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

2. Let me now proceed to point what is to be done to get relief under, & deliverance from these Desertions: & here ⟨p. 128⟩let me premise, that though Gods Sovereignty is to be acknowledged, and must be submitted to, yet this doth not discharge us from our duty, nor tell us that it is vain for us to attend it: he hath therefore told his people, in his word, what he would have them to do at such times: and for direction,

2. Let me now proceed to point what is to be done to get relief under, & deliverance from these Desertions: & here ⟨p. 128⟩let me premise, that though Gods Soveraignty is to be acknowledged, and must be submitted to, yet this doth not discha•ge us from our duty, nor tell us that it is vain for us to attend it: he hath therefore told his people, in his word, what he would have them to do at such times: and for direction,

1. Withstand the Temptations which at such a time, would undermine your Hope. Hope is your life; for we live •y hope, Rom. 8.24 be therefore very tender of it, and do not throw it away, or suffer your selves to be deprived of it; take heed then of the suggestions offered to put you from it; especially,

1. That never any Child of God was in your case. It is very discouraging to go in an untrodden Wilderness, where there is no beaten path: it is therefore an usual enquiry, was there ever any in such a condition as mine is? and if we think that we are led in a way, which God doth not use to carry his own in, we thereupon despond. But this discouragement oftentimes prevails upon us, for want of right consideration. Whereas, if we would enquire into the Word of God, we might find our case there eminently