If he begin to speak, though it be against thee (as he did to Ephraim and the woman of Canaan) yet take hold of what he says, and plead it, for 'twill be to thine advantage at last, as 'twas to theirs. If he tell thee that thou art not yet in a capacity, answer him humbly, that never any was till he was pleased to make them so, and that thou comest to pray him that he will capacitate and make thee meet. If he tell thee, thou wilt be wanton and abuse it, by being puffed up, &c. tell him that he can prevent it by his grace; 'tis true, thy heart (alas!) is deceitful, but thou dost not intend any such thing, but dost hope that if he will give thee this Pearl, it shall not be cast to a Swine that will trample upon it, nor to a Dog that will turn again and rend it; and dost also pray him that thou mayest never receive this grace and favour in vain, or turn it into wantonness, or sit because his grace abounds. If he tell thee the time is not yet come, reply to him, that thou wilt wait his pleasure, and not awake him till he please, but wait all thy days, if at ⟨p. 317⟩last this change may come; oh that this happy change may come! Conclude by telling him, that if thou have been bold, 'tis in the name of the great High-Priest, who sits at his own right hand and is touched with the feeling of thy infirmities, by whom thou hast been emboldened to come with thy Petitions, and present them to the throne of his Grace, that thou mightest obtain this mercy and grace for thy opportune and seasonable relief: and therefore though thou canst not call him thy Father, yet thou canst call upon him as the Father of Jesus Christ, who heareth him always. Yea at an adventure speak to him and call (though thou canst not cry aloud and confidently) yet call him Father; and tell him, Oh my dear Lord look upon me, and see if this be not thy Sons Coat: Though I am as carnal, yet thine Apostle calls me (not carnal, but) a Babe in Christ; and I am told by them who think better of me than I dare do of my self, that they do spy thine image in mine eye; which makes me the more inclinable to say, Father, look upon me and see if there be not something of the spirit of a Son in m•. O• therefore send thy good Spirit the Comforter to witness with this spirit that I am thy Child: dear God and Father do this for thy poor Babe!
If he begin to speak, though it be against thee (as he did to Ephraim and the woman of Cana•n) yet take hold of what he saies, and plead it, for 'twill be to thine advantage at last, as 'twas to theirs. If he tell thee that thou art not yet in a capacity, answer him humbly, that never any was till he was pleased to make them so, and that thou comest to pray him that he will capacitate and make thee meet. If he tell thee, thou wilt be wanton and abuse it, by being pussed up, &c. tell him that he can prevent it by his grace; 'tis true, thy heart (alas!) is deceitful, but thou dost not intend any such thing, but dost hope that if he will give thee this Pearl, it shall not be cast to a Swine that will trample upon it, nor to a Dog that will turn again and rend it; and dost also pray him that thou maist never receive this grace and favour in vain, or turn it into wantonness, or sit because his grace abounds. If he tell thee the time is not yet come, reply to him, that thou wilt wait his pleasure, and not awake him till he please, but wait all thy daies, if at ⟨p. 317⟩last this change may come; oh that this happy change may come! Conclude by telling him, that if thou have been bold, 'tis in the name of the great High-Priest, who sits at his own right hand and is toucht with the feeling of thy infirmities, by whom thou hast been emboldened to come with thy Petitions, and present them to the throne of his Grace, that thou mightest obtain this mercy and grace for thy opportune and seasonable relief: and therefore though thou canst not call him thy Father, yet thou canst call upon him as the Father of Jesus Christ, who heareth him alwaies. Yea at an adventure speak to him and call (though thou canst not cry aloud and confidently) yet call him Father; and tell him, Oh my dear Lord look upon me, and see if this be not thy Sons Coat: Though I am as carnal, yet thine Apostle calls me (not carnal, but) a Babe in Christ; and I am told by them who think better of me than I dare do of my self, that they do spie thine image in mine eye; which makes me the more inclinable to say, Father, look upon me and see if there be not something of the spirit of a Son in m•. O• therefore send thy good Spirit the Comforter to witness with this spirit that I am thy Child: dear God and Father do this for thy poor Babe!
