21. For these reasons I allege that our
office as physicians far exceeds in toilsomeness, and consequently in
worth, that which is confined to the body; and further, because the
latter is mainly concerned with the surface, and only in a slight
degree investigates the causes which are deeply hidden. But the
whole of our treatment and exertion is concerned with the hidden man of
the heart, 1 Pet. iii. 4. and our warfare is
directed against that adversary and foe within us, who uses ourselves
as his weapons against ourselves, and, most fearful of all, hands us
over to the death of sin. In opposition then, to these foes we
are in need of great and perfect faith, and of still greater
co-operation on the part of God, and, as I am persuaded, of no slight
countermanoeuvring on our own part, which must manifest itself both in
word and deed, if ourselves, the most precious possession we have, are
to be duly tended and cleansed and made as deserving as
possible.