believer_n have_v receive_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n to_o fear_n to_o dread_v and_o fly_v from_o god_n as_o from_o a_o just_a judge_n as_o the_o carnal_a man_n do_v but_o of_o adoption_n whereby_o he_o cry_v abba_n father_n these_o and_o many_o other_o grace_n be_v needful_a for_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n of_o prayer_n whereof_o it_o follow_v that_o whosoever_o have_v receive_v this_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v undoubted_o one_o renew_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o where_o this_o grace_n be_v want_v there_o be_v no_o regeneration_n or_o sanctification_n and_o lest_o that_o any_o man_n deceive_v himself_o by_o think_v that_o he_o have_v this_o grace_n of_o pray_v to_o god_n when_o he_o have_v it_o not_o we_o will_v here_o set_v down_o a_o few_o note_n or_o mark_n wherein_o the_o pray_n of_o a_o faithful_a man_n differ_v from_o that_o kind_n of_o pray_v which_o a_o carnal_a man_n may_v use_v first_o therefore_o a_o faithful_a man_n conceive_v his_o prayer_n himself_o in_o his_o own_o mind_n have_v consider_v what_o thing_n be_v most_o needful_a to_o be_v pray_v for_o at_o that_o time_n and_o in_o that_o company_n if_o he_o be_v with_o other_o and_o so_o he_o do_v as_o it_o be_v pour_v out_o his_o prayer_n from_o the_o bottom_n of_o his_o heart_n whereas_o the_o carnal_a man_n although_o he_o be_v in_o worldly_a matter_n a_o jolly_a wise_a man_n yea_o and_o can_v tell_v his_o tale_n before_o who_o soever_o as_o readely_a as_o the_o best_a yet_o he_o have_v neither_o the_o wit_n to_o conceive_v nor_o the_o tongue_n to_o utter_v two_o sentence_n of_o prayer_n before_o god_n or_o if_o he_o must_v needs_o have_v prayer_n either_o by_o himself_o for_o a_o show_n of_o religion_n or_o in_o some_o blind_a devotion_n or_o in_o his_o family_n lest_o he_o shall_v seem_v want_v in_o his_o duty_n than_o he_o be_v force_v to_o get_v some_o prayer_n book_n into_o his_o hand_n and_o so_o read_v so_o many_o as_o he_o think_v good_a therein_o rest_v the_o which_o thing_n although_o it_o may_v be_v do_v at_o some_o time_n and_o be_v to_o be_v commend_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o atheism_n who_o never_o pray_v either_o for_o themselves_o or_o any_o other_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a because_o the_o prayer_n of_o particular_a man_n ought_v to_o be_v frame_v according_a to_o their_o own_o particular_a state_n and_o the_o present_a state_n of_o those_o in_o who_o behalf_n they_o pray_v the_o second_o difference_n be_v this_o if_o a_o carnal_a man_n pray_v without_o book_n it_o be_v but_o in_o two_o or_o three_o word_n as_o lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o god_n fiend_n we_o the_o light_n of_o heaven_n god_n send_v we_o this_o or_o that_o thing_n the_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v call_v prayer_n but_o wish_n whereas_o the_o prayer_n which_o come_v from_o a_o faithful_a heart_n be_v utter_v in_o a_o competent_a number_n of_o word_n as_o it_o be_v meet_v and_o needful_a we_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o one_o may_v offend_v in_o use_v too_o mamy_a word_n the_o which_o fault_n christ_n forewarn_v we_o of_o math._n 6._o 7._o 8._o 8._o and_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n to_o be_v see_v in_o those_o dotterel_n who_o think_v that_o they_o serve_v god_n in_o mumble_v over_o so_o many_o dozen_o of_o creed_n pater_fw-la noster_n and_o aue_fw-la mary_fw-mi yea_o further_o we_o confess_v that_o the_o force_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o mouth_n but_o in_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o heart_n the_o which_o alone_o will_v make_v the_o prayer_n to_o be_v hear_v although_o word_n be_v altogether_o want_v as_o we_o read_v 1._o sam._n 1._o 13._o 13._o of_o hanna_n samuel_n mother_n who_o pray_v so_o effectual_o that_o her_o