5 5 2 AfecJitations and Observationt 3 7 heologicall
she sucks and extracts the quintesser.ce of flowers, which Ikechimically distills in the Limbeck of her belly ; and thus prepa-red layes it up for future food. So the Christian soule in this re-spect is a Bee that will not feede on worldly carrion or (insultpleasure, but on Christ and spiritual! things. The soule of acarnall and naturall man useth to feede upon dust, carrion,earth, and earthly things, when the soule of a true Christianthat hath the raft of grace, feedes neatly, it will not feede onthat which is base and earthy, but upon heaven and fpiricuallthings. The perpetuall everlasting intercourse between Christand a Christian,is his maine happiness: here, and his eteinailhappinessc in heaven.
XV.
Temptations to finnecome about us like Bees (huzzir g intocur mindesevill thoughts, and preparing to sting by drawingus into consent) but it is in the name and by the power of theLord that we do* destroy them ; and therefore the Apostlefaith expreflitly ; The God tf peace /ball tread downe Satan un-der yourfeete. If he be trodden downe, it is God that doth itfor us.
Mr. w -<ii d,Souks mise-
'y-
Rom l6» 2 c.
XVI.
Whosoever dallies or playes with the Bees at the hivesmouth, doth it with his owre penll, for although at first he beperhaps neglected or assaulted but with oneorrwo, yet if hepersists m his folly or foo!-hardinesse,he (hall quickly find morefists about his eares then his owne, and not escape scot-free.Would we not be overcome and foyled by temptations,con-jure them not up, ca ly not with them, but if they be risen,quickly lay them, stifle them in their birth and they will exposeus to no further trouble or d;.nger; Though flax (faith one )be never so catching, a iparke of fire may (all in, and yet notenflame if it be espied and taken out (uddenly ere it save timeto insinuate its force into the combustible matter, and lo evtllmotions if quenched at the first kindling, seldome breake outinto a flame of rebellion. But if we neglect them , bid them
welcome,