ait upon the
Lord shall renew their strength, and they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not
faint," Isa. xl. 29, 31. For "in him are all the promises yea and amen,"
2 Cor. i. 20. So that they need not faint upon this account, nor be
discouraged: for the work he hath begun he will finish it, and he will
quicken in the way, Psal. cxix. 37.

4. As for the want of sensible incomes of joy and comfort, he hath
promised to send the Comforter, in his own good time, John xiv. 26; xv.
26. "As one whom his Father comforteth, so will he comfort his," Isa.
lxvi. 13. Joy and gladness is promised in the covenant, Jer. xxxi. 13.
But further, though he keep up these influences of joy and comfort, he
supporteth another way. The lively hope of heaven may bear up the heart
under all this want: for there shall the soul have fulness of joy and
pleasures for evermore: no tears, no sorrow there, Psal. xvi. 11. Isa.
xxxv. 10.

5. As for the want of access in their prayers, they may possibly blame
themselves, for he has by his merits opened the door; and is become (to
speak so) master-usher to the poor soul, to lead him unto the Father, so
that "by him we have access," Eph. ii. 18, "yea, boldness and access
through faith in him," Eph. iii. 12; "and he is our advocate," 1 John
ii. 1; and, as our attorney, is gone to heaven before us; "and there
liveth for ever to make intercession," Heb. vi. 28; vii. 25. And what is
there more to be done to procure us access; or to move and encourage us
to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need?" Heb. iv. 14, 16.

6. As to that want of freedom and liberty in prayer; he helpeth that
also: For he maketh the dumb to sing, Isa. xxxv. 6, and maketh the
tongue of the stammerer to speak elegantly, Isa. xxxii. 4. He can
enlarge the heart, and help the soul to pour out his heart before God.

7. As to outward persecution, he can easily take that discouragement
away, by giving the hundred-fold with it; by supporting under it, and
bringing safe through it. When his presence is with them through fire
and water, Isa. xliii. 2, what can trouble them? And when he maketh
their consolations abound, 2 Cor. i. 5, what can discourage them? Have
not his sung in the very fires; and rejoiced in all their afflictions?
The resting of the Spirit of God and of glory, which Peter speaketh of,
1 Pet. iv. 14, is com