A Word in Season to this Present Generation, Text (4 of 5)

A Word in Season to this Present Generation · Text (4 of 5)

p. 135The ſecond Propoſition is this, That the favourable, 2. Propoſition.ſignal, and eminent preſence of God with his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, is only to be extended to his Covenant people, to thoſe that are his People by ſpecial grace. Jer. 32. 38. And they ſhall be my People, and I will be their God. Verſe 40. And I will make an everlaſting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me. Verſe 41. Yea I will rejoyce over them, to do them good. There are many precious promiſſes of the Divine preſence, as I have already ſhewed, but they are all entailed upon Gods Covenant-people: We are all the People of God by Creation, both good and bad, ſinners and ſaints, bond and free, rich and poor, high and low; and we are all the People of God by outward profeſſion. All that do make an outward profeſſion of God, and perform external worſhip to God; they are all the People of God in this ſence; all the Carnal Iſraelites, are frequently called the People of God, as well as the ſpiritual Seed; thus Cain was one of Gods People as well as Abel, and Eſau, as well as Jacob. Now ſuch as are only the People of God by creation, or by profeſſion, theſe are ſtrangers to God, theſe are enemies Ephe. 2. 12.Eph 2:12to God, and will he be favourably preſent with p. 136theſe. Such as are only the People of God by creation Eph. 2. 1. Col. 2. 13Eph 2:1Col 2:13and outward profeſſion, they are dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, and can the living God take pleaſure in being among Gal. 3. 10.Gal 3:10the dead; ſuch are under all the threatnings of the Law, and under all the curſes of the Law, even to the uttermoſt extent of them, ſuch are not one moment ſecure; the threatnings of God and the curſes of the Law Lev. 26. Deut. 28.Lev 26Deut 28may light upon them, when in the houſe, when in the field, when waking when ſleeping, when alone when in company, when rejoycing when lamenting, when ſick when well, when boaſting when deſpairing, when upon the Throne when upon a ſick-bed; and will God grace theſe with his preſence? ſurely no. Such ſay to Job 21 1…, 15.Job 21:1Job 21:15God, Depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledge of thy wayes. What is the Almighty that we ſhould ſerve him? and what profit ſhould we have if we pray unto him? Such queryings as this carry greateſt contempt in them, and would lay the Almighty quite below the required duty, as if Almighty were but an empty Title, and will God ever honour ſuch with his favourable preſence, who bid him be packing, who reject his acquaintance, and are willing to be rid of his company? ſurely no. Such as are only his People by creation, and an outward profeſſion, ſuch are under the wrath Pſalm 7… 11.Ps 7:11and diſpleaſure of God. [God is angry with the wicked every day;] not with a paternal, but with a Prov. 3. 32. cap 1…. 9.Prov 3:32judicial anger; even to hatred and abhorment. [The wicked is an abomination to him, and he hates all workers of iniquity.] And therefore to theſe he will never vouchſafe his ſignal preſence, ſuch may well expect that God will pour on them the fiercen…ſs of that wrath and indignation, that they can neither decline nor withſtand; ſuch wrath is like the tempeſt and whirlewinds, that breakes down all before it. It is like burning fire, and devouring flames, that conſumes all. This wrath will break down all the ſinners arrogancies, and ſtrangle all his vain hopes, and mar all his ſenſual joyes, and fill him with amazing diſtractions, and make him drunk with p. 137the wine of aſtoniſhment. And will God dwell with theſe? will he keep houſe with theſe? ſurely no. By theſe ſhort hints it is moſt evident, that the ſpecial preſence of God is entailed upon none out of Covenant; Joh 14. 21, 2…. 2 Cor. 1. 16, 17. 18John 14:21John 14:22 Cor 1:162 Cor 1:172 Cor 1:18God loves to keep houſe with none but his Covenant-People; he will grace none with his gracious preſence, 1. Sam. 28. 15, 16, &c.1 Sam 28:151 Sam 28:16but thoſe that are his People by ſpecial grace. When wicked men are in great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, God either leaves them, as he did Saul; or elſe purſues them to an utter over-throw, as he did Pharaoh; or elſe cuts them off by an inviſible hand, as he did Sennacherib's mighty Hoſts, and proud King Herod; Ex 14. Iſa. 37. 36. Act. 12. 23.Exod 14Isa 37:36Acts 12:23or elſe he leaves them to be their own executioners, as he did Achitophel and Judas, &c. But,

The 3. Propoſition is this, that a ſincere Chriſtian may 3 Propoſition. Pſal. 119. 117.Ps 119:117enjoy the preſence of the Lord in great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, ſupporting and upholding of him, when he has not the preſence of God quickning, comforting, and joying of him, Pſal 37. 24. Though he fall he ſhall not be utterly caſt down, for the Lord upholdeth This is the upholding Pſalm.him with his hand. [Somech Jado, Ʋpholding with his hand.] There is not one moment wherein the Lord doth not uphold his People by the hand. The root [Samach] ſignifies, to ſuſtain and bear up, as the Nurſe or tender Mother does the little child, the weak child, the ſick child. Gods hand is ſtill under his, ſo that they can never fall below ſupporting grace. Pſal. 63. 8. Thy right hand upholdeth me; or, Thy right hand underprops me. God never did, nor never will want a hand to uphold, a hand to underprope his poor People in their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes. Though the Saints have not alwayes the comforting preſence of God in their afflictions, yet they have always the ſupporting preſence of God in their afflictions, as Chriſt in his bitter and Mat. 27 46. My Go…, my God, &c.Matt 27:46bloody Agony had much of the ſupporting preſence of his Father, when he had none of the comforting preſence of his Father with him; So the Saints in their deep diſtreſſes have many times much of the ſupporting preſence of p. 138God; His left hand is under their heads, and his right Cant. 2. 6.Song 2:6hand doth embrace them, when in reſpect of his comforting preſence, they may ſay with the weeping Prophet Lam. 1. 16.Lam 1:16The Comforter that ſhould relieve my ſoul, is far from me. When the love-ſick Spouſe was ready to faint, Chriſt circleth her with amiable embracements. His left hand is under her head, and his right hand doth embrace her. It is an alluſion to their conjugal and menſal beds, on which the gueſts are ſo beſtowed, that the firſt laid his left hand under the head of him that was next, and put him ſo in in his boſom, that with his other hand he might alſo, if he pleaſed, embrace him, which was a poſture and ſign of the greateſt love, which the ſick fainting Spouſe here glories in. Chriſts two hands are teſtimonies and witneſſes of his great power and might, who is able to preſerve his People (though lame creeples) from falling, & alſo to lift them up again, when they are fallen never ſo low, and likewiſe to ſupport and uphold them, that they ſhall never finally and utterly be caſt down. When the hearts of the Saints are ready to faint and ſink, then the Lord will employ all his power for their ſupport, bearing them up as it were with both hands. He hath put his left hand under my head as a pillow to reſt upon, and with his right hand he hath embraced me, as a loving Husband Eph. 5. 29.Eph 5:29cheriſheth his ſick Wife, and doth her all the help he can. The beſt of Saints would fail, and faint in a day of trouble, if Chriſt did not put to both his hands to keep them up. In dayes of ſorrow Gods People ſtands in need of a whole Chriſt to ſupport them and uphold them. My head ſinks, O my Beloved, put thy left hand ſofter than pillowes of roſes, firmer than pillars of marable, under it; my heart faileth and dyeth, O let thy right hand embrace me. But,

The fourth propoſition is this, that all Saints have 4 Propoſition.not a like meaſure of the preſence of the Lord in their troubles and tryals, in their ſorrows and ſufferings; ſome have more, and others have leſs of this preſence of God in an evil day. 1. All Saints have not a like work p. 139to do in an evil day. 2. All Saints have not alike temptations to withſtand in an evil day. 3. All Saints have not alike teſtimony to give in an evil day. 4. All Saints have not alike burdens to bear in an evil day. 5. All Saints have Lam. 1. 12. cap. 4. 6. Dan. 9. 12, 13. 2 Cor. 11. 21. to the end. Heb. 11 25. to the end.Lam 1:12Dan 9:12Dan 9:132 Cor 11:21Heb 11:25not alike things to ſuffer in an evil day. There are greater and there are leſſer troubles, diſtreſſes and dangers; and there are ordinary troubles, diſtreſſes and dangers, and there are extraordinary troubles, diſtreſſes and dangers: Now where the trouble, the diſtreſs, the danger is ordinary, there an ordinary preſence of God may ſuffice; but Dan. 3. Dan. 6.Dan 3Dan 6where the trouble, the diſtreſs, the danger is extraordinary, there the People of God ſhall have an extraordinary preſence of God with them, as you may ſee in the three Children, Daniel, the Apoſtles, the primitive Chriſtians, and the Book of Martyrs. Some troubles, diſtreſſes and dangers are but of a ſhort continuance, as Athanaſius ſaid of his baniſhment, Nubecula eſt, citò tranſibit, It is but a little cloud, and will quickly be gone. Others are of a longer continuance, and accordingly God ſuits his preſence. All Saints have not a like outward ſuccours, ſupplies, reliefes, comforts, &c. in their troubles, diſtreſſes and dangers; ſome have a ſhelter, a friend at hand, others have not; ſome have many friends, and others may cry out with him, O my friends, I have never a friend! ſome are ſurrounded with outward comforts, and others have not one, not one penny, not one friend, not one days work, &c. in a ſtorm ſome have good Harbours at hand, others are near the rocks, and in danger of being ſwallowed up in the ſands: ſo here, and accordingly God lets out more or leſs of his preſence among his People, ſome need more of his preſence than others do, and accordingly God diſpenceth it among his Saints. But,

The fift propoſition is this, that none of the Saints 5 Propoſition.have at all times in all afflictions, diſtreſſes and dangers, Some ſcores of Pſalms do evidence the truth of this propoſition.the ſame meaſure and degree of the preſence of the Lord, but in one affliction they have more, in another leſs of the Divine preſence; in one affliction a Chriſtian may p. 140have more of the enlightning preſence of God than in another; and in another affliction a Chriſtian may have more of the comforting preſence of God, than in another; in this trouble a Chriſtian may have more of the awakning preſence of God, than in another, and in that trouble a Chriſtian may have more of the ſanctifying preſence of God, than in another; and in this diſtreſs a Chriſtian may have more of the ſupporting preſence of God, than in that. No one Saint doth at all times, nor in all troubles need a like meaſure of the Divine preſence. The primitive Chriſtians and the Martyrs had ſometimes more and ſometimes leſs of the Divine preſence with them, as their condition did require. God who is infinitly wiſe, does alwayes ſuit the meaſures and degrees of his gracious, favourable, ſignal preſence to the neceſſities of his Saints. This is ſo clear and great a truth, that there are many thouſands that can ſeal to it, from their own experience; and therefore I need not enlarge upon it. But,

