102 I jleep. 1 isafleep he is inafit frame for any ill ad:ion,he is in a temper fit for the Devill to worke upon, to bring into any dream~ or errour, to inflame the fancies and conceits with outward excellencies. The Devilt hath a fatuity this waytomake out– ward things great that ate nothing worth; and tG make fuch fins little, as if we were awake would I affi'ight us ; heworks ll:rongeft upon the fancy, whenth~ foule is fleepy or alittle drowfie. There is ng man that comes to groffe fins fud– denly,but he faJs by little and little,firfi to flum– ber,and from flumberto fleep,and from fleep to fecurity, and fo from one degree te another::it is the inlet to all finnes, and the beginning of all danger ; therefore the Lord takes a contrary courfe with his, when he would preferve a fiate or perfon, he plants in them firft a fpirit of faith to beleeve that there is fuch ad-anger, or fuch a _good to be apprehended , upon watching and goingon in acourfe befitting rhat condition,and then faith( if it beamatter ofthreatening)ftirs up _ feare,which maketh ap care and diligence. This is Gods method, when he intends the preferva– tionofany. 2. Aman in his fleep is fit to lofe alt,a Geepy . hand letsany thing goe with eafe. A man hath. :grace and comfort, he lets it goe in his fpirituall · fleepineffe,grace ia agreat rneafure,and the fenfe and·Comfort of it altogether. AChriftian hath :alwayes the divine nature in him that workes in fomed~ree ; yet notwithftandiag in regardof his prefeot temper and feeling, he may be in fi1chf
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=