over_o they_o at_o sometime_o more_o than_o at_o other_o time_n when_o it_o be_v well_o with_o the_o new_a creation_n within_o christian_n can_v keep_v the_o devil_n at_o a_o bay_n and_o stand_v when_o it_o be_v otherwise_o he_o prevail_v immediate_o we_o be_v disarm_v and_o his_o dart_n pierce_v and_o enter_v there_o be_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o david_n heart_n be_v not_o in_o so_o good_a a_o frame_n as_o usual_o sometime_o before_o his_o foul_a fall_n 2_o sam._n 11._o as_o to_o peter_n it_o be_v plain_a his_o vain-self-confidence_n give_v satan_n a_o opportunity_n to_o sift_v he_o as_o he_o do_v 3._o how_o do_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n help_v in_o a_o decay_a state_n 1._o grace_n help_v in_o preserve_v life_n at_o the_o root_n there_o be_v some_o witness_n for_o god_n keep_v up_o i_o sleep_v but_o my_o heart_n wake_v say_v the_o bride_n song_n 5.2_o it_o be_v well_o all_o be_v not_o asleep_a the_o spirit_n be_v willing_a but_o the_o flesh_n be_v weak_a say_v meek_a jesus_n in_o his_o agony_n in_o the_o garden_n to_o the_o three_o distemper_a disciple_n matth._n 26.41_o these_o same_o three_o sleep_n in_o the_o mount_n of_o transfiguration_n luke_n 9.32_o and_o in_o the_o garden_n of_o agony_n paul_n find_v this_o witness_n preserve_v in_o his_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n in_o his_o member_n rom._n 7.23_o 2._o grace_n help_v under_o a_o decay_a state_n by_o make_v a_o secret_a growth_n downward_o a_o growth_n that_o the_o believer_n can_v feel_v in_o himself_o and_o that_o other_o can_v quick_o perceive_v yet_o it_o be_v a_o real_a growth_n and_o will_v in_o god_n due_a time_n appear_v we_o common_o value_v most_o that_o growth_n in_o grace_n that_o have_v fair_a blossom_n and_o fruit_n appear_v to_o our_o comfort_n and_o to_o the_o lord_n praise_n before_o other_o and_o it_o be_v indeed_o desirable_a and_o to_o be_v study_v matth._n 5.16_o john_n 15.8_o but_o there_o be_v a_o growth_n that_o may_v be_v carry_v on_o in_o the_o root_n only_o in_o the_o root_a grace_n of_o a_o christian_n as_o in_o clear_a discovery_n of_o indwelling_a sin_n in_o the_o heart_n and_o in_o more_o self-diffidence_n and_o self-distrust_n paul_n have_v this_o fruit._n 2_o cor._n 1.8,9_o it_o be_v a_o sad_a thing_n that_o many_o christian_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o themselves_o of_o the_o good_a that_o be_v in_o they_o that_o the_o lord_n see_v that_o nothing_o be_v so_o fit_a to_o cure_v they_o of_o this_o as_o leave_v they_o to_o themselves_o and_o when_o this_o leave_v of_o they_o to_o themselves_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o a_o discovery_n of_o themselves_o and_o that_o discovery_n have_v wrought_v a_o distrust_n of_o themselves_o and_o that_o distrust_n have_v teach_v they_o faith_n in_o god_n than_o the_o lord_n have_v reach_v his_o end_n on_o they_o and_o will_v change_v his_o way_n with_o they_o 3._o grace_n can_v revive_v the_o decay_a state_n of_o a_o believer_n psal_n 23.3_o he_o restore_v my_o soul_n he_o renew_v their_o strength_n isa_n 40.31_o psal_n 103.5_o thy_o youth_n be_v renew_v like_o the_o eagle_n this_o be_v impossible_a in_o nature_n and_o as_o to_o our_o body_n but_o as_o to_o our_o soul_n and_o the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o they_o it_o be_v what_o be_v promise_v and_o often_o do_v old_a people_n may_v and_o do_v often_o in_o their_o folly_n and_o vanity_n counterfeit_a youth_n but_o all_o their_o art_n can_v make_v themselves_o one_o hour_n young_a but_o the_o lord_n can_v renew_v the_o youth_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n and_o make_v it_o better_o with_o he_o than_o ever_o it_o be_v david_n pray_v for_o it_o psal_n 51.10_o create_v in_o i_o a_o clean_a heart_n o_o god_n and_o renew_v a_o right_a spirit_n within_o i_o peter_n get_v a_o new_a conversion_n luke_n 22.32_o they_o both_o have_v be_v