The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

Here are th•ee things which I would especially advise you to against temptations to unbelief. 1. Enter not into the debate of so great a business when you are uncapable of it: Especially 1. When your minds are taken up with worldly business, or other thoughts have carried them away, let not Satan then surprise you, and say, Come now and question thy Religion: You could not resolve a question in Philosophy, nor cast up any long account, on such a sudden, with an unprepared mind. When the Evidences of your faith are out of mind, stay till you can have leisure to set your selves to the business, with that studiousness, and those helps, which so great a matter doth require. 2. When sickness or melancholy doth weaken your understandings, you are then unfit for such a work. You would not in such a case dispute for your lives with a cunning sophister upon any difficult question whatsoever: And will you in such a case dispute with the Devil, when your salvation may lye upon it?

Here are th•ee things which I would especially advise you to •gainst temptations to unbelief. 1. Enter not into the debate of so great a business when you are uncapable of it: Especially 1. When your minds are taken up with worldly business, or other thoughts have carryed them away, let not Satan then surprize you, and say, Come now and question thy Religion: You could not resolve a question in Philosophy, nor cast up any long account, on such a sudden, with an unprepared mind. When the Evidences of your faith are out of mind, stay till you can have leisure to set your selves to the business, with that studiousness, and those helps, which so great a matter doth require. 2. When sickness or melancholy doth weaken your understandings, you are then unfit for such a work. You would not in such a case dispute for your lives with a cunning sophister upon any difficult question whatsoever: And will you in such a case dispute with the Devil, when your salvation may lye upon it?

2. When your faith is once settled, suffer not the Devil to call you to dispute it over again at his command. Do it not when his suggestions urge you at his pleasure; but when God maketh it your duty, and at his pleasure: Else your very disputing with Satan, will be some degree of yielding to him, and gratifying him. And he will one time or other take you at the advantage, and assault you when you are without your arms.