4. A saint believes the equity, faithfulness, and the love of God; therefore he spreads his case before him. His equity, that _the judge of all the earth will do right; the righteous may plead with him_. His faithfulness, that he will fulfil all his promises: and his love, that he will take compassion on those who are afflicted; he will be tender to those who are miserable. David takes occasion from this, to address God under his sufferings and sorrows; Ps. lxii. 1, 2. _He is my rock, and my salvation, and my defence, I shall not be moved; therefore mu soul waits upon God; my refuge is in him._ lxv. 1, 2. _He is a God that hears prayer, therefore unto him shall all flesh come._ God will not account our complaints troublesome, though they be never so often repeated; whereas men are quickly wearied with the importunities of those who are poor and needy. Great men are ready to shut their doors against those who come too often for relief; but God delights to hear often from his people, and to have them ask continually at his door for mercy. Though he has Almighty power with him, saith Job, _yet he will not plead against me with his great power: No, but he would put strength in me_; he would teach me how I should answer him; how I should answer his justice, by appeals to his mercy; and how I should speak prevailingly before him. 5. _Lastly_, A saint tells God all his circumstances and sorrows at such a season, because he hopes for relief from him, and from him only; for it is impossible creatures can give relief under any trouble, unless God makes them instruments of relief. And there are some troubles in which creatures cannot be our helpers, but our help must come only from God, and that in a more immediate way. Whatsoever be our distress, whether it arise from past guilt, and the torments of an anxious and troubled conscience; or whether it arise from the working of in-dwelling sin, the strength of temptation, or the violence of temporal afflictions, still God is able and willing to give relief, _Call upon me_, saith the Lord, _In the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me_; Ps. l. 15. _And he hath never said to the seed of Jacob, seek ye my face in vain_; Is. xlv. 19. IV. The fourth general head of discourse which I proposed, is to shew, How a saint, near the mercy-seat, pleads with God for relief.