11 Unto one that was much tempted with unbelief, he gave this counsel: When the1 temptation cometh, either fall down in prayer, and say, Lord thou makest me to possess the sins of my youth, and this temptation is of very equity: howbeit, oh Lord,2 grant I may by wisdom herein, make this temptation an holy instruction, and suffer me to possess my soul in patience: oh turn this •o thy glory and my salvation. I see and confess what hath been in me a long time, by that which now showeth it self in me, and that thy grace •ath altogether hitherto kept under this corruption: yet Lord I believe, and yet Lord I will believe, help Lord my unbelief, thy name be praised for this seal3 of thy love, and pledge of thy spirit; that in this unbelief I am grieved, as in my belief4 I am wont to be comforted. And though my former old and secret sins, deserve that I should not only be given over to infidelity, but also that it should be in me without grief and remorse, •et Lord forgive me my sins new and old, forgive me my unthankfulness, increase my f•ith. And gr••t good father, when thou shalt restore to me this gift of faith5 again, that I may use it in fear, and show it in fruits. Or if this do not prevail, give6 your self with all humbleness to read the word of God, especially his promises, and be still attending upon the means, waiting when the Lord shall in large your heart. Or if this7 do not help, go to some faithful brother, confess your self to him, acknowledge your8 weakness to him, and be not ashamed to give God the glory, by shaming your self, and opening your corruption to him, that so he may pray for you, whose prayer according9 to the promise of God, made to his holy ordinance herein, James. 5 undoubtedly shall be10 heard in the appointed time. Thus having prayed by yourself, and with another, and used the means of reading for your recovery, though you have not present relief: yet in meekness of mind, and patience of your spirit, go to your calling, knowing that your11 prayers and the word of God, being as seed, must have some time between the sowing12 of them, and the reaping of the increase and fruit of them. Above all, reason not with your temptations, dispute not with the devil, as though you could prevail of your self.
11 Vnto one that was much tempted with vnbeleefe, he gaue this counsell: When the1 temptation commeth, either fall downe in prayer, and say, Lord thou makest me to possesse the sinnes of my youth, and this temptation is of very equitie: howbeit, oh Lord,2 grant I may by wisedome herein, make this temptation an holy instruction, and suffer me to possesse my soule in patience: oh turne this •o thy glorie and my saluation. I see and confesse what hath beene in me a long time, by that which now sheweth it selfe in me, and that thy grace •ath altogether hitherto kept vnder this corruption: yet Lord I beleeue, and yet Lord I will beleeue, helpe Lord my vnbeleefe, thy name be praised for this seale3 of thy loue, and pledge of thy spirit; that in this vnbeleefe I am grieued, as in my beleefe4 I am wont to be comforted. And though my former old and secret sinnes, descrue that I should not only be giuen ouer to infidelitie, but also that it should be in me without griefe and remorse, •et Lord forgiue me my sinnes new and old, forgiue me my vnthankfulnes, increase my f•ith. And gr••t good father, when thou shalt restore to me this gift of faith5 againe, that I may vse it in feare, and shew it in fruites. Or if this doe not preuaile, giue6 your selfe with all humblenes to reade the word of God, especially his promises, and be still attending vpon the meanes, waiting when the Lord shall in large your heart. Or if this7 do not helpe, goe to some faithfull brother, confesse your selfe to him, acknowledge your8 weakenes to him, and be not ashamed to giue God the glorie, by shaming your selfe, and opening your corruption to him, that so he may pray for you, whose prayer according9
- 1Satanical temptations.Sathanicall temptations.
- 2To be tempted with unbelief and the remedies.To be tempted with vnbeliefe and the remedies.
- 31
- 4Prayer.
- 52
- 6Reading of the word.
- 73
- 8Confession.
- 94
- 10Attend on your calling with patience.Attend on your calling with patiēce.
- 115
- 12N•t to reason with our temptations or the devil.N•t to reason with our temptations or the diuel.