The ſixth and the laſt propoſition is this, that many 6 Propoſition.precious Chriſtians in their great troubles, deep diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, may have this favourable, ſignal and eminent preſence of God with them, and yet fear and doubt, yea peremptorily conclude that they have Jo…ah 2. 4. Cant. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Pſalm 88.Song 5:6Song 5:7Song 5:8Song 5:9Song 5:10Ps 88not this preſence of God with them, Pſal. 77. 7, 8, 9, 10. Theſe ſad interrogatories argues much fear & diffidence; but let me evidence the truth of this propoſition by an induction of particulars; Thus, firſt: If Chriſt be not ſignally with you, why are you in your troubles ſo fearful of offending of him, and ſo careful and ſtudious in pleaſing of him? Gen. 39. 9, 10. Pſalm 17. 3, 4, 5. Dan. 3. 16, 17. Dan. 6. 10, 11, 12, 13. Secondly, If Chriſt be not ſignally with you, how comes it to paſs that under all your troubles, deep diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, you are ſtill a juſtifying of God, a clearing of God, a ſpeaking well of God, a giving a good report of God? Pſalm 119. 75. Ezra 9. 13. Ne…. 9. 32. 33. Dan. 9. 12, 14. Thirdly, if God be not ſignally with you, how come p. 141you to bear up ſo believingly, ſweetly, ſtoutly, cheerfully and patiently under your troubles, deep diſtreſſes and greateſt dangers, Gen. 49. 23, 24. 1 Sam. 30. 6. Hab. 3, 17, 18. Acts 5. 40, 41, 42. Cap. 16. 25, 26. Acts 27. 22.—26. Heb. 10. 34. Fourthly, if Chriſt be not ſignally preſent with you, how comes it to paſs that your thoughts, deſires, hearts, thirſtings and longings of ſoul, are ſo earneſtly, ſo ſeriouſly, ſo frequently and ſo conſtantly carried out after more and more of Chriſt, and after more and more of the preſence of Chriſt, and after more and more communion with Chriſt? Pſalm 139. 17, 18. Pſalm 63. 1, 8. Pſalm 27. 4. Pſalm 42. 1, 2, 3. Exod. 33. 13, 14, 15, 16. Cant. 1. 2. Fifthly, if Chriſt be not ſignally preſent with you, why are you ſo affected and afflicted with the diſhonours and indignities, wrongs and injuries that are done to the Lord by others? Pſalm 69. 9. Pſalm 119. 53, 136, 158. Jerem 9. 1, 2. Ezek. 9. 4, 6. 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8. None but ſuch that have the preſence of the Lord ſignally with them, can ſeriouſly and ſincerely lament over the high diſhonours that are done to the Lord by others. Sixthly, if the Lord be not ſignally preſent with you, under all you troubles and deep diſtreſſes, Job 15. 4. Heb. 10. 25.Job 15:4Heb 10:25why do you not caſt off prayer and neglect hearing, and forſake the aſſembling of your ſelves together, and turn your backs upon the Table of the Lord, and take your leaves of cloſſet-duties? But, ſeventhly, if the Lord be not ſignally preſent with you, under your great troubles and deep diſtreſſes, why don't you ſay, with Pharaoh, Who is the Lord, that I ſhould obey his voice? Exod. 5. 2. 2 Kings 6. 3…. …. 7. 2. 1 Sam. 28. 15, 16 1 Kings 21. 20. 2 Chr. 28. 22. Iſa. 51. 20. cap. 59 10, 11.Exod 5:22 Kgs 6:32 Kgs 6:72 Kgs 6:21 Sam 28:151 Sam 28:161 Kgs 21:202 Chr 28:22Isa 51:20And with the King of Iſrael, Behold this evil is of the Lord, and why ſhould I wait for the Lord any longer? Or with that Noble Pagan, If the Lord would make windows in Heaven, might this thing be? Or with Saul, why don't you run to a Witch? Or with Ahab, why don't you ſell your ſelves to work evil in the ſight of the Lord? Or with Ahaz, treſpaſs moſt when you are diſtreſſed moſt? Why don't you fret, and faint, and lye in the ſtreets as a wild Bull, full of the fury of the Lord? Why don't p. 142you grope for the wall, and ſtumble at noon-day, and rore all like Bears? But, eigthly, if the Lord be not ſignally preſent with you in your greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes, why do you with Moſes, prefer ſuffering before Heb. 11. 25, 26.Heb 11:25Heb 11:26ſinning, and Chriſts reproaches before Egypt's treaſures? Why do you ſcruple the ſinning of your ſelves out of your Pſalm 38. 4. Gen. 39. 9, 10.Ps 38:4Gen 39:9Gen 39:10ſorrows? Why do you look upon ſin as your greateſt burden? Why are you ſo tender in the point of tranſgreſſion, and ſo ſtout in reſiſtance of the moſt pleaſing temptation? But, ninthly, if the Lord be not ſignally Pſalm 16. 3, 4. Prov. 12. 26. Heb. 11. 38.Ps 16:3Ps 16:4Prov 12:26Heb 11:38with you in your great troubles and deep diſtreſſes, why do you ſet ſo high a price upon thoſe that have much of the preſence of God with them in their troubles and tryals? Why do you look upon them as more excellent than their Neighbours? yea as ſuch worthies, of whom this world is no ways worthy? But, tenthly and laſtly, Pſalm 119. 67, 71 Hoſea 5. 14, 15. cap. 6. 1, 2. Hof. 2. 6, 7.Ps 119:67Ps 119:71Hos 5:14Hos 5:15if the Lord be not ſignally preſent with you, in your greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes, how comes it to paſs that you are ſome what bettered, ſome what amended, ſome what reformed by the rod, by the afflictions, that have been and ſtill are upon you; when the heart is more awakened, humbled and ſoftned by the rod, when the will is more complyant with the will of God in doing or ſuffering, when the mind is more raiſed and ſpiritualized, when the conſcience is more quick and tender, Eph. 5. 15.Eph 5:15and when the life is more ſtrict and circumſpect: then we may ſafely and roundly conclude, that ſuch perſons do undoubtedly enjoy the ſignal and ſingular preſence of God with them, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers. And thus I have laid down theſe ſix propoſitions, which if well weighed and improved, may many ways be of ſingular uſe to ſincere Chriſtians.

We ſhall now come to the application or uſeful improvement of this great and ſeaſonable Truth. Explication is the drawing of the Bow, but application is the hitting of the mark, the white. Is it ſo, that when the People of the Lord are in great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, p. 143and moſt deadly dangers, that then the Lord will be favourably, ſignally and eminently preſent with them; Then let me briefly infer theſe ten things.

Firſt, that the Saints are a People of Chriſts ſpecial 1 Inference.care. 2 Chron. 16. 9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole Earth, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in the behalf of them, whoſe heart is perfect towards him. The words contain. 1 The univerſality of Gods providence, his eyes walk the rounds, they run to and fro through the whole Earth, to defend and ſecure the ſincere in heart. Diana's Temple was burnt down, when ſhe was buſied at Alexander's birth, and could not be at two places together: but God is preſent at all times, in all places, and among all perſons, and therefore his Church, which is 1 Cor. 3. 16. cap. 6. 19.1 Cor 3:16his Temple, can never ſuffer through his abſence. The Egyptians had an Idol, called Baal-Zephon, which is by interpretation, Dominus ſpeculae, Lord of the Watch-tower; Exod. 14. 2.Exod 14:2his office was, to fright ſuch fugitive Jews as ſhould offer to ſteal out of the Country; but when Moſes and the People of Iſrael paſt that way, and pitched their camp there, this drowſy God was ſurely faſt a ſleep, for they all marched on their way without let or moleſtation. Pſalm 121. 3, 4, 5 Iſa. 27. 3, 4.Ps 121:3Ps 121:4Ps 121:5Isa 27:3Isa 27:4Whereas he that keepeth Iſrael Neither ſlumbreth nor ſleepeth; he kept his Iſrael then, and he hath kept his Iſrael ever ſince; he made good his title then▪ and will make good his title ſtill, he ever was and he ever will be watchful over his People for their good. 2. The efficacy of his providence, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong; God fights with his eyes as well as his hands, he doth not only ſee his Peoples dangers, but ſaves them from dangers Zach. 2. 5.Zech 2:5in the midſt of dangers. When the Philoſopher in a ſtarry night was in danger of drowning, he cried out, Surely I ſhall not periſh there are ſo many eyes of providence over me. King Philip ſaid, He could ſleep ſafely, Pſalm 3. 5, 6.Ps 3:5Ps 3:6becauſe his friend Antipater watched for him. O how much more may the Saints ſleep ſafely, who have always a God that keepes watch and ward about them. God Prov. 18. 10.Prov 18:10is ſo ſtrong a Tower that no cannon can pierce it, and he p. 144is ſo high a Tower that no ladder can ſcale it, and h… is ſo deep a Tower that no pioneer can undermine it; and therefore they muſt needs be ſafe and ſecure, who lodge within a Tower ſo impregnable, ſo inexpugnable. Now this is the caſe of all the Saints, the fatherly care and providence of God is ſtill exerciſed for the good of his People. Deut. 32. 10. He found him in a deſart Land, and in Iſa 49. 16. c. 31. 5. and cap. 32. 1. 2. See my Heavenly Cordial after a waſting Plague, much of the ſpecial care of God.Isa 49:16the waſt howling wilderneſs, he led him about, he inſtructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Verſe 11. As an Eagle ſtirreth up her neſt, fluttereth over her young, ſpreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. Verſe 12. So the Lord alone did lead him, &c. The Eagle carries her young ones upon her wings (and not between her talons as other birds do) openly, ſafely, ſwiftly; and ſo did God his Iſrael, being choice and chary of them all the way, ſecuring them alſo from their enemies, who could do them as little hurt, as any can Iſa. 63. 4. 5. 6. cap. 59. 16.Isa 63:4Isa 63:5Isa 63:6do the Eagles young, which cannot be ſhot but through the body of the old one: See at what a rate God ſpeaks in that, Iſa. 40. 27, 28. Obſerve how God comes on with his high interrogatories, Haſt thou not known? What an ignorant People! Haſt thou not heard? What a deaf People! what keep no intelligence with Heaven! 1 Pet. 5. 7. Caſting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. I will now with you ſing away care (ſaid John Careleſs, Act. and Mon. fol. 1743.Martyr, in his letter to Mr. Philpot) for now my ſoul is turned to her old reſt again, and hath taken a ſweet nap in Chriſts lap. I have caſt my care upon the Lord, which careth for me, and will be careleſs according to my name. It was a ſtrange ſpeech of Socrates, a Heathen, Since God is ſo careful of you (ſaith he) what need you be careful for any thing your ſelves? Gods providence extendeth to all his Creatures; it's like the Sun of univerſal influence, but in a ſpecial manner it's operative for the ſafety of his Saints. In common dangers men take ſpecial care of their Jewels, and will not God, will not God take Mal. 3. 17. Heb. 3. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5.Mal 3:17Heb 3:61 Pet 2:5ſpecial care of his Jewels? ſurely yes. The Church of God is the houſe of God, and will not God take care p. 145of his houſe? ſurely that ſhall be well guarded, whatſoever be neglected; his houſe is every moment within the view of his favourable eye, and under the guard of his almighty arm, his thoughts and heart is much upon his houſe: God hath a peculiar and paternal care over his Saints, that diſ…ich of Muſeul…s cometh in fitly:

Eſt Deus in caelis qui providus omnia curat,

Credentes nunquam, deſeruiſſe poteſt.

A God there is, whoſe Providence doth take

Care for his Saints, whom he will not forſake.

(His eyes run) implying the celerity and ſwiftneſs of God in haſtning relief to his People, (his eyes run through the whole Earth.) implying the univerſality of helps there is not a Saint in any dark Corner of the world, under any ſtraits or troubles, but God eyes him and will take ſingular care of him; God will alwayes … his care, to his Peoples conditions, to which his eminent appearances for them in dayes of diſtreſs and trouble, give ſignal teſtimony. It is our work to caſt care; it is Gods work to take care, let not us then by ſoul dividing thoughts take the Lords work out of his hand. But

Secondly, Will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 2. Inference.People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, then here you may ſee the true reaſon why the Saints are ſo comfortable, cheerful and joyful, Acts 5. 40, 41. Cap. 16. 25. Rom. 5. 3. 2 Cor. 7. 4. Cap. 12. 10. 1 Pet. 4 12, 13, 14 theſe Scriptures are already opened and improved.Acts 5:40Acts 5:41Rom 5:32 Cor 7:41 Pet 4:121 Pet 4:131 Pet 4:14in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers; it is becauſe of that ſignal preſence of God with them. It was this ſignal preſence of God with the Martyrs, that made them rejoyce in the midſt of their greateſt ſufferings, and that made them endure great ſufferings, without any ſenſible feeling of their ſufferings: As that young Child in Joſephus, who when his fleſh was pulled in pieces with pincers, by the command of Antiochus, ſaid with a ſmiling countenance: p. 146Tyrant, thou loſeſt time, where are thoſe ſmarting pains with which tho… threatnedſt me? make me to ſhrink, and cry out if thou canſt? And Bainam, an Engliſh Martyr, when the fire was flaming about him, ſaid: You Papiſts talk of Miracles, behold here a Miracle, I feel no more pain than if I were in a bed of down, it is as ſweet to me as a bed of Roſes. Surely their ſtrength Job 6. 12.Job 6:12was not the ſtrength of ſtones, nor their fleſh of braſs, that they ſhould not be ſenſible of ſo great ſufferings; but this was only from that ſignal preſence of God, that made them endure grievous pains without pain, Heb. 11. 33. to 35.Heb 11:33–35and moſt exquiſit torments without torment, and ſore ſufferings without feeling of their ſufferings; and other choice ſouls there were, who though they were ſenſible of their ſufferings, yet by the Divine preſence they were filled with unſpeakable courage, comfort and alacrity. Laurence when his body was roaſted upon a burning Gridi…on, cryed out, This ſide is roaſted enough, turn the other. Marcus of Arethuſa, a worthy Miniſter, when his body was cut and lanced, and anointed with honey, and hung up a loft in a Basket, to be ſtung to death by Waſps and Bees, he looking down cheerfully upon the the Spectators ſaid, I am advanced, deſpiſing you that are below; and when we ſhall ſee poor, weak, feeble Creatures like our ſelves, defying their tormenters and their torments, conquering in the midſt of their greateſt ſufferings, and rejoycing and triumphing in the midſt of their fiery trials, ſinging in Priſon, as Paul and Silas did; kiſſing the ſtake as Henry Voes did; clapping their hands when they were half conſumed in the flames as John Noyes did; calling their execution day, their wedding day as Biſhop Ridley did. We cannot but conclude that they had a ſingular preſence of God with them, that made all their ſufferings ſeem ſo eaſie and ſo light unto them. Caeſar cheered up his drooping Mariners in a ſtorm, by minding them of his preſence; but alaſs! alaſs! what was Caeſar's preſence to this Divine, this ſignal preſence that the Saints have enjoyed in their p. 147greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes. But

