AND SMOKING FLAX. 127 traries. When he 1neans to give victory, he will suffer us to be foiled first ; when he means to comfort, he will terrify first; when he means to justify, he will condemn us first. Whom he means to make glorious, he will abase first. A Christian conquers, even when he is conquered; when he is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, as spiritual pride, security, &c. 4. That Christ's work, both in the church and in the hearts of Christians, r often seems to go backward, that it may go the better forward: as seed rots in the ground in the winter time, but after comes better up; and the harder the winter, the more flourishing the spring; so we learn to stand by falls, and get strength by weakness discovered. 'Ve take deeper root by shaking. Thus it pleaseth Christ, out of his freedom, in this manner to maintain his government in us. Let us herein labour to exercise our faith, that it _may answer his manner of carriage towards us. When we are foiled, let us believe we shall overcome. When we fall, let us believe we shall rise again. J acob, after he had a blow upo!l whi~h he halted,
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