Howbeit to the end that none of us fall asleep, ne think himself to have performed all that God commandeth, when we shall have followed some path half way, nor be utterly thrust out of the way altogether: S. Paul saith that the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. In saying that the flesh lusteth, he doth us to wit, that we shall never be able to serve God without disquieting, because we shall have many lets, and be continually tempted unto evil. Yea and when we be• determinately bent to submit our ⟨image 288⟩selves wholly unto Gods word and righteousness: yet nevertheless the devil shall even then have his ropes to draw us one way or other. Again, he will in such wise amaze us, as our fleshly desires shall still be a hinderance to us, and not only that: but also make us too draw back the clean contrary way, so that when God calleth us on the one side, we shall be carried with a rage too the other side. Now seeing that the flesh lusteth after that manner against the spirit: let us determine to fight manfully, and let it not grieve us so to do. Although we ought to wish to be as Angels, so as there might be no striving in us, but that all our ability might be employed too the service of God, yet notwithstanding, whensoever we be letted to do well, let us learn to strain our selves, and to hold our selves as prisoners: and although the same fall out greatly to our discontentment, yet nevertheless let us go on still further, that God may win the upper hand of us. Let us learn too hate our selves, to take displeasure against our selves, and to be revenged of our own naughtiness,1 as Saint Paul sayeth in the second too the Corinthians. For Repentance importeth that men should condemn themselves, hate themselves, and take vengeance on themselves, when they see their whole life corrupted, and that they should use an holy anger against it. In stead of desiring to be revenged of our enemies when they have done us any harm, we should be chafed & angry with our selves, yea and punish our selves for faults, when we cannot frame our selves unto Gods will. But forasmuch as we might become desperate, and every man reply, Al•s, how should we fight after that fashion? Where is our strength?
Howbeit to the end that none of vs fall asleepe, ne thinke himself to haue performed al that God cōmandeth, when we shall haue folowed some path halfe way, nor be vtterly thrust out of the way altogither: S. Paule sayth that the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. In saying that the flesh lusteth, he doth vs to wit, that we shall neuer be able to serue God without disquieting, bycause we shall haue many lets, and be continually tēpted vnto euill. Yea and whē we be• •eterminately bent to submit our ⟨image 288⟩selues wholy vnto Gods word and righteousnesse: yet neuerthelesse the diuell shall euen then haue his ropes to draw vs one way or other. Again, he will in such wise amaze vs, as our fleshly desires shall still be a hinderance to vs, and not only that: but also make vs too draw backe the cleane contrarie way, so that when God calleth vs on the one side, wee shall bee caried with a rage too the other side. Nowe seeing that the flesh lusteth after that maner against the spirite: let vs determine to fight manfully, and let it not greeue vs so to do. Although we ought to wishe to bee as Angelles, so as there might be no striuing in vs, but that al our abilitie might be imployed too the seruice of God, yet notwithstanding, whensoeuer wee bee letted to do well, let vs learne to streyne our selues, and to holde our selues as prisoners: and althoughe the same fall out greatly to our discontentment, yet neuerthelesse let vs go on still further, that God may winne the vpper hande of vs. Let vs learne too hate our selues, to take displeasure agaynst our selues, and to be reuenged of our owne naughtinesse,1 as Saint Paule sayeth in the second too the Corinthians. For Repentance importeth that men should condemne themselues, hate themselues, and take vengeance on themselues, when they see their whole life corrupted, and that they should vse an holy anger against it. In sted of desiring to be reuenged of our enemies when they haue done vs any harme, we should be chafed & angry with our selues, yea and punish our selues for faults, when we cannot frame our selues vnto Gods wil. But forasmuch as we might become desperate, and euerie man replie, Al•s, how should we fight after that fashion? VVhere is our strength?
- 12. Co. 7. c. 11
