The Fountain of Life Opened

¹Learn hence, how much a man may differ from himself, according as the Lord is with him, or withdrawn from him. Christians ⟨p. 381⟩do not only always differ from other men, but sometimes from themselves also. Yea, so great is the difference betwixt himself and himself, as if he were not the same man. And where is he that doth not so experience it? Sometimes bold and courageous, despising dangers, and bearing down all discouragements in the strength of zeal and love to God: at another time faint, feeble and discouraged at every petty thing. Whence is this but from the different administrations of the spirit, who sometimes gives forth more, and sometimes less of his gracious influence. Th•se very men that flinched now, when the spirit was more abundantly shed forth upon them, could boldly own Christ before the Council, and despised all dangers for his sake.

¹Learn hence, how much a man may differ from himself, according as the Lord is with him, or withdrawn from him. Christians ⟨p. 381⟩do not only alwaies differ from other men, but sometimes from themselves also. Yea, so great is the difference betwixt himself and himself, as if he were not the same man. And where is he that doth not so experience it? Sometimes bold and couragious, despising dangers, and bearing down all discouragements in the strength of zeal and love to God: at another time faint, feeble and discouraged at every petty thing. Whence is this but from the different administrations of the spirit, who sometimes gives forth more, and sometimes less of his gratious influence. Thse very men that flincht now, when the spirit was more abundantly shed forth upon them, could boldly own Christ before the Council, and despised all dangers for his sake.