A Body of Practical Divinity

3. See whence it is that the Saints do persevere in Holiness, it is solely to be ascribed to the power of God; we are kept by his power, [Greek or Hebrew], kept as in a Garrison: It is a Wonder any Christian perseveres, if you consider, 1. Corruption within. The Tares are mingled with the Wheat; there is more Sin than Grace, yet Grace is habitually predominant. Grace is like a Spark in the Sea, a wonder it is not quenched; a wonder Sin doth not destroy Grace; that it doth not do as sometimes the Nurse to the Infant, overlay it and it dies: so that this Infant of Grace is not smothered by Corruption. 2. Temptations without. Satan envies us Happiness, and he raiseth his Militia, stirs up Persecution; he shoots his fiery Darts of Temptation; they are called Darts for their Swiftness, Fiery for their Terribleness; we are every day beset with Devils: As it was a wonder Daniel was kept alive in the midst of the Roaring Lions, so that there are so many Roaring Devils about us, and yet we are not torn in pieces. Now whence is it we stand against these powerful Temptations? We are kept by power of God. 3. The Worlds Golden Snares, Riches and Pleasure, Luke 18.24. How hardly shall they that have Riches enter into the Kingdom of God. How many have been cast away upon these golden Sands, 2 Tim. 4.10. as Demas? What a wonder any Soul perseveres in Religion, that the Earth doth not choke the Fire of all good Affections? Whence is this but from the power of God? We are kept by his power.

3. See whence it is that the Saints do persevere in Holiness, it is solely to be ascribed to the power of God; we are kept by his power, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, kept as in a Garison: It is a Wonder any Christian perseveres, if you consider, 1. Corruption within. The Tares are mingled with the Wheat; there is more Sin than Grace, yet Grace is habitually predominant. Grace is like a Spark in the Sea, a wonder it is not quenched; a wonder Sin doth not destroy Grace; that it doth not do as sometimes the Nurse to the Infant, overlay it and it dies: so that this Infant of Grace is not smothered by Corruption. 2. Temptations without. Satan envies us Happiness, and he raiseth his Militia, stirs up Persecution; he shoots his fiery Darts of Temptation; they are called Darts for their Swiftness, Fiery for their Terribleness; we are every day beset with Devils: As it was a wonder Daniel was kept alive in the midst of the Roaring Lions, so that there are so many Roaring Devils about us, and yet we are not torn in pieces. Now whence is it we stand against these powerful Temptations? We are kept by power of God. 3. The Worlds Golden Snares, Riches and Pleasure,