362 Whatit iste live by Faith touching' the how he performes holy.duties,how he entertaines holy thoughts, how hisaffeaions move towards that which is above, left he fhould mifcarrie upon the (ands. Tenthly, It mindeth us ofour change, even when our mountaine feemeth ftrongeft. The thing that Igreatly feared ( laid Ioh) it come upon mee, and thatwhich Iwas afraidof is come unto mee, I was not in fafety, neither had I ref1, neither hadIquiet : I alwayes thought upon my change, and Iooked for an alteration of mine eftate. The longent day bath night at length entring : yea, there is nowindewhichmay not blow raine, ifGodbe foplea- fed. Eftates whichhave the longeff periods ofprofpe- rity, be at length exercifed with affliftions ; and there is no condition fo fure and peaceable, but may turne tempeflious on the fuilden, fhould not God be more graticus. This being in it felfe apparant, and confir- med by infinite examples, cannot be hid from thepier- cing eye of faith, which is fpiritually wife to difcerne aforehand, what eventswe are fubjee} unto in this vale of teares. Nature by in[tinct giveth unto unreafonablc Creatures a facultie, which maketh them afore -hand apprehenfive ofthat which is ready to enfue : The wife- dome which is from above, maketh the Lords children fenfible in like kinde, that as led, fo they,in their greateff calme forefeehow Gods hand may change for their ex- ercife. Nor doth faith onely forefee danger,but prepare for ir. The wife manfeeth theplague andhideth hire/efe. The be- lieyer bath learnedby due contìderation,how wanting he is in wifedome,and weake in ftrength to [}and when God trieth; and fo renouncing his wit and rength, he flieth untoGod, andholdeth him, as he whobathbeene, is, and muff be for ever his falvation ; and looketh untoChrif$ the Author and finiflter of' our faith, who bath received commandement of the Father, that he fhouldnot onely call us, andbringus into the [late ofgrace,butalto raifeus ap at the laft day; who is that great God andSaviour,who with IO. Yob.;. z 5,26. Aro. az.;. &2.7.I Z. 9
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