A68877:331
Gods husbandry
Gods husbandry: the first part. Tending to show the difference betwixt the hypocrite and the true-hearted Christian. As it was delivered in certain sermons, and is now published by William Whately, preacher of the Word of God in Banbury in OxfordshireGods husbandry: the first part. Tending to shew the difference betwixt the hypocrite and the true-hearted Christian. As it was deliuered in certaine sermons, and is now published by William Whately, preacher of the Word of God in Banbury in Oxfordsheire
London: printed by Bernard Alsop and Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1622
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. XV. Containing the third use of the point, to encourage the Saints in striving against sin, because the Lord will help them in this labour, and they shall surely prevail.
CHAP. XV. Containing the third vse of the poynt, to incourage the Saints in striuing against sinne, because the Lord will helpe them in this labour, and they shall surely preuaile.
But this point doth yield likewise a third use, Use 3 1to animate the people of God to a resolute opposing of all their corruptions, because, lo the God of heaven is ready at hand, to cut off those evils which they are hewing at. A man is sure of success in the work of mortification, if he want not diligence to labour in that work. The flesh must down, corruptions shall tumble, the Spirit shall be victorious; stronger is he that is in us, then he which is in the world; and certainly the grace of God shall have the upper hand, and our faith shall be our victory. We are many times little less then out of heart, because the proceedings do seem very slow, and well-near indiscernible. But be not discouraged, O ye Christian souls, promise your selves victory in this spiritual conflict; for the Lord ⟨p. 130⟩doth fight on your side, and you shall conquer. In truth, we want much of that mortification which we might attain, if out of this confidence we would put forth our selves to the utmost. The devil labours to make us believe, that it will be to no purpose to resist our lusts: we have so often resolved to leave such a fault, and cannot yet leave it; we have thus often resolved against anger, lust, pride, worldliness, and the like, and yet behold, the passions and motions of them are stirring, and also break forth again; sure therefore it will never be better, and it is in vain to continue striving about that, which cannot be effected. These be the heartless and unbelieving conclusions, wherewith the devil and the flesh would dismay us.