Spiritual desertions discovered and remedied. Being the substance of divers sermons preached for the…

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 rsed 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