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bare wishing or woulding for a fit, or a cold and common seeking; but an earnest striving to enter in at the strait gate, Luke xiii. 24, that gives admittance into the way of holiness, and into the kingdom of heaven. It is a studying and exercising a man's self as in a matter of life and death; and as a wise man would do for a kingdom, where there is possibility and hope of obtaining it.

Others, who indeed endeavour to keep a good conscience toward God and man, yet because they cannot bring into act always that which they labour for, or because they see oversights, neglects, or some weakness in their endeavours, think that they endeavour to no purpose. Whereas, if they do what they can, according to the strength of grace received, or according to the condition or state wherein they are, which is sometimes better, sometimes worse; if they see their failings in their endeavours, and bewail them, and do ask pardon, resolving by God's grace to strive to do better; this is true endeavour, this is that which God for Christ's sake does accept of, Mark xiv. 8. For since endeavour is a part of our holiness, you must not think that it will be perfect in this life; if it be true, you must thank God, for he will accept of that.

A man's endeavour may be as true, and as much, when yet he cannot perform what he endeavours to do, as it is at other times, when with the endeavour he has also ability to perform. As you may see in natural endeavours. The same man being well in health, if he fall, and break not his arms or legs, endeavours to get up, and readily does it: but if he be weak, or if falling he breaks his arms and legs, he also has a will and desire to rise, and strives earnestly to help himself, but cannot do it effectually, and in that case, he is fain to lie until he see help coming: then he will call, and entreat help, and when one gives him the hand, though he cannot rise of himself, yet he will lift up himself, as well as he can. Does not this man, in his latter condition, as truly endeavour as he did in his former? So it is with a spiritual man in his