The Soul's Conflict with Itself

Of necessity the soul must be something calmed and staid before it can be comforted. Whilst the humours of the body rage in a great distemper, there is no giving of physic: So when the soul gives way to passion, it is unfit to entertain any counsel, therefore it must be stilled by degrees, that it may hear reason; and sometimes it is fitter to be moved with ordinary reason, (as being more familiar unto it) then with higher reasons fetched from our supernatural condition in Christ, as from the condition of mans nature subject to changes, from the uncomeliness of yielding to passion for that, which it is not in our power to mend, &c. these and such like reasons have some use to stay the fit for a while, but they leave the core untouched which is sin, the trouble of all troubles. Yet when such considerations are made spiritual ⟨image 9⟩by faith on higher grounds, they have some operation upon the soul, as the influence of the Moon having the stronger influence of the Sun mingled with it, becomes more effectual upon these inferior bodies. A candle light being ready at hand, is sometimes as useful as the Sun it self.

Of necessity the soule must bee somthing calmed and staid before it can be comforted. Whilest the humours of the body rage in a great distemper, there is no giving of physicke: So when the soule gives way to passion, it is unfit to entertaine any counsell, therefore it must be stilled by degrees, that it may heare reason; and sometimes it is fitter to be moved with ordinary reason, (as being more familiar unto it) then with higher reasons fetcht from our supernaturall condition in Christ, as from the condition of mans nature subject to changes, from the uncomelinesse of yeelding to passion for that, which it is not in our power to mend, &c. these and such like reasons have some use to stay the fit for a while, but they leave the coar untouched which is sinne, the trouble of all troubles. Yet when such considerations are made spirituall ⟨image 9⟩by faith on higher grounds, they have some operation upon the soule, as the influence of the Moone having the stronger influence of the Sun mingled with it, becomes more effectuall upon these inferiour bodies. A candle light being ready at hand, is sometimes as usefull as the Sun it selfe.