for no feare of any creature to sin against him which is either full and occupieth the heart wholly which kinde of fearefull ones haue a fearefull place appointed if they doe not repent Reu. 21.8 Or it is of infirmity with loue to God and his commandement strife against it to glorifie God in resting on him which in the weaknesse of faith may preuaile yet not reigne Thus many godly men haue beene guilty and out of this passion done reprochfull things Confirme your heart against this feare 1. by Gods commandement in nothing feare your aduersaries Phil. 1.28 and call vpon the fearfull to be strong Esay 35.4 Secondly By promises considered and applyed by faith in Christ Esa. 51.12.13 Heb. 13.7 Ioh. 10.28 of Gods presence Psal. 91.15 of his protection against hurt or deliuerance or strength to beare the temptation 1. Cor. 10.13 of certain profit by affliction excellency of glory following sufferings for God for Christ both for matter and intention And with the promises consider them that by faith and patience now inherit them and specially look vpon Iesus the author and finisher of our faith consider him in his sufferings being such a person not onely innocent but the Sonne of God and the glory that he liues in and will bring them into that are faithfull in him Thirdly By weighing the prouidence of God in three degrees 1. In vnreasonable creatures sparrowes of meane price but haue the course of their life defined by it swine were not free to the deuills will but by diuine permission 2. In reasonable men vnbelieuing haue him their Sauiour he is the Sauiour of all men 3. His prouidence speciall towards beleeuers hauing their haiers in number custody Mat. 10.30 those three in the hoâ—â— fierie furnace had not a haire of their head burnt A Christian aboue other men neither liues nor dies at aduenture but to a Lord that will owne him in life and death If he giue quietnesse who can make trouble whether vpon nations or a man onely Iob. 34.29 Fourthly Thinking on the spirit you haue receiued not of the world not of feare but of power and a sound minde 2. Tim. 1.7 Fiftly Of the good that comes by such sufferings to others many glorifie God in seeing such grace shine forth in such as the spirit of glory rests vpon Elect not called are prepared to conuersion they that are called are confirmed becomming more hold in Gods cause Phil. 1.13.14 and for reprobates a testimony is left on Gods side against them whose iudges the beleeuers shall be with Christ at the day of iudgement You haue not yet resisted vnto blood in striuing against sinne you must resolue and prepare for it whether God will call you to it or not it is a fellowship with Christ greatly argueth faithfullnesse Act. 15.26 Lesser sufferings are the markes that are vpon Christs faithful seruants a great worke of our loue to God and our brethren Ioh. 14.31 Ioh. 15.13 a glorious victorie ouer the world flesh and deuill Reu. 12.11 leauing glory on the names of such and making their example perswasiue Ephes. 3.1 Fourthly To be with Christ whether by death or by change is best of all we desire by chang if that might be not to put off the substance of our bodyes but the qualities 2. Cor. 5.4 but that not granted to vs but to such as shall be aliue remaine at Christs comming 1. Thes. 4.15.17 It is a holy choise with suctiection to God to desire rather to be out of the body with Christ then in the body absent from him 2. Cor. 5.8 Secondly Yet for the vse of a good mans life to others it may make a stop in this choise Phil. 1.23.24 Thirdly Good men are not alwaies in such case as to dare to dy their soule is troubled Psal. 6.3 2. They would doe God more service Psal. 119.17 they desire to mourne more for their sinnes which heauen admits not there is no sorrow Fourthly The godly haue their graces mixt with their contraries in remisse degrees the loue of Christ and the loue of being in this world may bee together no man here followeth the guidance of the spirit without sensible hinderance of the flesh the comfort is that we giue not the reignes to the flesh you do not make present things your treasure desiring to liue in the body onely to enioy them as if you thought your felicity ended with your life Doth it not afflict you that your loue to Christs presence is no more full and flaming feare not What gather you of Lots lingering in Sodom till God being merciful to him the Angel led him out by the hand that he had no spirituall life or that some earthly thoughts and affections striuing against his grace held him Kindle your loue to Christ and coole it to the world compare them and the gaine by them together Cant. 8.7 Phil. 3.8 and come vp more out of this wildernesse to cleaue to your welbeloued who makes his to be the glory aboue all societies in the world to their admiration that swim in earthly pleasures pray to see the felicity of the chosen the worth of your hope in immediate communion with Christ that he may be all in all to you you may keepe you chast in loue to him from adultery with this world and greatly desire the sweetnesse of his familiaritie Consider what account he makes of the loue of his set vpon him Cant. 4.10 and be prouoked to get more of it into your heart that is so precious with him Go forth in contemplation of his incomparable excellency glory and honour wherewith he is crowned Cant. 3.11 you shall find him wholly desireable Cant. 5.10.16 Labour to know his loue that passeth knowledge and be drawen to it as souldiers to their banners all the world cannot giue an example of such loue Rom. 5.8 He is tied in his desire to the presence of his Church his loue in pleasures Cant. 7.5.6 his prayer to his father a little before his death was that they which beleeued in him might be where he is he gaue his promise for their comfort that hee would come againe and take them to 〈…〉 be where he is Let this further your desire to be with him In the meane time continue in his loue in keeping his commandements Ioh. 15.10 stand on his side against Antichrist in his battailes with him Reu. 17.14 He iudgeth and fighteth righteously and the victory is certaine on his side Reu. 19.11.16.20 Be diligent in making him knowen in opening his excellencies that his name being as an oyntment powred out others may loue and seeke him speake forth his praise declare his will confesse him before the world It is not without fruit Cant. 8.13 The companions harken to thy voice Now the God of hope fill you with all ioy and peace in beleeuing and the Lord guide our hearts into the loue of God and patient waiting for of his Sonne Vnto God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost be honour Thanksgiuing obedience and subiection Whose is the kingdome power and glory for euer and euer Amen FINIS Numb 20.21.24 Psal. 56 10. Act. 27.25.36 Esa. 45.19 Esa. 49.23 2. Thess. 1.8 Ioh. 3.23 1. Ioh. 5.10 Ioh. 3.33 2. Cor. 5.20 2. Cor. 6.1 Psal. 112.7 Iob. 5.22 Ioh. 5 42 Deut. 30.6 2. Thess. 3.5 2. Chr. 19.9 Psal. 144.15 Hos. 2.15 1. Pet. 2.5 Luk. 17.16 17. Math. 7.18 Rom. 2.9 Math. 21.44 Math. 10.23 Reu. 5.2 3 5. Rom. 5.6 Reu. 3.4 Ezech. 36.31 1. Tim. 1.16 Rom. 3.22 23. 10 12. Hos. 14.15 Mark 3.28 Esra 10.2 Math. 22.9 10. Luk. 14.23 Ioh. 17.9 Gal. 2.20 Ioh. 3.5 Rom. 8.13 Eph. 5.5 6. Math. 9.21 22. Psal. 119.106 Ioh. 5.40 Ioh. 4.48 Mark 4.40 Ioh. 20.29 Ioh. 8.31.66 Act. 15.8.1 Ioh. 1.12 2. Cor. 5.17 Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.25 2. Cor. 4.13 Act. 4.32 Eph. 4.16 Ioh. 6.64 Cant. 2.2 1. Pet. 2.2 Ioh. 14.5 Neh. 1.11 Esa. 40.11 Psal. â—7 9 10. Esa. 8.17 1. Ioh. 1.7 1 Pet. 1.2 Rom. 7.6 1. Pet. 4.11 Rom. 13.8 Phil. 1.21 Heb. 6.4 5 6 9. Math. 6.23 Col. 2.20 Mark 8.24 Iob 9.3.20 Iam. 3.13 Zeph. 2.3 Ioh. 1.12 Deut. 29.19 Ier. 7.8 Rom. 7.9.11 2. King 10.16 Luk. 18.21 Dan. 5.6 Rom. 5.9 10. Rom. 8.33 34 35. Act. 24.16 Psal. 18.22 1. Ioh. 3.9 Act. 8.23 Rom. 7.14 1 Ioh. 5 19 2. Tim. 7.2 Math. 4.11 Psal. 119.29 c. Vers. 32. Psal. 119.161 Iob 17.9 1. Sam. 25.34 Rom. 8.14 Psal. 40.12 Psal. 119.157 Cant. 4 13 14 16. Hosh. 14.6 7. Ioh. 14.28 Cant. 5.2 1. Tim. 6.11 Heb. 10.25 1. Pet. 2.3 Pro. 10.24 Numb 12.13 14. Gal. 6.18 2 Tim. 4.22 Iob 16.17 Rom. 7. â—1 Ioh. 3.8 Col. 3.16 2 Cor. 12.14 Psal. 112.5 Pro. 13.23 2 Thess. 3.8 Eph. 4.28 Prou. 3.9 Eccles. 17.13 Psal. 26.3 1 Cor. 7.30 Rom. 12.15 Amos 6.6 Esa. 8.13 Esa. 43.2 3. Heb. 12.20 2. Cor. 4.18 Heb. 6.12 Heb. 12.2 Mat. 10.29 Mark 5.12 1 Tim. 4.10 Rom. 14.8 1 Thess 5.10 Gal. 6.17 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Esa 38.18 19. Gen. 19.16 Cant. 6.8 9. Ioh. 17 2â— Ioh. 14.3 Cant. 1 2. Rom. 15.13 2. Thess. 3.5
SOME HELPES TO FAITH Shewing the Necessitie grounds kinds degrees signes of it Clearing diuerse doubts answering obiections made by the Soule in temptation By IOHN WILSON Preacher of Gods word in Gilford PHILIP 1.25.26 For your furtherance and ioy of faith that you may more abundantly reioyce in Iesus Christ. LONDON Printed by I. L. for Robert Mylbourne and are to be sold at his Shop at the great South doore of Pauls 1625. TO THE TRVELY NOBLE LADY THE LADY LETTICE Countesse of Leicester Mercie and Grace in this life Saluation with eternall glory in the World to come Good Madam VNthankfulnesse is a great defiler of conscience both as it is a great sinne against iustice and as it prouokes wrath whereby such persons are deliuered vp to vile affections And though thankefulnesse cannot stay in the instrument but goeth by it to the author yet it is due to such by whose hands God conueyes his benefits It hath pleased that blessed God to stirre vp your Ladiship for my good first in calling mee