when Sathan ..encounters thefervantsof - Chrit. ties are rifen up againft me. I was conceived in finne, I havelived invanity : my thoughts are looke, mine afkèc`lì- ons boiflerous. I have difeffeemedmercy,regarded lying vanities ; givenway to doubtful' reafonings, pettifhly ta- kenon whenmy carnali delires have beene crof ed ; di- arufted thy promifes, difputed with thee of thy judge- ments ; given way to thoughts ofunbeliefe, harboured unquietneffeand difcontent : and fo expofed my foule to the moil violent, horrible, and fierie tentations and af- faults ofSathan. My foule,which fhouldbe feafoned with fweetc meditation on thy goodneffe, mercie, and grace manifefted in JefusChril, delighted in the promifes of mercie,and ravifhedwith the ¡oyes ofHeaven,is continu- ally petered and affailed with the blacke and heliifh thoughts ofAtheifine, defpaire, blafphemie, difcontent; and extreamel y tortured with foule-vexing feares. Omy God, looke mercifully upon the mifery of a pobre di- ftreffed(inner. I am brought into great darkneffe, and can fee no light. There is no fourdnefle in my flail, nor refit inmybones, nor quiet in my foule. My heart trembleth, my itrength faileth me, my life is fpent with glide, my fpirit within me is overwhelmed: andprevai- ling feares fo tyrannize over me, that I cannot fpeake. My Mindc is full ofdiforder and confufion, my heart of terrour : my foule refufeth comfort. In the day I am terrified with thoughts, in the night affrighted with dreames. I am fore wounded andbroken, I goe mourning and defolate all theday : my moiflure islike the drought of fummer, and in this deepe difcomfort the Tempter ceafe:h not tofuggeft, That there it no helpe for "me in any God. Secondly, he mull conaplaineof themalice of' the De- vill ; and inftantly intreate the Lord to pardon finne, bridle,reflraine, and tread Sathan under foote. Whiles I.declare mine iniquitie, and am forrie for my finne, the Devillragethwith incredible furie feeking to devoure and fwallowmeup.. Hefìghtethagain[} me continually : X night 505 N.A. 38,8,ro. Pfal.; 2.4. N.M. 3, z,
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