convert_v and_o renew_v before_o but_o they_o fall_v under_o a_o sad_a decay_n and_o need_v this_o restore_a grace_n and_o get_v it_o so_o much_o of_o the_o second_o time_n of_o need_n i_o proceed_v to_o a_o three_o not_o so_o common_a 3._o a_o time_n of_o special_a enjoyment_n be_v a_o time_n of_o special_a need_n of_o god_n help_a grace_n you_o may_v think_v it_o strange_a but_o it_o be_v true_a that_o they_o that_o receive_v most_o of_o the_o lord_n be_v gracious_a bounty_n stand_v in_o most_o need_n of_o grace_n to_o guide_v it_o well_o concern_v this_o season_n i_o will_v speak_v in_o five_o particular_n 1._o mast_n christian_n know_v what_o those_o enjoyment_n be_v by_o experience_n although_o it_o various_a measure_n it_o be_v very_o suspicious_a that_o that_o person_n be_v a_o hypocrite_n that_o be_v always_o in_o the_o same_o frame_n let_v they_o pretend_v it_o to_o be_v never_o so_o good_a the_o true_a christian_n sky_n be_v never_o long_o clear_a and_o without_o cloud_n change_v of_o weather_n and_o way_n be_v usual_o find_v by_o traveller_n to_o heaven_n it_o be_v to_o be_v suspect_v that_o he_o be_v not_o right_a who_o have_v no_o change_n psal_n 55.19_o these_o special_a enjoyment_n be_v of_o several_a sort_n 1._o there_o be_v some_o special_a nearness_n to_o god_n enjoy_v by_o christian_n at_o some_o time_n we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v offend_v at_o but_o rather_o confirm_v by_o the_o reproach_n of_o the_o ungodly_a that_o be_v utter_a stranger_n to_o such_o enjoyment_n and_o can_v endure_v nor_o understand_v the_o scripture_n name_n of_o such_o blessing_n that_o they_o themselves_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o what_o be_v more_o frequent_a in_o the_o word_n than_o this_o nearness_n to_o god_n what_o be_v better_o know_v in_o the_o experience_n of_o saint_n than_o this_o nearness_n he_o make_v gracious_a approach_n to_o man_n spirit_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o approach_v to_o he_o psal_n 65.4_o they_o find_v it_o good_a for_o they_o psal_n 73.28_o the_o first_o gracious_a change_n wrought_v in_o a_o soul_n be_v by_o bring_v a_o distant_a sinner_n near_o to_o god_n eph._n 2.13_o but_o now_o in_o christ_n jesus_n you_o who_o sometime_o be_v far_o off_o be_v make_v nigh_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n whenever_o the_o virtue_n of_o that_o blood_n come_v upon_o you_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n god_n come_v near_o to_o you_o and_o you_o be_v bring_v near_o to_o god_n but_o beside_o this_o nearness_n that_o be_v begin_v in_o the_o first_o application_n of_o grace_n and_o change_v their_o state_n there_o be_v more_o nearness_n give_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o enjoy_v by_o his_o people_n for_o the_o cheer_v of_o their_o heart_n and_o better_n of_o their_o frame_n exercise_v christian_n be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o distinct_a account_n of_o their_o have_v of_o this_o nearness_n at_o some_o time_n and_o of_o their_o want_n of_o it_o at_o other_o time_n how_o much_o of_o both_o be_v in_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n and_o such_o as_o can_v understand_v the_o nearness_n to_o and_o distance_n from_o god_n so_o frequent_o mention_v there_o as_o only_o the_o psalmist_n sense_n of_o god_n favourable_a or_o cross_a providence_n towards_o he_o in_o outward_a thing_n be_v to_o be_v pity_v for_o their_o ungodly_a lgnorance_n and_o despise_v for_o their_o expound_v the_o word_n of_o a_o man_n after_o god_n heart_n according_a to_o the_o carnal_a sentiment_n of_o their_o own_o 2._o there_o be_v effusion_n of_o the_o spirit_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o word_n and_o find_v by_o christian_n which_o be_v special_a enjoyment_n sometime_o they_o be_v find_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o spiritual_a duty_n of_o worship_n