to be a Minister to your Honourable familie how weake soeuer yet not without some fruit by his blessing whose power is seene in weakenesse where how I was cared for my conscience doth witnesse secondly in your opportunity preferring publike good so were your words giuing me a free and comfortable entrance into this charge wherein I now labour according to my measure And from that time I haue beene followed with kindnesse from that house but that specially refresheth mee to remember that for the worke of my Ministerie your Honour willed mee to count you as my mother I am bold thus in particular to propound you for Gods Honour as an example especially to Patrons And finding my selfe so much bound I haue long thought how besides my prayers I might by some paper testimonie shew my selfe thankefull to your Ladiship and resolued at last to write these notes faire and send them for the helpe of your faith and comfort in witnesse of the continuing of my true care for your soules good Hereunto I was the rather inclined for that I vnderstood some to haue found helpe through the mercie of God to the quieting of their conscience by the reading of them when they were in shorter notes of a Sermon In the meane time diuerse friendes called vpon mee for some thing to the Presse from which the knowledge of mine owne wants hath hitherto kept me yet debating it thus If the matter be profitable first it is not likely to bee hurt that way but more vsefull then by writing secondly more fit to some for reading and to conuey bookes to friends more commodious then Copies in writing Here I stucke at this that good books for this helpe bee not scant but then I thought againe that acquaintance being a helpe to make them knowne all come not to one hand thiâ—dly my desire to leaue testimonie of my faith on whom I hold and how fourthly that God hath glory of diuersitie of gifts which manifest the spirit giuen to profit withall fiftly that my selfe owe to them that haue so aduentured themselues It yelded not without feare I confesse yet commending it to God for his blessing and to the loue of my deare friends to further it it is now out of my hands Good Madam vse it among other helpes I once left a little thing with you to helpe you in examination of your title to Heauen this may a little further that as being I thinke fuller to that purpose Calling made sure is a great comfort and aduantage for a Christian many giue testimonie to you you haue giuen good example in your constant respect of Gods ordinances glorifie God more with the fruites of your faith and loue call for the inspirations of the spirit to be carried earnestly after him hee purchased a people to be iealous of good workes looke into the felicitie of Gods chosen dayly bee still making it sure in your owne conscience the end of this life puts Gods people in possession of endlesse life The highest in the earth haue but terme of life in their present things how great so euer and dying out of Christ are without end miserable Blessed are they that so trust in Christ as to haue the Lord for their God that is to bee knowen in experience by the spirit of Christ destroying the dominion of sinne and lading vs so as that in the course of our life we are with God though foyled for our humbling in many temptations The God of life preserue your life of his good pleasure for the good of many that praising God for you may by their prayers further your grace heere with the exercise of it the Lord bee with you your Honourable sister with hers all that belong to you and guide your hearts into the loue of God and to looke for his Sonne the blessed hope from heauen Your Honors in all dutie and humble obseruance Iohn Wilson SOME HELPS TO FAITH Shewing the necessitie grounds kinds degrees signes of it clearing diuerse doubts answering obiections made by the soule in temptation Luke 1.20 Because thou beleeuest not my words c. THE holy Euangelist set to deliuer the storie of Christ from his beginning concerning his humanitie puts first a narration of his forerunner how he did rise as he that would speake of the day light beginnes at the day starre wherein hee mentioneth the promise of his miraculous conception and the ioy of his father and other friends 2. the doubting of the promise by Zacharie with the reason of it age making it impossible by course of nature Which is aggrauated by the minister Gabriel and by the matter promised glad tidings 2. threatened with punishment of dumbnesse as a penall signe set out by the time till the fulfilling of the promise the cause not beleeuing the words of such a messenger as he knew was sent of God For Zacharies doubt appeares not to be about the qualitie of the Angel whether he were true or false If he had onely doubted whence the reuelation came