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

And he was now under great desertions: though the enemies did reproach him in the matter of his God, yet if God had been present with him, he had been well enough, but they said, where is now thy God? and his own heart said so too, that God had left and forsaken him, (which was his failing) vers. 9. I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forsaken me? yet for all this he saith, why art thou cast down, O my soul? As if he should say, Thine enemies do not only reproach thee in the matter of thy God, but thine own heart, thou art now kept from those precious ordinances which once thou didst enjoy, yet why shouldst thou be disquieted, or cast down? there is no reason for it. So that the words speak plainly this truth, A Godly, Gracious man hath no true scripture-reason for his discouragements whatever his condition be.

And he was now under great desertions: though the enemies did reproach him in the matter of his God, yet if God had been present with him, he had been wel enough, but they said, where is now thy God? and his own heart said so too, that God had left and forsaken him, (which was his failing) vers. 9. I wil say unto God my rock, why hast thou forsaken me? yet for al this he saith, why art thou cast down, O my soul? As if he should say, Thine enemies do not onely reproach thee in the matter of thy God, but thine own heart, thou art now kept from those precious ordinances which once thou didst enjoy, yet why shouldst thou be disquieted, or cast down? there is no reason for it. So that the words speak plainly this truth, A Godly, Gracious man hath no true scripture-reason for his discouragements whatever his condition be.

It was a sad condition that the prophet Habakkuk did present unto himself, yet saith he, Chap. 3. I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my Salva•••n. vers. 18. But O thou servant of God, thou art now under a threatening, and not under a promise, which makes thy very belly to tremble, and wilt thou, canst thou now rejoice? yes saith he, vers. 16. When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered at the voice, rottenness entered into my bones, yet will I rejoice in the Lord &c.