STedfastnesse of faith , The scope of the text . with a direction how to stand therein , and to withstand all the opposers thereof , is the argument of the Apostle in these words . And this argument ( Right honourable , Right worshipfull , and beloved ) I thought the fittest for me to treat of , at this time , in this place ; in as much , as ye are all by profession , the servants and souldiers of Christ . And by practise also his faithfull servants , for all I know . So that I have no cause to incite you to begin , but rather to continue in well doing : to continue Christs faithfull servants and souldiers , unto your lives end . This continuance is the Apostles , and my scope .

And the occasion this : The occasion . The Apostle , having in the former part of this Epistle , delivered many holy , and heavenly exhortations , as that wee should walke worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called , c. 4. 1. That we should endeavour to keepe the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace , v. 2. That we should put off the old man , even the corruption of our nature , which is as old as mankind ; and to put on the new man , even Christ Iesus , with his merits , and manners , v. 22. 23. That we should have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkenesse , but rather reprove them , c. 5. v. 11. That we should traine up those that belong to our charge , in the instruction , and feare of the Lord , c. 6. 4. In a word , that we should all live in obedience , performing our severall duties , to each other , c. 5. 21. c. 6. 1. having delivered these , and many other pious exhortations :

And withall , perceiving that no man can set himselfe to follow these precepts , and to doe these duties , but that he shall find many discouragements , many lets and hinderances , some from flesh and blood within , others from Sathan and the world without . Yea , and such discouragements , as that man of himselfe is not able to withstand , & to stand perfect in all things . Perceiving this , the Apostle , like a faithfull Minister , and a good Leader of the Lord of hosts , animates and incites his fellowes , and followers to stand fast in the faith , 2. Cor. 16. 13. to quit themselues like men , to be strong , saying , My Brethren be strong in the Lord , and in the power of his might . v. 10. Heb. 12. v. 1. Runne on with patience the race ( or the conflict ) that is set before you . Runne on , notwithstanding all the wrestling , and striving of the flesh , the world , and the Devill to the contrary . And this that they might the better doe , he tells them how to strengthen , and arme themselues to that purpose , saying , Take unto you the whole armour of God , that ye may be able to stand , in the evill day , and to stand perfect in all things . And thus you see the scope , and the occasion of the words .

Now that I may goe on in a method , The generall parts of the text . in the further opening and handling hereof , may it please you , to observe with me these 2 parts . First a conflict . Secondly a conquest .

The conflict in these words , A Conflict wherein 3. things . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , we wrestle .

The conquest in these , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put on the whole armour of God , that ye may be able to stand . In the conflict , note with me these three things : 1. the combatants . 2. the cause of the combate , and 3. the time .

The combatants of the one side as defendants , are we , we wrestle . The combatants of the other side , The combatants of both sides . as assaylants , are the flesh , the world , and the Devill . We wrestle against flesh and blood , against principalities , and powers , against spirituall wickednesses . Indeed , the text faith here , we wrestle not against flesh & blood , as if that were not an assayling enemy . But the meaning is not so ; the Apostle , in saying , we wrestle not against flēsh and blood , doth not meane , not at all ; but not so much , as Bullinger ; not alone , as Calvin and Zanchius upon the place ; not only , as appeares by collation of scripture . For in another place , the Apostle saith that the flesh lusteth against the spirit , Gal. 5. 17. So then , the flesh , that is , our owne corrupt flesh and blood . And againe , the flesh , that is , other wicked men , which are flesh and blood , as we are , these together with Sathan , here called principalities , and powers are the enemies that we are to combate with .

The cause of the combate is , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in coelestibus , The cause of the combat . in heavenly things , that is , pro coelestibus , as Chrysostome , Oecumenius , and Musculus upon the place . Illud enim in coelestibus , est pro eo quod est pro coelestibus . The English renders in coelestibus , in high places , not in heavenly things , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( 1. ) places : the substantive , is not in the originall , but only the adjective , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( 1. ) heavenly , so that we may referre the adjective Coelestibus , either to locis , places , or rebus things , according as our Church doth elsewhere , Dominicall Epist. 21. and both true , for it is true , that Sathan , the enemy of mankind , fights against us in coelestibus locis , in high places , for he is the Prince of the aire . Ephes. 2. 2. And it is true likewise , that hee fights against us in coelestibus rebus , about heavenly things , as Gods glory , our owne salvation , the graces of Gods spirit , and eternall happinesse . And this , non ut ipse victoriam adeptus , aliquid consequatur , not to doe himselfe good , sed ut nos privet , to doe us hurt . And so here , he fights against us , in coelestibus , about heavenly things , ut nos illis spoliat , that he might deprive us of them . And this is the cause of the combate .

