156 S'er10072 2. derneß, when God, by this means, layette, a it were, a bond and relit-aim on us, and fo putteth us to it, to try whether we will hold here, or proceed further ; if there be tendernefs, it will appear in fuch a cafe : This difcove- red Saul, a Sam. 28. 6, 7. when God anfwered him nor, who went away immediately to a witch. And hence it is, that many, when they cannot win to farisfaaion or clearnefs in a lawful way, they betake themfeives to the next shift; when others that are tender will halt, and farad )(fill, till God further reveal and manifeft his mind in the thing; As the prophet doth, z Kings 4. 27. Let ìer alone (faith he of the Shunarnite to his fervant) her foul is vexed within her, and the Lord bath hid it from me. 4tbly, He doth this, to make men prize light more when they get it, knowing that it cometh from God. We are edifpof.d to think, as long as we are not much difficul- led, and brought into Tome notable (trait, that our light floweth from a ffock within ourfelves, and,that we have it at command : Thus, many think little or nothing of be- ing clear to marry fuch or fuch a perfon, to take fuch a` place, or to engage in fuch an imploy and ffation; as it may be of magiffracy, or of miniífry : Confcience, as they think, cleareth them at the firft hand ; but the Lord will have us to know, that, to have light and clear- nefs in any particular, efpecially of fuch moment, is a greater matter and mercy than fo ; and that it is a fin to Might and undervalue it when it is come by. A 5th and 'aft end is, to draw men to a more immediate depen -. dence on himfelf ; that, when Confcience is filent, they inay come to him, and count themfelves to be fo much the more in his common, and dust, for any light that they (hall win at ; and be made to'know, that Confci- ence is but his fervant : All this is dear from God's way án afiliaing his people, and from manly inffances in fcrip- lure. The other Affertion that I propofed to (peak a word to, was, That, tho' it be fometimes thus, that Confcience s filent) and fpeaketh not, at leaíf, fo loon, or fo clear - ly, when it is enquired at ; yet it is not always fo, but Çometimes, nay often, Confcience will (peak, and anfwer dearly And our =learners in that cafe, may proceed Pao°
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