The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

The Schoolmen tell us the reason why Adam in his estate of innocency felt no cold, though he ⟨p. 110⟩were naked, was because of his Communion with God. God is the Saints shield to protect their bodies from all blows, Gen. 15.1. He is therefore compared in Scripture to such things and persons as shelter men in storms, defend them in dangers. Sometimes he is called a wall of fire, because Travellers in a Wilderness by this means are secured from wild beasts. 2 Zach. 5. those creatures fly from fire: Sometimes to a River of broad waters, because a City well moated and surrounded with waters, is thereby defended against enemies Isa. 33.21.

A good Sentinel is very helpful to preserve a garrison in safety. God is therefore said to watch and ward. I the Lord do keep it, least any hurt it: I will keep it night and day. Isa. 27.3. And though others when on the Guard, are apt to nod and sleep (and so to give the enemy an advantage) He that keepeth Israel never slumbereth nor sleepeth; ¹he is so far from sleeping that he never slumbereth. Some Naturalists tell us that Lions are insomnes; possibly because their eye-lids are too narrow for their eyes, and so they sleep with their eyes partly open; but its most true of the Lion of the tribe of Judah. As Alexander told his Soldiers, He wakes that they might sleep in safety. He is compared to a refuge. Psa. 142.5. Thou art my refuge and my portion. A Metaphor from a strong hold, or Castle, to which Soldiers retreat, and in which they are secure, when beaten back by an over-powering enemy. But instead of all, he is called the Lord of Hosts or General of his people, because a faithful Commander goeth first into the field, and cometh last out of the field. God looketh danger in the face before his people, and seeth