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

so shall he cry out and say, God hath forsaken my soul, temptations are now upon me, my sins and guilt are upon me, God hath forsaken me, and the Devils are now upon me. But now, as for a godly, gracious man, though his ⟨p. 53⟩condition be never so sad, and his soul never so much cast down, yet he hath no reason to be discouraged, I say, whatever his condition be: what a glorious condition are the Saints in, who would not be in love with this condition? who would not be in Christ? who would not leave the ways of the wicked? who would not be Godly? O! you that are ungodly labour to become Godly.

so shal he cry out and say, God hath forsaken my soul, temptations are now upon me, my sins and guilt are upon me, God hath forsaken me, and the Devils are now upon me. But now, as for a godly, gracious man, though his ⟨p. 53⟩condition be never so sad, and his soul never so much cast down, yet he hath no reason to be discouraged, I say, whatever his condition be: what a glorious condition are the Saints in, who would not be in love with this condition? who would not be in Christ? who would not leave the waies of the wicked? who would not be Godly? O! you that are ungodly labor to become Godly.

Answ. 3 Thirdly, The exhortation is specially directed to the Saints, and with you I must leave a word of exhortation, Take heed and beware of discouragements, of being cast down, you have no reason for it, much reason against it. Thereby.

You rejoice the heart of Satan, he claps his hands and laughs to see you cast down, now, O now (faith he) this man is like to me, I am a despairing spirit, and so is he, I am discouraged and cast down, and so is he, he stands triumphing over you, to see you under these discouragements: when you are sad, he is glad.