The time thereof , is the time present , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith the text , that is , The time of the Combate . there is a wrestling , speaking in the present tense . And as there is , so there will be , quamdiù nos , & principes tenebrarum , as long as the servants of God , and sonnes of Belial , the seed of the woman , and the seed of the serpent doe last together , that is , as long as the world lasts , that is the limited time of this combate . And these be the particulars of the Conflict .

In the Conquest likewise we have three things to consider . 1. A Conquest , wherin 3 things . the meanes how it is to be obtained . 2. The manner how the said meanes is to bee used . And 3. the motive . The meanes . The meanes is , the armour of God . The manner how to use it , The manner . is to put it on . The motive is , that ye may stand . These bee the parts and particulars , both of Conflict , and Conquest , The motive . of which in order .

And first of the Conflict , Conflict . 1. Part. Combatants of the one side , we . and therein of the combatants , we , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , we wrestle . We , that is , we that be faithfull in Christ Iesus , Ephes. 1. v. 1. v. 1. we that come to serve the Lord , Ecclus. 2. v. 1. specially we that serve at the Altar , and are the Ministers of Iesus Christ ; as S. Paul , we must wrestle , and fight the Lords battailes against his , and our enemies .

The condition of the children , A Christians life militarie . and servants of God in this life , is military : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a warfare upon earth , as Iob saith , c. 7. v. 1. God that is a man of warre , Exod. 15. 3. made man also to be-a man of warre , Gen. 3. 15. putting enmity betweene the woman , and the Serpent , and between the seed of the woman , and the seed of the Serpent , and saying , it shall breake thy head , and thou shalt bruise his heele . And this breaking and bruising , this warring and wrestling , which the Lord did then proclaime betweene the woman and the Serpent , and betweene her seed and his seed , hath gone along , and continued to this very day , even to us , so that nobis Lucta , we wrestle .

We , all we that have given up our names unto Christ , and taken the oath of allegeance unto him , in our Baptisme , and renewed it by receiving the Lords supper , and so professed open hostility against Satan , the world , and the flesh , wee must wrestle . Hic in castris , ille in rostris , in scholis , in nemore , in agro , in pelago , in palatio ; hic ferro corpus , ille animum dolis , hit argutiis linguam ; hic pedibus , ille equo , hic currit , ille navigat , omnes militant , as Petrarch hath it . Whosoever will live godly in Christ , must warre with the Dragon , and his Angels , Revel. 12. 7. 17.

Specially if wee bee any thing zealous for the Lord of hoasts , Act. 20. As Elijah , 1. Kings 17. or earnest in in Gods cause , as S. Paul , or forward for the word of God , and for the testimony of Iesus Christ , as S. Iohn , Revel 1. 9 , then we must looke for sharpe affronts , and hard oppositions , harder then if wee be remisse and carelesse in Gods cause . Sathan is no opposer of such as live securely in their sinnes . His kingdome is not divided against it selfe , Ma●k. 4. 25. he is more crafty then so . His bent is against the good , and the best most . The greatest temptation that ever hee made was against Christ , and so is still against good Christians . He will sift them , Luk. 22. 31. they shall be sure to feele his fiery darts , they must wrestle .

Yea , and this wrestling or Conflict is not a matter of sport , as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is sometime taken ; but such as maketh the body of him that striveth to shake againe : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enim dicitur quia corpus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( 1 ) quatitur . 7 Properties whereby to approve ourselves good souldiours of Iesus Christ . The Christians war is a fierce warre .

