8. That for the most part, if Christians, upon whom the renewing-work of the Holy Ghost in that former communication hath in some degree taken place, do yet want that degree of this also, which is necessary to free them from very afflicting doubts and fears, and enable them to a cheerful and lively walking with God; it is to be reckoned their own fault; either that they put too much upon it (too little minding his public declarations in his Word), or do unduly seek it, or unseasonably expect it; or that they put too little upon it, and expect or seek it not; or that by their indulged carnality, earthliness, vanity of spirit, they render themselves uncapable of it; or by their careless and too licentious walking, or their either resisting or neglecting holy motions, they grieve that Spirit that would comfort them. For though the restraint of such more pleasant communications may proceed, sometimes, from an unaccountable Sovereignty, that owes no reason to us of it's arbitrary way of giving or withholding favours; yet withal, we are to know and consider, that there is such a thing as paternal and domestic Justice proper to Gods own Family, and which as the Head and Father of it, he exerciseth therein; whereby (though he do not exercise it alike at all times) it seems meet to his infinite Wisdom to awaken and rouse the sloth, or rebuke the folly, or check the vanity, or chastise the wantonness of his offending-children; and that even in this way, by retiring himself, becoming ⟨p. 130⟩more reserved, withdrawing the more discernible tokens of his presence, and leaving them to the torture (sometimes) of their own conjectures, what worse thing may ensue. And herein he may design, not only reformation to the delinquents, but instruction to others, and even vindication to Himself. For however these his dealings with mens spirits are in themselves (as they must needs be) secret, and such as come not under the immediate notice of other men; yet somewhat consequential thereto, doth more openly appear, and becomes obvious to the common observation of serious Christians with whom such persons converse; that is, not only such as languish under the more remarkable terrors of their spirits, and are visibly, as it were, consuming in their own flame, (of which sort there occur very monitory and instructive examples, at some times);
8. That for the most part, if Christians, upon whom the renewing-work of the Holy Ghost in that former communication hath in some degree taken place, do yet want that degree of this also, which is necessary to free them from very afflicting doubts and fears, and enable them to a cheerful and lively walking with God; it is to be reckoned their own fault; either that they put too much upon it (too little minding his publick declarations in his Word), or do unduly seek it, or unseasonably expect it; or that they put too little upon it, and expect or seek it not; or that by their indulged carnality, earthliness, vanity of spirit, they render themselves uncapable of it; or by their careless and too licentious walking, or their either resisting or neglecting holy motions, they grieve that Spirit that would comfort them. For though the restraint of such more pleasant communications may proceed, sometimes, from an unaccountable Soveraignty, that owes no reason to us of it's arbitrary way of giving or withholding favours; yet withal, we are to know and consider, that there is such a thing as paternal and domestick Justice proper to Gods own Family, and which as the Head and Father of it, he exerciseth therein; whereby (though he do not exercise it alike at all times) it seems meet to his infinite Wisdom to awaken and rouze the sloth, or rebuke the folly, or check the vanity, or chastise the wantonness of his offending-children; and that even in this way, by retiring himself, becoming ⟨p. 130⟩more reserved, withdrawing the more discernible tokens of his presence, and leaving them to the torture (sometimes) of their own conjectures, what worse thing may ensue. And herein he may design, not only ref•rmation to the delinquents, but instruction to others, and even vindication to Himself. For however these his dealings with mens spirits are in themselves (as they must needs be) secret, and such as come not under the immediate notice of other men; yet somewhat consequential thereto, doth more openly appear, and becomes obvious to the common observation of serious Christians with whom such persons converse; that is, not only such as languish under the more remarkable terrors of their spirits, and are visibly, as it were, consuming in their own flame, (of which sort there occur very monitory and instructive examples, at some times);
