A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Secondly, He actuates these Graces by putting good Motions into our Hearts, or sweet and gracious Thoughts, whereby all the fore-mentioned Graces are drawn out. When we are conflicting with Sin in an Hour of Temptation, Faith is set a-work; That God may fulfil all the good pleasure of his Goodness, and the work of Faith with power, 2 Thess. 1. 11. that is, by a Divine Power and Influence quickening it into Acts. Joseph, when he was assaulted by a grievous Temptation, he had a gracious Motion and thought put into his Mind, How can I do this Wickedness, and sin against God? Gen. 39. 9. Still there is a seasonable remembrance of things by the Spirit, whose office it is to bring all things to remembrance, Joh. 14. 26. The Spirit doth not only teach us all things, but brings thing• to our remembrance, when we have ⟨p. 469⟩need of any Truth to be set home upon the Heart; either such a Truth as forbids the Evil to which we are tempted; or that speaketh Comfort and Encouragement to us under such a Cross; or pressing such a Duty as we hang off from. The seasonable remembrance of Truths, is the great actual help which we have from God. Jesus Christ himself, by seasonable urging the Scripture, defeated the Temptation wherewith he was assaulted, Mat. 4. 10, 11. The Word quickeneth in Affliction, Psal. 119. 50. Some proper Comfort is born in upon the Soul by the Power of God. It is not the bare remembrance of Truth, but the secret Power of God which enliveneth it, and makes it effectual in its season to defeat the Temptation.

Secondly, He actuates these Graces by putting good Motions into our Hearts, or sweet and gracious Thoughts, whereby all the fore-mentioned Graces are drawn out. When we are conflicting with Sin in an Hour of Temptation, Faith is set a-work; That God may fulfil all the good pleasure of his Goodness, and the work of Faith with power,