Sword & Trowel 2015: Issue 1 


52. He believes Christ to have no need of anything he can do, yet diligently gives gifts of charity as if done to Christ. 53. He knows he can do nothing of himself, yet labours to work out his own salvation. 54. He confesses he can do nothing; yet just as truly professes he can do all things. 55. He knows that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God; yet believes he shall go to Heaven, body and soul. 56. He trembles at God’s Word, yet counts it sweeter to him than the honey and the honeycomb, and more precious than thousands of gold and silver. 57. He believes that God will never damn him; and yet he fears him for being able to cast him into hell. 58. He knows he shall not be saved by his works, and yet does all the good works he can, and believes he shall not be saved without them. 59. He knows God’s providence orders all things; yet is he diligent in his business, as if his survival depended on himself. 60. He believes that God has pur- posed beforehand what shall be; and that nothing can make him alter his purpose; yet he prays and strives, as if he would persuade God to hear him and satisfy him. 61. He prays and labours for what he believes God means to give him, and the more assured he is that he will receive it, the more earnest he is to pray. 62. He prays for things he knows he shall not obtain, and yet does not give up.


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63. He prays and labours for things which he knows he may be just as happy without. 64. He prays with all his heart not to be led into trial, yet rejoices when he falls into it. 65. He believes his prayers are heard, even when they are denied, and gives thanks for that which he prayed would not happen.


His sanctification


66. He has within him the flesh and the spirit; yet is not a double-minded man. 67. He is often led away captive by the law of sin, yet it never gets the dominion over him. 68. He cannot sin, yet he can do nothing without sin. 69. He can do nothing against his will; yet he does those things that he does not want to do. 70. He wavers and doubts, and yet obtains; he is often tossed and shaken, and yet is like Mount Zion. 71. He is a serpent and also a dove; a lamb and also a lion; a reed and also a cedar. 72. He is sometimes so troubled, that he doubts his faith, and yet, if he did really doubt it, he would never be troubled. 73. He thinks sometimes that God has no mercy for him, and yet is ready to die in the pursuit of it. 74. He believes, like Abraham, in faith and hope alone, and though he can never understand why God should require this of him, he hopes (like the woman of Canaan) to pre- vail with the pleadings of need. 75. He wrestles with God and prevails; and though realising he is


Paradoxes & Seeming Contradictions in the Christian


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