The Godly Man's Picture

3 If the least spark of grace shall not be quenched, then this follows as a great truth, that there is no falling from^* grace; if the least dram of grace should perish, then the ⟨p. 335⟩smoking flax should be quenched; grace may be shaken by fears and doubtings, but not blown up by the^* roots: I grant, seeming grace may be lost, this wild-fire may be blown out, but not the fire of the Spirits kindling; Grace may be dormant in the soul, but not dead, as a man in an Apoplexy, doth not put forth vital operations: Grace may be eclipsed, not extinct, a Christian may lose his comfort, like a tree in Autumn, that hath shed its fruit, but still there is sap in the vine, and the seed of God remains, 1 Joh. 3. 9. Grace is a flower of eternity.

3 If the least spark of grace shall not bee quenched, then this follows as a great truth, that there is no falling from^* grace; if the least dram of grace should perish, then the ⟨p. 335⟩smoaking flax should be quenched; grace may be shaken by fears and doubtings, but not blown up by the^* roots: I grant, seeming grace may be lost, this wilde-fire may be blown out, but not the fire of the Spirits kindling; Grace may be dormant in the soul, but not dead, as a man in an Appoplexy, doth not put forth vital operations: Grace may be eclipsed, not extinct, a Christian may lose his comfort, like a tree in Autumn, that hath shed its fruit, but still there is sap in the vine, and the seed of God remains, 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Grace is a flower of eternity.

1. *Fides justificans semel habita, non potest in totum amity.