Chapter XV
Six ends more
6. For the increasing of several graces, and destroying of corrup tions
To destroy corruption, . . . . 306 To humble, . . . .306 To increase assurance in the event, .
< . 306 The fear and obedience of God, . . .306
XIV CONTENTS.
PAGE
(5.) To pray more and more earnestly, . . 306
(6.) To prize the light of God s countenance,
. , 307
PART II.
SECTION I. USE I. To those that fear not God nor obey him; what darkness reserved for such ! . . . . .308 USE II. To those that are translated from darkness into light, and
yet never thus walked in darkness, .... 309 To take notice of such a condition there is, which is useful
1. To prepare them against it, if it should afterwards befall them, 309
2. To be kept more in dependence upon God, . . 310
3. To learn not to censure others, . . . .310
4. To fear God the more, . . . . .310
5. To be thankful that God hath spared them, . . 311 USE III. To those that have been in darkness, and are now recovered out of it, . . . . . . 311
1. To be thankful to God and Christ, . . .311
2. To pity others in that condition, . . . .311
4. To take heed of such sins as may bring them into such a condi tion again, ...... 312 USE IV. To such as fear God, and walk in darkness, . . 312 Two sorts of such : some more lightly troubled, some more deeply, 312
3. To declare what God hath done for them, and to give warning unto others, . . . . . .311
TEN DIRECTIONS for those who are more deeply troubled ; and means to be used how to recover light and comfort
DIRECT. I. To take heed of rash, impatient, and unbelieving speeches and wishes, . . . . .315 DIRECT. II. To make a diligent search and examination, . 316 Two things to be searched into
First, What is the true cause which provokes God to leave them to this distress ? . . . .317 Secondly, What is the main reasoning in the heart that causeth
this questioning of their estate ? . . . 317 DIRECT. III. To consider as indifferently what may make for them as against them, . . . . .319 DIRECT. IV. To call to remembrance former evidences and pas sages betwixt God and us, .... 320 DIRECT. V. To renew a man s faith and repentance, . 322 DIRECT. VI. To be resolute and peremptory in believing and turning to God, whatever may be the issue, . . 324 DIRECT. VII. Let him trust in the name of the Lord : That the name of the Lord is an all-sufficient prop and stay for a man s faith to rest upon, when he sees nothing in himself, ". : 325 By the name of the Lord two things are meant
1. Those attributes of grace and mercy, . . 325
2. Christ s righteousness, , . . . 325 Instances of those that have trusted in his name alone, . 326 Three reasons, . 327
THE RETURN OF PRAYERS. XV
PAGE How the name of the Lord answers all objections, . 330 DIRECT. VIII. To wait upon God in the use of all means, . 330 DIRECT. IX. To seek to God by prayer most earnestly ; together with pleas and arguments to be used to God in prayer for reco
very out of this condition, .... 332 DIRECT. X. Not to rest in ease, but alone in healing, . 337
SECTION II.
Other observations out of the 10th verse
in darkness, yet but to a few, . . . .341 Three reasons, . . . . . .341 Three uses, ...... 342
Doct. 2. That though it may befall one that fears God to walk
especial eye unto and care of, . . .342 Two reasons, ...... 342 Two uses, ...... 343
Docl. 3. That those few that walk in darkness Christ hath an
Explication of it, ..... 343
Doct. 4. That when the children of God are under terrors, the most eminent grace that doth appear in them is fearfulness to
Keason, ...... 344 Two uses, ...... 344
. . .343
offend God, and willingness to obey him,
I. Their own righteousness, ..... 345 By sparks, what is meant, . . . .346 What by walking in the light of their fire,
A CHILD OF DARKNESS WALKING IN LIGHT.
By fire and the light of it two things meant
. . . 346 Use 1. Examine what fire we offer to God, . . 347 Use 2. Take heed of walking in the light of such fire, . 348
II. Outward comforts, . . . , .348 Why fire is put for comfort,
earthly fire, ...... 349 The comparison holds in six things, . . . 349
. . . .348 Why outward comfort compared to fire of their own kindling, to
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY, ..... 353 THE COHERENCE OF THE WORDS (PSALM LXXXV. 8), . . 359
II -THE RETURN OE PRAYERS,