the whole Armour of God. ftrength enfeebled by temptation ? but theChriftian in a decli- ning condition, he taftes not the promife, every command is grievous, and every duty burdenfome w him : he goes in pain I like one whole foot is out of joynt , though the way be never I fo pleafant,And he is as unfit to die as he is to live, filch a one can like no more to hear the nerves ofdeath, then a tenant that wants his rent doth to hear of the quarter-day, This made 'Da- vid beg time of God ; Spare me a littleithdt 1may recover my firength. Having fbewen you why theChriftian fhould endeavourto recover his declining graces, it will be very requifire to give a word of counfel to the Chrittian. Firft, to dire&him how to judge of the declining Efate of grace, that he may not paffe a falfe judgement upon himfelf therein. Secondly, to dire& him when he findes grace to be in adeclib nation, how he may recover it. t4,4P st t44j4414:444,04441.4,04400 CHAP. III. A cautionarydireiion from what we may not, as alfo from what we may,judgeour graces to be in a declination. 337 FIrit of the firft, Howmay a Chrillian :lodge whether grace be .2/24, declining in him er no ? Firft, I Ilia!' refolve this negatively, andPhew by what he is Anfwd not to judge his grace to decline. Secondly, pofitively, by what be may certainly conclude a de- cay ofgrace. Firft, negatively, and that in feveral particulars. Frift, Chriftian,do not judge grace to be fallen weaker, becaufe t. thy fenfe of corruption is grown firongerahis oft lies at thebot- Xx tome
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