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

Object. 4 This is but part of my condition; for I have sinned, Christ hath forsaken me; I have sinned, Christ hath smote me, and he goes on smiting, goes on angry, goes on displeased; I have been deserted a long while, in the dark a long while; and I am so far from the light, that it doth even grow darker and darker, my condition being more sad, every day than other; every day I am more deserted, and my condition worser; have I not reason to be cast down, and discouraged now?

Answ. No: For when was it worst with the Israelites? They had an ill time of it all the while they were in the Land of Egypt, a dark time; but was it not worst with them immediately before their deliverance? Did not the Task-Masters then beat them? When was it worst with David? ill at all times in the Wilderness; but was it not worst with him at Ziklag, when he had lost his Wives, and his own men took up stones against him? Psal. 10. we read, that David saith, Why standest thou afar off, O Lord, and hidest thy self in the time of trouble? hiding is more, and wor•er than ⟨p. 158⟩standing afar off. When the Sun is going down, then it seems to be far off; but when it is hidden, then it is set, and is further off: So saith David; Lord, thou art not only afar off, but even out of sight, quite out of sight, and art hidden from me; his Desertion grew higher and higher: And if you look into Psal. 13. you find, that he speaks to the like purpose; How long wilt thou bide thy face from me? how long wilt thou forget me (O Lord) for ever? As hiding, is more than standing afar off; so it is worse than forgetting: For, as Musculus observes well, forgetting is but Remissio amoris; a man that loves another, may forget him, yet he may love him well; but hiding the face is, Irae testimonium, the testimony of anger; and it is as if David should have said, Lord, thou doest not only restrain thy Love towards me, but thou doest show tokens of thy displeasure, and anger, and thy displeasure riseth: So