OP SPIRITUAL NfIRDRDNtSsì 191 and regard to all their enemies, and their attempts against them. But if they are vigilant, and delight in their opposition to those that are without, that visibly contend with them, and in the mean time neglect such as traitorously act within among themselves, betraying their counsels, and weakening their strength, they will be undoubtedly ruined. Wise men do first take care of what is within, as knowing if they are there betray. ed, all they do against their open enemies is to no pur- pose. In the warfare wherein we are engaged, we have enemies of all sorts, that openly and visibly, in various temptations, fight against our souls. These it is our duty to watch against, to conflict with, and to seek a conquest over. But it is this internal vanity of mind, that endeavors, in all things, to betray us, to weaken us in all our graces, or to hinder their due operations; and to open the doors of our hearts to our cursed ene- mies. If our principal endeavor be not to discover, suppress, and destroy this traitor, we shall not succeed in our spiritual warfare. This, therefore, being the original cause of all that disability of mind as to steadiness in holy thoughts and meditations, whereof you do complain, when you are affected therewith, turn to the consideration of that from whence it doth proceed. Labor to be humbled greatly, and to walk humbly under a sense of the re. mainders of this vanity of mind. So some wholesome fruits may be taken from this bitter root, and meat may come out of this eater. If, when you cannot abide in holy thoughts of God, and your relation to him, you reflect on this cause of it to your further hu- miliation and self-abasement, your good designs and purposes are not lost. Let such a one say, 'I began to think of God, of his love and grace in Christ Jesus, 171
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=