The Fountain of Life Opened

¹That we are at peace in our houses, at rest in our beds; that we have any quiet in our enjoyments, is from hence alone. Whose person would not be defiled or destroyed? whose habitation would not be ruined? whose blood almost would not be shed, if wicked men had power to perpetrate all their conceived sin? It may be the ruin of some of us hath been conceived a thousand times. We are beholding to this providence of obstructing sin, for our lives, our families, our estates, our liberties, and whatsoever is or may be dear to us. For may we not say sometimes with the Psalmist, Psal. 57.4. My soul is among Lyons, and I lye even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears, and their tongue a sharp sword. And how is the deliverance of men contrived from such persons? Psal. 58.6. God breaks their teeth in their mouths, even the great teeth of the young Lyons. He keeps this fire from burning, — some he cuts off and destroys. Some he cuts short in their power. Some he deprives of the instruments whereby alone they can work. Some he prevents of their desired opportunities, or diverts by other objects for their lusts. And oftentimes causeth them to spend them among themselves, one upon another. We may say therefore with the Psalmist, Psal. 104.24. O Lord how manifold are thy works? in wisdom hast thou made them all, the earth is full of thy riches.

¹That we are at peace in our houses, at rest in our beds; that we have any quiet in our enjoyments, is from hence alone. Whose person would not be defiled or destroyed? whose habitation would not be ruined? whose blood almost would not be shed, if wicked men had power to perpetrate all their conceived sin? It may be the ruine of some of us hath been conceived a thousand times. We are beholding to this providence of obstructing sin, for our lives, our families, our estates, our liberties, and whatsoever is or may be dear to us. For may we not say sometimes with the Psalmist, Psal. 57.4. My soul is among Lyons, and I lye even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears, and their tongue a sharp sword. And how is the deliverance of men contrived from such persons?