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

I don't find that my heart is willing to forsake Christ, and the good ways of Christ: But I find that I can mourn for the absence of Christ simply for it self, and look upon it as the greatest affliction in the world: That I am ever willing to kiss the feet of Jesus Christ: And to be in the lowest, and meanest Condition, so he would but return unto my soul again. Yea, and I must needs say, That every foot I receive one token or other, one Promise or another, to visit me in my condition. Then be of good comfort; though Christ be absent, yet he will return again; and with great mercy, and with everlasting kindness will he gather your souls unto himself again: and thus I say it shall be with all the Saints. Surely therefore they have no reason for their Discouragements, whatever their Desertions be. Why therefore should not every one say, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within me?

I don't find that my heart is willing to forsake Christ, and the good waies of Christ: But I find that I can mourn for the absence of Christ simply for it self, and look upon it as the greatest affliction in the world: That I am ever willing to kiss the feet of Jesus Christ: And to be in the lowest, and meanest Condition, so he would but return unto my soul again. Yea, and I must needs say, That every foot I receive one token or other, one Promise or another, to visit me in my condition. Then be of good comfort; though Christ be absent, yet he wil return again; and with great mercy, and with everlasting kindness wil he gather your souls unto himself again: and thus I say it shal be with all the Saints. Surely therefore they have no reason for their Discouragements, whatever their Desertions be. Why therefore should not every one say, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within me?

Quest. Upon all this account I see, I have not so much reason for my Discouragement: but it is an hard thing to bear up ones heart from sinking in the time of Desertion, when God hides his face: What shall I do then (and this may be the condition of us all) that I may bear up my heart against this Discouragement, even when I am most in the dark, and Christ hides his face from me, or forsakes me?