The Breastplate of Faith and Love

¹I answer in a word, that it is true in the Saints, there is something in their hearts that doth all this that I have spoken; but it is not they that do it: as the Apostle speaks, It is not I, but sin that dwells in me: We cannot deny but that there is flesh and worldly-mindedness even in them; but yet this they do, these worldly lusts and desires they are still checking them, and restraining them, and keeping them down, so that though they be there, yet they do not walk after the vanity of their minds, they are not led by it, but they are led by the Spirit, and walk by the Spirit. Indeed sometimes they fall, when they are transported with temptations, and through incogitancy, and infirmity, yet their constant walking is not after the vanity of their mind, for that is proper to those that fear not God. Therefore know thus much (my brethren) that though the Saints do these things sometimes, yet their purpose, and their desire and care is to cross and resist them as much as they can, that though they have these inordinate worldly desires in them, yet they are not midwives to themselves, to ⟨p. 127⟩bring forth fruit to the flesh, they are not stewards to provide for these before-hand,² as it is in Rom. 13. Put ye on the Lord Jesus, and take no care for the flesh, to make provision for it: I say, they are not stewards for their lusts, but they resist them, and strive against them. But to conclude this also, examine your selves by this rule, whether you love the world, and the things of the world.

¹I answere in a word, that it is true in the Saints, there is something in their hearts that doth all this that I have spoken; but it is not they that doe it: as the Apostle speakes, It is not I, but sinne that dwells in me: We cannot denie but that there is flesh and worldlie-mindednesse even in them; but yet this they doe, these worldly lusts and desires they are still checking them, and restraining them, and keeping them downe, so that though they be there, yet they doe not walke after the vanitie of their mindes, they are not led by it, but they are led by the Spirit, and walke by the Spirit. Indeede sometimes they fall, when they are transported with temptations, and through incogitancie, and infirmitie, yet their constant walking is not after the vanitie of their minde, for that is proper to those that feare not God. Therefore know thus much (my brethren) that though the Saints doe these things sometimes, yet their purpose, and their desire and care is to crosse and resist them as much as they can, that though they have these inordinate worldly desires in them, yet they are not midwives to themselves, to