will and pleasure that I may serue thee with a cleane sober obedient chaste and vpright heart and voluntary deniall of my selfe O Lord my God let me bee taught alwaies by thy holy Spirit and suffer me not to fall in my weaknes and infirmities lead mee by thy right hand that all my thoughts and deedes may bee gouerned according to thy good will and pleasure My God take from me pride of heart and let all my strength and courage be from thee let not my mouth speake any wickednes neither yet boast in my sinnes much lesse abuse thy name that I may liue temperately and continently and not giue the members of my body to wantonnesse and loosenesse Rom. 12. Grant ô my God that I neither disdaine nor slander my neighbour and passe not the bounds of of my calling neither hunt after riches by vnrighteousnesse neither gape for high honours that I bee not hypocriticall nor counterfet giue me grace that I despise not the meane and weake sort but willingly lend to the needie and bestow vpon the poore Psal. 37.8.9.10 take couetousnesse from mee and preserue mee from Enuie Anger and Malice and all Vngodlinesse O my Creator purge mee from Vanitie Stifneckednesse Foolishnesse Obstinacie Wilfulnesse from a Rebellious mind and Misdemeanor O my mercifull God I entreate thee for Iesus Christ thy deare Sons sake thou wouldest giue mee an vnderstanding heart 2. King 2. to the end I may exercise my selfe in all good actions of loue and manifest my sinceritie and truth to all men assist mee that I may recompence euill with good and commit vengance vnto thee benefit and relieue my enemies and goe before euerie man in honour that I may tread the footsteps of the godlie and follow theÌ„ but shun euil continually free mee from Shame and make mee so depart this Life as professed enemie to Sinne and Wickednesse knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name that I may proue know whether I am in the right way Psal. 86.11 Making my Faith in good Workes to shine before all men and deliuer mee at the last â—nd from euill that I may coÌ„temne these earthly and worldly cogitations and onely set my thoughts on things that are aboue from whence I waite for Iâ—sus Christ in whose most blessed name I do come with my prayers vnto the Throne of mercy crauing pardon for my sinnes for Iesus Christs sake in whose c. Flesh. Is it sufficient that a man once make such repentance or as it happeneth once a yeere Spirit No verily no for Iesus Christ commanded vs without intermission to say forgiue vs our trespasses Mat. 6. and we are desired to grow and encrease in the mercy and grace of God 2 Pet. 2. of our Lord Iesus Christ so should wee learne to bee strengthened in the holy Spirit in the inward man and therâ—fore euery one that is godly must make his praier vnto him in a time when hee may bee found Psal. 3â— â— Meditation of the Soule for Repentance Thou must not therefore deare soule onely once or once a month or once a yeere and after returne to thy wonted sins but they whose life must and should beâ— a continuall repentance for the Christian by the holy Sacrament of Baptisme is borne againe and made the childe of God that the old Adam in him by daily remorse and repentance should bee drowned perish and die with all sinnes and concupiscences that he may be a new creature to liue in holinesse and righteousnesse before God for euer Rom. 6. for the way of the righteous shineth as the light that shineth more and more vnto the perfit day Pro. 4.18 A Prayer for true râ—pentance O God the father of all mercy and grace who hast called mee in Iesus Christ to euerlasting purity 1 Pet. 4. and granted that by truth and vpright faith I should taste of the sweetnesse of thy grace and goodnesse become the dwelling place of thy holy Spirit and heire of thy heauenly Kingdome lead me alwaies by the selfe same spirit that I may walke forward in true repentance striuing and wrastling continually against sinne making progresse in pietie and knowledge of thee growing vp in all Christian vertues as a new-borne creature and that the more thou prolongest my daies on earth I may the more encrease in a stronger faith in thee grant that I may escape for my life and not looke behinde mee Gen. 19.17 that I turne not to my vomit aâ—gaine as the Dog and the Sow that was washed Pro. 16 11. 