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It is true (saith the soul) yet it is as true that hee that confesseth and forsa∣keth his sinne, shall have mercy.
But (saith the devill) doest thou not see that thou art full of pride and weaknesse, and secretly un∣willing to come to duties?
It is true (saith the soule) I am so, yet I hate and de∣sire to forsake this, there∣fore shall finde mercy, the word saith so.
But (saith the devill) are
you of Gods counsell, se∣cret things belong to God?
Indeed (saith the soule) I know not what Gods se∣cret will is, yet this I know,that the word saith, Hee hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but in∣vites such daily to come unto him.
But (saith the devill) ma∣ny cozen themselves, mer∣cie is a great thing, and few obtaine it, and why may not you be cozened as well as others?
But (saith the soule) the Lord will not cozen mee, and the Lord knowes my heart, & the word knowes what the Lord knowes.
But (saith the devill) may not you bee deceived
in the word; the word is true indeed, but how know you that you right∣ly apply it, and that the word and your heart doth sute together?
Why (saith the soule:) I desire as earnestly to have my sinne purged, as I doe to have it pardoned. I know my heart by the word, and to the word I re∣paire, and the Lord knows that I hate all sinne in∣wardly, and reforme it outwardly, and therefore I know I shall finde mer∣cy: shew mee a place of Scripture that saith I doe not rightly apply the word, and I will beleeve it; but I will not beleeve thee, for thou art a deluder and
a lyar.
Thus hold to the word, and the devill will be tyred, and goe away: keepe you here, for if he catch you a wandring af∣ter sense and feeling, you are gone. Thou through thy Cōmandements hast made me wiser than mine enemies, saith David, for they are ever with mee. Sathan is wise; and the flesh, and car∣nall reason, and the world are wise, but blessed be our God that makes every poore ignorant servant of his wiser then all these: but how? the word must bee ever with them; you must keepe the word with you daily, and that will make you not know onely what is amisse, but get ground
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against whatsoever hin∣ders your peace.
Sathan deales in this with the soule, as the ene∣mie deales in warre: when Ioshua defeated the men of Ai, hee got them out of the Citie, and then they that lay in ambush went and tooke it in, and burnt it with fire: so the devill doth: Our Castle or Citie is the promises, and the word, and ordinances of God: now if the devill can but get you out of this Castle, he hath you where he would; if you will looke after every bird that flyes, and listen after every car∣nall reason and temptati∣on, you are gone; if hee once get you from the pro∣••••…••••…
Sinner.
Psal. 119.98.
Iosh. 8.19.