The Soul's Conflict with Itself

Neither is it sufficient to cite the soul ¹before it self; but, it must be pressed to give an account, as we see here, David doubles, and trebles the expostulation; as oft as any distemper did arise, so oft did he labour to keep it down. If passions grow too insolent, Eli's mildness will do no good. It would prevent ²much trouble in this kind, to subdue betimes (in our selves and others) the first beginnings of any unruly passions and affections; which (if they be not well tutored and disciplined at the first) prove as headstrong, unruly and ill nurtured, children, who (being not chastened ⟨p. 60⟩in time) take such a head, th• it is (oft) above the power of parent to bring them in order. A child set […] liberty (saith Solomon) breeds shame ([…] length) to his parents. Adonizeths example ³shows this. The like may be sa• of the affections set at liberty; It is dangerous to redeem a little quiet by yielding to our affections which is never safely gotten but by mortification of them.

Neither is it sufficient to cite the soule ¹before it selfe; but, it must be pressed to give an account, as we see here, David doubles, and trebles the expostulation; as oft as any distemper did arise, so oft did he labour to keep it downe. If passions grow too insolent, Elies mildnesse will doe no good. It would prevent ²much trouble in this kinde, to subdue betimes (in our selves and others) the first beginnings of any unruly passions and affections; which (if they be not well tutord and disciplined at the first) prove as headstrong, unruly and ill nurtured, children, who (being not chastened ⟨p. 60⟩in time) take such a head, th• it is (oft) above the power of paren to bring them in order. A childe set liberty (saith Salomon) breeds shame ( length) to his parents. Adonizeths example