1.60-64 Of the Error of Stoics in Condemning All Passion

Section 1.60. Of the Error of Stoics in Condemning All Passion.

Use 1. The dotage of Stoics who would have all natural affection rooted out of man, is contrary to this pattern, and unworthy to find any entertainment among Christians: for what do they aim at, but to root that out of man, which God has planted in him, and to take away the means which God has used for the better preservation of man? That wise man whom they frame to themselves is worse than a brute beast: he is a very stock and block. Not only the best and wisest men that ever were in the world, but also Christ himself had those passions and affections in him, which they account unbeseeming a wise man. Their dotage has long since been hissed out of the schools of philosophers, should it then find place in Christ's church?

Section 1.61. Of Well Using Natural Affection.

Use 2. Let us labor to cherish this natural affection in us, and to turn it to the best things, even to such as are not only apparently, but indeed good: and among good things to such as are most excellent, and the most necessary: such as concern our souls, and eternal life. For this end we must pray to have our understandings enlightened (that we may discern things that differ, and approve that which is excellent [Phil 1:10]) and to have our wills and affections sanctified, that we embrace, pursue, and delight in that which we know to be the best. Thus shall our natural affection be turned into a spiritual affection.

Here we see how we may make nature a schoolmaster unto us: for as Christ sends us to the fowls of the air, and lilies of the field to learn of them, [Matt 6:26,28] so the apostle here sends us to our own natural instinct. We cannot complain that we have no schoolmaster near us (as many in the country whose children for want of one are rudely brought up) ourselves are schoolmasters to ourselves. Wherefore as the apostle hereby teaches husbands to love their wives, so let us all more generally learn to love one another: for we are all mutual members of one and the same body: [1 Cor 12:12] and our brother or neighbor is our flesh. [Isa 58:7]

Section 1.62. Of Man's Forbearing to Wrong Himself.

Eph 5:29.—For no man ever yet hated his own flesh: but nourisheth and cherisheth it.

The first particle for shows that in this verse an evidence and manifestation of a man's love of himself is given. The first part thereof, which is set down negatively, shows that—

Doctrine. It is against the common instinct of nature for a man to hate himself. It is noted as an evidence that devils were in the Gadarene, in that he cut himself with stones: [Mark 5:5] had not the devils forced him, he would never have done it.

Reason. Hatred is contrary to love: it being therefore before proved that every man by nature loves himself, by necessary consequence it follows, that no man hates his flesh: for two contrary effects proceed not from the same cause: no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh. [James 3:12]

Objection. Many do macerate their bodies with fastings, watchings, labours, travels, and the like: others tear and gash their flesh with whips, knives, swords, yea and with their teeth also: others lay such violent hands upon themselves, as they take away their own lives.

Answer 1. None of these things are done by the instinct of nature which God has set in man, but through the corruption of nature which the devil has caused. Now nature and corruption of nature are two contrary causes: no marvel then that contrary effects come from them.

Answer 2. They think they do these things in love to themselves; as superstitious persons to merit salvation, by macerating their body: others to free themselves from ignominy, penury, slavery, torment, or such like evils: so as there is an apparent good that makes them so to do, and not simply hatred of themselves. They that so do, are either possessed with a devil, or blinded in their mind or bereaved of their wits, or overwhelmed with some passion, so as they know not what they do: they do it not therefore in hatred.

Objection 2. Holy and wise men deliberately, and on good advice, have beaten down their bodies, [1 Cor 9:27] and yielded their lives to be taken away, not accepting deliverance. [Heb 11:35]

Answer. That was far from hatred, and in great love to themselves, as was showed before. [see Section 56]

Section 1.63. Of Unnatural Practices Against One's Self.

Use 1. The forenamed doctrine discovers many practices used by sundry men to be against nature, and in that respect most horrible and detestable.

1. The practice of the idolatrous Baalites, who to move their idol to hear them, cut themselves with knives and lancers, till the blood gushed out upon them. [1 Kings 18:28] Not much unlike to whom are Popish Eremites, Anchorites, monks flagellants, Grandimontenses, sundry sorts of Franciscans, and other friars, whereof some wear shirts of haircloth, some shirts of mail next their body, some go barefoot, some daily whip themselves till blood follow, and some waste their bodies with lying hard, watching, fasting, going on pilgrimage, etc.

2. The practice of gluttons, drunkards, unchaste and voluptuous persons, who to satisfy their corrupt humours, impair their health, pull diseases upon them, and shorten their days. 

3. The practice of swaggerers, who by quarrels cause their flesh to be wounded, and their lives taken away. Among these may be reckoned such as bring themselves to great straits, distresses, and dangers for lucre sake: and they who by felony, treason, and the like evil deeds, cast themselves upon the sword of the magistrate.

4. The practice of them that give the reins to grief, fear, wrath, and other like violent passions, so as thereby they weaken their bodies, and shorten their days.

5. The practice of self-murderers: who herein break the rule of love (as thyself [Matt 22:39]) and end their days in a most horrible sin, depriving themselves of the time, place, and means of repentance: so as, whatsoever fond pretence they make for their sin, little better can be thought of them, than that they thrust their souls headlong into hell, unless the Lord between the act done, and the expiration of their breath, extraordinarily touch their hearts. Religion, nature, sense, and all abhor this fearful act: so as not only those who have been enlightened by God's word, but also the heathen, who had no other than the light of nature, have adjudged it to be a most desperate sin.

Section 1.64. Of Haters of Others.

Use 2. By that affection which nature moves men to bear to their flesh, we may see how nature more prevails with men, than conscience and obedience to God's word, yea than the Spirit: for where nature keeps all men from hating their own flesh, nothing can keep many husbands from hating their wives, and wives their husbands; nor brothers, cousins, and neighbours (yet these are our own flesh [Isa 58:7]) no nor many of those who profess themselves to be of the mystical body of Christ, from hating one another. What shall we say of these? Is nature of greater power, and more mighty in operation than the Spirit? Surely, such either deceive themselves and others, in pretending to be members of the body of Christ: or else the Spirit is very weak in them, and the flesh bears a great sway. Let haters of their brothers think of this and be ashamed.