A Golden Chain

Men turn from sin, when they do not only abstain from actual sin, but also use all means whereby they may both weaken and suppress the corruption of nature. Chirurgeons when they must cut off any part of the body, use to lay plasters to it, to mortify it; that being without sense and feeling, it may be cut off with less pain. In the same manner, we are to use all helps & remedies prescribed in the word, which serve to weaken or kill sin, that in death it may be abolished.

Men turne from sinne, when they doe not onely abstaine from actuall sin, but also vse all meanes wherby they may both weaken and suppresse the corruption of nature. Chirurgions when they must cut off any part of the bodie, vse to lay plaisters to it, to mortifie it; that beeing without sense and feeling, it may be cut off with lesse paine. In the same manner, we are to vse all helps & remedies prescribed in the worde, which serue to weakē or kill sinne, that in death it may be abolished.

And it must not seem strange, that I say we must use means to mortify our own sins.¹ For, howsoever by nature we can not do anything acceptable to God, yet being quickened and moved by the holy Ghost, we stir and move our selves to do that which is truly good. And therefore repentant sinners have grace in them, whereby they mortify their own sins. Paul saith. I beat down my body, and bring it in subjection. And, they which are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof. ²And, Mortify therefore your earthly members, fornication, uncleanness, the inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness. And, If any man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour. And S. John saith, Every one which hath this hope in him, purgeth himself, even as he is pure. And, he which is begotten of God preserveth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not.

And it must not seeme strange, that I say wee must vse meanes to mortifie our owne sinnes.