2.  As to Satan’s troubling the poor believer, through Christ also he is a vanquished enemy:  “He hath overcome him that had the power of death, even the devil,” Heb. ii. 14.

3.  As for that felt weakness of grace, that is no ground of discouragement, so long as he liveth who can make the lame to leap as an hart, and can make waters break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert, Isa xxxv. 6, 7; “and giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might increaseth strength; so that such as wait 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 comfortable enough.