Gods husbandry

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 ⟨p. 87⟩you some three or four special directions, which in following, you shall find your selves much helped against these remnants of sin which move within you. The first rule is as followeth.

A man, out of an instinct of nature to preserue himselfe, stands so disposed, that he findes himselfe moued without deliberation, (euen out of an vndenyable principle that alwayes beareth sway in his minde 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 winke and shut its lids when a man thinkes not of it, if any thing offer to come neere that might be offensiue vnto it. It is none otherwise in the life of grace: he that hath it, findes in himselfe (euen as it were a maine principle that beareth rule in his whole soule, when he thinkes not of it in particular) that hee cannot but be an enemy vnto sinne, hee cannot but beare a grudge against it, and wish, and labour the rooting of it out of his heart, and holding it hard in, from breaking foorth in his actions. Alone there be diuers Saints of God that want skill to doe that which grace doth put in them a perpetuall inclination to doe. Wherefore I will be bold (not to make so large a discourse of this matter as the thing requireth, but) to giue ⟨p. 87⟩you some three or foure special directions, which in following, you shall finde your selues much helped against these remnants of sinne which moue within you. The first rule is as followeth.