The oil of gladnessThe oyle of gladnesse

§ 1.

SO have I answered those objections which are taken from our own defects of graces: now follow more, taken from want of feeling, yea from feeling of great terrors even from God. First, I answer to that objection taken from want of feeling. It may be thou thinkest that thou hast no feeling: but hast thou not ⟨p. 176⟩sometimes when thou prayest earnestly some little kind of ease and refreshing and hope? if thou hast, why that is feeling though thou didst not know it. And I think scarce any Christian can say he hath continued long to pray, but he hath had some such feeling. Secondly, I answer, if thou hast had yet no feeling, thou mayest have in due time, for thou takest the right way to get it. And again J answer, David had as little feeling as thou hast, when he complained,¹ That his eyes ⟨p. 177⟩failed in waiting for Gods salvation, and that he was become like a bottle in the smoke. A man may feel no comfort in remission of his sins, and yet have his sins pardoned: for a Christian as J said before, must not live by feeling, but by faith, yea he must believe first, and feel after. Sense will deceive in the judging of colours and quantities, how much more in spiritual things that be above sense. Wherefore what conclusion may be duly deduced out of Scripture, that is most ⟨p. 178⟩true and certain, though a man have no feeling of it, yea though he feel the contrary was this conclusion, I have my sins pardoned, or shall have, may be deduced out of Scripture, (for such a man as feeleth nothing but overwhelming griefs) thus. All that being heavy laden come unto Christ shall be refreshed, but Jam heavy laden and come unto Christ, therefore I shall be refreshed and find rest to my soul. For he comes to Christ heavy laden, that in the sense of great