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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.
1. That Gods desertions are not alike to all his Children; nor alike to the same at all times, as there are the degrees of his manifesting himself to them, so of his withdrawing from them; he doth not deal with all alike on this account; some are deeper in the Valley of the shadow of death than others are: and the same believers are at sometimes more deeply deserted than at others. Some ⟨p. 44⟩are carried through the world, as with no extraordinary captures of comfort, so with no extraordinary depressions and terrors of soul: whereas others are sometimes ravished beyond measure with the clearest apprehensions of Gods love, and again deserted unto astonishment, under the hidings of God from them, and the desolate estate which they are reduced unto thereby: and how frequent such times had the Psalmist? as will appear by several Psalms.
1. That Gods desertions are not alike to all his Children; nor alike to the same at all times, as there are the degrees of his manifesting himself to them, so of his withdrawing from them; he doth not deal with all alike on this account; some are deeper in the Valley of the shadow of death than others are: and the same believers are at sometimes more deeply deserted than at others. Some ⟨p. 44⟩are carried through the world, as with no extraordinary captures of comfort, so with no extraordinary depressions and terrours of soul: whereas others are sometimes ravished beyond measure with the clearest apprehensions of Gods love, and again deserted unto astonishment, under the hidings of God from them, and the desolate estate which they are reduced unto thereby: and how frequent such times had the Psalmist? as will appear by several Psalms.
2. That God never deserts his Children so as he doth wicked men; they indeed may not always discern it, but he evermore makes a very great difference between these and those. Deserted Believers are the Children of God as well then, as when they have never so much of the light of his favour shining upon them. Nor doth he at any time so leave them, as to put them out of his favour; he loveth them still, and will never cease so to do; he careth for them, and looks after them still, and they are under that conduct, by which they shall assuredly arrive at his Kingdom in the end: That is an abiding truth, Psal. 94.14 the Lord will not cast ⟨p. 45⟩off his people▪ neither will he forsake his inheritance. Whereas wicked men are now his enemies, and he will forsake them for ever.
3. That God, in their greatest desertions, maintains the life of Grace in them. Whatever wounds their Graces may suffer, and whatsoever decays they may be under, by reason of Gods withdrawing his influence from them; though they may be in a swoon and fainting; •et they shall not be extinguished: they may still say as he, Psal. 118.17: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Th•re is li•e at the •oo• in the greatest Winter, when the Sun of Righteousness absents himself never so far from them. Christ's Prayer for Peter, that his faith might not fail, L•k. 22 32. shall be effectual for them too. God left David awfully, but yet not totally; they may to sense and appearance seem to be dead, but yet they are really alive; and when this Winter is over, and the Spring returns, they shall flourish again; the seed that is sown in them ever abides; and they are preserved by the power of God through' Faith unto Salvation. 1 Pet. 1.5.
3. That God, in their greatest desertions, maintains the life of Grace in them. Whatever wounds their Graces may suffer, and whatsoever decays they may be under, by reason of Gods withdrawing his influence from them; though they may be in a swoon and fainting; •et they shall not be extinguished: they may still say as he, Psal. 118.17: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Th•re is li•e at the •oo• in the greatest Winter, when the Sun of Righteo•sness absents himself never so far from them. Christ's Prayer for Peter, that his faith might not fail, L•k. 22 32. shall be effectual for them too. God left David awfully, but yet not totally; they may to sense and appearance seem to be dead, but yet they are really alive; and when this Winter is over, and the Spring returns, they shall flourish again; the seed that is sown in them ever abides; and they are preserved by the power of God thro' Faith unto Salvation.
4. There are also the stirrings of Grace in them at such a time, though it may be very faintly. It hath been a question among some, whether a Believer may not be so deserted as to assistance, as that his graces may be reduced to the habit, and all acts of them wholly cease? and sense many times will plead hard for the affirmative: and I question not, but that a Child of God may be at a very great loss about it, and not apprehensive of any such stirrings: but yet oftentimes there are manifest contradictions between Grace and Corruption in them: so it was with the Psalmist, Psal. 73.13, 15. but whether it be so or no, out of doubt the sense of the sorrow for, and impatience under such desertions, bespeak the stirring of grace, tho' under very grievous overbearings of Corruption in them: for these are not in themselves the resentment, of the Flesh, but of the Spirit. All the relentings of heart in Gods Children, under the discoveries of his absenting himself from them, though there be much of sinfulness accompanying the eruptions of them, are yet the indication of the wrestling of the spirit against the flesh.
