she hath lost and still increase in holinesse nor vtterly reiect vs for our failings yet would not he haue vs lie in them 6. Wherein obserue we the care of the Lord Iesus vnto his Church Doctrine 5. that though shee was not ouertaken with any grosse and apparant euils that she did not altogether faile in doing of good yet hee doth here reprooue her for some measure of decay for omitting what she should haue done intending thereby to prouoke her to perfection and to recouer her of her failings that so she may grow to perfect holinesse Whence we may further learne that the Saints of God are to be reprooued fos sinnes of omission euen for omitting or neglecting that which they should do yea for failing in the measure thereof aswel for grosse and apparant breaches of the will of God Thus haue the Prophets reprooued the people of God for failing in what they should haue done and for carelesnesse in holy dueties Thus was Eli chalenged of the Lord for neglecting to reprooue his sonnes 1 Sam. 2. Thus are the Corinthians charged for neglecting due preparation to the Holy Sacrament for neglecting the due execution against the incestuous person 1. Cor. 5.2.3 1. Cor. 11.23.24 The Reasons hereof 1. Because the Saints doe not easily take notice of these failings if they auoyd scandalous euils if they do in any sort performe outward duties yet they fayle in the measure as not performing them in zeale and courage and herein they many times thinke they may bee excused because they are not yet perfect because they are subiect to infirmities or by carnall wisedome bee induced to more moderation as they call it or abatement in them yea happily vnder pretence of Christian liberty may haue some allowance hereunto 2. It is that wherein the Saints doe most fayle in and may most dangerously deceiue themselues hereby as 3. That these sinnes of Omission may be occasions to giue vs vp to grosse and open sinnes euen to commit many foule offences against the Law of God as causing the Lord to leaue vs to our owne lusts that so neglecting what we should doe we may commit what we should not to the confounding of our carnal confidence and prouoking to more zeale as 2. Sam. 12. Are not many ouertaken with the sinnes of the time because they cannot mourne for them or couragiously remooue them 4. These sinnes of Omission doe most grieue Gods Spirit and chalenge the power of sanctification most hinder our growth in grace and are dangerous occasions to hypocrisie and lukewarmenesse And this serueth to reprooue the fashion of the Times which is either not to reprooue at all or at the most to reprooue for grosse and open sinnes as for faylings in what wee should doe these are either not touched at all or rather excused and iustified vnder the pretence of infirmities and in that specially the power of godlinesse is generally chalenged of too much more then needs therefore this measure is approoued as being what flesh and blood can doe what is common with the time what will best serue the loosenesse and indifferency thereof what will best secure vs against the snares thereof 2. Here is matter of tryall that if we take aswell to heart our faylings in what we should doe yea be humbled in our wants when wee haue done our best aswel as for grosse and open prophanesses this is a good testimony of the power of Grace that the Lord hath begun his worke in vs and so by this narrow tryall intends to make vs better 3. Wee are hereby also taught how to deale with our owne hearts euen to bee iealous of our selues especially for sayling in holy dueties to examine our hearts principally in this case how wee are colde in prayer insensible of Gods iudgement that we cannot mourne for the sinnes of the Time that wee do not reprooue the common sinnes thereof the abominable swearing prophaning of the Sabbaths c. for this shall be a meanes to keepe vs from the like abuses this shal be a gratious helpe to increase in holy dueties and so to submit to a conscionable ministery to this end comforting our selues that if wee belong to God our gratious Lord will not let vs scape in the least sayling but if his worde will not preuaile he will come against vs with some secret or open chastisement to recouer vs betimes and so to preuent vs from Apostasie that we may increase and follow hard after the marke And this is that which we further learne herein That though the Lord accept the purpose of the heart and will not quench the smoaking flaxe Doctrine 6. yet he would haue vs recouer our selues and grow in grace and follow hard after the marke we must abound in grace and be plentifull in good works The elect must goe forward and perseuere in grace labouring to perfection we must doe the first worke nay wee must thriue in well doing expressing outwardly what wee inwardly desire and subduing the whole man to the obedience of the spirit 1. Col. 1. Pet. 2.1.3 Ephes 1. Phil. 2. Pet. 1.8 Psalm 92. Iob 17.9 1. Thes 5. perseuering with all patience and constancie vnto the end Eph. 6.13 And that First because the Lord hath commanded That wee should be holy as he is holy 1. Pet. 1.13 Reasons 14 c. 2. Christ Iesus hath deserued to make vs perfit by his perfect obedience 3. And by his Spirit dayly dwelleth in vs to leade vs into all truth 4. Hereby we make sure our election and attaine to the certaine knowledge thereof 2. Pet. 1.10 Ioh. 7. 