The oil of gladnessThe oyle of gladnesse

Yea but I feel not alone these common imperfections, but I feel also some one or other corruption so strong and violent in me, that it doth often even again and again break forth, and that also too too palpably and grossly. I answer, But dost not thou feel in thine heart a perpetual warring against these corruptions. Dost ⟨p. 167⟩thou not renew thy sorrowful confessions, and resolutions of amendment, as often as thou sinnest and far oftener too? Dost thou not usually and ordinarily hold fast thy resolution not to sin, and art overcome alone sometimes, but commonly keepest under the sin from palpable breaking forth? Dost not thou fall seldomer and with less content, and more reluctation, and rise sooner out of the sin: Yea is it not thy continual prayer to be kept against it, ⟨p. 168⟩& dost not thou find that these endeavours keep thee so, that thou offendest not by many degrees, so much & often, as before thou didst, & as else thou shouldst do? I answer then, that where sin hath not dominion, there it is healed, and a mans soul is truly sanctified, and himself in the state of grace;¹ For it is said, Sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are under grace. Now it is certain, that where any sin is thus constantly and conscionably resisted & opposed with these spiritual ⟨p. 169⟩weapons (namely by the consideration of Gods goodness in Christ, & of his commandments, threats and promises in his Word) it is subdued, and the dominion there of is broken: Such an one doth mortify the deeds of the flesh by the spirit, and is in killing them, though they be not quite slain, that ruleth not that is perpetually resisted, oppugned, fought against. Therefore though some such corruption be very violent, & do both often and palpably break out, yet it