What Wesley Left Out

~558 words

at death, and they have abundant ex- 
trexce,with full ſail intothe XK ingdome of Chriſt ; 
others that have walkt more ſtrialy with God, 
and whoſe ends you would expe ſhould bee 
moſt glorious, he leavesto feares, and doubts ; 
and their Sun doth ſet ina cloud. 

And the reaſons why God is thus various in 
theſc his dealings, is both, becauſe ſpiritual com- 
forts rend AT ad efſe,but bene eſſe; not to 
the abſolute being of a Chriſtian, bur his com- 
fortable-wel-being : and alſo becauſein re{pe&t 
of theirdiſpenſation, theyareto be reckoned in 
the ranke of temporall rewards z and though 
light and aſſurance is not an earthly, but an hea- 
venly bleſſing, yet it is but a7 ary blefling ; 
and therefore as the promiſcs of othertemporal 
good things are not abſolute, no more arcthe 
promiſes to give aſſuriceroa belcever abſolute, 

. asthoſetogive him heaven and ſalvation are. 


Therefore likewiſe on thecomrary,darknes and 
Th, - diſtreſſe 


130 : A Childe of igh ' v 


———iſftrcſſc of couſcicnce,is bur atemperall chaſtiſc- 


ment,as outward crofles arc; differing fr6 them 
only in the matter of them ; the one being con- 
verlant about things of the outward man;thisof 
the inward, namely, a mans ſpirituall cſtate, 
Hence therefore in the diſpenſation of both, 
though God alwayesgocs by ſome rulc,as inall 
other dealings of his ; yet ſo as hee yaries and 
dealcs differently with his children therein :,as 
he doth in diſpenſing outward proſperity and 
adverſity, Setting theone againſt the other, 10the 
end that man ſhould finde nothing after him,as S0- 
lomon ſayes, Ecclef. 7. 14. that is, gives ſuch 
croſle and contrary oppolite inſtances in both 
kindes, that men might not finde him ont in theſe 
wayes, or trace him as the phraſe is, Rom. 9. alt. 
not ſo,asto ſay certainly,and infallibly,what he 
meanes to docin ſuch and ſuch caſes, Indeed in 
the world rocome he makes caven withall the 
world, how differing ſocyer his diſpenſations of 
rewards or puniſhments have beene here ;. and, 
what is behinde hand to any one, he then paycs 
with rclpect to what they have'reccived, Thus 
in matter of ſpiritual joy and aſſurance, God may 
. vouchſafe it roone that hath not feared and 0- 

beyed him ſo much, as one that walkes in dark- * 
nefle: but then if any one hath, received mare 
earneſt penies atorchand, and-hath not walkt an- 
Iwerably, God conſiders itasan aggravation of 
lis fin, as he did in Seſowew, whole finis agera- 
vated by this, 1 Xings 11.9,10, that hee ſinned 
againſt God, who had appeared is himiwice,) ; 


h. Orherwile., 
NY cr 5 


/Darkheſſe. 


+ 4 
- 


Otherwiſe, if theſe comforts make s man in any 
proportion to ſuchcoſt,more fruitful tha others 
are, | ſcenotburthat God,who crowns his own 
graces,will reward th& the more;this being one 
meanes ſanRified to ſame, to work moregrace, 
as afflitions are to others. Thus iris in like ma. 
ner in deſertings,and diſtreſle of minde,they be. 
ing a temporall puniſhment, God is as various in 
them : So as one of more grace, or whom God 
intends more grace unto, all be afflited & for- 
ſaken,when one of leſle ſhall raigne as 4 King,as 
it is ſaid of the Corinthians, incaſe of worldly 
proſperity : So he ſhall have peaceand libert 
of minde, triumph over Satan, and hell,and wif. 
comfort; when Apoſtlesin compariſon,that is, 
men eminent in grace, arcin reſpeQ of ſpiriruall 
conflicts made ſpeZacles to angells and men 


This rule premiſed,theordinary caſes follow, 1. Caſe. 
Firſt,incaſe of carnal] confidence;thus Pſ. -3 0, Incaſe of care * 


Davidhad been in great diſtreſſe of minde fora 
while

~164 words

lie. David went 
on here ina way of FINgaey were all made, & 
dcliberate lycs. Other ſuch like ſpeeches of his, 
as that 1 Sam.2.8,10.where hetold Achiſh, That 
he went againſt the South of Indah,and againſt the 
South of the Kenites, ver.10. when as he went a- 
gainſt the Geſhurites & the Amalekites, v. 8. ſome 
excuſe,becauſe thoſe nations bordered over 4- 
gainft the Seuth of Iudah,and the South of the Kee 
nites: and ſo make out a truth in that his ſpeech: 
bur yerthe laſt verſe,that ſayes that Achiſh belee. 
ved David, implyes that as he underſtood it, fo 
Davidindeed meant it, as if he had gone up a- 
gainſt his owne countrymen, and then it canno 
way be excuſed. Theſe therefore being groſſe 
fins, fins againſt light, (as of all fins lying muft 
nceds be ſuppoſedto bee, becauſe it is againſt 
that truthwhich riſcth upin the minde) and is a 
fin wherein a mans minde ſhews art, cunning; 
and wit; and a ſin, which when the truth is di 
covered proves exceeding ſhamefull, and ſcan- 
dalous; thereforethis ſine, eſpecially when it 
had been ſome while goe onin by him, which 


therefore 


therfore he cals aw ag

~185 words

then he 
was not humbled (for afterwards inthe 2 Cor. * 
2.7. when he was 4umbled indeed, he bids them 
comfort him )yet till that his humiliation wasap- 
parent, he bids them 10 delivgyſuch an one 19 $4- 
1an,to the jaylour,to the tormemeor with him,to 
the prince of darknefſcto terrifie him,and affli 
his ſpirit. Now the meaning of that delivering 
him up to Satan,was that he ſhould be ſolemnly 
excommunicated, which when it is performed 
a$ it ought to be, 7» the name of the Lord Teſus, 
and wich the power of the Lord Jeſus ; then as 
the Church cuts them off from comunion with 
them, fo God from communion with himſelfe, 
and He withdraws all fellowſhip with their ſpi- 
rits,(as was before declared)and ſo leaves them 
alone indarkneſſc,andto deſcrtions;and not on» 
ly ſo, bat delivereth them up to Satan, not with a 
commiſſion to cary them on to more fin(forthe 
end ap. 7 by the Apoſtle, was therebyto 
defiroy the fleſh, v.5. not to nouriſh it by provo- 
king him to moreſin)buttoterrific and afflict his 
conſcience,and to ſtir uptherein the guilt of fin, 
and terrours for it. Which God fandifes to 
humble a man,andto mortifie the flicſh

~300 words

up to him, did Satan deale with him ; for 
2 Cot.2.7. he was nigh bcing ſwallowed wp of 100 
much ſorow; and this by Sa1an,whoſe 


V 2 devices 


A Childe of Lighe 


devices we are not ignorant of ſayes the Apoſtle, 
ver.11. Nowas every ordinance hath a proper 
peculiar work it is appointed for an inward cf. 
fe to accompany it ina mans ſpirit : So this, 
and that proper effe, and inward working and 
event of this great ordinance of excommunica- 
tion,is terror,and ſorow,and deſertion of ſpirit, 
therby to humblga man; even as it is the proper 
effet of the Sagraments to convay comfort and 
aſſurance, and to convay the ſeale of the Spirit. 
And when this ordinance is neglected or omit. 
ted, whenyergroſle and ſcandalous fins require 
it;thena man belonging to God, God himſelfe 
often works thus, andinflicts this on him with- 
out that ordinance. Thus he dealt with David, 
and othersafter groſle fins. God inwardly ex. 
communicates &caſts them out of his hace, 
& fromall comforts in his ordinances,although 
they are not refuſed by men to come to them : 
dealing herein, as a father thatisa publique ma- 
giſtrare,with an unruly childe, after ſome great 
miſdemeanour, though he caſt him not off yet 
he may ſend himtotheGaole,to be for example 
ſake, impriſoned : forthe Gaoler to take him, 
end toclapirons on him,to have him down into 
the dungeon,where he ſecs nolighr,and intothe 
little eaſe,where he is in ſoſtreighra condition, 
as he can neither fit nor ſtand, nor lic, as Zlhs 
expreſleth it, 786.36.16.hecalleth it bringing in. 
10a fireight place,and binding them in fetters,and 
cords of affiittion,& then he ſhews thi their tran. 
grefi10n,and wherein they have exceeded. ver.8,9, 


Yea, 


hh — 


| Yea,and thirdly,thisGod doth not —_ pre- A 


ſcntlyafter the fins were commited, but ſome. 
rimesa long white after, and that when they 
have been often confeſt. Yea,and after that God 
hath

~1,360 words

his dealing with one that 
teares and obeyes him, which are many and ho- 
ly ones, 

