Expos. 14. A man may have faith that feels not comfort and grace, that sees not the fruits of grace, Psal. 22. 1. and 77. 8. 9. The soul is sometimes sick, Ezek. 34. 4. 16. Cant. 3. 5. and sometimes in a swoon, Cant. 5. 6. sometimes we judge amiss of our estate, Psal. 116. 10. 11. and 77. 10. observing what motions we have to evil, but not how we resist them, supposing we have no grace, because we have not what grace we desire, or because we find not our selves at all times alike affected, and comforted, or else we want what others have, or we conceit them to have; whereas God gives not all graces to one man, nor to ⟨p. 233⟩all in the same measure, Eph. 4. 7. Zach. 12. 8. And also it is the property of men in affliction, to admire small things in others, and deny great and many graces in themselves. Likewise the vastness of desire causeth that which is much in comparison to seem nothing. Satan works upon the timorous disposition of some▪ and persuades them that they have fearfully consented to those suggestions which they always abhorred, and in which they never took delight: or that they wilfully offend, when some sinful motions arise in their hearts, to which they do not consent, but which they resist, praying to God for forgiveness and assistance; & because we in temptations want one grace which accompanies faith, to wit, joy, Jo. 8. 56. 1. Pet. 1. 8. we conclude that we have no faith at all, whereas faith and joy be not inseparable companion, Job. 13. 15. Heb. 11. 1. Psal. 77. 2, 3. the violence of temptation hindering the sense of mercy, when God doth not withhold comfort; for which causes we must not overmuch trust our selves, or credit our feeling, but give credit, to the testimony of the godly ⟨p. 234⟩and faithful..
Expos. 14. A man may haue faith that feeles not comfort and grace, that sees not the fruits of grace, Psal. 22. 1. and 77. 8. 9. The soule is sometimes sicke, Ezek. 34. 4. 16. Cant. 3. 5. and sometimes in a swound, Cant. 5. 6. sometimes we iudge amisse of our estate, Psal. 116. 10. 11. and 77. 10. obseruing what motions we haue to euill, but not how we resist them, supposing we haue no grace, because we haue not what grace we desire, or because we find not our selues at all times alike affected, and comforted, or else we want what others haue, or we conceit them to haue; whereas God giues not all graces to one man, nor to ⟨p. 233⟩all in the same measure, Eph. 4. 7. Zach. 12. 8. And also it is the propertie of men in affliction, to admire smal things in others, and deny great and many graces in themselues. Likewise the vastnes of desire causeth that which is much in comparison to seeme nothing. Sathan works vpon the timorous disposirion of some▪ and perswades them that they haue fearefully consented to those suggestions which they alwaies abhorred, and in which they neuer tooke delight: or that they wilfully offend, when some sinneful motions arise in their hearts, to which they doe not consent, but which they resist, praying to God for forgiuenesse and assistance; & because we in temptations want one grace which accompanies faith, to wit, ioy, Io. 8. 56. 1. Pet. 1. 8. we conclude that we haue no faith at all, whereas faith and ioy bee not inseperable companion, Iob. 13. 15. Heb. 11. 1.
