There followeth the other part, which is a profession of our Faith, that we shall be lifted up as high, through the grace of the Lord our God in Jesus Christ, as the conscience of our sins doth cast us down: and that we shall obtain the removing of the evils tending to our destruction, (through the worthiness of our Saviour Christ,) which either ⟨p. 34⟩presently press us, or hang over our heads, through our own unworthiness. For as true repentance, casting us down with one hand, both in sorrow for our sins, & confession of the same, leaveth us not in our downfall, but through faith, reacheth us the other hand, to lift us up again: so this solemn profession of our repentance, carrying us first to the valley of trouble, afterward bringeth us back again, to the gate of hope. In which respect, we always find in the holy Scriptures,* that Fasting is joined with prayer;* which can never be truly made, without hope of obtaining the grace, that is prayed for. But for as much as prayer is ⟨p. 35⟩a daily and ordinary exercise of Gods children; it is manifest,* that by the prayer which is coupled with Fasting, there is understanded a special or peerless kind of Prayer, both in zeal and strength of Prayer, as also in continuance of the same. Whereby appeareth, that here is an other use of the outward abstinence, that it might be as it were a wing, wherewith the Prayer, that otherwise through earthly affections, creepeth upon the ground, might the easier flee up into heaven: and that it might be a Grindstone, to make a point of it, that it may pierce; and to set an edge, that it may cut, both the visible and invisible enemies, ⟨p. 36⟩which we pray against. And therefore the outward abstinence that pulleth down the body, helpeth to lift up the mind; and crucifying the flesh, it quickeneth the spirit, and maketh it more lively to this exercise. Where yet again the Popish Fast is found insufficient, which upon the days of their Fasts, had no extraordinary exercises of prayer; more then other days which were not fasted. To the better performance also of this part, is annexed an information and meditation of the gracious promises of God, especially such as may serve for relief of the present occasions.
There followeth the other part, which is a profession of our Fayth, that wee shall be lifted vp as high, through the grace of the Lord our God in Iesus Christ, as the conscience of our sinnes doth cast vs downe: and that wee shall obtaine the remoouing of the euilles tending to our destruction, (through the woorthinesse of our Sauiour Christ,) which either ⟨p. 34⟩presently presse vs, or hang ouer our heads, through our owne vnworthinesse. For as true repentance, casting vs downe with one hand, both in sorrowe for our sinnes, & confession of the same, leaueth vs not in our downfal, but through faith, reacheth vs the other hand, to lift vs vp againe: so this solemne profession of our repentance, carying vs first to the valley of trouble, afterward bringeth vs backe againe, to the gate of hope. In which respect, wee alwayes finde in the holy Scriptures,* that Fasting is ioyned with praier;* which can neuer be truly made, without hope of obtaining the grace, that is praied for. But for as much as prayer is ⟨p. 35⟩a dayly and ordinarie exercise of Gods children; it is manifest,* that by the prayer which is coupled with Fasting, there is vnderstanded a speciall or peerelesse kinde of Prayer, both in zeale and strength of Prayer, as also in continuance of the same. Whereby appeareth, that here is an other vse of the outwarde abstinence, that it might be as it were a wing, wherewith the Prayer, that otherwise through earthly affections, creepeth vpon the ground, might the easier flee vp into heauen: and that it might be a Grindestone, to make a poynt of it, that it may pierce; and to set an edge, that it may cut, both the visible and inuisible enimies, ⟨p. 36⟩which wee pray against. And therefore the outward abstinence that pulleth downe the body, helpeth to lift vp the minde; and crucifying the flesh, it quickneth the spirite, and maketh it more liuely to this exercise. Where yet againe the Popish Fast is founde insufficient, which vpon the dayes of their Fastes, had no extraordinarie exercises of prayer; more then other dayes which were not fasted. To the better performance also of this part, is annexed an information and meditation of the gracious promises of God, especially such as may serue for reliefe of the present occasions.
- *Ezra. 9.5. Nehe. 1.4. Dan. 9 3. Judg. 20.26. Luk. 5.33. 1. Cor. 7.7.Ezra. 9.5. Nehe. 1.4. Dan. 9 3. Iudg. 20.26. Luk. 5.33. 1. Cor. 7.7.
- *2. Chron. 20.6. James. 1.6. John. 16.232. Chron. 20.6. Iames. 1.6. Iohn. 16.23
- *Jonah. 3.8. Isaiah. 58.4.Ionas. 3.8. Esay. 58.4.
