pollute and defile thee againe with the filth of it, after thou art thus par∣doned and purged; but contrariwise, that thou serue God in performing of all contrary duties which he requireth, in that manner as hee hath pre∣scribed. And this thy care (my soule) must extend, not only to the things themselues, but to the meanes and occasions of them, for the auoyding of the one, and imbracing of the other. Cleare often thy selfe (my soule) see∣ing thou often failest of thy duty, by pleading thy pardon purchased by Christ, and set euen all accounts betweene thy God and thee, by shewing that the hand-writing of Ordinances is cancelled and nailed to his Crosse, and that thou hast a generall acquittance from thy Lord and Master sea∣led with Christs Blood. Yet slight it not ouer as a light matter (O my soule) that thou hast so much offended, though thy pardon hath freed thee from all perill, but haue an holy indignation against thy selfe and thy sins, that thou shouldst by them, like an vngratefull wretch, displease and dis∣honour so gracious a God, who of his meere mercy hath freely forgiuen thee; yea, and let this for the time to come set thee so farre at oddes with them, that thou wilt by no meanes, nor vpon any termes, entertaine with them any familiarity and acquaintance. And yet because thou art fraile and full of infirmity, and thy enemies many and mighty, thou apt and ea∣sie to be ouertaken and ouercome, and they as ready to surprize thee, there∣fore (my soule) whilest thou standest, take heed of falling, be neuer secure, which will cause negligence, but nourish euer in thee a godly feare of be∣ing surprized and foyled, which will make thee watchfull, and to stand al∣wayes vpon thy gard. And seeing thou canst not stand in thine owne strength, thou must also entertaine an holy desire after Gods grace and as∣sistance of his holy Spirit, wherby thou maist be inabled to withstand ten∣tations, and to performe all duties of Gods seruice daily in more and more perfection. The which thy desires must not be cold and remisse, but must be backed and strengthened with feruent zeale, which must shew it selfe in opposing couragiously all the meanes that hinder thee in thy Christian course; for so many blocks lie in this way, so many enemies that encounter thee, and labour might and maine to hinder thy proceedings, that thou canst not ouercome them without much courage and resolution, nor amend thy life, vnlesse thou be zealous. Finally (my soule) seeing notwith∣standing all thy zeale and resolution, thou art often foyled with that secret Traytor and dangerous Rebell, which thou nourishest in thine owne bo∣some; doe not carelesly and cowardly put vp all these wrongs and indig∣nities, but after thou hast armed thy selfe strongly against this trayterous enemy, set vpon him, foyle him as he hath foyled thee, and take sharpe reuenge vpon him, and wound him to the death with all his sinfull lusts. Yea, if thou findest him strong in resistance, abridge thy selfe in the vse of things in their owne nature indifferent, which thine enemie hath made by their abuse, snares vnto thee, and occasions of sinne; rather then giue him any aduantage by vsing thy liberty, and chuse rather to vse moderate ab∣stinence, then that such an enemy should get any strength by feeding with thee.