_Obj._ What is the reason that _Gods children_ are sometimes hardly brought on to difficult _services_, and _duties_?
I answer, _unreadines_, and _unfitnes_ is a _spirituall sicknes_ or _distemper_, which when _Gods children_ recover out of, then they say as the _Lord Jesus_ in _David_ _Psal: 41_. _Lord_ my _heart_ is willing, my _heart_ is ready to do thy will O my _God_: And they say to _Christ Jesus_, as his holy servant _John Bradford_ said to _Queen Mary_; If she keep me in _prison_, I will thank her; If she _release_ me I will _thank_ her; If she _burn_ me, I will still _thank her_.
Lastly, it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_ when _Gods children_ walk in a continuall sence of their own _insufficiencies_, and _distempers_, when they discern the evill _inclination_ of their own _spirits_, and the _excellency_, and _sufficiency_ of _Gods_ most holy _Spirit_: And therefore continually say with _David_, _Psalme 143_. Thy _Spirit_ is good, lead me, _&c._ and Psal. 139. Search me O _God_, and try my _heart_, and see if thou findest any way of _wickednes in me, and lead me in the way everlasting_.
These and many more, are the _trials_ of _spirituall strength_, _health_, and _cheerfulnes_, in matters concerning _God_: We now come to the second Head of _trialls_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_, in matters concerning our selves.
First, then it is an Argument of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, when (especially) after known sins committed, our _hearts_ are in a _broken_ frame and temper, when our _spirits_ are as it were _contrite_, and pounded like _spice in a_ Morter, then yeelding the most delightfull _smell_ and _savour_ unto _God_.
Hence (_Isa. 66_) a _contrite_, and broken heart is an _House_ wherein _God_ dwels, an House well ordered, _swept_, and _garnished_.
Hence a _Spirit_ of _trembling_, (_Isa. 66_.) is an _Argument_ and _character_ of the most dutifull _children_ of _God_: but of this formerly.
2ndly. It is an _Argument_ of _spirituall strength_, when we make it our _work_ to _observe_, _watch_, and kill our _corruptions_, and _rebellions_, and labour to keep under, and beat down our _body_ to an holy fitnes, and readines for _Gods service_, in _fasting_, and _prayer_ against _temptations_.