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

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.

Study therefore, O! study the scriptures much, for thus the Lord will pour wine and oil into your bleeding wounds, and in due time you will say, as David did, In the multitude of my thoughts, ¹O Lord, thy comforts have comforted my soul.