298 Row to liveby Faith in time ofThnptario confidence forcetih him to give backe, Whenwe give place to doubting, dejec4edneffe, inordinate tyrannicall feares, we put our fclves into the hands ofour Enetnic but the victory is ours, whenby faith in thepower and mercyofthe Lord, we raife up our hearts in courage, and buckle cur (elves to the duties that lie beforeus, ,accor- dingto abilitic granted of God. When we are idleand folitary, Sathan bathmo(l advantage to molell and dif- quiet, as the thiefe bath to (leale, when thedoore (lands i wide open but confcionable imployment fhutteth the doore agatnf} him, and takes away opportunity. This is the voice offaith, though Saban furioufiÿ aflaile thee, be not difmayed ; when his temptations be moil fierce, be thoumoil diligent in the meanes ofgrace, the prahifc of holineffe, the labours of an honel} calling; pray earnell- ly,call to remembrance thepromifes ofgrace,exercifc thy fe;fe in workes ofMercy.Make this ufe ofall his malitious affaults, that thou be quickened to flicke faller unto the word ofpromife, lift up thy heart to crave his aide with confidence, and take courage t o labour more earnel}ly in thepaths ofrighteoufneffe. For Sathan willthen cease to vexe with his temptations, when that which he putsas a (fumbling blocke, we make a Ipurre and incitement to morediligence in wel-doing. eg Sixtly, It fortifieth the foule a ain(i all invafions : For theperfwafìons of faith aremot} forcible, the flrengthof faith invincible. Satan indeavours byhorrible,and fearefull injedionsto drive the poore, fouie to defpaire : Faith heartneth him the more tobelieve, andkeepe clofe under the fhadow of' the Lords wings. For the Divell is let bofe, tochafeus neerer him, that we might fticke fatter unto the Lord, as thechild affrighted will cling unto the mother. Satan deliresby carnaIi allurements and outward objeas todrawhim from God, which he inforceth with all fubtiltie: Faith oppofeth flronger perfwalions to wel- d oing ; it.fetteth beforehim the terrours ofdeatheternali ifherevolt; the comforts ofgrace, and the joyes of Hea- ^-' ven, i
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=