The mystical match between Christ and his churchThe mysticall match between Christ and his church

For this I will give some helps: for the end of these rules of trial, is not so much to shut men ¹out, or discourage them, but the end is, that finding themselves wanting, they may be stirred up the more to be diligent in the prosecution of the means, and so grow up to perfection.

For this I will give some helpes: for the end of these rules of tryall, is not so much to shut men ¹out, or discourage them, but the end is, that finding themselves wanting, they may be stirred up the more to be diligent in the prosecution of the meanes, and so grow up to perfection.

1. 1Answ. Helps to this duty.

The means to be used are these.

The meanes to beused are these.

First, be diligent in observing where thy heart is not subject. Diligent observance of the flesh in us that is ready to rebel, when we take least notice ¹of it; this is the first means. There is no work we go about, but the flesh hath an hand in ⟨p. 115⟩it. There is some commotion and rebellion goes along with the best work we do, now to see this is a great help to obedience. We are not so much overcome by it, as by our own inobservancy. The flesh is an enemy, and nihil in hoste despiciendum, sleight nothing of an enemies that may hurt thee, take heed the flesh deceive thee not, it is an enemy: suspect thine own heart upon every occasion; for it is ready to deceive thee; especially in things that are lawful, there thou must have a diligent eye, that there be no rebellion, that thou go not beyond thy bounds.