sometime_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o grace_n grace_n shall_v be_v act_v in_o all_o duty_n of_o worship_n but_o it_o may_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v act_v out_o of_o any_o formal_a duty_n you_o shall_v never_o pray_v but_o there_o shall_v be_v act_v of_o faith_n and_o love_n on_o christ_n but_o god_n be_v thank_v you_o may_v act_v faith_n and_o love_n when_o you_o do_v not_o pray_v when_o you_o be_v about_o no_o settle_a spiritual_a duty_n of_o worship_n there_o be_v a_o be_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n long_o prov._n 23.17_o a_o walk_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n zech._n 10.12_o a_o do_v of_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n col._n 3.17_o every_o believer_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n if_o any_o man_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v none_o of_o he_o rom._n 8.9_o but_o there_o be_v some_o singular_a powring_n out_o of_o this_o spirit_n promise_v and_o bestow_v and_o well_o know_v by_o believer_n and_o they_o be_v precious_a enjoyment_n this_o spirit_n the_o world_n can_v receive_v because_o it_o see_v he_o not_o neither_o know_v he_o but_o you_o know_v he_o for_o he_o dwell_v with_o you_o and_o shall_v be_v in_o you_o as_o
present_a supply_n of_o grace_n can_v preserve_v he_o that_o be_v a_o season_n of_o special_a need_n of_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o prospect_n of_o or_o in_o such_o season_n christian_n shall_v ply_v the_o throne_n of_o grace_n of_o such_o time_n of_o need_n i_o will_v speak_v to_o six_o of_o they_o 1._o the_o time_n of_o temptation_n 2._o of_o a_o spiritual_a decay_n 3._o of_o high_a enjoyment_n and_o attainment_n 4._o of_o affliction_n 5._o of_o special_a duty_n and_o service_n 6._o of_o die_v these_o be_v all_o season_n and_o time_n of_o special_a need_n of_o god_n grace_n and_o how_o such_o render_v christian_n needy_a of_o grace_n and_o how_o helpful_a his_o grace_n be_v in_o such_o time_n be_v all_o i_o mind_n to_o say_v on_o this_o scripture_n 1._o time_n of_o need_n be_v the_o time_n of_o temptation_n a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n rev._n 3.10_o a_o time_n of_o temptation_n luke_n 8.13_o a_o day_n of_o temptation_n psal_n 95.8_o but_o because_o temptation_n be_v of_o large_a signification_n and_o of_o sundry_a sort_n and_o from_o various_a quarter_n i_o shall_v confine_v myself_o to_o that_o sort_n that_o be_v from_o satan_n and_o on_o this_o head_n will_v confine_v myself_o to_o these_o three_o 1._o what_o temptation_n be_v 2._o what_o need_v of_o grace_n to_o the_o tempt_v 3._o how_o grace_n help_v in_o time_n of_o temptation_n 1._o what_o be_v temptation_n as_o we_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o three_o thing_n be_v in_o a_o temptation_n a_o outward_a object_n the_o occasion_n inward_a corruption_n that_o be_v as_o fuel_n for_o the_o temptation_n and_o satan_n motion_n to_o sin_n and_o his_o work_n on_o these_o two_o to_o hatch_v sin_n he_o be_v but_o twice_o call_v the_o tempter_n first_o when_o he_o come_v to_o christ_n matth._n 4.3_o and_o again_o when_o he_o come_v to_o christian_n 1_o thess_n 3.5_o these_o three_o be_v not_o necessary_o in_o all_o temptation_n in_o his_o tempt_v the_o first_o and_o second_o adam_n there_o be_v only_o a_o outward_a object_n and_o a_o motion_n of_o satan_n but_o in_o all_o man_n beside_o these_o three_o be_v in_o all_o temptation_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o word_n give_v the_o name_n of_o temptation_n to_o all_o of_o they_o 1_o tim._n 6.9_o they_o that_o will_v be_v rich_a fall_v into_o temptation_n few_o either_o of_o the_o poor_a or_o of_o the_o rich_a believe_v this_o jam._n 1.14,15_o every_o man_n be_v tempt_v when_o he_o be_v draw_v away_o of_o his_o own_o lust_n and_o entice_v then_o when_o lust_n have_v conceive_v it_o bring_v forth_o sin_n and_o sin_n when_o it_o