it would not haue beene so blamed for Gideon did so and desired a signe whereby he might know it was an Angel of God that speake to him Iudg. 6.17.21 But looking to the order of nature so as he considered not the power of God as Abraham did in a like case hee gaue not such glory to God a to rest on his word and power Obseruation I. From his punishment for this cause that hee beleeued not the word of God sent by his messenger we may gather how prouoking a sinne it is not to beleeue God promising His fault was but in one part of Gods word admiting some doubt about thee fulfilling of the promise 1. It was a particular act of vnbeleefe no habite 2. not full but of infirmitie among many faithfull services yet because he staggered at the promise knowing that God had spoken he shall speake no words of his owne till God haue fulfilled his Sara
but not with pure intention but to make himselfe sure of the kingdome as the young mans conscience witnessed all these haue I kept when for right manner and end he had kept none of them Thirdly The peace it hath cōtinueth not When God enterrupteth his presumption opening his conscience to notice his working of iniquitie in the midst of laughter the heart is sorrowfull and like Balteshar at the fight of a hand writing vpon the wall he is filled with terror and his false confidence destroied there shall be only feare to make them vnderstand the hearing Esa. 28.19 First The quietnesse of a true beleeuers conscience is caused by resting on Christ to the sprinkling of it with his blood as the blood of attonement for all his sinnes so particularly for those that doe specially lye vpon the conscience both for present peace with God and safety from wrath for euer hereafter through Christs aduocation and intercession appearing in heauen for him It is also strengthed by experience of Gods good will Rom. 5.4 Psal. 41.11 12. and by euidence of sanctification in the dying of the root of all sinnes by degrees lessening the force and fruits of sinne in the life of the spirit gouerning the soul by exercise of holy graces planted in it to bring glory to the name of God by good workes and labours of loue Heb. 13.18 1 Ioh. 3.19 with faith of Christian liberty and particularly of freedome from the rigor of the law that God accepts in Christ a begun obedience though it be imperfect Secondly For effects it works comfort in God reioycing in him because of the attonement Rom. 5.11 free enterance into his presence with our lawful suits Heb. 10.22 with a holy shame for sinnes though forgiuen Ezech. 16.63 witnessing the loue of Christ to vs it holds to his word to liue no more to our selues but to him it hath the authoritie of God in such respect that it cannot in any knowne law cast it out with despising the commandement giuen to vs though in lesser matters therfore makes vs striue against sinne and maintaine a close fight with it and not onely holds vs to trauaile of soule for inward mortification but to hold on in good duties when wee suffer euill for the Lords sake It encourageth in wel-doing not onely for matter but for intention against imputations of hypocrisie and vanitie Iob. 27.4.5.6 2 Cor. 1.12 The peace it giues keeps the minde and heart in Christ Iesus Phil. 4.7 Thirdly For continuance it is a neuer failing feast it may be interrupted by desertion temptation falls but it remaines in cause and returnes at length 2 Sam. 23.9 The troubled conscience of the vnbeleeuer or vaine beleeuer and the troubled conscience of a true though not perfect beleeuer are differenced in cause measure and effects First The vaine beleeuers trouble is of the spirit of bondage causing feare and disquietnesse Rom. 8.15 He is amazed at his owne brutishnesse rebuked for sin whereof the conscience is witnesse by apprehension onely of misery following it Prou. 5.12.13.14 Secondly For measure the conscience of an vnbeleeuer accuseth too sorely hiding away the Gospell and so without hope greife wholly possesseth the hart without strife against it as sinfull vrgeth not to faith and repentance truely hee affects deliuerance and sometimes complaines of God for the greatnesse of his punishment as they doe in hell with indignation gnashing their teeth despairing vtterly as Iudas For the spirit hauing opened their conscience to see their sins and Gods wrath with sense of guiltienesse leaues them in terrors and mooues them not to go to Christ. So through their own corruptiō they bring forth desperate sorrow a fearefull effect of their desperate sinning who answere such as exhort them to repentance There is no hope I haue loued strangers and them will I follow Ier. 2.25 to whom God may iustly say this shall ye haue at my hands yee shall lye down in sorrow Esa. 50.11 Thirdly it makes a man shunne God as Adam vpon