The conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The…The conflict betvveene the flesh and the spirit. Or the last part of The…

¹WE have spoken of some special and notable deceits which the flesh useth to allure us to the committing of sin; and now we are briefly to consider of some other which it useth, to make us being fallen to continue in our sins without repentance. The first whereof is to ⟨p. 149⟩blind or hinder the eyes of our understandings, and to corrupt and delude our judgements, that we may think our common sins to be no sins, and our great and heinous ones to be small and venial, with which deceit we are the more easily abused if we thrive and prosper in our evil courses, and have not our eyes cleared by the sharp waters of afflictions. For when God suffereth us to go on in our evil ways without check, we either think that he approveth, or not much misliketh them; or else continue securely in them and never call them to examination. For the defeating of which policy the best means are first, diligent studying and meditating in the book of God, which is that all-sufficient light whereby we may discover these works of darkness, and that most upright judge, which not only adjudgeth what is good and evil but also in what measure and degree. Secondly, that we often pray unto God that our eyes may be anointed with the eye-salve of his grace and holy spirit, that being cured o• their natural blindness, they may be able to discern between evil and good, darkness and light. Finally, that we do not live in carnal security, but often examine our works and ways by the rule and square of Gods word, and especially those wherein we thrive and prosper, and so we shall perceive plainly which are just and straight, and which are crooked, and also in what measure and degree.

¹WE haue spoken of some speciall and notable deceipts which the flesh vseth to allure vs to the committing of sinne; and now we are briefly to consider of some other which it vseth, to make vs being fallen to continue in our sinnes without repentance. The first whereof is to ⟨p. 149⟩blinde or hinder the eyes of our vnderstandings, and to corrupt and delude our iudgements, that we may thinke our common sinnes to be no sinnes, and our great and haynous ones to be small and veniall, with which deceipt we are the more easily abused if we thriue and prosper in our euill courses, and haue not our eyes cleared by the sharpe waters of afflictions. For when God suffereth vs to goe on in our euill wayes without checke, we either thinke that he approueth, or not much misliketh them; or else continue securely in them and neuer call them to examination. For the defeating of which pollicy the best meanes are first, diligent studying and meditating in the booke of God, which is that al-sufficient light whereby we may discouer these workes of darkenesse, and that most vpright iudge, which not onely adiudgeth what is good and euill but also in what measure and degree. Secondly, that we often pray vnto God that our eyes may be annointed with the eye-salue of his grace and holy spirit, that being cured o their naturall blindnesse, they may be able to discerne betweene euill and good, darkenesse and light. Finally, that we doe not liue in carnall securitie, but often examine our workes and wayes by the rule and square of Gods word, and especially those wherein we thriue and prosper, and so wee shall perceiue plainely which are iust and straight, and which are crooked, and also in what measure and degree.