The Fountain of Life Opened

In this case you may look to Jesus, who despised the shame; and to your Brethren who counted it their honour to be dishonoured for the name of Christ, as the Original of the Text, Act. 5.41.¹ may be translated. Is it a dishonour to thee to be ranked with Abraham, Moses, David, and such as were the glory of the Ages they lived in? Art thou at any time under a faint fit of discouragement; and ready to despond under any burden; oh how mayest thou be animated by such examples, when such a qualm comes over thy heart? Some sparks of their holy courage cannot choose but steal into thy breast, whilst thou considerest them. In them God hath set before thee the possibility of overcoming all difficulties, thou seest men of the same mould, who had the same trials, discouragements, and fears that thou now hast, and yet overcame all. How is thy unbelief checked when thou sayest, Oh I shall never reach the end, I shall one day utterly perish. Why dost thou say so? Why may not such a poor creature as thou art, be carried through as well as they? Had not they the same temptations and corruptions with you? Were not they all troubled with a naughty heart, an ensnaring world, a busy Devil as well as you? Alas! when they put on the divine, they did not put off the humane nature; but complained, and feared as you do; and yet were carried through all.

In this case you may look to Iesus, who dispised the shame; and to your Brethren who counted it their honour to be dishonoured for the name of Christ, as the Original of the Text, Act. 5.41.¹ may be translated. Is it a dishonour to thee to be rankt with Abraham, Moses, David, and such as were the glory of the Ages they lived in? Art thou at any time under a faint fit of discouragement; and ready to despond under any burden; oh how maist thou be animated by such examples, when such a qualm comes over thy heart? Some sparks of their holy courage cannot choose but steal into thy breast, whilst thou considerest them. In them God hath set before thee the possibility of overcoming all difficulties, thou seest men of the same mould, who had the same tryals, discouragements, and fears that thou now hast, and yet overcame all. How is thy unbelief checkt when thou saist, Oh I shall never reach the end, I shall one day utterly perish. Why dost thou say so? Why may not such a poor creature as thou art, be carried through as well as they? Had not they the same temptations and corruptions with you? Were not they all troubled with a naughty heart, an ensnaring world, a busie Devil as well as you? Alas! when they put on the divine, they did not put off the humane nature; but complained, and feared as you do; and yet were carried through all.