Thirdly, Will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 3. Inference.People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers; then from hence you may ſee the weakneſs, madneſs, ſottiſhneſs, and folly of all ſuch as Iſa. 8. 9, 10. Cap. 27. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 25.Isa 8:9Isa 8:101 Cor 1:25make oppoſition againſt the Saints; that affront, injure, and make head againſt thoſe that have the preſence of the great God in the midſt of them. O Sirs! the weakneſs of God is ſtronger than Men. What then is the ſtrength of God? 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealouſie? are we ſtronger than he? Ah who knows the power of his Pſalm 90. 11.Ps 90:11anger! It is ſuch that none of the Potentates of the world, who ſet themſelves againſt the Saints, can avert or avoid, avoid or abide: That God is a mighty God, the Scriptures do abundantly evidence, and it appears alſo in the Epithet, that is added unto El-, which is Gibbor, importing that he is a God of prevailing might. By Daniel he is called El-Elim, the mighty of mighties. Now what folly and madneſs is it for Duſt and Aſhes, for crawling Worms, to make head againſt a mighty God; yea an Almighty God, who can curſe them, and cruſh Geneſ. 49. 25. Num. 24. 4. 16. Ruth 1. 20, 21.Gen 49:25Num 24:4Num 24:16Ruth 1:20Ruth 1:21them with a word of his mouth. 2 Chron. 32. 7. Be ſtrong and couragious, be not afraid nor diſmayed for the King of Aſſyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him, for there be more with us than with him. Verſe 8. With him is an arm of fleſh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battels. The King of Aſſyria was at that time the greateſt Monarch in the World, and the moſt formidable Enemy the Church had, yet the Divine preſence was a ſoveraign Antidote to expel all baſe ſlaviſh fears, that might ariſe in any of their hearts, concerning his greatneſs, power, or multitude. What was that great multitude that was with the King of Aſſyria, to that innumerable Company of Angels that was 2 Kings 6. 17. Pſalm 34. 7, &c 91. 11. Heb. 12. 22. Cap. 1. ult. Iſa. 37. 29. 36, 37, 38.2 Kgs 6:17Ps 34:7Heb 12:22Isa 37:29Isa 37:36Isa 37:37Isa 37:38with Hezekiah? And what was an arm of fleſh to Gods ſupreme Soveraignity; that had this proud Prince in chaines, and that put a hook in his noſe, and a bridle in his lips, and cut off his great Army by the hand of p. 148an Angel in one night, and left him to fall by the ſword of his own Sons. The Lord of Hoſts can cruſh the greateſt Armies in the world into Atomes at pleaſure. When the Emperour Heraclius ſent Ambaſſadours to Choſroes, King of Perſia, to deſire Peace of him; he received this threatning anſwer: I will not ſpare you, till I have made Diac. Cedren.you curſe your crucified God, and adore the Sun; he was afterwards (like another Senacherib) depoſed and murthered by his own Siroes: When the Divine preſence is armed againſt the great ones of the World, they muſt certainly fall. In Diocleſian's time, under whom was the laſt and worſt of the ten perſecutions, though then Chriſtian Religion was more deſperately oppoſed than ever, yet ſuch was the preſence of God with his Ruffin.People in thoſe times, that Religion proſpered and prevailed more than ever; ſo that Diocleſian himſelf obſerving that the more he ſought to blot out the name of Chriſt, it became the more legible, and to block up the way of Chriſt it became the more paſſable; and what ever of Chriſt he thought to root out, it rooted the deeper and roſe the higher, thereupon he reſolved to engage himſelf no further, but retired to a private life: This is a good copy for the Perſecutors of the day to Acts 5. 38, 39, 40 Pſalm 76. 12. Pſalm 110. 5. 6. Rev. 6. 14, 15, 15.Acts 5:38Acts 5:39Acts 5:40Ps 76:12Ps 110:5Ps 110:6Rev 6:14Rev 6:15write after. O Sirs! what folly and madneſs is it for weakneſs to engage againſt ſtrength, the Creature againſt the Creator, an Arm of fleſh againſt the Rock of Ages? What is the chaff to the whirl-wind, ſtubble and ſtraw to the devouring flames? no more are all the Enemies of Zion to the great and glorious God, that is ſignally preſent with his People in their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, &c. There was not one of thoſe perſecuting Emperours, that carried on the ten bloody Perſecutions againſt the Saints, but ca…e to miſerable ends, yea Hiſtories tell us of three and forty perſecuting Emperours, that fell by the hand of revenging Juſtice; firſt or laſt the preſence of God with his People, will undo all the Perſecutors in the world. But

p. 149Fourthly, Will the Lord be ſignally preſent with 4. Inference.his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then from hence you may ſee the Lords ſingular love and admirable kindneſs to his People, in gracing them with his preſence in their greateſt Iſa. 43. 2. 4.Isa 43:2Isa 43:4troubles; that is a Friend indeed that will ſtick cloſe to a man in the day of his troubles, as Jobs friends did Job 2. 11, 12, 13, 1 Sam. 20. 30, 31. 32, 33.Job 2:11Job 2:12Job 2:131 Sam 20:301 Sam 20:311 Sam 20:321 Sam 20:33ſtick cloſe to him in the day of his troubles, and as Jonathan did ſtick cloſe to David in his greateſt dangers, and as the primitive Chriſtians did ſtic… cloſe one to another, though with the hazard of their lives, and to the amazement of their Enemies: Behold (ſaid they) how the Chriſtians love one another, and ſtand by one another: The People of God in their greateſt troubles are a People of his ſpecial love; when they are in diſtreſs he lyes them in his very boſom, and his banner over Cant. 2. 4.Song 2:4them is love. The love of God to his People is engraven upon the moſt afflictive diſpenſation they are under: when he ſmartly rebukes them, even then he dearly loves them. (Hear ye the rod.) Oh, the rod ſpeaks love; Rev. 3. 19. Micha 6. 9.Rev 3:19Mic 6:9many of the Saints have read much of the Lords love, written in letters of their own blood; they have read love in Pri…ns, and love in flames, and love in baniſhment, and love in the cruelleſt torments their Enemies could invent. When a Chriſtians wounds are bleeding, Mal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2then God comes in with a healing plaſter; when a Chriſtian is in a ſtorm, then the preſence of the Lord makes all calm and quiet within. The preſence of the Lord Matth. 8. 26.Matt 8:26with his People in their troubles and diſtreſſes, ſpeaks out the reality of his love, the cordialneſs of his love, the greatneſs of his love, and the tranſcendency of his love. The truth and ſtrength of Relations love one to another, doth beſt appear by their preſence one with another, when either of them are in the Iron Furnace, or in bonds, or in great ſtraits or wants, or deep diſtreſſes. The Parents ſhew moſt of their love to their ſick and weak Children, by their daily preſence with them; and the Husband ſhews moſt of his dear and tender p. 150love, by keeping his Wife company when ſhe is in greateſt ſtraits and dangers; ſo here. But

Fifthly, Will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 5. Inference.People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then this may ſerve to juſtifie the Saints, and to encourage the Saints to write after this fair copie that Chriſt has ſet them: O viſit them, O ſtand by them, O ſtick cloſe to them, in all their troubles, diſtreſſes and dangers; let the ſame mind be in you one towards another as is in Chriſt towards you all: Phil. 2. 5. Job 11. 12, 13.Phil 2:5Job 11:12Job 11:13Are there any Jobs upon the dunghil? viſit them; are there any Pauls in chaines? find them out and be not aſhamed of their chaines: 2 Timoth. 1. 16. The Lord give mercy to the houſe of Oneſiphorus, for he oft refreſhed me, and was not aſhamed of my chain. Verſe 17. But when he was in Rome, he ſought me out diligently and found me. Verſe 18. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he miniſtred unto me at Epheſus, thou knoweſt very well? [He oft refreſhed me.] Greek, Poured cold water upon foreign.me. As that Angel did upon the wracked limbs of Theodorus the Martyr, mentioned by Socrates and Ruffinus in the dayes of Julian the Apoſtat; 'tis a Metaphor taken from thoſe, who being almoſt overcome with heat are refreſhed by cooling. (And was not aſhamed of my chain.) Learned Antiquaries obſerve, that the Apoſtle at this time was not in priſon with fetters, but in the cuſtody of a Souldier, with whom he might go abroad, having a chain on his right arm, which was tyed to the Souldiers left arm: Paul at this time was not in priſon, much leſs a cloſe Priſoner, for then Oneſiphorus needed not to have made any great ſearch to find him; but was a Priſoner at large, going up and down with his Keeper to diſpatch his affairs, and therefore he ſpeaks not of chains in the plural number, but of a chain in the ſingular, with which he was tyed to the ſouldier that kept him. It no wayes becomes the Saints to be aſhamed of the bonds or chains, that may be found upon p. 151the Ambaſſadours of Chriſt in an evil day. The primitive Chriſtians were not aſhamed of the Martyrs chains, but owned them in their chains, and ſtood by them in their chains, and frequently viſited them in their chains, and freely and nobly relieved them, and refreſhed them in their chains: And will you, will you be aſhamed to viſit the Saints in bonds? O let not this be told in Gath, 2 Sam. 1. 20.2 Sam 1:20nor publiſhed in the ſtreets of Askelon, that the highflown Profeſſors and Chriſtians of theſe times are aſhamed to own, relieve, and ſtand by the Saints in bonds. So Matth. 25. 36. I was ſick and ye viſited me: I was in See Exo. 2. 11, 12. compared with Acts 7. 23. to 29. only remember the caſe was extraordinary and his call was extraordinary.Exod 2:11Exod 2:12Acts 7:23–29priſon and ye came unto me. It is very remarkable, that the laſt definitive Sentence ſhall paſs upon men, according to thoſe acts of favour and kindneſs, that have been ſhewed to the Saints in their ſuffering ſtate; and that the Sentence of abſolution ſhall contain a manifeſtation of all their good works: In this great day Chriſt ſees no iniquity in his People, he objects nothing againſt them, and he only makes honourable mention of the good that has been done by them. O, Sirs, all the viſits you give to ſick Saints, and all the viſits you give to impriſoned Saints, Chriſt takes as viſits given to himſelf: ſuffering Saints and you are Brethren, and will you not viſit your own Brethren? ſuffering Saints and Chriſt are Brethren, Matth. 25. 40. John 20 17. Pſalm 119. 63. 2 Cor. 8. 19.Matt 25:40John 20:17Ps 119:632 Cor 8:19and will you not viſit Chriſts Brethren? ſuffering Saints and you are Companions, and will you not viſit your own Companions? ſuffering Saints and you are travelling Heaven-wards, and will you not viſit your Fellow-travellers? ſuffering Saints and you are Fellow-citizens, and will you not viſit your Fellow-citizens? Epheſ. 2. 19.Eph 2:19ſuffering Saints and you are Fellow ſouldiers, Phil. 2. 25.Phil 2:25and will you not viſit your Fellow-ſouldiers? ſuffering Saints a…d you are Fellow-heirs, and will you not viſit Rom. 8. 17.Rom 8:17your Fellow-heirs? O never be aſhamed of thoſe that Chriſt is not aſhamed of! O never fail to viſit thoſe whom Chriſt daily viſits in their ſuffering ſtate! O never turn your backs upon thoſe to whom Chriſt hath given the right hand of fellowſhip! O be not ſhy of p. 152them, nor ſtrange to them whom Chriſt lyes daily in his boſom! O be not unkind to them with whom one day you muſt live for ever. But

