324 Ofthevanitie ofworldlypowerand authgritie. rious vktorie ouer the fpirituall enemies of our faluation : for ifwe be aflifledwith this power weefhall be able to doe all things,as the fameApofile fpeaketh. Let vs labour after P6i1.4.13. that power wherebywe may be inabled to matterandouer- come our owne fumes and corruptions, and tofubclueand keepe them vnder, to mortifie and (laughter them, when they rebel! again !! the fpirit : for this is thechiefe and Brea_ 7Ytagna poten tell power whereinaChri(lian man fhould reioyce, not to tinnon pofje be able to offendGodby doing cuill, which we (hall haue maíum, when we comeinto ourcountrie; and the next to that is to rearaineour felues from finne,vnto which the corruption of our nature leadeth and inclineth vs. Let vs chiefly delire to haue that authoritie andmight wherebywe may be inabled torule andgouerne our felues, and to moderate and keepe inorder ourowne pallions and affeóïions; let vs Phew our firength in ouercomming our pride,couetoufnes,ambi ti on, lull, anger, delire ofreuenge, and the refi : for as the Wife Prou.a6.3 t. man telleth vs, he that isflolb toanger, is better thenthe migh- tie man; andhee that ruleth his owne miede, isbetter thenhe that winnethacitie. Neitherwill it oughtauailevs to ruleo. uer thewhole world,and in the meane time to be flauesvo- to our owne lulls; to haue all nations vnder our fubieélion, and to haue withinvs tumultuous pallions, and difordered affedlions,which continually llirre vp in vs ciuill and inte- fline vprores and feditions,when as they rebell againfl the ruleofholy reaton,and refifithe goodmotions ofGods fpi- rit. Finally,ifwee would haue that flrength which is worth Hoft1.3.4 efleeme,let vs like true Ifraelites labour after fuchpower as may preuaile withGod ; and after the example ofourfore- father Jacob, Ict vs wrefile with him by our prayers and flroug cries, neuerletting him depart fromvs, till wee have obtainedableffìng, which fhaI! be accompaniedhere with comfort,ioy, and peace,and with eternali blefl'edneffe and truehappineffein the lifetocome. CHAP.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=