2 Pet. 2.22 to her wallowing in the mire so that the last bee worser then the first yea my God Luk. 11.26 my strength is nought how easily am I ouercome but thou art hee that giuest both to will and to doe according to thy good pleasure Phil. 2.13 so wilt thou also strengthen perfect and accomplish this thy worke thou hast begunne in me vntill my last end forsake me not that I doe not leaue thee take not thy hand and blessing from mee ô God my Redeemer trie mee and know my heart examine and prooue my thoughts Ps. 139.33 if I bee in the wrong way bring mee to the right path Psal. 26 2. that I may walke as the childe of light before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life that so I may walke and liue after thy godly will and pleasure through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen CHAP. III. Wherein is contained six poynts which appertaine to a true Christian life Flesh. NOw seeing I daily encrease in repentance and must looke for great opposition whiles I am in the right way how should I behaue my selfe that my faith faile noâ— and that I goe not astray Spirit That question deare Soule is verie necessarie for albeit wee be regenerate are become Gods children by Faith yet carry wee these pretious iewels in earthen vessells and weake bodies and therefore Sathan euer goeth about like a Roaring-Lyon 2. Cor. 4.7 seeking to deuoure vs and plotteth all his engins against vs the World with her glistering shew giues euill Example verie pleasant to Flesh Bloud which also it gladly followeth and remembreâ—h not that the Broad-Way leadeth to Damnation and many enter therein and therefore deare Soule if thou wouldest continue in thy course and attayne to the end of thy Faith which is 1. Pet. 1.9 The Saluation of thy Soule thou must daily lay these Sixe Poynts before thy eyes and haue them in thy heart that thou mayest carrie thy selfe in life and conuersation thereafter continually 1 Wait diligently vpon the hearing of the Word learne to vnderstand practise and vse the same 2 Remember euer thy Baptisme 3 Often after due examination communicate of the Lords-Supper 4 See thou rightly behaue thy selfe in all worldly crosses or aduersities 5 Abide in thy calling with all watchfulnesse 6 Pray continually The
42. Haue mercy on me ô God 51. And so according to the seuerall constitutions of thy Soule and as thou findest thy tentation to encrease or bee diminished thou mayest make election of this or that Prayer or Psalme in the Scripture And if it be so that thou growest exceeding weake and that thy speech begin to faile thee these sentences which are but short thou mayest remember Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace Luk. 2.29 Luk. 25. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Psal. 31. Into thy hands I commit my spirit thou hast redeemed me Lord God of truth Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Act. 7.59 Abide with vs Lord Iesus Luk. 24.29 for it is towards euening and the day is farre spent I desire to bee dissolued Phil. 1. and to be with Christ. Flesh. What shall they then doe that stand by when as they see the sicke take his last goodnight from this world and to depart comforted in Soule and to attaine a blessed end Spirit They are to lament and mourne seeing it is a thing very naturall it cannot bee forbidden but thou must not sorrow euen as others which haue no hope for we that are Christians must admit comfort ought to bee constantly and certainely perswaded that our dead are not dead but sleepe that they doe not perish neither are lost but deliuered from this wicked world and gone home to the Lord and would not for the price of this whole world if it were possible to returne hither againe and therefore wee should rather be thankefull vnto God for their happy dedeparture and learne of them to liue regiously and Christianly and remember them who haue spoken vnto vs the word of God whose face wee should follow considering the end of their conuersation Heb. 13.7 and therefore falling on their knees they may pray as followeth The Prayer of those that are about the sicke person when hee is departed We thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ thou euerlasting Prince of life for vpholding this thy creature in true confession and constant faith and for granting him a blessed departure O how gloriously shall his soule bee carried to heauen to euerlasting rest and ioy by the Angels to Abrahams bosom thine owne celestiall spirits attend at his beds side although with our carnall eyes wee doâ— not apprehend them now doth hee repose himselfe in the Lord Iesus armes now hath all displeasure and greefe an end now shall the Lord wipe away all teares from his eyes Reu. 21.4 and giue him euerlasting peace and comfort with ioy and sâ—luation Now euerlasting ioy shal be vpon his head hee shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse Esa. 35.10 and sorrow sighing shall flie away O thou blessed Soule ô deere and sweet friend happy is the case thou art in thou hast borne Christs yoke now art thoâ— dead