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fend them; that is, much trouble them, since they have peace with God, and with their own consciences. Outward losses and crosses are easily born, they shall make no breach upon their inward peace. They that have this character of God's children, will not be stumbled at God's dispensations, let them be never so cross to their desires, because they have a God to fly unto in all their troubles, and a sure covenant to rest upon. Therefore the reproaches cast on them, and on the ways of God, do not scandalize them, for they have found God in that very way which others speak evil of; they are not so offended by any thing that attends the way of God, as to dislike or forsake that way. Nevertheless we must take heed that we be not offended.

Sixthly, Temptations from satan may cause heart trouble and vexation. Satan's suggestions, his fiery darts, these tormenting thoughts which he casts into the minds of Christ's disciples, create to them much disturbance and heart trouble. So soon as any man is plucked out of the devil's hands, by the mighty power of Christ's spirit, he falls upon him speedily with all his force to trouble such a soul and vex it: so that he shall enjoy little peace if satan can hinder it. So long as the devil keeps possession in the soul, he keeps all in peace, (a sad peace!) But when a stronger than he comes, and casteth out this strong man armed, then satan rageth, to recover his lost captive soul, and vexeth that soul with all his tempta

tions. But let not this break your peace, nor cause heart trouble. As Christ hath overcome the world, and therefore bids his disciples to be of good cheer, Job xvi. 20. So hath he also overcome the devil, he hath trodden this serpent under his feet already, and this prince of peace will tread him under your feet also shortly. Therefore, let not your hearts be troubled.

Seventhly, Desertion, another (and not the least) piece of heart trouble; this may be the case of Christ's disciples. We read of the saints complaining that God had forsaken and when he hideth his face, they can

them;

not but be troubled.

Sometimes God doth but seem to hide his face, Isa. xlix. 14, 15. When God takes away their earthly comforts from them, and suffereth sharp and bitter afflictions to befal them; and though they cry unto him, he doth not remove them, then they think that God hath forsaken them.

Sometimes God doth really forsake his people, as to the sense of his favour, Isa. liv. 7, 8. "For a small moment have I forsaken thee. In a little wrath I hide my face from thee for a moment." And this is, either by withholding comfort from them which they cry for; or by withdrawing that comfort from them which they had, Psal. li. 11. and Psal. Ixxvii. 1, 2, 3, 23. compared. Yet here God supported and sustained his servant's soul with grace many times. When God's people have

least comfort, they have most grace, most humility, patience, self-denial, thirstings after God, heavenly-mindedness, &c. God's people may lose the sense of his love, but never lose his love, for that is everlasting. But to lose the sense of his love, is a grievous trouble to a gracious soul, that hath tasted and felt the love of God and his favour; for their great happiness is to have the favour of God; " In his favour is life, and his loving kindness is better than life." This is the joy of their lives (Psal. cxix. 135.) which David so earnestly prayed for. No such as have found this, must needs be troubled when they lose it.

Two things chiefly cause God to hide his face from his people.

1. When their hearts are too much set upon, and carried out after earthly comforts, Psal. xxx. 6, 7. Fleshly delight, and confidence in earthly things, provokes God to hide his face: when a man smiles so much on the world, and gives it so much room in his heart, God frowns, and is offended that the gift should be so much loved, and the giver so neglected and forgotten.

2. When their hearts are let out too little after God and there grows a strangeness between God and them, and they begin to grow cold, dull and dead in duty, then God withdraws and hides himself, Cant. ii. 3. 5, 6. compared. But no affliction like this, this disquieteth and dejecteth the people of God

indeed. And as all the candles in the world cannot make it day when the sun is set; so all the comforts in the world cannot rejoice such a soul, nor can there be any day in such a soul, until "the sun of righteousness arise there with healing in his wings," Mal. iv. 2.

So much for this third particular, shewing what this heart trouble is, which our Lord here forbids his disciples, namely, worldlysorrow, sinful slavish fear, distracting care, despondency, dejectedness of spirit, distrust, offence at persecution for Christ's sake, satan's temptations and spiritual desertions, all which may either be the causes, or the parts and pieces of heart trouble, which must be avoided.

The fourth particular to be opened, is to shew how that believing in God, and in Christ is the best antidote against this sinful heart trouble; Christ proposeth it as a special reme. dy.

Q. But how is it so?

A. To answer this, I shall endeavour to shew these three things.

1. What this believing in God is, which our saviour here grants that they had: ye believe in God.

2. What is it to believe in Christ: believe also in me.

3. That this faith acted on God and Christ is the best remedy to prevent and cure heart trouble, in all those several parts of it I have mentioned,

1. What this faith in God is? briefly, the apostle tells us, Heb. xi. 6. it is to believe that God is, that there is a God, an infinite first and best being; to believe that God is that all that, which he hath revealed himself in his word to be; viz. that he is an "all-sufficient, almighty, only-wise God; a righteous, gracious, merciful God; an holy God, a loving God. He proclaims his name himself, Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, &c. To believe that he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working," Isa. xxviii. last. That he is the father of mercies, the true and faithful God, the God of all grace, and of all consolation; with many more admirable attributes of God doth the scripture furnish us, that we may build our faith, and place our trust in him, to prevent heart trouble, and to cure it when it hath seized on us. Whatsoever is revealed of God in his word, that true faith believe.

Also this faith in God, is to believe that "he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

That he being God all-sufficient, he is able to support, to supply, to deliver his people out of all their troubles, and that he is willing so to do, as well as able, for he hath promised; and he is a rewarder, a God that will abun❤ dantly, plentifully reward all his suffering ones; great shall be their reward in heaven,

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