A Childs Patrimony, Part 2 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII. An Introduction thereto. Though the Branches of ſinne are lopped in Baptiſme, where it receives its deaths wound, yet the live Root remaineth; what the bitter fruits therefrom; how kept under from ſpreading too farre, and running forth wilde.
AND now, leaving this inward frame of our revolting heart, I meane the fountain of originall impuritie, or the body of death, as Paul calls it, to our moſt retyred thoughts, that ſo it may ſtirre up to continuall watchfulneſſe and humiliation; I ſay, leaving that fountain or body of ſin, I come to the members iſſuing thence, as the ſtreame from the fountain, or as branches from the root: For though the current thereof be, in a good meaſure, ſtayed and ſtopt in Baptiſme, by the ſanctifying power of Chriſts ſaving bloud, yet it doth more or leſſe bubble up in our rebellious nature: Though the branches are hew'd and lop't, yet they thruſt out again from their bitter root: Though the body of ſinne be mortified, ſo as the power and dominion thereof is ſubdued, yet the life thereof is prolonged aDan. 7. 12.; and the power thereof is (as the kingdome ſpoken of by Daniel bDan. 2. 42.) partly ſtrong, and partly broken. So as here is ſtill matter of our ſtrife and combate, as againſt an enemy dwelling within our Land, like the Canaanite in the border of an Iſraelite, to vexe, exerciſe, and prove us. I cannot reckon up the leaſt part of that wilde fruit, which ſprings forth of this our ſo fruitfull ſtumpe, bound up faſt within our earth, as with a band of Iron, and Braſſe; But ſome three or foure or more branches I ſhall point at, which run moſt wild to the diſhonour of our outward man, and diſturbance of our inward peace. And theſe I ſhall diſcover unto thee, that thou may eſt be moſt wary of them, and ever well provided and armed againſt them, as followeth; The firſt is