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

or if I have heard, I have been disputing against what I have heard, and making Objections all along: now the Lord pardon this evil to me; through Grace, mine Ear shall be more open to Christ, and less open to Satan. So do, and you will never be much discouraged, whatever your Desertion be.

Answ. 4 In the Fourth Place: Labour more and more for to live by Faith: When God seems to be mine Enemy, saith Luther, and to stand with a drawn Sword against me, then do I cast, and throw my self into his Arms: and what better way than to venture upon God in this case? and to say, Whether saved, or not saved; whether damned, or not damned; whether Hypocrite, or not Hypocrite; I do cast my self upon God at a venture. It is the Love, and Favour of Christ, that you mourn after, and are discouraged for the want of; you cannot get a more ready, and compendious way to get this Love, than when you are in the dark, to throw your selves into Christs Arms at a venture; this takes, and wins the heart of Christ over to you: what! will this ⟨p. 265⟩poor soul throw himself into my Arms (saith Christ) now I do seem his Enemy? well, then I will show my self to be his friend; and this is the proper work of this Life: as for those sights and visions of God, they are the work of Heaven; and though God give them sometimes; yet it argues more strength of Grace for to be able to live without them. Suppose two men in your work; one that must have his pay presently, his wages presently, yea, before he hath done his work: the other will not have his wages till his work be all done, and if ye offer him money, no, saith he, I will stay till all be done, and receive it in a lump together: Which of these two, is the ablest man, or which the poorest man? Will you not say, surely, he that cannot stay, is the poorest? and he that can stay longest for his wages, is the ablest man? So it is here; God hath two sorts of Servants: one that doth go by Visions, and Manifestations of Love, and are not able for to live at all by Faith, but must have sights and visions, and manifestations every day, or else they die, and murmur, or complain. And others say, O! but these sights, and visions, are for Heaven; if God will have it so, I am contented to stay till all my work be done: which of these two, is the poorest, or the strongest? Will not ye say, surely, he that is able to stay, is strongest? and he the poorest, and weakest, that is not able to stay, or to live by Faith? O! therefore labour more and more to live by Faith; and when you are in Desertion, say, Whether saved, or not saved; whether Hypocrite, or not Hypocrite, I will stay, I will wait on God, and let him come when he pleaseth.