Firſt, to ſhew his powerand faithfulneſſe, in 
upholding, raiſing up, and healing ſuch a ſpirit 
againe as hath been hs and deadly wounded 


N 


with inwardterrours ; which isas great anevt 
dence of his power as any other; and therefote 
faich 


—— 


141 


ſaith Heman,Pſal.88.10. Wilt thou ſhew wonders 
tothe dead? ſhall thy faithfulneſs be declared in de- 
ſirudtion ? ver.11. That is, in raiſing my ſoul up 
again to joy,& comfort, whichis as much asto 
raiſc upa dead man;naymore,as muchas toraiſe 
up a ſoule already in hell; for the ſameterrours 
ſayes hee, thatdeſtroy them, doe in like maner 
ſeaze on mezin the r.Eph. 19. it is ſaid, That the 
exceeding reaneſſe 4 Gods power was ſeen in rai. 
ſing Chriſt from death tq life : and wherein lay 
principally the demaonſtration of that power ? 
not {imply in raiſing his body up again;that was 
no morethan he did to others, but in As 2:24. 
the power is ſaidto be ſhewen in this , that hee 
having looſed the paines of death wherewith it was 
impo({1ble he ſhould be beld, he was raiſed up again, 
his ſoule was heavy untodeath, with terrours: 
and thoſe paines in themſclves were deadly , 
though not to him, in that hee being God as 


well as man, it was impoſſible for him to finke 


under them : now therefore to raiſe up and 
glorific that his ſoule that was ſo bruiſed, 
wounded, and pierced through and through, 
herein lay the wonder : and ſuch a wonder 
God ſhewed in recovering Heman, And to 
ſhew. the greatneſſe of this worke, letus con- 
ſider a little the depth and deadlinefle of this 
kinde of diſtreſſe, it is compared to the bra. 
ſing of arcede , which whenit is bruiſed, who 
can make it ſtand upright againe £ Ir is cal- 
led The wounding of the ſpirit, Proverbs 28. 
which no creature knowes how to come at 
X 2 to 


A Clilie of Light 


to heale, none but God who is the father of ſpi- 
rits; who made them,and knowes how to mend 
them. It is not onely called, the fickneſſe ofthe 
ſpirit, as Eſ4.33-24. (where the want of the aſ- 
{urance ofthe forgrveneſſe of ſinnes, makes poore 
ſoules to ſay, I am fick ; whichto healc, is made 
the prerogative of the Sun of righteouſneſſe, ari- 
ſing with healing in his wings.Mal. 4.2.) buralſo 
itis called death and deſtration:for ſo inthat 88. 
Plalme, Heman calls that diſtreſle that he was in. 
fid the reaſon is, Gods favour is onr life, by 
which we live andare upheld; which therefore 
being withdrawn, the foule is ready to faile and 
faint and to come to nothing, and finke into de- 
ſtruQion, Zſay 57.16. And againe, the paines of 
thoſe terroursare more violent, 8& more power- 
full to hold us under,thi are the pangs of death. 
The wounds of the guilt of finbeing as deadly, 
and as ſtrong asthe luſts of the power ofit, and 
it requiresas great a powerto diſſolve and ſcat- 
ter them. For all the ſtrength thatthe Law and 
Gods juſtice hath,finalſo hath to back ir, Foy the 
ſtrength of ſin is the Law, 1 Cor. 15.56. 
h. 2. Secondly,as toknow the power of Chriſt his 
: Endo reſurrection, ſo the fellowſhip of his ſufferings : 
know the fel h he b h 'r | h d F 
lowſhipof *iatthereby the ſoule may be made more con 
Chriſtsſuffe= formable to him, as it is Phil, 3.10. As there are 
rings. the ſuffering forChriſt,ſo the ſufferings of Chriſt: 
and God makes his partakers of both ; perſecu- 
tions without, and terrours within, With which 
Chriſts ſoule was filled, then, when as the text 
layes, Hewas heard in what he feared : and his 


ſeule 


walking inDarkneſſe, 


149 


ſoule was heavy to death :- and My God my God, 
why haſt thou for(akew me ? and ſo Eſa 53. it 
pleaſed God to bruiſe and wound him. Now then, 
ro conforme us to his image,we that are hisbre- 
thren, and are the perſons guilty , muſt ſuffer 
ſomewhartin ſpirit as well as he,and have a por- 
tion therein alſo. And therefore as Chriſt did 
ſuffer both inwardly and outwardly,ſo doe ma- 
ny of his members. 1f you have ſuffered with 
him, ye fhall alſobe glorified with him. The ſons 
of Zebedews would have becn glorified in Chriſts 
kingdome, more thanthe reſt of the Apoſtles : 
Bar ſayes Chriſt, Mat. 20. 22,23. Are ye able to 
drinke of the cup whereef I ſhall drink? He meanes 
that c#p delivered to himart his crucitying, Lee 
this cup paſſe,the bitter cup of Gods anger : and 
are ye ble to be baptiſed with the baptiſme I am 
baptiſedwith ? namely, outward afflitions, and 
perſecutions for the name of God z which are 
called beptiſme, becauſe they ſet Gods markon 
us,that we are Gods, as baptiſme doth ſeal to us 
that we are his ; and becauſe then the Church 
OWNes us,and takes notice of us as fincere, when 
we have beleved anduffered, as at baptiſme 
the Church receives us : and of this baptiſme 
Chriſtſpeaks inthe preſent tenſe, becauſe that he 
was already baptiſed with outward periecutions : 
but the cup, which was inward affliction of his 
ipirit ; this he was to drinke oft at his agony, 


which.1 ſhall drinke of, inthe future. 5 which cup 
caſt himinto that ſweate,ere he came to the bot- 


tome. Thi h no creature was able to 
ome. This thoug =_ th 


150 


A Childref Light » 


3. To thew 
the different 
eſtatrc of Gods 


* Children here, 


and kcrcatcer. 


drinke off to the bottome; yettaſte ory ighr, 
and hetels themthey ſhould,v.2 3.7 ſhall arink 
of it,+c.that is,taſte of inward affliction and de- 
ſcrtion, as well as of outward perſecution ; ter- 
rours within and without ; and all to make us 
conformableto him, and ſo come to know in 
part what he endured for us, 

Thirdly,to put the greater difference between 
the eſtate of Gods children here, and that 
hereafrer in heaven: To which very purpoſe is 
that ſpeech of the Apoſtle, 2 Cor.5.7. That 
here we walk by faith not by fight;he had ſaid be. 
fore that thecſtate of belecevers in this life, isan 
eſtatc of abſence from the Lerd, wherein we want 
his preſence,and ſo enjoy not the fight of him ; 
and therefore are to exerciſe faith the more z 
which is peculiar tothis eſtate,and a grace given 
of purpoſe for us towalke by , whileſt wee live 
here. And though ſometimes here wee have 
ſome light, and glimpſes of him- and his pre- 
lence, yet we walk not by ſight alwaycs,, for wee 
walk by faith not by ſight, We ſhall have enough 
of the fight "= hereafter, when we ſhall ſee 
him as we are ſeene face to face; and be evermore 
with the Lord;when in his light we ſhall ſee light ; 
and be ſatisfied with his image. Wee may there- 
fore be contentto want it here ſometimes; you 
may well endure over-cloudings here, & ſome- 
timestharall ſight ſhould beraken away ; for in 
the world to come there will not be one cloude 
to all eternity. 7 our4nberitance & light Col.1.12 
13-Light isyour porti6,butnow is the ſeed time 


and. 


: \ th; Dark th - 


= 2 


and light is ſowen,Pſal. 97:11: for the righteous : 
you muſt be content to let it lye under ground ; 
the longer it doth ſo, the. greater crop and har. 
veſt will come up inthe end. You muſtendure 
the viciſſitude of day andnight here, Sorow over- 
night andjoy inthe morning ; for hereafter you 
ſhall have continuall day, and no night. This 
difference there isputbetweenecarth, and hea« 
yen, to maketh ſwecter, and- ro exetciſe 
faith : the eſtatein heavenis as aſtate of perfect 
and continuall health; whichthat we may prize, 
wearc ever and anon fick here, and: qualmes 
come overour cofſciences, fearesour-finnes are 
not forgivenzbut when we comethither,7he1n- 
babitants there ſhall be no more ſick , but their ſins 
ſhall be forgiven them. Eſay 33.24. | 

. TFhefourth cad is, to letus ſee whence fpiri- 
tuall

~297 words

This is conceived to have beenhis-endin deſer- 
ting 7ob; to ſhew what ſtrong patience, uncon. 
quered faith was in him. There be many graci- 
ous difpofitions, which aQually have CI 
tunity to.diſcover the mſclves,bur incaſe of this 
kinde of deſertion 2 ſome of thoſe whichare the 
higheſt a&s of grace, and pureſt fruitsof it , and 
which are the ſureſt evidences of the truth of 
Y grace, 


