Page:Life and prophecies of Mr. Alexander Peden (1).pdf/59

 will not enrich him, nor will ſpending impoveriſh him. He thinks it ill-won that is holden off his people. Grace and glory comes out of Chriſt's lucky hand. Our veſſels are but feckleſs, and contain little: His fulneſs is moſt ſtraitned when it wants a vent. It is eaſy for Chriſt to be holden buſy in dividing the fulneſs of his Father's houſe to his poor friends: He delights not to keep mercy over-night. He is the eaſieſt merchant ever the people of God yoked with: If ye be pleaſed with the wares, what of his graces makes beſt for you, he and you will ſoon ſort on the price; he will ſell goods cheap, that ye may ſpier for his ſhop again; and he draws all the ſale to himſelf. I counſel you go no farther than Chriſt. And now when it is come to your door, either to ſin or ſuffer, I counſel you to lay your account with ſuffering; for an out-gate coming from any other airth, will be prejudicial to your ſoul's intereſt. And for your encouragement, remember he ſends none a warfare on their own charges. And bleſt is the man that gives Chriſt all his money. It will be beſt with you to block with him, when you want hand money. And the leſs you have, he has the more heart to truſt you. And ſo it is beſt with you to keep in with your old acquaintance Chriſt. New acquaintance with ſtrange lords, is the ready way to make a wound in grace's ſide, which will not heal in haſte; the ſore may cloſe before the wound dry up, for grace is a tender place, and is very eaſily diſtempered with the backſlidings of our present time. And if the wheels of it be once broken with ſin, all the money in the world will not make it go about, until it be put in Chriſt's hand. I hope I have ſaid more on this matter than is needful, for I have ſeen the marks of tenderneſs deeply drawn on your carriage: The ſafeſt way to ſhift the ſhower, is to hold out of God's gate, and keep within his doors, until the violence of the ſtorm begin to ebb, which is not yet full tide. Chriſt deals tenderly with his young plants, and waters them oft, leſt they go back; be painful, and not loſe life for the ſeeking. Grace, mercy and peace be with you.