The Christian in Complete Armour

Answ. 1 First, look once again, poor heart, into thy own bosom, and see whether thou findest not some strength sent into thee, which thou didst over-look before; this may be, yea, is very ordinary in this case, when God answers our prayer not in the letter, or when the thing itself is sent, but it comes in at the back door, while we are expecting it at the fore; and truly thus the friend thou art looking for, may be in thine house and thou not know it. Is not this thy case, poor soul? thou hast been praying for strength against such a lust, and now thou wouldest have God presently put forth his power to knock it on the head, and lay it for dead, that it should never stir more in thy bosom: is not this the door thou hast stood looking for God to come in at, and no sight or news of thy God his coming that way? thy corruption yet stirs, it may be is more troublesome then before; now thou askest, where is the strength promised to thy relief? let me entreat thee before ⟨p. 44⟩thou layest down this sad Conclusion against thy God or self, see whether he hath not conveyed in some strength by another door: Perhaps thou hast not strength to conquer it so soon as thou desirest, but hath he not given further praying strength against it? Thou prayedst before, but now more earnestly, all the powers of thy soul are up to plead with God; Before thou wast more favourable and moderate in thy request, now thou hast a zeal, thou canst take no denial, yea, welcome any thing in the room of thy corruption; Would God but take thy sin and send a cross, thou wouldest bless him: Now, poor soul, is this nothing, no strength? Had not thy God re-enforced thee, thy sin would have weakened thy spirit of prayer, and not increased it. David began to recover himself, when he began to recover his Spirit of prayer. The stronger the cry, the stronger the child, I warrant you. Jacob wrestled, and this is called his strength, Hos. 12. It appeared, there was much of God in him that he could take such hold of the Almighty, as to keep it, though God seemed to shake him off; If thus thou art enabled, soul, to deal with the God of heaven, no fear but thou shalt be much more able to deal with sin and Satan. If God hath given thee so much strength, to wrestle with him above and against denials, thou hast prevailed with the stronger of the two: overcome God, and he'll overcome the other for thee.

Answ. 1 First, look once again, poor heart, into thy own bosom, and see whether thou findest not some strength sent into thee, which thou didst over-look before; this may be, yea, is very ordinary in this case, when God answers our prayer not in the letter, or when the thing itselfe is sent, but it comes in at the back door, while we are expecting it at the fore; and truly thus the friend thou art looking for, may be in thine house and thou not know it. Is not this thy case, poor soul? thou hast been praying for strength against such a lust, and now thou wouldest have God presently put forth his power to knock it on the head, and lay it for dead, that it should never stir more in thy bosome: is not this the doore thou hast stood looking for God to come in at, and no sight or newes of thy God his coming that way? thy corruption yet stirs, it may be is more troublesom then before; now thou askest, where is the strength promised to thy relief? let me intreat thee before