A Chilleof Lhe ' 


grace, would never appeare but in eaſc of ſuch 
deſertion, For inſtance, then itis knowne, whe- 
ther a man love God for himſclfe, and for thoſe 
excellencics of wiſdome, holineſle, and good- 
neſſe that are in him, when yet he knowesnot, 
whether he himſelfe ſhall be ever the better for 
them yea orno : Thenalſoitis manifeſted to be 
pure,fincere,and unfained obedience, Then it 
is ſcene his repentance is true, when hee reptnts 
not of it, then,when he is out of hopes of any re- 
ward for it. Then it is ſcene his torow 1s godly 
ſorow, when, though the ſentence of condemna. 
tion is read to him1n his owne apprehenſion and 
conſcience,and he verily thinkes he is taking his 
leave of God for ever, and going to execution, 
yet hecan down upon his knees, &ask him for- 
iveneſle, and mourncththat ever hee wronged 
imzis angry and diſpleafed with himſelf,that a 
God ſo-good,(o juſt,ſhould have ſojuſt cauſers 
be avgry ,and diſpleaked with him;and he findes 
he could have ſome reſt and contentment that 
God is glorified upon one, who hath ſo much dif- 
honored him. Such diſpoſitions as. theſe would 
never ſcethe light,if it were not for this darkees, 
But as Natura vexata prodit ſeipſam ; Nature 
when concluſions are tryed upon it, and it is put 
out of its courſe, then it diſcovers it ſclfe, (even 
as anger diſcovers it ſclfe when a man is vexed) 
asf you would know the propertics thar are in 
herbes, you mult try concluſions with them: So 
alſo here doth God with a mans graces ; and 


thenthey diſcover their moſt occult and hidden 
propertics. Ie 


| ” : " 


"IJ5 


Itwere endlcſle

~229 words

founded as the earth, 
upon meecre nothing in it ſelfe;and yetbeatsthe 


na—_ as an emem DE AeuCrteD 


weighrand ſtrefſs of fiywes; idevitl;" ye#oF God Bo 


himfelfe; And this is the faith ye are converted 
by, inbelreving then tn him that ſuſt3fies tht an. 

voally., |Rom. 4: 5.andthat.which weemut live 
by;xvhicn all comforts farle : and thisisrhacfalch 
cond ſtand you inſteudireddalgthen the 
=_ of feares comes and befiegethy yor 2' and 
faith rÞav 10 bmnowy, mugiry at tha 


ries wdernorth $39 V '£ I TIGAOF. * kad 0 
11501 Y 3 


CHAP. 


0 To deſtroy 


CON uwpti Jn. 


2. To humble, 


i Per.s.6, 


.» 4 Childe of Laghit 


' / 
as. $6. a4 
1+ , 3 4 a : of . 4 4 :, 4 


| C HAP, X V. 4 4 
Six Ends more: For the cncreafing of ſeveral gra- 
ccs, and defiroying corruptions, 


Clxtbly, as it makes for the triall and diſcove- 
ry of graces, ſo it isa mcancs fanifed to env 
creaſe them, and to;cate out corruptions. | 
Firſt, it is a meanes to deſtroy the fleſh. The 
inceſtuous Corinthian was to be delivered to S4- 
tan, that is,to be terrified; to deſtroy the fleſh. As 
corraſives cate outdead ficſh, fa theſe terrours 
the dead corruptions : and the reviving of the 
guilt of old finnes, doth kill the ſeeds of thoſe 
that remainein the heart, Forif an outward af- 
flicion, which croſlcth but the ſatisfation ofa 
luſt, is ameanes ſandifiedby God,to kill a luſt; 
then much morethe inward terrour, which the 
conſcience feeles, and which ariſcth immediar- 
ly from the guilt ofa ſin, muſt needs be a means 
much more. | 11240 1059 
Secondly, it js ameanes to hamble; So Deur; 
8.16, the end ofthe biting of the Iſraclitcs by 
Scorpions(which were the typeSof theſe _ 
and terrours) were, as to prove, ſo to humble 
them, aod for this end was that buffeting by Sa 
tan (we have ſogften mentioned 2 Cor. 1247.) 
to keep downe being exalted above meaſuret 
So allo, Humble your ſelves wnder the mighty hand 


of God : andif inany other aftiiien, his S—_ 


——_——WW__ 


—c 


walking im Darkanele. t59 


\ HIS 


EET 


\— 
— 


hand layes hardeſton; 


hirdly cvtobrin you in > 3. Tocncreaſ 
T it is a meanestobring you in more 3; 1 9 cncreale 
aſſurance, and eſtabliſhmen. '1 4 ers The S— 
God of allgrate afdirque bone fone a/while,fta. 
bliſh anil ſiren «. He knew they could nor 
be fetled, till hey hed ſuffered ivthis, or ſome / 
other kinde. The tree rootes it ſelfe rhe

~158 words

of the ſhadow of death: If dan- 
dlcd in Gods lap aforeand kiſt, now to be laſhe 
with terrors,and his ſharpeſt rods,8& onthe ten. 


them;how bitter is itto rh&!Once wr 4 
could never come to the throne of g 
their hearts were welcomed, their heads ſtrokt, 
and they went ſcldome away without a white 
ſtone, an earneſt penny putinto their hands : Burt 
now God i « texrowr to them, and when they ariſc 
from prayer or the like duty, their hearts con- 
demnthem morethan when rhey began. Once 
they never lookt to, heaven but they had a ſmile; 
now they nay cry day and night'and not get a 
good look from him:once(faythey)they never 

oiſt up ſaile to any duty, but they had a faire & 


ood windzGod wentalongwith them:bur now 
hep have both wind & tide,God and the dead- 


Aaz neſſe 


_ A Childe of Light 
ITE neſs of their own hearts againſt them. In a word

~203 words

he hides his face,then be will wever be 

mercifull. T his as ir is a food and a childifh fxole, 

ſoit is beaftly and bruuſhalſo, rhus ro judge. F 

tated rg (oy wn ted rherein by fenfe; 

and like beaſts, beleeve noching bur what you 

fecke and fee 3 atnd meafore Gods love by his 

looks andoutward cariage ; which when 4 faph 

did in oiber afflictions, as you in this ; he crycs 

out be was ignorant, and as a broft, Plnl. 73. 22. 

What will you truſt God ng farther than 

fee him * It will hame you one day, rorhinke 

what agreat deate of rrouble your c e 

put the Spirit of Godgumo. As what a trouble is 
K t02 wilc mn, to have 2 fond and foolifh wife 


whoif he be buxabroad, © o——_— 
ſſe 


| valkiginDarkoeſe. 


173 


hnefſe,haply for her maintenance; yer then ſhee 
ins he regards her not,but leaves her; if 
he c her forany lauk, then ſfhee (ayes hee 
hates her; and is ſo much diſtempered by i,25 a 
whole dayes kindnefle cannot quict her againe : 
Thus you with God, 2nd thoogh be hat 
given you never ſo many faire, and cleare evi- 
dences of his love, & theſe never ſooftcnrcite. 
rated and renewed; yet ſtill youare jealous, ne- 


ver quict,alwaics doubting, —_ all 

be lealt frown:that either muſt ando you, 
letting on tn finfull diſpolmons 

without a afyanee elſc loſe the ac. 


preſſion of his anger towards you. Some of you Two lorts of 


that are leſle 


all aretreubled, Pi.104-29. 
lay it to beart when be is 
— it my when bim, _ 
- ; if you d rot thus lay ito 
=, anti youhad no grace, that you 


would have 
; pr oroanangy ver

~164 words

take heed of raſh,deſperate, impationt, & 
cfrah mpat 2 unbeleeving ſpoeches and wiſhes ; fuck you 
_— cc. Will be forced to recall againe with {orow. "As 
ches & wiſhes, David,when he was in —_— deſperate 
ſperch,namely,rhar $5 amwel; prophecy concern. 
ing him, and meflage to him from God, that he 
ſhould be X ing,would prove falſe; and he ſayes 
not only, that exe day he ſhould perifh by the hand 
of Sant, 1 Sam. 27. i. (The ground of which 
ſj wager he fiading hicſelt cvery day in 
—_— anger or otherofhis life; ando;e 
n and again, yet 


elerved him 
arrows which 


ſome oft 
——_ him ſ6 continually, and which 
ſtill ſo narrowly miſt him, might atone time or 
other hut and ſpeed him, ir were a wonder elſe :) 
bur he ſayes reg, aidin my haſt ,P[.116.11. 
that all men - ow lars thc Prophet Samwel be all ; 
that it was buta promiſe ofa vainc man; but be 
ſoonerecalls himſclf and addes, 1 ſaidsbi iu my 
haſt.Solikewiſe Pſ.31.22.1 aid i my haſt, I am 

% cut off ;they were raſh ſpeeches(as he confeſſ 
ſpoken in haſt. Even ſo doth many a poore { 


breake forth and ſay have had ſtrong 
hopes at firſt I ey br hd fr 


A 


walking in Darkneſſe. 


