Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of…Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of…

I shall answer this question affirmatively;¹ A man that hath the strength of grace yet may want the comfort of it: Strength of grace (as you have heard) doth not exempt a man from temptations from the devil, nor from desertions from God. It is an undoubted rule, there may be strength of grace, where there is not the comfort and evidence of it. A child of light may walk in darkness ⟨p. 128⟩for a time; and though he have the holy Ghost working grace, and increasing grace in his heart, yet he may want the oil of gladness, though he have received a precious anointing of grace.² A child of God, as to his spiritual condition, may for a time be in the same condition that Paul and the Mariners were in, who for many days had neither sun nor stars appearing, ³being under no small tempest, hopes of being saved being taken away: So it fares with Gods dearest children, they may be in the dark and can see no light, they may have the graces of the Spirit, and yet want the comforts of the Spirit.

I shall answer this question affirmatively;¹ A man that hath the strength of grace yet may want the comfort of it: Strength of grace (as you have heard) doth not exempt a man from temptations from the divel, nor from desertions from God. It is an undoubted rule, there may be strength of grace, where there is not the comfort and evidence of it. A child of light may walk in darknesse ⟨p. 128⟩for a time; and though he have the holy Ghost working grace, and encreasing grace in his heart, yet he may want the oyle of gladnesse, though he have received a precious anoynting of grace.² A child of God, as to his spirituall condition, may for a time be in the same condition that Paul and the Marriners were in, who for many daies had neither sun nor stars appearing,