Sixthly, Will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 6. Inference.People in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then never give way to baſe ſlaviſh Pſal. 51. 12, 13. Pfalm 46. 1, 2, 3. Matt. 10, 2…, ….Ps 51:12Ps 51:13Matt 10:2fears; there are as many fear nots in Scripture as there are fears; take a taſt of ſome of them, Hebr. 13. 5. He hath ſaid, I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee. Verſe 6. So that we may boldly ſay, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man ſhall do unto me: This Text is taken out of Pſalm 118. 6. The Lord is on my ſide, I will not fear what man can do unto me. Some read it by The Earl of M…rray ſpeaking of Mr. John Knox, ſaid, Here lies the body of him, who i… hi… life time never feared the face of any man.way of Interrogation; What can man do unto me? There is ſome difference in the Apoſtle's quoting the Text, betwixt the Hebrew and the Greek. The Hebrew thus reads it: The Lord is with me, or for me; or as our Engliſh hath tranſlated it: The Lord is on my ſide. The Greek thus: The Lord is my helper; but the ſence being the ſame with the Hebrew, the Apoſtle would not alter that tranſlation: The alteration which is in the Greek, ſerves for an Expoſition of the mind and meaning of the Pſalmiſt; for God being with us, or for us, or on our ſide, preſuppofeth that he is our helper: So as there is no contradiction betwixt the Pſalmiſt and the Apoſtle, but a clear interpretation of the Pſalmiſts mind, and a choice inſtruction, thence ariſeth, viz. That Gods ſignal prefence with us, for us or on our ſide, may abundantly ſatisfie us, and aſſure us, that he will afford all needful help and ſuccour to us; the conſideration of which ſhould abundantly arm us againſt all baſe ſlaviſh fears: God is not preſent with his Saints in their troubles and diſtreſſes as a ſtranger, but as a Father, and therefore he cannot but take ſuch ſpecial care of them, as to help them, as to ſuccour them, and as to ſecure them from dangers in the midſt of dangers, and therefore Iſa. 43. 2.Isa 43:2why ſhould they be afraid? The Greek word foreign, that is tranſlated helper in that Hebr. 13. 6. according to p. 153the notation of it, ſignifieth one that is ready to run at the cry of another. Now this notation implieth a willing readineſs, and a ready willingneſs in God to afford all ſuccour and relief to his People in their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes; herein God ſhews himſelf like a tender Father, Mother, or Nurſe, who preſently runs when any of them hear the Child cry, or ſee danger near. Iſai. 8. 10. God is with us. Verſe 12. Fear ye not their fear, nor be afraid. The Divine preſence ſhould arm us againſt all baſe ſlaviſh fears of mens power, policy, wrath or rage: Kings and Princes compared with God, or with the ſignal preſence of God, are Iſa. 40. 2….Isa 40:2but as ſo many Graſhoppers skipping, and leaping up and down the field; and does it become Chriſtians that enjoy this Divine preſence to be afraid of Graſhoppers? Iſa. 41. 10. Fear thou not for I am with thee: be not diſmayed for I am thy God; I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with th…ht hand of my righteouſneſs. God expects that his ſignal preſence with us, ſhould arm us againſt all baſe fear and diſmayedneſs. …ſalm 23. 4. Yea though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. The Divine preſence raiſed David above all his fears. Pſalm 27. 1. The Lord is my light and my ſalvation, whom ſhall I fear? the Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom ſhall I be afraid? Who is the Enemy that I ſhould be afraid of? where is the Enemy that I ſhould be afraid of? by what name or title is the Enemy dignified or diſtinguiſhed that I ſhould be afraid of? I look before me, and behind me, I look round about me, and I look at a diſtance from me, and I cannot ſee the man, the Devil, the Informer, that I ſhould fear or be afraid of, for God is with me. Where God is (ſaid King Herod in Joſephu… lib. 15a ſpeech to his Army) there neither wants multitude nor fortitude, we may ſafely, readily, and cheerfully ſet the Divine preſence againſt all our Enemies in the world. When Antigonus his Admiral told him, that the Enemies number far exceeded his: But how many do ye p. 154ſet me againſt, ſaid the King? Look about you and ſee who is with you. Ah Chriſtians! Chriſtians, look about you, look about you, and ſee who is ſignally preſent with you, and then be afraid if you can. But

Seventhly, Will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 7. Inference.People in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then certainly there is no ſuch great evil in troubles, diſtreſſes, ſufferings, &c. as many conceive, fear, dream, think, judge; many men look upon troubles, afflictions, ſufferings, in a multiplying glaſs, and then they cry out, there is a Lion in the way, Prov. 22. 13. Cap. 26. 13.Prov 22:13a Lion in the ſtreets: But, Sirs, the Lion is not alwayes ſo fierce as he is painted, nor afflictions are not alwayes ſo grievous as men apprehend; there are many who have been very fearful of Priſons, and have looked upon a Priſon as a Hell, on this ſide Hell, who when they have been there for righteouſneſs ſake, and the Goſpels ſake, have found …ns to be Palaces, and the imaginary Hell to be a little Heaven unto them: Many fear afflictions and flee from afflictions as from Toads and Serpents, as from Enemies and Devils, and yet certainly there is no ſuch great evil in affliction as they apprehend, for the Lord is ſignally preſent with his People in their greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes. Now what evil can there be in that condition, wherein a man enjoyes the Divine preſence, that makes every bitter ſweet, and every burden light, and that turns Winter nights into Summer dayes, &c. yea many times the Saints enjoy more of the ſingular preſence of God in their afflictions, in their day of adverſity, than ever they did in the day of proſperity, or in the day of their worldly glory. What Bride is afraid to meet her Bridegroom in a dark entry, or in a dirty lane, or in a narrow paſſage, or in a ſolitary wood; and why then ſhould a Chriſtian be afraid of this or that afflicted condition? who is ſure to meet his bleſſed Bridegroom the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in every eſtate, in every condition; who is ſure to enjoy the preſence of Chriſt with him in every turn or change that may paſs p. 155upon him. How many Martyrs have ventured into the Heb. 11. 34.Heb 11:34very flames to meet with Chriſt, and that have many other wayes made a ſacrifice of their deareſt lives, and all to meet with Chriſt. O the cruel mockings, the ſcourgings, Rev. 12. 11. Heb. 11. 36, 37, 38Rev 12:11Heb 11:36Heb 11:37Heb 11:38the bonds, the impriſonments, the ſtoning, the ſawing aſunder that many of the Lords worthies have ventured upon, and all to meet with the preſence of the Lord; and why then ſhould any of you be afraid to enter into an afflicted condition, where you ſhall be ſure to meet the ſingular preſence of the Lord, that will certainly turn your afflicted condition into a comfortable condition to you? The great deſign of the Lord in afflicting of his People, is to meet with them, and to draw them into a nearer communion with himſelf; it is that they may ſee more of him than ever, and taſte more of him than ever, and enjoy more of him than ever; in order to which he ſubdues their corruptions by afflictions, Iſa. 1. 25. c. 27. 8, 9 Heb. 12… 10, 11. Hoſ. 2. 14.Isa 1:25Heb 12:10Heb 12:11Hos 2:14and ſtrengthens their graces, and heightens their holineſs by all their troubles and trials. When ever he leads his Spouſe into a wilderneſs, it is that he may ſpeak friendly and comfortably to her, or that he may ſpeak to her heart, as the Hebrew runs. The great deſign of the Lord in bringing her into a wilderneſs, was that he might make ſuch diſcoveries of himſelf, of his love, and of his ſoveraign grace, as might chear up her heart, yea as might even make her heart leap and dance within her. Or as ſome ſence it, I will take her alone for the purpoſe, even into a ſolitary wilderneſs, where I may more fr…ely impart my mind to her, that ſhe having her whole deſire ſhe may come up from the wilderneſs leaning upon her beloved, and ſo be brought into the bride-houſe with all Cant. 8. 5.Song 8:5ſolemnity. By all which it is moſt evident, that there is no ſuch evil in a wilderneſs eſtate, in an afflicted condition, as many imagin. But,

Eightly, will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 8 Inference.People in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then what a high encouragement ſhould this be to poor ſinners to ſtudy Chriſt, to acquaint p. 156themſelves with Chriſt, to embrace Chriſt, to chuſe Chriſt, to cloſe with Chriſt, to ſubmit to Chriſt, Joh. 1. 12. Pſ. 112. 2, 3. Pſ. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 8. 5.John 1:12Ps 112:2Ps 112:3Ps 2:122 Cor 8:5and to make a reſignation of themſelves to Chriſt, and to ſecure their intereſt in Chriſt, that ſo they may enjoy his ſignal preſence in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers. O how many mercies are wrapt up in this mercy of enjoying the ſingular preſence of the Lord in all the troubles and tryals of this life. It is a mercy to have the preſence of a Friend, it is Pſalm 23. 4.Ps 23:4a greater to have the preſence of a near and dear relation with us, in a day of diſtreſs, in a day of darkneſs; But what a mercy is it then to have the preſence of the Lord with one in a dark day! That's excellent counſel that the wiſeſt Prince that ever ſwayed a ſcepter gives in that. Eccleſ. 11. 8. Remember the days of darkneſs for they ſhall be many. When light ſhall be turned into darkneſs, pleaſure into pain, delights into weariſomneſs, calms into ſtorms, Summer dayes into Winter nights, and the lightſome dayes of life into the dark dayes of old age and death. O now the ſingular preſence of the Lord with a man in theſe dayes of darkneſs will be a mercy more worth than ten thouſand worlds. To have a wiſe, a loving, Pſalm 71. 20, 21.Ps 71:20Ps 71:21a powerful, a faithful Friend to own us in the dark, to ſtand by us in the dark, to uphold us in the dark, to refreſh us in the dark, to encourage us in the dark, &c. is a very choice and ſingular mercy: O then what is it to have the preſence of the Lord with us in all thoſe dark dayes, that are to paſs over our heads! What David ſaid of the ſword of Goliath in another caſe [There is none 1 Sam. 21. 8, 9.1 Sam 21:81 Sam 21:9like that,] that I may ſay of the Divine preſence with a man in the dark, There is none like that. The Pſalmiſt Pſal. 73. 26. The Greek ſaith, The God of my heart, &c.Ps 73:26hit the mark the whit, when he ſaid. My fleſh and my heart faileth, but God is the ſtrength of my heart and my portion for ever. When his fleſh, that is his outward man, and when his heart his courage, that is his inward man failed him, then God was the ſtrength of his heart (or the rock of his heart, as the Hebrew runs,) at the very laſt gaſp God came in with his ſoveraign Cordial, and p. 157revived him and recovered him, and brought new life and ſtrength into him. When a Saint is at worſt, when he is at loweſt, when he is even overwhelmed with troubles and ſorrows, and when the dayes of darkneſs ſo multiply upon him that he ſeems paſt all hope of recovery, then the Divine preſence does moſt gloriouſly manifeſt it ſelf, and diſplay it ſelf, in ſupporting, ſtrengthning, comforting, and encouraging of him. In the Rev. 4. 6. you read, that the world is like a ſea of glaſs, [I ſaw before the Throne a ſea of glaſs.] The world is tranſitory, very frail and brittle as glaſs, and it is inſtable, tumultuous and troubleſome as the ſea. Here the world is ſhadowed out to us by a ſea of glaſs; and how can we ſtand on this ſea, how can we live on this ſea, how can we walk on this ſea, if Chriſt don't take us by the hand, and lead us, and ſupport us, and ſecure us? O Sirs, we can't uphold our ſelves on this ſea of glaſs, nor others can't uphold us on this ſea of glaſs, it is none but dear Jeſus, it is no preſence but his ſingular preſence, that can make us to ſtand or go on this ſea of glaſs. And if this world be a ſea of glaſs, oh what infinit cauſe have we to ſecure our intereſt in Chriſt, who alone can pilot us ſafe over this troubleſome, dangerous and tempeſtuous ſea! Oh that I could prevail with poor ſinners to take Chriſt into the ſhip of their ſouls, that ſo he may pilot them ſafe into the heavenly Harbour, the heavenly Canaan. No Pilot in Heaven or Earth can land you on the ſhore of a happy eternity from off this ſea of glaſs but Jeſus. When on this ſea of glaſs the winds blow high, ſtorms ariſe, and the bold waves beat into the ſhip, O then the ſinner cryes a Kingdom for a Chriſt, a world for a Pilot to ſave us from eternal drowning. Oh that before eternal ſtorms and tempeſts do beat upon poor ſinners, they Pſ. 11. 6. Pſ. 9. 17. Hoſ. 2. 19, 20. 2 Cor. 11. 2.Ps 11:6Ps 9:17Hos 2:19Hos 2:202 Cor 11:2would be prevailed with to cloſe with Chriſt, to accept of Chriſt, and to enter into a marriage-covenant, a marriage-union with Chriſt; that ſo they may enjoy his ſingular preſence with them, whilſt they are on this ſea of glaſs. There is no preſence ſo greatly deſirable, ſo abſolutely p. 158neceſſary, & ſo exceeding ſweet & comfortable as the preſence of Chriſt, & therefore before all, & above all, ſecure this preſence of Chriſt, by matching with the perſon of Chriſt; & then you will be ſafe & happy on a ſea of glaſs.