5. Hereby we make our selues meete for that glorious inheritance 1. Col. 11.12 6. Hereby wee prouoke others to glorifie God Matth. 5.16 17. and strengthen the weake 7. Wee daunt and confound the enemies of the Gospell 1. Pet. 2. stopping the mouth of all iniquitie and reproach 8. And adorne and beautifie our glorious profession 1. Phil. 27. 9. And gaine more glorie to our blessed God Math. 5.10 And this serueth Vses 1. Of reproose to those that deceiuer themselues with good intents and motions Of such as go backeward To condemne 1. all those that flatter their hearts with good intents when they are vtterly voide of good fruits Prou. 3. Esa 29. 2. Such as stent their measure of holinesse by flesh and blood and such carnall Rules as square thereto 3. As also those that vpon presumption that they are better then others cease to better themselues and so standing at a stay in religion goe backward therein 1. Cor. 4. Reuel 3. As feare to be noted of singularitie 4. And those likewise that feare to abound in holinesse zeale c. lest they be accounted singular noted men precise vaine-glorious c. As iustifie decayes 5. And these especially that haue not only slacked their zeale in religion but doe iustifie this decay as being now more wise sober c. in their profession where
grow secure and dead in the performance of holy duties performing them for custome carnally hypocritically c. Libertine 9. Or grow inconstant in holy duties intermitting the set times of prayers hearing the word c. 10. Or grow negligent in conuerting others 11. Or admit of humane inuentions with the worship of God 12. And vpon pretence of peace giue way in the least against conviction of conscience 13. Or prooue vnthankfull vnto God for his particular mercies 1. Rom. 14. Or fall into grosse sinnes and lie in them without repentance Psal 51. 15. Or iudge vncharitably of our brethren withdrawing our compassions from them Secondly Motiues to prouoke vs to constancie in weldoing consider we these motiues to make vs abound in good workes and grow constant therein 1. Consider we the faithfulnesse of our God who loueth to the end Ioh. 13.1 2 Remember we the continual seruice of the Saints in heauen they incessantly glorifie God and also continually 1. Thess 4. Reuel 4. 3. Consider wee the power of Iesus Christ still remaines to couer our imperfections and to strengthen vs to perfection Heb. 12.1 2. and to this end makes continuall intercession for vs. 4. Know wee that the Comforter doth abide with vs for euer Ioh. 17. to lead vs into all trueth and so forward in all holinesse Ioh. 15.16 5. 1. Pet. 4 15. Consider we that the righteous can scarcely be saued 1. Pet. 4.15 and what paines the best haue taken toward heauen 6. Remember we that Iesus Christ hath taken away all the rigour of weldoing and yet enables vs by his spirit to perfection accepting our weakest endeuours so they bee sound and enabling of vs to fulfill all righteousnesse in due season 7. Discerne we often how wee haue failed heretofore and this shal prouoke to more industrie hereafter 8. And lay wee to heart the sudden comming of Christ and so we shall be prouoked to make haste 9. And propose wee vnto our selues that glorious Crowne and so we shall fight that good fight of faith and finish our course with ioy 10. Obserue we the prouidence of our gratious Father in turning about all things that they shall worke together for the best to further vs to happinesse Rom. 8.28 1. As causing our greatest afflictions to be meanes of remoouing all lets especially our sinnes and spurres to perfection Esay 1.25 2. And making our very sinnes matter to preuent or subdue sinne and so to prouoke vs to more endeauour of holinesse by how much we haue bene cast behinde and what shall then separate vs from the loue of God what shall not further vs to hasten to perfection Rom. 8.33.34.35 11. To this end take we a view of the speciall priuiledges of godlinesse which are 1. That it onely hath the promise of this life aswel as of a better 2. It onely can giue vs sound Comfort in our greatest troubles 3. And giue vs certaine victory ouer them all Onely this sanctifieth all Gods blessings vnto vs that they may bee pledges of eternall life 1. Tim. 4.5 This onelie giues contentment in all occasions and so doeth possesse vs of heauen in this life 1. Tim. 6. 