—— 
ved for ,and they # allot the 
power of God + Yerthe Jovi being let looſe to 

rſecute them as Sau} did him,and God hiding * 
is face,and thearrows of the Almighty flying 
thick about their cares, the ſarowes of hell en- 
compaſſing them, and well nigh every moment 
cutting them off; they(alrhough upheld again & 
againe, yet )are aptto ſay,thatone day or other, 
they ſhall in all likelihood be cut off by Gods

~237 words

with thee, but for ſuch impatien- 
cies. And know that this is taking Gods namein 
vane ina high degree. You muſt know that the 
graces of God = —_ in your: hearts axc-a part 
of Gods name\,as wherby his loye is manifeſted 
to you; now for you to call the truth of theſe in 
queſtion, & ſay they are countertcir; berifyen 


Nalkins in Darkneſſe, 
ſhould ſay of the Kings hand and (eale, whenit 
comes down to you,that it were counterfeit,and 
deny itzwhich is crimen leſe Majeftats., So ifa 
ſpeciall friend , or your father had given'you 
ome old precious pieces of gold or jewels, &c, 
as tokens of thcir love & remembrances of the 
for you to ſay in a diſtempered fir of jealouſie,a 
theſearebut Counters and but Alchimy, - you 
ſhould exceedingly wrong and abuſe thee love, 
Thus'is it if you deny $ hand-writing -in 
your own hearts, when he hath written therein 
by his Spirit,joy,ftare,love,zeale,8&c, & ſhould 
ſay,It is not like his hand:So if you deny the ſeal 
of the Spirit, afrer he hath ſtaled you «p ants the 
day of redemption;and (ay thatall theearneſt-pe-' 
nics of heaven,are but counters, & alchimy,and 
nothing worth;in ſo doing,you rete bis name, his 
love, his mercy ,& all is vain; yca you lic ag ain 
the holy Ghoſt as the Apoſtle ſaid inanother 
Thus though God give you full leave to try & 
examine all hisgraces in you, and dealings with 
you; yet not def; ly at the firſt bluſh and 
view,upon the leaſt miſtake or flaw, te ſay they 
are no graces;zand that be will never be merci- 
full

~207 words

it be a true ground yea, orno*? 
asthe Apoſtle bids us, Give 4 reaſon of our faith : 1 P*-3-15, 
ſoask thouof thy ſoul, 1he reaſon of 115 denbting. 
Thus David, Pf. 42.v.5. Why art thou caſt down 
#4 my ſoul ? and becauſe doubts ariſe againe and 
again,therefore he asketh the reaſon —_—_— It. 
Why art thou caft down ? David knew,the way to 
diflolverthem, was to ſearch into and examine 
the reaſon of them:for ſtilwhE he had through- 
ly examined them,he found them needleſſe, and 
cauſclefſe,to put him into ſuch deſperate feares:; 
The childe of God is often caſt into priſon,into 
fcares & bondage, and after he hath layen | 
in them, and begins to reade over the Writ.an 
Mittimus, he findes itto be falſe impriſonment , a 
meere trick of Satan his Jaylour. For as carnall 
men,when they thinktheir eſtare good, and that 
are inthe favour of God, it is ſome deluſi. 
on,ſome falſe reaſoning thar is ſtil the ground of 
ſuch their opinion ; as becauſe they proſperin 
the world,therefore God loves them, becauſe 
ſomedutics,have ſome good mo. 
tions, which grofids they cannotendureto have 
examined : So contrarily, onethat feares God, 
the ground of his apprehenſionthat he js out of 
the favour of God,is likewiſe ſome falſe reaſor- 
ing,which when examined a to be ſuch, 
and whenit appeares,the ſoul is freed out ofirs 
feares and doubts. Hemanthoughrt,and faid thar 
God had coft him off ; and what was the reaſon 
perſwaded him to think ſo,v. 14. Becauſe God had vin. i4 


hidden bis face : ppt 
; x 


4 Childe of Light © 


ther

~255 words

as the people of God in Exod. 6. g. 
through the prone ger their hearts were\o far di- 
ſtempered,that they {;ſtned not to the good mef: 
ſage which Moſes brought them, nor 
that ſo good newes could be true of chem:Soare 
the ſoules of many that arc in diſtreſle, ſo filled 
with anguiſhand ſenſe of miſery ,and fo ſtrongly 
prepofſcefſed with deſperate opinions, and ſo far 
put out of hopes,thatthey reject all that is ſpo- 
ken for their c6fort;ſo as they will notſo-much 
as be broughtto caft an eye or a thought upon 
anything thatmay be an occaſion of comfortto 
them : Like ſome priſonersat the barre,rhrough 
extremity of feare they cannot read that in their 
hearts and inthe word which might ſave them. 
Tell them of what God hath-wrovght for them 
and in them,as evidences of his love,and as they 
cannot, fo often they will not reade them over ; 
or if they do,they reade them over but-as a man 
doth a book he meanstoc#fute,they pick quar- 
rels, and make objeQions at every thing that is 
faid : as if they were hired as Lawyers'to plead 
againſt themſelyes,and to find flaws in their evi> . 
dences. I have obſerved ſome who have ſet all 
their wits awork $6 ſtrengthen all arguments & 
objeQions againſt themſelves,and who have | 
glad ifthey could obje@any thing which might 

| _puzzle- 


puzzle thoſe who have come to comfort them; 
ifthey could hold argument gon? themſclves: 
as if they were diſputing for the victory oncly, 
And thusthrough much poring upon, .& conſi. 
Mn 7 þ ere make againſt them, they 
have had the bolts of their hearts ſo far ſhot in- 
to deſpaire,and fixed in deſperate ſorow, & the 
trne wards of ſound evidences ſo far wrung and 
wrelted by falſe keyes, thatwhen the skiltulleſt 
and ſtrongeſt comforters have come with true 
keyes to ſhoot back the bolt, they would nor 
turneabout, nay could ſcarce get entrance, 
This was Davids infirmityzas at the 10, verſe 
of the 77. Pſal. compared with the ſecond ver. 
My ſoul refuſeth tobe comforted, he ſpilt al the cor= 
dials & phyſick

~302 words

only void of comfort but retuſed it, What? 
bring mc promiſcs to comfort me,(will ſuch an 
one {ay)you may as wel carythemto one in hel 
or give phyfickto a man paſt recovery z and ſo 
willtake downe nothing chat is given thera. So 
alſothe Chikch, in the third ofthe Lamentati- 
ons ver. 17,18. her heart was deeply poſleficed 
witha deſperate apprehenſion, My hope (layes 
ſhe)s periſhed fra the Lord, And what wasit that 
ſhot her ſoul into ſo fixed deſpaire & v.17. Shee 
forgot all good : (he forgatethar is, ſhe would nor 
ſomuch as take into conſideration and remem- 
brance,any thing that had been comfortablero 
her. AM geod the originall)that is,all, Gods 
former good & gracious dealings with ker,. all 
the good things wrought -in her, and jos her, 
whence ſhee might have comfort : and. in ſtead 
Cc2 thereof, 


A Childe of Light 


thereof, what did her thoughts feed and chew 
upon * only wormwood and gall, her birternefſe 
and diftreffe, poring only on what might make 
againſt her, 1 ſaid my hope was periſhed from the 
Lord,calling to minde my afflition, and my n#ifeyy, 
my wormwoed and gall. Theſe ſhe could revolve 
and rowl up and downin her mindthough they 
were bitter, & would entertain thoughts of no. 
thing elſe. But when onthe contrary, ſhe began 
to take into conſideration Gods gracious and 
fairhfull ſupporting her in that very deſertion,#s 
faithfulneſſe reneming his mercies every morning, 
ver. 22, 23. and = ——_ w_ m—_— _r 
he2rt a longing and lngring afrer him; and a fec- 
cret a . him, &thar God did enable her 
ro chooſe him as her portion,v.24. | The I recallty 
minde, (ſayes ſhe) v.21. (which hath re: 
ference to thoſe words fore. cited, which follow 
there;) therefore have 7 hope ; ſhee ſpits ourher 
wormwood,&eatcs her own words. And now 
that her heart began to liſten ro whar might c6- 
fort her,prefently ſhe began ro-have hope. This 
ſullen peeviſh deſperate obſtinacy is athing you 
ought rotake

~668 words

well as into the cauſes might pro. 
voke God thus to dcalc with him , for. I take it 
| both-may be meant. «+ a 

