A Saint Indeed

And that not only as the least evil of sin, is worse than the greatest evil of suffering; but as this sinful fear hath really more torment and trouble in it than is in that condition you are so much afraid of, fear is both a multiplying and a tormenting passion; it represents troubles much greater than they are, and so tortures and wracks the Soul much worse than when the suffering it self comes. So it was with Israel at the red Sea, they cried out, and were sore afraid till they put •oot into the water, and then a passage was opened through tho•e waters which they thought would have drowned them. Thus it is with us, we looking through the glass of carnal fear, upon the waters of trouble, the swellings of Jordan, cry out, Oh they are unfordable! we must needs perish in them: but when we come into the midst of those Floods indeed, we find the Promise made good, God will make a way to escape, I-C•r. 10. 13. Thus it was with blessed Bil•••, when he would make a trial by putting his finger to the Candle, and not able to endure that, he cried out, What? ••nn•t I bear the burning of a finger? how t•en shall I be able to bear the burning of my whole body to morrow? and ⟨p. 79⟩yet when that morrow came, he could go cheerfully into the flames with that Scripture in his mouth, Isa. 43. 1, 2, 3. Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine; when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, when thou walkest through the fire thou shall not be burnt.

And that not only as the least evil of sin, is worse than the greatest evil of suffering; but as this sinful fear hath really more torment and trouble in it than is in that condition you are so much afraid of, fear is both a multiplying and a tormenting passion; it represents troubles much greater than they are, and so tortures and wracks the Soul much worse than when the suffering it self comes. So it was with Israel at the red Sea, they cryed out, and were sore afraid till they put oot into the water, and then a passage was opened through thoe waters which they thought would have drowned them. Thus it is with us, we looking through the glass of carnal fear, upon the waters of trouble, the swellings of Iordan, cry out, Oh they are unfoordable! we must needs perish in them: but when we come into the midst of those Floods indeed, we find the Promise made good, God will make a way to escape, I-Cr. 10. 13. Thus it was with blessed Bil, when he would make a tryal by putting his finger to the Candle, and not able to endure that, he cryed out, What? nnt I bear the burning of a finger? how ten shall I be able to bear the burning of my whole body to morrow? and