Invisibles, realities, demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. John Janeway,…

It would make a Christians heart even ache to hear and read what strange temptations this gracious soul was exercised with. But he was well armed for such a conflict, having on the shield of faith whereby he quenched the fiery darts of that Wicked-One: yet, this fight cost him the sweating of his very body for agonies of spirit; and tears and strong cries to Heaven, for fresh help. As for himself, he was wont to take an arrow out of Gods quiver, and discharge it by faith and prayer, for the discomfiture of his violent enemy, who at last was fain to fly.

It would make a Christians heart even ake to hear and read what strange temptations this gratious soul was exercised with. But he was well armed for such a conflict, having on the shield of faith whereby he quenched the fiery darts of that Wicked-One: yet, this fight cost him the sweating of his very body for agonies of spirit; and tears and strong cries to Heaven, for fresh help. As for himself, he was wont to take an arrow out of Gods quiver, and discharge it by faith and prayer, for the discomfiture of his violent enemy, who at last was sain to fly.

These temptations and conflicts with Satan did not a little help him afterwards in his dealing with one that was sorely afflicted with temptations of the like nature. And because I judge it of singular use to tempted-ones, and find very many of late to be exercised in this kind, I shall insert a Letter of his suitable to all Christians in the like case.

A Letter of Mr. John Janeway. Dear Friend, Your Letters are bitter in the mouth, but sweet in the belly; they contain matter of joy, under a dismal aspect: they are good news, brought by a messenger in mourning: I had rather hear of that which is matter of substantial real joy, though mixed with many sighs, and interrupted with many groans and sobs; than of that laughter, in the midst of which the heart is sad. You say that you are troubled with blasphemous thoughts: so then, though they are blasphemous, yet they are your trouble; and thoughts they are too, and that neither sent for, nor welcome; and so are not assented to in your mind. What then shall we think of them? If they were of your own production, your heart would be delighted in its own issue: but you do nothing less. Sure then, they are the injections of that wicked one, who is the accuser of the brethren, and the disturber of the peace of the people of God. But, doth Satan use to employ those weapons but against those that he is in some fear of losing? He is not wont to assault and fight against his surest friends, in this manner. Those that he hath fast in his own possession, he leads on, as softly and quietly as he can; fearing lest such