The Fountain of Life Opened

Thirdly, He powerfully restrains creatures by the bridle of providence, from the commission of those things to which their hearts are propense enough.¹ Psal. 76.10. The remainder of wrath thou wilt restrain, or gird up. Letting forth just so much as shall serve his holy ends, and no more. And truly this is one of the glorious mysteries of providence, which amazes the serious and considerate soul. To see the spirit of a creature fully set to do mischief. Power enough as one would think, in his hand to do it, and a door of opportunity standing open for it; and yet the effect strangely hindered. The strong propensions of the Will are inwardly checked, as in the case of Laban, Gen. 31.24. or a diversion and rub is strangely cast in their way; as in the case of Sennacherib, 2 King. 19.7, 8. So that their hands cannot perform their enterprises. Julian had two great designs before him, one was to conquer the Persians, the other to root out the Galileans; as he by way of contempt called the Christians: but he will begin with the Persians first, and then make a sacrifice of all the Christians to his Idols. He doth so, and perishes in the first attempt. O the wisdom of providence!

Thirdly, He powerfully restrains creatures by the bridle of providence, from the commission of those things to which their hearts are propense enough.¹ Psal. 76.10. The remainder of wrath thou wilt restrain, or gird up. Leting forth just so much as shall serve his holy ends, and no more. And truly this is one of the glorious mysteries of providence, which amazes the serious and considerate soul. To see the spirit of a creature fully set to do mischief. Power enough as one would think, in his hand to do it, and a door of opportunity standing open for it; and yet the effect strangely hindred. The strong propensions of the Will are inwardly checkt, as in the case of Laban, Gen. 31.24