(III.) 1. A third general cause of this darkness is temptation. When the candle of the Lord first shines on our head, temptation frequently flees away, and totally disappears. All is calm within: perhaps without too, while God makes our enemies to be at peace with us. It is then very natural to suppose, that we shall not see war any more. And there are instances wherein this calm has continued, not only for weeks, but for months or years. But commonly it is otherwise: in a short time the winds blow, the rains descend, and the floods arise anew. They who know not either the Son or the Father, and consequently, hate his children, when God slackens the bridle which is in their teeth, will shew that hatred in various instances. As of old, he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now: the same cause still producing the same effect. The evil which yet remains in the heart, will then also move afresh: anger and many other roots of bitterness, will endeavour to spring up. At the same time, Satan will not be wanting, to cast in his fiery darts: and the soul will have to wrestle, not only with the world, not only with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with wicked spirits in high places. Now when so various assaults made at once, and perhaps with the utmost violence, it is not strange if it should occasion not only heaviness, but even darkness in a weak
