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

Sixthly: Did ye ever know a man finally forsaken of Christ, who did long after the presence of Christ, as the greatest good? and looked upon his absence as the greatest evil, and affliction in all the world? being willing to kiss the feet of Jesus Christ, and to serve him in the lowest, and meanest condition, so he might but enjoy him? We find, that the Saints desire, above all things, to be kissed with the kisses of Christs mouth: and therefore the Book of the Canticles doth so begin, chap. 2. ver. 1. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; even because that is the first, and the chiefest of the Saints desires in this Life: but if Christ will not kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, saith a gracious soul, yet I am willing to kiss his feet, as Mary did. There is a time a coming, when he will kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for ever; but for the present, if I can but kiss his feet here, I have hope to be kissed by him in Heaven. Now I say, Did Christ ever forsake a man finally, who did thus long after Christ himself? Can those that are forsaken, mourn after his presence, as the best thing, and for his absence, as the greatest evil in all the world? I appeal to your own Souls, and Bosoms herein; whoever you are that labour under this fear, that Christ is gone, and he will return no more; suppose that God hath hid his face from you, seems to forget you, and to be angry with you; yet in the midst of all these darknesses, Do you find an evil Spirit, an envious, malicious Spirit from the Lord, seizing upon you? Do you find, that you can find in your heart to forsake God, and the good Ways of God? Yea, rather, do you not find ⟨p. 262⟩the contrary, though you want the sense of Gods Love? Have you not the sense of your own sin? and when you want the sense of your own perfection, have you not some sense of your own imperfection? Don't you look upon this Desertion, as the greatest Affliction in all the world? Can you not mourn after God, and his Presence? Doth not Christ every foot, send in one token of his Love, or another to visit your souls? And are you not willing to kiss the feet of Jesus Christ? O yes! I must needs say; though I have fears that Christ is gone, and will return no more; yet I praise the Lord, I do not find an envious, malicious, persecuting Spirit in my soul unto the Saints, and People of God.

Sixtly: Did ye ever know a man finally forsaken of Christ, who did long after the presence of Christ, as the greatest good? and looked upon his absence as the greatest evil, and affliction in all the world? being willing to kiss the feet of Jesus Christ, and to serve him in the lowest, and meanest condition, so he might but enjoy him? We find, that the Saints desire, above all things, to be kist with the kisses of Christs mouth: and therefore the Book of the Camicles doth so begin, chap. 2. ver. 1. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; even because that is the first, and the chiefest of the Saints desires in this Life: but if Christ wil not kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, saith a gracious soul, yet I am willing to kiss his feet, as Mary did. There is a time a coming, when he wil kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for ever; but for the present, if I can but kiss his feet here, I have hope to be kissed by him in Heaven. Now I say, Did Christ ever forsake a man finally, who did thus long after Christ himself? Can those that are forsaken, mourn after his presence, as the best thing, and for his absence, as the greatest evil in al the world? I appeal to your own Souls, and Bosoms herein; whoever you are that labor under this fear, that Christ is gone, and he wil return no more; suppose that God hath hid his face from you, seems to forget you, and to be angry with you; yet in the midst of all these darknesses, Do you find an evil Spirit, an envious, malicious Spirit from the Lord, seizing upon you? Do you find, that you can find in your heart to forsake God, and the good Waies of God? Yea, rather, do you not find