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

Persons would take a reflect look on the frame of their own hearts, before their darkness came on them […] they were careless, and carnal secure, untender, and remi•s in stirring up ⟨p. 135⟩themselves to obtain Light from God; If darkness or any other affliction come on them, in such a case, it speaks this. That they were sadly surprised in that distemper; but if it come on them at such a time, when they have a Testimony within them, that they were making Conscience of their Duty, it would seem to say, that God is not looking so much at their sin, as to some Sovereign end, •e would bring about by that Rod: If ye consider holy Joh, who is the eminent Pattern of Gods exercising a a man Sovereignly: the Case and Frame, he was overtaken in, by his affliction, was a most tender one, rising in the morning▪ and offering Sacrifices for his Children; and as he says Chap. 3. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came; That is, If I had been secure and carnal, I would have thought the less to meet with such troubles▪ but I was not at carnal ease, but was seriously at my Duty; It was this that made him that he could not see what it was that God pointed out to him for his exercise.

Persons would take a reflect look on the frame of their own hearts, before their darknesse came on them 〈…〉 they were carelesse, and carnal secure, untender, and remi•s in stirring up ⟨p. 135⟩themselves to obtain Light from God; If darkness or any other affliction come on them, in such a case, it speaks this. That they were sadly surprized in that distemper; but if it come on them at such a time, when they have a Testimony within them, that they were making Conscience of their Duty, it would seem to say, that God is not looking so much at their sin, as to some Sovereign end, •e would bring aboūt by that Rod: If ye consider holy Ioh, who is the eminent Patern of Gods exercising a a man Soveraignly: the Case and Frame, he was overtaken in, by his affliction, was a most tender one, rising in the morning and offering Sacrifices for his Children; and as he sayes Chap. 3. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came; That is, If I had been secure and carnal, I would have thought the less to meet with such troubles but I was not at crnal ease, but was seriously at my Duty; It was this that made him that he could not see what it was that God pointed out to him for his exercise.