Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

Now the resistance that the regenerate part makes, it is a strong, and resolute resistance, like that of Saint Paul when he was to go to Jerusalem, why do you weep, and break my heart (saith he) I am not only ready to be bound, but to die for the Name of Christ? Like that of David, what have I to do with you ye sons of Zerviah? So I say, this regenerate part, it fights not faintly against the Law in the members, but it fights strongly, like a hearty enemy, whom nothing will satisfy, but a conquest.

Now the resistance that the regenerate part makes, it is a strong, and resolute resistance, like that of Saint Paul when he was to go to Ierusalem, why do you weep, and break my heart (saith he) I am not onely ready to be bound, but to die for the Name of Christ? Like that of David, what have I to do with you yee sons of Zerviah? So I say, this regenerate part, it fights not faintly against the Law in the members, but it fights strongly, like a hearty enemy, whom nothing will satisfie, but a conquest.

Secondly, for the manner of fighting this is another property in it that the regenerate part doth not dally with sin: for it fights out of enmity, and when there is an enmity there, a man will not endure any thing, no not the very appearance of evil. As a Pigeon that hates the Hawk will not endure the feather of a Hawk. So it is with the regenerate part, it will not only abstain from gross sins, but from every thing that is called evil from the tincture, from the garment spotted with the flesh. Whereas a natural man perhaps abstains from the gross act, but comes as near as he can to the brink of sin. Many men will resolve never to be drunk, yet you shall find them go to the tavern, and sit there till they be overtaken. Balaam took up a resolution, I will go with you, saith he, but I will not say any thing but what the Lord shall bid me. there he would abstain from the gross act, but you see what the issue was: even as the Levite, he would not stay all night in Benjamin, by no means, but he would be persuaded to eat his break-fast. This is the second difference, when the regenerate part fights, the resistance is out of enmity, it hates all that is called sin, it cleanseth it self from all pollution of flesh, and spirit. The other doth