I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Answ. 2 Secondly: Be sure that you do not go to God immediately without Christ, but with Christ in your Arms; Ye believe in God, believe also in me, saith our Saviour: God out of Christ, is a consuming fire, and there's no coming at him; so he is a dreadful God, and we tremble at his presence, not rely on him. Now we are very apt to go unto him alone, and to trust in a naked God; for there is much of old Adam in us still: the Vessel keeps that savour long, wherewith it was first seasoned. And at the first, Adam went unto God immediately, and trusted unto him immediately. But now says Luther, give me a God clothed with Flesh, God manifested in the Flesh, is the Object of our Faith. Take heed of a Natural Faith, for that will end in Discouragement.

Answ. 2 S•condly: Be sure that you do not go to God immediately without Christ, but with Christ in your Arms; Ye beleeve in God, beleeve also in me, saith our Savior: God out of Christ, is a consuming fire, and there's no coming at him; so he is a dreadful God, and we tremble at his presence, not rely on him. Now we are very apt to go unto him alone, and to trust in a naked God; for there is much of old Adam in us stil: the Vessel keeps that savor long, wherewith it was first seasoned. And at the first, Adam went unto God immediately, and trusted unto him immediately. But now saies Luther, give me a God cloathed with Flesh, God manifested in the Flesh, is the Object of our Faith. Take heed of a Natural Faith, for that wil end in Discouragement.

Answ. 3 Thirdly: If you would to exercise your Faith, as that you may not be discouraged whatever your Condition be; Then trust in the Lord himself, and not in your own Duties, your own Enlargements, Humiliation, or Holiness. I know men say, that they do not trust in any of these things, but in God alone. But suppose now, that a man should come to borrow a Sum of Money of you, it may be an hundred pounds, and you will not lend him this Sum of Money, unless he gives you a Pawn, or unless such and such men be bound with him; will you say that you trust this man alone? surely no. So, when a poor soul will not trust the Lord, unless he have a Pawn from God; unless this, or that Duty, or Enlargement, shall become bound for God; do you trust God alone? David saith in the 62. Psalm, at the 5th verse, My soul, wait thou ONLY upon God, for my expectation is from him: and then see what the issue is, at verse 6. He ONLY is my Rock, and my Salvation, he is my Defence, I shall not be moved: He had said at verse 2. thus; He only is my Rock, and my Salvation; he is my Defence, I shall not be [greatly] moved: But when he had digested this matter a little further, and more fully, he leaves out the word [greatly] and saith, I shall not be moved. Wherefore, would you o trust in the Lord as you may not be moved? trust in the Lord Alone; although you have nothing to be bound with, or for the Lord.