his fall as the deuils did Christ as their tormentor it makes a man flee the stroke of the word in a sincere ministerie it hates the light Ioh. 3.20 as Ahab said of Michaiah whom he confessed a prophet of the Lord I hate him as Herod did Iohn First The troubled conscience of the true beleeuer is from the Spirit of grace sanctifying the conscience vnto some rightnesse in performing this function in accusing and disquieting to his good though not without some mixture of the flesh it troubles for sinne as of enmitie against God offensiue to him and causing wrath whereby the sinner is detestable to himselfe doing things so vnworthy He cannot liue vnder Gods displeasure Secondly for measure this vnquietnesse is not full because hee is not without some measure of faith in Christ to the purging of his conscience from guiltinesse and filthines of sinne though it may be he seeth no faith in his owne heart His conscience telleth him hee ought to beleeue because of Gods commandemēt he valueth faith highly and seekes it of God constantly with mourning for his vnbeleefe he calles vpon his heart to trust in God as not without hope though languishing not without loue whereby hee cleaues to God seeking his fauour and the light of his countenance specially be he in prosperity or aduersity Thirdly for effects it makes the beleeuer to beare punishment vpon him whether from God Lament 3.28 29. putting his mouth in the dust hee opens not his mouth against God Ezech. 16.63 It maketh him to feare sin to come and suffers him not to continue in knowne sinnes it workes him to readinesse to forgiue men because hee needes pardon and seekes it He welcomes the ministerie wounding and healing and striueth to remember God in his waies promising with purpose of heart to sing ioyfully of Gods righteousnesse when he opens his mouth Or from men of which after whether from law and iustice or from wrong dealing Thirdly the will of an vnbeleeuer of which a worke is specially good or bad and so accounted of God is not made free from spirituall bondage a man is counted good or euill of his will It is the comfort of a strong christian that he findes the worke of God in his will for delight to doe that which God requires with present and working will not altogether ineffectuall The new heart is peculiar to them whom God hath receiued in Christ. Ezech. 36.26 To haue the stonie heart taken away and to receiue a heart of flesh Godly desires are peculiar to godly men who are carried by Gods Spirit which they alledge to him as his owne worke who giues to will Nehemiah 1.11 Esay 20.8 graciously hearing and fulfilling them Psal. 10.17 Prou. 10.24 It qualifieth a worke vnto acceptation and reward that it was not onely done but willed 1 Cor. 9.17 2 Cor. 8.10 Men not in Christ by a true faith are said to be dead in
sinne raignes temptations fill the heart Actes 5.3 Satan possesseth the sinner in peace Luk. 11.21 who pampers his lust and makes the motion of it his full contentment hee will doe the desires of the deuil who leades him with an inward efficacie without any true resistance of his hee liues and walkes in sinne Coloss. 3.7 lyeth in wickednesse hee leades his life according to corrupt nature though he haue materials of righteousnes and be held back by Gods prouidence from some grosse act of sinne as Genes 20.6 I kept thee also that thou shouldest not sinne against mee therefore I suffered thee not to touch her Yet neither is their heart sound in Gods statutes nor indeede desires to bee they haue no study of pietie raigning in them When God regenerates a man he makes him willing to bee regenerate which is in time together with regeneration in order of nature the soule is healed before the desire but the desire is first known to vs wee see the effects which leade vs to the causes as the morning light before the morning Sunne yet wee know the light is from the Sunne drawing neere to be reuealed Euen wants of righteousnesse note sinne to raigne where a man feares not repents not sinne in generall with desire of an vniuersal cleannesse from sinne secret or knowne to him when sinne generally in nature action manner of producing actions with griefe to defile Gods worke is not in some measure laboured against of conscience towards God and pardon sought in Christ vnto rest in that blood of attonement it is an vncomfortable state Purging a mans selfe is a note of a vessell of honour opposed to the committing so to the raigne of sinne Raigne of it is expressed by obeying it in the lusts of it His seruants yee are to whom yee obey Rom. 6.16 17. Obedience subiects a man voluntarily yee haue obeyed from the heart you were the seruants of sinne The true beleeuer detests so the Deuils motions vpon the sudden iniection sometimes that he is without