It is not altogether unprofitable; yea, it is great wisdom in
Christians to be arming themselves against such temptations as may
befal them hereafter, though they have not as yet met with them; to
labour to overcome them beforehand, to suppose the hardest things that
may be incident to them, and to put on the strongest resolutions they
can attain unto. Yet all that is but an imaginary effort; and
therefore there is no assurance that the victory is any more than
imaginary too, till it come to action, and then, they that have spoken
and thought very confidently, may prove but (as one said of the
Athenians) _fortes in tabula_, patient and courageous in picture or
fancy; and, notwithstanding all their arms, and dexterity in handling
them by way of exercise, may be foully defeated when they are to fight
in earnest.