request_n be_v grant_v and_o yet_o she_o utter_v no_o word_n but_o only_o move_v her_o lip_n and_o pray_v in_o her_o heart_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o faithful_a prayer_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v if_o there_o be_v no_o hindrance_n plentiful_a in_o word_n for_o although_o thou_o pray_v alone_o to_o god_n who_o understand_v thy_o thought_n as_o well_o as_o thy_o word_n yet_o god_n must_v be_v serve_v not_o only_o inward_o in_o thy_o mind_n but_o also_o with_o the_o member_n of_o thy_o body_n especial_o with_o the_o tongue_n which_o be_v give_v to_o thou_o for_o this_o end_n yea_o the_o word_n of_o thy_o mouth_n do_v stir_v up_o thy_o affection_n and_o make_v thou_o more_o fervent_a in_o prayer_n but_o if_o thou_o pray_v in_o the_o company_n of_o other_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o their_o edification_n that_o thou_o utter_v word_n not_o only_o in_o a_o general_a and_o confuse_a manner_n but_o so_o as_o that_o the_o several_a petition_n conceive_v in_o thy_o mind_n may_v be_v plain_o declare_v and_o distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o for_o sin_n must_v be_v confess_v grace_n want_v desire_v plague_n and_o judgement_n remoove_v benefit_n remember_v the_o brethren_n commend_v to_o god_n not_o in_o gross_a unless_o it_o can_v well_o otherwise_o be_v but_o in_o particular_a that_o so_o the_o hearer_n may_v be_v the_o more_o edify_v if_o it_o be_v here_o object_v that_o this_o dexterity_n and_o faculty_n of_o utter_v prayer_n in_o the_o aforesaid_a manner_n be_v not_o to_o be_v look_v for_o at_o the_o hand_n of_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a man_n who_o can_v so_o much_o as_o help_v themselves_o by_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o write_n of_o godly_a man_n we_o answer_v that_o as_o satan_n have_v in_o former_a age_n deface_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o advance_v superstition_n by_o no_o mean_n more_o then_o by_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n a_o general_a barbarism_n and_o decay_n of_o learning_n so_o ought_v christian_n in_o this_o time_n of_o grace_n to_o furnish_v themselves_o with_o all_o thing_n which_o may_v further_o their_o edification_n and_o although_o all_o can_v attain_v to_o learning_n for_o diverse_a hindrance_n yet_o all_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v able_a to_o read_v by_o the_o which_o mean_n be_v diligent_o use_v they_o may_v soon_o come_v to_o have_v their_o sense_n exercise_v in_o spiritual_a matter_n and_o acquaint_v with_o the_o language_n and_o word_n belong_v thereunto_o far_o above_o their_o own_o hope_n and_o expectation_n yea_o even_o those_o who_o be_v of_o ripe_a year_n can_v read_v aught_o to_o be_v ashamed_a rather_o of_o this_o barbarous_a and_o brutish_a rudeness_n then_o of_o learning_n that_o which_o will_v make_v great_o for_o their_o profit_n comfort_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n again_o he_o who_o be_v endue_v with_o inward_a grace_n needful_a for_o prayer_n will_v find_v word_n whereby_o to_o utter_v his_o mind_n be_v he_o never_o so_o unlearned_a for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n give_v utterance_n open_v the_o lip_n &_o unti_v the_o string_n of_o the_o tongue_n to_o all_o those_o who_o he_o sanctifi_v neither_o need_v this_o seem_v strange_a for_o as_o one_o say_v all_o man_n be_v eloquent_a enough_o in_o that_o which_o they_o know_v and_o like_v put_v case_n the_o unlearned_a man_n who_o thus_o excuse_v his_o atheism_n and_o want_n of_o religion_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o prayer_n there_o be_v no_o jot_n of_o true_a religion_n by_o his_o rudeness_n be_v put_v in_o mind_n by_o some_o friend_n that_o such_o a_o nobleman_n have_v a_o rich_a farm_n in_o his_o hand_n the_o which_o he_o may_v easy_o obtain_v if_o so_o be_v he_o can_v tell_v his_o