And ſo 166 did,when he was thus ſtricken; and 
forſaken of God,he views overevery part of his 
lifezhe ſecks what dry land he could finde to get 
footing upon inthe midſt of ſeas of remprations, 
recounts whatan holy life he had lived, with 
what fcare and ſtrineſſe hee had ſerved God, 
Chap. 29.and Chap.zo.and Chap. z r.throvugh- 
out,and rels them plainly, Chap.27.v.5,6. That 
letthem plead & argue what they could againſt 
him,and go abourto prove human hypocrite,til 
Idie (fayes he )\1 will not remove mine integrity 
from me nor let go my righteouſneſſe : I will never 
giveup mine intereſt in Gods mercies, nor rhe 
evidences I have to ſhew forthem,and fayes he 


Chap.19. 27,28, Th reawer be at preſtnt 
_—_— yet the root _—_— 61 me; (ee 
1s) though God deales thus hardly with me, 2s 
you ſee,yeathoghthe exerciſe of grace is mach 
obſcured, the Sun-ſhince of Gods tavour with 
drawn, his face hidden from me, andthe joyfull 
fruits of righteouſneſſe, and comfortable freſh 
greene ſpeeches, and leaves you have known'to 
grow upon this now wirhered ſtock fallenoff ; 
yet there &« the root of the matter ſtill in me; a root 
of faith that decaycs not, a conſtant frame of 
gracce;that (till remains,which haterh fin, loveth 
God, and you ſhall all never beate me fromit; 
And canſt thoucall nothing to remembrice be: 
twixt God and thee, which argues infallibly his 
love? what nothing? Look again. Did God ne» 

4 -a_ 


OO ————— 


Darkneſ 


ver ſpeak peaccto thy heart, and ſhed his love a- 
bo it? Haſt —_ no tune found in thine 
heart pure ſtraincsof true Jove and good will ro 
him £, fome pure drops of godly forouw-for of. 
fending him, & found ' diſpoſitions of pure 
ſelf-deniall, whereinthou didſt fimply aime at 
his glory more than thine owngood? Haſtthou 
never an old trycd evidece which hath been ac- 
knowledged and confirmed again and againe in 
open court £ whatnot one © And-ifrthou canſt 
now call to minde but one, ifurtruth,itmay ſip- 
port thee, For if one promiſe doth belong to 
thee, then alldo:for every one conveyes'w 
Chriſt;zin whom all the promiſes are made,and who 
is the matter of them; as inthe Sacraments, the 
bread conveyes whole Chriſt,andthe wine alſo 
whole Chrilt : ſ0-in the word, every promiſe 
conveycs whole! Chriſt. Andifthoucanſt ſay as 
the Church of Epheſus, Rev: 2.6; Thi thing 1 
have, that I hate ſin, & every ſinas God hates it, 
god + Hny he _ ;.as Chriſt $0 m_ 
orthis one grace, &thoughthey had many fins 
and man Filings, yet-({ayes hc):ths thes haſt, 
&c. If Chiit-will acknowledgetheetobee his 


for one care- mark;orif he ſees butone ſporof bu ' RY 


childs upon thee,thou maiſt wel plead it,cvena- 
by one to him ; Ycathoughjebeburina lefler 
degree,it intruth and fhncerity, Fot-God brings 
not a pazre of ſcales to weigh your graces,and if 
they be too light refuſeth them; bur he brings a 


touch to try-themz & if they he true. gold, 
never ſo litle of it, 4t-willt pafſe currant 

with him,, though it —_ —__—_— 
| though 


4 Childe of Light 


though ic be but as a week iu 1he-ſoches, (as it is 
there inthe originall,) likchier to die and'go 
than to continue, which we uſe tochrow awey! 
yet he will not gzexch it, bur accept it, Yea and 
though at preſent thou fiadeſt in S—__ no 
grace ſtirring in thee, nothing bur hardneſſe, 
deadneſſe,&c.yet if rhoucanſt remember, 
but this once I had 5} 25 2 woman with childe, 
thoughatter her firſt quickningytſhe doth not al- 


wayes finde the childe to ſtir, yer becauſe ſhee 
id feele it ſtir, ſhee ftill concerves hopes and * 
thinkes ſhe is with childe 3 So thinke rhou of 
the new creature formed within thee, -- + ++ 
Theſe thingsyouaretorecall and confiderin 
time of diſtreſle : to remember former graces, & 


= diſpofitions in you,and Gods gracious 


alings wich you z

~225 words

them, and not they alone ot themfelves.. Haſt thoy 
folida promiſe(whichis « breaſt of c5ſolation)milk. 1? 65.:1. 
efeeprrgmd ain ſuck,comfort > 7 ev intheend. 
Ifafrertbou haft c eda Jury and grand In- 
wg or and their firſt verdi condemnes 


thee,orthey bring in anceneremw; yerdo as wiſe 
Judg mon ar end he bout again , they may 
x3 1 ws onah lookr once it feemes, & 
found no comfort, Jona. 2.4. For he faid,7 will look 
aga/n towards thine holy Temple. A mars beartis like 
thoſe two. faced if you looke one way to. 
wards one fide of them, you ſhall ſee noching bue 
fome horrid of a devill,or the like; bur goto 
the other fide,and look again, and you thall ſee the 
picureof an Angel;orof fome beautifall woman, * 
&c.Soſdme have look over tlicirhearts by 
he CH ROAEY rome 
bur 


were we —_— 
the be of Cod : 
of their hearts. Ly: 


198 


not long Ed 
ſame fignes, 


rpms fairtly ods 


Direction 5. 
BY cowifrmerSanconimendiiibelng thee F. To arg 
no c6fortin, burthe waves that comr over thy © 
ſoul proveſodeep,rhatthon canſt find no bortome 
to caſt anchor on, the ſtormand ſtreffe ſo grearthat 
octrettictbo eps 


194 A Childe of Light 


OCrEEI—_— ——  — 


——_— 


ten the caſe of many a poore ſoule : aA 
Then 5.take & put in praQice thisfifth diredtion, 
renew thy faith aud repentance, (et oy heart aworke, 
to beleeve and repent afreſh as ifthou hadſt never 
ycrbegun. Spendnot allthe time in caſting out of 

anchors, bur fall a pumping ; leave off and ceafe a- - 
while to reaſon about the goodnefle of

~214 words

alive, ſo, if they kill ws, wtſbhalhowever)out - - 
to move 


diez& there were many ſtr | 
themto think they would kill them, forthey were 
dews,and ſoot the encmies fide, and mightbe fuſpe» 


Qed for ſpiesz.if not, they wete char might 
inſe@the EE EIS 


thing but to be knockt ith head:yertinthis deſperat 
Cale they tooke the ſurer and more pr 
wenn to fall Ou fide;6& the | 
15 known to you all, aſon thouz if I giveewvyer 
eee! bumbling my ſelf,prayi | 
he means, I ſhalcertaidly periſh, there 
tor it;/1 willthereſorerather go ono tlo all 
as ſincerely as1 can tothe utmoſtandif G 


_— — 


- 
= 
# 


but this other way of ſceking him thoumaiſt inthe. ? 


4 4 
odfaves _ 
2 
—_—_ 
- 5 


oy 


: 


But ler rye tell thee,fach a reſolution can never 

to hell ch thee} yuh have a roome in 

Foch a foule baeort notthe devil 

only toir,(fot ip thiscafe, whatean'thedevill him- 

ſelt ſay ro. thee? ? for ifrhouwileventurethy ſoule, 

ſervice, and all upon God, let the iſſue bee what it 

will, inthis reſolute, yerſate way 5 if thowwileins 

retruft refer itunto God with contentedneſs and 

iſhon;what is thatro bur irputs#God ro 

it alſo, who cannot findeinhis heart ro damin ſuch 

anone who ſhallgoorrco.dothasr when thou thus 

ri him,ventureſtand lea- 

veſtthy ſelf and all the iffve of 4 _ 
OY IE nn 

and his « 

x -c ES 


denceatl thy life afore, Thy 
rneeofie char x Gode no eve ttohimr 
his faithfulnefſcy, it is ſelf-love makes us too 

to be troubled abour it; Gothou onto beleeve;re. 


zOO 


40h 


I anſwet, His Names which 
vench direQion. ' 
—_ —_—_ to euene'20 
ite 
thou haſt noth eclicro x1 | 
the diredion which the rext 
thought ets diftin& 


hee 
but Lwill ſomewhat more largely open ander- 
meancs of 


plaive onely-8s it is a direction, and 


ſupport and.comfort iathis diltrefie'3/ and To take 

it a it riſeth our of thertext. ' * Thus, > of 
That 10 one who reſolves to felre Gedand

~838 words

upon God for both,and therereſt : yeat 

I cannot yet ſay that ever I ſhall obtaine them. And 
this where it is in truth,and accompanied with that 
- firme reſolution of _ to God in all _—_ 

forcmentioned, isas good faith as any of you 

in your hearts, 

And ſo I come to the proofe of this - namely, 
That whenthenameot God and Chriſt are thus 
ſimply andalone apprehended,they may be ſuffici- 
ent ground for faith to reſt-upon ; then which no- 
thing can be more comfortable to a poor diſtreſſed 
belecver. Nwm.14. When Gods wrath waxed hot 
againſt his people, (as ſometimes in like maner it 
doth againſt a poore ſoule) that God began to ſay, 
how long ſhall they provoke me ?. v. 11. and ſpeaks of 
deſtroying them, & of making Moſes a great Nati- 
on : what hath Aoſes his faith recourſe unto, butto 
that Proclamation of his Name you heard of be» 
tore ? and-urgeth thar, v.19,18. Let the ”y 
oo be pou ww, 4s than-haſt ſpoken: The Lord 
« long- ſuſſ ering ,C of great mercy, forgiving int 
19,tranſgreſfſion, lh, and he =— hot oſfem 


. pb Py "p ce 
ny " »| . 


