Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

1. That he may empty and humble his own People, That when they see they cannot win to clearness, and satisfaction in a Particular of so little moment, and consequence, by making that to be so much their exercise, he may hide pride from their eyes, and lay them low before him. 2dly. As in this, he mindeth their humbling, so their upstirring; by such means, he puteth them to be more serious in seeking him; for oftentimes, when men find things to go easily with them, they are in hazard to betake themselves unto, and sit down in as easy a way of Duty, and to •lack their diligence. 3dly. He doth this for trial; to make discovery of the unsoundness of some, and to prove the sincerity of others; he will, by suspending Light and Clearness in such a particular▪ take a proof of folks tenderness, whither they will forbear, while they are unclear, or, whither they will untenderly go on; It being a main thing that maketh trial of mens tenderness, when God, by this means, layeth, as it were, a Bond and Restraint on us, and so putteth us to it, to try whither we will hold here, or proceed further; if there be tenderness, it will appear in such a case; This discovered Saul, 1 Sam. 28. 6, 7. When God answered him not, who went away immediately to a Witch. And hence it is, that many, when they cannot ⟨p. 124⟩win to Satisfaction, or Clearness, in a lawful way, they betake themselves to the next shift; when others that are tender, will halt, and stand •ill, till God further reveal, and manifest his mind in the thing: As the Prophet doth, 2 Kings 4. 27. Let her alone (sa•eth he of the Shunamite to his Servant) her soul is vexed within her, and the Lord hath hid it from me. 4ly. He doth this to make men prize Light more when they get it, knowing that it cometh from God; We are disposed to think as long as we are not much difficulted, and brought into some notable strait, that our Light floweth from a stock within our selves, and that we have it at command: Thus, many think little, or nothing of being clear to marry such or such a Person, to take such a place, or to engage in such an Employ, and Station; as it may be of Magistracy, or of Ministry; Conscience, as they think, cleareth them at the first hand;