ss concerning his case and
condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what judgment
to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a distinct and
clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is truth alone, and
the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The question then is, how
they shall make use of, and apply themselves to this truth, to the end
they may get the truth of their condition discovered to them. But first
let us see what this case may be. Consider, then,

1. That grace may be in the soul, and yet not be seen nor observed. This
is manifest by daily experience.

2. Not only so, but a gracious soul that is reconciled With God in
Christ, and hath the spirit of grace dwelling in it, may suppose itself
a stranger yet unto this reconciliation, and void of the grace of God,
and so be still in the state of nature.

3. Yea, a soul may not only suppose and conclude itself in nature, while
it is in a state of grace, but further, may be filled with terror and
apprehensions of God's wrath and indignation; and that in such a
measure, as that thereby it may be as a distracted person, as we see it
was with Heman, Psalm lxxxviii. 15, who said, "while I suffer thy
terror, I am distracted." The wrath of God lay hard upon him, and he
said, that he was afflicted with all God's waves, ver. 7. Hence he cried
out, vers. 16. 17, "thy fierce wrath goeth over me, thy terrors have cut
me off, they came round about me daily," or all the day, "like water
they compassed me about together." And yet for all this, the first word
of his complaint was faith, ver. 1. Many such complaints hear we out of
Job's mouth, to whom God, notwithstanding, was that gracious, that he
never came to question his state before God, or to conclude his
hypocrisy, or his being still in the state of nature. But it is not so
with every one that is so exercised.

4. Yea, further, with those inward strokes upon the soul, they may have
sin and guilt charged upon their consciences; and this will make their
life yet more bitter, and put a sharper edge upon the rods. Thus was Job
made to possess the sins of his youth, Job. xiii. 26, and made to say,
"My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine
iniquity," Job. xiv. 17.

5. Moreover, they may be in such a condition a long time, and all the
while have no light of comfort, as we may see in Job and Heman. They may
even walk in darkness, and have no light of comfort, Isa.