Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Hath not ⟨p. 446⟩God told thee of a witnessing Spirit? Hath he not said, That he will speak peace to his Saints? Are not his Promises as so many Bonds upon his Truth to make the things promised good? Prove him by Prayer, if he will be as good as his Word; see, if he will not own his own hand in the Promise; wrestle with him till the day break in the light of his Countenance lifted up upon thy heart; Ask in fervency, that whilst thy heart is burning with Love towards God, his Love which is the Fountain of thine, may reveal it self to thee. The old Token of acceptance was firing the Sacrifice, and it is still a pledge of success, when there is warmth in Prayer. Ask in sincerity, in a pure intention, not for self-ease, not that thou mayst fare deliciously upon the Love of God; but that thy Spirit may be the freer to his service, that thy Zeal may be more inflamed towards his Glory; The prayer of the upright is his delight; in so praying. thou shalt meet the favour of God. It is very remarkable what posture Paul was in, when Ananias was sent to comfort him, Behold, he prayeth, saith God; go, let him be filled with the Holy Ghost. In the beginning of Psal. 13. Davids Faith run very low, How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? ver. 1. A while after it lifts up it self a little, Consider and hear me, O Lord my God, lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, ver. 3. but praying on, it is in the altitudes; I have trusted in thy mercy, my heart shall ⟨p. 447⟩rejoice in thy Salvation, ver. 5. Prayer is one of Gods sealing times; in it thou approachest and drawest nigh to him who is the fountain of Life and Joy. Whilst thou art opening and pouring out thy Heart to him, Who knows but he may open his Heart and incomparable Love to thee? the holy Spirit may come and tell thee, as the Angel Gabriel did Daniel in the same posture, That thou art greatly beloved, a man of desires with God.

Hath not ⟨p. 446⟩God told thee of a witnessing Spirit? Hath he not said, That he will speak peace to his Saints? Are not his Promises as so many Bonds upon his Truth to make the things promised good? Prove him by Prayer, if he will be as good as his Word; see, if he will not own his own hand in the Promise; wrestle with him till the day break in the light of his Countenance lifted up upon thy heart; Ask in fervency, that whilst thy heart is burning with Love towards God, his Love which is the Fountain of thine, may reveal it self to thee. The old Token of acceptance was firing the Sacrifice, and it is still a pledg of success, when there is warmth in Prayer. Ask in sincerity, in a pure intention, not for self-ease, not that thou mayst fare deliciously upon the Love of God; but that thy Spirit may be the freer to his service, that thy Zeal may be more inflamed towards his Glory; The prayer of the upright is his delight; in so praying. thou shalt meet the favour of God. It is very remarkable what posture Paul was in, when Ananias was sent to comfort him, Behold, he prayeth, saith God; go, let him be filled with the Holy Ghost. In the beginning of