þ _ Cu _—_ 
'' $1 : = Ft "> > 


203) 


his power in pardoning, becauſe as much power is 


ſeen in overcomming his wrath, as in making a, 


world. Let thy power be great ; it was hisname you 


ſcerbatw ed Dy Moſes and prevailed with 
God for mercy, Soalſo for his Sons ſake, The Lord 


our Righteonſneſſe, Elihu (ayes, Job 33.when a mans. 


ſoul isin deepeſt diſtreſſe, as inthe 19,20,21,22.v. 
he deſcribes it,yct ſayes he,v.23. If there be a meſ- 
ſenger to ſhew aman[ hu] uprightneſſe, that is, that 
rieleealoeſe tha is laid up for men 4» the Lord le- 
ſues ; then God is gracious to him, and ayes, deliver 
him, and he reſting thereupon, bu fleſh returnes to 
him again;becomming a meansto ſtay him and re- 
ſtore him, I mention theſe places ofthe old Teſta- 
ment rather than of the new; out of which you ſee 
Gods name and his Sons name are al-ſufficient to 
uphold and ſupport a ſoul. So the pen-man of that 


Pſal. whether David or whoever, Mi 130. whenhe 


was in ha depths,as ver.1,2.plunged ever head and 
cares in ſorow and diſcomfiture, what hath his faith 
recourſe unto 4 v. 4. t# Gods name, to nothing that 
was in himſelf, but ſimply to what his faicthappre. 
hended to be in God, Mercy « with thee; he ſayes 
no more ;in him,and with him,it is to be had:and he 
confirms his faith in that,by this argument, becauſc 
clſc none would feare him : and If thow wert extream 
to mark what were ami({,no man could tand,or would 
be ſaved : therefore ſurely(ſayes he) mercy « with 
thee, & therefore let 1[racl hope in the Lord,v.7, And 
why? what, becauſe /[rael ſees he hath grace inhim- 
ſclt 2 no, but becauſe mercy « with him and plenieous 
redemption : v.ult which word redemption _- re- 

Ec 2 ation 


' LS SON 
204 _ TER. AA En IR, 


lation to his Sons name. There is &nBugh in him, 
elſe he wil live none,and Ifrael is mentioned in his - 
will,as capable ot it : and therefore ſtyes he, 7 #il 
wailt and hope tn the Lord.v.y.and t hecould 
not ſay that God had forgiven hirh, yetforg# ſe 
was with him: and thete he pitchethand reſterh hi 
ſoul;as a beggat ata great mans doore, when there 
is none elſe in the countrey able or willing to re- 
lieve him,there he lies;though he khows not whe. 
ther he ſhal have anything or 10. 1» wyfarhbery boaſt 


there is bread enoagh,(layes the Prodigal)thetre ir is 
to be had;& no where elſczand there is exoweh;and 
crummes will ſerve we fayes the woman of C 
thou art the Mediator thought ſhe, & ir is thy buſi- 
neſle to ſave,and though 1am «dog, yet I an capa. 
ble of having crammes; omen ſayes Chriſt, great & 
thy faith ; notſuch faith among all my di _ 
Theſe truſted in hisname, & nothing in thiſelyes, 
So Pſ.62.D avid ſayes atthe 5.ver.he 1rafted in Cod 
for ſabvation and _ exhorts thronghoutrhe 
whole : Truſt is G —_— all tyres, and ts no 
cremwye.ver.8,9. And what was it he reſted upon ? 
py 74 two atrtiburesvt his, viz. Aercy and Power, 
God bath ſpoken dnte,(that is,ftrevocably:as Fc Bo. 
35. Once I [warne, cc.) and twice 1 Have heard 
1»,that is,oftE met withit in the word, & thought 
of in, (ſayes hehe with God ts 'v.tt. bas he 
Sable to ſave inthegreateſt diftreſfe ; and T have 
heard that to him blog mercy alſo, v.12. and 
therefore he may bewilling to help, and becauſe 
theſeare in him,though I have nothing im my (elf, 


yet theſe I reſt upon;&theſe alone. Many ſnchin- 
ances more might be brought. f The 


205 


"Fo epamnenga 7, 5 yrs "we PS 


lerrer an- 


in God,is prop ſufficient for faithto reſt uponzare 
tu rr rn 1 habtakg. 
_— were 
& adequatel ar age put A 
all re. Aer wecaa

~727 words

theirs eſpecially, 
who are broken, loft, | whoſe les dr aw neere tothe 
ereve,eud their, lives to the defiroyers3and that come 
_ we ape for - Godard ſtay them(clves upon it;zunto 
JT iris theirs : For hee 
chem Cod DS Hs 


rar,» a 33- 23, 
- Touch $00s ame allo wal wes 
werall r to Soat 
that _—_ raft in bow Diak.0, 10. 
A ſecond reaſon why his nameis fufficient,though xe2ſon 2. 
you haveand ſee noth! wo nor any il | 
made to any grace in reſt upon, is, ec 
even allehale mdedclidens? in us, 
which we look unto, are Tre and Aiwern 
the Nanze and els Sore Name: That is 
the originall of them all, the root, the ſced ofthem 
WP 9-1 0 p firſt marrer of 


all 


A 


210 A Childe of Light £42 bk 


all choſe ſecondary promiſes,” ex-4#s fiunt, & 4s 
quod reſolyuntur his Name gives —_— chemal;y 
if it were not forthe mercy,grace ,kindneſsin' + 
him,and the rightcouſneſle which is in his Son, all 
the promiſes which are made, what were 
worth « Asthe worth of bonds depends upon the 
ſufficiency of the man who makes them, ſoal theſe 
promiſes upon his Name, Therefore now, when 
you relye upon hisName having as yerno promiſe 
- made to any thing in you to rely upon, you thenre-' | 
lye upon that which 1s the foundation of all thaſe 
promiſes, you then have recourſe to the originall;-. 
which is moreauthenticall than extrat copy 
relye on that which all thoſe otherare reſolyedin- 


em. m—— 


to, and therefore is ſufficient, though allthereſt 


faile you in your apprehenſion. 

Thirdly,his mecre Name is ſupport enough for 
faith,and maybe ſo,becauſcitis for his N 
and his Sons Names ſake,he doth all hedothzand 
for nothing inus,but meerly for what is in himnſelf,; 
ſo Eſay 48.9,10. For my Names ſake, cc. So als 
Eze.36.22,32.For my Names ſake, not your ſake : 
and Eſay 43. 25. 1 am hethat bloneth out thy tranſ- 
greſion for my own ſake, & will not rem#ber thy fins. 
For it he blotteth out tranſereſſion, and pardoneth, 
And if it be for hisNames lake he doth all he doth, 
and fulfilleth all promiſes made to us,g to what is 
inus : Then when thouſceſt nothing inthy ſclfeto 
which any pou 1s made , nothing which m 
appcare to be any argument or motive that he will 
w— thee,thep.eruſt thou in that his Name; that: 

cauſe he is God,& hath mercy inhim;thattheres- 


force % 
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fore he will do it. FEEL. 
or main motive to God himſelf todo anything for 
us,muſt nceds be(when apprehended & 
the ſtrongeſt and ſareſt ground for our faith alſo,ro 
rn__ the hearrthar he will doe it As it is itt 
knowledge, theknowledge of the cauſes of things 
cauſcththe ſureſt knowledge:So infaith,the know. 
ledge of the main motive to God the cauſe of all; 
cauſeththegreateſt certainty ofperſwafſion. | 
This then may dire& poore: ſoules in diſtreſſe, 
what to ventureall upon, upon what ground to ha- 
zard (oules,labours, endeavours, faith,repentance, 
obedience and all, upon his Name, = er —_— 
in theraſelyes to which any be- 
: as David ſayes, Pali 73.26. 6. Wy heart may 
faile,and my fleſh may fell, but God will never faile : 1 
Sol way lay, your comforts in prayers, in Tier ea . 
your joyes, your carneſt. penics you have laid 
may beall ſpentin a dearth, your owngraces 
promiſes made to them:your own hearts —_ 
and being creatutesthey ule to faile again 
but Gods Name and his Sons alle again Gragal, 
never faile you : Leane on-theſe, not by halves ſin 
diſtreſſe, } but rut peafe41y (as the Apoſtle ayes} r Per.x.xg4 
on that mercy you heare is in God, upon tha? grace 
revealed: That is, throw,and caſt your whol ſouls, 


your whole weight uponit. He onely | 
peace,whoſe — Eiidonries ns hea fe Iſoy 2-4 
ſoule upon that rock which & higherthan thee, bur 

crcep up,andgetall uponit,and whenall faile, re- | 

new thy faithon his Name. Thereon reſt, there 


lo 


> i Childe of Light + © AY 
Pro.18.10. His Namelſa hes « frovg Tower, : 
the righteous fly to it and Ayr" Now what cnd is 
there,anduſc of a Tower ina City 2 but when all, 
outworks are taken, the walls ſcaled, all fortificati. 
ons forſaken

