_ means for those who would overcome the sin of drunkenness,
to enter upon a life of _strict self-denial_ and mortification: for
this kind of sin goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting. It is true,
this may seem a difficult task; but then, we must thank ourselves for
it; for had we begun sooner, our work would have been the easier. And
even now, if you will but strive, the yoke of mortification will grow
lighter and lighter every day.
And now, by way of conclusion, I cannot but exhort all persons, high
and low, rich and poor, to practise a strict self-denial in eating
and drinking. For though “the kingdom of GOD consists not in meats
and drinks,” yet an abstemious use of GOD’s good creatures, greatly
promotes the spiritual life. And perhaps there are more destroyed by
living in a regular sensuality, than even by the very sin I have now
been warning you of. I know indeed, that many, who are only almost
christians, and who seek, but do not strive to enter into the kingdom
of GOD, urge a text of scripture to justify their indulgence, saying,
that “it is not what entereth into the man defileth the man.” And
so we grant, when taken moderately; but then they should consider,
that it is possible, nay, it is proved by daily experience, that a
person may eat and drink so much as not to hurt his body, and yet do
infinite prejudice to his soul: for self-indulgence lulls the soul
into a spiritual slumber, as well as direct intemperance; and though
the latter may expose us to more contempt among men, yet the former,
if continued in, will as certainly shut us out from the presence of
GOD. St. _Paul_ knew this full well; and therefore, though he was the
spiritual father of thousands, and was near upon finishing his course,
yet he says, it was his daily practice to “keep his body under, and
bring it into subjection, lest after he had preached to others, he
himself should be a cast-away,” or disapproved of, or do something that
might make him an offence or stumbling-block to any of GOD’s children:
for of his own, and all other saints final perseverance, he makes no
doubt, as is evident from many of his epistles; and the word Ἀδοκιμος
bears this sense, 2 _Corinthians_ xiii. 5. and sundry other places. But
why urge I the apostle’s example, to excite you to a strict temperance
in eating and drinking? Rather let me exhort you only to put in
practice the latter part of the text, to labour to “be filled with
the Spirit of GOD,” and then you will no longer search the scriptures
to find arguments for self-indulgence; but you will deal sincerely
with yourselves, and eat and drink no more at any time, than what is
consistent with the strictest precepts of the gospel. O beg of GOD,
that you may see, how you are fallen in _Adam_, and the necessity of
being renewed, ere you can be happy, by the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST!
Let us beseech him to enlighten us to see the treachery of our corrupt
hearts, and how pure and holy these bodies ought to be, that they
ought to be living temples of the Holy Ghost, and then we shall
shew ourselves men. And being made temples of the Holy Ghost, by his
dwelling in our bodies here, though after death, worms may destroy them,
yet shall they be raised by the same Spirit at the general resurrection
of the last day, to be fashioned like unto CHRIST’s glorious body
hereafter.
Which GOD of his infinite mercy grant, &c.