SIR I am not vnmindfull of your Letter , though by occasion of busines I haue beene let . I commend your care to seeke comfort from the ordinance of God , that is his 1 Thes. 5. 14. Ministers , who are commaunded of God to comfort the feeble minded , Esa. 10. ● , ● , and to speake comfortably to Hierusalem , and to cry vnto her , that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquitie is pardoned ; As Christ was annoynted , so are his Ministers appointed to preach the Gospell to the Luke 4. 1● . poore , deliuerance to the captiue , recouery of fight to the blinde and to set at libertie such as are brused .

Wherefore seeing you haue entreated me helpe , I will ( by Gods assistance ) satisfie your desire .

Your case was strange to be holden as a creature sencelesse for seuen whole yeares . But others also haue beene holden with the like ; Nabuchadnezar Dan. 4. 29. King of Babell was turned out a grazing among beasts . 7. yeares ; yea Gods children haue beene far worse afflicted , as that Daughter of Abraham was for 18. yeares bound of Sathan . The man Luke 13. 16 40. 5. whom our Sauiour cured had beene diseased 38. yeares which are far aboue the distance of your sicknes , wherefore you ought not to thinke the worse of your selfe , for nothing hath befallen vnto you but that which appertaineth 1. Cor. 10. 13. vnto man ; Nay you ought to comfort your heart in your affliction , for as you know the sender which is God , and the cause which is your sinne : So now you know your deliuerer , and the cause which is his mercy ; for it is the Lord who killeth and 1. Sam. 2. 6. maketh aliue , bringeth downe to the graue and raiseth vp : And by how much greater your crosse hath beene , by so much the greater was your deliuerance ; The mighty power of God vpon your body , and his rich mercy on your soule , hath the more appeared , that so the more he might be glorified , and your heart comforted ; for you may argue thus ; The Lord might haue in iustice destroyed me , yet hee hath in mercy spared me ; the Lord might haue chosen whether hee would haue deliuered me or not ; But in great mercy he rather chose to deliuer mee ; The Lord might haue left mee my health , and withdrawne his grace from me , and giuen ●he ouer to the power of Sathan : But hee hath restored my health and vnderstanding , and renued my Grace ;

Hereby I see God dearely loueth me , which I could neuer see if I had not thus beene afflicted ; How should I hence forth distrust his prouidence , doubt of his promises , dispayre of his mercy , why would I not rest assured , and secured of his present and perpetuall loue to imbrace me , his mercy to pardon me , his prouidence to defend me , his goodnes to compasse me and to worke all euils for my good ; Therefore my soule returne vnto thy rest , for Psal. 116. 7. 8. 9. 12. 13. the Lord hath been beneficiall to thee ; he hath deliuered my soule from death , and mine eyes from teares , & my feete ●oo●● falling , I shall walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing , what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits , I will take the cup of Saluation and call vpon the name of the Lord .

The Lord was ready to saue mee , Psa. 38. ●0 . therefore I will sing my song all the dayes of my life in the house of the Lord .

Thus may you comfort your selfe , yet measure not Gods loue so much by your deliuerance , as by his grace which nature gaue you not , nor hath God taken away .

For as afflictions are no certaine tokens of Gods anger : so deliuerance , is not alwayes a token of his fauour .

For he gaue the Isralites their desires , but he sent heauines into their soules : God may in mercy lengthen Psal. 106. 15 our afflictions , & in iudgement make an end of it . The table of the wicked Psal. ●9 . ●● . is a snare vnto them , and their prosperitie their ruine , but it is good for Gods Psal. 119. 7● children that they haue beene afflicted that they may learne his statutes ; godlines is Gods best portion which is 1. Tim. 6. 6 , & 4. 8. great gaine , and is profitable for all things , hauing the promises of the life present , and of that which is to come ; Wherefore proue the grace that is in you and to measure the loue of God vnto you ; Try what godly griefe you haue for sinne ; what vexation at your wants , what feare of God , what faith in Iesus Christ , what loue of Gods children , what delight in the word and Ministery , what desire of the grace you lacke , what feruency in prayer , what chearefulnes in praysing God , what care of well doing , and readynes to doe the will of God , what patience in suffering crosses from God , and reproofe from man , what holy Meditations , what gracious speeches , what diligence in your calling , what dutifulnes to your superiors , what purpose of heart to cleaue vnto the Lord ; these are the sparkles of Gods Image , the fruites of his spirit , the effects of his grace , the assurance of his election , the certaine tokens of his presence ; For 2. Cor. 1. 5. 2 the Lord is with vs , whiles wee are with him ; and he draweth neare vnto ●●m. 4. 8. vs when we draw neare vnto him .

Now touching the temptations of Sathan that doe trouble you , perceiue when God hath done with you , the Diuell taketh you in hand , God afflicteth your body , and the Diuel your soule . But as God brought you from sicknes to health : So thinke that God can bring you from temptations to victorie ; that being prepared by affliction in Soule and body , you may both serue him in this life , and liue with him in the next .

Euery temptation of a Christian , is a ground of strong consolation , because Sathans onsets argue that wee are none of his ; for the Dragon strikes not at his owne souldiers ( for Kingdomes Reu. 12. ● . deuided are at an end ) but at Mychaell and his Angels ; If Christ Math. 12. 25 had not beene the Sonne of God , hee would not so fiercely haue assailed him ; Warryors neuer besiege nor batter Cities they haue woone , so Satan seekes not the soules he hath deuored ; he rageth most at those he cannot get , Reuel 12. 13 14. 15. 17. and is most busie with those he hath least to doe ; when this strong man keepeth his Pallace in mens soules , the Luke 11. 21. things that he possesseth are in peace ; and when he is restrained and muzzeled by the power of God , hee rageth at the persons , and roareth in the conscience of Gods deere Children ; your temptations come not to you by chance , but by the will of God , without whose leaue he cannot touch either Iob. 1. 10. man or beast ; But God hath an hand to limit Sathan , and direct his Math. 8. 31. temptation for our good , as he hath an hand to let him loose for our tryall and vexation ; Hereby hee humbleth the 2. Cor. 12. 17. pride , tryeth the patience , sifteth the faith and worketh the victory of his Iob. 1. 11. 12. Luke 22. 31 Reuel. 12. 11 Math. 4. 1. beloued Saints : It is Gods spirit that leadeth Gods Children to be tempted of the Diuel and he that leades them into the battle can giue them victory ; 1. Io. 4. 4. For greater is hee that is in vs then , he that is in the world ; The Serpents Gen. 3. 15. head is crushed by the seede of the woman ; The Diuel is conquered and cast Reu. 12. 10. 12. out of heauen , and is come downe into the inhabitants of the earth , so that Angels cannot separate vs from the Rom. 8. 38. 39. Luke 22. 31. 32. loue of God in Christ , when Sathan hindereth vs , Christ prayeth that our faith faile not , for he euer liueth to make request for vs ; when the messenger of Satan is sent to buffet vs , Gods grace is sufficient for vs ; wherefore 2. Cor. 12. 9 you must reioyce in these temptations , because it is for the tryall of your faith and patience ; And for Sathan● Iam. 1. 2. 3. figge for him , resist him onely and hee will flie from you , pray to your Father to free you from temptations , and i● he doe not free you from them , yet he Iam. 4. 7. will deliuer you from euill .

The particuler poynts of his temptations , I will briefely touch : Hee tel● you , that the word of God is false : This is the first lesson that the Diuel teacheth , and it is his way to mak● men Atheist ; But you must tell hi● that God is as true of his word ; as h● is false of his ; God is the God of truth ; Psal. 31. 5. Io. 8. 44. and the Diuel is the father of a lye . I● is not possible that God should lye . I● is not possible but the Diuel should lye ; Heb. 6. 18. say you vnto your soule I must beleeue the truth , and not a lye , least I turne Rom. 1. 25. Gods truth into a lye ; for he that beleeueth not God hath made him a lyer ; 1. Io. 5. ●0 . I will rather beleeue the creator then the creature ; the maker then the destroyer of man : and that which will saue me then that which will condemne me ; yea let God be true , & euery Rom. 3. 4. Iam. 1. 18. Diuel and man a lyer ; As for the word of god it is the word of truth it is righteousnes altogether , euery word thereof is pure & endureth for euer ; This the Psal. 19. 9. godly show , who onely loue it , this the wicked shew who only hate it ; this the Pro. 39. 5. 1 , Pet. 1. 25. spirit witnesseth in the hearts of Gods Children , this the power thereof proclaimeth in the conuersion of soules : this experience of all times and places maketh euident , the wicked know it to their cost , ( both men and Diuels ) the faithfull to their comfort .

