Bolton - Houston-Packer Collection BX9339.B65 A2 1641

comfortablewalking withGod. 95. deale of diftarbance and unfettledneffe the vifible exorbi- tancie and breakingofit out, willbreed and bring upon thy inward man. Itwill be like adeadFlie in a boxe ofprecious oyntment, difgraceall thy graces,and full foulely darken the glory ofthy profellion. It will belike fire in the Thatch, and for the while caft into combuftion , as it were, the whole frameofthy fpirituall building and turne the heavenlypeace ofthy appealed coufcience, into abitter tempell. Tell mee whether after a lawle% tranfgreffionof thofe bonds of mo- deration, towhich thyChrif}ian refolution hath confind it; and that it hath prevailed againft thee with any notorious exceffe; I fay, whether at night thou find not thy fpirit quite downe and much deaded to theexercife of prayer, or anyo- therevening dutie ? And if upon thy waking in the night, there fhould bee any terrible wind, dreadful! thunder, or o- ther affrightingaccident, whether thy heart would not (mite thee upon that occafion,with much more feare and apprehen- fions of horrour I will fuppofe,thy raigning,or rather rebelling paifon(for, I fpeake to theChrittian) tobe choller and anger: and then first liften to the counfell which the very morali Sages mini- 'ter against this fpirituall maladie, and to the rulesand reme, dies which the light ofreafon leadesus unto. z . Cut off (fay they) the caufes,and theeffeEt will vanifh. Quench the firebrands which enrage thisfury, and thou (halt be at quiet : They are fuch as thefe t. Weakenefle of fpirit, unmanlineffe of mind. Hence it isthat old men,, infants, and ficke folkes are commonly more cholericke then others. Impotency and exceffè of paf- fion ever argues the difgrace and inferioritie of the under- flanding part,thenoblelt power of the foule. Andtherefore if wewouldbee armedagainft the fallies and affaults of this domineeringraging diftemper,wemutt fuffer the higheft and heavenlieft part ofour foule to knowand exercife its place . and ftrength. Wemuff not make our understanding under- lings, but give reafon his right and regiment. a. Selfe-love foolifhdoting upon andadoring our felves;- which.

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