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

1. Take heed of being proud of these visits. Truly there is reason to be exceedingly glad of them; Christ doth therein wonderfully manifest his love to the Soul: but you have no reason to be High minded on this account: it is a free favour, and you ought to say, what am I that he should thus regard me a sinful worm? remember that these visits are not your ordinary repast; you must have something else to live upon. It may be you never had such a treat from him before, & possibly you shall never meet with such another, till you come to be lodged in his everlasting embraces: and if you begin to be lifted up, there is a Thorn ready to prick this bladder, as Paul had his for his prevention, 2 Cor. 12.7.

2. Expect that there is some extraordinary either Service or Trial near to you. Gods Extraordinary Visits are usually to prepare us for Extraordinary Exercises. The time when Christ took his Disciples with him into the mount wa• a little before he was to be taken from ⟨p. 110⟩them, and they had hard Service to engage in. When Paul was to be peculiarly used in Christs work, and exposed to greater trials than any of the other Apostles, he had glorious visions of Christ. It is good for the Children of God to Rejoice with Fear. Expect now to be called into the field, and to have your graces proved with great Temptations. Lay in then for it, and be sure to take down by faith, large draughts of these flagons of consolation, which may be for suitable support under such trials: and helping you with resolution to go through them: this will be your best wisdom, and so shall you be prepared for such an hour.

2. Expect that there is some extraordinary either Service or Tryal near to you. Gods Extraordinary Visits are usually to prepare us for Extraordinary Exercises. The time when Christ took his Disciples with him into the mount wa• a little before he was to be taken from