Two treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat…Tvvo treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat…

Men turn from sin, when they do not only abstain from actual sin, but also use all means whereby they may both weaken & suppress the corruption of nature. Surgeons, when they must cut of any part of the body, use to lay play sters 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 turn from sinne, when they do not only abstaine frō actuall sinne, but also use all means whereby they may both weaken & suppresse the corruption of nature. Surgeons, whē they must cut of any part of the body, use to lay plai sters to it, to mortifie it, that beeing without sense and feeling, it may be cut off with lesse paine. In the same maner, wee are to use all helpes & remedies prescribed in the worde, which serue to weaken 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. For, howsoever by nature we can not do an thing acceptable to God, yet' being¹ 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 be at down my body and bring it in subjection. And,² They which are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts thereof. And, Mortify therefore your earthly members, fornication, uncleanness, the inordinate ³affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness. And, If any man purge himself from ⁴these, he shall be a vessel unto honour. And S. John saith, Everyone which hath this hope in ⁵