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

Answ. 3 Thirdly: Be sure that you hear things indifferently on both sides. There are two Parties pleading in your souls in the time of Desertion. One that doth plead for Christ, to maintain, and bear up the Love of Christ in your heart, saying, He is gone indeed, and he doth hide his face; but he will come again, and shine upon you again. There is another Party, that doth plead the cause of Satan, against Christ, saying, He is now gone, and will return no more, you shall never see his face again. In this case, be sure that you do hear things indifferently, and let not your Ear be open to one, and shut to the other. He can never judg •g h•ly, that doth not hear both parties: Though it be no time to judg when you are under Temptation, and in the dark; yet how frequently do ⟨p. 264⟩poor souls judg themselves in this condition, and even judg themselves to be under Judgment, why? but because they hearken more to one side, than to the other: If Satan come, and tell them a story of Gods Displeasure, they will be sure to hear that at large; but if Christ come and tell them a story of Gods Love to sinners, that they hear not, or if they do, yet as a man that reads a Book to confute it, is disputing against what he reads all along; so are they also disputing against the words of the Gospel all along as they hear them; saying in their hearts, O! but, this is not made to me; it is a good Promise, but it belongs not to me, this is not my condition; and a hundred such [O! buts.] But is this equal? How is it possible, but that a man should mis-judg, and be much discouraged, when he hears thus? Wherefore, my Exhortation from the Lord is, which I beseech you in his Name to receive; Never receive any Relation from the Law, but be assured your Ears be as open for to hear the Gospel: Never receive any Relation, or Story from Satan; but let your Ear be as open to hear what Christ saith. And why should not this Exhortation be received? Had I entreated some great thing for Christ, would you not have done it? But now that I only entreat you to carry things indifferently, to have an Ear open, as well to Christ, as to Satan; will ye not yield to it? O! me thinks every gracious soul should say, Well, through Grace, I will hearken more to Christ: I confess indeed, I have heard what Satan hath said; but when Comfort hath come, I have turned away mine Ear, and have not heard;