(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 believer. More especially, if he was not watching, if these assaults are made in an hour when he looked not for them: if he expected nothing less, but had “fondly told himself “The day of evil would return no more.” 2. The force of those temptations which arise from within, will be exceedingly heightened, if we before thought too highly of ourselves, as if we had been cleansed from all sin. And how naturally do we imagine this, during the warmth of our first love? How ready are we to believe, That God has _fulfilled in_ us _the_ whole _work of faith with power_? That because we _feel_ no sin, we _have_ none in us, but the soul is all love? And well may a sharp attack from an enemy whom we supposed not only conquered but slain, throw us into much heaviness of soul, yea, sometimes into utter darkness. Particularly when we _reason_ with this enemy, instead of instantly calling upon God, and casting ourselves upon him by simple faith, who _alone knoweth to deliver his out of temptation_. III. These are the usual causes of this second darkness. Enquire we, _thirdly_, What is the cure of it?