them; say they, I could not help paying of the cess, and taking of the bond, and paying locality; I wot well, say they, I did it against my will, and so it was my affliction and suffering: the Lord will not thank you for it; it is not suffering, it is yielding.
4. There is a fourth mean, that we should prescribe to you, in order to the doing what ye can, to hasten the Lord's contending with them that contend with you; and you may read it, Luke xviii. 7. Pray always and faint not, will not God avenge his own elect that cry to him day and night, though he bear long with them. You must not quit praying, refuse to give him rest, or keep silent till he establish truth, and make Jerusalem a praise in the whole earth. Many of you, it may be, have prayed long and come little speed. We have been in pain, but have brought forth the wind; yet you must continue; will ye continue this year, and ye may get deliverance the next.—We cannot set a time, but we know not how soon our deliverance may appear to all, to the terror of enemies, confusion of them that reproach us, and to the rejoicing of his people; for he is upon the matter coming; then cry, Come forward, he will be avenged of his enemies; if ye quit duty ere he come, ye will get no thanks when he comes; according to that, Ezek. xviii. 24. If the righteous man commit sin, his righteousness shall be forgotten.Many, who by their profession appeared to be advancing, have quit their duty ere Christ hath come, and they will be dealt with as them who minted at duty, Psalm cxxv. 5. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity Up and be doing with your prayers, and the Lord will be with you.
5. Another mean to hasten the Lord's return, you have Psalm lxxvi. 5. look first to the 10th verse, Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, the remainder of wrath wilt thou restrain." Would ye have the remainder of man's wrath restrained? then verse 11. Vow and pay unto the Lord your God, &c. Verse 13. He shallcut
