A Saint Indeed

5. Help. And what if by the loss of outward comforts, God will preserve your souls ⟨p. 52⟩from the ruining power of temptation; sure then, you have little cause to sink your hearts; by such sad thoughts about them. Are not these earthly enjoyments, the things that make men shrink and warp in times of trial; for the love of these many have forsaken Christ in such an hour, Matth. 19. 22. he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions: and if this be Gods design; what have I done in quarrelling with him about it. We see Mariners in a storm, can throw over board rich bails of silk, and precious things, to preserve the vessel and their lives with it, and every one saith, they act prudently; we know 'tis usual for Soldiers in a City besieged, to batter down or burn, the fairest buildings without the walls in which the enemy may shelter in the siege; and no man doubts but 'its wisely done: such as have gangrened legs or arms, can willingly stretch them out to be cut off, and not only thank▪ but pay the Chirurgeon for his pains; and must God only be repined at? for casting over what would sink you in a storm? or pulling down that which would advantage your enemy in the siege of temptation; for cutting off what would endanger your everlasting life? O inconsiderate, ingrateful ⟨p. 53⟩man! are not these things for which thou grievest, the very things that have ruined thousands of Souls? well, what Christ doth in this, thou knowest not now; but hereafter thou mayest.

5. Help. And what if by the loss of outward comforts, God will preserve your souls ⟨p. 52⟩from the ruining power of temptation; sure then, you have little cause to sink your hearts; by such sad thoughts about them. Are not these earthly injoyments, the things that make men shrink and warp in times of tryal; for the love of these many have forsaken Christ in such an hour, Matth. 19. 22. he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions: and if this be Gods design; what have I done in q•arrelling with him about it. We see Marriners in a storm, can throw over board rich bayles of silk, and precious things, to preserve the vessel and their lives with it, and every one saith, they act prudently; we know 'tis usual for Souldiers in a Citty besieged, to batter down or burn, the fairest buildings without the walls in which the enemy may shelter in the siege; and no man doubts but 'its wisely done: such as have gangrened leggs or arms, can willingly stretch them out to be cut off, and not only thank but pay the Chirurgion for his pains; and must God only be repined at? for catting over what would sink you in a storm? or pulling down that which would advantage your enemy in the siege of temtation; for cutting off what would endanger your everlasng life? O inconsiderate, ingrateful