(3.) Thirdly, When his spirit grows dull, he must reinforce it, watch his heart he must; and if it be needful to quicken it up, he must add fasting or meditation, or whatever other means may be helpful.
(4.) Fourthly, In this course he must continue without giving off the duty. Though God behave himself as if he minded not his cry, or took no notice of his hazard, yet without weariness must our supplications follow him. It must be continued with ‘all perseverance.’
(5.) Fifthly, The heart that undertakes this must not be so narrow as to be centred upon his own concern only. When he is melted into a spirit of meekness and compassion for others, and is not so solicitous for peace or ease, that he could hug himself in his private enjoyment without concerning himself to tender and help those that are in the same 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.
Obj. It is often objected by such, that they pray but are not heard; and that temptations continue, notwithstanding many cries and wrestlings.
Ans. [1.] First, It is a great mistake to think that prayers are not heard or 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 exercise and other holy ends, may be continued.
[2.] Secondly, What God hath promised to such 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 sufficient for us,’ 2 Cor. xii. 9, in the meantime, it is an answer as good as Paul got when he was importunate; ‘If together with the temptation he gives an issue, that we may be able to bear it,’ 1 Cor. x. 13, there is his faithfulness in keeping promise. He nowhere promised that Satan should 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 so long as he can pray against it;’ for so long he delights not in it so long he consents not, and till he do consent Satan cannot prevail. Prayer will either make the temptation give way, or the temptation will make prayer give way; but so long as we hold out with earnestness, the temptation cannot prevail.
Obj. Some further object, that the more they pray they are the worse, and more infested by Satan than they were before they undertook that course.
Ans. 1. It may be they may have more trouble from Satan. David ‘thought on God, and his trouble was increased,’ [Ps. xxxix. 3,] and no wonder. Satan’s spite and fury puts him upon giving greatest molestations to those of whom he despairs to subdue.
Ans. 2. Secondly, But though they may be more troubled, yet they may be furthest from conquest.[492] These disquiets are like the trouble of the working of physic, which at first taking may make a man more sick, and yet bring him nearer to a state of health and strength; fear not then, faint not, resist faithfully, and to the utmost, and ‘God shall bruise Satan under thy feet shortly,’ [Rom. xvi. 20.]
FINIS.