Gods husbandry

Secondly,¹ let a good man hold always fast within himself a resolution of not committing such and such sins as he is most apt to commit, and in regard of his condition, calling, place, bodily temper, or the like, is most in danger to commit; and let him often revive in himself also thoughts and motions to that end, saying within himself, Well, through Gods gracious assistance, what ever come of me, I will no more transgress the Law of God, and displease him in such and such offences. Should the creature wrong the Creator, and the child do injury to the father? Nothing is more unreasonable then that I should for any thing, sin against my strength and my Redeemer: of my self I cannot cease to sin; but God will work in me both the will and the deed: and doubtless by his help I will not sin in such kind, measure, manner, ⟨p. 90⟩any more. I will no more be so bitterly wrathful, nor use such undecent gestures and speeches in my passion. I will no more be so foolishly wanton, nor use such evil and defiling speeches and behaviours. I will never be so impatient and discontented again. The Apostle Peter prescribeth this remedy against sin, and useth the phrase of being armed with it, because a Christian soul, so long as it remaineth peremptory in this resolution, is like a soldier clad in strong harness, who though he be smitten at and receiveth a blow, yet through the faithfulness of his armour is defended from the piercing of the weapon, and from the wound. If Satan, or the flesh suggest a motion, or present an occasion of doing such evils, as a man hath often said within himself, Well, by Gods grace nothing shall ever make me do it; the will having bent it self fully against such things in general, flings away from this particular motion, and rejecteth it with disdain. Wherefore Saint Peter (as I was in saying) commendeth this matter unto us, in these words: For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm your selves with the same mind, that he who hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. You see how a Christian should go fenced; well, I will no longer follow sin, nor do after the corrupt lusts of men, but the holy will of God.

Secondly,¹