all generations. Now some people perhaps, may be ready to say, that Abraham was a man which possessed so much grace and faith, so that this trial may have had but very little effeet on his mind; but my readers, if I know any thing about trials, I do not think that it was so with Abraham, for I think that Abraham enjoyed a higher degree of grace and faith from God, before his trial came on, and after his trial was over, than he did in the midst of his trial: but yet at the same time, that is to say, in the midst of his trial, I believe that he had suffi cient grace and faith from God, to stand his ground, but none too much; and I really believe that Abraham felt and enjoyed more of the love of God, and faith in his soul at that time, before this heavy trial come upon him, even when he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to him for righteousness, than he did in the midst of his trial. And again, I believe that he enjoyed more of the grace and faith of God in his soul, after the trial, that was, when the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven and said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him. And again, when the angel manifested such good tidings unto him; now, I believe that he enjoyed more of the grace and faith of God in his soul, after the trial was over, when God comforted him, than he did when he took the knife to slay his son. And now speaking from my own experience, I think I can say, that I for the general part, have enjoyed more of the grace and faith of God in my soul, before a temptation, and after a temptation, than ever I did in the midst of a temptation; but if we fall by a temptation, it is to our shame, and oftentimes, causeth grief and sorrow, but if we overcome them, God will bless us, and he will exalt us higher and higher; Hear me, now if thou come to serve the Lord, by his help, prepare thy soul for temptation, for gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. (Apoc. to Eccl. ii. 15.-1 Peter.. iv. 12.) And now my beloved brethren, seeing these things are so, let us then hold fast our faith in the Lord, and let us fight against sin, until we enter in through the celestial, gate to the city, and then it will be all faith, love, and sight, for we shall see him as he is. And now my dear friends, there may be a great deal more said concerning grace and faith, but for fear of being too tedious to my readers, I intend therefore as follows, to be as brief as I possibly can, and now mark this, that is where I do not mention grace, with faith, I do it to be as brief as I can vet at the same time, I

always mean that grace is the begining of faith in the soul of man, for without grace we cannot do anything that is good. And now for further satisfaction concerming faith, my friends, see for yourselves what St. Paul saith of it, in Heb. xi. And we also see in another place, that by faith how Joshua and Caleb took possession of the land of Canaan; but on the other hand, the fearful and unbelievers after they had brought up an evil report of the land, was not suffered to enter therein. (Num. xiii. 30. xiv. 6 24.-Josh. xiv. 6.) Therefore my beloved brethren, let us pray for faith in Christ, so that we may be able to enter into the land of his rest. And again, by faith, righteous Job said, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. (Job xix. 25.) And there we must all appear to give an account of the deeds done in the body, and then it will be seen by our fruits, what our faith hast been. And blessed be the God of our salvation; and to the true and faithful, saith the Psalmist, this God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide, even unto death. (Psalm. xlviii. 14.) And in faith, he saith again, in God is my salvation, and my glory: the rock of my streng h, and my refuge is in God. (Psalm lxii. 7.) And hear again by faith and grace, what assurance the Church hath in Christ, My beloved is mine, and I am his. And again saith the Church, By faith I am my beloved's and his desire is towards me. (Solomon's Songs ii. 16, 17, 10.) And O that we may all pray that we may have faith and love in Christ, for to have faith in Christ, is a blessed thing, for by faith in him, the blind received their sight. (Matt. ix. 29.) And by faith in Christ he cast out devils. (Matt xv. 28, 8, 16.) And by faith he raised the dead to life. (Matt. ix. 18, 25.-John xi.) And healed all manner of diseases among the people. And now seeing that faith is so very needful, well may the Apostles say, Lord increase our faith. (Luke. xvii. 5.) O Lord, I pray thee increase my faith, so that I may believe in thy word, and write it down in truth. And now behold what faith and love St. Paul had in Christ, and how willing he was to suffer for his Lord and master: now it appears that he had done much good, and had suffered much for the sake of Christ, yet he expected that he was to suffer more for his sake; for when he was about to return to go up to Jerusalem, his brethren would have dissuaded him from going up to Jerusalem, for they were afraid

