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

Answ. 2 If the want of Parts, and Gifts, be better for you, then you have no reason to be discouraged for the want of them. Now, you know, that it is better for a man that hath but a little stock, to have a little farm; than to have a great farm, and a little stock: a man that hath but a little stock, and a great farm, may for the present brave it out, and converse with company that are in estate beyond him, but at last he will decay and break: better that a man, who hath but a little stock, should have a little farm suitable to his stock. Now God our Father sees, that thou hast a little good, there are some good things found in thee; but these good things, this little stock, is not big enough for a great farm of Parts, and Gifts, and because the Lord sees, that thy stock of Grace, is not great enough for such a great farm of Parts; therefore, in design of mercy, he hath thus ordered it, that thou shouldest have a less farm of Gifts.

Answ. 2 If the want of Parts, and Gifts, be better for you, then you have no reason to be discouraged for the want of them. Now, you know, that it is better for a man that hath but a little stock, to have a little farm; than to have a great farm, and a little stock: a man that hath but a little stock, and a great farm, may for the present brave it out, and converse with company that are in estate beyond him, but at last he wil decay and break: better that a man, who hath but a little stock, should have a little farm sutable to his stock. Now God our Father sees, that thou hast a little good, there are some good things found in thee; but these good things, this little stock, is not big enough for a great farm of Parts, and Gifts, and because the Lord sees, that thy stock of Grace, is not great enough for such a great farm of Parts; therefore, in design of mercy, he hath thus ordered it, that thou shouldest have a less farm of Gifts.

Answ. 3 If our Parts and Gifts do not commend our services and duties, unto God, then have you no reason to be discouraged for the want of them. Now, so it is, that they do not commend us, nor our services unto God. When you have good meat in a dish, possibly you will lay flowers upon it, cut Oranges and Lemons, and lay upon the side of the dish; but a wise man knows, that the meat is never the better for tho e flowers, or for the sugar that lies on the side of the platter; a wise man knows, that if those were wanting, the meat were never the worse. Beloved! God our Father is of infinite wisdom, these Parts and Gifts are flowers indeed, and they help to cook ou a duty, and to make it more acceptable to men, but the Lord who is wisdom knows, that the duty is never the beter; and he knows, that when these flowers are wanting, the duty is never the worse. All flesh is grass, and the flower thereof, and it fades away. Parts and Gifts are but flesh; and our wise God knows, the eat is never the worser, when these flowers are wanting. Yea, if I had all Parts and all Gifts, that I were able to preach and speak like an Angel; and that I were able to cast out Devils; yet notwithstanding, if I have not