4. There are also the stirrings of Grace in them at such a time, though it may be very faintly. It hath been a question among some, whether a Believer may not be so deserted as to assistance, as that his graces may be reduced to the habit, and all acts of them wholly cease? and sense many times will plead hard for the affirmative: and I question not, but that a Child of God may be at a very great loss about it, and not apprehensive of any such stirrings: but yet oftentimes there are manifest contradictions between Grace and Corruption in them: so it was with the Psalmist, Psal. 73.13, 15. but whether it be so or no, out of doubt the sense of the sorrow for, and impatience under such desertions, bespeak the stirring of grace, tho' under very grievous overbearings of Corruption in them: for these are not in themselves the resentment, of the Flesh, but of the Spirit. All the relentings of eart in Gods Children, under the discoveries of his absenting himself from them, though there be much of sinfulness accompanying the eruptions of them, are yet the indication of the wrestling of the spirit against the flesh.
5. Yet they may be left to grievous sins under these desertions. If God withdraw his assistance from them, and do not afford his wonted influence to the graces of his spirit that are in them, their vigour will fail, their strength will be enervated, and the carnal part in them will woefully prevail over them, and lead them into Captivity, and they shall wound themselves fearfully: Let Peter have never so much love for his Lord, and be never so resolute to stand by and for him, yet if Christ withdraw from him, he shall deny him bitterly, when a temptation offers If God leave Hezekiah to himself, he shall sin provokingly. If David be thus deserted, he shall involve himself in one great sin upon another. Nor can it be named hardly what one sin there is, which they may not fall into, and that unto very grievous aggravating circumstances, bating that one which is unpardonable.
5. Yet they may be left to grievous sins under these desertions. If God withdraw his assistance from them, and do not afford his wonted influence to the graces of his spirit that are in them, their vigour will fail, their strength will be enervated, and the carnal part in them will wofully prevail over them, and lead them into Caprivity, and they shall wound themselves fearfully: Let Peter have never so much love for his Lord, and be never so resolute to stand by and for him, yet if Christ withdraw from him, he shall deny him bitterly, when a temptation offers If God leave Hezekiah to himself, he shall sin provokingly. If David be thus deserted, he shall involve himself in one great sin upon another. Nor can it be named hardly what one sin there is, which they may not fall into, and that unto very grievous aggravating circumstances, bating that one which is unpardonable.
6. And they may be utterly at a loss about their spiritual state. There doth seem to be a greater latitude in those desertions which refer to Comfort, than such as relate to assistance: Gods faithfulness will not suffer him so to withdraw ⟨p. 48⟩from their graces, as to suffer them to be extinguished in them; but it is possible, and consistent with his Covenant fidelity, that sometimes they lose the comfort of their good estate. Not only may the Spirit of God withdraw his Testimony, and refuse to bear his witness to their Sonship; and when he so doth, all the witness of their own Spirits will not satisfy them in the conclusion; but leave them in sad doubts and fears whether there be any thing of truth and sincerity in them; […] a misgiving heart, and tempting Devil setting in, put them upon drawing of sad conclusions against themselves, whilst their own evidences are beclouded, so as they cannot read them, nor produce any argument for themselves which they dare to place confidence in, and so they are enveloped in dismal darkness; and such a condition as this is that supposed in Isa. 50.10.
6. And they may be utterly at a loss about their spiritual state. There doth seem to be a greater latitude in those desertions which refer to Comfort, than such as relate to assistance: Gods faithfulness will not suffer him so to withdraw ⟨p. 48⟩from their graces, as to suffer them to be extinguished in them; but it is possible, and consistent with his Covenant fidelity, that sometimes they lose the comfort of their good estate. Not only may the Spirit of God withdraw his Testimony, and refuse to bear his witness to their Sonship; and when he so doth, all the witness of their own Spirits will not satisfy them in the conclusion; but leave them in sad doubts and fears whether there be any thing of truth and sincerity in them; 〈…〉 a misgiving heart, and tempting Devil setting in, put them upon drawing of sad conclusions against themselves, whilst their own evidences are beclouded, so as they cannot read them, nor produce any argument for themselves which they dare to place confidence in, and so they are enveloped in dismal darkness; and such a condition as this is that supposed in
7. And they may be hereupon under sore Temptations to despair, and give up all hope: they may think themselves lost, and refuse to be comforted, be just ready to sign and seal the conclusion; not only that they are unregenerate, ⟨p. 49⟩but Reprobates too, and gotten beyond all hope of mercy: was it not so with them, Psal. 31.22. I said in my haste, I am cast out of thy sight, and Lam. 3.18. my strength and my hope is perished from the Lord; & Jonah 2.4. I am cast out of thy sight. There are indeed at such a time the efforts of Faith, but they are so languid, that they cannot tell what to make of them; although they are still such as God preserves, and never suffers them utterly to renounce or abandon their hopes in him; they shall many times utter contradictions in the same breath, which shall be a witness of two contrary principles wrestling in them: but still they known what to make of themselv••, and are fearfully tempted to despair, and ready to conclude that they can hold out no longer; and though such degrees of desertion as these, are not very frequent, yet sometimes God, to show his power, and let it be known what he can do in bringing of his to glory at l•st through the sorest Temptations, suffers it to be so.
