This is called the
needy-time, the time when the wayfaring man that knocked at David's
door shall knock at ours; or when we are got into the sieve into
which Satan did get Peter; or when those fists are about our ears
that were about Paul's; and when that thorn pricks us that Paul said
was in his flesh. But why, or how comes it to pass, that the godly
are so hard put to it at these times, but because there is in
them--that is, in their flesh--no good thing, but consequently all
aptness to close in with the devil and his suggestions, to the
overthrow of the soul?
But now, here we are presented with a throne of grace, unto which,
as David says, we must continually resort; and that is the way to
ohtain relief and to find help in time of need.
DISCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER REMOVED.
QUERY. What would you have a poor creature do, that cannot tell how
to pray?
ANSWER. Thou canst not, thou complainest, pray; canst thou see thy
misery? Hath God showed thee that thou art by nature under the curse
of his law? If so, do not mistake. I know thou dost groan, and that
most bitterly; I am persuaded thou canst scarcely be found doing any
thing in thy calling. But prayer breaks from thy heart. Have not thy
groans gone up to heaven from every corner of thy house? I know it
is thus: and so also doth thine own sorrowful heart witness thy
tears and thy forgetfulness of thy calling.
Pages:
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415