Gods husbandry

Be we wise therefore for our souls, as we would be for our bodies and states, and seeing we cannot be without corruptions, let us hold them in subjection, as much as is possible; for who can tell to what height they may grow, and what mischief they may do us, if our ⟨p. 86⟩diligence this way be wanting. But me thinks it should not be necessary to use more words in persuading a Christian man to strive against his corruptions: they be so contrary to the life of grace that is in him, and so opposite to that new nature which the Lord hath infused into him in the time of his regeneration, that he can no more choose to oppose them in some measure, then a man can choose whether he will strive against that that offers to stop his breath.

Be we wise therefore for our soules, as we would be for our bodies and states, and seeing we cannot be without corruptions, let vs hold them in subiection, as much as is possible; for who can tell to what height they may grow, and what mischiefe they may doe vs, if our ⟨p. 86⟩diligence this way be wanting. But me thinkes it should not be necessary to vse more words in perswading a Christian man to striue against his corruptions: they be so contrary to the life of grace that is in him, and so opposite to that new nature which the Lord hath infused into him in the time of his regeneration, that he can no more chuse to oppose them in some measure, then a man can chuse whether he will striue against that that offers to stop his breath.

A man, out of an instinct of nature to preserve himself, stands so disposed, that he finds himself moved without deliberation, (even out of an undeniable principle that always beareth sway in his mind and will) to thrust away from him things that offer to cut the body, or slay it, or rob it of life. The eye will wink and shut its lids when a man thinks not of it, if any thing offer to come near that might be offensive unto it. It is none otherwise in the life of grace: he that hath it, finds in himself (even as it were a main principle that beareth rule in his whole soul, when he thinks not of it in particular) that he cannot but be an enemy unto sin, he cannot but bear a grudge against it, and wish, and labour the rooting of it out of his heart, and holding it hard in, from breaking forth in his actions. Alone there be divers Saints of God that want skill to do that which grace doth put in them a perpetual inclination to do. Wherefore I will be bold (not to make so large a discourse of this matter as the thing requireth, but) to give