12. And seeing that in our Fathers House are many Mansions and those that are most faithfull shall haue greater increase of glorie Therefore let this encourage to increase in grace that so we may bee partakers of greater happinesse Lastlie 13. Consider wee how vnwearied the wicked are in euill what policie they vse to continue therein vsing variety of Obiects to preuent loathsomenesse and satiety arming themselues with diuersitie of meanes whereby they may bee better able to accomplish their lustes and with more pleasure enioy them longer And shall they take more paines to goe to hell then 〈◊〉 to Heauen Shall they bee still striuing and neuer wearie to their owne Condemnation and shall not wee bee still endeauouring to make sure our Election Thirdly practize we these meanes of Growth and Constancie 1. Retaine wee soundnesse of iudgement concerning the power of godlinesse 2. Doe we all things from the ground of the heart as in the sight of God 1. Thess 1. 3. Cleaue wee still to the power of the worde and striue wee to increase in knowledge 1. Phil. 1. Coll. 4. Practize we constantly the dueties of pietie and charitie not seruing God by spurs but keeping a constant course in holinesse that so the seruice of God may be more easie and comfortable 5. Watch wee daylie ouer our hearts in a true searching and examining the same Psalm 4.5.6 6. See that wee renew our repentance as often as we sinne 7. Labour wee the conuersion of our brethren and iudge we charitably of them 8. Make wee conscience especially of Sabbaoth duties because our powerfull practize thereof shall better enable to a generall encrease and to constancie therein And 9. Auoide we curiositie of knowledge and medling in others affaires 10. And sticke we not in the beginnings and elements of Religion Hebr. 6.1 11. And because wee shall bee sure to encounter many enemies that will seeke to hinder vs in this spirituall groweth therefore put wee on the whole armour of God that so we may resist in the euill day Ephes 6.11.12 12. Especially seeing the loue of the world will mainely endeauour to presse vs downe and hinder our proceeding vpon pretence of prouiding things necessarie c. therefore that wee may in nothing be carefull let our requests be manifest vnto God in prayers 13. And labour wee true contentation in whatsoeuer outward measure the Lord hath dispensed that so we may still hunger after spirituall graces 14. And prepare we our soules daily to afflictions submit we to whatsoeuer our louing Father shall lead vs into that so carnall securitie may bee preuented our corruptions purged and wee daily prouoked to perfection 15. Quicken we and enlarge our desires of heauenly things and this wil be a meanes to spurre vs forward to practize Measure wee not our condition by any measure atetained but still forget we what is behinde and hasten to that before 16. Walke wee alwayes in feare of our selues and suspect we all our workes yea then most when we enioy greatest graces Pro. 28.13 and maintaine wee tendernesse of Conscience in all things 17. Remember we our ends and vncertaintie of our life and the account we must make 2. Cor. 5.10.11 18. And resigne we our selues daily into the hands of our God resting on his prouidence 1. Pet. 5. Mat. 6. 19. Entertaine wee cheerefully the motions of the Spirit and put them in practize diligently Eph. 4. Thus shall we grow constant in well doing and perseuere vnto the end Meane to preuent Apostasie in the sense of our failing 1. Meane while let it stay vs from Apostasie that our gratious God requires no more then hee giues if hee giue vs but one Talent hee wil not require according to three and therefore though wee be farre from what we should
to breed spirituall pride in them As namely that being now pluckt out of the common condemnation and separated from the world and wicked ones by their effectuall calling may not the Saints vpon pretence to keepe themselues vnspotted and vndefiled grow to singularitie and so to separation which are very dangerous branches of spirituall pride 3. The execution also of their callings is subiect to much spirituall pride Either they may neglect altogether their ciuill callings as too base and derogatorie from the prouidence of God and their Christian libertie which is a fruit of spirituall pride Eccl. 1.9 seeing the Lord hath imposed these callings to humble them Or else they may so carry themselues in their Christian callings as by their morositie discontent c. they shall not obscurely discouer much spirituall pride 4. The speciall prouidence of the Almightie in leading them to perfection and disposing of his graces diuersly may also through the subtiltie of Satan bee an occasion of much spirituall pride And that 1. Either in regarde of such chastisements which the Lord exerciseth their nature to clense the same in the impatient bearing whereof pride is discouered 2. Or else the prosperitie of the wicked may bee an occasion of spirituall pride as being prouoked by Satan to fret and repine thereat Psal 37.1 Ierem. 