Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

Be of his opinion (or take on you to be so,) applaud him, admire him, flatter him, obey him, promote his preferment, honour and wealth, be against his enemies; in a word, make him your God, and sell your soul to gain his favour, and so it's possible you may gain it.

XVI. 1. A Christian indeed hath so far mortified the flesh, and brought all his senses and appetite into subjection to sanctified Reason, as that there is no great rebellion or perturbation in his mind; but a little matter, a holy thought, or a word from God, doth presently rebuke and quiet his inordinate desires: The flesh is as a well-broken and well-ridden horse, that goeth on his journey obediently and quietly, and not with striving and chasing and vexatious resisting: Though still flesh will be flesh, and will be weak, and will fight against the spirit, so that we cannot ⟨p. 43⟩do all the good we would, (Isa. 5.17. Rom. 7.16, 17, &c.) yet in the confirmed Christian, it is so far tamed and subdued, that its rebellion is much less, and its resistance weaker, and more easily overcome: It causeth not any notable unevenness in his obedience, nor blemishes in his life: it is no other than consisteth with a readiness to obey the will of God. Gal. 5.24, 25. 1 Cor. 9.26, 27. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof: They run not as uncertainly: they fight not as one that beateth the air: but they keep under their bodies, and bring them into subjection, lest by any means they should be castaways: They put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof