and Temptation to the Soul: Of Labou and Sorrow to the Body.

And in both thefe Refpects, the Sick Man is to exercife Faith and Trust in God.

Of the Sick Man's Trust and Confidence in God, with Refpect to his Soul.

"T!

IS a known Method of Satan, the great Enemy of Mankind, to perplex and difturb 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 fo to fright them with the Heinoufnefs of their Sins, as to drive them to Despair.

And fuch Affaults 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 fhall fuggeft to the Sick Man; That his Sins are fo many, or fo great as not to be forgiven; let him first humbly acknowledge the Juffice 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 haft fet mine iniquities before thee my Secret Sins in the light of thy Countenance. Pfal. 90.

8.

My flefh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judg ments. 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 amifs; 0 Lord, who may abide it: Pfal. 130.3.

But

But then let him comfortably

add:

But there is mercy with thee, therefore fhalt thou be feared.

V. 4.

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and pafSeth by the tranfgreffion of the remnant of his heritage? be retaineth not his Anger for ever, becaufe he delighteth in Mercy. Micah. 7. 18.

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-fuffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping Mercy for Thousands, forgiving iniquity and tranfgreffion and fin. Exod. 34. 6, 7.

Let this Confideration of God's Mercy fupport his Spirits under the greatest Dejection. But then let him hope for, and expect that Mercy, only for the Merits and Mediation of Jefus Chrift.

To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his name who

whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remiffion of fins. Acts 10. 43.

Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be faved. Acts 4. 12.

In the height therefore of his Dejection, and the greatest Despondency, let him look unto Jefus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Heb. 12. 2.

Even Jefus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. I Theff.

I. IO.

When all Worldly Comforts and Supports do leave him, let him then lean upon, confide in, and put his full Truft in the Bleffed Fefus; Who is able to fave them to the uttermoft, that come unto God by him; feeing he ever liveth to make Interceffion for them. Heb. €7.25.

Comfortable Places of Scripture, to be read by those who are tempted to Despair.

Eeing then that we have a great High-Priest, that is passed into the Heavens, Jefus the Son of "God, let us hold faft 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 and find grace

may

obtain

mercy,

to help in time of need. Heb. 4. 14, 15, 16.

This is a faithful faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that ·Chrift Fefus came into the world to fave finners; of whom I am chief. I Tim. 1. 15.

And if any man fin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Je

Jus