The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…

First; Thou must not think to have this Joy and Refreshing before thou goest to the Promise: Thou must look for it when thou hast chewed and fed upon it: Or wouldest thou have the Lord give thee the whole Bargain at once, and before the Match be made? This Joy is a Fruit that proceeds from Faith after much wrestling; and doth not presently flow from Faith, not so soon as ever a Christian begins to believe, but after a Time, and then the Heart is joyous; but never filled with Joy before believing. Afterwards, and when a Man hath had the sweet Dew of the Promises dropping upon him; but many a Day after, let him look for this Joy.

Secondly; Know that these Joys, and this Sense and Feeling may be absent from Faith. For a Man may have a good Faith, and yet want the Relish and Sweetness which he longs after. One may want what he Desires, and yet want neither Life nor Heat. A Tree may want Leaves and Fruit, and yet want neither Sap nor Moisture: And a Man's Faith may be somewhat strong, when his Feeling is nothing at all. David was justified and sanctified, and yet wanted this Joy. And Job trusted upon God when he had but little Feeling; as when he saith, Thou makest me a But to shoot at; yet I will trust in thee tho' thou kill me. Therefore build not your Comfort upon Sense and Feeling, ⟨p. 24⟩which is to build upon the Sand; but go to the Promise, as to the Rock, for it.

Quest. But how comes this Desire after Christ?