Ninthly, will the Lord be ſignally preſent with his 9 Inference.People in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then let me infer that unbelief, infidelity and deſpondency of ſpirit in an evil day, does very ill become the People of God. Is the Lord preſent with you in your greateſt troubles, and will you flag in your faith, and be creſt fallen in your courage, when the blaſt of the terrible ones is as a ſtorm againſt the wall? Iſa. 25. 4.Isa 25:4what is this but to tell all the world, that there is more power in your troubles to ſink and daunt you, than there is in the preſence of the Lord, to ſupport and encourage you, when a Chriſtian is upon the very banks of the Red Sea, yet then the Divine preſence ſhould encourage him, To ſtand ſtill, and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord. It would Exod. 14. 13.Exod 14:13be good for timerous Chriſtians in an evil day to dwell much upon the Prophets commiſſion, Iſa. 35. 3. [Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees, Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be ſtrong, fear not.] Ah, but how ſhall weak hands be ſtrong, and a timorous heart ceaſe to fear and ſaint? Why? Behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence, he will come and ſave you; he is on his way, he will be ſuddenly with you, yea he is already in the midſt of you, and he will ſave you. If you caſt but Iſa. 41. 10. c. 43. 2 Heb. 13. 5. Jer. 32 40, 41. cap. 31. 31 to 38. Gen. 41. 35 36, 48, 49. Col. 1. 19. cap. 2. 3.Isa 41:10Heb 13:5Jer 32:40Jer 32:41Gen 41:35Col 1:19your eye upon precious promiſes, if you caſt but your eye upon the new Covenant, which is Gods great ſtorehouſe, there you will find all ſupports, all ſupplyes, all helps and all comforts laid up, and laid in for you, and therefore never deſpond, never faint, never be diſcouraged in an evil day, in a dark time. As Joſeph had his ſtore-houſes to give a full ſupply to the Egyptians in time of famine, ſo dear Jeſus (of whom Joſeph was but a type) has his ſtore-houſes of mercy, of goodneſs, of power, of plenty, of bounty, out of which in the worſt p. 159of times he is able to give his People a full ſupply, according to all their needs; and therefore be not diſcouraged, don't deſpond in a day of trouble. O my Friends, how often has the Lord hid you in the ſecret of his preſence Pſ. 27. 5. Pſ. 31. 20Ps 27:5Ps 31:20from the pride of men, and kept you ſecretly in his pavilion from the ſtrife of tongues! And therefore be ſtrong, and lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees. When David was in a very great diſtreſs, Heb. 12. 12.Heb 12:12he does not deſpond nor give way to unbelief, but encourages himſelf in the Lord his God. The Hebrew word is 1 Sam. 30. 6.1 Sam 30:6derived from Chazack, which notes, a laying hold on God with all his ſtrength, as men do when they are in danger of drowning, who will ſuffer any thing rather then let go their hold? When David was almoſt under water, when he was in danger of drowning, then by a hand of faith, he layes hold on the rock of ages, and encourages himſelf in the Lord his God. What heavenly gallantry of ſpirit did good Nehemiah ſhew from that Divine preſence that was with him in that great day of trouble and diſtreſs, when the remnant of the captivity were in great affliction and reproach, and the wall of Jeruſalem broken down, and the gates thereof burnt with Neh. 1. 3.Neh 1:3fire! You know Shemajah adviſes him to take Sanctuary in the Temple, becauſe the enemy had deſigned to fall upon him by night and ſlay him, and cauſe the work to ceaſe: but Nehemiah having a ſignal preſence of God Cap. …. 11. Cap. 6. 10.with him, gives this heroick and reſolute anſwer, Should ſuch a man as I flee? and who is there being as I am, would go into the Temple to ſave his life? I will not go in. Should I flee into the Temple like a malefactor to take ſanctuary there? How would God be diſhonoured, Religion reproached, the People diſcouraged, the weak ſcandalized, and the wicked imboldned to inſult and triumph over me! ſaying, Is this the man that is called by God, and qualified by God for this work and ſervice? Is this the man that is countenanced and encouraged by the King to build the walls, and gates, and city of Jeruſalem? Is this the man, that is the chief Magiſtrate and Governour p. 160Neh. 2. 5. to the 10.Neh 2:5of the City? Is this the man, that is ſent and ſet for the defence of the People, and that ſhould encourage them in their work? O what a mouth of blaſphemy would be opened ſhould I make a baſe retreat into the Temple to ſave my life? This is a work that I will rather dye, than do. I have found the face of God, the preſence of God, in bowing the heart of King Artaxerxes, to contribute his Royal aid, and commiſſion me to the work; and in the bending of the hearts of the Elders of the Jews to own my authority, and to riſe up as one man to build; and therefore I will rather dye upon the ſpot, than go into the Temple to ſave my life. Oh my Friends, it becomes not thoſe that have the preſence of God with them, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, to ſink ſo low in their faith and confidence, as to cry out with the Prophets Servant, Alaſs Maſter, what ſhall we do? Or with the 2 Kings 6 15. Mat. 8. 25. Ez. 37. 11. Lament. 3. 18. Iſa. 49. 14.2 Kgs 6:15Matt 8:25Lam 3:18Isa 49:14Diſciples when in a ſtorm, We periſh; Or with the whole houſe of Iſrael, Our bones are dryed, and our hope is loſt, and we are cut off for our parts; Or with weeping Jeremiah, My ſtrength and my hope is periſhed from the Lord; Or with Sion, The Lord hath forſaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Oh 'tis for a lamentation when Gods deareſt Children ſhall bewray their infidelity by a fainting, ſinking, diſcouraged ſpirit in an evil day. But,

Tenthly and laſtly, will the Lord be ſignally preſent 10 Inference.with his People in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers; then let the People of the Lord be very thankful for his preſence with them in their greateſt troubles, &c. O Sirs, this Divine preſence is Exod. 33. 13, 14, 15, 16. 2 Tim. 4. 22. Pſ. 16. ult.Exod 33:13Exod 33:14Exod 33:15Exod 33:162 Tim 4:22Ps 16a great mercy! It is a peculiar mercy, it is a diſtinguiſhing mercy, it is a big-bellied mercy, it is a mercy that hath many mercies in the womb of it, it is a mercy greatning mercy, it greatens all the mercies we do enjoy, it is a mercy ſweetning mercy; it ſweetens health, ſtrength, riches, honours, trade, relations, liberty, &c. It is a ſoul mercy, a mercy that reaches the ſoul, that cheeres the ſoul, that lifts up the ſoul, that quiets the p. 161ſoul, that ſatisfies the ſoul, & that will go to Heaven with the ſoul: And will you not be thankful for ſuch a mercy? will you be thankful for temporal mercies, and will Eph. 1. 3.Eph 1:3you not be thankful for ſpiritual mercies? will you be thankful for left-handed mercies, and will you not be thankful for right-handed mercies? will you be thankful for the mercies of the foot-ſtool, and will you not be thankful for the mercies of the Throne? will you be thankful for the mercies of this lower world, and will you not be thankful for the mercies of the upper world? Pſ. 103. 1. 2, 3. 4.Ps 103:1Ps 103:2Ps 103:3Ps 103:4To enjoy the preſence of God when we moſt need it, is a mercy that deſerves perpetual praiſes. O it is infinit mercy not to be left alone in a day of trouble. 'Tis very Eccl. 4. 10, 11.Eccl 4:10Eccl 4:11uncomfortable to be left alone. [Wo to him that is alone.] If a man fall, and be left alone, who ſhall help him up? If a man be in danger and alone, how miſerable is his caſe! But this is the ſupport and comfort of a Chriſtian Heb. 13. 5. Pſ. 37. 24. Pſ. 31. 3. Pſ. 73. 24. Exod. 33. 2. 14, 15, 16.Heb 13:5Ps 37:24Ps 31:3Ps 73:24Exod 33:2Exod 33:14Exod 33:15Exod 33:16in all his diſtreſſes, that he is never left alone, but his God is with him when he is at the loweſt ebb: for God to afford us the preſence of our Friends in a day of trouble, is a very great mercy. But what is it then, to enjoy the preſence of God in a day of trouble? what is the preſence of a Friend, a Favorit in a day of diſtreſs, to the preſence of a Prince? yea, what is the preſence of an Angel, to the preſence of God in an evil day? To enjoy the preſence of God in an afflicted condition; is a more tranſcendent mercy, than to enjoy the preſence of twelve legions of Angels in an afflicted condition. The Divine preſence is the greateſt good in the world, 'tis life eternal, 'tis the boſom of God, the gate of glory, the beginning of Heaven, the ſuburbs of happineſs; and therefore be much in bleſſing of God in admiring of God for his preſence with you in a dark and trying day. There is no gall, no wormwood, no affliction, no judgment to Lam. 3. 19, …0…Lam 3:19that of Gods departing from a People, Jer. 6. 8. Be thou inſtructed, O Jeruſalem, leſt my ſoul depart from thee, leſt I make thee deſolate, a Land not inhabited. When God departs, nothing followeth but deſolation upon deſolation; p. 162deſolation of perſons, deſolation of peace, of proſperity, of trade, and of all that is near and dear unto us, Hoſea 9. 12. Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there ſhall not be a man left; yea wo alſo to them when I depart from them. All terrible threatnings are ſummed up in this [Wo unto them, when I depart from them.] Surely even wo to them, he puts a ſureneſs upon this [Wo to them, when I depart from them.] As if the Holy-Ghoſt ſhould ſay, What do I threaten this or the other evil? the great evil of all the riſe of all evils is Gods forſaking of them. Hell it ſelf, is nothing elſe but a ſeparation from Gods preſence, with the ill conſoquents thereof, and were hell as full of tears as the ſea is full of water, yet all would not be ſufficient to bewail the loſs of that beatifical viſion. How miſerable was Gen. 4. 1 Sam. 28. 15 16. They that are out of Go is care are under his curſe.Gen 41 Sam 28:15Cain, when caſt off by God! and Saul, when the Lord departed from him! it was a moſt dreadful ſpeech of Saul [I am ſure diſtreſſed, for the Philiſtins make war againſt me, and God is departed from me,] When God left the Iſraelites, though for a little while, the Holy-Ghoſt ſaith, they were naked, Exod. 32. 25. How naked? Non veſte, ſed gratia & praeſidio Dei; Not for want of rayment, Jun. in loc.or weapons of war, but for want of Gods preſence and protection. When God departs from a People, that People lyes naked, that is, they lay open for all ſtorms, tempeſts & dangers. Now if it be the greateſt evil in the world to be ſhut out from the gracious preſence of Chriſt; then it muſt be the greateſt mercy in this world to enjoy the gracious preſence of God, in our great troubles and deſperate dangers: And therefore let all ſincere Chriſtians be much in thankfulneſs to the Lord, and in bleſſing and praiſing the Lord for his ſignal preſence with them, in their low and afflicted eſtate. O the light, the life, the love, the holyneſs, the peace, the grace, the comforts, the ſupports, that alwayes attends the gracious preſence of the Lord with his People, in their deep diſtreſſes, &c. therefore let the high praiſes of God for ever be in their mouths, who enjoy this ſignal preſence of God. The p. 16346 Pſalm is called by ſome Luther's Pſalm, that is a Pſalm that Luther was wont to call to his Friends to ſing, when any danger, trouble, or diſtreſs was near, when the clouds began to gather, Come (ſaith Luther) let us ſing the 46 Pſalm, and then let our enemies do their worſt. Obſerve the confidence and triumph of the Church in the face of the greateſt dangers, Verſe 1. God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble. We may tranſlate it, He is found, that is, God is preſent at hand, as Gen. 19. 15. God is a preſent help. The Hebrew word in a ſecondary ſence, ſignifies Tobe ſufficient, Num. 11. 22. A ſufficient help you need no other.Gen 19:15Num 11:22Verſe 2. Therefore will not we fear, though the Earth be removed, and though the Mountains be carried into the midſt of the Sea. Verſe 3. Though the waters thereof rore, and be troubled, though the Mountains ſhake with the ſwelling thereof, Selah. Verſe 6. Though the Heathen rage, and the Kingdoms were moved, to remove and root out the Church with great force and fury. Now mark by the change of the Earth, and removing of the Mountains are often meant the greateſt alterations and concuſſions of States and Polities, Hag. 2. 22, 23. Jer. 51. 25. Revel. 6. 14. Now ſaith the Pſalmiſt, all theſe dreadful turns, changes, ſhakings, and concuſſions of States and Kingdoms ſhall never trouble us, nor daunt us, they ſhall never make us fret, faint or fear. Why, what's the ground? The Lord of H…ts is with us, The God of Jacob is our refuge, Verſe 7. and ſo Verſe 11. The ſame words are repeated again, God is not gone, God is not withdrawn, God is not departed from us, O no. [The Lord of Hoſts is is with us, The Lord of Hoſts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge, the God of Jacob is our refuge,] And therefore we are Divinely fearleſs, & Divinely careleſs, though Hell and Earth ſhould combine againſt us, yet we will bear up, and be bold to believe that all ſhall go well with us, for God is in the midſt of us, The Lord of Hoſts is with us; Even the Lord, who commandeth far other Hoſts and Armies than the enemy hath any. The God of Jacob is our refuge, Heb. Our high Tower. God is a Tower, ſo high, ſo ſtrong, ſo inacceſſible, ſo invincible, that all our enemies, yea …ll the powers of darkneſs, can never hurt, reach, ſtorm, or take; and therefore we, that are p. 164ſheltered in this high Tower, may well caſt the gantlet to our proudeſt, ſtrongeſt, and ſubtleſt enemies. And let thus much ſuffice for the inferences.

