Preservation from sin these two ways Austin acknowledgeth with much affection. Lord saith he, when I had an heart to sin, thou diddest keep off the temptation, and when I had a temptation to sin, thou didst keep off my heart. If your hearts be as dry as tinder, he can hinder Satan from ⟨p. 52⟩striking fire; if he suffer the tempter to strike fire, he can make the tinder wet and hinder it from taking. As he is able to defend you from what is hurtful so to relieve you with what is needful. 1As the fire both purifieth the air, and warmeth them that sit about it: he knoweth that ye are indigent, and have nothing of your own to live upon, but he can send you in such daily supplies as may afford you an honourable subsistence. I have read of one that feasted the vast Army of Xerxes: Gods estate is infinite, and therefore will bear a liberal provision for all his Children. I know you desire proficiency of grace, and perfection in glory above all the World. He can build you up in grace, he can cause all grace to abound. If this Sun draw nigh to you the fruits of the spirit will ripen apace. This well of Salvation can fill every vessel of your hearts, be they never so wide, he can make the babe of grace to grow till he become a young man, a strong man, and a Father. If the Nurse be taken from the Child, and the breasts be denied it, of which it used to suck wth so much delight, he can make it thrive as well with the spoon; in the want of pure public ordinances, he can be a little sanctuary to his Saints. He often sendeth them a warm bit up to their Chambers, when they cannot come down and feed with the rest of the family. He can give you an inheritance that fades not away, he can conduct you through all your hardships and crown you at last with heaven, where ye shall be kept, both from sin and suffering, and freed not only from foils, but also from fighting; where the love of God shall never be questioned, nor his providence quarrelled, where ye shall never offend others with your purity, nor have cause to defend your selves from their injuries, where all tears shall be wiped from ⟨p. 53⟩your eyes, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Where persecutors cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.
Preservation from sin these two ways Austin acknowledgeth with much affection. Lord saith he, when I had an heart to sin, thou didest keep off the temptation, and when I had a temptation to sin, thou didst keep off my heart. If your hearts be as dry as tinder, he can hinder Satan from ⟨p. 52⟩striking fire; if he suffer the tempter to strike fire, he can make the tinder wet and hinder it from taking. As he is able to defend you from what is hurtful so to releive you with what is needful. 1As the fire both purifieth the air, and warmeth them that sit about it: he knoweth that ye are indigent, and have nothing of your own to live upon, but he can send you in such dayly supplies as may afford you an honourable subsistence. I have read of one that feasted the vast Army of Xerxes: Gods estate is infinite, and therefore will bear a liberal provision for all his Children. I know you desire proficiency of grace, and perfection in glory above all the World. He can build you up in grace, he can cause all grace to abound. If this Sun draw nigh to you the fruits of the spirit will ripen apace. This well of Salvation can fill every vessel of your hearts, be they never so wide, he can make the babe of grace to grow till he become a young man, a strong man, and a Father. If the Nurse be taken from the Child, and the breasts be denyed it, of which it used to suck wth so much delight, he can make it thrive as well with the spoon; in the want of pure publique ordinances, he can be a little sanctuary to his Saints. He often sendeth them a warm bit up to their Chambers, when they cannot come down and feed with the rest of the family. He can give you an inheritance that fades not away, he can conduct you through all your hardships and crown you at last with heaven, where ye shall be kept, both from sin and suffering, and freed not only from foyls, but also from fighting; where the love of God shall never be questioned, nor his providence quarrelled, where ye shall never offend others with your purity, nor have cause to defend your selves from their injuries, where all tears shall be wiped from ⟨p. 53⟩your eyes, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Where persecutors cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.
- 1Si Esuris, panis tibi est; si sitis, •qua tibi est; •i intenibris •umen est, &c, Aug. Tract. •n Johan.
