Chapter X
The conclusion : seven advantages, in common, which Satan hath over us in all these his dealings
at once, ...... 285
1. That he can suggest frequently and familiarly, . . 285
2. That he can present his suggestions and false reasonings together
3. That he holds and keeps the thoughts and intentions of the mind fixed to them, . . . . .285
sense, ....... 286
4. That he sets on all with an imperious affirmation, . 286
6. That he suggests undiscerned, .... 287
5. That he backs them also with terrors, which is an argument to
7. That we cannot avoid his suggesting to us, . . 287
CHAPTER XI.
II. The second general head : The cases wherein God leaves his unto
darkness, . . . . . . .288 The cases of two sorts, extraordinary and ordinary
1. Extraordinary
(1.) Out of God s sole prerogative, . . . 288
(2.) When God intends to make a man wise, and able to
comfort others, . . . .289
(3.) In case of abundance of revelations and comforts; either
A CHILD OP LIGHT WALKING IN DARKNESS.
After a man hath partook of them, . . 290 Before God doth dispense them, . . 290
CHAPTER XII.
The cases ordinary wherein God doth leave his in darkness, . 292 A general rule premised: That God is exceeding various in these dispensations,
. . . . .292
2. Ordinary
(1.) In case of carnal confidence ; which is either
In trusting to false signs, together with true, 293
2.] Putting too much confidence upon signs, with
[1.1
neglect of Christ, . . . 293
[3.] Neglect of going to Christ for upholding of graces, 293
[1.] Against light, .... 294
[2.) For neglecting opportunities of spiritual comforts, 294
(3.) For not exercising our graces,
. . . 294
(4.) In case of some gross sin ; either
[2.1 Not thoroughly humbled for, . . 295
[3.] Though long since committed, . . 297 The reason of all,
. . . .297
enjoyed, ..... 298
5.) In case of a stubborn spirit under outward afflictions, 297
6.) For deserting the truth when called to profess it, 298
7.) In case of unthankfulness for former spiritual comforts
CHAPTER XIII.
III. The third general head : The ends for which God leaveth to dark
ness First, such as are drawn from God, and his faithfulness, &c., 300
1. To shew God s power and faithfulness in upholding, and raising up a man s spirit again, . . . .300
2. The second end, to know the fellowship of Christ s sufferings, 301
3. To shew the different estate of God s children here and hereafter, 301
4. To shew the spring of all spiritual comforts, and our dependence for them, . . 302
CHAPTER XIV. A second sort of ends for the trial and discovery of graces, especially
5. Especially for the trial of faith, .... 303
of faith
reasons, ..... 304
(1.) Of all graces God tries faith the most, . . 304
warfare, ..... 304
(2.) Of all trials this of darkness is the greatest, for three
(3.) In these conflicts consisteth the height of our Christian