The next uſe is a uſe of exhortation, to exhort all the 2 Uſe.People of God, ſo to order and demean themſelves as to keep the Divine preſence, as to keep the ſignal, the ſingular preſence of God with them in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers. Now that this may ſtick in power upon your ſouls, conſider ſeriouſly of theſe following motives.

Firſt, the ſignal preſence of God with his People puts 1 Motive.the greateſt honour, dignity and glory upon a People; imaginable. There are many titles of honour amongſt men, but this above all is the truly honourable title, that Vide Iſa. 43. 2, 4 Jer. 13. 11. Ezek. ult. and ult.Isa 43:2Isa 43:4Jer 13:11we have God ſo near unto us, Deut. 4. 7. What Nation is there ſo great, who hath God ſo nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is to us? Whiles he vouchſafed his preſence amongſt them, how honourable, how renowned were they all the world over! But when he departed from them, they became the ſcorn and contempt of all Nations. It may be ſaid of ſome men, they have large Eſtates, but not the preſence of God with them, they are highly honoured and dignified in the world, but no preſence of God with them, they have great trades and vaſt riches, but no preſence of God with them, they are nobly related, but no preſence of God with them, they have ſingular parts and natural accompliſhments, but no preſence of God with them; the want of the Divine preſence gives a daſh caſts a blot upon all their grandures & worldly glory, and like Coprice turnes all their wine (be it never ſo rich) into ink and blackneſs. What a deal of honour and glory did the preſence of God caſt upon Joſeph Gen. 39. 19, 20.Gen 39:19Gen 39:20in priſon! and upon Daniel in the Den! and upon the three Children in the fiery Furnace! and upon the three Children in the fiery Furnace! and upon David, 1 Sam. 24. 17. Mar. 6. 20. Acts 24. 25.1 Sam 24:17Mark 6:20Acts 24:25when a perſecuting Sanl could cry out, Thou art more righteous than I! and upon John, when a bloody Herod feared him, and obſerved him! and upon Paul, when a tyrannical Felix trembled before him, as if Paul had been p. 165the Judge and Felix the priſoner at the bar! Some write of the Chryſtal, that what ſtone ſo ever it toucheth, it puts a luſtre and lovelineſs upon it: The preſence of God puts the greateſt luſtre, beauty, glory and lovelineſs that can be put upon a perſon. Now becauſe the witneſs of an Adverſary is a double teſtimony, let Baalant (who as ſome write of a Toad, had a Pearl in his head, though his heart was naught, very naught, ſtark naught) give Num. 24. 5.Num 24:5in his evidence. How goodly are thy Tents, O Jacob, and thy Tabernacles, O Iſrael? He ſpeaks both by way of interrogation, and admiration; their Tents are ſo comely and their Tabernaeles ſo lovely, that their grand enemy was affected & raviſhed with them. But whence is it that Iſrael is ſo formidable and terrible in his eye? how comes this about, that he who came to fight againſt them, thinks them beyond all compare, nay doth himſelf admire their poſtures and order, their great glory & brave gallantry, why all is from the preſence of their Lord-General with them? The Lord their God is with Num. 23. …1.Num 23:1them, the ſhout of a King is amongſt them. It is the higheſt honour, renown and dignity of a People to have God in the midſt of them, to have God near unto them; Thus Moſes ſets out the honour and dignity of the Jews, Deut. 26. 18. The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar People, Verſe 19. To make thee high, above all Nations which he hath made, in praiſe, and in name, and in honour. When God reckons up the dignities of his People, this is the main the top of all, Pſalm 87. 5. And of Sion it ſhall be ſaid, this and that man was born in her, and the Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her. If you would keep your honour and dignity, keep the preſence of God in the midſt of you; when God is departed from Iſrael, then you may write Ichabod upon Iſrael, The glory is departed 1 Sam. 4. 21. 22.1 Sam 4:211 Sam 4:22from Iſrael. But,

Secondly, To move you ſo to order demean, and 2 Motive.carry your ſelves as you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider that nothing can make up the p. 166want of this ſignal preſence of God; it is not the preſence of Friends, of Relations, of Miniſters, of Ordinances, of outward comforts, that can make up the want of this preſence; it is not candle-light, or torchlight, or ſtar-light, nor moon-light, that can make up the light of the Sun: When the Sun is ſet in a cloud all the world cannot make it day, and when the preſence of God is withdrawn, nothing can make up that diſmal loſs: Thou didſt hide thy face and I was troubled; that Pſalm 30. 6, 7.Ps 30:6Ps 30:7is thou didſt ſuſpend the actual influence and communication of thy grace and favour (the Chaldee calleth it Shechinah, the Divine preſence) an… I was all-amort. It was not his Crown, his Kingdom, his Riches, his Dignities, his Royal attendance, &c. that could make up the loſs of the face of God, neither is it the preſence of an Angel that can make up the want of the preſence of God. Exod. 33. 2. And I will ſend an Angel before thee. God here promiſeth Moſes that he would ſend an Angel before them, but with all adds that he would Exod. 33. 3.Exod 33:3not go up himſelf in the midſt of them. I but ſuch a Guide, ſuch a Guardian, ſuch a Nurſe, ſuch a Companion, ſuch a Captain General would not ſatisfie Moſes. Verſe 14. And he ſaid, my preſence ſhall go with thee, and I will give thee reſt. Verſe 15. And he ſaid unto him, if thy preſence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Nothing would ſatisfie Moſes below the preſence of God, becauſe he knew that they were as good never move a foot further, as to go on without Gods favourable preſence. God engages himſelf that he will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizite, Verſe 2.and the Hivite, and the Jebuſite out of the Land. O but if thy preſence go not with me, carry us up not hence. I will bring the necks of all thy proud, ſtout, ſtrong, and ſubtle Enemies under thy feet: O but if thy preſence go not with me, carry us not up hence. I, but I will bring Deut. 32. 13, 14, 15, 16.Deut 32:13Deut 32:14Deut 32:15Deut 32:16thee to a land flowing with milk and honey: I will make thee to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will make thee to ſuck honey out of the rock, and oyl out of the flinty rock; p. 167and thou ſhalt drink the pure blood of the grape: O but if thy preſence go not with me, carry us not up hence. I will bring thee to the Paradice of the world, to a place of pleaſure and delight, to Canaan a Type of Heaven: O but if thy preſence go not with me, carry us not up hence. O Lord, if I might have my wiſh, my deſire, my choice, I had infinitely rather to live in a barren, howling wilderneſs with thy preſence, then in Canaan wihtout it. It is a mercy to have an Angel to Guard us, it is a mercy to have our Enemies ſprawling under our feet, it is a mercy to be brought into a pleaſant Land: O but if thy preſence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Lord nothing will pleaſe us, nothing will profit us, nothing will ſecure us, nothing-will ſatisfie us without thy preſence; and therefore if thy preſence go not with us, carry us not up hence. I have read of the Tyrians, that they bound their Gods with chains, that they might not in their greateſt need paſs over to the Enemy; and among the reſt they chained and nailed thier God Apollo to a poſt, that they might be ſure to keep their Idol, becauſe they thought their ſafety was in it. I am ſure our ſafety, our comfort, our all lyes in the ſignal preſence of God with us; and therefore let us by Faith and Prayer chain God to us, if we let him go, a thouſand worlds cannot make up his abſence. I ſuppoſe you have heard of the Palladium of the Heathens in Troy, they imagined that ſo long as that Idol was kept ſafe, they were inconquerable, all the ſtrength and power of Greece were never able to prevail againſt them; whrefore the Grecians ſought by all the means they could to get it from them. O my Friends, ſo long as you keep the preſence of God with you, I am ſure you are unconquerable; but if God withdraw his preſence, the weakeſt Enemy will be too hard for you, yea wounded men will prevail over you. Jer. 37. 10. For though ye had ſmitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight againſt you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet ſhould they riſe up and burn this City with fire. The Buſh, which was a Type p. 168of the Church, conſumed not while it burned with fire, becauſe God was in the midſt of it. O do but keep God in the midſt of you, and nothing ſhall hurt you, nothing ſhall burn you; but if God depart, nothing can ſecure …ou, nor nothing can make up his withdrawing from you. But

Thirdly, To move you ſo to order, demean and 3. Moti…e.carry yourſelves as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in the greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider, that if you do not labour to demean, order and carry your ſelves ſo, as that you may enjoy the favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, you have high reaſon to queſtion, whether ever you have really enjoyed this favourable, this ſignal preſence of God with you or no; for there are alwayes four things to be found in him that has really taſted, and in good earneſt experienced the ſweet, the life, the power, the vertue that is in the favourable ſignal preſence of God: 1. Such a perſon ſets the higheſt price and value imaginable upon it, he prizes it above all the honours, riches, dignities, delights, comforts and contents of this world. Pſalm 4. 6, 7. Yea he prizes it above life it ſelf. Pſalm 63. 3. Thy loving kindneſs is better than life; the Hebrew is plural Chajim, lives: The loving kindneſs of God, the preſence of God in a wilderneſs is better than lives, than many lives, than all lives with the appurtenances: There is a greater excellency in the favour of God, in the preſence of God, than in all lives put together: There have been many Perſons that have been weary of their lives, but there 1 Kings 19. 4. Job 7. 15. Jona 4. 8. Prov. 28. 14.1 Kgs 19:4Job 7:15Jonah 4:8Prov 28:14never was any man that has been weary of the favour of God, of the preſence of God. 2. Such a Perſon keeps up in his ſoul an humble fear of loſing of it. The Divine preſence is a Jewel more worth than all the world, and he that has experienced the ſweetneſs of it, had rather loſe all he has in this world than loſe it. I have read of a Religious woman, that having born nine Children, p. 169profeſſed that ſhe had rather endure all the pains of thoſe nine Travels at once, than endure the miſery of the loſs of Gods preſence. 3. Such a perſon keeps up in his ſoul a diligent care to maintain this preſence, his head, his heart is ſtill a contriving how he may keep his God with him. Jerem. 14. 4. Why ſhouldeſt thou be as a man aſtonied, as a mighty man that cannot ſave? yet thou, O Lord are in the midſt of us, and we are called by thy Name, leave us not. This Perſon had rather that his deareſt Friends ſhould leave him, that his neareſt Relations ſhould leave him; yea that all the world ſhould leave him than that his God ſhould leave him: The daily, yea the hourly language of his ſoul is, Lord leave me not, though all the world ſhould leave me, yet don't thou leave me. 4. Such a Perſon will do all he can, that all under his John 1. 40. to the end. Cap. 4. 28. to 43. Acts 10. 24. to 36. Judges 14. 8, 9.John 1:40Acts 10:24–36Judg 14:8Judg 14:9care and charge may partake of this ſignal preſence of God, he will do his utmoſt that Children, Yoak-fellow, Kindred, Servants may taſt the ſweetneſs of the Divine preſence. When Sampſon had found honey in the Carcaſs of the Lion, he did not only eat himſelf, but he gave of the honey to his Father and Mother, and they did eat alſo; of all ſweets the preſence of God is the greateſt ſweet, and when ever a poor ſoul comes to taſt of this heavenly honey, he will do his beſt that all others (eſpecially thoſe that are near and dear to him) may taſt of the ſame honey. But

Fourthly, To move you ſo to order, demean and carry 4. Motive.your ſelves as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider the excellent properties, or qualities of this favourable, this ſignal preſence of God with his People, this I can but hint at becauſe I muſt haſten all I can to a cloſe. 1. It is the beſt preſence, Pſ. 63. 3. 'tis better than the preſence of Friends, of Relations, of Saints, of Angels, &c. 2. 'Tis the greateſt preſence, 'tis the preſence of the 1 Kings 8. 27. Revel. 17. 14. Cap. 19. 16. Numb. 24. 4. 16. Ruth. 1. 20. 24.1 Kgs 8:27Rev 17:14Num 24:4Num 24:16Ruth 1:20Ruth 1:24great King, 'tis the preſence of the King of Kings, & Lord of Lords, 'tis the preſence not only of a mighty, but of an Almighty God. 3. It is the happieſt preſence, 'tis a preſence p. 170that makes a man really happy, preſently happy, totally Pſalm 144. 15. 1 Kings 10. 8. Deut. 33. 29. Prov. 3. 18.Ps 144:151 Kgs 10:8Deut 33:29Prov 3:18happy, eminently happy, and eternally happy; he can never be truly happy that wants this preſence, he can never be truly miſerable that enjoyes this preſence; true happineſs is too great a thing, to be found in any thing below this favourable, this ſignal preſence of God; he that enjoyes this preſence enjoyes all, he that wants this preſence enjoyes nothing at all, he that wants this preſence may write nothing or nought, upon his honours, riches, Amos 6. 13.Amos 6:13pleaſures, dignities, offices, Relations, Friends, &c. All a man has are but ciphers without a figure, if he be not bleſt with this Divine preſence: This Divine preſence was Jacob's enough, yea Jacob's all, Li-col. Geneſ. 33. 11. I have all, Eſau had much, Li-zab, I have much my brother. Verſe 9. But Jacob had all. Habet omnia, qui habet habentem omnia, He hath all, who hath him that is Augnſtine. Coloſſ. 3. 11.Col 3:11all in all. Omne bonum in ſummo bono, All good is in the chiefeſt good: Secure this Divine preſence, and you ſecure all. 4. It is the moſt deſirable preſence, conſult theſe Pſalm 42. 1, 2. Pſalm 63. 1, 2, 8. Pſalm 27. 4. Geneſ. 28. 20. Pſalm 84.Ps 42:1Ps 42:2Ps 63:1Ps 63:2Ps 63:8Ps 27:4Gen 28:20Ps 84Scriptures in the margin. Job 23. 3. O that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his ſeat. Exod. 33. 15. If thy preſence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Verſe 16. For wherein ſhall it be known here, that I and my people have found grace in thy ſight, is it not in that thou goeſt with us? Cant. 3. 1. By night on my bed I ſought him whom my ſoul loveth, I ſought him, but I found him not. The preſence of bad men is never deſirable; the preſence Jer. 9. 1, 2. Job 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. Cap. 19. 3, 4, 5.Jer 9:1Jer 9:2Job 16:1Job 16:2Job 16:3Job 16:4of good men is not alwayes deſirable, for there are caſes wherein their preſence may be a burden to us, as Job and others have experienced. Job 16. 2. Miſerable Comforters are ye all. Cap. 19. 2. How long will you vex my ſoul, and break me in pieces with words? But the preſence of the Lord is very deſirable, moſt deſirable, and alwayes deſirable, and the more any man has of this Divine preſence, the more his heart will be inflamed after more and more of it. A ſound ſincere Chriſtian can never have enough power againſt ſin, nor never enough ſtrength againſt temptation, nor never enough weannedneſs p. 171from this World, nor never enough ripeneſs for Heaven, nor never enough of the preſence of the Lord; enough of the Divine preſence, he may have to quiet him, and cheer him, and encourage him, but whil'ſt he is out of Heaven, he can never have enough of the Divine preſence to ſatisfy him, ſo as not to cry out, Lord more of thy preſence, O a little more of thy preſence! Prov. 30. 15, 16.Prov 30:15Prov 30:165. 'Tis the moſt joyful, refreſhing, and delightful preſence, Pſalm 16. ult. Acts 5. 40, 41. Cap. 16. 25. This Iſa. 60. 1, 2. Pſalm 46. 7.Isa 60:1Isa 60:2Ps 46:7Vincentius, and many thouſand Martyrs, and ſuffering Chriſtians have experienced in all the Ages of the world, but of this before. 6. 'Tis a peculiar and diſtinguiſhing Exod. 33 16.Exod 33:16preſence; this favourable ſignal preſence of God is a choice Jewel, that he hangs in no breaſts, a Bracelet that he puts upon no arms, a Crown that he ſets upon no heads, but ſuch whom he loves with a peculiar love, with an everlaſting love. The general preſence of God extends Jer 31. 3. Joh. 13. 1. Pſalm 139. 7, 8, 9, 10.Jer 31Ps 139:7Ps 139:8Ps 139:9Ps 139:10and reaches to all Sinners and Saints; Angels and Devils, to all, both in that upper and this lower world; But this favourable ſignal preſencè of God, is peculiar to thoſe that are the purchaſe of Chriſts blood, and the travail of his ſoul; 7. 'Tis an inflamming preſence: Oh, how does it, 1. Inflame the heart to duty? Pſalm 63. 1, 2, 3. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. Iſa 53. 11. Ruth 1… 4. to 18.1 Pet 1:181 Pet 1:19Isa 53:11Ruth 1:4–182. How does it inflame the heart againſt ſin? Job 31. 4, 5, 6, 7. Geneſ. 39. 9, 10. Rom. 8. 10. 3. To long for the Majeſtical and glorious preſence of God in Heaven? Cant. 8. ult. Luke 2. 28, 29, 30. 2 Cor. 5. 8. Phil. 1. 23. Rev. 22: 20. 4. How does it inflame their love to the Lord, his wayes, his worſhip, his intereſt, his glory? Cant. 1. 3, 4. Cant. 2. 3, 4, 5, 6. Cap. 8. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7. 5. It inflames againſt temptations, 10. 11. It was this Divine preſence that did ſteel and ſtrengthen Baſil, Luther, and a world of others againſt the worſt of temptations. 6. It Heb. 11.Heb 11inflames the hearts of the Saints into great freeneſs, readineſs and willingneſs to ſuffer many things, to ſuffer great things, to ſuffer any thing for Chriſt, his Goſpel, his intereſt, &c. O how did this Divine preſence make many Martyrs haſten to the flames! &c. 8. 'Tis a ſoul p. 172quieting, a ſoul ſilencing, and a ſoul ſtilling preſence, Pſalm 3. 5. Pſalm 4. 8. Cant. 2. 3. Cap. 3. 4, 5. When Friends can't quiet us, when Relations can't quiet us, when Miniſters can't quiet us, when Duties can't quiet us, when Ordinances can't quiet us, when outward comforts can't quiet us, yet then this Divine preſence will quiet us; when Babies and Rattles can't quiet the Child, yet then the breaſts can, ſo here. 9. This Divine preſence is a ſweetning preſence, 1. It ſweetens all duties and ſervices, publick and private, ordinary and extraordinary. 2. It ſweetens all perſonal afflictions, and tryals. 3. It ſweetens all our ſufferings for righteouſneſs ſake. 4. It ſweetens all Goſpel Ordinances, Exod. 20. 24. 5. It ſweetens all a mans outward mercies and bleſſings, it ſweetens health, ſtrength, riches, trade, &c, 6. It ſweetens all interchangeable providences, here providence ſmiles, and there it frownes, here it lifts up, and there it caſts down; this providence is ſweet, and that is bitter, this providence kills, and that providence makes a live. O but this Divine preſence ſweetens every providence. 7. It ſweetens all other preſences, it ſweetens the preſence of Friends, it ſweetens the preſence of Relations, it ſweetens the preſence of ſtrangers, it ſweetens all Civil Societies, it ſweetens all Religious Societies. 8. It ſweetens the thoughts of death, the arreſts of death, it turns the King of terrours into the King of deſires, Job 14. 5, 14. Cap. 30. 23. Job 17. 13, 14. How does Job court the worms, as if he were of a family with them, and neare of kin to them! How does he look upon the grave as his bed, and makes no more to die than to go to bed. It was this Divine preſence that made the Martyrs as willing to die, as to dine. But,

Fifthly, To move you ſo to order demean and carry 5 Motive.your ſelves, as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider that in great troubles, deep diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, you will moſt need the favourable ſignal preſence of God with you. We alwayes p. 173ſtand in need of the Divine preſence, but never ſo much as when we are under great troubles and deep diſtreſſes; For, 1. In dayes of trouble and diſtreſs mens affections are moſt apt to be greatly diſordered, and their hearts diſcompoſed, as you ſee in Job and Jonah. 2. Now their Job 3. Jonah 4.Job 3Jonah 4fears, doubts, and diſputes are apt to riſe higheſt; when the wind riſes high and the ſea roares, men are moſt apt Jonah 2. 2. to 7.Jonah 2:2–7to be afraid. 3. Now Satan commonly is buſieſt, Satan Job 2. 9. Jam. 1. 12.Job 2:9Jas 1:12loves to fiſh in troubled waters; when the hand of God is heavieſt upon us, then Satan will ſhoot his moſt deadly Gen. 34. 25. Deu. 25. 17, 18, 19.Gen 34:25Deut 25:17Deut 25:18Deut 25:19darts at us. The ſons of Jacob fell upon the Shechemites when they were ſore; and Amaleck fell upon Gods Iſrael and ſmote them, when they were weak, and feeble, and faint and weary; and Satan falls foul upon Chriſt, Mat. 4. 1. to 11.Matt 4:1–11when he was in the wilderneſs, and when he had faſted forty dayes and forty nights, and was a hungry; And as he dealt with the head, ſo he ſtill deales with the members. 4. Now unbelief is moſt turbulent, ſtrong, and mighty in operation, as you may ſee in the Spies, We be Num. 13. 31, 32.Num 13:31Num 13:32not able to go up againſt the people, for they are ſtronger than we. The Land through which we have gone to ſearch it, is a Land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof, and all the Verſe 33.people that we ſaw in it are men of great ſtature; And there we ſaw the Giants, the Sons of Anak, which come of the Giants, and we were in our own ſight as Graſhoppers, and ſo we were in their ſight. So 2 Kings 6. 33. This evil is Vide 2 Kin. 7. 1, 2. 19, 20.2 Kgs 7:12 Kgs 7:22 Kgs 7:192 Kgs 7:20of the Lord, what ſhould I wait for the Lord any longer? So David Pſal. 116. 11. I ſaid in my haſt all men are lyars, the Prophets have all deceived me, and Samuel has deluded me, they have told me of a Kingdom, a Crown, but I ſhall never wear the one, nor poſſeſs the other. So 1 Sam. 27. 1. I ſhall now periſh one day by the hand of Saul; Thus his fear is got above his faith, and his ſoul wherried about with unbelief, to the ſcandal of the weak, and the ſcorn of the wicked, beſides his own particular diſadvantage. 5. Now fainting fits will be moſt ſtrengthned, increaſed, and multiplyed. Now fainting fits like Jobs Meſſengers, or like the rolling waves, will come p. 174thick one upon another, Prov. 24. 10. Job 4. 5. Lam. 1. 12, 13. 6. Now conſcience will be moſt ſtartled & diſquieted, Gen. 42. 21. cap. 50. 15. 1 Kings 17. 18. Great troubles and deep diſtreſſes are many times like ſtrong phyſick, which ſtirs the humours and makes the Patient ſick, very ſick, yea heart ſick. Conſcience commonly never reades the ſoul ſuch ſad and ſerious lectures as when the Rod lyes heavieſt upon the back. By all which you ſee, what high cauſe the People of God have ſo to order, demean and carry themſelves, as that they may find the gracious preſence of God with them in their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, for then they will certainly need moſt of the Divine preſence. But,

