N00747:110
Spiritual desertions discovered and remedied. Being the substance of divers sermons preached for the help of dark souls, labouring under divine withdrawings. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Four lines from Isaiah]
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There are two things that may here ••me under consideration.
1. We may enquire into the nature and operation of this trouble.
2. We may observe, whence it is that th•se Desertions are so terrible to them?
1. Concerning the nature and operation of this trouble, we may first take a general description of it, and then trace it in the effects which it produceth in the Christian.
1. Of this trouble take this general description; It is the most distressing perplexity of Soul, in a Child of God, arising from his apprehension of Gods withdrawing from him. We before observed that the […] used in our Text is very emphatical▪ which is engrossed in the description, and may be laid forth in the opening of it. Here therefore observe.
1. Of this trouble take this general description; It is the most distressing perplexity of Soul, in a Child of God, arising from his apprehension of Gods withdrawing from him. We before observed that the 〈…〉 used in our Text is very emphati•al▪ which is engrossed in the description, and may be laid forth in the opening of it. Here therefore observe.
1. The subject of these hidings; and that is a Child of God. That these may undergo them hath been already observed & made manifest; as also that there is a vast difference between Gods hiding from these, and from wicked men; and accordingly there are also different resentments in them, both as to the things wherein God hideth, and the entertainment ⟨p. 55⟩which they give thereunto. We must therefore carry in our minds whom it is that we are treating about.
1. The subject of these hidings; and that is a Child of God. That these may undergoe them hath been already observed & made manifest; as also that there is a vast difference between Gods hiding from these, and from wicked men; and accordingly there are also different resentments in them, both as to the things wherein God hideth, and the entertainment ⟨p. 55⟩which they give thereunto. We must therefore carry in our minds whom it is that we are treating about.
2. We are told whence it is that their trouble proceeds; viz. The ••prehens••• of Gods withdrawing from them. And here observe,
1. The foundation of this trouble i• in the desertion it self: it is that which gives being to it. If God should not withdraw, they would not thus be troubled: could they always enjoy the light of his countenance, it would abundantly satisfy them, let what else will befall them. Psal. 23.4. When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will from no ill, for thou art with me.
2. That which nextly produceth […] trouble is their apprehension of this. Sometimes they are in so drowsy a frame, that God is hidden, and they are insensible of it, and so long it disquiets them not. How long it was thus with David we cannot certainly tell, but it was so till the Prophet came and r••sed him▪ • Sam. 12. begin. But when once the spiritual sense is awakened, and they miss, and cannot find him, now they are distressed. And it is an usual thing for ⟨p. 56⟩him to give such a touch on the Conscience upon his withdrawing, which quickens this sense; so •he found it in, Cant. 5.4. My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. And the reason is▪ because he ever deserts them with a purpose to return again, and this is in order to it.
2. That which nextly produceth 〈…〉 trouble is their apprehension of this. Sometimes they are in so drowsy a frame, that God is hidden, and they are insensible of it, and so long it disquiets them not. How long it was thus with David we cannot certainly tell, but it was so till the Prophet came and r••sed him▪ • Sam. 12. begin. But when once the spiritual sense is awakened, and they miss, and cannot find him, now they are distressed. And it is an usual thing for ⟨p. 56⟩him to give such a touch on the Conscience upon his withdrawing, which quickens this sense; so •he found it in, Cant. 5.4. My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. And the reason is▪ because he ever deserts them with a purpose to return again, and this is in order to it.
3. The trouble it self is a distressing perplexity of Soul. We observed that the word signifies such a Consternation as leaves a man, in his own apprehension, without counsel or help: he is brought into a labyrinth, and cannot ••e his way out; he can look no way but he is entangled, and this distracts him; so he complains, Psal. 88.15. While I suffer thy terrors, I am distracted. And we have such moans, Psal. 31.9, 10. I am in trouble, mine eye is consumed with grief, &c. And 38.8, 10. I am feeble and sore broken, I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart, my heart pants, my strength fai•• ▪ &c.
3. The trouble it self is a distressing perplexity of Soul. We observed that the word signifies such a Consternation as leaves a man, in his own apprehension, without counsel or help: he is brought into a labyrinth, and cannot ••e his way out; he can look no way but he is entangled, and this distracts him; so he complains, Psal. 88.15. While I suffer thy terrours, I am distracted. And we have such moans, Psal. 31.9, 10. I am in trouble, mine eye is consumed with grief, &c. And 38.8, 10. I am feeble and sore broken, I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart, my heart pants, my strength fai•• ▪ &c.
