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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.
3. There may be real Communion maintained between God and the So••• ▪ and yet a Child of God be at a loss about it. It may be carried on so secretly, as that not only others may be ignorant of it, but the Christian himself may have great doubtings about it. God is never nearer to his people than at some times when they think he is farthest from them; he brings them in a way that ⟨p. 16⟩they know not, and […] them in paths that they have not known, Isa. 42.16. he steals his grace into them, and draws forth the exercise of it, and carries them heaven▪ ward, when they are complaining that they cannot see him nor find him. Was it not so with the Spouse, Cant. 5. never was her Grace in more vigorous exercise than at that time, when she complains that her beloved had withdrawn himself.
3. There may be real Communion maintained between God and the So••• ▪ and yet a Child of God be at a loss about it. It may be carried on so secretly, as that not only others may be ignorant of it, but the Christian himself may have great doubtings about it. God is never nearer to his people than at some times when they think he is farthest from them; he brings them in a way that ⟨p. 16⟩they know not, and 〈…〉 them in paths that they have not known, Isa. 42.16. he steals his grace into them, and draws forth the exercise of it, and carries them heaven▪ ward, when they are complaining that they cannot see him nor find him. Was it not so with the Spouse, Cant. 5. never was her Grace in more vigorous exercise than at that time, when she complains that her beloved had withdrawn himself.
4. All those withdrawings whereby God leaveth his Children in the dark about their spiritual condition and concerns, belong to this Desertion, or hiding of his face. God may be, yea is at work for them in his greatest retirements, but they want the apprehension of it: When therefore they complain as he, Lam. 3.2. he hath led and brought me into darkness, but not into light ▪ Now they are so far deserted; and this is to be read in the Dispensation of himself to them in his Providence on a spiritual account: and there are many respects in which he thus doth; some of the principal whereof we may here take notice of; viz.
1. When God not only brings outward troubles on his people, but with them withholds Consolation, and lets in ⟨p. 17⟩Terrors. Outward Afflictions indeed are not a Rule of our judgment, since they may befall the most dearly beloved of God, and a beam of Gods love in the Soul, will make them all appear light and momentany, as Pauls did for this reason to him, 2 Cor. 4.17. But God is often wont to use them as expressions of his anger, and witnesses of his displeasure: and they are frequently so to his own; the Rods with which he corrects them; and whilst they can see a fathers hand in them, they can take them well: but when they are made to apprehend him coming as an enemy against them, and his terrors make them afraid, now they see not any Consolation in his countenance, but wrath; thus it was with Job in that distress of his, on which account he uttereth that complaint, Chap. 13.24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
1. When God not only brings outward troubles on his people, but with them witholds Consolation, and lets in ⟨p. 17⟩Terrours. Outward Afflictions indeed are not a Rule of our judgment, since they may befal the most dearly beloved of God, and a beam of Gods love in the Soul, will make them all appear light and momentany, as Pauls did for this reason to him, 2 Cor. 4.17. But God is often wont to use them as expressions of his anger, and witnesses of his displeasure: and they are frequently so to his own; the Rods with which he corrects them; and whilst they can see a fathers hand in them, they can take them well: but when they are made to apprehend him coming as an enemy against them, and his terrours make them afraid, now they see not any Consolation in his countenance, but wrath; thus it was with Job in that distress of his, on which account he uttereth that complaint, Chap. 13.24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
2 When God withdraws from his Ordinances, and they apprehend not that wonted power of his accompanying, to give them their efficacy. Time was when they never went to an Ordinance, but they met with Christ there, and received some token of his presence with ⟨p. 18⟩them, and acceptance of them: their hearts were touched, their affections raised, the Word and Sacrament left impressions on them, and they were quickened, resolved, enlivened, strengthened, and comforted by them: but now it is not so; but on the other hand, they go with a great deal of listlessness, and attend with deadness and wandering, and come away rather more stupid and out of order as to what is good: and if God were there, would it be so? David therefore longs that he may see God as he hath seen him in his Sanctuary, Psal. 63.3. and for this it is that he values the Ordinances, Psal. 27.4. to behold the beauty of the Lord. The want then of this felt, is a dark dispensation.
