A14992:182
A care-cloth
A care-cloth: or a treatise of the cumbers and troubles of marriage intended to advise them that may, to shun them; that may not, well and patiently to bear them. By William Whately, preacher of the word of God in Banbury, in Oxfordshire.A care-cloth: or a treatise of the cumbers and troubles of marriage intended to aduise them that may, to shun them; that may not, well and patiently to beare them. By William Whately, preacher of the word of God in Banbury, in Oxfordshire.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1624
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. And to the two former must be added, praises and thanks for the help already received. If one find that he hath gotten some power against his sin, that he hath more ability to oppose the lusts of it, that he is seldomer overtaken with any breaking forth of it then before, that he hath been able to withstand some notable tentations to it: in a word, that the force of it, is in any measure abated; he must return with the praises of God in his mouth, and triumph in God, that hath helped him so far against his spiritual foe. The Lord deserveth praise, and looks for praise of his Saints, for treading down those lusts that rise against them: and it is a service very pleasing unto him, ⟨p. 143⟩when we offer the sacrifice of thanks. Yea, it doth exceedingly animate our selves to this battle, if we take notice that we have in some degree prevailed, and with the voice of joy and thanksgiving do run before the Lord, and give away all the praise from our selves to him. There is nothing can more rejoice the spirit of a Christian, then this heavenly joy will do. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Sorrow,1 when we have been foiled, is no more available to confirm us against sin, then holy rejoicing, when we have stood fast and resisted. It is a more sign of self-love, to grieve for that we are weak, but a greater sign of true love to God, to rejoice in him when he makes us strong. Wherefore, as a godly man, if he find himself any day to have yielded to sinful desires in any sensible degree, must humble himself, and confess and cry out against himself: so if he find that any day he hath not been foiled, but hath been able to repress and destroy evil motions, especially if having occasion or tentation, he have been strengthened to resist, he must then lead his captivity captive, and at night sing a new song of praise unto the Lord, and even ride in triumph over his corruptions, boasting himself in God, and setting up his banner in the name of the most High, and with as cheerful a soul as he can, offer up humble and hearty thanks to his heavenly Father, that hath made him to do valiantly. The prayers of Gods servants, thus confessing their sins, craving ⟨p. 144⟩power against them, blessing God for the beginnings of help, are weapons so mighty through God, that they will wound the strongest corruption, and pierce the soul of any lust: