The Soul's Conflict with Itself

Take especial heed of not grieving ⟨p. 293⟩¹the Spirit, when he offers to be our guide, by studying evasions, and wishing the case were otherwise. This is to be Law-givers to our selves, thinking that we are wiser than God. The use of discretion is not to direct us about the end, whether we should do well or ill, (for a single heart always aims at good:) but when we resolve upon doing well, and yet doubt of the manner how to perform it: discretion looks not so much to what is lawful, (for that is taken for granted,) but what is most expedient. A discreet man looks not to what is best, so much as what is fittest, in such and such respects, by eying circumstances, which if they sort not, do vary the nature of the thing it self.

Take especiall heed of not grieving ⟨p. 293⟩¹the Spirit, when he offers to bee our guide, by studying evasions, and wishing the case were otherwise. This is to be Law-givers to our selves, thinking that we are wiser than God. The use of discretion is not to direct us about the end, whether wee should doe well or ill, (for a single heart alwayes aymes at good:) but when we resolve upon doing well, and yet doubt of the manner how to performe it: discretion lookes not so much to what is lawfull, (for that is taken for granted,) but what is most expedient. A discreet man lookes not to what is best, so much as what is fittest, in such and such respects, by eying circumstances, which if they sort not, doe vary the nature of the thing it selfe.

1. 18.

And because it is not in man to know his own ways, we should look up unto Christ, the great Counsellor of his Church, to vouchsafe the spirit of counsel and direction to us: that may make our way plain before us, by suggesting unto us, this is the way, walk in it. We owe God this respect, to depend upon