and Temptation to the Soul: Of Labour and Sorrow to the Body. And in both these Respects, the Sick Man is to exercise Faith and Trust in God. Of the Sick Man's Trust and Confidence in God, with Respect to his Soul. 2IS a known Method of of Mankind, to perplex and disturb those pious Souls, whom he is not able to ruin. When he cannot lull them into Security, and thereby prevent their Repentance, he then endeavours so to fright them with the Heinoufness of their Sins, as to drive them to Despair. And fuch Afsaults are most frequent, when the Body is weakned, and the Mind difordered, by the Pains and Diversions of a Sick Bed. If therefore the Tempter shall suggest to the Sick Man; That his Sins are so many, or so great as not to be forgiven; let him first humbly acknowledge the Justice of God, and his own Demerits; and fay; My confufion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me. Pfal. 44. 15. Thou hast Set mine iniquities before thee, my Secret Sins in the light of thy Countenance. Pfal. 90. 8. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Fudgments. Pfal. 119. 20. Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant, O Lord, for in thy fight shall no man living be justified. Pfal. 143.2. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss; 0 Lord, who may abide it: Pfal. 130.3. But But then let him comfortably add: : But there is mercy with thee, therefore shalt thou be feared. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and pafSeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his Anger for ever, because he delighteth in Mercy. Micah 7. 18. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-Suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping Mercy for Thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and fin. Exod. 34. 6, 7. Let this Confideration of God's Mercy support his Spirits under the greatest Dejection. But then let him hope for, and expect that Mercy, only for the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ. To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his name who whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of fins. Acts 10. 43. Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven, given among whereby we must be saved. men, In the height therefore of his Dejection, and the greatest Despondency, let him look unto Fe- Sus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Heb. 12. 2. Even Jefus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Theff. I. I0. When all Worldly Comforts and Supports do leave him, let him then lean upon, confide in, and put his full Trust in the Bleffed Fefus; Who is able to fave them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him; Seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them. Heb. 7.25. L Com Comfortable Places of Scripture, to be read by those who are tempted to Despair. Seeing then that we have a great palled in High-Priest, that is to the Heavens, Jesus the Son of "God, let us hold fast our Profeffion. For we have not an High-Priest -which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without Sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4. 14, 15, 16. This is a faithful Saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Fefus came into the world to fave finners; of whom I am chief. 1 Tim. 1. 15. And if any man fin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Fe Sus |