tale_n well_o before_o the_o say_v noble_a man_n i_o warrant_v you_o he_o will_v not_o loose_v it_o for_o ask_v neither_o will_v he_o come_v blunt_o to_o he_o and_o say_v sir_n i_o pray_v you_o give_v i_o this_o farm_n but_o he_o will_v and_o that_o without_o any_o teacher_n find_v store_n both_o of_o reason_n and_o of_o word_n fit_a for_o his_o purpose_n he_o will_v say_v may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n to_o be_v my_o good_a lord_n and_o master_n i_o be_o a_o poor_a wretched_a man_n have_v sustain_v so_o many_o loss_n hane_v so_o many_o maim_n wound_n &_o infirmity_n have_v a_o great_a charge_n of_o child_n of_o who_o so_o many_o be_v not_o able_a to_o put_v on_o their_o own_o clothes_n and_o therefore_o i_o be_o bold_a to_o trouble_v your_o lordship_n in_o such_o a_o matter_n the_o which_o if_o i_o may_v obtain_v i_o shall_v pray_v for_o you_o as_o long_o as_o i_o live_v and_o will_v by_o god_n grace_n be_v as_o faithful_a and_o dutiful_a a_o servant_n as_o ever_o your_o lordship_n have_v i_o have_v no_o friend_n to_o help_v forward_o my_o suit_n but_o do_v whole_o rely_v myself_o on_o your_o goodness_n and_o pitiful_a disposition_n these_o and_o many_o more_o like_a and_o more_o effectual_a persuasion_n and_o fit_a phrase_n proverbe_n term_n
and_o say_n the_o simple_a man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v use_v for_o a_o temporal_a commodity_n how_o much_o more_o able_a will_v he_o be_v to_o call_v upon_o god_n by_o prayer_n wherein_o there_o be_v far_o more_o matter_n offer_v whether_o we_o regard_v the_o wretchedness_n of_o the_o suitor_n or_o the_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n but_o to_o return_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n the_o three_o difference_n be_v that_o the_o carnal_a man_n pray_v very_o seldom_o yea_o for_o the_o most_o never_o but_o upon_o some_o urgent_a cause_n as_o when_o he_o be_v pinch_v with_o some_o grievous_a cross_n as_o sickness_n or_o poverty_n or_o when_o he_o be_v in_o some_o great_a danger_n as_o be_v in_o battle_n on_o land_n or_o in_o a_o tempeston_n the_o sea_n 5._o as_o we_o read_v jonas_n 1._o 5._o the_o infidel_n in_o extreme_a danger_n fall_v to_o prayer_n these_o extremity_n will_v wring_v out_o of_o the_o most_o irreligious_a atheist_n some_o kind_n of_o prayer_n but_o not_o till_o he_o see_v that_o all_o other_o mean_n do_v fail_v for_o till_o then_o he_o never_o think_v on_o god_n but_o it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o with_o the_o faithful_a man_n for_o he_o pray_v daily_a &_o hourly_a to_o the_o lord_n he_o never_o want_v matter_n of_o pray_v but_o take_v every_o occasion_n to_o pray_v if_o not_o open_o and_o in_o word_n yet_o secret_o in_o his_o heart_n yea_o the_o faithful_a in_o all_o their_o danger_n trouble_n misery_n and_o affair_n whatsoever_o do_v not_o put_v the_o mean_n in_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a place_n repose_v their_o confidence_n therein_o but_o first_o they_o seek_v for_o help_v at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o then_o trust_v that_o he_o will_v give_v a_o happy_a success_n use_v the_o mean_n with_o all_o care_n and_o diligence_n four_o the_o carnal_a man_n do_v not_o in_o pray_v use_n either_o perseverance_n in_o continue_v his_o suit_n till_o it_o please_v god_n to_o hear_v he_o or_o yet_o patience_n in_o suffer_v with_o a_o quiet_a mind_n the_o delay_n of_o that_o which_o he_o desire_v but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o hear_v at_o the_o first_o he_o straightway_o give_v over_o yea_o most_o common_o he_o wax_v so_o profane_a and_o godless_a that_o he_o will_v never_o afterward_o pray_v to_o god_n though_o he_o have_v never_o so_o great_a need_n and_o not_o rest_v herein_o he_o murmure_v against_o god_n and_o in_o great_a rage_n curse_v all_o thing_n that_o come_v in_o his_o sight_n or_o mind_n but_o the_o godly_a man_n be_v