be_v finish_v bring_v forth_o death_n hence_o the_o difficulty_n be_v great_a in_o discover_v satan_n hand_n in_o tempt_v because_o there_o be_v inward_a corruption_n in_o man_n that_o act_n and_o work_n of_o itself_o as_o well_o as_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v act_v upon_o by_o satan_n if_o temptation_n from_o satan_n come_v to_o a_o sinless_a man_n the_o tempter_n may_v be_v easy_o know_v but_o when_o it_o come_v to_o a_o sinner_n who_o have_v a_o active_a principle_n of_o corruption_n in_o he_o that_o prompt_v he_o to_o the_o fame_n sin_n that_o the_o tempter_n tempt_v unto_o it_o become_v very_o hard_a to_o a_o man_n to_o say_v this_o motion_n be_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o this_o be_v of_o my_o own_o corrupt_a heart_n and_o here_o seldom_o do_v the_o devil_n get_v his_o due_n some_o blame_v the_o devil_n more_o than_o he_o deserve_v and_o excuse_v themselves_o more_o than_o they_o shall_v and_o some_o excuse_v the_o devil_n and_o blame_v themselves_o more_o than_o they_o ought_v what_o shall_v we_o do_v here_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v when_o temptation_n rise_v from_o corruption_n within_o or_o from_o the_o devil_n without_o there_o be_v no_o very_o great_a need_n to_o know_v it_o exact_o as_o in_o some_o case_n it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o know_v it_o temptation_n be_v so_o natural_a to_o we_o that_o if_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o first_o mover_n it_o seize_v so_o quick_o on_o our_o corrupt_a heart_n that_o we_o may_v just_o take_v the_o blame_n to_o ourselves_o the_o working_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o the_o new_a creature_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o satan_n on_o the_o old_a man_n be_v great_a mystery_n it_o be_v far_o wise_a work_n to_o set_v about_o resâ—…ing_v of_o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n than_o to_o perplex_v out_o self_n with_o question_n about_o their_o order_n therefore_o 2._o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o help_v the_o tempt_v this_o be_v plain_a every_o one_o that_o be_v in_o this_o case_n know_v his_o great_a need_n of_o grace_n yet_o to_o make_v they_o that_o be_v not_o in_o it_o pity_v they_o that_o be_v and_o to_o direct_v they_o that_o be_v in_o it_o to_o entertain_v a_o deep_a sense_n of_o their_o need_n of_o god_n grace_n i_o will_v show_v how_o needy_a a_o person_n under_o temptation_n be_v of_o the_o help_a grace_n of_o god_n this_o appear_v in_o these_o 1._o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n command_v we_o to_o pray_v against_o temptation_n he_o do_v not_o so_o command_v we_o to_o pray_v against_o affliction_n in_o that_o pattern_n of_o prayer_n matth._n 6.9,13_o the_o word_n whereof_o be_v better_o know_v than_o the_o deep_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n be_v understand_v there_o be_v but_o two_o petition_n for_o spiritual_a blessing_n for_o ourselves_o one_o be_v for_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o our_o person_n the_o other_o be_v for_o sanctification_n and_o preservation_n and_o that_o be_v express_v thus_o lead_v we_o not_o into_o temptation_n sanctification_n be_v pray_v for_o in_o pray_v against_o temptation_n and_o much_o of_o sanctification_n be_v act_v in_o make_v such_o a_o prayer_n but_o may_v not_o a_o man_n enter_v into_o temptation_n and_o come_v well_o out_o of_o it_o again_o yes_o but_o in_o that_o case_n more_o thanks_o be_v due_a to_o the_o lord_n grace_n and_o mercy_n than_o to_o his_o own_o good_a conduct_n christ_n will_v have_v you_o to_o be_v afraid_a of_o temptation_n and_o to_o pray_v against_o it_o matth._n 26.41_o watch_z and_o pray_v that_o you_o enter_v not_o into_o temptation_n whatever_o temptation_n a_o man_n rush_v confident_o upon_o he_o usual_o fall_v by_o in_o temptation_n no_o believer_n be_v safe_a but_o the_o