2 When God withdraws from his Ordinances, and they apprehend not that wonted power of his accompanying, to give them their efficacy. Time was when they never went to an Ordinance, but they met with Christ there, and received some token of his presence with ⟨p. 18⟩them, and acceptance of them: their hearts were touched, their affections raised, the Word and Sacrament left impressions on them, and they were quickned, resolved, en•ivened, strength•ned, and comforted by them: but now it is not so; but on the other hand, they go with a great deal of listnessness, and attend with deadness and wandring, and come away rather more stupid and out of order as to what is good: and if God were there, would it be so? David therefore longs that he may see God as he hath seen him in his Sanctuary,
3. When they set about Duty, and find that assistance withheld which they needed, for want of which they fail in the performance; when they would do good evil is present, and that not only to withstand, but to Captivate them, Rom. 7 22, 23. they would pray earnestly and enlargedly, but their affections are cold, & their hearts are straitened; they would pray believingly, but are shaken with doubting, and ready to let go their hold ⟨p. 19⟩on the promise; they would hear intensely, but their hearts are wandering, and steal away from them into the corners of the earth e•e they are aware, and the like in other holy duties; and now what miserable work do they make in their best performances? they feel themselves like Sampson when his locks were cut, Judg. 16.20.
3. When they set about Duty, and find that assistance witheld which they needed, for want of which they fail in the performance; when they would do good evil is present, and that not only to withstand, but to Ca•tivate them, Rom. 7 22, 23. they would pray earnestly and enlargedly, but their affections are cold, & their hearts are straitned; they would pray believingly, but are shaken with doubting, and ready to let go their hold ⟨p. 19⟩on the promise; they would hear intensly, but their hearts are wandring, and steal away from them into the corners of the earth e•e they are aware, and the like in other holy duties; and now what miserable work do they make in their best performances? they feel themselves like Sampson when his locks were cut, Judg. 16.20.
4. When they are left to themselves in an hour of Temptation, and so are driven away by it into Sin. God doth not only suffer Temptation to assault them, for so he had often done, and given them a glorious victory and triumph over it, and so brought them off conquerors; and therein witnessed his admirable presence with them: but they have been tripped up by it, and carried down the stream of it, as it was with Hezekiah, when God left him to himself, 2 Chron 32.31. and Peter when he cowardly denied his Lord; and many others in Scripture record; and this brings them to a loss in their thoughts; and they are brought to conclude, i• the Lord had been with me, it would not have been thus; if he had not been withdrawn, I had not been thus deserted.
4. When they are left to themselves in an hour of Temptation, and so are driven away by it into Sin. God doth not only suffer Temptation to assault them, for so he had often done, and given them a glorious victory and triumph over it, and so brought them off conquerours; and therein witnessed his admirable presence with them: but they have been tript up by it, and carried down the stream of it, as it was with Hez•kiah, when God left him to himself, 2 Chron 32.31. and Peter when he cowardly denied his Lord; and many others in Scripture record; and this brings them to a loss in their thoughts; and they are brought to conclude, i• the Lord had been with me, it would not have been thus; if he had not been withdrawn, I had not been thus deserted.
5. More especially when they are left to some more gross and Conscience wasting sins, and their Conscience is hereupon let loose to terrify them. David prays especially to be kept from presumptuous sin, Psal. 19.13. when therefore they are at any time overtaken with such a sin as is against the light of nature, and the plain precept of the Word of God, such as Davids Adultery and Murder were, such as that of the incestuous Corinthian, 1 Cor. 5.1. this lo•ks so much like a spot that is not of Gods Children, that it occasioneth very much darkness in them; and though often for the present such a sin benumbs and stupefies their Consciences, and they are insensible of it, yet when God rouseth their Consciences, and maketh it to reflect on the sin, and sets it home wi•h its aggravations, it becomes very dreadful to them: we may be satisfied how it was with David on this account by many passages, in Psal. 51. and they are ready to be swallowed up with the remorse of it, as he, 2 Cor. 2.7. lest he be •e swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
5. More especially when they are left to some more gross and Conscience wasting sins, and their Conscience is hereupon let loose to terrify them. David prays especially to be kept from presumptuous sin, Psal. 19.13. when therefore they are at any time overtaken with such a sin as is against the light of nature, and the plain precept of the Word of God, such as Davids Adultery and Murder were, such as that of the incestous Corinthian, 1 Cor. 5.1. this lo•ks so much like a spot that is not of Gods Children, that it occasioneth very much darkness in them; and though often for the present such a sin benums and stupifies their Consciences, and they are insensible of it, yet when God rowseth their Consciences, and maketh it to reflect on the sin, and sets it home wih its aggravations, it becomes very dreadful to them: we may be satisfied how it was with David on this account by many passages, in
6. When their own Evidences are so blurred that they cannot read them. The ⟨p. 21⟩Christians evidences for his good estate are within him; they are the special fruits of the Spirit, which he produceth in none but the Regenerate: called the things that accompany Salvation. Heb. 6.9. From these he is to argue to his being under the promise, because thereby the condition of it is fulfilled in him But, though these are in h•m, yet he cannot find the reality of them: he cannot distinguish his Faith from Presumption, his Repen••n•• from that which is Legal, his Obedience from that which is False and Hypocritical: and this makes him afraid that nothing is right in him; that he hath only a shadow and not the substance, which makes him to walk in the dark, as they in, Isa. 50.10. And he calls the truth of every thing into question, and dares to fix upon nothing.