never_o weary_v with_o call_v upon_o god_n but_o be_v content_a to_o tarry_v the_o lord_n leisure_n consider_v that_o god_n know_v what_o be_v good_a for_o he_o better_o than_o he_o himself_o five_o the_o carnal_a man_n pray_v only_o for_o temporal_a blessing_n as_o health_n peace_n riches_n honour_n and_o such_o other_o and_o if_o so_o be_v that_o he_o have_v some_o knowledge_n of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v he_o will_v indeed_o desire_v that_o he_o may_v after_o this_o life_n be_v in_o heaven_n but_o you_o shall_v never_o hear_v he_o desire_v to_o go_v in_o that_o way_n in_o this_o life_n which_o lead_v to_o heaven_n he_o desire_v to_o be_v happy_a in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v but_o not_o to_o be_v holy_a and_o righteous_a in_o this_o world_n he_o will_v glad_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n but_o yet_o not_o with_o the_o condition_n of_o forsake_v his_o earthly_a pleasure_n he_o think_v it_o no_o wisdom_n to_o forgo_v a_o certain_a and_o present_a happiness_n for_o that_o which_o will_v perhaps_o come_v but_o he_o know_v not_o when_o neither_o can_v any_o man_n make_v he_o as_o he_o think_v any_o good_a assurance_n of_o it_o but_o the_o faithful_a man_n count_v all_o worldly_a pleasure_n to_o be_v as_o they_o be_v in_o deed_n but_o as_o dross_n and_o dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n and_o therefore_o his_o prayer_n be_v chief_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v his_o eternal_a salvation_n six_o the_o carnal_a man_n pray_v only_o for_o himself_o for_o his_o child_n and_o friend_n by_o who_o he_o may_v have_v some_o temporal_a comfort_n or_o profit_n never_o remember_v the_o affliction_n of_o joseph_n that_o be_v have_v no_o fellowe-feeling_a of_o the_o misery_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o particular_a member_n thereof_o whereas_o the_o faithful_a desire_n the_o good_a of_o their_o brethren_n yea_o even_o with_o their_o own_o hurt_n if_o so_o it_o stand_v with_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n last_o which_o be_v the_o main_a difference_n of_o all_o the_o carnal_a man_n pray_v without_o faith_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v pray_v aright_o rom._n 10._o 14._o 14_o doubt_a as_o he_o have_v good_a cause_n whether_o god_n will_v hear_v he_o or_o no_o whereas_o the_o faithful_a man_n be_v undoubted_o persuade_v that_o god_n will_v grant_v his_o desire_n if_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o his_o salvation_n otherwise_o if_o it_o be_v some_o temporal_a blessing_n or_o some_o particular_a grace_n without_o the_o which_o he_o may_v be_v save_v he_o know_v that_o god_n will_v either_o grant_v his_o request_n or_o make_v he_o plain_o see_v and_o confess_v that_o it_o be_v more_o for_o his_o good_a that_o his_o mind_n be_v not_o fulfil_v in_o that_o behalf_n now_o for_o a_o conclusion_n we_o see_v how_o great_o it_o behove_v every_o one_o who_o will_v be_v account_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o man_n a_o true_a christian_a to_o give_v himself_o careful_o to_o the_o attain_n of_o this_o gift_n of_o prayer_n and_o to_o the_o perform_n of_o this_o duty_n both_o by_o himself_o alone_o and_o also_o with_o his_o family_n especial_o if_o we_o do_v due_o consider_v the_o manifold_a commodity_n both_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a which_o may_v be_v reap_v by_o this_o mean_n for_o as_o touch_v this_o present_a life_n hearty_a and_o fervent_a prayer_n come_v from_o a_o faithful_a man_n be_v health_n in_o sickness_n riches_n in_o poverty_n safety_n in_o danger_n comfort_n in_o all_o adversity_n yea_o it_o be_v all_o in_o all_o but_o far_o more_o notable_a be_v the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n of_o our_o soul_n for_o prayer_n be_v the_o exercise_n of_o a_o man_n soul_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o