The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs

First, The abating of the strength of that which is opposite unto any truth, or unto any temptation, when as a truth comes to a man, there is in every mans heart something opposite to that truth, now if the strength of that which is opposite be abated that it do not stir, the truth prevails with a great deal of strength; but if that which is opposite to a truth be working ⟨p. 101⟩and stirring at such a time when they truth comes, then though it comes a great deal more strongly, it cannot prevail: And so if temptation comes, and the principle that is opposite to that temptation be stirring at that time, a man can prevail against it, but if a man have some principle of grace, and that lie dead when the temptation comes, then a great deal less temptation prevails.

First, The abating of the strength of that which is opposite unto any truth, or unto any temptation, when as a truth comes to a man, there is in every mans heart somthing opposite to that truth, now if the strength of that which is opposite be abated that it doe not stir, the truth prevailes whith a great deale of strength; but if that which is opposite to a truth be working ⟨p. 101⟩and stirring at such a time when they truth comes, then though it comes a great deal more strongly, it cannot prevaile: And so if temptation comes, and the principle that is opposite to that temptation be stirring at that time, a man can prevaile against it, but if a man have some principle of grace, and that ly dead when the temptation comes, then a great deal less temptation prevailes.

Secondly, That which makes a difference in the dispositions of the spirits of men for receiving a truth, or receiving a temptation, is the stirring or activeness of those habits that are suitable to a truth or unto a temptation: when there comes a truth presented to a man that calls for duties, service or suffering, if a man have principles suitable to the duty, and these principles be now stirring, then he can close with that truth and it prevails powerfully. And so for sin if a man have seeds and habits of sin, and temptation come when these seeds and habits are stirring, then he closeth with it presently.