Sixthly, To move you ſo to order, demean and carry 6 Motive.your ſelves, as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you in your greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider, this Divine preſence will make you Divinely fearleſs in the midſt of your greateſt troubles & deepeſt diſtreſſes, Pſal. 23. 4. Though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy ſtaff they comfort me. Pſalm 46. 2. We will not fear though the Earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midſt of the Sea. Verſe 3. Though the waters thereof rore, &c. Why? God is in the midſt of her, ſhe ſhall not be moved, God ſhall help her, and that right early. Verſe 5. The Lord of Hoſts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge, Selah. Verſ. 7. Num. 14. 9. Neither fear ye the people, for they are bread for us, their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us, fear them not. Deut. 7. 21. Thou ſhalt not be affrighted at them, for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. So Heb. 13. 5. I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee. Verſe 6. I will not fear what man ſhall do unto me. There is no ſuch way to keep down all baſe ſlaviſh fears of men, as to keep up the preſence of God in the midſt of you; you will not fear the power of men, nor the policy of men, nor the threats of men, nor the wrath of men, if you do but enjoy this p. 175gracious, this ſignal preſence of God that is under our preſent conſideration, mens fears are never ſo rampant as when God withdraws his preſence from them. 1 Sam, 28. 15, 20. But,

Seventhly, To move you ſo to order, demean, and 7 Motive.carry your ſelves, as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider, that there is in God a very great unwillingneſs to withdraw his preſence from his Iſa. 1. 2, 3, 4, 16, 18. Ezek. 18. 31. Cap. 33. 11. Jer. 3. 13, 14.Isa 1:2Isa 1:3Isa 1:4Isa 1:16Isa 1:18Ezek 18:31Jer 3:13Jer 3:14People, when they are in great troubles and deep diſtreſſes, Ezek. 8. 6. Son of man, ſeeſt thou what they do? even the great abominations that the houſe of Iſrael committeth here, that I ſhould go far off from my Sanctuary. Of all ſins the ſin of Idolatry drives God fartheſt off from his Sanctuary; when God goes off from a People, he goes not off raſhly, he goes not off ſuddenly, but he goes off gradually, he removes not at once, but by degrees, now a ſtep, and then a ſtep, as Lot did when he lingred in Sodom, Gen. 19. 16.Gen 19:16Lot was not more loth to depart out of Sodom, than God is loth to leave his People, he goes firſt to the threſhold, Ezek. 9. 3. And the glory of the God of Iſrael was gone up from the Cherub whereupon he was, to the threſhold of the houſe, Then over the threſhold. Cap. 10. 4. Then the glory of the Lord went up from the Cherub, and ſtood over the threſhold of the houſe. Here is a ſecond ſtep, this is the ſecond time of reſting before God departs. The Lord had his ordinary dwelling-place in the Holy of Holyes: Now Gods firſt remove was from the moſt Holy place, his ſecond remove was from the Holy place, 1 Sam. 4. 4. Pſalm 8. 10. Iſa. 37. 16.1 Sam 4:4Ps 8:10Isa 37:16his third remove was higher towards Heaven, Verſe 19. And the Cherubims lift up their wings, and mounted up from the Earth in my ſight, then to the door of the Eaſt gate (or foremoſt gate) of the Lords houſe. To note Gods total remove from his houſe. Then to the midſt of the City, Ezek. 11. 23. And the glory of the Lord went up from the midſt of the City, and then he ſtood upon the mountain, which is on the Eaſt-ſide of the City. This is Gods laſt ſtop in his departure, by which is ſignified, that he was willing to p. 176make one try…l more, to ſee if the People would in this preſent danger call him back by invitation and lively repentance God is greatly troubled when it comes to parting, H…ſ. 118. 8. How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim? how ſhall I deliver thee, Iſrael? how ſhall I make thee as Admah? how ſhall I ſet thee as Reb…im? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. This is ſpoken per anthrop…patheian and not properly, becauſe diverſe thoughts and repentance are not incident to God, Jam. 1. 17.Jas 1:17who is without all variableneſs, or ſhadow of change. The Lord ſeemeth here to be at a ſtand, or at ſtriſe with himſelf about the deſtruction of this People. Howbeit God in the bowels of his mercy, yearning and taking pity of his Elect amongſt them, ſpareth to lay upon them the extremity of his wrath, and is ready to ſave them for his mercies ſake. Obſerve how fatherlike he melts and mournes over them, and how mercy interpoſeth her four ſeveral Hows. Here are four ſuch pathetical interrogations, as the like are not to found in the whole Book of God, and not to be anſwered by any but God himſelf, as indeed he doth to each particular in the following words, My heart is turned within me, that is the firſt anſwer; The ſecond is, My repentings are kindled together; The third is, I will not execute the fierceneſs of my wrath; The fourth is, I will not deſtroy Ephraim. And why? Firſt, I am God and not man. Secondly, the Holy One in the midſt of thee. God is mighty unwilling to break up houſe, and to leave his People deſolate. Now is God ſo unwilling to withdraw his preſence, and ſhall not we do all what we can to retain him in the midſt of us? When dear Friends are unwilling to leave us, we are the more earneſt in preſſing them to ſtay and abide with us; God is marvellouſly unwilling to go, and therefore let us with the Church cry out, Leave us not, Jerem. 14. 9. But,

Eightly, To move you ſo to order, demean, and carry … Motive.your ſelves, as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles and p. 177deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider, that troubles will be no troubles, diſtreſſes will be no diſtreſſes, dangers will be no dangers, if you can but ſecure the preſence of God with you: Mountains will be mole-hills, ſtabs at the heart will be but as ſcratches upon the hand, if the Divine preſence be with you; Gods ſignal preſence will turn ſtorms into calms, winter-nights into ſummer-days, priſons into pallaces, baniſhments into enlargments; The favourable preſence of God will turn ſickneſs into health, weakneſs into ſtrength, poverty into plenty, and death into life. It can never be night ſo long as the Sun ſhines, no afflictions, no tryals can make it night with a Chriſtian, ſo long as he enjoyes the preſence of God with his ſpirit. 2 Ti… 4. 22.That Courtier needs not complain that this man ſlights him, and that the other neglects him, who enjoyes the delightful preſence of his Prince. When Sampſon had the preſence of God with him, he made nothing of carrying the gates of the City with the poſts and bars to the Judge 16. 3.top of an hill: So whil'ſt a Chriſtian enjoyes the ſingular preſence of God with him, he will make nothing of this affliction and that, of this trouble and that, of this loſs and that; This preſence makes heavy afflictions light, 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17.2 Cor 4:162 Cor 4:17and long afflictions ſhort, and bitter afflictions ſweet. It Heb. 11. 33. to 19.Heb 11:33was this preſence that made the Martyrs ſet light by all the great and grievous things, that they ſuffered for Chriſts ſake and the Goſpels ſake. Gods gracious preſence makes every condition to be a little Heaven to the believing ſoul. A man in miſery without this gracious preſence of God, is in a very hell on this ſide hell; there is nothing, there can be nothing but Heaven where God is ſignally preſent. But,

Ninthly, To move you ſo to order, demean and carry 9 Moti…e.your ſelves, as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you in your greateſt troubles and deep…ſt diſtreſſes, conſider that the worſt of men cannot faſten a curſe upon you, whil'ſt you keep the prefence of God with you. Num. 23. 21. The Lord his God is with him, Num. 23. 23.Num 23:23and the ſhout of a King is among them. There could be no p. 178enchantment againſt them, for the Lord their God was with them, & the ſhout of a King was among them; that is God reigneth as a King among them: Hereby alſo is meant the faith, joy, boldneſs, courage and confidence of Gods People in their King; as when a King comes amongſt the Armies of his People, he is received with joyful ſhoutings and acclamations, and when he goes forth to battel with them, he goes accompanied with the ſound of trumpets and ſhouts of the People, ſignes of their joy and courage: So it fared with the Iſraelites, becauſe of that ſignal preſence of God, that was amongſt them, which was evident by his protecting and defending of them. 1 Sam. 4. 5. And when the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord came into the Camp, all Iſrael ſhouted with a great ſhout, ſo that the earth rang again. Here is a valorous ſhout of a puiſſant People, encouraging each other to the battel, and a victorious ſhout as having obtained the victory in the battel. So 2 Chron. 13. 12: And behold, God himſelf is with us for our Captain, and his Prieſts with ſounding Trumpets, to cry alarm againſt you, O Children of Iſrael. Num: 23. 23. Surely there is no enchantment againſt Jacob, neither is there any Divination againſt Iſrael; That is, there is none againſt Iſrael that ſhall be of force, or that ſhall take any effect, to do the poſterity of Jacob or Iſrael any hurt, any harm, any prejudice: But why? becauſe the Lord his God is with him, and the ſhout of a King is among them. The preſence of God with his Iſrael blaſts all Balaams enchantments, and makes null and void all his Divinations; God is with his People to counſel them in all doubtful and difficult caſes, and to defend them, and ſecure them, Num. 23. 1, 13, 28 29. Cap. 24. 1. 2 Sam. 16. 7, 9, 11 12. Jer. 15. 10. Cap. 1. 17, 18, 19.Num 23:1Num 23:13Num 23:282 Sam 16:72 Sam 16:92 Sam 16:11Jer 15:10againſt all their enemies and oppoſers: Balaam had a moneths mind to curſe the People of God, as his wearied endeavours to that purpoſe do abundantly evidence; But the preſence of God with his People prevented all his miſchievous deſigns. Shemei curſes David, but his curſes could not hurt him, for God was with him. The People generally curſed Jeremiah, but p. 179all their curſes could not harm him, for God was with him. The Jews in their prayers daily curſe the Chriſtian Exod. 20. 24.Exod 20:24Churches, but all their curſes can't prejudice them, becauſe God is in the midſt of them; And who will ſay that the reformed Churches are one pin the worſe for all the Popes excommunications and execrations with Bell, Book and Candle? The ſignal prefence of God with his People is a moſt ſoveraign antidote againſt all the curſes and curſings of curſed men, and therefore what ever you part with, be ſure you don't part with your God, let him be but in the midſt of you, and then no curſes ſhall be prevalent againſt you. This age abounds with ſuch monſters whoſe mouths are full of curſes, but if every curſe ſhould ſtick a viſible bliſter on the curſers tongue, as it doth inſenſible ones on the curſers ſoul, their tongues would quickly be too big for their mouths, and they would ſoon grow weary of curſing the People of God, the things of God, the wayes of God, the providences of God, and the faithful diſpenſers of the myſteries of God; but the beſt of it is, when they have done their worſt and ſpit out all their curſes, the curſe cauſeleſs ſhall not come, for the ever bleſſed God is in his People, Prov. 26. 2.Prov 26:2and with his People, and among his People, and a Zach. 2. 5.Zech 2:5wall of fire alwayes about his People, and therefore they are ſafe and ſecure enough, when men and Devils have done their worſt. But,