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

First, Ye know it is Gods way and manner to deal with the Children of men, according to their own dispositions, to stoop and condescend unto their infirmities: Therefore says the Prophet Hosea, ¹He draws us with the Cords of a man. Now it is mans disposition to come to God at the second hand: So long as man can find a fullness in any Creature, he comes not to God; but first he sees an emptiness in the Creature, Duty, and Ordinance, and then he says, O what a fullness is in God himself, in Christ himself!² The Widow that is desolate, trusteth in God: though a Widow, yet if not desolate (sometimes) she would not trust; and therefore God suffers a desolation to come upon her Widowhood. When Davids men took up stones to have stoned him, then (the Text says) He encouraged himself in the Lord his God: ³So long as man hath encouragement else-where, he doth not encourage himself in the Lord his God. This being mans Nature, and God having a design of Love upon his own Children, he suffers a damp and discouragement to pass upon all their Comforts; their Peace to be interrupted, their hearts disquieted, and their souls discouraged, that so they may encourage themselves in God alone.

First, Ye know it is Gods way and manner to deal with the Children of men, according to their own dispositions, to stoop and condescend unto their infirmities: Therefore saies the Prophet Hosea, ¹He draws us with the Cords of a man. Now it is mans disposition to come to God at the second hand: So long as man can find a fulness in any Creature, he comes not to God; but first he sees an emptiness in the Creature, Duty, and Ordinance, and then he saies, O what a fulness is in God himself, in Christ himself!² The Widdow that is desolate, trusteth in God: though a Widdow, yet if not desolate (somtimes) she would not trust; and therefore God suffers a desolation to come upon her Widdowhood. When Davids men took up stones to have stoned him, then (the Text saies) He encouraged himself in the Lord his God: