A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

§. 11. But what if we have long used the means of grace, and can find no comfort? In this case,¹ we must repent of the former neglect to accept of grace offered, and pray to God to forgive and pardon it. We must also examine our hearts with all care and diligence to find out the sins which haply do hinder comfort, and bewailing the same, stir up our selves to receive the promises.² For oft times the entertaining of some bosom sin, which we are loath to part withal, is that which m kes the breach in our conscience. And sometimes we walk without comfort, not so much because God withholds it, as that we put it from us;³ either not knowing that we are called to believe, or not encouraging our selves to strive against fears, or shutting our eyes against the evidences of grace, that God hath bestowed upon us, or m st•king what the testimony of the Spirit is, whereby God witnesseth to us that we are his children. For whiles we take it to be some vocal testimony, which certifieth us against fears and doubts, even in the middest of temptations, and in a manner whether we will or no; we fall into no small perplexities,⁴ not finding any such certificate in our selves, whereas the witness of the Spirit is clean of another nature. This is no new thing, that God should cause his children to seek long before they find comfort. The Apostle in like extremity besought the Lord thrice, that is often, before he received answer. And though God delay, either to chasten neglects, or to kindle affection, or that graces hardly obtained may be valued according to their worth, yet will he not always despise his children that cry unto him day and night. The ardent desire shall at length be satisfied, the panting soul be refreshed with the waters of consolation Comfort and joy is the reward of our obedience: but patient waiting is a pleasing and acceptable service to God. It is Gods work to give comfort, it is our duty to wait ⟨p. 186⟩for it in the ways of holiness. Let us be contented to serve God freely without wages, and in the end, we shall be no losers. Remission of sins and peace of conscience are favours worth waiting for. If the Lord should keep us on the rack even till the last gasp, and then impart unto us the least drop of his mercy or sense of his love in Jesus Christ, his grace were unspeakable towards our souls: