A Body of Practical Divinity

3 Season. After sore Conflicts with Satan Satan is the Red Dragon who troubleth the Waters; he puts the Soul into Frights, makes it believe that it hath no Grace, and that God doth not love it: Though Satan cannot blot out a Christians Evidence, yet he may cast such a Mist before his Eyes that he cannot read it. Now when the Soul hath been bruised with Temptation, God will Comfort this bruised Reed. He now gives Joy Ad corroborandum Titulum, to confirm a Christians Title to Heaven. After Satan's Fiery Darts, comes the White Stone; no better Balm to heal a Tempted Soul than the Oil of Gladness: As after Christ was Tempted, then came an Angel to Comfort him.

3 Season. After sore Conflicts with Satan Satan is the Red Dragon who troubleth the Waters; he puts the Soul into Frights, makes it believe that it hath no Grace, and that God doth not love it: Though Satan cannot blot out a Christians Evidence, yet he may cast such a Mist before his Eyes that he cannot read it. Now when the Soul hath been bruised with Temptation, God will Comfort this bruised Reed. He now gives Joy Ad corroborandum Titulum, to confirm a Christians Title to Heaven. After Satans Fiery Darts, comes the White Stone; no better Balm to heal a Tempted Soul than the Oyl of Gladness: As after Christ was Tempted, then came an Angel to Comfort him.

4 Season. After Desertion: Desertion is a poisoned Arrow shoots to the Heart, Job 6.4. God is called a Fire and a Light, the deserted Soul feels the Fire, but doth not see the Light; it cries out as Asaph, Psal. 77.8. Is his Mercy clean gone? Now when the Soul is in this case, and ready to faint away in Despair, God shines upon the Soul, and gives it some Apprehension of his Favour, and turns the shadow of Death into the light of the Morning. God keeps his Cordials for a time of Fainting. Joy after Desertion is like a Resurrection from the Dead.