Christ the fountain of lifeChrist the fountaine of life

But besides this confident persuasion this follows, there is another work of faith, and that is a constant wrestling against all discouragements that falls between our requests, and the accomplishment of our petitions. Famous is that story of the woman of Syrophenicia, Matth. 15. from 23. to 29 you know the manifold discouragements she met with, she prays, and at first God gives her no audience, answers her not a word; she prays again, and then he gives her a denial to grant her any such request, and tells her plainly, It is not suitable to his calling, and therefore he may not apply himself unto her; yet she is not discouraged with this (which is very much) but she follows him still, and though yet reproached, and called a dog, yet she is not discouraged, but out of the word of reproach gathers some hope of comfort; if she be a dog, why then let her have that which belongs to dogs, let her have but the crumbs that fall from the children's table: She is not discouraged with all the difficulties that lay in her way, nothing shall cut her off from importunity, and when he could forbear no longer, he then tells her, O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt. To show you, that if the Holy Ghost do but give a Christian soul so much resolution and confidence, as not to give over praying, till God be pleased to give over answering, It is a good sign, this spirit of faith will certainly prevail at length, All things are possible to them ⟨p. 233⟩that believe, and not only possible but certain.

But besides this cofident perswasion this followes, there is another worke of faith, and that is a constant wrastling against all discouragements that falls between our requests, and the accomplishment of our petitions. Famous is that story of the woman of Syrophenicia, Matth. 15. from 23. to 29 you know the manifold discouragements she met with, she prayes, and at first God gives her no audience, answers her not a word; she prayes againe, and then he gives her a deniall to grant her any such request, and tells her plainly, It is not sutable to his calling, and therefore he may not apply himselfe unto her; yet she is not discouraged with this (which is very much) but she followes him still, and though yet reproached, and called a dogge, yet she is not discouraged, but out of the word of reproach gathers some hope of comfort; if she be a dogge, why then let her have that which belongs to doggs, let her have but the crums that fall from the childrens table: Shee is not discouraged with all the difficulties that lay in her way, nothing shall cut her off from importunity, and when he could forbeare no longer, he then tells her, O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt. To shew you, that if the Holy Ghost doe but give a Christian soule so much resolution and confidence, as not to give over praying, till God be pleased to give over answering, It is a good signe, this spirit of faith will certainly prevaile at length, All things are possible to them