~203 words

at any time therefore, thy finsand 
wrath meeting in thy conſcience, make thee des 
ſick,as Eſay ſpeaks,then poure forth thy ſoul,lay 0- 
pen and contefle thy fin;and as it will caſe thee, (as 
| —_— uſeth to do) ſoalſo it will move God to 
pitty,and to give thee cordials, and comforts tore- 
ſtorethce again. Thus Devid, P{.38.v.18. being in 
great diſtreſſe, v.2,3,4,5. 1 will declare mine iniqui- 
ty,and be ſorry for my ſin : and he makes it an argu- 
ment to God to pardon him, When bis bones weye 
broken Pſal.5r. Cleanſe me from my ſin,v.2. for 1 ic - 
knowledge my tran{greſions,ver.3.and when he had 
conteſſed,v.4,5,6.then he crycs, Make me to heare 
of joy and gladneſſe, v.$. and reftore unto me the ” 


thy ſalvation,v,13 and what was thee : 
cnt,ithe main and principal motive, which wrought 
wo kindly Ro | - pry 9 2-09 

roughtupailr Again , thee only : hee pots in 
twiceas much of the n.drraen regret. om 
other ingredient, to make his heart rnoutve : that 
chic fly, if not only,mcked;diflolved him. Andin 
theſe thy confeſhons, lct the famealſo main 


he 


SEES 
Nedigonthy ea wccmctundetetule" 
blow, follow thou herd after him where eyer hee' 
g0cs,with complaintafter complaint : And whey 


ay opens Wn AI en 

(as ſome reade it)after fome 4 and ſbews 

hixsfelfe terrible whos depend efer 

nig do thon look in 5 ans 4 

19w4rde by holy Temples Inab didt Rod whenhe"1ouwi.j, 
Ps She G this, £ 
| 5 


| " 


_* l 5 " 4 
of 
... 


ſclfe;for hongh tos ſpeaking of friends may ſome. * 
what further thy ſuite, yet (as between two woo. 
ers, ſo) it muſt be wrought qut betweene God and 
thee alone in private; & bis good will maſt be ob- 
tained by wooing him in ſecret, This counſell the 
Apoſtle gives you, Jam. 5.13. Is 4ny mas afflided? 
let him pray. And becaulc of all afliQionselle, this 
of darkneſs in a mans ſpirit neederh prayer the 
moſt ; therefore David pens a Plalme on purpoſe, 
not for his own private uſe anly,bur for the benefir 
and uſc of all other inthe like diftreſſe;as by the ti- 
tle of it doth appeare, Pſal. 102, A preyer for the 
afflited,when he © overwhelmed, and poureth out his 
complaint before the Lerd, And this (fayes David) 
is my conſtant practice when my ſoul! © overwhelm. 
ed, I poure out my prayer wide thee : P{.61.3, And it 
was Chriſtsalſo,tor in his agony he prayed yet mere 
earneſtly, Luke 22.44. 
When

~76 words

at any time therefore, thy finsand Gods 
wrath meeting in thy conſcience,makethee 
fick,as Eſay ſpeaks,then poure forth thy ſoul, lay 0- 
pen and contefle thy fin;and asit will caſe thee, (as 
— uſeth to do) ſoalſo it will move God to 
pitty,and to give thee cordials, and comforts tore- 
ſtorethce again. Thus Devid, P{.38.0.18. being in 
great diſtreſſe, v.2,3,4,5. 1 willdeclare mine imiqui- 
ty,and be ſorry for my ſin : and he makes it an argu- 
ment to God to pardon him, When bis bones weye 
broken,Pſal.5 1. Cleanſe me from my ſin,v.2. for 1 at- 
knowledge my tranſgreſcions,ver. 3-and when he had 
conteſſed,v.4,5,6.then he crycs, Make me ts beare 
of joy and gladneſſe, v.8. and reftore ag 4 
4 + 


— Td 
_ 0 AC 


thy ſaloation,v,13.a0d whatwas 
che naman motive, which wrought 
oe ory inp 
roughtup all? : 'n e 

twiceas muchof the conſideration therof a0 dfany 
other ingredient, to make his heart rourve : thar 
chicfly, if not only, mcked;,diflolved him. And in 
theſe thy confeſhons, let the ſamealſo 

with ab. na Foe pe have / 


pet erary nr Dory corn 


and pardon, if my heart ( )were 


Ce be forals 
thy hearr

~781 words

his love ſhed abroad ſhall joyne with, will worke 
moſt trongly; a in of it hath-more force 
to {in,toconfirain and ftrangthen to.0be- - 
dienice;thana pound ofterrots. And''(-fay;-) that : 
though thou haſt indeeda ſtubbornand ing 
hecan make his loving kindneſſe over- 's 
come itforit.is ftronger then death: (lay) thou haſt 
loveinthee (w* runs out.enough toortherthi 
itie would be plcaſedto win it to himſelf: | 
how that 544t-ſoul mentioned, fa. 57. had as ſtout 
and fabborp an heart as thou;and wenr on 4 
| thou, 


- 


: * C 


| | | + 
thou rookſt another courſe with him;and didlt brat + PF, 
him againc, and that by comforts ( 1 will beale hiin * 
(fayes God there, )and reſtore comforts tobimu.ry, 
18.)and that ſoit he plcale, he may dral wittrthee, 
Andiflightand mercy yet cores. not, bur flill 
God ſeems as it wereto calt thee off z then callers 
minde if ever thou haſt had any true communion 
with him, and thereupon begin to challenge him! 
(ſo doththe Church 7/4.63.16. when nchy caſe, 
when hu mercies were reſtrained to her,ſhe laics yet; 
Dowbtleſſe thou art my Father; (hefaw God was an- 
ry her heart heard,v.17.ycr{he thought ſhe ſhould 
_ him :. Doubtleſſe be i ray rey 
thy Zeale, the ſounding of thy ? fo) < 
Dnnre ttealdecquticrance thou haſt had 
and held with him ia former times : (Say,) Dexbi- 
leſſe thou art my father and my husband, how range 
loever thoucaricſt thy ſclfe now towards me : fur 
doſt thou not remember what hath beca betweene 
meandrhce in prayer, in ſuch a chamber, arſucha 
time £ Haſt thounevera picce of broken ring be- 
tween hum & thee, no love paſſage, no love-token,; 
that could not paſſe between him 8& any, whom he 
had not betrothed himſelf unto inkindneſſe? produce 
It at ſucha time asthis. And it thou chouldſt diſcern 
nograce inthee thy ſ{clf,yet defire him rotook into 
thy heart;and be bold to enquire of him, if he can 
ſce nothing there which himſclf wrote, never tobe 
blotted out; if there be noe ſome ſpark of lovers 
him,and his feare,which himſclf pur there andavk 
him it he knows his own hand. And forrhy c6fore 
know,that when thou canſt not read it, ayo__ 


Hoſca 2.19. 


being much blurred )ycr he canreade his own hand 
at any time, and will not deny it. 

Thoumaiſt be yet bolder. Yea defire hinrto 
look into his own Rn end therin to view the 1des 
he had of thee, & thoſe ſecret ancient thoughts he 
bore towardsthee, fromall eternity. And if at fir(t 
he ſcems yet filent atirzthendefire him to look up- 
onthee again, 8& ask him if hedoth not know thee, 
and if he hath not knowne and taken thee for his 
from everlaſting,and engraven thee inthe palms of 
his hands, & table of his heart, with ſuch deep and 
laſting letters of loving kindneſle, as are not as yet, 

cambich will not for ever be blotted our. (Tell 
im) thou dareſtrefer thy ſelf wholy to what 
berween him and his Son concerning thee, and let 
his own heart caſt it. Appeale to Chriſt as thy ſure. 
ty and a witneſs thereof tor thee, who was privy to 
all his cougſel, wherherthouart not one of thoſe he 
ave unto him with a charge to redeeme and ſave. 
nddcfire himto look intoChrifts heart allo,itrhy 
namebenor written there with his own hand; &1if 
that Chriſt did not beare thy natne written up inhis 
heart (as the high Pricſt did the names of all the 
Tribes,)whet he hung upon the Crofle,and when 
he aſcended into the Holy ofholies. Thus Habak- 
kak putting up a prayer inthe name of the Church, 
hath taughr us to plead, H4b,1:12, Oh Lord, Art 
not thou from everlaſting my God,and mine boly One? 
It was a bold-queſtion, yer God diflikesit not, hue 
approyes it,and pref; | 


y aſſcntsto it in 4 gracious 
ar{werto thcir hearts cre theywent any;further:f6r 
their next words, thoſe abruptly ebrnbyage 


Yarkneffe. ow "225 


i 
' 
; 
1 


"A Chillie of Light 


x loha 2.3. 


