544 The Sonler eeáuall calling to Chrift. but this is the hopeleffe condition of my heart, prayer will not worke, the meanes ofgrace wiil not prevaile;fometimes I thinke,Lord,this Lords day wil doe, and this fermon will worke it, but to chis very day the word ofthe Lordpr ;firsnot, nor workesupon meefor my good, and is there fucha heart in hell ? is there anyhope that I (hail everhave grace, when the meanes which fhould worke grace will doe mee no good ? this is the lafi plea of the foule , and indeed of Sathan, whereby flee holds many a difire(Fed foule in hand,that God intends no good towards him. dnfw. I anfwer,yet this hindersnot , but at loft thou mail have a hope of merde to fuppore thyheart in the expetationofgood,and that I may fpeake cleerely,obferve threepafiages : Firfi, the word and meanes doe worke; if ir doe make thee more fenfible,and more appre- henfive of thy owne hardnefl'e and deadnefFe, though indeed it workes not that good,and after that manner thou would(}, and defirefi, and ex- pefef}, yet if it make thee fee thy owne bafe- nefF'e, andobferve thy ownewretchedneffe,in re- gardofthat bodyofdeath that hangsupon thee, it workes marvellous well, after thebell manner, becaufe itis after Gods manner, though not after that mannerwhich thoudefrefs, and feel beft in thy owne apprehenfion ; obferve ir, that phyfick workes moti kindly,that makes the patient ficke; thatfalve that drawes before it heales, cures moll: fafely : kindly, it is with the word, it workes i when t makes thee ficke of theft dilempers, who
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