12. Iob. 1. 3. Either the fals of others may giue occasion of this pride as prouoking them to the iudging of their brethren and condemning their estates 4. Or the more eminent graces which the Lord bestowes on other may prouoke to enuy and discontent and so discouer pride yea may further occasion a condemnation of themselues as if because we are short of others therefore they are nothing therefore they may doubt of their estates or else 5. This abasing of themselues in comparison of others may tend to affect commendation from others and so bewray this inward Pride 6. Or they may rest in themselues on the sense of their encreasings and so robbing God of his glory shall discouer their pride 7. Or they may bee puffed vp with this that they are low in their owne eyes can despise the world can endure afflictions can reprooue sinne c. 8. Either they may be puffed vp with those wonderfull deliuerances which the Lord in his mercie bestoweth on them in their conduction to glory 2. Cor. 1. ver 9 10. 2. Cor. 12.7 9. Or else they may reioyce at the destruction of their enemies and so be tainted with spirituall pride Iob 31. 10. Either they may be hastie in expecting the reward and so for want of patience discouer spirituall pride Heb. 10. 11. Or else desire death in regard of their continual troubles and so discouer their pride in not wayting the Lords leysure Iob. 3. Ionas 4. 12. Either they may be crossed in their expectations and so preferring their credits before Gods glory bewray their pryde Ionas 4.1.2 13. Or else beyond their hope and expectation they may be endued with extraordinary graces and so are subiect to be exalted aboue measure 2. Cor. 12.7 8. Thus may the Saints bee subiect to spirituall pride and so thereby giue occasion of the losse of their first loue 1. The Lord resisting the proud and bringing low the mountaines emptying the high minded and giuing grace to the humble 1. Pet. 5.5 Or iudging others they are left to iudge themselues Matth. 25. Ephes 4.30 2. Their pride making them secure vncharitable and so not vsing their talents they are for a time taken away 3. The Spirit hereby being grieued ceaseth to worke in them nay happily leaues them to grieuous buffetings Therefore to preuent this tentation and ouercome the same 1. Consider wee whence wee came and if wee did iustly strip our selues of all if we conferred nothing to the attayning of grace but rather were our greatest enemies in wishing the same shall we now be thankfull for the least shall wee not bee humbled in the greatest what haue wee which wee haue not receiued 2. Lay we to heart how we entertaine the graces of God at the best vnprofitable generally colde and carelesse defiling the worke by juncture of our corruptions 3. And yea ouerthrowing the worke by our confidence therein our reioycing and boasting thereof and may we not feare that this dead Fly will corrupt the most pretious oyntment that if we robbe God of his glory he will depriue vs of the comfort either wee loose our labour for the present or shal be stripped of Gods graces that we may labour no longer Hath not Lunacie bene an effect of this sort of sinne in many bountifully endowed Is not barrennesse a common plague hereof in the ordinary Christian 4. Obserue wee the Prouidence of God in the diuerse dispensation of his blessings though hee giue to some more yet is not the least sufficient if it bee in trueth and is it not then in trueth being lodged by a lowly spirit is not the greater measure bestowed on others ours also for vse is it not vsefull for vs to prouoke to perfection is it not auailable to humble vs in our lesser measure to submit our spirits to the spirit of the Prophets to send vs dayly to the tents of the shepheards is it not a meanes to nourish loue doth it not submit vs to the will of our heauenly Father to depend more vpon his mercy to craue his assistance more earnestly to submit to afflictions to hasten after perfection in a better life 5. Discerne wee wisely the prouidence of God in leading vs to perfection and this also will bee a gratious meanes to preuent spirituall pride for seeing the Lord shewes his power in weakenesse that hee may haue the glory seeing he brings light out of darkenes to confound all reioycing in the flesh working out of our very sinnes