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But further to enforce our Exhortation, to avoid too scrupulous a fear, which hindereth the true examination of our hearts: let us think that it happeneth in the spiritual conflict as in civill wars. We read that many Cities lying in great security, have suddenly both been assaulted and overthrown; as also, how some Countries (too much negligen•e in the means) through an excessive fearfulness, have encouraged their enemies with more greedy violence to pray upon them. With which kind of stratagems our adversary the devil being well acquainted; doth often practise this policy. If he see us without all fear too quietly to rest in our selves, he thinketh his assault must needs be the stronger, because our resistance is the weaker. Again, if he descrieth in us a cowardly fear and fainting of heart, before we once begin to join battle with him; he will set upon our immoderate fear, & as villainously as suddenly stab us to the heart, & make a present spoil of us.

But further to inforce our Exhortation, to auoyde too scrupulous a feare, which hindereth the true examination of our heartes: let vs think that it happeneth in the spiritual conflict as in ciuill wars. Wee reade that manie Cities lying in great securitie, haue sodainely both beene assaulted and ouerthrowen; as also, how some Countries (too much negligen•e in the meanes) through an excessiue fearefullnes, haue incouraged their enemies with more greedie violence to pray vppon them. With which kinde of stratagems our aduersary the diuell beeing well acquainted; doth often practise this pollicie. If hee see vs without all feare too quietly to rest in our selues, hee thinketh his assault must needes be the stronger, because our resistance is the weaker. Againe, if he discrieth in vs a cowardly feare and fainting of heart, before wee once beginne to ioyne battaile with him; hee will set vpon our immoderate feare, & as villainously as sodenly stab vs to the heart, & make a present spoyle of vs.

Common practise doth farther teach us, that when we can hear the word without all trembling at God his judgements, when we can pray without all fear before the Majesty of God, when we can come to the Discipline of the Church without