Quest. But what if for all this I get no outgate, but my distress and darkness rather grow upon my hand? Ans. That such a thing may be, I grant, the Lord thinking it fit. (1.) To exercise their faith, dependence, patience, hope, and desire more. (2.) And to discover more unto them their own weakness, faintings, faithfulness. (3.) To shew his absolute power and sovereignty. (4.) To make his grace and mercy more conspicuous and remarkable at length.  And, (5.) to train them up in a way of dependence on him in the dark, and of leaning to him when walking in darkness, yea, and in a way of believing when they think they have no faith at all, and for other holy ends.  Yet the soul would not despond, for there are several things that may serve to support and bear up the heart even in that case, as,

1.  This is not their case alone, others have been in the like before, and many have had the like complaints in all ages, as is known to such as have been acquainted with exercised souls.

2.  It may yield peace and comfort to know that they are about duty when looking to him, and depending upon him, and waiting for his light.

3.  The promises made to such as wait for him may support the soul and yield comfort.

4.  The distinct knowledge and uptaking of their condition, though it be comfortable and refreshing, yet it is not absolutely necessary.  A soul may be a saved soul, though those clouds should continue to its dying day; and though, as long as they lived, they should never get a clear discovery of their gracious state, but spend their days in mourning, complaining, and crying out of darkness.

5.  Such a soul should think that it is much that he is kept out of hell so long; and sure, the thoughts of what he is, and of what he deserveth, may make him sober, and not to think much, though he reach not so high as to see his name written in the book of life.

6.  They should know that full assurance of hope and of faith is but rare:  and even such as have it do not ordinarily keep it long; so that it should not much trouble them, if, after all their pains, they cannot win at it.

7.  If they win to any real ground of hope, how small soever, they should think much of that; for many dear to Christ live long, and never know what so much is.

8.  It is no small matter that they are not sinking in the gulf of inconsideration, and plagued with an indifferency in these matters, but are made to value Christ and an interest in him at such a rate.

9.  Their going to Christ with all their wants, laying all on him, and their making that their daily exercise, may keep up their hearts from fainting, yea, and fill their souls with joy; for that is really the exercise of faith.  And the great and gracious promises are made to such as believe, and not to such only as know they do believe.  I grant such as know not that they do believe, cannot draw comfort from these promises; yet it is true that one may,