A child of light walking in darknessA childe of light vvalking in darknesse

But yet thirdly, though he want the present §3light of Gods countenance,¹ and the sight of present graces; yet he may have a comfortable remembrance of what once afore he had, still left; and so long is not utterly left in darkness. Therefore further know, that the state of one that fears God and obeys him, may be such, as he may have no comfortable light or remembrance of what grace, &c. formerly he had. 2 Pet. 1. 9. One that hath true grace in him, only lacks the exercise of them, (for I take ⟨p. 14⟩it, that place is to be understood of a regenerate man, because he was purged from sin: and is now said to lack grace, because he doth not use it; for, idem est non habere, & non uti; a man is said not to have that which he doth not use when he ought to use it, especially in things whose worth lies wholly in use and employment, for it is as good as if he had it not) now,² such a man may fall into such a blindness, that he cannot see afar off, and so forgets his former assurance, that he was purged from his old sins. Yea, it may be, calls all into question. Thus David in the 30. Psal. 6, 7. though his heart was but even now, a little afore full of joy, and assurance of Gods favour: yet God did but hide his face, and all was gone, I was troubled (says he) he was thus blind, and could not see what was but a little past him, as it is with men in a mist.

But yet thirdly, though hee want the present §3light of Gods countenance,¹ and the sight of present graces; yet he may have a comfortable remembrance of what once afore he had, still left; and so long is not utterly left in darknesse. Therefore further know, that the state of one that feares God and obeyes him, may be such, as he may have no comfortable light or remembrance of what grace, &c. formerly he had.