but yet thou liuest ô Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon vs that are liuing and as yet remaine on the earth and teach vs to runne out the course of this irkesome misery to the end that we may imitate such faith and constancie daily and hourely to bee prepared that wee as this thy creature hath done may make a blessed good-night and follow him with peace and ioy To raigne with Abraham Isaak and Iacob in heauen for euermore Amen CHAP. IX Declaring where the immortal soule goeth after death the resurrectioÌ„ of our body the ioyes of eternall life and paines which the vngodly haue in their destruction Flesh. NOw seeing the soule is immortall what becommeth of it or whither goeth it after this worldly death Spirit Heareof speaketh the Scripture in these and other places full of comfort and consolation Feare not them which kill the bodie Mat. 10.28 and are not able to kill the Soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both Soule and bodie in Hell I desire to bee dissolued Phil. 1.22 and to be with Christ which is farre better The Theefe on the crosse when he was to giue vp the Ghost sayd Luk. 23.43 Lord remember mee when thou commest into thy kingdome and Iesus sayd vnto him To day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise The Soules of the righteous are in the hands of God Wisd. 3.1 and there shall no torment touch them In the sight of the Wise they seemed to dye 2. and their departure is taken for miserie And their going from vs to be vtter destruction 3. but they are in peace Though the righteous be preuented with death Wis. 4 7. yet shall they be in rest There remaineth therfore a rest to the children of God Heb. 4. Luk. 16.22 And it came to passe that the Begger dyed and was carried by the Angells vnto Abrahams bosome But now he is comforted and thou art tormented Vers. 25. Ioh. 14 2. In my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were not so I would haue told you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you I will come agayne and receiue you vnto my self that where I am there may you bee also For wee know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolued 2. Cor. 51. wee haue a building of God an house not made with hands eternally in the heauens Therefore wee are alwayes confident knowing that whiles wee are at home in the bodie wee are absent from the Lord. But yee see mee Ioh. 14.19 because I liue yee shall liue also Set your affections on things aboue Col. 3.2 not on things of the earth But Hierusalem which is aboue is free Gal. 4.26 which is the mother of vs all Ps. 16.11 Thou wilt shew mee the the path of Life in thy presence is fulnes of ioy at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore A meditation of the Soules departure and blessednesse after death Behold deare Soule these speeches ful of comfort proceeded out of Gods mouth to witnesse that there must be a seuerall consideration had of mens soules for the Soule is a Spirit as are the Angells and Immortall and when the Soule of the righteous shal be sundred from the bodie it shall be taken by the Angells and carried to God to liue with Christ in Paradise aboue in the Heauens where it shal bee in glorie and rest in Gods hand farre from sorrow or griefe for wheÌ„ the Soule is seperated from the bodie it is at freedome and can doe much more without the bodie than when it is ioyned vnto it and imprisoned therein because the bodie in this life is verie heâ—uie and hindereth the Soule froÌ„ seeing heauens comfort while it is here vpon earâ—h it can prayse God honour and serue him reioyce and comfort it selfe therewith while it is in this mortal and miserable bodie much more can it perfect and doe when it is without sinne and natiue corruption and hath no such let and
constanter surer and better righteousnesse which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed vnto thee Philip. 3. and is that Righteousnesse which God onely accepteth of Sathan moreouer by Adams sinne hath blotted and defaced Gods Image in thee and deadly wounded thee in all thy powres and operations and left thee lying halfe dead Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remayning in thee to satisfie Gods will and therefore shouldest die â—ternally but on the contrarie Iesus hath not onely clothed thee with his owne righteousnesse Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10 healed thy soares and wounds by his stripes and death begot thee againe by the holie spirit and imprinted his image of new but also he will at the last day cleare thy mortall bodie and make it like to his glorious bodie To be short Sathans course was to take all thy gifts and heauenly ornaments from thee and throw thee head-long to euerlasting perdition but Iesus Christ opposed himselfe and ayded thee in such wayes that not onely hee tooke this flesh and bloud vpon him satisfied for thee made attonement for thee reconciled thee with his Father obtayned eternall remission for thee gaue thee his righteousnesse his holie spirit and euerlasting life but also he promoted thee to bee accounted righteous holie Gods child Gods heyre his brother his cousin his bride and bed-fellow heyre the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinitie Now mayest thou say deare Soule Omnia benefecit Mar. 7. He hath done al things well and therefore ô Lord thy name be praysed and glorified for euer euer ô my God how gratiously hast thou comforted me how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsie and drooping Soule how sweete is thy consolation wherfore now I am quiet and setled in mind and will say truly thou art that mercifull Gate and Ladder to eternall Life Ioh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way Veretie and Life no man commeth vnto the Father but by thee thou art the Way and there is Saluation in no other Act. 4. for there is no other name giuen vnto man vnder heauen in the which wee shall be saued but in thy name Thou ar the Truth for he that abideth not in thy learning hath not God but he that abides in thy learning hath both the Father and the Sonne Thou art Life for hee that beleeueth in thee hath eternall Life but he that beleeueth not in thee shall not see Life but Gods wrath shall abide on him The Sinners prayer to relie on God O Iesus Christ Ioh. 1. who art that right and heauenlie doore without whom none can come to the Father graunt that by a true and constant faith I may euer depend and relie vpon thee by thee mount vp to heauen and there be possessor of that euerlasting inheritaÌ„ce of glorie prepared by thy Son my Lord and Sauiour in whose name I call vpon thee saying as hee himselfe hath taught mee Our Father which art in heauen c. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled vnto the Father and iustified before him by Faith and in my hope alreadie blessed may I doe what I will vntill the day of death Spirit No by no meanes beloued Soule for if true Faith be in thy heart Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holie spirit thou must think for other wise for the regenerate delighteth in a new life attentiuely watcheth that hee fal not into sinne and is grieued in his heart for his owne and other mens vngodlinesse Pro. 24.16 abhorreth and hateth sinne eagerly and if the faithfull man be miscarried and seduced by Sathan or fall by inborne and naturall infirmitie hee daylye repenteth and comforteth himselfe in Iesus Christ whose seede abideth in him therefore there is no condemnation to him Rom. 8.1 seeing by the hand of Faith hee alwayes apprehendeth Iesus Christ and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance which declareth it selfe in a iust sober godlie life and conuersation both to God and man in thankefulnesse and loue so mayest thou daylie exercise thy selfe in forme following A most excellent Prayer for all times to be vsed I thanke thee my God heauenly father for creating me according to thy similitude and likenesse Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sinne and therby became the childe of wrath thou didst bestow and freely giue thy well-beloued sonne to bee my redeemer what shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psa. 116.12 gouern me by thy holy spirit that I may take pleasure in thy Law for in vaine serueth man thee Matt. 15. by mens lawes and traditions grant that I doe no more liue after the flesh Rom. 8. but after the spirit so that I may fight that good fight alwayes keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. teach mee euer to bee of the minde that Iesus Christ my Lord was of who hath left me an example that I should walke in his foot-steps Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. Ioh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Sathan and not fashion my selfe like to this wicked and euill world for her course tends to destruction giue mee thy grace that I may euer crucifie my sinnefull flesh mortifie and daunt the sinnefull lusts and concupiscences thereof that I may daily die to sinne and exercise my selfe in all goodnesse and vertue 1 Cor. 9. helpe me my Lord euer to feare thee from my heart to loue thee with all my power Deut. 6. and with all my strength that all my ioy and pleasure may be in thee Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creatour and bee found faithfull manfull couragious in seeking thy glory 