The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs

Thirdly. The Force of that Power, is from that.

Fourthly, The Success of that Power is from that cause; and when the soul looks up to this highest cause and sees all clear there, it needs not much to look how it is with the inferior causes. As if a man had an instrument, that hung upon many wheels, though the inferior moves, and it seems as if it would break and fall upon him, yet if he hath an eye upon the highest wheel that moves all, upon which all depend, and be sure that holds, he doth not much regard the other. And so it is with a spiritual eye. A carnal eye looks only at things that are objects of sense, he looks at the creatures, but a believer looks at the highest supreme cause, and if that be right, he doth not look at the lowest causes.

Fourthly, The Success of that Power is from that cause; and when the soul looks up to this highest cause and sees all cleare there, it needs not much to look how it is with the inferior causes. As if a man had an instrument, that hung upon many wheels, though the inferior moves, and it seems as if it would break and fall upon him, yet if he hath an eye upon the highest wheel that moves all, upon which all depend, and be sure that holds, he doth not much regard the other. And so it is with a spiritual eye. A carnal eye looks only at things that are objects of sence, he looks at the creatures, but a beleever looks at the highest supreme cause, and if that be right, he doth not looke at the lowest causes.

We have a notable speech in Isay. 54.16. Behold I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the waster to destroy. Are you afraid of the sword and the wasters? I have created the smith that blows the Coals, and I have created the waster to destroy; If they have any power to do hurt, it is from me; why do you look upon the instrument and not upon the hand? If there be any power in any instrument of war, they depend upon God, and he makes them to destroy: and therefore faith looks to the highest cause, and is conversant with that, and carries the affections to that; it is not much affected with under causes; it doth not fear the wrath of men, nor the power of any creature, because it looks so much at the highest cause that is above all.