Now this being so , that our life is a souldiours life , a warfare upon earth , a continuall wrestling and fighting with Sathan and his complices ; Let us consider our calling , and endeavour to walke worthy of it , in shewing our selves good souldiours of Iesus Christ . Let us not thinke it enough to take presse money , and to beare the name , and to receive the pay of good souldiours , but let us approve our selves such , by our good service , and performance of the parts of good souldiours , and amongst other , in these .

First in forethinking of the Crosse , and providing for it : Thus a good souldiour , hee doth not thinke to live stil in garison at ease : hee thinks of sharpe Conflicts , and hard trialls , and prepares for them ; in the day of peace he prepares for battell , in a calme he expects a storme , and so must wee , for faire weather will not last alwayes .

Aestas non semper fuerit , Virgil. componite nidos .

A good souldier careth but litle for the world , no man that warreth , intangleth himselfe with the things of this life , that he may please him who hath chosen him to bee a souldiour , saith the Apostle , 2. Tim. 2. 4. And so , if we be for Christs service , we must not be for the world , for wee cannot serve two Masters , two such contrary commanding Masters , as God & Mammon , Mat. 6. 24. yea to warre a good warfare , we must abstaine not only from the care of this life , but from every wicked thing , Deut. 23. 9. so saith the Lord , when thou goest out against thine enemy to fight , abstaine from every evill thing . For this weakens us , and turnes God against us .

A good souldiour will endure hardnesse , hard fare , hard lodging , Non est in terris mollis ad astra via . And so must we ; if we will approve our selves good souldiours of Christ , we must abate of our dainty feeding , of our soft clothing , and lazy living . We must moderate our selves of our too many pleasures , and endure hardnesse . So saith the Apostle , endure hardnesse as a good souldiour of Iesus Christ , 2. Tim. 2. 3. and so he did himselfe , he was in labours abundant &c. 2. Cor. 11. 23. and so Christ our captaine he endured the crosse , Heb. 12. 1. leaving us an example .

A good souldiour will keepe his ranke , knowing that when the ranks are broken , Ordo est mater & conservatrix rerum omnium . Arist. polit. l. 2. the victory is in hazard : And so must we , saith the Apostle ; let all things be done in order , 1. Cor. 14. 40. Let every one abide in the vocation wherein he is called , 1. Cor. 7. 20. Study to be quiet , medling with your owne busines , 1. Thes. 4. 11. not with the busines of Princes , and prelats , teaching them what lawes and orders to make , this is to breake our ranke . If a more be in the eye , the feete is no fit member to pull it out , the hand is to doe that : And so if things be amisse in church , or common-wealth , private men may not presume to bee reformers therein , they must leave that to Moses and Aaron the Prince and the Priest , the two hands of the body politick , Psal. 77. 20.

A good souldiour wil obey his captaine , and doe as he commands him , Mat. 8. 9. Intenti fuerunt ad Ducis verbum imò & ad nutum . Curt. l. 4. if he say come , he cometh , or goe , & he goeth , or doe this , and he doth it , so the Centurions servant , and the souldiers of Alexander , as Curtius writes . And so we , if we will approve ourselves good souldiours of Christ , we must obey his commands , in comming , going , and doing as he bids us . If we be his servants wee must obey him , for his servants we are , to whom we obey . Rom. 6. 16.

A good souldiour the more trust is committed to him , and the more he is advanced by his soveraigne Lord above others , the more carefull he is to approve himselfe well in his place . Thus Nehemiah , shall such a man as I flye ? a man so honored , so advanced above others , shall I so much forget my Lord , and the trust which he hath committed to me , as to sinne against him ? I will never doe it . And so we , the more honour , the better place , and the greater pay wee have , the more faithfull wee should be , for to whom much is given , of them much is required . Luk. 12. 48.

A good souldiour will bee helpfull to his fellow souldiours . It is reported of Trajan , that hee would cut in peeces his own garments , Xiphlin . in vita Trajan . rather then his souldiours should want a ragge to bind up their wounds : And so if wee will approve our selves good souldiours of Christ , we must helpe and succour one another . Rom. 12. 13. Gal. 6. 2. 10. We must distribute to the necessity of the Saints ; and helpe to beare one anothers burden , as the Apostle saith , wee must doe good to all , specially to them of the houshould of faith ; and among them to your faithfull Ministers and preachers . ( Indeed having food and raiment , we ought therewith to be contented , as the Apostle saith . 1. Tim. 6. v. 8. And food we have , that are called to this place , and wee thanke you for it . But raiment , ( 1. ) a gowne we want , we are faine to seeke for , and sometime to goe without , at least to bee content with that which is not fit . If this defect be for want of information , I pray take this . Having gone through with the weightier matters , doe not sticke at the least : without any more adoe , afford I pray you , your fellow souldiour , a coate fit for his place . )