7. When the Spirit of God withholds his Testimony from confirming their evidences. Though the evidence be in us, yet the confirmation of it must be by his Testimony. Rom. 8.16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits. Whereas he doth not now so witness, but leaveth us in suspense, and though we cannot deny, yet we dare not conclude, but ⟨p. 22⟩are tossed and turmoiled about it, and full of fears, thinking that if all were right, he would surely set his hand and seal to it, and let us discern it. Thus therefore David deprecates in the forecited. Psal. 51.11. Take not thine holy Spirit from me.
7. When the Spirit of God witholds his Testimony from confirming their evidences. Though the evidence be in us, yet the confirmation of it must be by his Testimony. Rom. 8.16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits. Whereas he doth not now so witness, but leaveth us in suspense, and though we cannot deny, yet we dare not conclude, but ⟨p. 22⟩are tossed and turmoiled about it, and full of fears, thinking that if all were right, he would surely set his hand and seal to it, and let us discern it. Thus therefore David deprecates in the forecited. Psal. 51.11. Take not thine holy Spirit from me.
8. When we want these joys in exercise which are the privilege and duty of the Children of God. The Apostle could say, 1 Pet. 1.•8 Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable. And the Psalmist prays, Psal. 106.5 That I may rejoice with the gladness of thy nation. And we are bidden to be always in the exercise of this, 1 Thes. 5.16. Rejoice evermore. And Phil. 4.4. Rejoice in the Lord always Whereas, though he hath some hope, and is not altogether abandoned, yet he is full of trouble; his heart is heavy, he is a stranger to this joy, and goeth up and down with a grieved Spirit, and in the bitterness of his Soul. Such is the Psalmists moan, Psal. 42.3, 9. My tears have been my meat day and night, whiles they continually sa• to me, where is thy God? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy.
8. When we want these joys in exercise which are the priviledge and duty of the Children of God. The Apostle could say, 1 Pet. 1.•8 Ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable. And the Psalmist prays, Psal. 106.5 That I may rejoyce with the gladness of thy nation. And we are bidden to be always in the exercise of this, 1 Thes. 5.16. Rejoyce evermore. And Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord always Whereas, though he hath some hope, and is not altogether abandoned, yet he is full of trouble; his heart is heavy, he is a stranger to this joy, and goeth up and down with a grieved Spirit, and in the bitterness of his Soul. Such is the Psalmists moan,
9. When, in this condition, they pray to God, and can find no answer to their ⟨p. 23⟩prayers and tears. It is true, he many times answers them graciously, when they do not understand him: however they are to their own sense unanswered, they do not find those returns which they hoped for, and esteemed to be proper for their condition, though they cry incessantly, and mourn after God ardently. So the Psalmist uttered himself, Psal. 22.2. O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not me, & in the night season, & am not silent. Nay, it may be to their apprehension, God answers them in anger, and gives them the most discouraging returns; as he expostulates, Psal. 80.4. How long wilt thou be angry at the prayers of thy People? And Job 30.20, 21. I cry unto th•e, and thou dost not hear me, I stand up, and thou regardest me not, thou art become cruel te•me. And he apprehends that God rejects his petitions, as, Lam. 3.8. When I cry and sho••, he shutteth out my prayer.
