Farther; this will discover a main difference between
the saints and empty professors:— As to the performance of duties, and
so the enjoyment of outward privileges, fruitless professors often walk
hand in hand with them; but now come to their secret retirements, and what a difference is there! There the saints hold communion with
God: hypocrites, for the most part, with the world and their own lusts; —
with them they converse and communicate; they hearken what they will say to
them, and make provision for them, when the saints are sweetly wrapt up in
the bosom of their Father’s love. It is oftentimes even almost impossible
that believers should, in outward appearance, go beyond them who have very
rotten hearts: but this meat they have, which others know not of; this
refreshment in the banqueting house, wherein others have no share; — in the
multitude of their thoughts, the comforts of God their Father refresh their
souls.