07-02-2007, 10:38 PM
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p. 35: Quote:
The flesh is a worse enemy than the devil himself. Never could the devil hurt us, if this inbred enemy did not betray us into his hands. The sinful flesh is the root, the fountain, and the origin. "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." Were there no fire in our wood, the devil's breath could never kindle a flame in our souls or bodies.
We must weaken the flesh by abating the fuel that feeds its fire. "Make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." We must stop the passages through which the flesh is nourished. As sin is seated in every part of the soul and body, we must guard every part of both. Keep from the body drunkenness, covetousness, and gluttony. Keep from the mind vain thoughts and pernicious errors. Keep from the memory the rembrance of sinful pleasures, unless it is to repent of them.
As we must weaken the flesh, so we must also watch over it. Though we have obtained the victory in many conflicts, yet it is still plotting against us. Then guard the senses, in particular, for they are the gates of the soul. Make a covenant with your eyes and turn them away from beholding vanity. Put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite. Take heed to your ways, that you do not sin with your tongue. And "let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may benefit the hearers."
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Andrew
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