David taught the people to say (Psal. 20, v. 7), Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we remember the name of the Lord our God; that this is the first thing that they remember, as that which shall do them most good. But prayer is either so wholly neglected, or men come to it so slowly, as it were drawing their legs after them, and last of all, as though they did not one whit believe the promises this way made unto them.

Nay, which is more, if any come to them in their trouble, and tell them that they have often found this to be true by experience in themselves, as David doth (Psal. 34, v. 6), This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles: yet we do not believe that we shall find it to be true in ourselves. Especially if God defer us any while, we can give no credit to the truth of his promises, until we see them verified in ourselves but we are ready to say, unless we see and feel these things in ourselves, we will not believe it.

Again, how often, and by how many, have we heard this truth of God, All things work together for the best unto them that love God (Rom. c. 8, v. 28): that is, God

will turn all the afflictions of his people unto their good in the end: yet when the least cross doth befall us, how are we dismayed, as though this were false, because we do not believe it! And if any shall then say unto us, be of good comfort, bear it patiently, the Lord herein seeketh your good, and you shall come out of this affliction better than you were before; yet we think it a matter impossible; yea, a mere fable: and that it is better for us to be otherwise, and so we will not believe him; nor others, though they should come immediately, and tell us the same upon good trial, that they found it to be so in them, selves, as David saith (Psal. 119, v. 71), It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn thy statutes: and before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep thy word (Psal. 66); and as the Apostle Paul also saith upon his own experience, and the rest of the faithful in whose name he speaketh, We know, that all things work together for the best unto them that fear God (Rom. c. 8, v. 28). Not only I myself, but many others also, do know this to be true. Which is as if a skilful physician should say unto his sick patient-take this potion, though it be

bitter it is for your health, I have found the proof of it by long experience: nay not only I myself, but all we physicians do know it to be so: and yet the patient would believe none of them, but himself. Oh what a great root of infidelity is within us! how had we need to strive against it!

To be short, how often have we heard this promise of our Saviour Christ; First seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all outward things shall be ministered unto you (Mat. c. 6, v. 33): and that also of the Apostle Paul unto Timothy, Godliness is profitable unto all things, which hath the promise of this life, and of that which is to come (1 Tim. 4, v. 8): yet let us be in any want, and it is a wonder to see how hardly or not at all we with cheerfulness depend upon God's Providence, until such time as we can see how to provide for ourselves. Let other men come and say what they will, and what they have found by experience in themselves and in others, concerning the truth of this, we do not almost regard it, or take any comfort in it: so full of unbelief are we, and so common a thing is it, in the matters of God, to give credit to none but to our

selves as the Apostle St. Thomas saith of himself here.

Lastly, let us come to the matter of our salvation if Satan the accuser of the brethren (Rev. c. 12, v. 10), and our own conscience do set before our eyes the remembrance of our sins, and press us somewhat therewith; though we be heartily sorry for them, and do weep bitterly, as Peter did at the remembrance of his fall (Mat. c. 26, v. 75), and do wish a thousand times that we had never committed them, and thus travel and groan under the heavy burthen of them, as that which is able to press us down unto the bottom of hell, and unfeignedly turn from them unto God, saying with David (Psal. 51, v. 1), Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities: yet how hard a matter is it then to find that in our hearts which we say with our mouth, I believe the forgiveness of my sins; especially in the day of temptation, and in the hour of death: though we have oftentimes before heard the blessed saying of the Apostle (1 Tim. c. 1, v. 15), This is a true saying, and by all means worthy to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the

world to save sinners: and that comfortable voice of our Saviour Christ (Mat. c. 11, v. 28), Come unto me all ye that are weary and laden, and I will ease you.

This then we see is no new thing, for men not to believe sundry parts of God's word brought unto them by the ministry of divers of his faithful servants, by reason of the great unbelief and hardness of heart that is in them: whereby it cometh to pass that their own understanding doth more prevail with them to distrust, than the testimony of many to believe. How then had we need to find out this unbelief in ourselves which when we have done, we are not to judge too hardly of ourselves, seeing that it is so common, but only lament and bewail it, and seek unto Christ to be holpen of it, who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. c. 12, v. 2): and say with the Apostles, Lord increase our faith (Luke c. 17, v. 5): and with the man in the Gospel, Lord I believe, help my unbelief (c. 9, v. 24).

And if there be such great streams of un belief in God's children, till they be holpen of it, what a bottomless sea, think you, is there of it in the wicked? whereby it cometh to pass, that they are filled with all