weighty objection doth fall upon the spirit, by means of which great
shakings of mind do commonly attend such a soul in the most weighty
matters of the concerns of faith, of which this is one that I have
supposed in the above-mentioned question: Wherefore passing other
things, I will come directly to that, and briefly propose some helps to
a soul in such a case.

I. The first preparative.

First, Then, be sure thou keep close to the Word of God for that is the
revelation of the mind and will of God, both as to the truth of what is
either in himself or ways, and also as to what he requireth and
expecteth of thee, either concerning faith in, or obedience to, what he
hath so revealed. Now for thy better performing of this, I shall give
thee in brief these following directions.

1. Suffer thyself, by the authority of the Word, to be persuaded that
the Scripture indeed is the Word of God the Scriptures of truth, the
words of the Holy One; and that they therefore must be every one true,
pure, and for ever settled in heaven.

2. Conclude therefore from the former doctrine, that that God whose
words they are, is able to make a reconciliation and most sweet and
harmonious agreement with all the sayings therein, how obscure, cross,
dark, and contradictory soever they seem to thee. To understand all
mysteries, to have all knowledge, to be able to comprehend with all
saints, is a great work; enough to crush the spirit, and to stretch the
strings of the most capacious, widened soul that breatheth on this side
glory, be they notwithstanding exceedingly enlarged by revelation.
Paul, when he was caught up to heaven, saw that which was unlawful,