Propositions

62 When one was troubled in mind he gave this comfortable note: that although it came to pass, that after some travel in new birth, Gods graces were not so sweet, and our sins not so sour ⟨image 18⟩& grievous unto us, as they were to our first entrance into regeneration: but we are now weaker in less assaults, having afore been stronger in greater temptations: we were not to despair, but to consider, from whence this gracious progress did come; namely, of God, and not of our selves; who showed himself more favourable in the beginning, both because he would not discourage us, newly coming unto him, and for that we forsaking our selves, with a godly suspecting of our weakness in the least temptations, did fly unto Gods help by prayer; who in wisdom can hide himself under a cloud: partly, for that he will look to see some trial of strength at our hands, coming to some age in new birth; partly, for that we now less forsake or suspect our selves, no not in greater temptations; and for presumptuously wrestling with our own strength, and staying our selves with our own staff, we do not call to God for help, and not calling, do not obtain, and not obtaining help, we take the foil in the conflict, that the ⟨image 19⟩Lord may make known unto us, that notwithstanding our proceeding in Christianity, we are still but men, and God alone is God.

62 When one was troubled in minde hee gaue this comfortable note: that although it came to passe, that after some travell in newe birth, Gods graces were not so sweet, and our sinnes not so sowre ⟨image 18⟩& grievous vnto vs, as they were to our first entrance into regeneration: but we are nowe weaker in lesse assaults, having afore beene stronger in greater temptations: we were not to dispaire, but to considder, from whence this gratious progresse did come; namely, of God, and not of our selues; who shewed himselfe more favourable in the beginning, both because hee woulde not discourage vs, newlie comming vnto him, and for that we forsaking our selues, with a godly suspecting of our weaknes in the least temptations, did flie vnto Gods help by prayer; who in wisdome can hide himselfe vnder a cloude: partly, for that he will look to see some trial of strength at our hands, comming to some age in new birth; partlie, for that wee nowe lesse forsake or suspect our selues, no not in greater temptations; and for presumpteouslie wrestling with our owne strength, and staying our selues with our owne staffe, wee do not call to God for help, and not calling, do not obtaine, and not obtaining help, wee take the foile in the conflict, that the