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…

For before they can purchase their former peace, they must pass through the painful purgatory of bitter repentance, shed from their eyes many a salt and brinish tear, if not from their hearts drops of blood, they must send forth many a deep sigh and bitter groan, have outwardly lean bodies, and pale visages, and inwardly afflicted minds, and many a pinch and pang in their wounded conscience; and the longer that they lye securely snorting in their sins without bringing forth the timely fruit of repentance, the liker it is to be the Hedgehogs birth, which the longer it is deferred, the more dangerous and painful it always proveth. For if we be presumptuous children, the Lord like a wise father will make us drink so deep of the cup of his wrath, and feel the weight of his heavy hand, that after we have tasted of this bitter potion, we will ever after be more careful of preserving our health, that we may not be forced ⟨p. 318⟩again to take such physic, and having felt his strength we will never willingly neglect any means of maintaining ¹peace with him, as the Prophet speaketh. Which who so well ²considereth, he will work out his salvation with fear and trembling, and whilst he thinketh that he standeth, he will take heed of falling. He will give kind entertainment to the good spirit of God, avoiding all things which might vex and grieve it, he will earnestly use all means whereby the graces thereof may be increased, and diligently avoid the contrary means, whereby they might be weakened and impaired; he will keep a narrow watch over all his ways, and buckle close unto him the whole Christian armour whereby he may be able to stand in the day of tentation; he will labour and strive with all diligence to make his calling and election sure, and courageously resist all the encounters of his spiritual enemies; and knowing that he standeth more firmly in the power of Gods promises then in his own strength, he will oftentimes lay claim and challenge to them by fervent prayer, crying out with David, O Lord remember the promise made to thy servant, wherein thou hast caused me to trust.³

For before they can purchase their former peace, they must passe through the painefull purgatorie of bitter repentance, shed from their eyes many a salt and brinish teare, if not from their hearts drops of bloud, they must send forth many a deepe sigh and bitter grone, haue outwardly leane bodies, and pale visages, and inwardly afflicted mindes, and many a pinch and pange in their wounded conscience; and the longer that they lye securely snorting in their sinnes without bringing forth the timely fruit of repentance, the liker it is to be the Hedgehogs birth, which the longer it is deferred, the more dangerous and painefull it alwaies proueth. For if we be presumptuous children, the Lord like a wise father will make vs drinke so deepe of the cup of his wrath, and feele the waight of his heauy hand, that after we haue tasted of this bitter potion, we will euer after be more carefull of preseruing our health, that wee may not be forced