if they win to ⟨p. 140⟩know what to do to day, or for the present •ow, they would (as I said) welcome that, and make use of it; Thus it's said of Abraham, Heb. 11. 8. That by faith being called of God, he forsook his country, and went out, not knowing whither he went; sometimes God will call a person to go this step, and he will not for the time, let him know where the next shall be; he should lift as it were, that foot, and make that step, while he hath Light, and so on, from one step to another, till the darkness make him stand still. The Third Direction, is, That though we come not to clearness at the first, yet we would wait on, and not be hasty; It's a notable folly, to be either rash in acting, or hasty in giving up with God, when he will not speak to us at the first; my meaning is, That we would neither do the thing that we are in debate about before we be clear in it, for that is to do doubtingly; neither should we give it over, but should be waiting on in renewing our applications to God, till he think meet to speak to us; The vision, (says the Lord to Habakkuk) is yet for an appointed time, though it tarry, wait for▪ it; There are some times that God will only say this much to a person, wait, and that is an answer; more will come to the waiter in due time; and we may be encouraged to wait, if we will consider, that honest waiters have a promise of Light: If one should say here, I am in the mean time sadly exercised; I Answer, it may be meet thou should be in exercise, that exercise may be good for thee; Nay, it may be thou makes a piece of exercise to thy self, because thou wouldest know more then is his mind, thou shouldest for the time know. The Fourth Direction, is, There would be silent stooping to, and reverend adoring of the wisdom, and Sovereignty of God, in ordering darkness in such a particular, which is not a necessary duty; so that the person cannot stir, nor move towards it; It may be for the good of the party, that he is thus, by this darkness restrained, and hedged in, which, though it be not now known, may be made known, hereafter, to satisfaction.
if they win to ⟨p. 140⟩know what to do to day, or for the present •ow, they would (as I said) welcome that, and make use of it; Thus it's said of Abraham, Heb. 11. 8. That by faith being called of God, he forsook his countrey, and went out, not knowing whither he went; sometimes God will call a person to go this step, and he will not for the time, let him know where the nixt shall be; he should lift as it were, that foot, and make that step, while he hath Light, and so on, from one step to another, till the darknesse make him stand still. The Third Direction, is, That though we come not to clearness at the first, yet we would wait on, and not be hastie; It's a notable follie, to be either rash in acting, or hastie in giving up with God, when he will not speak to us at the first; my meaning is, That we would neither do the thing that we are in debate about before we be clear in it, for that is to do doubtingly; neither should we give it over, but should be waiting on in renewing our applications to God, till he think meet to speak to us; The vision, (sayes the Lord to Habbacuck) is yet for ane appointed time, though it tarry, wait for▪ it; There are some times that God will only say this much to a person, wait, and that is an answer; more will come to the waiter in due time; and we may be encouraged to wait, if we will consider, that honest waiters have a promise of Light: If one should say here, I am in the mean time sadly exercised; I Answer, it may be meet thou should be in exercise, that exercise may be good for thee; Nay, it may be thou makes a piece of exercise to thy self, because thou wouldest know more then is his mind, thou shouldest for the time know. The Fourth Direction, is, There would be silent stouping to, and reverend adoring of the wisdom, and Soveraignity of God, in ordering darknesse in such a particular, which is not a necessary duty; so that the person cannot stir, nor move towards it; It may be for the good of the party, that he is thus, by this darknesse restrained, and hedged in, which, though it be not now known, may be made known, hereafter, to satisfaction.