food_n and_o nourishment_n of_o it_o so_o that_o as_o a_o man_n can_v keep_v his_o body_n for_o any_o long_a time_n in_o health_n &_o strength_n unless_o he_o use_v some_o exercise_n yea_o although_o he_o do_v fill_v it_o with_o meat_n and_o feed_v it_o most_o careful_o even_o so_o although_o a_o man_n do_v hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n every_o day_n preach_v unto_o he_o yet_o unless_o he_o do_v by_o this_o spiritual_a exercise_n of_o prayer_n draw_v the_o say_v heavenly_a food_n into_o the_o several_a part_n of_o his_o soul_n he_o shall_v sensible_o feel_v his_o faith_n love_n patience_n and_o all_o other_o part_n of_o holiness_n to_o decrease_v by_o little_a and_o little_a until_o at_o length_n they_o come_v to_o nothing_o yea_o as_o the_o exercise_v of_o the_o body_n do_v not_o only_o preserve_v it_o in_o the_o natural_a vigour_n but_o also_o increase_v the_o strength_n of_o it_o and_o keep_v it_o from_o sickness_n so_o by_o the_o daily_a use_n of_o prayer_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v increase_v in_o we_o all_o spiritual_a grace_n far_o above_o our_o own_o expectation_n or_o the_o opinion_n of_o any_o other_o and_o therefore_o let_v we_o give_v ear_n to_o the_o apostle_n exhortation_n eph._n 6._o 18._o 18._o take_v to_o you_o the_o helmet_n of_o your_o salvation_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o withal_o pray_v always_o with_o all_o manner_n of_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n in_o the_o spirit_n and_o watch_v thereunto_o withal_o perseveraunce_n not_o only_o for_o yourselves_o but_o also_o for_o all_o saint_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o renew_a filial_a subjection_n which_o man_n owe_v to_o god_n his_o heavenly_a father_n to_o the_o which_o one_o other_o duty_n of_o filial_a subjection_n must_v be_v add_v to_o wit_n patience_n in_o regard_n of_o those_o manifold_a and_o grievous_a affliction_n wherewith_o god_n do_v chastise_v 1â—_n try_v and_o nurture_n his_o child_n for_o as_o the_o goldsmith_n intend_v to_o make_v precious_a and_o excellent_a vessel_n fit_a for_o the_o use_n of_o great_a king_n do_v cast_v his_o gold_n into_o the_o fire_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v come_v pure_a from_o all_o dross_n so_o before_o that_o the_o faithful_a can_v be_v vessel_n of_o honour_n fit_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n they_o must_v be_v cast_v into_o the_o furnace_n of_o affliction_n and_o there_o be_v wean_v from_o the_o vain_a delight_n and_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n
other_o part_n of_o santification_n be_v want_v as_o the_o body_n may_v live_v although_o it_o lack_v the_o arm_n leg_n and_o other_o part_n but_o if_o the_o heart_n be_v once_o wound_v death_n be_v then_o hard_a at_o hand_n and_o therefore_o satan_n do_v most_o of_o all_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n labour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o faithful_a man_n desire_v to_o strike_v through_o the_o hart_n at_o the_o first_o stroke_n that_o so_o as_o abisai_n say_v 1._o sam._n 26._o 8._o 8._o he_o may_v save_v the_o labour_n of_o strike_v twice_o this_o christ_n tell_v peter_n that_o sathan_n have_v desire_v to_o tempt_v he_o 2._o but_o he_o have_v pray_v for_o he_o that_o his_o faith_n whereat_o sathan_n will_v direct_o strike_v shall_v not_o fail_v the_o weapon_n wherewith_o he_o use_v to_o strike_v at_o faith_n be_v many_o and_o diverse_a as_o namely_o these_o first_o the_o cross_n and_o misery_n of_o this_o present_a life_n which_o god_n lay_v on_o his_o child_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o their_o faith_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 7._o 7._o but_o they_o feel_v they_o bitter_a and_o after_o a_o sort_n intolerable_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n labour_n by_o earnest_n and_o continual_a prayer_n as_o also_o