1 King 19. and in all humility euer call on thee I may desire thy word more then gold yea more then fine gold and bee obedient to thy commandements Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward Ezek. 19. ô Lord Iesus Christ enflame my heart with thy loue Psal. 73.25 that I may esteeme thee aboue the greatest treasure and that I may consider what it is to loue this wretched world bow my heart to thee my redeemer that I may repute this earth and the glory thereof to bee as it is indeede nothing and that I may long and groane for that eternall Kingdome to come ô Lord keepe me from immoderate sollicitude and care for worldly sustenance and cause mee neuer giue trust to this temporary life Grant vnto mee ô my redeemer stedfast patience vnder the crosse of all afflictions constant magnanimity fortitude and faith in all tentations and that in the crosses of this life I despaire not grant gracious father that I may humble my selfe in greatest prosperity encline my heart to godlinesse and make my will conformable to thy
bottle yea and true meeknesse and hunger after mee Psal. 56.8 all outward benefits turne to thy blessings as seales of my fauour thy crosses are no curses but being sanctified turne to thy good in faith patienly possessing thy soule thou doest wait and looke assuredly for my glorious kingdome after this life it is not thine actions it is thy affections I respect desirest thou to bee righteousâ— then art thou righteous Meanest thou to leaue thy sinâ—es I repute thee as if thou hadst left them wouldest thou not fall I esteeme thee as a valiant Worthy who neuer was vanquished For if there bee a willing minde in thee it is accepted according to that thou hast and not according to that thou hast not 2 Cor. 8.12 thou art blessed that feelest thy wants and desirest to haue them supplied I haue giuen thee a sight of thy sinne a sorrow for it a feeling of the forgiuenes of it in my bloud a power to crucifie it lay holde on my righteousnesse by my resurrection a hope for strength from the same to sanctification and perseuerance to the end What now hadst thou these in thy nature wherby thou wast dead in sin no not so it is my grace which in thee is not in vaine howbeit thou hast receiued but the first fruits of the spirit which are but as a handfull of corne in respect of the whole field See though thy spiâ—ituall growth bee slow yet it is certaine and goeth surely neither begun nor continued by thee but by my spirit Be perswaded therefore that I who haue begun this good worke in thee will performe it vntill my day for with mee there is no change Phil. 1.6 Iam. 1.17 nor shadow of change and therefore as my gifts and callings are without repentance so will I fulfill the desires of them that feare mee Psal. 145.19 The SOVLE I Must grant and doe not deny thou hast loued mee deare Iesus and giuen thy life for mee Gal. 2 20. 1 Ioh. 5.10 else God forbid I should make thee a lier for thou crauest no other thing at my hand but that I should beleeuâ— and haue faith for the assurance of thy loue I should sinne blasphemously if I should not beleeue thy Word both confirmed by thy selfe and ratified by thine oath though I doe else sinne and sorry am I for it yet will I not thus blaspheme nor adde this to other vnworthinesse for this mistrust will weigh downe all the rest for none is damned for sinne if hee doe not ioyne to it infideliâ—y that soueraigne salue of thy bloud doth cure all sores of sinne but not this because it doth refuse the cure and as it were pulleth off this precious plaster when it is layd on it beside this distrust of thy loue deare Christ tormenteth the minde and setteth the conscience vpon the wracke when as men haue no other assurance of thy loue but onely so farre foorth as they finde themselues worthy of making no other ground of thy loue but their owne deserts thus ouerballanced with the vnsupportable waight of sinne they sinke in desparation when I sinne I am greeued at the very heart because I haue displeased thee yet my sinnes doe not make mee doubt of thy loue towards mee founded not vpon my worthinesse but vpon thine owne free mercie grace and good-will for how should I loue thee if I were not perswaded of thy loue yea I loue thee 1 Ioh. 4.19 because thou louedst me first and I know that as loue is the fulfilling of the lawe Rom. 13.8 so want of it is transgressing of all For loue is strong as death iealousie is cruell as the graue the coales thereof are coales of fire Cant. 8.6 which â—ad a most vehement flame But yet alasse poore wretch I feare my sinnes doe bereaue me oft his thy spirit I feele for this time I greeue the spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 