49. When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the Sword?
WHat preposterous Means and Ways do Men make use of, to effect their Deliverance! These poor Men hope to do Wonders by smiting with the Sword: A Way neither warranted by any Command of God, nor profitable. So the Jews, in Jeremy's time, thought there was no way for them to escape, but by fleeing into the Land of Egypt. And, O my Soul, hast thou not very often, out of Mistrust of God's Providence, made use of wrong Means to compass thy Safety? How hast thou thought to be rid of thy Calamity by telling a Lye, or by acting against thy Conscience! How hast thou thought sometimes to redeem thy Credit with vain People, by complying with their Sins! And when thou hast been under some Distress, how hast thou endea∣voured to get out of it, by abusing thy Neighbour, or by reviling those that reviled thee! When thou hast been groaning under Poverty, how hath the Devil suggested to thee, to mend thy Condition by Cheating, and thou hast obey'd the Motion! What Comfort canst thou take in a Deliverance compassed by Sin? Or what Satisfa∣ction in a Rescue effected by the Devil's Means; at least, by doing things acceptable to him?