by_o all_o other_o mean_v to_o be_v free_v from_o they_o the_o which_o thing_n when_o as_o they_o can_v bring_v to_o pass_v be_v suffer_v to_o languish_v yea_o often_o to_o perish_v outward_o in_o their_o trouble_n they_o straight_o way_n be_v move_v by_o sathan_n to_o think_v that_o god_n have_v forsake_v they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o help_n or_o good_a thing_n to_o be_v look_v for_o at_o his_o hand_n this_o policy_n sathan_n himself_o do_v bewray_v and_o confess_v job._n 1._o 11_o do_v job_n fear_n god_n for_o nought_o thou_o have_v bless_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n but_o lay_v thy_o hand_n upon_o he_o in_o outward_a cross_n and_o thou_o shall_v see_v that_o he_o will_v be_v so_o far_o off_o from_o trust_v in_o thou_o 11._o that_o he_o will_v curse_v thou_o to_o thy_o face_n the_o temptation_n be_v then_o most_o forceable_a when_o as_o the_o faithful_a in_o their_o great_a misery_n be_v exasperate_v and_o as_o it_o be_v have_v their_o tooth_n set_v on_o edge_n by_o the_o great_a prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a insomuch_o that_o they_o often_o repent_v themselves_o that_o they_o have_v not_o choose_v that_o course_n &_o manner_n of_o life_n whereby_o they_o see_v they_o to_o flourish_v but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v withstand_v by_o consider_v that_o god_n do_v chastise_v his_o child_n and_o purge_v they_o in_o the_o furnace_n of_o affliction_n that_o so_o he_o may_v make_v glorious_a and_o heavenly_a vessel_n of_o they_o whereas_o the_o wicked_a be_v as_o sheep_n feed_v fat_a against_o the_o day_n of_o slaughter_n that_o they_o be_v by_o this_o mean_n make_v conformable_a to_o christ_n their_o head_n that_o the_o great_a affliction_n of_o this_o world_n be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v &_o that_o â—s_v it_o be_v luke_n 16._o 25._o 25._o as_o the_o wicked_a in_o this_o life_n have_v pleasure_n and_o the_o godly_a pain_n so_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v the_o godly_a shall_v be_v comfort_v and_o the_o other_o torment_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v undoubted_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o we_o read_v eccles._n 8._o 12._o 17._o though_o the_o wicked_a man_n do_v evil_a a_o hundred_o time_n and_o yet_o prolong_v his_o day_n yet_o i_o know_v that_o in_o the_o end_n it_o will_v be_v well_o with_o they_o that_o fear_v god_n and_o with_o no_o other_o again_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o godly_a be_v often_o tempt_v by_o consideration_n have_v of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o dead_a body_n for_o so_o by_o measure_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n by_o their_o own_o shallow_a reason_n they_o stagger_v at_o it_o and_o sometime_o fall_v flat_o down_o 2._o tim._n 2._o 18._o 18._o hymeneus_n and_o philetus_n teach_v that_o the_o resurrection_n mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v already_o past_a and_o so_o they_o do_v subvert_v the_o faith_n of_o many_o but_o for_o this_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o nothing_o be_v impossible_a to_o god_n the_o third_o temptation_n be_v the_o obscure_a secret_a and_o hide_a manner_n of_o god_n work_v in_o these_o last_o age_n wherein_o he_o have_v reveal_v himself_o full_o in_o his_o son_n and_o in_o the_o gospel_n do_v hide_v himself_o from_o the_o eye_n even_o of_o the_o faithful_a in_o that_o he_o do_v not_o appear_v so_o in_o vision_n revelation_n dream_n the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n in_o temporal_a punishment_n and_o blessing_n oâ—_n in_o any_o other_o sensible_a manner_n but_o suffer_v all_o thing_n to_o go_v on_o and_o work_v after_o their_o own_o inclination_n as_o namely_o tyrant_n to_o rage_n and_o oppress_v his_o church_n to_o persecute_v his_o people_n to_o erect_v idolatry_n to_o deface_v his_o worship_n