Next if Satan seeke to lay your sinnes before your eyes ; thereto you must lay the sufferings of Christ before your eyes ; If he accuse you , tell him the accuser Reu. 12. 10. of brethren is cast out ; If hee charge your conscience with your sins ; aske him who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen ? If he condemne ●om. 8. 33. 34. you for them ; say it is God that iustifieth , who shall then condemne . If he say your sinnes are many , and more then can be pardoned ; tell him where Rom. 15. 20. sinne aboundeth grace ouer aboundeth : If he say you are the greatest sinner in the world ; tell him it is true , but Christ came into the world to saue sinners , whereof I am the chiefe : If he 1. Tim. 1. 15. alleadge the greatnes of the guilt , say , though my sinnes be as red as Scarlet , Esa 1 18. yet hee will make them as white as Snowe : If he say suppose some of thy sinnes be clensed , yet not all , say that the bloud of Christ clenseth vs from all 1. Io. 1. 7. sinnes : If he say Christ dyed for some but not for all ; say he is the reconciliation 1. Io. 2. 2. of the sinnes of the whole world ; he is the Sauiour of all men but specially of them that beleeue : If he say suppose God pardon thee , it is but for a season till thou sinne againe , tell him 1. Tim. 4 10. Ier. 32. 31. 34 againe of the new couenant of God , which sayeth , I will forgiue their iniquitie and will remember their sinnes no more ; If he say in all this thou presumest , 2. Cor. 7. 10 shew him your godly sorrow , which causeth repentance to saluation ; If he say how knowest thou whether God will accept of thy repentance or not , tell him if we acknowledge our 1. Io. 1. ● . sinnes , God is faithfull and iust to forgiue our Sinnes , and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes ; If hee say thy sorrow is dispaire , examine your selfe 2. Cor. 13. 5 whether you be in the faith , and say to God , I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleife ; Marke 9. 24 If he say thy faith is fained dead and false ; say vnto him , hee that beleeueth 1. Io. 5. 10. in the Sonne hath witnes in himselfe , as for thee O Sathan , I will Iam. 2. 18. shew thee my faith by my wo●kes . If he say thy obedience is but fained dead and false , and you are but an Hypocrite ; say of yourselfe , I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not thereby iustified ; 1. Cor. 4 4. Turne vnto God and say , O that my wayes were directed to keepe thy Psal. 1. 9. 5. 80. statutes ; Keepe my heart vpright i● thy statutes that I be not ashamed : if he say thou a●t accursed , because thou contine west not in all things that are written ; say againe , Christ hath redeemed Gal. 3. 13. me from the curse of the law , when he was made a curse for one ; If he say thy coruptions be strange and Rom. 7. 24. 25. many ; cry out O miserable man that I am , who shall deliuer me from this body of death ; I thanke God through Iesus Christ : Pray vnto God create a Psal. 51. 10. cleane heart O Lord , ●enue a right spirit within me ; If he say for all this thou shalt be condemned , because Gods iudgements be exact , and giueth euery man according to his workes ; say there Rom. 8. 1. is no condemnation to them that are in Christ , to them that walke not after the flesh but after the spirit : lastly if he say , yet thou canst haue no peace of conscience but perpetuall wound ; say , the Lord speaketh peace to his people Psal. 85. 8. and to his Saints , that they turne not againe to their folly , For being iustified Rom , 5. 1. by faith we haue peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ .

I know that Diuel may proceed and say , thou art not chosen ; But you must say vnto him : that God chose vs in Eph. 1. 4. Christ that we should be holy : and I am sure that God hath chosen to himselfe Psal. 4. 3. the man that is godly ; vertue ioyned to our faith makes our calling and election sure , for such as God hath predestinated them hath he called , wherefore so long as Gods grace Luke 10. 20. remaineth in me , so long I will reioyce that my name is witten in the booke of life : But Sathan may obiect , suppose thou be now in the fauour of thy God , yet thou maist fall away from Rom. 11. 29. grace ; he may withdraw his spirit . To this you may answere this againe , the guifts and callings of God are Ier 13. 3. without repentance ; i● he loue vs hee loued vs from euerlasting , and loueth Io. 13. 1. vs to the end . No creature shal be able Rom. 8. 38. 39. Psal. 23. 6. to seperate vs from the loue of God in Christ ; kindnes and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my . life , and this God is our God for euer and euer Psal. 48. 14. he shal be our guide vnto the death . But he may say , that Gods minde may alter , and he may hate them for sinne , whom he loued of mercy : God answereth Mat. 3. 6. for himselfe , I am the Lord I chaunge not , and ye Sounes of Iacob 1. Sam. 15. 29 are not consumed , for God is not as man that hee should repent . Iesus Heb. 13. 8. Christ that was yesterday , is the same to day , the same also is for euer ; Gods couenaunt of life and peace is euerlasting . Ier. 33. 20. ●1 . If Sathan thou canst breake Gods couenaunt of the day and night , that there shall not be day and night , in their season , then may Gods couenant be broken with his children , for God hath said vnto his chosen . The mountaines shall remoue , and the hills Esa. 54. 10. fall downe , but my mercy shall not depart from thee , neither shall this couenant of my peace fall away , faith the Lord which hath compassion on thee . For that mercy and free grace which Rom , ● . 10. moued God to accept vs when wee were sinners , strangers , enemies and children of wrath , and to reconcile vs by the death of his Sonne , must much more moue him , ( being reconciled ) to accept vs , and to saue vs by the life of Christ . Thus the foundation of God remaineth sure .

