Seeing the Smoke ascend from the Fire, I conclude from the Smoke that there is the Fire. But yet I must except against an Uncharitable Proverb, There is no Smoke but there is some Fire; by which we often encourage our selves from little Whispers of these and those private miscarriages in our Neighbours, to presume that something would not have been so Whispered, if nothing had not been committed: For there has often been a Smoke of Reports, raised from a pure malice in the first Reporters of the Lies, where there has not been the least Fire, nor Spark of any real occasion for it, in the persons Belied. Many may complain of themselves, with the Psalmist, Psal 119 83. I am become like a Bottle in the Smoke; blackened with smoky and sooty Reproaches; tho' they have never so Forgotten ⟨p. 168⟩the Statutes of God, as to give any real occasion for the Reproachful to pursue them, with their Calumnies. But leaving this Reflection, and finding the Smoke to be very troubles me and vexations when it strikes into the Room, I call to mind those words of the Wise man, Prov. 10 26 As Smoke to the Eyes, so is the sluggard unto them that send him: that is to say, 'Tis a very great vexation. But then think I; Lord, How much mayst thou be offended at me, who am the worst Sluggard in the world, about the Errand upon which thou didst send me into the world! Thou hast sent me hither, to Glorify thee, and to Testify unto all the Truths and Ways of thy Holy Religion: But like a vile Sluggard, I have used shameful Delays about it. While I thus charge my self with such Wickedness, I behold in the Smoke, an Emblem of the Condition that is threatened unto the Wicked: For we read, As the Smoke is driven away, so shall they be; and, Into Smoke they shall consume away; yea, The Smoke of their Torment shall ascend for ever and ever. That I may be Saved, from this confusion, which I have deserved, I desire to repai• unto the Sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ; who in the Sufferings which he underwent for me, speaks of Himself, as, Dried in the Smoke.
SEeing the Smoke ascend from the Fire, I conclude from the Smoke that there is the Fire. But yet I must except against an Uncharitable Proverb, There is no Smoke but there is some Fire; by which we often encourage our selves from little Whispers of these and those private miscarriages in our Neighbours, to presume that something would not have been so Whispered, if nothing had not been committed: For there has often been a Smoke of Reports, raised from a pure malice in the first Reporters of the Lies, where there has not been the least Fire, nor Spark of any real occasion for it, in the persons Belied. Many may complain of themselves, with the Psalmist, Psal 119 83. I am become like a Bottel in the Smoke; blackened with smoaky and sooty Reproaches; tho' they have never so Forgotten ⟨p. 168⟩the Statutes of God, as to give any real occasion for the Reproachful to pursue them, with their Calumnies. But leaving this Reflection, and finding the Smoke to be very troubles me and vexations when it strikes into the Room, I call to mind those words of the Wise man, Prov. 10 26 As Smoke to the Eyes, so is the sluggard unto them that send him: that is to say, 'Tis a very great vexation. But then think I; Lord, How much mayst thou be offended at me, who am the worst Sluggard in the world, about the Errand upon which thou didst send me into the world! Thou hast sent me hither, to Glorifie thee, and to Testifie unto all the Truths and Wayes of thy Holy Religion: But like a vile Sluggard, I have used shameful Delayes about it. While I thus charge my self with such Wickedness, I behold in the Smoke, an Emblem of the Condition that is threatned unto the Wicked: For we read, As the Smoke is driven away, so shall they be; and, Into Smoke they shall consume away; yea, The Smoke of their Torment shall ascend for ever and ever. That I may be Saved, from this confusion, which I have deserved, I de•ire to repai• unto the Sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ; who in the Sufferings which he underwent for me, speaks of Himself, as, Dried in the Smoke.
