3.  They would not pore too much, or dwell too long and too much upon the thoughts of those discouragements; for that is Satan’s advantage, and tendeth to weaken themselves.  But it were better to be looking beyond them, as Christ did, Heb. xii. 2, when he had the cross and the shame to wrestle with, he looked to the joy that was set before him; and that made him endure the cross and despise the shame; and as Moses did, Heb. xi. 25-27, when he had afflictions and the wrath of the king to wrestle against; he had respect unto the recompense of the reward, and so he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

4.  They would remember that as Christ hath tender bowels, and is full of compassion, and is both ready and able to help them; so is he wise, and knoweth how to let out his mercies best.  He is not like a foolish, affectionate mother, that would hazard the life of the child, before she put the child to any pain.  He seeth what is best for his own glory, and for their good here and hereafter; and that he will do with much tenderness and readiness.

5.  They would look upon it as no mean mercy, if, notwithstanding of all the discouragements and storms that blow in their face, they are helped to keep their face up the hill, and are fixed in their resolution, never willingly to turn their back upon the way of God, but to continue creeping forward as they may, whatever storms they meet with; yea, upon this account ought they heartily to bless his name, and to rejoice; for “their hearts shall live that seek him,” Psalm xxii. 26.

6.  They would remember, for their encouragement, that as many have been helped through all discouragements, and have been brought home at length, so may they be brought through all those storms which now they wrestle with.  It is the glory of the Mediator to bring his broken, torn, and sinking vessel, safe to shore.

Now, I come to a third case, and that is,

CHAPTER XXIII.

HOW TO MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE WHEN THE SOUL IS DEAD AS TO DUTY.

Sometimes the believer will be under such a distemper, as that he will be as unfit and unable for discharging of any commanded duty, as dead men, or one in a swoon, is to work or go a journey.  And it were good to know how Christ should be made use of as the Life, to the end the diseased soul may be delivered from this.  For this cause we shall consider those four things: 

1.  See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper.

2.  Consider whence it cometh, or what are the causes or occasions thereof.

3.  Consider how Christ is life to the soul in such a dead case; and,

4.  Point out the way of the soul’s use-making of Christ, that would be delivered herefrom.

As to the first, this distemper cometh on by several steps and degrees.  It will be sufficient to mention some of the main and most remarkable steps; such as,