90 f Lst 17ifcossrf ofzruehetppine, iCor. s. u, forthemolt partutterlyignorant. He knowes not that dark and fearfull paflage, which leads from the vanities and cor- ruptionsofnature, and out of the dominions of darknefle and death, through (range terrorsand torments of' foule, in- to the richand glorious happineffe-of the frate ofgrace, and Kingdome ofChrift. He knows not the variety andpower oftentations the caufes;degrees,thewofull eonfequents and recoveriesoffpirituall defertions, relapfes, and decayes of grace. He bathno skill in thenature, fymptomes and reme- dies of afßifted confciences : In the fecret workings and rightufes ofafflìaions, infirmities, fcandals and difgraces. Heis not acquainted with Satans transformations into the gloryofanAngell ; with his B aki,and v0á f e, as the Apoftle calleth them : that is, his depths, his profound plots and contrivances, mouldedby malice and fubtilty in his owne large underffanding; tìirniíhed with the experience of our corruptions,, and the fücceíf of his many tentations for force thoufands ofyeeres; man 'gedwith all the crafts and pollicies ofthemolt dark and hiddencornersof hell. He is not acquainted withhis VAao 1N as theyarecalled,Eplief6. ii.his exquifite nïethods,inthe wilyconveyance of his ftra= tagems and infidíatioi s inordering his afläults, and difchar- ginghis fierydarts. How fometi nes hekeeps, as it wére a method ofnatúre, in flrikingat the mote, and labouring to froppeor poyfon the fountains of fpirituall life, which is Faith: That fo°the fruits ofgodlinef1may wither, and the ftreamésofdivine grace may dry up. Satan knowes full well; that thelivelyor languishingexercif ofother inward graces; thecoldor zealous performance of all outward du- ties depend upon theweakneffe or ffrength ofour faith. And therfore ifhe perceave,that (by a freeand vitali operation of a ffrong faith)our zeale,our hope,our patience, our faithful- i neífe inour calling, and other graces bemaintained in their; heat,vigour and excellency ; he labours might and maine toweaken,fhake and beat downe our ftith,and that by filch meanes as thefe : Firft, by fuggefting tothe child ofGod, a confideration of.
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