self-diffident_a and_o fearful_a and_o fear_v of_o temptation_n act_n in_o pray_v against_o it_o peter_n fail_v in_o his_o fearlesness_n his_o go_v to_o the_o high-priest_n hall_n after_o the_o warning_n his_o master_n give_v he_o be_v rush_v on_o a_o temptation_n and_o so_o come_v on_o it_o it_o must_v therefore_o be_v a_o case_n wherein_o one_o be_v very_o needy_a of_o grace_n to_o help_v that_o christ_n bid_v we_o pray_v against_o 2._o we_o find_v the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n be_v provide_v and_o prepare_v on_o purpose_n for_o the_o case_n of_o temptation_n eph._n 6.10,13_o the_o apostle_n be_v sound_v the_o alarm_n of_o war_n to_o all_o christian_n he_o show_v they_o where_o their_o strength_n lie_v ver_fw-la 10._o be_v strong_a in_o the_o lord_n and_o in_o the_o power_n of_o his_o might_n he_o show_v they_o their_o weapon_n of_o war._n v._n 10_o to_o v._o 19_o and_o tell_v they_o how_o to_o use_v they_o their_o armour_n be_v that_o of_o god_n no_o armour_n but_o that_o that_o be_v from_o heaven_n be_v proof_n against_o the_o battery_n and_o assault_n of_o hell_n how_o do_v the_o devil_n laugh_v at_o despise_v and_o pierce_v through_o that_o soul_n who_o armour_n be_v forge_v and_o frame_v on_o earth_n this_o armour_n of_o god_n the_o christian_a must_v put_v on_o and_o take_v to_o himself_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o he_o know_v it_o and_o have_v it_o lie_v by_o he_o it_o be_v no_o armour_n to_o he_o till_o it_o be_v put_v on_o by_o he_o and_o why_o such_o armour_n and_o so_o put_v on_o ver_fw-la 12._o because_o of_o such_o dreadful_a enemy_n as_o we_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o for_o we_o wrestle_v not_o against_o flesh_n and_o blood_n enemy_n formidable_a and_o dangerous_a sufficient_o against_o they_o that_o have_v no_o more_o but_o flesh_n and_o blood_n to_o oppose_v they_o with_o but_o against_o principality_n against_o power_n against_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o darkness_n of_o this_o world_n against_o spiritual_a wickedness_n in_o high_a place_n what_o but_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n can_v secure_v a_o poor_a believer_n from_o all_o the_o army_n of_o hell_n 3._o our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n himself_o be_v tempt_v that_o he_o may_v succour_v they_o that_o be_v tempt_v heb._n 2.18_o there_o be_v several_a state_n and_o condition_n that_o believer_n be_v in_o that_o christ_n himself_o be_v never_o in_o we_o be_v oft_o sick_a and_o weak_a in_o
christ_n grace_n and_o in_o which_o his_o grace_n be_v special_o helpful_a i_o have_v speak_v to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o time_n of_o need_n a_o time_n of_o temptation_n though_o all_o believer_n be_v not_o always_o tempt_v yet_o there_o be_v no_o saint_n on_o earth_n who_o be_v out_o the_o devil_n gun-shot_n no_o saint_n on_o earth_n have_v reason_n to_o expect_v that_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v god_n shall_v serve_v the_o devil_n with_o a_o noli_fw-la prosequi_fw-la god_n give_v 〈◊〉_d in_o this_o life_n a_o utter_a discharge_n to_o the_o devil_n from_o meddle_v with_o or_o molest_v of_o any_o saint_n till_o we_o come_v to_o heaven_n this_o adversary_n must_v be_v expect_v and_o prepare_v for_o this_o world_n be_v his_o dominion_n he_o be_v the_o wicked_a god_n of_o it_o 2_o cor._n 4.4_o and_o all_o the_o wicked_a in_o it_o be_v his_o people_n subject_n and_o child_n and_o all_o the_o remain_a corruption_n in_o the_o saint_n be_v of_o the_o devil_n 2._o the_o second_o time_n of_o special_a need_n of_o god_n grace_n be_v the_o time_n of_o a_o spiritual_a decay_n a_o decay_n in_o the_o new_a creature_n a_o decay_n in_o the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o the_o heart_n this_o pass_v under_o many_o name_n in_o the_o word_n and_o well_o know_v in_o the_o sense_n and_o experience_n of_o believer_n sometime_o