Ch. 4?:. about the confli6#,er corltbatkbetween theflefh andSpirit. 4. we are hereby .ocæafionedtó fly Qfrner untoGod by fervent prayer, ac- hgbwledgtng, and bewailing thefe reIi&s of corruption before the throne of grace, earnestly craving the pardon of diem, and «rength againft rhem,whereby we may beanablod to mortifie ourcorruptions,and to fyfrom all fin for the time to come. S. Through the remainders ofrhefe corruptions we have the benefit offpiritual exercile toprevent floth,whilft we make war àgainit them,withftand their affaulrs, prepareour felves for the conflict, watchover ourhearts that theybe nor furprifed exercife our fpiiitual graces,and buckle to all holy dutiesrequired byGod for ob- taining the viGory, 7'hil,z.r 2. ; Cor.16.13. Ephef.6.ro. 6. ltmakes us to go on in our Pilgrimsg e with contentment,and patiently to bear all aitlictions,noconly becaufewe deierve them by reafonofour fins,Lam.3. 39. But alfo becaufeweknow, and have experience that rhefe correpions arc neceifary to mortifieour 1u(s,and ro drawout the core of our corruptions:and as fait to teafon us that we be not fainted, and periih in our flefhly putrifa- them. 7. By this conflict our hearts are weaned from theworld, arid it .provokes us to long after our heavenly happinefs, when finding our felves tired withthisfight; not only with forreign foes, but thefe intestine traitors , wecannot but earneltly defre thatperfe&ion which is only attainable in a better life , Phil. 1. zi. with 7ßom.7.a3. 8. It caufethus to long after the crown of victory, and when we have obtain- edit, itwill herebybecome much nlore.glorious. For the Lord will have us firft tofight, and overcome, and thenhe will revardus with the crown of vi&o- ry : 1-it will first have our graces exercifed , and manifeiìed, and then he will giveus a proportion of glory, according to the proportionof our graces z Tire. q.. 8. Secondly, As its profitable that thefe relies of fin fhould remain in us, fo its futable, and feafonable to the time, and place wherein we live. For God bath determined that here we (hall not attain unto perfe&ion,but only that we fhould labour after it , and attainit in the life to come :that whil(t here, we fhould be in our nonage, and come to our per£e&age in Christ, and to our heavenly inheri- tance after our dilfolution. This world is appointed for our painful' Pilgrimage and theplace ofour warfare,and its not feafonable toexpe& reft and joyes till we be arrived fafely in our own Country. Quell. What are theformal!, and effertiall taupes ofthis con f ift ? Becaufe contraries do bell illufirate contraries, let us remember that there was a time when this conflict was not to befound in this little world ofman, thewhichwas twofold. Firsi. That truly golden age, in which manwas created after Gods image, and lived in the flare of innocency : at which time there was a blefîedpeace, and hea- venlly harmonybetween the body and foul, and all the powers, and parts of them both : But when Satan, thearch enemyof mankind, faw , and envied our happy, condition , he plotted byall means towork our ruine , and defpairingto accom- plì`fh-lrby power, he had recourfe to ferpentine policy, whereby he perfwa- tied us, under (hew of love, to uradoe our felves, and thereby he entred in upon us, accompanied with a crew of hishellüh followers, the chief whereof were difobedience,unbelief inGod, and credulity to the Diver, damnable pride, orgy, diácontent, afpiringambition, and unthankfulntfs : all which being let in- toour fouls, they difpoiled us ofGods rich graces, our createdwifdom, pnd holi- nefs, making themfelves conquerors over all ourpowers,andparts, and every one of them chufngfor theit habitaion thofe places ; and parts which they thought molt fitting for them. As for example, ignorance, errour, curiofity, and many thoufandsoffmfull imaginations furprifed, and keep polfeffion of out mindes ; World- 399 Id; Ió
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