The Christian in Complete Armour

Thirdly, back both these with a daily endeavour to mortify those lusts which most prevail over thy grace. Weeds cannot thrive, and the flowers also; when grace doth not act vigorously and freely, conclude it is oppressed with some contrary lust, which weighs down its spirits, and makes them lumpish; even as superfluous humours do load the natural spirits in our bodies, that we have little joy to stir or go about any business till they be evacuated; and therefore ply this work close, it is not a days work or two in the year, (like Physic at spring and fall) nothing more vain, then to make a bustle, as the Papists do at their Lent; or as some unsound Professors among our selves, who seem to bestir themselves before a Sacrament or day of Fasting, with a great noise of zeal, and then let those very lusts live peaceably in them all the year after. No, this is child-play to do and undo; thou must mortify daily thy lusts by the Spirit, Rom. 8.13. Follow but this work conscionably in thy Christian course, making it thy endeavour, (as constantly as the labouring man goes out every day to work in the field where his calling lies) to watch thy heart, and use all means for the discovery of sin, and as it breaks forth to be humbled for it, and be chopping at the root of it with this axe of mortification; and thou shalt see by the blessing of God what a change for the better ⟨p. 345⟩there will be in the constitution of thy grace; thou who art now so poor, so pale, that thou art afraid to see thy own face long in the glass of thy own conscience, shall then reflect with joy upon thy own conscience, and dare to converse with thy self without those surprisals of horror and fear, which before did appal thee; thy grace, though it shall not be thy rejoicing, yet it will be thy evidence for Christ, in whom it is: and lead thee in with boldness to lay claim to him, while the loose Christian, whose grace is over-grown with lusts (for want of this weeding hook) shall stand trembling at the door, questioning whether his grace be true or no; and from that doubt of his welcome.

Thirdly, back both these with a daily endeavour to mortifie those lusts which most pevail over thy grace. Weeds cannot thrive, and the flowers also; when grace doth not act vigorously and freely, conclude it is opprest with some contrary lust, which weighs down its spirits, and makes them lumpish; even as superfluous humours do load the natural spirits in our bodies, that we have little joy to stir or go about any businesse till they be evacuated; and therefore ply this work close, it is not a dayes work or two in the yeare, (like Physick at spring and fall) nothing more vain, then to make a busle, as the Papists do at their Lent; or as some unsound Professours among our selves, who seem to bestir themselves before a Sacrament or day of Fasting, with a great noise of zeal, and then let those very lusts live peaceably in them all the yeare after. No, this is child-play to do and undo; thou must mortifie daily thy lusts by the Spirit,