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…

¹Now having thus far proceeded in the withdrawing of all means whereby the flesh is nourished and strengthened, we must not rest here, but in the next place use all good means whereby it may be subdued and overcome. And first of all we must keep a narrow and diligent watch over our selves, and over our enemy, not only to prevent all occasions whereby it may circumvent and surprise us at unawares, but also that we may take the fittest opportunities, and best advantages for the killing and crucifying of all our fleshly lusts. And this careful watch is most necessary, for in this life we get not a full conquest over the flesh, but after we have gotten the better in many conflicts, have put it to shameful flight, wounded, weakened it, and brought it in subjection, as a captive and bondslave, yet still it is plotting and practising new treasons. For the achieving whereof it hath great advantages; for it not only lieth about our City walls, but even in every secrete corner of our streets, and no sooner do our foreign enemies the devil and the world besiege and assault us, but presently this lurkling traitor is ready to open the gates of our souls, and letting them in, to join with them to work our overthrow. In which regard who would not appoint a continual sentinel, and keep a very narrow watch? who would give any place to carnal security, and carelessly sleep in the middest of these dangers? who can walk securely among serpents and scorpions, and rest quietly in his bed when the envious man watcheth about his house with a purpose to fire and burn it? Here in this world is no place or safety, and therefore let there be no time for security. We shall be only safe in heaven ⟨p. 343⟩when as we shall have a full and final victory over all our enemies; and therefore let us not be reckless on earth, ²but let circumspection and watchfulness accompany us even unto heaven gates, not only beginning but working out our salvation with fear and trembling.

¹NOw hauing thus farre proceeded in the withdrawing of all meanes whereby the flesh is nourished and strengthened, we must not rest heere, but in the next place vse all good meanes whereby it may bee subdued and ouercome. And first of all we must keepe a narrowe and diligent watch ouer our selues, and ouer our enemie, not onely to preuent all occasions whereby it may circumuent and surprise vs at vnawares, but also that we may take the fittest opportunities, and best aduantages for the killing and crucifying of all our fleshly lustes. And this carefull watch is most necessary, for in this life wee get not a full conquest ouer the flesh, but after we haue gotten the better in many conflicts, haue put it to shamefull flight, wounded, weakened it, and brought it in subiection, as a captiue and bondslaue, yet still it is plotting and practising new treasons. For the atchiuing whereof it hath great aduantages; for it not onely lyeth about our Citie walles, but euen in euery secrete corner of our streetes, and no sooner doe our forraigne enemies the diuell and the world beseidge and assault vs, but presently this lurkling traitor is ready to open the gates of our soules, and letting them in, to ioyne with them to worke our ouerthrowe. In which regard who would not appoint a continuall centinell, and keepe a very narrow watch? who would giue any place to carnall securitie, and carelesly sleepe in the middest of these daungers? who can walke securely among serpents and scorpions, and rest quietly in his bed when the enuious man watcheth about his house with a purpose to fire and burne it? Heere in this world is no place or safetie, and therefore let there be no time for securitie. Wee shall be onely safe in heauen