A heavenly conference between Christ and Mary after His resurrection. Wherein the intimate familiarity,…

If when we be moved to any sin by Satan, or our own flesh, which is a Devil within us: this is contrary to my Covenant, this is contrary to the ¹renewing of the Covenant, so often renewed in the Sacrament, & therefore I will not commit it. It is contrary to the State I am advanced to, and contrary to my relation, God is my Father and my God; and therefore I must be his, and what have I to do with sin? what hath pride to do with a heart bequeathed to God? what ⟨p. 226⟩hath lust and filthiness? what hath injustice, or any thing else that is sinful, to do in a heart that hath dedicated, and consecrated it self to God, who hath given up himself, and all he can do, and to whom we have given up all we have, and shall we give our strength to sin and Satan, his enemies?

1. 1The flesh a Devil within us.

Thus we should grow in assurance, exercising the increase and knowledge of our interest. I beseech you therefore let us use these and the like things to make God our God. And if any temptation for sin be joined, as Satan cannot but solicit to sin; so he laboureth when we have sinned, to tempt to despair for sin; for they be the two ways by which Satan prevails. Now ¹fetch comfort against both from hence. God is my God, and my Father, and Christ teacheth them to call him so; and therefore notwithstanding sin, I may go to God, and call him Father. The Disciples, though their sin was great, yet on their humility they were to acknowledge God to be their Father, and their God. And ⟨p. 227⟩therefore answer Satan; I ought not to abuse and break off, and deny my interest in God, as my Father, and my God, for any sin, because the Disciples did not so; and Christ hath taught how to make use of God, and to acknowledge him for my comfort. We cannot have a better guide then God, and therefore never think of God, but as our God and our Father, and labour to answer all Satan's temptations in that kind from hence.