Gods husbandry

CHAP. IX. Containing the third use of the point, viz. an exhortation and direction how to keep down our corruptions, whilst we live.

CHAP. IX. Containing the third vse of the poynt, viz. an exhortation and direction how to keepe downe our corruptions, whilest wee liue.

Use 3 But as we should moderately wish for death, ¹that death might be the death of sin; so likewise all the while we do live, (knowing that we cannot be free from sin perfectly) we must increase our care of keeping down our sins, and striving after that perfect freedom which death will bring with it. For though we shall still remain so feeble, as to sin in many things, for all our labour to the contrary; yet our labour against corruption shall not be in vain, because by virtue of it, we shall make sin much weaker then else it would be, and save our selves from many sins which else we should fall into. A besieged City keeps its gates fast locked, and the walls well manned, and never gives over watching and warding, so long as the enemies army doth engirt it: so though it receive some damage, and lose many men, yet the enemies army cannot break in upon them, and take the City, and kill all the inhabitants, or make them captives. Our corruptions encompass our ⟨p. 85⟩souls round; if we cease to be watchful, and to be ready in arms, they will prevail against our souls, and bring us to destruction, or very near unto it, but by resisting with all diligence, we shall be safe from this utmost mischief. Some diseases will stay with mens bodies for term of life, but by keeping good diet, and other good means, a man may save himself from much torment, and escape many a sore fit, which cannot but follow from his carelessness. So our spiritual maladies will break forth lesser and seldomer, and put us to less misery by far, if we keep a good diet, and use other good ways of helping our souls against them. He that goes in a foul way, shall meet with some spots of dirt, though he be never so wary in choosing his ways, yet he shall not be all mire and dirt, as he that is heedless, and goes through thick and thin without making difference. Some stains also our souls will gather, in our passage through this dirty world, but nothing so many and great, if we pick our way, as otherwise. Gross, foul, presumptuous, infamous sins may be shunned, all fins may be lessened, and caused to break out seldomer, and in lower degrees, if considering our aptness to them, we bestir our selves to keep them under.