this Fast of Chrift related to the Temptation, and that alfo as a means of prefervation, hath been fpoken of in its places it remains anly that from hence I add a fifth Direction..

CHAP. XXVI.

The fifth Direction of Prayer, and of the seriousneß required of those that expect the advantage of Prayer. Of God's hearing Prayer while the Temptation is continued. Of Some that are troubled more, while they pray more.

5. Direct. T Tat

Hart in a
Hat in all our endeavours of refiftance, frequent and earnest Prayers
are not to be neglected.

This is fo frequently recommended, and fo fully handled by moft Authors, that I fhall refer you to fuch Authors as particularly treat of it; noting only, That the Apoffle, in Epb.6. 18. when he recommends it to us in these words, (praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perfeverance, and Supplication for all Saints) he doth mind us that he that expects the advantage of that Duty, muft be peculiarly fitted, and feriously diligent in that work. For

First, He must have a Praying frame of Heart, he must Pray always, or (as the Apoftle elfewhere) he muft Pray continually. Not. as if this Duty muft swallow up all the reft, and that a Chriftian had no other Services to attend than Prayer, but that he must be on a defign to wrestle with God by Prayer; and this must be conftantly carried on,though the acts of Prayer be intermitted, and befides, that (in fuch cafes) he may keep his ufual frated times for that duty, he must have his Heart fo much upon his defign, that every occafion or offer of Temptation will prefently put him upon the Duty'; nay he must (in refpect of the frequent intercourse of his Heart with God, in frequent ejaculations and breathings of Soul) be as a Man wholly refolved into that Duty, as Paul was at his first Converfion,who (as that expreffion (behold he Prays) doth intimate) seems to have been all Prayer, and wholly taken up with that duty.

Secondly,

Secondly, He mult pray in the Spirit, his Soul mult be truly in. the Duty. A more than ordinary carneftness is neceffary at folemn times, he mult put out all his Strength, he inult cry mightily, and with his whole Heart.

Thirdly, When his Spirit grows dull, he muft reinforce it,watch his Heart he muft; and if it be needful to quicken it up, he must add Fafting or Meditation, or whatever other means may be helpful. Fourthly, In this course he muft continue without giving off the Duty, though God behave himself as if he minded not his cry, or rook no notice of his hazard, yet without wearinefs muft our Supplications follow him. It must be continued with all Perfeverance.

Fifthly, The Heart that undertakes this mult not be lo narrow, as to be centred upon his own concern only, when he is melted into a Spiriv of Meekness and Compaffion for others,and is not fo follici-.tous for Peace or Eafe, that he could hug himself in his private enjoyment, without concerning himself to tender and help thofe that are in the fame dangers; when his Supplications are for all Saints as well as for himself,then may he expect to receive an Olive branch of Peace from Heaven in the return of his Prayer.

'Tis often objected by fuch, that they pray, but are not heard; Object. and that Temptations continue, notwithstanding many crys and wrestlings.

First, It is a great mistake to think that Prayers are not heard, or Answ.. do not prevail, because the Temptation is not quite removed; Prayers may be acceptable to God, and recorded among his remembrances, where the Temptation, for Exercife and other holy Ends, may be continued.

Secondly, What God hath promised to fuch Prayer he fails not to make good, he hath not promised to exempt us from Temptation, but from the Power and prevalency of it; If his grace be fufficient for us in the mean time, 'tis an answer as good as Paul got when he was importunate; if together with the Temptation he gives an iffue, that we may be able to bear it, there is his faithfulnefs in keeping promife; he no where promised, that Satan fhould not tempt, but that he should not prevail, while we can hold up our hands in the Mount to God, (and our praying frame will ascertain us of this: For a Man is never overcome by a Temptation, fo long as he can Pray against it; for fo long he delights not in it, fo long he confents not, and till he do confent, Satan cannot prevail.) Prayer will either: make the Temptation give way, or the Temptation will make Prayer

Object.

Anfw. 1.

give way,but fo-long as we hold out with earneftness, the Tempta tion cannot prevail,

Some further Object, that the more they pray, they are the worse, and more infefted by Satan than they were before they undertook that course.

It may be they may have more trouble from Satan. David thought. on God, and his trouble was increased,and no wonder; Satan's fpite and fury puts him upon giving greatest moleftations to those of whom he defpairs to fubdue.

Secondly, But though they may be more troubled, yet they may be furtheft from Conqueft. Thefe difquiets are like the trouble of the working of Phyfick, which at firft taking may make a Man more fick, and yet bring him nearer to a state of health and ftrength: fear not then, faint not, refift faithfully, and to the utmoft, and God fhall bruife Satan under thy Feet shortly.