160 DF SI'IRITIIAL 11IINDEDNESS. continual supplies of this actual prevailing grace, he is not obliged. When it may have a tendency to his holy ends,, he may, and doth, withhold it. When it may be, a proud soul is to be humbled, a careless soul to be awakened, an unthankful soul to be convinced and rebuked, ,a backsliding soli to be recovered, a fro- ward, selfish, passionate soul to be broken and meek- ened, he can leave them .for .a season to the sore exer- cise of a prevalent corruption, which, under his holy guidance, shall contribute greatly to his blessed ends. It was so in the temptation of Paul, 2 Cor. xi. 7 -9. If a man, through disorderand excesses, is contracting any habitual distempers of body, which gradually and insensibly tend to his death; it may be an advantage to be cast into a violent fever, which threatens imme- diately to take away his life. For he will hereby be thoroughly awakened to the consideration of his dan- ger, and not only labor to be freed from his fever, but also for the future to watch against those disorders and excesses which cast him into that condition, And sometimes a loose, careless soul, that walks in a secure formal profession, contracts many spiritual diseases, which tend to death and ruin. No arguments or con - siderations can prevail with him, to awaken himself, to shake himself out of the dust, and to betake himself to a more diligent and humble walking before God. In this state, it may be, through the permission of God, he is surprised into some open, actual sin. Hereon, through the vigorous actings of an enlightened con- science, and the stirrings of any sparks of grace which yet remain, he is amazed, terrified, and stirs up himself to seek after deliverance. 2. God may, and doth, in his providence, "adminis- ter objects and occasions of men's lusts,', for their
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