when we beexerei dwithrimy & longaffit aims. If want of fpirituall refrefhings doth trouble and breed fcrouple inus , we mid remember that Phyficke purgative and reflorative muff not be taken at one and the fame time : Toadmit offorrowes, but on condition that fpirituall confolation fhould drowne the feeling there- of,is asit were towifh fufferingswithout fuffcring.When God miniftreth for the prefèrvation or recovery of fpirituall health, it is the office of fàith to receive the potion, and further the kindly working of it : which cannot be done unleflè it give way unto , yea, iliac up godly forrow, and wreflle painefully to drive out fuch corruptions, as God would have removed by them. During battell the Souldier am;} exercife his skill, va- lour , and flrength in repelling, fubduing, and purfuing the enemie ; his refrefhing comes when the fight is ended, and the fpoile divided. In the dayes of af- fliftion fàith is confiiFting with doubts , allurements, corruptions which thew themfelves ; if we doe not feele thofe fweete comforts ofthe Spirit, that our foules defìre , let us waite withpatience, till the vitory be ob- tained. And ifwe would flirre up our faith to believe and de- pend upon God in thedayesofgreat tribulations,when all meanes of helpe file, we muff Firfl, Lay open our forrowes before the L o it D and powre out our complaint into his bofome. Lord, how am I beet with miferies ? How doe my forrowes increafe daily ? I am the man that have [cene afiEfion by the rod of thine anger. Thou haft brought Mee into darknefJe, but not into light. c/tity heart fainteth, my ffrength faileth, my skZinne rs made old, my fight waxeth dimme,and all my bones are out of joynt. Thou haft hed- ged mecabout that Icannot get out, and made my chaîne heavy. My lovers and my friends Hand aloofe from my ftroke, andmy neighbours ftand afarre of. But they that feeke my hurt doe multiply , they fpcale rnifchievous things, and imagine deceit all the day long. I am the re- Z 4 poach 343 4, Helps to¡tirre upfaith in deep a litlionswhen allmeansjàile. I. Pfal. q S.s. Lam.;. I,a. Pfa1.38. IN l'fal. za. I g. P1a1.; 8. I 1. Pî1.88.8. Pial.;.t.
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