I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Sermon VI.

INSTANCE, III. Object. A dull heart in Duty causeth discouragement Page 92 Answ. Negatively, There is reason to be afflicted, but not to be discouraged. ib. Quest. How may that appear? Page 93 Answ. 1 Every good man is in Covenant with God ibid 2 Though his Duty be done in weakness, there is somewhat of Christ in it. ibid. 3 Our acceptance of Duty must not come in by way of performance, but by way of Christ. Page 94 Object. I have no parts in Duty, therefore I am discouraged ibid. Answ. 1 God accepts the desire for ⟨image 289⟩Christs sake Page 94 2 Thy parts are answerable to thy grace Page 95 3 Parts and gifts do not commend our Services unto God ibid. 4 Parts recompensed some other way Page 96 Object. I want the grace and holiness of Duty ibid. Answ. Pearls may grow on Rocks; so may some graces on thy rocky heart Page 97 1 Are you contented with the straightness of your condition? Answ. Negatively. ib. 2 If your condition here, be no other than the condition of the Saints, you have no cause to be discouraged ibid. 3 You would fain have enlargements represent your condition to God Page 98 4 It is Gods way to restrain prayer, before he gives enlargements ibid. 5 Dullness in prayer is an ill sin, yet the sense thereof is a good sign Page 99 6 Prayer is not pouring out of many words, but the pouring out of the Soul unto God. ibid. Object. I am not only dull in duty, bu• full of distraction. Page 100 Answ. This is a great evil, yet no cause of discouragement; for three Reasons ibid. 1 All men have some distractions in d•ty. ibid. 2 Distractions shall not hurt us, because they please us not. Page 101 3 Our distractions move the Lord to pity us ibid. Object. I pray, and am never the nearer, should not that discourage me? Page 102 Answ. Negatively. 1 It is a great mercy that God will receive my prayer, though I never receive the thing I pray for ibid. 2 Gods Children usually think God hears not their prayers when he doth ibid. 3 The Lord not granting your prayer, is not always matter of discouragement, but sometimes of encouragement Page 103 4 Whoever waited on God by prayer, but be received more than he prayed for? Page 104 5 Should God presently answer our prayers always, we should be discouraged Page 105 Object. 1. I fear God denieth my prayer ibid. 1 Answ. Affirmatively. It may be so to his own children ibid.