it_o be_v call_v darkness_n isa_n 50.10_o it_o be_v the_o misery_n of_o a_o natural_a state_n that_o they_o that_o be_v in_o it_o be_v darkness_n it_o be_v the_o blessedness_n of_o a_o renew_a state_n that_o the_o partaker_n of_o it_o be_v light_n in_o the_o lord_n their_o duty_n be_v to_o walk_v as_o child_n of_o light_n eph._n 5.8_o though_o they_o that_o be_v make_v light_n in_o the_o lord_n be_v never_o suffer_v to_o become_v darkness_n again_o yet_o they_o may_v walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o have_v no_o light_n and_o the_o day_n of_o that_o darkness_n may_v be_v many_o as_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v eccl._n 11.8_o we_o all_o know_v what_o natural_a darkness_n be_v all_o the_o natural_a light_n of_o the_o world_n be_v from_o the_o sun_n and_o therefore_o natural_a light_n and_o darkness_n day_n and_o night_n have_v their_o vicissitude_n and_o revolution_n according_a to_o the_o shine_a or_o not_o shine_v of_o the_o sun_n all_o the_o spiritual_a light_a believer_n have_v be_v from_o the_o light_n of_o god_n countenance_n as_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n arise_v on_o they_o mal._n 4.2_o or_o withdraw_v from_o they_o so_o be_v their_o spiritual_a day_n or_o night_n so_o do_v they_o walk_v in_o darkness_n or_o in_o the_o light_n of_o the_o lord_n sometime_o this_o decay_n be_v call_v death_n and_o deadness_n a_o state_n of_o inability_n and_o unactivity_n for_o work_v and_o do_v what_o they_o be_v call_v to_o hence_o so_o many_o prayer_n for_o quicken_a especial_o in_o psal_n 119._o natural_a death_n we_o know_v not_o but_o sickness_n weakness_n and_o faint_v we_o do_v know_v spiritual_a death_n be_v know_v and_o feel_v by_o none_o that_o be_v under_o its_o total_a power_n but_o a_o weakness_n in_o spiritual_a life_n saint_n do_v know_v of_o this_o decay_n i_o will_v speak_v in_o handle_v three_o thing_n 1._o whence_o it_o come_v 2._o how_o needy_a such_o be_v of_o god_n grace_n 3._o how_o grace_n do_v help_v in_o it_o 1._o whence_o come_v this_o decay_n on_o christian_n it_o be_v a_o state_n too_o common_a to_o be_v question_v and_o too_o plain_a to_o need_v to_o be_v prove_v that_o true_a christian_n be_v and_o may_v be_v in_o it_o i_o will_v name_v some_o of_o its_o spring_n and_o cause_n 1._o it_o flow_v from_o the_o infant_n infirm_a state_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n in_o its_o first_o form_v it_o be_v a_o newborn_a babe_n 1_o pet._n 2.2_o when_o the_o first_o man_n be_v make_v he_o be_v as_o perfect_v and_o strong_a a_o man_n the_o first_o hour_n he_o be_v make_v as_o ever_o he_o be_v in_o all_o his_o life_n he_o come_v out_o of_o his_o maker_n hand_n a_o perfect_a man._n but_o the_o new_a creature_n be_v bear_v a_o weak_a thing_n and_o be_v to_o grow_v up_o to_o the_o stature_n of_o a_o perfect_a man_n in_o christ_n eph._n 4.13_o and_o will_v never_o come_v to_o its_o full_a growth_n till_o it_o come_v to_o heaven_n none_o on_o earth_n know_v what_o a_o perfect_a christian_a be_v there_o be_v degree_n of_o perfection_n on_o earth_n in_o respect_n whereof_o some_o be_v less_o some_o more_o perfect_a but_o the_o most_o perfect_a labour_v great_o under_o imperfection_n phil._n 3.12,13,14_o and_o press_v most_o after_o perfection_n i_o will_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o wise_a design_n of_o god_n in_o frame_v the_o new_a creature_n thus_o only_o the_o glory_n of_o its_o preservation_n and_o of_o its_o perfection_n be_v not_o due_a to_o the_o new_a nature_n in_o believer_n but_o to_o the_o original_a of_o it_o god_n the_o father_n to_o the_o bless_a root_n thereof_o jesus_n christ_n his_o son_n to_o the_o inhabitation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o the_o great_a security_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n 2._o the_o new_a creature_n be_v not_o only_o in_o a_o infant_n weak_a state_n but_o it_o be_v plant_v