Sacred Therapy, Book 3 · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
Concerning the converts mistaking his condition when he doth observe some degrees of Gods deserting of him.
TO speak of the sorts and degrees of Gods deserting a soul, requireth a large Treatise, and the case and cure thereof is already publickly set forth by a learned and godly Preacher of the Gospel. It shall suffice, for our purpose, to speak of it only so far as it concerneth the converts mistaking his condition when he apprehendeth himself deserted, whether the desertion be reall or apparent only, and falleth into suspicion of Gods love to him, or that God is displeased with him, because he findeth not such lively influence of Gods Spirit as he hath found, and such assistance of his gracious presence as he did expect in discharge of religious duties, or exercises wherein divine providence hath yoked him. The Scripture and daily experience do furnish instances of sad complaints of the Lords hiding his face and withdrawing or with-holding of light or peace, or consolation, or strength and ability for spiritual duties, &c.
2. For remedy whereof, 1. let the convert remember, that God doth not leave a believer fled to Christ for relief from sin and misery, alwayes and for ever, but for a short time, and that he keepeth love to them constantly, albeit he do hide the tokens of his love sometime, and dispose of the acts of his love, as he seeth sit for the advantage of the work of grace in them. Let him put difference between desertion and the gift of discerning of the desertion: for, albeit desertion be of it self a sad visitation, yet the sight and observation of it, testifieth Gods presence with his child, giving eye-salve and light; and thereby doth not only teach that wound to be curable, but also that the Physician is begun the cure of it, by pancing and lancing the wound. 3. Let him not count it a desertion, when God in any service whereunto he puts his child, emptieth him of all conceit of his own ability, that he may open his mouth wyd and be filled: for this emptying of the convert, is the very fitting of him for fresh supply from Christ to go about the service in Christs strength and furniture, which the Apostle felt by experience, 2 Cor. 12. 10. When I am weak, saith he, then I am strong. Poverty of spirit, and hunger and thrist for righteousnesse, are not to be counted desertions. 4. Let him observe the degrees of Gods presence, no lesse then the degrees of his absence, as the Psalmist did when he recollected himself, Ps. 73. 23. after the tentation which troubled him was overcome. Neverthelesse, I am continually with thee. Thou holdest me by thy right hand, and ver. 26. my flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 5. Let him put a right construction upon Gods dispensation, believing alwayes, that God doth what he doth for good to his afflicted subject; whether he draw forth, by his desertion, the latent-corruption of the heart, as he did to Ezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 31. or whether to prevent out-breaking of corruption, as he did to the Apostle, 2 Cor. 12. 7. 8, 9. or whether to exercise his faith, love and patience, and to sharpen his prayer, as he did to the Psalmist frequently. And therefore, let him, in the observation of whatsoever degree of desertion, humble himself before God, flye in more closely unto Christ, and patiently wait upon the change of his conditon, in the use of the means, and following the duties of his calling as the Lord shall enable him: for, this is the counsell of the Lord, Isa. 50. 10. Who is he among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servont, that walketh in darknesse and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. And this much sufficeth for instances of the third sort of the converts mistaking his condition.