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

4. Learn hence what need there is that Gods Children should be Charitable one to another. Doth God act his holy pleasure in his manifesting of himself to them, or in his withdrawing from, and deserting of them? There may arise from hence Temptations to wound their Charity each toward the other, more ways than one. We had need then to be very cautious to our selves upon this account. And here these Rules are proper.

1. Let us not envy the comfortable condition of them that do always rejoice in the Lord. Do we see some ⟨p. 90⟩more •andled in the lap than others, &, like the Apostle John, that beloved disciple, lea•ing in Christs bosom, and having a more intimate familiarity with him? now let us beware of Envy. There is such a spirit apt to appear; Jam. 4.5. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. Is not this to murmur at Christ himself? to find fault with his wise and holy managing of his own, as he seeth meet? and shall our eye be evil because his is good? What if he will that such an one shall have large •ips of the rivers of his pleasure, whiles we are made to taste of gall and wormwood? What is that to thee or me? Let us bless God for such instances, and learn by them, that there is such a thing as rejoicing in the Lord: and how useful may this be to help us in our droppings, if we could lay aside our discontent at Gods providence in it? think; God knows what is best for me, and if I had such repasts as they have, I might grow wanton under them, and not make that holy improvement of them that they do: however, if God will glorify himself in me some other way, His will be done.

1. Let us not envy the comfortable condition of them that do always rejoyce in the Lord. Do we see some ⟨p. 90⟩