taint of sinne by them yet it is an affliction with victorie as it was with our Sauiour tempted by the Deuill to whom God sent Angels for his comfort yet our corruption considered it is a rare thing Sometimes he is drawen aside and inticed vnto consent with a contrary will sometimes deliberate sometimes sudden but he cannot bee brought vnder the raigne of sinne yet vnto actes of sinne For Christ keepes his possession the seed of God abides in them the Law is in their heart they serue it with their minde though sinne with their flesh Rom. 7.25 The spirit is willing the flesh makes weake they haue onely good of their desires Prou. 11.23 God pardons what they allow not themselues in but hate yet doe it hee rewards the good as the fruite of his owne Spirit brought foorth to him in Christ. Their will is better then their deede they please God though not themselues desiring more grace to serue him acceptablie Doe you not by a will freed sollicite the vnderstanding to discerne and with iudgement truely determining to commaund right things Seeke you not for more light of minde and holinesse of iudgement for the guiding of your way Doe you not desire rightnesse to your conscience soundnesse of heart in Gods Statutes Could you not cast away righteous men but in that name receiue them were it not for loue of righteousnesse Doe you seeke to further Gods worke by Ministers of righteousnesse because they worke the worke of the Lord and turne the disobedient to the wisedome of iust men Leaue you not the reignes corruption but are held with a bridle of righteousnesse to serue it Doeth the feare of God though sometimes driuen from its station yet dwell as controuller in your soule recouer the station represse the refractarie thoughts affections sway your heart against the naturall motion that you may keepe Gods Word make you cease from your owne workes with desire that God may worke his in you that the leading of you though you be interlaced with the flesh you giue to the holy Ghost louing that hee may haue the principalitie in you praying for the holy Ghost principally of which after in the examination of prayer Ponder you with care and delight to finde willingly and setledly to follow things of the spirit Attend you your selfe concerning spiritual being Greiue you inwardly for that which the flesh doeth outwardly or within not loosing but vsing loue to God in resisting sinfull motions it is not your working but suffering of sinne Charitie may bee in some sinnes astonished but not abolished as a souldier with a great blow on his head may lie as liuelesse yet his will to fight against the enemie remaines hee recouereth and seekes for his shield and returneth to fight with increased resolution The exercise of grace in thoughts deuisings purposes desires indeuours which proceede from the spirituall part haue promise of life and peace Rom. 8.6 They bee of regeneration which is glorification begun in which men proceede by the Spirit of the Lord from glory to glory Obiection VIII Some wicked men are at some strife with themselues before they sinne as Herod and confesse their folly and guiltinesse after sinne done sometimes with teares as Saul how shall I know I haue true freedome from the raigne of sinne they doe the sinne which they sticke at and returne to the sinne which they confesse and weepe at the notice of I doing so in some particulars what difference betweene me and a foole returning to his folly Answere First in the strife before sinne the difference is in the extent of matter Secondly in the motions or principle whereout it proceedes Thirdly in the issue For matter the vnbeleeuers strife is commonly but in some more grosse euill that makes one infamous amongst men as Herods strife about breaking his oath to the losse of his credit with them that sate at table with him or to do a worke condemned by the light of his minde in putting to death an innocent man whose iustice triumphed in his conscience He liued in other sins as may appeare without strife The true beleeuer as he hath receiued commandement not to sinne hee striues to obey it and so liues in a contention against himselfe in minde will affections about the body of righteousnesse deliuered in the law labouring to dead the very roote of all sinne that his corrupt nature may bee more barren and lesse rebellion in him against God where man can take no motiue of it This is implied in that prayer Take from me the way of lying and grant me graciously thy law let no iniquitie haue dominion ouer mee let my heart bee sound in thy statutes in that promise I will runne the way of thy commandements when thou shalt inlarge my heart when it shall bee larger to receiue grace and more free and willing to obey thus are they said to seeke Gods precepts because they