to_o blaspheme_v his_o name_n so_o as_o if_o he_o have_v clean_o cast_v off_o the_o care_n of_o all_o thing_n here_o in_o this_o world_n but_o this_o ought_v not_o to_o trouble_v we_o for_o sensible_a apparition_n blessing_n and_o action_n be_v for_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n which_o now_o be_v come_v to_o her_o ripe_a age_n and_o yet_o the_o action_n of_o god_n be_v no_o less_o wonderful_a than_o before_o yea_o they_o be_v as_o manifest_v to_o spiritual_a eye_n as_o ever_o they_o be_v to_o the_o carnal_a eye_n of_o man_n the_o last_o weapon_n wherewith_o satan_n strike_v at_o faith_n be_v minister_v unto_o he_o by_o the_o faithful_a themselves_o to_o wit_n their_o manifold_a and_o grievous_a sin_n especial_o those_o whereinto_o they_o fall_v again_o and_o again_o have_v often_o repent_v they_o &_o whereof_o they_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n get_v the_o upper_a hand_n here_o satan_n think_v that_o he_o have_v as_o much_o advantage_n against_o the_o faithful_a as_o he_o himself_o desire_v for_o in_o the_o other_o temptation_n he_o do_v fight_v against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o which_o now_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v on_o his_o side_n for_o whereas_o the_o scripture_n do_v everywhere_a teach_v that_o all_o who_o be_v justify_v be_v sanctify_v from_o a_o sinful_a life_n and_o have_v power_n give_v they_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o resist_v and_o mortify_v sin_n especial_o great_a and_o heinous_a sin_n hereof_o he_o infer_v after_o this_o manner_n thou_o have_v no_o such_o power_n or_o grace_n to_o resist_v sin_n thou_o can_v not_o for_o thy_o life_n abstain_v from_o commit_v it_o but_o do_v add_v one_o fall_v to_o another_o one_o sin_n to_o another_o even_o against_o thy_o own_o conscience_n &_o therefore_o thy_o faith_n be_v nothing_o but_o either_o mere_a hypocrisy_n and_o unbelief_n or_o at_o the_o most_o it_o be_v but_o some_o light_a shadow_n of_o faith_n which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o many_o reprobate_n this_o argument_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v answer_v and_o therefore_o it_o drive_v many_o faithful_a man_n to_o their_o wit_n end_n and_o even_o to_o despair_v of_o themselves_o and_o of_o the_o love_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o most_o fearful_a thing_n kill_v all_o holiness_n even_o at_o the_o root_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v avoid_v by_o all_o mean_n especial_o by_o learning_n if_o we_o be_v as_o yet_o ignorant_a how_o to_o answer_v this_o argument_n thus_o cunning_o compact_v by_o satan_n the_o best_a answer_n that_o can_v be_v make_v be_v that_o he_o who_o be_v thus_o tempt_v labour_n by_o fast_v prayer_n continual_a read_n meditate_v and_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o avoid_v all_o occasion_n of_o sin_n and_o diligent_a weigh_v the_o nature_n and_o manifold_a evil_n ensue_v of_o it_o to_o purge_v himself_o of_o the_o sin_n wherewith_o satan_n do_v so_o buffet_v he_o and_o so_o to_o wring_v his_o weapon_n by_o force_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v as_o often_o the_o faithful_a can_v get_v the_o mastery_n over_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o corrupt_a desire_n of_o the_o flesh_n than_o we_o must_v answer_v that_o a_o true_a and_o save_a faith_n may_v be_v at_o some_o time_n without_o some_o fruit_n as_o the_o tree_n be_v in_o the_o winter_n season_n as_o appear_v manifest_o by_o the_o example_n of_o diverse_a faithful_a man_n as_o namely_o in_o david_n that_o notable_a man_n who_o do_v not_o only_o commit_v adultery_n which_o be_v a_o most_o grievous_a sin_n the_o harm_n whereof_o can_v by_v any_o mean_n be_v amend_v yea_o and_o add_v murder_n to_o it_o a_o more_o horrible_a sin_n but_o also_o as_o may_v be_v probable_o gather_v seem_v to_o have_v continue_v