A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Secondly, he must complain of the malice of the Devil, and instantly entreat the Lord to pardon sin, bridle, restrain, and tread Satan under foot. Whiles I declare mine iniquity, and am sorry for my sin, the Devil rageth with incredible fury seeking to devour and swallow me up. He fighteth against me continually: night and day is my soul vexed with temptations to be abhorred. If I say, I will remember the mercies of the Lord, and think upon his Name; I will unload my soul into the bosom of my heavenly Father, and wait upon his grace: then he suggesteth impious thoughts and horrible blasphemies to the great annoyance, miserable distraction, astonishment and vexation of my poor soul. Remember me O my God, according to the multitude of thy tender compassions, and blot mine iniquities ⟨p. 315⟩out of thy remembrance for thy Names sake.¹ There is mercy with thee concerning sin: pardon the trespasses of thy poor servant, and impute not unto me those hellish thoughts suggested by Satan, which through thy grace I detest unfeignedly, under which I desire to be sincerely humbled, and from which I heartily beg to be delivered. Return, O Lord,² cause the light of thy countenance to shine upon me; refresh my parched soul with the sense of thy mercy; dispel the mists of tentation, rebuke Satan, and restrain his malice. Thou art the God of peace, tread Satan,³ I beseech thee under my feet shortly, that with a quiet and cheerful Spirit I may sing of thy praise, and serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. Thou art my strength and portion, my rock and tower of defence, unto thee do I fly for succour, Oh, plead my cause against the enemy of my soul, and thy glory. I am purposed through thy grace to stick and cleave fast unto thy mercy, never to assent unto or approve his horrible suggestions:⁴ Oh keep me that the evil one may never touch me. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from the fiery assaults of that wicked one; my darling from the Lyon. I am sore troubled, I am bowed down greatly,