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

Answ. 3 Thirdly: Though it pleaseth God, to hide his Face from his People sometimes, insomuch as they are in the dark, and in a very dark Condition; yet they are never so much in the dark, but that they have light enough to work by: For what day is there in all the year, that is so short, dark, and gloomy, but a man may see to work by? Indeed, sometimes the Sun is in the Eclipse, sometimes behind a Cloud; sometimes it breaks not forth with his Golden beams, as at other times: but if the Sun be up, and it be day, a man hath always light enough to work by. Now the Sun is always up with the Saints, it is always day with them; though the Beams of the Sun of Righteousness, do not shine, yet it is always day; they are not Children of darkness; they may have a dark day of it, but though it be never so dark, they may find light enough to do the great Work which they came into the World for; which is, to believe, and trust, and stay themselves on God; this • man may do in the darkest time, when he hath no light: and therefore saith the Prophet, Let him that walks in darkness; and seeth no light, stay himself upon the Name of the Lord. What then, though you have not so much light as you would have, to refresh your selves by; yet if you have light enough to do your Fathers Work by (and the greatest work of this Life is, to trust in God, and believe) have you then any reason for your discouragements? Thus it is with all the Saints; though they may be in the dark, and the Sun shines not out upon them, yet it is always day with them and they have light enough, when it is darkest, to do their Father• work and business by; and therefore certainly, the Saints have no reason to be cast down, and discouraged, although they be much forsaken deserted, and in the dark.

Answ. 3 Thirdly: Though it pleaseth God, to hide his Face from his People somtimes, insomuch as they are in the dark, and in a very dark Condition; yet they are never so much in the dark, but that they have light enough to work by: For what day is there in all the yeer, that is so short, dark, and gloomy, but a man may see to work by? Indeed, somtimes the Sun is in the Eclipse, somtimes behind a Cloud; somtimes it breaks not forth with his Golden beams, as at other times: but if the Sun be up, and it be day, a man hath alwaies light enough to work by. Now the Sun is alwaies up with the Saints, it is alwaies day with them; though the Beams of the Sun of Righteousness, do not shine, yet it is alwaies day; they are not Children of darkness; they may have a dark day of it, but though it be never so dark, they may find light enough to do the great Work which they came into the World for; which is, to beleeve, and trust, and stay themselves on God; this man may do in the darkest time, when he hath no light: and therefore saith the Prophet, Let him that walks in darkness; and seeth no light, stay himself upon the Name of the Lord. What then, though you have not so much light as you would have, to refresh your selves by; yet if you have light enough to do your Fathers Work by (and the greatest work of this Life is, to trust in God, and beleeve) have you then any reason for your discouragements? Thus it is with al the Saints; though they may be in the dark, and the Sun shines not out upon them, yet it is alwaies day with them and they have light enough, when it is darkest, to do their Father work and business by; and therefore certainly, the Saints have no reason to be cast down, and discouraged, although they be much forsaken deserted, and in the dark.