304 IDlat,i a.43,44 Luk.il.z4azy; E6; Meanestoflirre up our r lees to live by faith in timeofdread!ult temptation. I. Ezra.9.6. Hoge to live by Faith in timeofTemptation, uncleane fpirit might eafily enter into the houfe with (e- venother fpiritsworfe then himfelfe, and dwell there, if he found it fwept and garni(hed, that is.empty anddeni- tute of grace. The firong man armed m gilt well breake into the houfe, ifa flronger then he did not keepe poflef- fion. As the children ofGod are conquercurs over many tcmptations,fò one onely temptatior (and that of no long,.; continuance) isable to linke the flouted among theRe- probates, who are meere droffe and refufe, into the bot- Ì tomeleffepit ofHell. The nrong aflaults, whereby the Divell laboureth the over-throw ofthepoore fervant of God, is tohim an argument oflirength received, or that God will flrengthen him.For ifhe looke unto God in the tentation, he calleth not forth his fervants to the conflict}, untill they be furnifhed, nor will he let Sathan loofe untill he have inabled them tomake refinance. He will not lay waight upon greeneTimber, nor crulh the tender young_ ling with burdens unfupportable : whomGod doth ire- plcy in thewarre, either he bath, or will make themable for his fervice. Ifhe havean eye unto Sathans malice,why I doth he mufier all his forces to befìeg<, if therebe no flrength to withnand ? The long contiued furious ten- cations ofSathan do make proòfè, that the heart is well fortified againfa him. The way and meaneo to nirre up faith in thefe per- plexities and timesofgrievous temptations,is Fire, the dinreffed Chriilian mull unfainedly hum- ble his foule for former ignorance, vanity of Miede, difeneemeof mercy, tirneroufteffe ,clifcontent,unbeliefe, mifinterpriting the Lords doings, folitary mufings on the temptations ofSat:han,felfe-corfidence,and filch other Gnnes whichmay feeme to fit openthe foule to thefierce anddreadful affaults of Sathan:and in that acknowledge- ment and humiliation he mull unfold his prefentmifery before the Lord. Omy God, I am afhamedand con- founded, and blufh to lift up my faceto thee, my God : for my fins are multiplied, exceedingly, and mine iniqui- ties
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