a way of encrease by humbling vs thereby in our selues and causing vs to deny our own righteousnesse and still sending vs vnto Christ to bee renued by his grace haue we any cause to be proud of our sinnes to rejoyce in our confusion can wee deny our selues truely if wee haue confidence in the flesh can we be enabled in Christ vnlesse wee bee wholly emptied in our selues and seeing affliction followeth sinners and our sinne in Gods justice eternall death If now the Lord shall not only take away the sting of our Troubles but make them comfortable pils to purge our Corruption is not his power wonderfull to bring light out of darkenesse is not his mercy peerelesse that he only may haue the glory shall we be proud of afflictions that are the punishments of sinne at least no way likely of themselues to raise such good vnto vs. And say the Lord should deliuer vs out of greater tribulations seeing yet the sinne remaines with vs may wee not feare that though wee bee made whole yet a worse thing may befall vs are not new afflictions dayly to bee expected and is there here any time to behold the
witnesse a good profession as being inwardly furnished with gifts and outwardly led foorth by the Spirit to maintaine the cause of Christ Iesus our Sauiour The one of these we shall discerne How to discerne inward sufficiencie to make open profession of saith in the time of trouble 1. By sound knowledge of the cause in particular which we are to make good by whatsoeuer sufferings so that our iudgements are throughly informed and so our consciences conuinced with the trueth doe finde rest and comfort therein Ephes 3. Phil. 1. 2. By our ardent loue vnto that trueth which wee haue apprehended and hearty desire that by any our neuer so great affliction it may bee glorified in the hearts of the Saints 1. Philip. 27. 3 By our especiall apprehension of Gods singular mercy towards vs in accounting vs so worthy as to make profession of that truth 4. Hence we euen long and desire to taste of that cup which the profession of that truth may cost vs. 5. Yet so as that our most ardent desires are subiect to contrary buffetings for feare of our owne inability in our selues and therefore John 19. 6. Rather desiring the grace of the Spirit so to conduct vs in the combat that Gods cause may be honoured in our constancy therein then we in any sort magnified thereby nay that we shall haue in respect of the flesh any good issue out of them howsoeuer we haue many gracious promises yea likelihoods for the same 7. And therefore simply submitting our selues to the will of our gratious Father rather to vndergoe any the most grieuous extremity then the least disparagement may redound to his glorious truth 8. Finding in our selues a gratious contentment in our God arising vpon long experience of the deceitfulnesse of the world and faithfulnesse of our gracious Father and 9. So discerning in our selues a readines to death as being prepared thereto by daily mortification and experience of our sweet society with our blessed God 10. As that withall we especially for this end desire life euen to witnesse a good profession and giue glory vnto our God in auouching and sealing vp his eternall truth with our moment any sufferings To this end 11. Finding in our selues an ability of faith relying rather on Gods promise to guide vs with his counsell then our owne experience to wade thorow the affliction Thus may we discerne inward sufficiency to make profession of our faith And for outward calling How to discern an outward calling to make publike profession of faith in troubles and leading forth by the Spirit thereunto there are these markes of it First in respect of vs as that 1. We haue already published and declared that truth and so now much more it being called in question are to iustifie the same 2. Are also prouoked by our people that haue depended on vs to make good the same for the establishing of their faith lest our suppressing or deniall may shake and make shipwracke thereof 3. Are especially called thereto by the Magistrate who may require a reason thereof and forced by the gainsayings of the enemy to defend the same Secondly in respect of the truth And that 1. When it is openly resisted and gainsaid of a peruerse generation not onely priuately and indirectly and when 2. By the suppressing thereof the glory of our God is necessarily impeached the power of religion vndermined c. otherwise in matters Wherein we may be silent 1. Of difference which reach not thus far we may be silent respecting the peace of the Church and dealing rather with our God in prayer for the reformation of such breaches and by all priuate and peaceable meanes rather enduring an inconuenience or couering an infirmity then by any publike