CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

4. They may have a calm and serene time in respect of soul-temptations and spiritual exercises. Paul had not always these buffetings of Satan: These spiritual temptations, whether entering from the blackness of our own hearts, or injected by Satan, are very terrible and bitter, they have made the godly weary of themselves: Hence they are compared to darts, and fiery darts, Ephes. 6.16. to show how mortal and how piercing they are. Now although God may many times give his people a quiet, settled, composed spirit, yet this is not enduring, but the storms do arise, the ship begins to sink, and they cry out, that they perish.

4. They may have a calm and serene time in respect of soul-temptations and spirituall exercises. Paul had not alwaies these buffetings of Satan: These spirituall temptations, whether entring from the blackness of our own hearts, or injected by Satan, are very terrible and bitter, they have made the godly weary of themselves: Hence they are compared to darts, and fiery darts, Ephes. 6.16. to shew how mortall and how piercing they are. Now although God may many times give his people a quiet, setled, composed spirit, yet this is not enduring, but the storms do arise, the ship begins to sink, and they cry out, that they perish.

5. They may have the comfortable presence and corporal direction of wise, holy and godly persons, but at last God may take them away. Thus a godly people may have the ministry of a faithful Pastor, while he is with them, the flock is kept, no wolves have been able to get into the fold. Children and servants may have a godly Father and Master; wives, gracious and wise husbands, now these while they were enjoyed, were wonderful supports. Hence Elisha is called the horsemen and chariots of Israel. When Chrysostom was banished, the people said, The sun might have been better taken out of the firmament. Thus God hath given his people many sensible supports by godly Magistrates, godly Ministers, godly Fathers, godly Husbands, and while they had them all was well, as with the Disciples while Christ was with them, but when the shepherd is smitten; when the pillars of the house are removed, oh then thy condition is a new condition, it requireth new graces, new strength. While Ismael is in his fathers