A good souldiour is watchfull to foresee dangers , to give warning thereof unto others , and withall to prevent them as much as he may : And so we must have the eye of our minds alwayes awake to see and observe what particular temptations doe arise against us , either from within or from without . Mark . 13. 33. 37. Thus saith our Saviour often , watch . And so the Apostle , be sober and watch , because your adversary the Devill , as a roaring Lion , walketh about , seeking whom he may devoure , 1. Pet. 5. 8.

A good souldiour , will fortifie himselfe there most , where hee thinks the enemy will make his greatest assault . And now Sathan our deadly enemy labours most to overthrow our faith , Rom. 10. 8. and to oppose the Scripture which is the word of faith . Luk. 22. 31. 32. Hee labours specially to shake our faith , 2. Cor. 5. Psal. 1●6 . so saith Christ , Sathan hath desired to winnow your faith . And this , because it is the speciall gift of Gods elect , Tit. 1. 1. The mother grace , the ground of obedience , of feare , of joy , our choicest weapon , even our shield and buckler , the victory whereby wee overcome , 1. Ioh. 5. Hee endeavours likewise with great earnestnesse to oppose the word of God , and to call in question the truth thereof , and to bring it out of credit . Thus he dealt in tempting of Eve , saying , hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden , least ye dye ? he knew God had said it , and that in the day they should eat thereof , they should dye . Gen. 3. 1. 3. 4. And yet hee labours to make them doubt of that truth , which hee and they knew too well . And so againe in tempting of Christ , whereas God the Father said , This is my beloved Sonne , in whom I am well pleased . Mat. 3. 17. C. 4. Sathan hee comes with his , If thou be the Son of God , and so would make a doubt of it .

Knowing then what Sathan and his agents labour most , even to call into question the truth of Gods word , and to overthrow our faith therein , there let us fortifie our selves most ; seeing there he oppugnes most , thither let us bring our greatest strength .

A good souldiour will rightly discerne betwixt the head of the body , and other inferiour parts , so that if he put any to the hazard , hee will put those that are lesse principall . But as for the head , which like the tower of David , hath a superintendency above the rest , this he will be sure to ward .

And so above all , wee must bee sure to looke to our head Christ Iesus , that he be not wounded : specially that he be not put downe , and deprived of his kingly , 2. Thes. 2. 3. 4. priestly , and propheticall office , by that man of sinne , the Sonne of perdition , who opposeth and exalteth himselfe above all that is called God , or is worshipped . The head , as Plato sayes , is the seat of life , and being . But certaine it is , in Christ the head of the Church , and of our faith , is life , and eternall life , as the Apostle saith . In him is life , 1. Ioh. 11. 12. and no where else to bee had , according to that of the same Apostle , hee that hath the Sonne hath life , and he that hath not the Sonne , hath not life .

I say then with our Saviour , Mat. 10. 16. bee wise as Serpents , in saving the head , for therein their chifest wisdome consists , as Pliny writes . This is the sure hold , in capite , to hold the head Christ . But alas there bee too many now adayes that doe not hold this head . Of this sort are they who worship Saints and Angels , as the Apostle saith , Colos. 2. 18. Specially those Qui Mariam Virginem Christo ipsi anteponunt , dum eam sic inclamant , roga patrem , jube natum , jure matris impera . Item dum ei epitheta Christo propria attribuunt , dicentes , felix Coeli porta , Item regina misericordiae , vita & spes nostra , &c.

These doe not hold the head , and so doe not shew themselves wise souldiours , not so wise as Serpents in their kind .

