* As Charles IX. after the massacre in France. Thuamis, lib, 57. Somnum post p.asiim SanbartholomsBum noctiirni horrores plerumque interrumpebant et rursus adhibiti symphoniaci espergefacto conciliabant.
1 50 THE soul's conflict.
The possession of the soul is the richest possession, no jewel so precious. The account for our own souls, and the souls of others, is the greatest account, and therefore the care of souls should be the greatest care. What an indignity is it, that we should forget such souls to satisfy our lusts ! to have our wills ! to be vexed with any, who by their judgment, example, or authority, stop, as we suppose, our courses ! Is it not the greatest plot in the world, first, to have their lusts satisfied ; secondly, to remove, either by fraud or violence, whatsoever standeth in their way ; and, thirdly, to put colours and pretences upon this to delude the world and themselves, employing all their carnal wit and worldly strength for their carnal aims, and fighting for that which fights against their own souls ? For, what will be the issue of this but certain destruction ?
Of this mind are not only the dregs of people, but many of the more refined sort, who desire to be eminent in the world ; and to have their own desires herein, give up the liberty of their own judgments and consciences to the desires and lusts of others. To be above others, they will be beneath themselves, having those men's persons in admiration for hope of advantage, whom otherwise they despise ; and so, substituting in their spirits man in the place of God, lose heaven for earth, and bury that divine spark, their souls, capable of the divine nature, and fitter to be a sanctuary and temple for God to dwell in, than by closing with baser things to become base itself. We need not wonder that others seem base to carnal men, who are base both in and to themselves. It is no wonder they should be cruel to the souls of others, who are cruel to their own souls ; that they should neglect and starve others, that give away their own souls in a manner for nothing. Alas ! upon what poor terms do they hazard that, the natiu"e and worth whereof is beyond man's reach to comprehend ! Many are so careless in this kind, that if they were thoroughly persuaded that they had souls that should live for ever, either in bliss or torment, we might the more easily work upon them. But as they live by sense, as beasts, so they have no more thoughts of future times than beasts, except at such times as con- science is awaked by some sudden judgment, whereby God's wrath is revealed from heaven against them. But happy were it for them, if they might die like beasts, whose misery dies with them.
To such an estate hath sin brought the soul, that it willingly drowneth itself in the senses, and becomes, in some sort, incarnate with the flesh.
We should therefore set ourselves to have most care of that, which God cares most for, which he breathed into us at first, set his own image upon, gave so great a price for, and values above all the world besides. Shall all our study be to satisfy the desires of the flesh, and neglect this ?
Is it not a vanity to prefer the casket before the jewel, the shell before the pearl, the gilded potsherd before the treasure ? and is it not much more vanity to prefer the outward condition before the inward ? The soul is that which Satan and his hath most spite at, for in troubling our bodies or estates, he aims at the vexation of our souls. As in Job (ch. i.) his aim was to abuse that power God had given him over his children, body, and goods, to make him, out of a disquieted spirit, blaspheme God. It is an ill method to begin our care in other things, and neglect the soul, as Ahithophel, who set his house in order, when he should have set his soul in order first,
2 Sam. xvii. 23. Wisdom begins at the right end. If all be well at home, it comforts a man, though he meets with troubles abroad. Oh, saith he, I shall have rest at home ; I have a loving wife and dutiful children : so whatsoever we meet withal abroad, if the soul be quiet, thither we can
THE soul's conflict. 151
retire witli comfort. See that all be weU witliin, and tlien all troubles from without cannot much annoy us.
Grace will teach us to reason thus — God hath given mine enemies power over my liberty and condition, but shall they have power and libei-ty over my spirit ? It is that which Satan and they most seek for ; but never yield, 0 my soul ! and thus a godly man will become more than a con- queror ; when in appearance he is conquered, the cause prevails, his spirit prevails, and is undaunted. A Christian is not subdued till his sphit is subdued. Thus Job prevailed over Satan and all his troubles, at length. This tormenteth proud persons, to see godly men enjoy a calm and resolute frame of mind in the midst of troubles ; when their enemies are more troubled in troubling them, than they are in being troubled by them.