The thorns, of the care, the riches, and the pleasures of life, sprung up with it, and choked it. Luke 8:7. Therefore break up your fallow ground, and sow not among the thorns. Jeremiah 4:3. Of good and useful thorns, see Hosea 2:6.
Those who by the power of Christ, faithfully pluck up the least thorn of sin without delay, can happily avoid many great struggles. It is by this means, that the flesh is weakened, the spirit strengthened, and consequently, the combat made easier. But to come off without any struggle or conflict at all, is impossible, as long as we carry our enemy, the flesh, about us, which is ever opposing all that is good.
Of such thorns as prick the lustful flesh, our noble spirit gathers the sweetest roses; but those gardens of roses which gratify the flesh, bring such thorns as will certainly soon kill the spirit. Choose, therefore, whatever thou pleasest, thorns must be chosen, who either hurt the flesh or the spirit. But I hope thou wilt be wise enough to pluck out the least thorns of sinful lusts before they are grown up to a whole hedge; which would greatly increase thy trouble and pains, and make thee suffer, and pay dear enough for so short and poor a pleasure.