300 a. Rev i;.tz. Mat.4. i o,t i. Luk.4, t;. x Cor. l o. i 3. 9. z Cor. x z.P. How to livedy Faith in timeofTemptation, 1 Eightly, In the moil forcible telnpefts which theene.. f my raifeth againft us, when to prefent fenfe and feeling all fight and hope ofthe grace and goodneffe ofGod in Jefus Chrift is loft, faith refs the heart, that a calme is at hand. When the ftrengthoftheenemy is wafted, and his provifion decayed, that he hath no hope to continue the liege long, he will make one or two furious affaults a- gai a the place before his departure, intending to winne the horfe or lofe the fpurres, as theproverbe goeth : fo it is with Sathan, his rage is greateft, whenhis time is Thor- teft. Even as thedarkneffe isgreaten a little before day : fo thegrand pieces which theDivell keeper in ftore,unttll the cafe bedefperate, be with theclaps they give, and mitts they fend forth, meffengers ofhis retiring, andour deliverance which is before the doore. The laic temptati- on, wherewithSathan fet upon Chrift, was the molt furi- ous, andwhen he could not prevaile thereby, he departed from him for a feafon. The Lord knowes well themalice of Sathan, and the weakneffe ofhis children : his furie ro devour; and their frailty to stand long in the encounter : therefore he will not fuller that roaringLion above rnea- fiire to difchargo upon them. This.faithaflures of,andper- fwades quietly to waite for. Ninthly, If Sathan renewhis afiaults, faith [landspre- pared through the power ofGod to make refiftancea- frefh ? When Paul was buffeted by themeflrenger of Sa- than,hebefought the Lord often inthat thing. Thus when we arc led into darkneffe without light, we leaneupon God, and cry untohim for falvation. Ifa child have his Father by the hand, thoughhe be in thedarke, or other- wife fee, what might hurt him, approach, and make often at him, yet he is not afraid and fo it is withus, whileft by the eye offaith, we fee that invifible one, at right hand to fupport and fave us. Neither are we feared at this, that Sathandoth fhift his temptations, andreturne againe after he had left us for a feafon : But having expe- rience ofGods gratious dealing and tender compaflion, wcl
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