opposition making a rent and diuision in the Church of God 2. As also if our persons rather in malice are aimed at then the truth oppugned we may auoide the rage by flying concealing c. 3. At leastwise though we be not altogether silent yet so far we may conceale the truth 1. As it is not demanded 2. And may satisfie the honest purpose of the questioner 3. Yea may happily by stumbling of him and turning his edge vpon another so thereby diuert his malice from our selues So did our Sauiour put the Pharisies and Sadduces together and thereby escaped So did he for a time goe aside and walked no more openly neither committed himselfe vnto them because he knew what was in them and his time was not come Nay may we not shape such an answer to our aduersary not only to conceale part of truth as Samuel did 1. Sam. 16. but euen to giue vp the wicked to their owne counsels that will not obey the truth bidding them goe vp and prosper as Michaiah did 2. King 22. yea in an holy derision vpbraiding their carnall confidence Reioyce oh young man and take thy fill Eccl. 11. And seeing they will not be reclaimed and hate to be reformed may not the prudent keepe silence in such euill times 2. Chron. 2. Amos 5. Or so only speake as to leaue the incorrigible to their lusts Prou. 9. ceasing to rebuke a scorner that we may wisely auoid his hatred and so pronouncing the wrath of God against him in yeelding him vp to his owne lusts as that he may blesse his soule in this fearefull liberty and we by this wisedome may maintaine our holy liberty Oh that we were wise to consider of these things and to whom the arme of the Lord shall reueale them Ose 14. For the waies of the Lord are righteous and the iust shall walke in them but the wicked shall fall therein As for the changing of our features and habits for a time to auoid vnnecessary trouble herein I take it Names and habits whether they may be changed and how far Names not to be changed we may thus far be iustified As though 1. Not to change our names And that because they are of a diuine institution as well as ciuill imposed not only to make distinction of our persons from others but to be witnesses and pledges of our profession and both memorials of Gods former mercies towards vs as also euidences of Gods euerlasting couenant with vs to be our protector and preseruer for euer And therefore not to be denied if we be demanded the same lest therein we deny our faith neither to be changed because our profession must not be changed Especially seeing by deniall or changing we shall not onely not aduantage our selues to the thing we intend namely not to be knowne seeing by other markes of proportion or complexion we may be bewrayed but being discouered we shall hereby adde vnto our affliction not only being iustly exempted out of Gods protection by reiecting the badge thereof our names but exposed also the rather to the rage of man as being tainted hereby with dissimulation c. Abrahams name changed and no warrant because this was
either of doubting in faith or corruption in life 1. Cor. 8. Rom. 14. 4. That herein also wee not onely auoyde what may hurt but in all spiritual wisedome doe that which may further to the best good euen the saluation of the soule 1. Cor. 9. 5. And all this to the onely praise of our glorious God through Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10.31 Thus may wee bee falsly charged to haue left our first loue and thus may we be established against these false imputations But say what others fasten vpon me 8. Whether want of feeling of former comforts may be a iust imputation that we haue left our first loue that I feare in my selfe I feele not that joy and inward comfort I sometimes had these ouerflowings and extraordinary sweetnesse though I faint after them and refresh my soule with the meditation thereof yet I finde them not so abound and runne ouer as in former times may I not hereby conjecture that I haue lost my first loue nay may I not feare that all is lost Nay now I finde it contrary with me insteed of ioy I am ouerwhelmed with sorrowes insteed of Gods gratious presence I feare hee hath forsaken mee I haue no answere in prayer no comfort in any duety the sorrowes of the deepe doe seaze vpon me and the jawes of hell doe gape vpon me Surely the Lord giue thee wisedome heerein that thou doest not wrong thine owne heart and prejudice the wisedome and mercy of thy God Remember that thou liuest by faith not by sense 2. Cor. 3.7 though thou seest no outward meanes yet thy saith will assure thee that God is able will prouide him a sacrifice Gods prouidence discouered herein Iob. 13 15. Gen. 22. Yea though thou hast no inward feeling of comfort yet shalt thou trust in God euen though he kill thee And this