Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

1. For the most part it is but an outside. It is done with respect to others, that they may not appear low spirited, or dejected. Their hearts are eaten up and devoured with troubles and anxiety of mind. Their thoughts are perplexed, and they are still striving, but never come to a conquest, Every new trouble every little alteration in their trials, puts them to new vexation. It is an ungrounded resolution that bears them up and they are easily shaken.

1. For the most part it is but an outside. It is done with respect to others, that they may not appeare low spirited, or dejected. Their hearts are eaten up and devoured with troubles and anxiety of minde. Their thoughts are perplexed, and they are still striving, but never come to a conquest, Every new trouble every little alteration in their trialls, puts them to new vexation. It is an ungrounded resolution that beares them up and they are easily shaken.

2. Secondly what is the best of their resolves and enduring? it is but a contending with God, who hath entangled them; the struggling of a flea under a mountain. Yea though on out ward considerations and principles, they endeavour after patience and ⟨p. 319⟩tolerance; yet all is but a contending with God; a striving to be quiet under that which God hath sent on purpose to disturb them: God doth not afflict men without the Spirit, to exercise their patience; but to disturb their peace, and security All their arming themselves with patience and resolution, is but to keep the hold, that God will cast them out of; or else make them the nearer to ruin. This is the best of their consolation in the time of their trouble.

2. Secondly what is the best of their resolves and enduring? it is but a contending with God, who hath entangled them; the strugling of a flea under a mountaine. Yea though on out ward considerations and principles, they endeavour after patience and ⟨p. 319⟩