Yet Sathan may reply , suppose there be no alteration or chaunge in God : yet in thee there is : He is strong , but thou art weake . But Peter answereth 2. Pet. 1. 5. that we are not kept by our owne strength , but by the power of God vnto Saluation , and I shall ouercome by Reu. 12. 11. the bloud of the lamb , for in his owne 1. Sam. 2. 9. might shall no man be strong : suppose then I may fall , and that most grieuously , as Dauid , Salomon , and Peter did : yet though I fall I shall no be cast Psal. 37. 24. 23. off : for the Lord putteth his hand vnder me : The pathes of man are directed by the Lord , he will keepe the feete of his Saints . Wherefore reioyce not against Sam. ● . 9. me O mine enemies , though I fall I shall rise , when I sit in darknes Mica . 7. 8. 7 the Lord shal be a light vnto me .

If Sathan vrge you further thus , how darest thou presume of Gods assistance , thou hast not Gods grace at thy commaund , shew him the couenant of God , confirmed and sealed by the bloud of Iesus Christ , who saith , Ier. 31. 33. I will write my law in their hearts , I will make an euerlasting couenant Ier. 32. 40. with them , that I will neuer turne away from them , to doe them good , I will put my feare into their hearts , that they shall not depart from me , I will giue them a new heart and a new Eze 36. 26. 27. & 11. 19 , 20. spirit , I will take the stony heart out of their bodies , and I will giue them a heart of flesh , I will put my spirit within them , and cause ●●em to walke in my statutes . It is most true we are not sufficient of our selues , to thinke 2. Cor. 3. 5. any thing of our selues , but our sufficiencie is of God : As no man cometh vnto Christ , except the father drawe Io. 6. 44. 65. Io. 15. 5. him , so without Christ we can doe nothing : Yet through the helpe of Christ which strengtheneth me , I shal be able Phil. 4. 13. Phil. 1. 6. to doe all things . And hee that hath begun this good worke within mee , will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ : And his good spirit shall leade Psa. 143. 10 Eph. 4. 30. me into the land of righteousnes , and seale me to the day of my redemption .

As for the helpe that Sathan offereth thee . Aske him , how hee can helpe another that cannot helpe himselfe , and how should one trust the faith of a deceauour : Hee offered the world vnto our Sauiour Christ , and tolde him that the world was his , but he tolde a Luke 4. 6. lye ; for albeit he be called the god of this world , because he ruleth in the 1. Cor. 4. 4. children of disobedience ; yet the earth is the Lords , and all that therein is , the Eph. 2. 2. Psa. 24. 1. world and all that dwell therein . Wherefore although the wicked of the world fall downe and worship him , to gaine farre smaller matters then the world , by lying , swearing , and forswearing , deceiuing , and oppressing , and such euil courses , yet you must vtterly refuse this offer , with auoide Sathan , and come behinde me Sathan , for it is written thou shalt worship the Mat. 4. 10. Lord thy God , and him onely shalt thou serue . If Satans helpe might stand a man in steede , hee must haue no fellowship with his vnfruitfull workes of darkenes .

Our Sauiour Christ & his Apostles would none of his assistance to helpe Eph. 5. 11. to publish the Gospell to the world . It was the bane of Saul and Ahaziah Kings of Iudah , to seeke for helpe of Sathan : It is better to trust in the Mat. 1. 25. 1. Cor. 10. 13 Lord , then to put any confidence in man , or euil spirit , for diuels cannot free vs from the hands of God , 2. Kin. 1. 4. but God can keepe vs from the power of diuels : For if God be with vs who Psa. 118. 8. Rom. 8. 31. can be against vs ? Hee is not farre from euery one of vs , he is as our shadow Act. 17. 27. at our right hand : He is a shield to them that trust in him : He keepeth Psal. 121. 5. his people as the apple of his eye , vnder Pro. 30. 5. the shadow of his wings , and as the mountaines about Ierusalem , so is Psal. 17. 8. the Lord about his people , henceforth Psal. 125. 2. and for euer . Say therefore vnto Sathan , I defie thy power , and renounce thy helpe , as I am none of thine because I am bought with a price , so will 1. Cor. 6. 19. 20. Psal. 181. I none of thee nor of thy helpe : The Lord is my helper , my rocke , my fortresse , my deliuerer , m● strength , my shield the horne of my saluation , and Psal. 17. 1. my refuge , my light , saluation , and strength of my life ; my defence is in God , who preserueth the vpright in Psal. 78. 1● . heart . The God whom I serue , is able to deliuer me , and though he slay Dan. 3. 17. me I will trust in him : Hee onely maketh me to dwel in safety ; the Lord is with me , therefore I will not not feare what man or Sathan can doe vnto me ; For when my flesh faileth , and Iob. 13. 15. my heart also , then God is the strength Psal. 4. 8. Psal. 73 26. of my heart , and my portion for euer : So the father of mercyes , and the God of all comfort , prosper & sanctifie that I haue written vnto you .