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

3. The corruption in them oftentimes abuseth the comforts of Gods presence to presumption and carelessness. Such is our weakness whilst we are here, that we can bear but a little of the new wine of Consolation. We are like children, who, if cockered by their Parents, grow saucy and licentious. This was Davids case in our Context: God had made his mountain strong, and he thereupon grow secure, and believed himself to be out of danger, and that made him to grow wanton, & remit of that care and watchfulness over himself that became him.

3. The corruption in them oftentimes abuseth the comforts of Gods presence to presumption and carelessness. Such is our weakness whilst we are here, that wa can bear but a little of the new wine of Consolation. We are like children, who, if cockered by their Parents, grow sawcy and licencious. This was Davids case in our Context: God had made his mountain strong, and he thereupon grow secure, and believed himself to be out of danger, and that made him to grow wanton, & remit of that care and watchfulness over himself that became him.

4. Hence God useth such desertions to make them the more careful and fearful ⟨p. 43⟩for the time to come; these become a close lesson unto them, to let them see what an egregious folly it is for them to abuse their fathers kindness, and familiarity; this becomes a memento to them as long as they live, and they can hardly out grow it, but it giveth them an item, when at any time a temptation offers it self: it was doubtless such an experiment as brought David to that resolve, Psal. 39.1. I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not; and by this means there is more close communion afterward manifested between God and them.

4. Hence God useth such des•rtions to make them the more careful and fearful ⟨p. 43⟩