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

Answ. No. For a man that is in the dark, is not able to judg of his own Grace, or Christs Strength in him: Now you are in Desertion, ⟨p. 155⟩therefore in the dark, therefore not able to judg of your own Grace, and Christs Strength in you; yet if you can judg in this Condition, and will deal faithfully with your own souls; is there not as much of Christs Strength, and Grace in your Lives and Conversations, as when ye had that presence which ye mourn after, excepting your enlargements in Duties? I confess indeed, that • Gracious man in time of Desertion, hath not those enlargements, as he had when Gods Face shined upon him; but setting aside your enlargements, what is there in your Conversations wanting now, which you had then? and is the very want of enlargement, a sufficient reason to say that Christ is gone, and hath forsaken me, not only in regard of Vision, but in regard of Union, Strength, and Grace? We read in Cant. 5.5. That when Christ withdraws from the Spouse, there is some Myrrh left upon the ringles of the door; the Spouse ariseth, follows after him, and enquireth for him, saying, Did you see my beloved? She met with the Watchmen, they smote her, and she was willing to bear their smiting, that she might hear of Christ; she stands, and admireth at the beauty and excellency of her Beloved; White, and ruddy, the fairest of ten thousand. Now in this Desertion of yours, is there not some Myrrh upon the ringles of your heart? Do you not still stand admiring Christ, and his Excellencies? Do you not enquire after your Beloved? going to one, and to another, saying, Did you see him whom my soul loveth? Are you not willing that the Watchmen should smite you, so ye may but meet with Christ again? And will ye say then, he is not only gone in regard of Vision, but in regard of Union, Power, Strength, and Grace too? Surely you have no reason for it.

Answ. No. For a man that is in the dark, is not able to judg of his own Grace, or Christs Strength in him: Now you are in Desertion, ⟨p. 155⟩therefore in the dark, therefore not able to judg of your own Grace, and Christs Strength in you; yet if you can judg in this Condition, and wil deal faithfully with your own souls; is there not as much of Christs Strength, and Grace in your Lives and Conversations, as when ye had that presence which ye mourn after, excepting your enlargements in Duties? I confess indeed, that Gracious man in time of Desertion, hath not those enlargements, as he had when Gods Face shined upon him; but setting aside your enlargements, what is there in your Conversations wanting now, which you had then? and is the very want of enlargement, a sufficient reason to say that Christ is gone, and hath forsaken me, not only in regard of Vision, but in regard of Union, Strength, and Grace? We read in