in_o bad_a and_o unfit_a soil_n for_o it_o it_o be_v plant_v out_o of_o its_o element_n heaven_n be_v the_o proper_a element_n and_o country_n whence_o the_o new_a creature_n come_v whence_o it_o be_v maintain_v and_o whether_o it_o native_o tend_v but_o it_o be_v plant_v here_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o sinner_n now_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o man_n though_o mend_v by_o grace_n in_o part_n be_v a_o very_a unfit_a and_o unsuitable_a soil_n for_o such_o a_o foreign_a heavenly_a plant_n as_o the_o new_a creation_n be_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o we_o be_v endanger_v by_o the_o place_n of_o its_o residence_n 3._o there_o be_v also_o much_o corruption_n remain_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o believer_n as_o noisome_a weed_n grow_v near_o this_o precious_a plant_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o lord_n never_o design_v to_o root_v all_o corruption_n out_o of_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n in_o this_o life_n by_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o they_o but_o only_o to_o give_v that_o grace_n that_o shall_v break_v the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o shall_v maintain_v a_o war_n with_o indwelling_a sin_n and_o at_o last_o shall_v prevail_v complete_o so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o on_o the_o account_n of_o those_o three_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n be_v very_o liable_a to_o spiritual_a decay_n and_o it_o be_v sad_o confirm_v from_o frequent_a experience_n it_o may_v be_v in_o some_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n be_v in_o best_a case_n when_o it_o be_v first_o begin_v and_o that_o from_o the_o day_n of_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o day_n of_o their_o be_v glorify_v they_o never_o have_v much_o of_o any_o remarkable_a growth_n but_o this_o be_v their_o sin_n and_o their_o shame_n 2._o hence_o you_o may_v see_v how_o needy_a such_o person_n be_v of_o the_o help_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n a_o inward_a decay_n in_o the_o work_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o we_o make_v we_o very_o needy_a of_o help_n from_o the_o fountain_n of_o grace_n in_o he_o for_o this_o decay_n give_v great_a advantage_n to_o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n to_o attack_v we_o and_o lay_v we_o under_o great_a disadvantage_n in_o resist_v they_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v i_o can_v now_o give_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o that_o the_o devil_n know_v the_o frame_n of_o our_o heart_n though_o he_o do_v not_o know_v the_o heart_n immediate_o that_o be_v god_n property_n act_n 1.24_o and_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o we_o a_o great_a deal_n better_o than_o we_o ourselves_o ordinary_o do_v great_a be_v the_o intimacy_n he_o have_v with_o our_o spirit_n especial_o with_o the_o remain_a corruption_n in_o they_o great_a be_v his_o craft_n acquire_v by_o observation_n practice_n and_o experience_n as_o well_o as_o by_o his_o malicious_a sagacity_n and_o when_o he_o see_v a_o believer_n in_o a_o bad_a case_n if_o he_o have_v permission_n he_o will_v improve_v that_o desire_a opportunity_n to_o make_v their_o bad_a case_n worse_o psal_n 71.11,12_o david_n pray_v for_o hasty_a help_n from_o god_n on_o this_o argument_n his_o enemy_n say_v god_n have_v forsake_v he_o persecute_v and_o take_v he_o for_o there_o be_v none_o to_o deliver_v he_o caleb_n and_o joshua_n encourage_v israel_n to_o go_v in_o and_o possess_v the_o land_n numb_a 14.9_o by_o this_o their_o defence_n be_v depart_v from_o they_o and_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o we_o fear_v they_o not_o it_o be_v from_o this_o bad_a case_n that_o believer_n be_v in_o that_o satan_n have_v so_o easy_a and_o speedy_a victory_n