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

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

p. 179Tenthly and laſtly, To move you ſo to order, demean, 10 Motive.and carry your ſelves, as that you may enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes, conſider that the Divine preſence will make up the abſence of all outward comforts, this gracious preſence will ſupply and fill up the place of a friend, a child, a father, a husband. Some of the Rabbies write, that Manna had all ſorts of taſts, and all ſorts of ſweets in it: Sure I am, that the favourable preſence of God has Pſal. 4. 6, 7.Ps 4:6Ps 4:7all ſorts of ſweets in it, it has the ſweet of all ordinances in it, it has the ſweet of all duties in it, it has the ſweet of Prov. 4. 23.Prov 4:23all Church priviledges in it, it has the ſweet of all Relations p. 180in it, it has the ſweet of all your outward comforts in it, and therefore above all keeping, keep the preſence of God with you. Many in their diſtreſſes and miſeries are full of complaints; one cries out, he wants a faithful Friend; another cries out, he wants an active Relation; a third cries out, that he wants neceſſaries both …or back and belly; a fourth cries out, he wants the means that others enjoy, but he that enjoyes the gracious preſence of God finds all theſe wants made up to him, Yea he finds the Divine preſence to be infinitly better 1 Sam. 1. 8.1 Sam 1:8than the preſence of all outward comforts. As Elkanah ſaid to Hannah, Am not I better than ten Sons? So aſſuredly the preſence of the Lord is wonderfully better than all other things to every ſoul that has taſted the ſweetneſs of it. You know, that one Sun is more glorious, delightful, uſeful and comfortable than ten thouſand Stars, ſo here. Seneca tells a Courtier that had loſt his Son (Fas tibi non eſt, ſalvo Caeſare, de fortuna tua queri, &c.) That he had no cauſe to mourn, either for that or ought elſe, ſo long as his Soveraign was in ſafety, and he in favour with his Soveraign, he had all things in him, and he ſhould be unthankfull to his good fortune, if he were not chearful both in heart and look, ſo long as things ſtood ſo with him as they did: How much more may we ſay to every ſincere Chriſtian, that enjoyes the gracious preſence of God with him. Let thy wants and thy croſſes be never ſo great, thy afflictions never ſo preſſing, thy neceſſities never ſo biting, thou haſt no juſt cauſe to be troubled or dejected, ſo long as thou art in favour with God, and enjoyeſt the preſence of God. All mercies, all comforts, all contentments, all enjoyments they meet and center in the gracious preſence of God, as all lights meet in the Sun, and as all waters meet in the Sea, and therefore let not that ſoul mourn or complain of the want of any thing, who enjoyes that gracious preſence of God, that is better than every terre…e thing. Thus much for the motives.

But ſome may ſay, O Sir, what means ſhould we uſe, p. 181that we may enjoy the gracious preſence of the Lord with us in our greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers? I anſwer firſt there are ſome things that you muſt carefully ſhun and take heed off; As,

Firſt, take heed of high ſinnings, take heed of ſcandalous ſins. High ſinnings do greatly diſhonour God, wound conſcience, reproach Religion, ſtagger the weak, grieve the ſtrong, open the mouths of the wicked, and provoke God to withdraw his gracious preſence, Pſalm 51. 11, 12. Exod. 32. 8. Cap. 33. 3. Iſa. 63. 10. Turn to theſe Scriptures, and ſeriouſly ponder upon them. Great tranſgreſſions do eclypſe the favour of God, as well as the honour of God; In great tranſgreſſions we turn our backs upon God, and God turns away his face from us. Groſs ſins will provoke God to withdraw his preſence, both in reſpect of vigour and ſtrength, as alſo in reſpect of peace and comfort. But,