A good souldiour will set upon his enemies betimes , while he is in his best strength , in the spring of his youth , and cannot deferre it till the winter of old age . And so must we , to approve our selues good souldiours , we must resist the Devill and his temptations , while our power is at the best , and not put it off till we be old , Ovid. and decrepit . Turpe senex miles ; Old decrepit men are not fit for the field , A man upon his death-bed is not fit to master a Giant . And no more is a man so fit to fight with a Dragon and his Angels , the Devill and his Complices , when his power is at the weakest . Eccles. 12. 1. I say then with the wise man , remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth , before the old and evill dayes , come , or the yeares draw nigh , when thou wilt say , I haue no pleasure in them . Set thy selfe to wrestle against thy adversaries , 2. Sam. 11. ● . when Kings goe forth to warre , that is , at the begining of the yeare , in the Prime of thy time , before Sathans temptations by continuance get strength , and thy power is lessened .

A good souldiour will have speciall care to strengthen himselfe where he is weakest , and there to lay most matter of defence . And so it is wisdome for us to observe our owne weaknesse , and personall corruptions , and there to fortifie our selves ; Though there be in every one of us the seed , and spawne of all sinnes , yet there is none but is more prone to some one sinne then to another . As some to walke after the flesh , Susanna . as the two Iudges of Israel . 2. Tim. c. 4. 10. Others to love the present world , Iudith c. 12. 20. as Demas . Dan. 5. 2. Others to overcharge themselves with surfeting & drunkennesse , Isa. 36. 4. as Holofernes & Balthazar . Others to sweare and blaspheame Gods name , as Rabshaketh &c. Whatsoever our weaknesse & personall infirmity is , let us observe it and there lay most matter of defence , so that we may be able to say with David , I have eschued mine owne wickednesse , Psal. 18. 23.

A good souldiour will endeavour to repell , & to withstand the first assault of the enemy , & not suffer him to come to scale the wall , or into the Market place , with purpose to drive him out againe . He will keepe him out without bullets reach if he can : And so must we , if wee be wise ; wee must resist the first motions of sinne and Sathan , and beate backe the first assault , wee must breake the head of the Serpent , hit Goliah in the forehead , treade downe sinne in the shell , and dash Sathans brood against the stones while their are infants . Sathan is more easily driven back at the first , then afterwards , therefore principijs obsta , put back the first assault .

A good souldiour will command more with a veni , then an ito . As Circero reports of Caesar , to his eternall praise , that is , more by patterne , then by precept : And so to prove our selves good souldiours of Iesus Christ , wee must not only call upon others , doing nothing our selves ; but we must call by our own forwardnes and example , which is the strongest authority and the most persuasive argument .

A good souldiour is not ashamed to weare his captaines colours ; or to confesse his name ; or of wounds which he hath received in his service : And so to prove our selves fathfull servants and souldiers of Christ , wee must not be ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified , or of his livery and cognizance , which is the hearing of his word , and receiving of his Sacraments , or of suffering for his names sake . The Prophet David did professe to speake of Gods testimonies before Kings , and not to be ashamed . Psal. 119. S. Paul said to the Romans , that he was not ashamed of the Gospell , Rom. 1. 16. or of suffering afflictions for preaching the Gospell 2. Tim. 1. 12. neither may we ; if any man suffer as a Christian , let him not bee ashamed , but let him glorify God on this behalfe , 1. Pet. 4. 16.

A good souldiour is primus in pralio , and postremus in fuga , as it is said of Xerxes , that is , the first in the fight , and the last in the flight . Nay hee will not flye at all , except his captaine sound a retraite , or otherwise command him , knowing that there is Martiall law , present death , if hee should doe so : And so if we will approve our selves good souldiours of Christ , wee must bee ready , & forward to fight under his banner against sinne , the world , and the Devill . We must be forward & continue faithfull in the fight , & that unto the death . Thus S. Paul , he fought the good fight and finished his course . 2. Tim. 4. 7. And so must we , Finis coronat opus . Qui fugit huic meritò nulla corona datur . If any man draw back , my soule shall have no pleasure in him , saith the Lord , Heb. 10. 38. There is no safety in flying ; here is no peece of armour appointed for the back in all this Panoply , but only for the fore-parts ; Psal. 78. v. 10. but only for the fore-parts ; to signify that we , should not like those of Ephraim , turne our backs in the day of battell , but looke our enemies in the face , and , as the Numantine , rather dye then flye .

