The Fountain of Life Opened

Thy corruptions require all this to kill them. Thy Lusts will take all this, it may be more than this; and all little enough. And as your corruptions call for it, so do your Graces too. Wherefore think ye the Lord planted the principles of Faith, Humility, Patience, &c. in your Souls? What, were they put there for nothing? Did the Lord intend they should lie sleeping in their drowsy habits? Or were they not planted there in order to exercise? And how shall they be exercised without tribulations, can you tell? Doth not tribulation work patience, and patience experience; and experience hope! Rom. 5.3, 4. Is not the trial of your Faith much more precious, than of Gold that perishes? 1 Pet. 1.7. O look inward, and you will be quiet.

Thy corruptions require all this to kill them. Thy Lusts will take all this, it may be more than this; and all little enough. And as your corruptions call for it, so do your Graces too. Wherefore think ye the Lord planted the principles of Faith, Humility, Patience, &c. in your Souls? What, were they put there for nothing? Did the Lord intend they should lie sleeping in their drowsy habits? Or were they not planted there in order to exercise? And how shall they be exercised without tribulations, can you tell? Doth not tribulation work patience, and patience experience; and experience hope! Rom. 5.3, 4. Is not the trial of your Faith much more pretious, than of Gold that perishes? 1 Pet. 1.7. O look inward, and you will be quiet.

Fourthly, Look outward, and see who stands by, and observes your carriage under trouble. Are there not many eyes upon you? Yea, many envious observers round about you? It was Davids request, Psal. 5.8. Lead me O Lord in thy righteousness, because of mine Enemies; or as the Hebrew word there might be rendered, because of mine observers, or watchers. There's many an envious eye upon you. To the wicked there can scarcely be an higher gratification and pleasure, than to see your carriage under trouble, so like their own. For hereby they are confirmed in their prejudices against Religion, and in their good opinion of themselves. These may talk and profess more than we, but when they are tried, and put to it; it appears plainly enough, their Religion enables them to do no more than we do. They talk of Heavens glory, and their future expectancies; but it is but talk, for it's apparent enough their hopes cannot balance a small affliction, with all the happiness they talk of. Oh how do you dishonour Christ before his enemies! when you make them think all your Religion lies in talking of it. Consider who looks on.