The fourth particular, to wit, how the soul should be exercised, or how it should employ Christ, for an outgate from this, hath been abundantly cleared above, where we shewed, that believers in this case should,

1.  Be frequent in gripping Christ and closing with him as their all-sufficient Mediator; and faith thus frequently acting on him may discover itself at length.

2.  Look to Christ that hath eye-salve, and is given for a witness.

3.  Keep grips fast of him, though they be in the dark; and walk on gripping to him.

4.  Keep love toward him and his working, and in exercise.

5.  Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining the true marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in the soul.

But it will be said, and so I come to the last particular, what, if after all this, I remain as formerly, as unable to judge aright of my state as ever?

Answer. Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ, loving him, looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy wants upon him, and mind this as thy constant work.  Yea, thou shouldst labour to be growing in these direct acts of faith; and learn to submit to God herein, knowing that those reflect acts are not absolutely necessary; and that thou shouldst think it much if he bring thee to heaven at length, though covered with a cloud all thy days.

Obj. 2.  But others get much more clearness.

Ans. I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not clearness, and such as have it, have it not in the same measure.  And must God give thee as much as he giveth to another?  What if thou could not make that use of it that others do, but wax proud thereby, and forget thyself?  Therefore it will be best to give God liberty to dispense his favours as he will, and that thou be about thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love, fear, patience, &c.

Obj. 3.  But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it would be some peace and satisfaction to me.

Ans. I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest also get that favour ere thou die.  Why then wilt thou not wait his leisure?

Obj. 4.  But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go heartlessly and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh that I cannot apply things distinctly to myself.

Ans. Yet the word of command is the same, the offer is the same, and the encouragement is the same.  Why then should thou not be going on, leaning to Christ in the wilderness, even though thou want that comfortable sight?

Obj. 5.  But it is one thing to want a clear sight of my state, it is another thing to judge myself, to be yet in the state of nature; and this is my case.

Ans. I grant, this is the worst of the two; yet, what if thou misjudge thyself without ground; should thou not suffer for thy own folly; and whom can thou blame but thyself?  And if thou judge so, thou cannot but know that it is thy duty to do the thing that thou supposeth is not yet done, that is, run away to Christ for life and salvation, and rest on him and abide there; and if this were frequently renewed, the grounds of thy former mistake might be easily removed.