Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

324 Of the vanitie ofworldly power and authgritie. rious vktorie ouer the fpirituall enemies of our faluation : for ifwe be aflifled with this power wee fhall be able to doe all things,as the fame Apofile fpeaketh. Let vs labour after P6i1.4.13. that power whereby we may be inabled to matter and ouer- 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 the chiefe and Brea_ 7Ytagna poten tell power wherein a Chri(lian man fhould reioyce, not to tin non pofje be able to offend God by doing cuill, which we (hall haue maíum, when we come into our countrie; and the next to that is to rearaine our felues from finne,vnto which the corruption of our nature leadeth and inclineth vs. Let vs chiefly delire to haue that authoritie and might whereby we may be inabled to rule and gouerne our felues, and to moderate and keepe in order ourowne pallions and affeóïions; let vs Phew our firength in ouercomming our pride,couetoufnes,ambi ti on, lull, anger, delire of reuenge, and the refi : for as the Wife Prou.a6.3 t. man telleth vs, he that is flolb to anger, is better thenthe migh- tie man; and hee that ruleth his owne miede, is better then he that winnethacitie. Neither will it ought auaile vs to rule o. uer the whole world,and in the meane time to be flaues vo- to our owne lulls; to haue all nations vnder our fubieélion, and to haue within vs tumultuous pallions, and difordered affedlions,which continually llirre vp in vs ciuill and inte- fline vprores and feditions,when as they rebell againfl the rule of holy reaton,and refifithe good motions of Gods fpi- rit. Finally,ifwee would haue that flrength which is worth Hoft1.3.4 efleeme,let vs like true Ifraelites labour after fuch power as may preuaile withGod ; and after the example ofour fore- father Jacob, Ict vs wrefile with him by our prayers and flroug cries, neuer letting him depart fromvs, till wee have obtained a bleffìng, which fhaI! be accompaniedhere with comfort,ioy, and peace,and with eternali blefl'edneffe and true happineffe in the life to come. CHAP.