4. For the quality of it, it is the most distressing. Not but that there are degrees in it, as will anon appear, but in the kind, it is the greatest of any; there ⟨p. 57⟩is no other sort of distress that a Child of God meets with that is comparable to it; all are tolerable in comparison with this; hence that, Prov. 18.14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? But this will be more evident by considering of the effects which it produceth in the Christian. Only let me premise in general, that this trouble operates diversly, both as to manner & degrees, accordingly as God hides his face from them. We must therefore consider these effects according to this diversity, and there are some that are common to all, and there are others that are proper to these and those, according as they are accommodated to their particular resentments▪ We may take a brief account of each of them.
4. For the quality of it, it is the most distressing. Not but that there are deg•ees in it, as will anon appear, but in the kind, it is the greatest of any; there ⟨p. 57⟩is no other sort of destress that a Child of God meets with that is comparable to it; all are tolerable in comparison with this; hence that, Prov. 18.14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? But this will be more evident by considering of the effects which it produceth in the Christian. Only let me premise in general, that this trouble operates diversly, both as to manner & degrees, accordingly as God hides his face from them. We must therefore consider these effects according to this diversity, and there are some that are common to all, and there are others that are proper to these and those, according as they are accommodated to their particular resentments▪ We may take a brief account of each of them.
1. Those effects which are common to all are principally such as these.
1. It renders their life very uncomfortable. If God hide his face, they lose their comfort and joy: if this light be withdrawn, they are made to sit in darkness; and it puts a sad face upon every other condition they are in; so that,
1. It renders their life very uncomfortable. If God hide his face, they lose their comfort and joy: if this light be withdrawn, they are made to sit in darkness; and it puts a sad face upon every other cond•t•on they are in; so that,
1. It takes away the comfort of prosperity. ⟨p. 58⟩Let God give them never so much of the outward enjoyments of this •ife▪ Health, Strength, Wealth, Friends, liberty, &c. they cannot take content in them. When they could enjoy God in and with these, then they could resent this kindness, and be delighted in them▪ •ut he is withdrawn, and what good can these do them? if one thing wanted, will eat out the Worldlings comfort in every thing else, when he hath the greatest affluence thereof; as that miserable Haman confessed. Esth. 5.12, 13. What then must the absence of God do to a Believer, whom he relies upon as his portion? What comfort had David in his Kingdom, and all the glories of it, when God was withdrawn from him? See how he cries out, Psal. 143.7. hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit fails.
1. It takes away the comfort of prosperity. ⟨p. 58⟩Let God give them never so much of the outward enjoyments of this •ife▪ Health, Strength, Wealth, Friends, •iberty, &c. they cannot take content in them. When they could enjoy God in and with these, then they could resent this kindness, and be delighted in them▪ •ut he is withdrawn, and what good can these do them? if one thing wanted, will eat out the Worldlings comfort in every thing else, when he hath the greatest affuence thereof; as that miserable Haman confessed. Esth. 5.12, 13. What then must the absence of God do to a Believer, whom he relies upon as his portion? What comfort had David in his Kingdom, and all the glories of it, when God was withdrawn from him? See how he cries out,
2. It embitters every other affliction; adversity it self is an evil which innocent nature doth not easily resent; but yet when he had God with him, he could go through fire and water, and bear it well enough, Isa. 43.2. but now he sees Gods anger in the •od; affliction comes, and God i• gone; and that is an evil indeed, where should a Ch••d of God ⟨p. 59⟩seek his support under all troubles but in his God? if all other persons and things leave him, it is no matter, so God will but stand by him, he could say, 2 Tim. 4.16, 17. no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: nevertheless the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; and he▪ Psal. 142.4, 5. no man would know me, refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul▪ I said, thou art my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living.
3. It takes away the Consolation even of Spiritual Duties and Ordinances. These are the relief of a Child of God, when he can find none else here, Psal. 73.17. till I went into the Sanctuary. If he met with any grief in the world, he co••d ease his mind in his Closet, and make up all at a Prayer, a Sermon, a Sacrament, by communion with his beloved; but now, when he comes thither, he is not there; he cannot see him as he hath seen him; and this makes bitter Sabbaths and Sacraments to him, nor can he take rest any where.