is the victory of thy faith euen to beleeue aboue feeling thus is thy faith perfited euen laying holde on things not seene when it is depriued of the sense of things past Heb. 11.1 present And may not thy God withdraw these comforts from thee for the further tryal of thy faith and loue vnto his Maiestie that thogh thou want that comfort which heretofore thou hast had yet stil thou canst giue glory vnto thy God in beleeuing his word and enlarge thy loue vnto his Maiesty Rom. 4.20 euen when he seemes to haue forsaken thee And canst thou haue a better tryall of the power purenes of thy faith then aboue hope to beleeue vnder hope in the promises of thy God subiecting thy chiefest good vnto the glory of thy God and through want of present sense being guided to forget what thou hast enioyed lest through spirituall pride thou mightest rest therin rob God of his glory thou doest the rather make haste to that which is before by the power of thy faith seeing a farre off yea laying fast hold on eternall life by renuing thy strength in Iesus Christ And seeing wee are now assured of the trueth of our conuersion by this seale of Gods loue shed abroad in our hearts working in vs a feare of his Maiesty and refreshing our hearts with vnspeakeable cōforts haue we now such need of the continuance of them as if all were lost because we still feele them not or we could not goe forward without the daily sence thereof will we still be children that haue neede of dandling and entticing with such toies or rather are we not growing to be men and so to be hardned with trials and strange abasings And is it not best to be abased within that so we may be fitter for any outward emptying Is it not fit to be a while disused of these spirituall ioyes that so we may most hunger after euerlasting ioy that we more earnestly labour and hasten thereafter And may we not giue our God iust cause to withdraw his countenance from vs by falling into grosse sinne doting on the fading ioyes of the world c. and so we may be so wisely scanted of perfect ioy as that still we shal be recompenced with what is fitter for vs for the present with what may further vs to eternall comforts Is not the Lord herein wonderfull that by withdrawing sense of present ioy he both purgeth vs of such euils as may corrupt the same namely spirituall pride and security and also causeth vs hereby to lay faster hold on Iesus Christ who only must perfect the worke that is begun in vs And canst thou expresse thy loue in greater measure vnto thy God then to loue him then when he seemes to haue forsaken thee then to follow after him when he seemes to run from thee doth not this aduance the sincerity of thy loue doth not this exceedingly approue thy conformity to thy Sauiour that as he was contented to be abased in himselfe yea to become of no reputation that thou maist be accepted so thou art contented to be emptied that God may be glorified thou canst willingly want present comfort that thy God may haue vnfained worship when now not so much for thine owne sake as for his glory thou dost beleeue in him when though he kill thee yet thou wilt trust in him And canst thou be a looser where the Lord is such a gainer by thee canst thou leaue thy loue when the Lord doth purpose to trie the soundnesse of it when the Lord prouoketh thee to liue by faith when by the power of faith he will thus enable thee to lay hold of eternall life Note Surely as this is the life of faith to exceed present sense so this want of present comfort thus conceiued and applied shall be both a meanes to enable thee to make better vse of such ioy when the Lord shall againe turne his countenance vpon thee and in the meane time minister exceding comfort vnto thy soule that thou dost constantly beleeue in Resolution herein and vnfainedly loue the Lord thy God And therfore doubt not herein of any decay of thy loue vnto thy God because the Lord in his wisedome for thy triall withdrawes the present pledges of his loue from thee For neither couldst thou endure at all in thy sense of this want of present comfort if thy God did not secretly vphold thee with inward and vnspeakable consolations And in that thou discernest want of ioy may it not be so much because thou wantest that which thou hast had Note as that by faith thou apprehendest that vnspeakeable ioy which thou hast not which that it doth euacuate and empty thee of sense of present comfort it is no more maruell then that the glorious light of the Sun should obscure the light of a candle or that a drop shold not be discerned being cast into the main ocean Only for thy full satisfaction herein examine thy heart in this case by these rules Triall hereof First that thou hast not giuen thy God iust occasion to withdraw these