§. 82. Of avoyding vices contrary to duties required.
THe slothfulness, here disswaded, is directly contrary to the forementioned di∣ligence: and mention is thereof made, to shew that for the more prospero•…•… flourishing of a vertue, the contrary vice is to be avoided. This is oft 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Holy Ghost in generall termes, thus, Cease to doe evill, learn to d•…•… well, Is•…•…. •…•…. 16, 17. Put off the old man, put on the new man. Eph. 4. 22, 24. Let us lay aside •…•…∣ry weight, and let us run with patience the race which is set before us: Heb. 12. 1. 8, in this particular, Prov. 12. 24, 27.
As vertue and grace is a fruit of the Spirit, so vice, and sin, of the flesh. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these are contrary the one to the other; Gal. 5. 17. If the lusts of the flesh be nouri•…•…, and not rooted out as noysome weeds, they will hinder the growth of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flowers. All contraries hinder each other, as darkness, light: moisture, driness
When therefore we set our selves to practise any vertue, if we desire to be carried on therein to perfection, let us observe, what is most contrary thereunto, to avoid the same. Physitians, Chirurgeons, Husbandmen, and other sorts of men, wh•…•…d▪ fire to have their work prosper, take this course, Ier. 3. 3, 4.
In particular, in all undertakings for growth in grace, shake off slothfulness: pa∣tend not needless excuses of impossibility, of improbability, of difficulty, or of •…•…∣ger. The slothfull man saith, there is a Lyon without, I shall be stain in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Prov. 22. 13.