The Soule, efeEHaIIcalling to Chrift. it is not in anypower here below,but through the Scripture ; yee might have hope, and through the power oftheholyGhofl : brethren,Ibefecch youobferve it, while wee looke upon our owne infirmitiesonone fide, and the feebleneffe of the meaneson theother fide,this is the next way to dampe our hope, todead our hearts, and to take away all our comfort and affurance ; this is not theway toabound in hope through the power of the holy Ghoft; I befeech you obferve it, all thefe things: here below cannot give any com- fort,aman mayas Toone wring oileor water out ofa flint, as wringcomfort out of thefe meanes. In all thefe outward things there is no found comfort orhope, there be thefe three things ei- ther wee thall not finde comfortor contentment in them,or elfe not fufficient content, or elfe no conftant, no continual! content. It is with the hope of apoore Chriflian, as with lvoahs dove, the found no reit upon the earth for the foie of herfoot ; fo it is with our wretched hearts, wee fend out our hopeto ourabilities, to the meanes we doeenjoy, toour prayers and performances, wee doe difcharge, and thus all our hopes breake and faile us, for in all thefe things there is no foot-hold for hope; we mull ancker our foot-hold in Chrifi, what I want Chriit can fupply, what I need Chrift can give, what is good for meChrifi canbellow; what I have done am.iffe Chrifi can pardon ; though Ibarren,he is fuil,though Idull, hebath enough grace and enlargement forme; it is laidofNaamans leprofie, Ltt bimcome, and bee Íhaff 147
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