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

First: Did ye ever read in all the Word of God, that a man was finally rejected, and forsaken, but an evil Spirit from the Lord did seize upon him presently? Saul was finally rejected, and the Text saith, That an evil Spirit from the Lord seized upon him; and what is the evil Spirit, but an envious Spirit? The envious man in the Gospel, is the evil man; and this evil Spirit seized on Saul as soon as God did forsake him; for an envious, malicious, persecuting Spirit came upon him against David, and the Saints with him. So when God forsakes a man finally, a persecuting Spirit enters him. When God forsakes his own Children, Satan, that evil Spirit comes to them; for when God goes, Satan comes: but there is much difference between a tempting Satan, and a persecuting Satan: tempting Satan comes to the Saints, when they are deserted; but a persecuting Satan doth not enter into them. But did ye ever know, or read of any finally rejected, but an evil, persecuting Spirit seized on them from the Lord?

First: Did ye ever read in al the Word of God, that a man was finally rejected, and forsaken, but an evil Spirit from the Lord did seize upon him presently? Saul was finally rejected, and the Text saith, That an evil Spirit from the Lord seized upon him; and what is the evil Spirit, but an envious Spirit? The envious man in the Gospel, is the evil man; and this evil Spirit seized on Saul as soon as God did forsake him; for an envious, malicious, persecuting Spirit came upon him against David, and the Saints with him. So when God forsakes a man finally, a persecuting Spirit enters him. When God forsakes his own Children, Satan, that evil Spirit comes to them; for when God goes, Satan comes: but there is much difference between a tempting Satan, and a persecuting Satan: tempting Satan comes to the Saints, when they are deserted; but a persecuting Satan doth not enter into them. But did ye ever know, or read of any finally rejected, but an evil, persecuting Spirit seized on them from the Lord?

Secondly: Do you read of any in all the Word, whom God did finally forsake, that could not find in their hearts to forsake God, and his Ways? God doth not forsake us, unless we forsake him; Ye have rejected me, saith the Lord, and therefore I have rejected you. Possibly a good man may want this sense of Gods Love; but then he hath the sense of his own sins: possibly he may want the feeling of his own perfection, which is Divine Love; but then he hath the feeling of his own imperfection. But I say, Did you ever read in all the Word, of any man finally forsaken, that could not find in his heart to forsake God, and the good Ways of God?