Ver. ¢. SearchofSin necefary to Confolation. 295 God is not pleated to give it in ; yea a man may fometitnes gather up confolation to hímfelf upon fuch terms, but it will not abide. So did David, Pfal 3© 6,7.He thus argues with him- Elf, He zvbofe mountain is made firong, to whom God is a de- fence, hefhafl never be movednor be fhal¿en; but I am thus fettled of God, then.fore I (hall not be moved ; and therein he re- joyceth. It is an expretlion of exultation thatj, he ufeth ; but what is the Itfue ofit ? In the midfl of there pleating thoughts of his, God hides his face, and be is troubled; he cannot any longer draw out the fweetnefs of the conclufion mentioned. It was in him before from the Chines of Gods Countenance, and not fromany arguings ofhis own. N difappointment then, no tedioufnefs or wearinefs (hould make the foul leave waiting on God, if it intend to attair2on- folation and Ettablifhment. So dealeth theChurch, Lam. ;.2t. This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope : What is it that the calls to mind, this, that it is ofthe Lords mercy that we are not confumed, becaufe his compaffonsfail not, verf. 22. I will yet hope, I will yet continue in my Expedition upon the account ofne- ver failing- compafíìon ; of endlefs mercies in him, whatever my pretent condition be. And ;thence the makes a ble(fed conclufion, verf 26. It is good that a man Jhould both hope, and quietly waitfor the falvation of the Lord. And this is our third Rule. It is good to hope and wait, whatever our preterit con- dition be,and not to give over, ifwe would not be fure to fail : whereunto I (peak no more, becaufe the clofEof this 'Plaint in- fills wholly on this duty , which mutt be further fpoken. unto. RULE Iv. Seeing in the courte of our believing and obedience, that Search of which is chiefly incumbent on us, for our coming up to ella- Sin necef- blifhment and confolation, is fpiritual diligence in the removal fary to con- ofthe hinderances thereof: Let the foul that wouldattain there- folation. unto, make through work in the fearch of fin, even to the fins of youth ; that all (cores on that account may clearly be wiped out. If there be much rubbili left in the foundation of the p 3 building,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=