Vol. 2

CHAPTER V. 75gave him no manner of hopes, seemed entirely toneglect him, and applied himself to the cure of anotherdiseased person ;but as soon as he perceives histrust and confidence assaulted, he then speaks to him.God will be entreated a long time in behalf of a soul,and suffers it sometimes to fall, in order to make thepower of his grace more evident and illustrious." 37. And he suffered no man to follow him, savePeter, and James, and John the brother of James."Let us thus learn from Christ, not to impart, exceptonly to a few chosen persons, those works ofGod which we are to undertake, for fear lest theyshould be obstructed. The Spirit of God wouldhave us labour in secret as much as possible; whereasthe spirit of the world continually affects noise andapplause. A prelate who ought to form good pastorsunder him, should act in concert with them, andimpart his designs to those who are principal workerstogether with him.**38. And he cometh to the house of the rulerof the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and themthat wept and wailed greatly. 39. And when hewas come in,he saith unto them. Why make ye thisado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth."The death of sin in the elect is nothing but asleep, because they will infallibly awake from it.Itis not in the midst of the noise and confusion of theworld that a man should endeavour to raise hisownsoul or that of his neighbour, but in retirement andsilence. Men are often apt to make too much adoabout the fall of a soul. They defame it, they discourseof it with a sort of grief which is too human,loud, and sometimes despairing, or else from motivesd2