A good souldiour will take speciall notice of his chiefest enemies , and bend himselfe most against them . For though in battells they fight against the whole army , yet specially against the head and Generall . Thus the King of Siria , being to fight with an army of the Israelites , at Ramoth Gilead , hee commanded his thirty and two captaines which had rule over his charets , saying , fight neither with small nor great , but only with the King of Israel , 1. Kings 22. 31. And thus must we in our spirituall warfare ; we must fight against the whole army of sinne , but specially against the King , and ruling sinne , against chiefe leaders of sin , those being taken , the rest will never stand . If Holofernes be slaine , his souldiours will flye . Iudith c. 15. 1. 12. If the sheapheard bee once strucke , the sheep will soone be scattered , Mat. 26. 31.

Neither need we to goe farre , Combatants of the adverse part. 3. to take a view of our chiefer enemies . Here they are neare at hand , personated , and deciphered unto us , in number three , in quality most notorious .

The first , that enters the list , is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , flesh & blood , The flesh . or blood and flesh , as the originall runnes . That is , that corruption of nature , which hath defiled both body and soule , being spread and mixt , with every part of both , even as the light mingled with darknesse , in the twy-light , or dawning of the day . This corruption and depravednesse of nature , here called flesh & blood , is one of the chiefe enemies , that we have to combate , and wrestle with in this world . Indeed , the Apostle here , doth prefixe a non to this , saying , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is , we wrestle not against flesh and blood . But this non , is not to be understood , simply , as not at all , but not only , ( as is said before ) our owne corrupt nature is one , but not our only enemy . It is one of our enemies , so saith the Apostle , the carnall mind is enmity against God , Rom. 8. 7. it lusteth against the spirit , Galat. 5. 17. it rebelleth against the law of the mind , Rom. 7. 23. 24. Let a man but will that which is good , and evill is present with him ; as the Apostle saith , Rom. 7. 21. If a man have a mind to pray , or to praise God , to give , or to forgive , to doe , or to suffer any thing according to Gods will , the corrupt flesh is ready to contrary it , and to say with the sluggard , Prov. 6. v. 10. yet a little sleepe , a little slumber , a little folding of the hands to sleep , or to say as Peter did to Christ speaking of his death , this be farre from thee , this shall not be unto thee , Mat. 16. 22.

A mans owne heart is as arch a traytor , as any he shall meet withall , and as dangerous ; and the more , because he is not a forraine but an home-bred enemy , fighting not as a tall souldiour , but as a crafty traytor rebelling against the spirit ; like Dalilah in Sampsons bosome , or Iudas in Christs company ; like the moth in the garment , it is bred in us , and dayly cherished by us , and yet frets and destroyes us . The heart is deceitfull above all things , as the Prophet saith , Ier. 17. 9. Yea more deceitfull then Sathan himselfe in some respect , for our owne hearts can deceive us of themselves , without Sathan : but not Sathan without our hearts . Nemo laeditur nisi à seipso , is a true saying . There is no mischiefe that we fall into , but we ourselves are at least coadjutive causes , and doe helpe to further the matter . Indeed Sathan is as the father begetting , but our corrupt heart is as the mother conceiving , and bringing forth sinne . Sathan the father of sin , could doe nothing without this Mother . The Devill cannot prevaile against us but by the helpe of our owne corruption ; he might strike fire long enough , ere there would bee any burning , did not we find him tinder . Grande malum voluntas propira , as Bernard saith , Ser. 71. in Cant. a mans worst foes are they of his own houshold , of his own bosome , even his owne naughty heart and corrupt affections . Every man is tempted by his owne concupiscence as the Apostle saith , Iam. 1. 14. This carrieth the chiefest stroke in our sinnes . The Devell hath astutiam suadendi , a persuading slight , but he hath not potentiam cogendi , an inforcing might , as S. August . in Psal. 91. He cannot make us sinne against our wills , if hee plow not with our heifer , Iudges 14. 18. he can get no advantage over us .

Behold then and consider who is your enemy , it is not so much a forrain , as a domestick foe , a mans foes are they of his owne houshold , the head-strong passions , and the unruly affections of our owne corrupt hearts , are the greatest enemies that wee are to wrestle with . Wee wrestle against flesh and blood .