ſon of a ſuddain anſwer,are an affirance of this,We - 
ſhall not die, God being putthus to it,and his owne 
thoughts being ſpoken, could not deny it 3" he dc. 
knowledgeth ir was true. And thus while thog 
maiſt be a ſpeaking blindfold as it were,caſti 
chor inthe dark, yet ſpeaking his very heart,he 


ly may own thee,& fall upon thy neck & kifſe thee, 
And it yetafter continuall praying thus,thou fin- 


deſt ſtill no comfort, = _— from him, but he 
ſcemes rather evento ſhut thy very prayers 
Pſal.22.2,3.)then expoſtulate(as David doth 
0.4.) Why ſbutteft thou out our prayers, and wilt ut . 

Lows us pray ? for alas(thought i have 
clſc to hclpusin thetimeofneed I 
if prayer will doe no good, I am undone, ſay

~321 words

for 
thee,and God to hearchim forthee, Chrift he is 
an advocate withthe Father ,and pleads no bad caſe, 
nor was ever caſt inany ſuit he pleaded. 

And it ſtill (haply) after many yeares he ownes 
thee not, butit grows darker and darker, ſuppoſe 


eventill thy death approcheth,or to ſuch extremi- 
nies that he ſeems to thee, to caſt thee off for ever, 
fosthy diftreſs boils upto ſuch theughts as theſe, 


That there is no other remedy ,but thou & he muſt 
part? 


4 


33» 


part : then in che middeſt ED IaA rh 


fearesand apprehenſions , downe 
once more: & notwith Fall bona Fleting 
him for all thoſe glorious exccllencies — 
kindneſle,grace,wiſdome, &c.whichare 
beauty of which firſt rooke thy heart & my 
cnamoured with him;though thou ſhouldftbe ne- 
ver like to be the better for them. Bleſſe him forall 
the mercy he ſhews to others, by whichthey have 
occaſion him, though thou be 
found uaworthy : Bleſſe him, andthoſe who ſhall 
for ever live with him,who do ſtand about him, & 
{ce his face,and enjoy RD Whar finnesthou 
thinkeſt thou ſhalt be condemned for by him,con- 
demne thy ſelffor firſt, and ſtill ask ſorgiveneſſe of 
them : what ſervicethou haſt any way done him, 
whichhee had any glory by, get thy heart to ſay 
thou eſt not of it, bur art glad of all done for 
bim,and wiſhetb it had been better. What mercics 
thou haſt taſted of, from him, confefle thy ſelf un- 
worthy of,and thank hi b thou ſhouldſt ne- 
ver partake of any more;(ſuch dif} as theſe 
in ſuch extregnities doe often appeare in the hearts 
of Gods children) and defire that hee would 
but preſerve good thoughts ofhim inthee , char 
thou maiſt not blaſpheme him. And when thou art 
a going, a ſinking into bell in thine own apprehen- 
fiong, tee if he cals thee not back againe. 

Sce what 9 Jt. ve ,19420, _Fpdoe. 
1 ks my dearc 484 [0 Is 
—_ % yet he quem { yo bims, ax birter 
ſharp megkes ever he hack done againſt the, and 
r 


223 


& + Sy 


©. 


_ m——_— 
took him up ſcverely,% lookt ſternly on him; 


he had meant never to haye had mercy'on himiyp.. 
on which Ephraim falls a crying being thus fnibd;”* 


Ss :F, 


: va , J 
=” i 
& # 1s of Lie "| ©: 
» - 


Y 
H 
A 
: 


| OE -# 
 - 
- 


amd a bemoaninghimſelf as ] have taughtthee to do; 


& being yoked as thou art, totame him,he acknow. 
ledgeth

~441 words

his face in his ordinances: 
Pſ.24.6.This i thegeneration of them that ſeek him, 
that liek thy face: (that is)this is the mark,the genime 
the diſpoſitt of that generation. This you may ſce 
in David, when his conſcience was wounded for 
that great fin ; what was it troubled him 2 Not the 
want of pardon of fin , for the Prophet told him 
God had pardoned him ; not the mcere ſtings of 
conſcience, and ach of his broken bones,but that «- 
gainſt thee,thee, have I ſinned, ſo as caſe couldnot ſa- 
ushic him; but further v.10.Create in me a clean [þi- 
r1t,which he ſpeaks becauſc he having chewed the 
cud ofthat unclean a@,it had lefta foil inhis fancy: 
and renew 4 right ſpirit within me;oh give me grace 


4 "P = - ' , o 
"Ls . - % 
baking #n Darkneſle. 


233 


and truth of heart to thee, and oh ler me live in 
preſence,and ſee thee, and have acquaintance wir 
thee,v.1 1.the want of this was it thattroubled him, 
which till he had obtained, hee could never be ar 
quiet : for he ſought noteaſe, or | only, bar 
healing of hisconſcience by the favour of God, 8& 
his love ſhed abroad. Soas take heed of reſting in 
caſc,(as if your heaxts be right you wil not, you wil 
waite till the Sun of ri ghreenſmeſſe ariſe with healing 
in his wings,) Arc you now m darkneſſe, full of ter. 
roursand Gods wrath 2 you will not reſt till; that 
darkneſſe be diſpelled by the ariſing of the light of 
the Sunne of tighteculnede on you, and revealing 
Gods face in the face of Teſus Chrift, till his righte. 
ouſneſſe be conveyed to your hearts by ſome of his 
wings,by ſome promiſe, by ſome ordinance ofhis; 
for the wound being the unrighteouſneſs of fin,no- 
thing but Chriſts righteouſneſſe will heale it : the 
wound being the want of Gods favour, and of the 
evidece of his being your God,the want of his face 
and good will,nothing but the revealing & ariſing 
of this in your hearts will heale you: for look what 
the wound is, ſuch isthe plaiſter : and indeed this 
only heales; for though by other meancs the ſore 
may be skinned over, and caſe gotten ; yet it will 
break forth again. So 1ſa.57.17,18. 1 will heal him, 
and how 2 by reſtoring comforts to him. Reſtore to me 
the joy of thy ſalvation, ſayes David, that the bones 
that thou haſt broken may rejoyce:and how _ he 
him 2 1 create the fruit of the lips, peace. He doth it 
by ſome promiſe or other : it

~242 words

then the heart reſts not cill it hath 
found its Welbelsved, Cant.3.1,2,3. 4,5. If doubts, 
that no grace is inthe heart,then the heart reſts nox 
till omegrace in truth be evidenced , and ſome 
ſuch promilſc made to ſome grace brought home? 
ſtill look-what the trouble is, ſuch alſo muſt the 
plaiſter be, and then itis healing. Wert everiathe 
Dungeon ? what was it freed thee 2 was it Chriffs 
rightcouſneſle Jaid hold on, Gods face revealed, 
thine own grace with ſome promiſe broughthoine 
tothy heart, that came with a commiſſon to deli. 
ver thee 2 thenit is right; otherwiſe thy bols may 
be knockt off, and this but againſt thy exccutian. . 


Is A1: 50. 10. 


Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyerh 

the wvoyce of hi« ſervant, that walketh in darkneſſe 
. and bith av light ? Let him truſt it the name of 
- the Lord! and tay upon his God, —— 


 Omegleanings there yet remaine 
| ofthis Text ,, which I thought 
robindeup into-oneſheafe, 
{ and threſh out atrhis rime. 
The ſecond DotFrine is, 
That though ## may befall one 
—_— th: fears Gadro walk in darknes, 
yet but toa few,he ſayes, Who i& among = ? hefing- 
leth ſuch out aſa croud:if fimply he had ſpoken of 
thoſe that feare God and obey him, without this li- 
mitation added.,.nd wath in darknefi, he might well 
have ſpokenthas Faringly,who x ewong you ? For 
to the wicked he - x-vy All you that kindle afire,coc. 
for there are but few that feare God, in compariſon 
of them. If he had ſpoken of thoſe rhar feare God, 
and hayc been in darkneff for ſome little wenn 1 of 
ly ſome few dayes amotig many,thereate yer few- 


cr,for there arc that walk inthe light of God? coun- 
Ii2 tenance 


-p 


" {Chllleaf Light 


Reaſon 1, 


Reaſon 2. 


renancetothcir death, and