The Sincere Convert

And so, many among us know, they should be better, and strive that they may grow better, but through the power ⟨p. 187⟩of sin, cannot; conscience telleth them they must not sin, their hearts and lusts say they must sin; and here forsooth is flesh and spirit: Oh no, here is, conscience and lust only by the ears together. Which striving, Herod, Balaam, Pilate, or the vilest Reprobate in the World may have. Such a war argueth not any grace in the heart, but rather more strength of corruption, and more power of sin in the heart; as, it's no wonder if a horse run away when he is loose; but when his bit and bridle is in his mouth, now to be wild, argueth he is altogether untamed and subdued. Take •eed therefore of judging your estate to be good, because of some backwardness of your hearts to commit some sins, though little sins; for thy sins may be, and, it is most certain, are more powerful in thee, then in others that have not the like strugglings, because they have not such checks as thou hast to restrain thee. Know therefore that the striving of the Spirit against the Flesh, is against ⟨p. 188⟩sin, because it is sin; as a man hates a Toad, though he be never poisoned by it; But the striving of thy conscience against sin, is only again sin, because it is a troubling, or a damning sin; The striving of the spirit against the flesh, is from a deadly hatred of sin, Rom. 7. 15. But thy striving of conscience against sin, is only from a fear of the danger of sin; for Balaam had a mind to curse the Israelites for his monies sake, but if he might have had an house full of silver and gold (which is a goodly thing in a covetous eye) it is said, he durst not curse them.

And so, many among us know, they should be better, and strive that they may grow better, but through the power ⟨p. 187⟩of sin, cannot; conscience telleth them they must not sinne, their hearts and lusts say they must sinne; and here forsooth is flesh and spirit: Oh no, here is, conscience and lust onely by the eares together. Which striving, Herod, Balaam, Pilate, or the vilest Reprobate in the World may have. Such a vvarre argueth not any grace in the heart, but rather more strength of corruption, and more power of sinne in the heart; as, it's no vvonder if a horse run avvay vvhen he is loose; but when his bit and bridle is in his mouth, now to bee wilde, argueth he is altogether untamed and subdued. Take eed therefore of judging your estate to bee good, because of some backvvardnesse of your hearts to commit some sinnes, though little sinnes; for thy sinnes may be, and, it is most certaine, are more powerfull in thee, then in others that have not the like struglings, because they have not such checks as thou hast to restraine thee. Knovv therefore that the striving of the Spirit against the Flesh, is against