7. And they may be hereupon under sore Temptations to despair, and give up all hope: they may think themselves lost, and refuse to be comforted, be just ready to sign and seal the conclusion; not only that they are unregenerate, ⟨p. 49⟩but Reprobates too, and gotten beyond all hope of mercy: was it not so with them, Psal. 31.22. I said in my haste, I am cast out of thy sight, and Lam. 3.18. my strength and my hope is perished from the Lord; &
5. How long these Desertions may abide on a Child of God?
A. There are no certain limitations to ⟨p. 50⟩be set here, but we may take this general account of it.
1. That Gods Sovereignty is to be adored in these Dispensations. The best way to silence the cavillings of corrupt nature about the degree or duration of Gods absconding from his Children, •s that of Elihu, Job. 33.13. he giveth no account of any of his matters: and if we have risings of heart against this, God will, before he hath done with us, bring •s to acknowledge, that here is reason enough to stop our mouth•: so he did by Job.
1. That Gods Soveraignty is to be adored in these Dispensations. The best way to silence the cavellings of corrupt nature about the degree or duration of Gods absconding from his Children, •s that of Elihu, Job. 33.13. he giveth no account of any of his matters: and if we have risings of heart against this, God will, before he hath done with us, bring •s to acknowledge, that here is reason enough to stop our mouth•: so he did by Job.
2. Yet the Desertion shall last no longer than till the end of it is attained. God aims at something by it, and accordingly, useth it as a medium in order thereunto; and consequently he will continue it no longer then till he hath done that by it which he designed▪ it for; and this must needs be so, because God is infinitely wise, and will do no thing in vain: how then should he continue to do that which himself calls his strange work, any longer then there is occasion for it.
2. Yet the Desertion shall last no longer than till the end of it is attained. God aims at something by it, and accordingly, useth it as a medium in order thereunto; and consequently he will continue it no longer then till he hath done that by it which he designed▪ it for; and this must needs be so, because God is infinitely wise, and will do no thing in vain: how then should he continue to do that which himself calls his strange w•rk, any longer then there is occasion for it.
3. Hence those Desertions that are for Chastisement, usually end when we ⟨p. 51⟩are brought to Gods foot, and amended by them. If God corrects us for our folly, and we continue to be stout and refractory, or careless and regardless, it is not to be wondered if he proceed with us in this course; he hath therefore said, Hos. 5.15. I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offence, and s••le my face: and David tells us, how long it was with him in this regard, and how he obtained a return, Psal. 33.3, 4, 5.
3. Hence those Desertions that are for Chastisement, usually end when we ⟨p. 51⟩are brought to Gods foot, and amended by them. If God corrects us for our folly, and we continue to be stout and refractory, or careless and regardless, it is not to be wondred if he proceed with us in this course; he hath therefore said, Hos. 5.15. I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offence, and s••le my face: and David tells us, how long it was with him in this regard, and how he obtained a return, Psal. 33.3, 4, 5.
4 There are some Desertions that have their frequent revolutions: there are the turns that some of Gods Children are entertained withal: sometimes they are in the light, and anon in the dark; now they are lifted up, and presently they are cast down; and they can come to no settlement: God is not to be contended with when it is so; but if we search diligently, we may possibly find a satisfactory reason in our selves for it.
5. God will show his manifold wisdom in bringing of his to glory, & hence acts very differently with them in the exercise or trial of their graces. If God may be glorified by us, that should satisfy us; and in this way he gaineth great glory; hence,
5. God will shew his manifold wisdom in bringing of his to glory, & hence acts very differently with them in the exercise or trial of their graces. If God may be glorified by us, that should satisfie us; and in this way he gaineth great glory; hence,
1. Some have but few of these desertions, and those also very short: and they are carried the greater part of their life in a clear light: Of such we have the Psalmists remark, Psal. 89.15, 16. they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance; in thy name shall they rejoice all the day.
1. Some have but few of these desertions, and those also very short: and they are carried the greater part of their life in a clear light: Of such we have the Psalmists remark, Psal. 89.15, 16. they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance; in thy name shall they rejoyce all the day.
2. Others have more of these at their setting out, and afterward they enjoy a great serenity. God pleaseth to hold them a considerable time in the dark, before he makes remarkable discoveries of himself to them; though he gives them the grace, yet they want the comfort of it; but afterwards, after humble waiting, he comes in with his wondrous light, and replenisheth them with it; they find the meaning of that, Psal. 112.4. unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; a cloudy day hath a serene sun-set, and in the evening it is light.