quench him vtterly CHRIST I Haue once giuen thee my spirit I am faithfull and iust in all my wayes Ps. 145.17 and my Father is faithfull by whom thou hast been called vnto my fellowship 1 Cor. 1.9 I am not as a man that I should lie neither the Sonne of a man that I can repent thou hast receaued my spirit that thou mayest know the things giuen thee of me 1 Cor. 2.12 for he had knowledgâ— truth and faithfulnesse and so because thou art a Sonne my father hath sent forth his spirit in thy heart which crieth Abba Gâ—l 4 6. father This is the spirit of thy adoption and the same spiâ—it because of thy weakenesse and that thy faith is mixed with doubting is the earnest of thy inheritance purchased vnto the praise of my glorie Ephes. 1.14 by whome thou art sealed vnto the day of thy redemption a seale to secure thee concerning the couenant I haue made with thee in my bloud that it neuer shall be reuoked farre surer then that scaled with King Ahassuerus Ring Ester 8.8 For to this effect had my father sealed mee also that thou shouldest neuer doubt of my meditation Mat. 3.17 17.5 Iohn 1.32 For being reconciled by my death my father giueth thee his spirit in hostage and pledge that hee will not misse a day in performing his promise and in assurance of eternall peace Thou canst not denie but my spirit which rebukest the world of sinne wrought in thee a generall astonishment for sinne Ioh. 16. a speciall griefe for speciall sins a renuing of the affections arauishmeÌ„t with vnspeakable ioy of my free mercy and peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding the vnderstanding englighteneth the iudgement reformeth and godly anger Ephes. 3.18 This is the life of God in thee for they who haue receaued the spirit are led by the spirit great weakenesse is ioyned with thee Collos. 3.4 but thy life is hid with mee in God and when I thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with mee in glorie and as I said a little while ye shall see me and after a while yee shall not see me for I go vnto my father So is it very gainefull for thee beloued Soule that there be an interposition betwixt thee and me that a cloude and dampnesse should ouertake thee yet shalt thou not bee tempted aboue that thou art able to beare buâ— with the temptation will giue thee the issue A milde rod shall serue thee euen the rod of the roote of Iesse Num. 17.10 which flowreth among the other rods that so the sweetnesse of the flowre may mitigate the sharpenesse of the rod. I doe often humble euen my dearest children by masking and disguising my selfe vnto them The eyes of the two Disciples going to Emaus were holden they did not know mee speaking with them The Spirit doth liue in thee when his graces are dead in thee neither doth feeling ioy and practise alwayes follow Faith I am holden and thou art saued by
great dangers 2 Cor. 1.10 and doest deliuer me and I trust that yet thou wilt deliuer me Helpe mee that I giue no place to these misconstructions in my heart I will not say with Iob in his impatiency Thou hast set me as a marke against thee to shoote at Iob 7.20 and so confound this processe of my afflictions in no right discussing them I will entertaine by thy grace my priuy checks whereby thou knockest vpon mine heart ô open thou it wide and fill it ô thou that hast the key of Dauid oh my faith my small faith how feeble and weake art thou thou doest not answer nor satisfie my heart by apprehending and applying straightly into the armes of my soule O my poore soule that sauiour of mankind Iesus Christ. CHRIST REason not most beloued Soule so vnsoundly faith is in thee albeit it shew not in actions and fruits by which it is senâ—ibly discerned for once wrought in thy soule it alwaies continueth a sounding man is not dead by the sicknesse of the soule in sinne or outward violence of temptations it seemeth depriued of loue hope patience c. but by prayer word and spirit it soone reuiueth weather-beaten trees in winter are naked of fruit and leaues yet liue and sucke nourishment of the earth When the sweet shewers of my spirit shall distill vpon thee as in the spring and the warme sunneshine of my Fathers loue appeare to thee thou shalt growe greene and new in holy actions Fire couered with ashes is noâ— extinguished Is man without reason because he hath no vse of it while hee sleepeth drousie securely hardnesse of heart and dulnesse of spirit ouertaketh sometimes my best seruants whose soules seeme so sick in the sence of sinne that there oft appeareth no signe of life Prescribe vnto mee no time but wayt my leasure and I will surely helpe thee thou caâ—st not discerne now of faith and infidelity loue of me and