10. When discouragements oppress, & almost over bear them. Their fears are so great, and their hopes run so low, that they are ready to give up all for gone, and are at the very brinks of despair. Thus it was with David▪ Psal. 31.22. ⟨p. 24⟩I said in my hast, I am cut off from before thine eyes. And the Prophet, Jonah 2.4. I said, I am cast out of thy sight. And the Church, Lam. 3 18. I said, mine hope and my strength is perished from the Lord. The very thoughts of God trouble him, and he is calling in question every thing in the Covenant. Psal. 77 3, 7, 8, 9. And he cries out as, Psal. 38 10. Mine heart pants, my strength fails; as for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me. And he is afraid that he shall not hold out a moment longer, but be overwhelmed. All these are the fruits and evidences of Divine Desertions, and such as, the Scriptures cited under them do make it appear, that they may befall the best of men in this life.
10. When discouragments oppress, & almost over bear them. Their fears are so great, and their hopes run so low, that they are ready to give up all for gone, and are at the very brinks of despair. Thus it was with David▪ Psal. 31.22. ⟨p. 24⟩I said in my hast, I am cut off from before thine eyes. And the Prophet, Jonah 2.4. I said, I am cast out of thy sight. And the Church, Lam. 3 18. I said, mine hope and my strength is perished from the Lord. The very thoughts of God trouble him, and he is calling in question every thing in the Covenant.
2. What it is that procures this hiding of his face from them?
A. In general, this must be sought for in them: and for a clue to lead us in the search, that we be not mistaken about it, let me offer the following Conclusions.
1. That if it were not for sin there would be none of these Desertions be falling the People of God. When God ⟨p. 25⟩made man in his integrity, there was an entire friendship and intimacy between them; there was no cloud to hide his face from him: nor shall there be any more of this when we come to the General Assembly of the Spirits of just men made perfect. This began upon mans Apostasy, which made a separation; and though it remains with the Children of God through this life, yet it shall continue no longer; and the reason why they experience it now, is because they have sin abiding with them. The Psalmist hereupon presumes, Psal. 17. ult. I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. And if you ask, why must they meet with such dark dispensations here […] the best answer is, because they carry • body of Death about with them, and till they put it off, it is like to be so.
1. That if it were not for sin there would be none of these Desertions be falling the People of God. When God ⟨p. 25⟩made man in his integrity, there was an entire friendship and intimacy between them; there was no cloud to hide his face from him: nor shall there be any more of this when we come to the General Assembly of the Spirits of just men made perfect. This began upon mans Apostasy, which made a separation; and though it remains with the Children of God through this life, yet it shall continue no longer; and the reason why they experience it now, is because they have sin abiding with them. The Psalmist hereupon presumes, Psal. 17. ult. I shall be satisfyed when I awake with thy likeness. And if you ask, why must they meet with such dark despensations here 〈…〉 the best answer is, because they carry • body of Death about with them, and till they put it off, it is like to be so.
2. That Spiritual Desertion, of its own nature, belongs to the Curse of the first Covenant. It is in it self a great evil, and of a worser sort, being Spiritual. It belongeth to the Death that was denounced in the threatening, Gen. 2.17. And it is the greatest affliction that Gods Saints meet with in this life, as will be after made manifest▪ Desertions ⟨p. 26⟩will be of the sorest Plagues that shall befall the Damned in hell; it will be the quintessence of their misery, •hat they shall depart from Gods presence, and never see his face shining on them: the very sentence contains this in it▪ Math. •5.41. Depart ye cursed. And we are •old, 2 Thes. 1.9. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; and if in his presence there is fullness of joys, Psal. 16.11. then in a separation from it, there must be fullness of sorrows. Every distance from God is a misery; and if so, then to be utterly forsaken of him is the upshot of infelicity, Hos. 9.12. Woe unto them, when I shall depart from them. Now all misery came into the world by the Curse.
2. That Spiritual Desertion, of its own nature, belongs to the Curse of the first Covenant. It is in it self a great evil, and of a worser sort, being Spiritual. It belongeth to the Death that was denounced in the threatning, Gen. 2.17. And it is the greatest affliction that Gods Saints meet with in this life, as will be after made manifest▪ Desertions ⟨p. 26⟩
