The Soul's Conflict with Itself

Thus when we are surprised contrary to our looking for and liking, we should study rather how to exercise some grace, than give way to any passion. Think, now is a time to exercise our patience, our wisdom, and other graces. By this means we shall turn that to our greatest advantage, which Satan intendeth greatest hurt to us by. Thus we shall not only master every condition, but make it serviceable to our good. If nature teach Bees, not only to gather honey out of sweet flowers, but out of bitter: Shall not grace teach us to draw even out of the bitterest condition, something to better our souls? We learn to tame all creatures, even the wildest, that we may bring them to our use; and why should we glue way to our own unruly passions?

Thus when we are surprised contrary to our looking for and liking, wee should study rather how to exercise some grace, than give way to any passion. Thinke, now is a time to exercise our patience, our wisedome, and other graces. By this meanes wee shall turne that to our greatest advantage, which Satan intendeth greatest hurt to us by. Thus we shall not onely master every condition, but make it serviceable to our good. If nature teach Bees, not onely to gather hony out of sweet flowers, but out of bitter: Shall not grace teach us to draw even out of the bitterest condition, something to better our soules? We learne to tame all creatures, even the wildest, that wee may bring them to our use; and why should wee glve way to our owne unruly passions?

7. It were good to have in our eye, the beauty of a well ordered soul, and ¹we should think that nothing in this world is of sufficient worth to put us ⟨p. 136⟩out of frame. The sanctified so• should be like the Sun in this, whi• though it worketh upon all these in• riour bodies, and cherisheth them […] light and influence; yet is not mov nor wrought upon by them again, b keepeth its own lustre and distance So our spirits being of a heave breed, should rule other things bene them, and not be ruled by them. It […] a holy state of soul to be under t power of nothing beneath it self; A we stirred? than consider, It this m ter worth the loss of my quiet? Wh we esteem, that we love, what we love, we labour for; And therefore […] us esteem highly of a clear calm temper, whereby we both enjoy our God, and our selves, and know how to ra all things else. It is against nature f inferior things to rule that, which th wise Disposer of all things hath set above them. We owe the flesh neither suit nor service, we are no debt to it,