An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

Secondly observe, That God steals truths into the hearts of his people unawares. As they often expect and wait long for knowledge, so they sometimes know before they expect. A truth either in whole or part, in the matter or clearer light of it, comes like a Thief into the heart, suddenly, secretly, unlooked for: in which case it is ⟨p. 77⟩ever true, that truth unexpected is doubly welcomed. The way of the Spirit of God is always undiscernible to flesh and blood. The soul receives a thing, and the man knows not how; he can (scarce possibly, not at all) tell where, by whom, or which way it came to him; it was brought, secretly brought; and with a most blessed, gracious slight of hand, conveyed into his heart. Yet sometime truth enters in State, & may be said to make its passage visibly, into the heart of a man. The word comes, not as a company of Thieves, but as a band of Soldiers, with weapons drawn, and terrible shouts, tearing open the soul, and breaking open the iron gate of the heart, locked and barred with unbelief, to secure that cursed crew of lusts, garrisoned within it. The weapons of our warfare (saith the Apostle) are mighty, through God, 2 Cor. 10. 4. The word is mighty, wonderful in strength, it comes upon the soul as an armed man, to spoil it of all sinful treasures, yea of the very life of sin. Sometimes the Lord proclaims war, as by a Herald of Arms against a man and openly prepares for his siege and battery. He surprises another, and steals him into a happy captivity to himself.

Secondly observe, That God steales truths into the hearts of his people unawares. As they often expect and wait long for knowledge, so they sometimes know before they expect. A truth either in whole or part, in the matter or clearer light of it, comes like a Thief into the heart, suddenly, secretly, unlooked for: in which case it is ⟨p. 77⟩ever true, that truth unexpected is doubly welcom'd. The way of the Spirit of God is alwayes undiscernable to flesh and blood. The soule receives a thing, and the man knowes not how; he can (scarce possibly, not at all) tell where, by whom, or which way it came to him; it was brought, secretly brought; and with a most blessed, gracious slight of hand, conveyed into his heart. Yet sometime truth enters in State, & may be said to make its passage visibly, into the heart of a man. The word comes, not as a company of Thieves, but as a band of Souldiers, with weapons drawn, and terrible shouts, tearing open the soule, and breaking open the iron gate of the heart, lock'd and barr'd with unbeliefe, to secure that cursed crue of lusts, garrison'd within it. The weapons of our warfare (saith the Apostle) are mighty, through God,