that he would be in great danger of losing his life, but Saint Paul would not be dissuaded, because his faith and love to Christ was like Abraham's, it was stronger than death: there fore he said unto them, What mean you to weep, and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts xxi. 13.) So we see that Abraham's faith and love, and St. Paul's faith and love to their Lord, was stronger than death, for by faith and grace they willingly gave him all their love, whichwas stronger than death, and they, overcome by the blood of the lamb, For in the world, saith our blessed Lord, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John xvi. 33.) And again, Saint Paul was blest with saving grace and faith from the Lord, for he was blest with faith, and the love and favour of God, to such a degree, that after great part of his labour, he had this faith and confidence in his God, and said, The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Tim. iv. 18.) And again, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world; even our faith. (1 John v. 4.) Therefore my beloved brethren, I entreat you to make your prayers to God, with what faith thou hast already obtained, so that you may have more faith in abundance to the saving of your souls. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews xi. 1.) Therefore my brethren, be not faithless, because the Lord is in heaven, and we are upon the earth; be not faithless I say, because of this, but believe, and your reward shall not fail. And again, we read that Thomas was hard to believe in his Lord after his resurrection, until he had seen him: and now hear what his Lord saith unto him because of his incredulity after that he had seen him, Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John xx. 29.) And now my dear friends, all you that would wish to realize and support this most holy faith as a truth in your souls, I would advise you to follow after these holy examples, and be careful so that you maintain good works; for that faith which a man seemeth to have without works, is no more than an historical faith, it is nearly dead being alone. (St. James ii. 17.) But this most holy grace and faith which I have been speaking

of, is of the grace of God, and it will not thrry long with them that are always addicted or inclined to do evil; but it will dwell with the righteous for eyer and ever. Amen.

And this most holy grace and faith sometimes excites, and lifts his soul up to such a high degree of faith, joy, and love, so that it makes him ready to sing this song, as follows:

THE CHRISTIAN'S FAITH,

AND HIS CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST.

Through grace and faith may I go on,
Till i reach that blest eternal land;
Not hell's design, nor Satan's too
Shall pluck me from the way I go.

I'll cast my soul's right anchor there.
Upon my Lord is all my care,
I'll bid the world below adieu,
To my sweet Saviour I will go.

For thou will all my wants supply,
On thy sweet grace will I rely,
To part from thee, no, never niore,
Nor go astray as I've done before.

But there with thee for ever blest,
In thy sweet arms of endless rest,
There thy dear people we shall see,

And all that heaven contains by thee.

But observe those above verses—that is, as long as the Christian abideth as a branch in Christ, the vine, he hath this confidence; but if he abideth not as a branch in Christ, he is cast forth and withered.-1 John xy.

1

END OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK,

BY EDWARD CROOK.

PRINTED BY J. PICKBURN, NEW ROAD, AYLESBURY.

BOOK THE TWENTY-FIRST.

The fervent Prayer of the Righteous availeth much.

In this Book you may find many of the most excellent and fervent prayers proceeding out of the mouth, or from the very essence of the soul of the most Holy Men of God; and the effects thereof, and the blessed help of their God which they obtained thereby. There is also the prayer of Hannah set forth in this Book, which prayer is for an example to the female sex to copy after; and it also ends with the Author's prayer for VICTORIA, our most Gracious Queen, and for our Country, and all the World; and this Work is very good and profitable for every family; for by prayer and obedience, and pleading the merits of Christ, through grace, we obtain salvation.

In my little Books, by the grace of God, I have shewed you the goodness of God, and the plan of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the beauty of religion; but this will all avail us little or nothing, withou. fervent prayer through Christ to God Almighty for his grace and blessing; therefore this Book is called the Book of prayer, and an excellent Book it is, most worthy of your meditation, for in this Book you may see where to find some of the most excellent prayers proceeded out of the mouth of the most Holy Men of God, and the blessed help which they obtained of God by prayer, which is a great encouragement for us to follow their steps. Now, fervent prayer to God, is a longing desire of the soul after something that it wants, to make it easy and happy, and the poor humble soul cannot be happy until it knows that his prayer is heard at the throne of grace. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, and go not aside lest ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him, and your reward shall not fail. Ye that tear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy. And my friends look at the generations of old, and see did ever any trust in the Lord and was confounded? or