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

Object. O! but if I should read the scriptures much in this condition, I should meet with many other things which concern not me, there are many histories in the scripture which suites not with my condition, and so I should get no good or comfort.

Answ. Say not so, Christ cures, per modum divertentiae, by way of divertency, as you do those that are grieved. If a friend have lost a husband, or wife, or child, you do not speak of the lost person, and say O! what a sweet friend, or husband, or wife, or child you have lost; but you speak of something else, and then afterwards you are able to speak of the person lost, but first you divert his mind from the matter of his grief, and so you do cure his grief. Thus doth Christ also when he cures a poor, wounded, grieved ⟨p. 39⟩soul, he doth not always speak to the subject matter of grief in hand, but leads the heart sometimes into the consideration of other truths, and then afterwards doth speak unto the matter that is now concerning, he cures by way of divertency.

Answ. Say not so, Christ cures, per modum divertentiae, by way of divertency, as you do those that are grieved. If a friend have lost a husband, or wife, or child, you do not speak of the lost person, and say O! what a sweet friend, or husband, or wife, or child you have lost; but you speak of somthing else, and then afterwards you are able to speak of the person lost, but first you divert his mind from the matter of his grief, and so you do cure his grief. Thus doth Christ also when he cures a poor, wounded, grieved ⟨p. 39⟩soul, he doth not alwayes speak to the subject matter of grief in hand, but leads the heart somtimes into the consideration of other truths, and then afterwards doth speak unto the matter that is now concerning, he cures by way of divertency.