rebellion against me betwixt sanctifications â—nd the heauie masse of filthie corruption Bee perswaded that though thou hast no present sense and feeling of righteousnesse Rom. 11.29 peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Yet if euer thou hadst them truely in any degree they are not taken from thee intermission is not abâ—uption I will in my time finish my worke Phil. 1.6 The woman with child feeleâ—h not the motion thereof alwaies but hauing once felt it shee is perswaded shee is with childe so by the seede of the word faith is begotten and sence of pardon of thy sins yet after a while thou mayest wound thy conscience by sinne for iâ— pleaseth mee thereby to exercise thy faith and manifâ—st my power in thy weaknesse yeelding to my selfe the praise of thy saluation In this case prop vp thy declining faiâ—h call to minde how oft I haue shewen thee my mercifull countenance so doe the Saints Psal. 77.5 â—â— 11 they remember my works and my wonders of olde vpon them and in them Set before thy eyes my seruant Iob who did comfort himselfe in his greatest extreamity with his friends and in his perplexity with himselfe by calling to minde the by-past fruits of faith and wonted workes of sanctification which hee had obserued in himselfe in former times and concluded of them Behold my signe that the Almighty is witnesse for mee Iob 3.12.35 Learne wisely to distinguish betwixt the habite and act of thy faith for it is the ground of things which are hoped for Heb. 11.1 1. Cor. 2.9 and neither the eye hath seen nor eare hath heard nor heart can conceiue them Remember it is a kind of infidelity to beleeue onely things subiect to senceâ— vnderstandings where feeling ceaseth then faith beginneth the chiefe worke thy best faith sheweth it selfe when thou hast no sence but rather discerne and feele the cleane contrarie as to behold my loue through the vizard of my anger and say Iob 13.15 Though thou kill me yet will I trust in thee for faith is not founded vpon thy feeling but vpon my gracious promises immutable goodnesse and infallible truth If once thou hast tasted of mercy the which I know and thou art perswaded thou hast done sundry and diuers times whatsoeuer thou apprehendest in thy present feeling yet faith concludeth thou art still in fauour Ioh. 13.1 For whome I loue I loue to the end and of my own will I did beget thee with the word of truth Iames 1.18 bee not therefore faithlesse but faithfull Ioh. 20.27 The SOVLE MY spirit is refreshed as the thirsty ground O giue me more of the pure riuer of that water of life Reuel 22.1 pure as christall proceeding out of the throne of God and of thee the Lambe This water thou giuest mee is a Well of water in me springing vp to eternall life Ioh. 4.14 But O my God my God I make my moane to thee of the weakenesse of my faith I doe not fully assent vnto that I know I am not surely perswaded of my saluation but assaulted with doubting that thy promises doe not belong vnto me and that by my manifolde sins I may bee separate which God forbid from thy loue CHRIST TO haue true faith is not to haue a perfect faith neuer shaken with any temptations for there was neuer such faith in anie man in the world for the most perfect are partly Flesh and partly Spirit the fruit of the Spirit is faith the fruit of the flesh is doubting which euer fight one against another Rom. 1.17 but there are Babes in me growing from faâ—th to faith Heb. 10.22 till they attaine to that fâ—lnesse of peâ—suasion yet this weake faith is a true faith as neuer so little gold is gold and sufficient to saue the beleeuer for my promises are not made to a strong faith but to those that haue a true faith Ioh. 3.18 for hee that beleeueth shall bee saued I haue no respect to the Quantitie and apprehension but Qualitie if it bee true and liuely a little man is as truly man as a great Gyant My Apostles were ignorant in manie things as that I should redeeme mankind by my death Mat. 16. Mat. 18.20 â—8 Luk. 9 45 Luk. 24 11 Mar. 9.32 Ioh. 13.36 Ioh. 14.5 Act. 1.16 Mar. â—0 37 when I told them I should be crucified they vnderstood it not they knew not that I should rise againe and being taught it thought it a faigned thing Were ignorant of my ascension and kingdome for they dreamed of worldlie preferment See now deare Soule how weak and smal this their faith is which also is euident in that my reprehension Wherefore are yee fearefull O yee of little faith And yet notwithstanding I compared it to a Rocke against which the gates of Hell should not preuaile Yea deare Soule al the power of Hel shal neuer preuaile against the smallest measure of faith Phi. 3.13 the weaker it is the stronger is my power in