Secondly, take heed of impenitency. Next to our being preſerved from ſin, it is the greateſt mercy in the world, when we are fallen by our tranſgreſſions, to make a quick and ſpeedy return to God: When by your ſins Hoſea 6. 1. Exod. 3…. 9. to 15.Hos 6:1Exod 3:9–15you have made work for repentance, for hell, or for the Phyſician, Souls, immediatly make up the breach, take up the controverſy between God and your ſouls, humble your ſelves, judge your ſelves, and ſpeedily return to the moſt high. Thus Peter did, and recovered the favourable Mat. 26▪ …5. Mar. 16. 7.Matt 26:5Mark 16:7preſence of God preſently. But if men will commit ſin, and lye in it, if they will fall, and have no mind to riſe, God will certainly withdraw his favourable preſence from them, as you ſee in David and Solomon. This Pſal. 51. 11, 12. 1 Kings 11. 9. Joſh. 7. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Ps 51:11Ps 51:121 Kgs 11:9Josh 7:1Josh 7:2Josh 7:3Josh 7:4Josh 7:5is further evident in that caſe of Achan, Joſh. 7: The Iſraelites they came to fight with the men of Ai, and fled before them, for the Lord was not with them. Why, what was the cauſe of Gods withdrawing himſelf? See Verſe 11. Iſrael hath ſinned. And Verſe 12. Therefore the Children of Iſrael could not ſtand before their enemies, but turned their backs. Their ſins having betrayed them into the hand of Divine Juſtice, and into their enemies hands alſo; Mark p. 182what followes, Neither will I be with you any more, except ye deſtroy the accurſed from amongſt you. If we will not ſtone our Achans, our ſins, by the lively exerciſe of faith and repentance; If we will keep up our luſts in deſpite of all that God does againſt us, we muſt never expect to retain the gracious preſence of God with us. But,

Thirdly, take heed either of neglecting Goſpel-worſhip, or of corrupting Goſpel-worſhip. Omiſſions will damn as well as commiſſions, and omiſſions will provoke God to withdraw his preſence, as well as commiſſions. When perſons are careleſs in their attendance on Cant. 5. 2, 3, 6. Cant. 4. 1, 2, 3.Song 5:2Song 5:3Song 5:6Song 4:1Song 4:2Song 4:3Goſpel ordinances, no wonder if God withdraw his preſence from them in their diſtreſſes. Cain went off from ordinances, Gen. 4. 15, 16.Gen 4:15Gen 4:16and the Lord ſet a mark upon him. O the black and diſmal marks of miſery, that God has ſet upon many that have neglected Goſpel-worſhip, and for profits ſake, and for Diana's ſake are fallen roundly in with the 2 Tim. 4. 10. Acts 19. 24, 36.2 Tim 4:10Acts 19:24Acts 19:36worſhip of the world! O Sirs, the great God ſtands upon nothing more in all the world than upon purity in his worſhip; There is nothing that doth ſo provoke & exaſperate God againſt a People as corrupt worſhip; corrupt worſhip ſadly reflects upon the Name of God, the honour of God, the truth of God, and the wiſdom of God, and therefore his heart riſes againſt ſuch worſhip and worſhippers, and he will certainly withdraw from them, and be a ſwift and terrible witneſs againſt them, as you may ſee by comparing the Scriptures in the margin together. Pſal. 106. 39. to 43. Pſal. 78. 58. to 64. 2 Chro. 7. 19, 20, 21, 22. Cap. 32. 16. to 21 Deu. 29. 22. to 29Ps 106:39–43Ps 78:58–642 Chr 7:192 Chr 7:202 Chr 7:212 Chr 7:22Deut 29:22–29Corrupt worſhip is contrary to the unity of God; Now deny his unity, and you deny his Deity, For the Lord is one, and his Name is one, Zach. 14. 9. 'Tis contrary to the ſoveraignty of God, He is the only Ruler, the only Potentate, 1 Tim. 6. 15. 'Tis contrary to the allſufficiency of God. The Heathen worſhipped ſeveral Gods, as thinking that ſeveral Gods did beſtow ſeveral bleſſings; they begged health of one God, wealth of another God, and victory of a third God, thus imagining to themſelves ſeveral Deities, for ſeveral ſupplies; their God was but a Jupiter, a partial helper, an auxiliary p. 183God, but Our God is Jehovah, who is abundantly able to Eph. 3. 20.Eph 3:20ſupply all our wants. Now if either we neglect his true inſtituted worſhip, or fall in with a falſe worſhip, with a deviſed worſhip, with a humane worſhip, with a worldly worſhip, he will certainly withdraw his gracious preſence from us. Will-worſhip accuſes and charges God with weakneſs and folly, as if God were not careful Heb. 3. 4, 5, 6. John 4. 23, 24.Heb 3:4Heb 3:5Heb 3:6John 4:23John 4:24enough, nor faithful enough, nor mindful enough, nor wiſe enough, to order, direct and guide his People in the matters of his worſhip, but muſt be beholding to the wiſdom, prudence, and care of man, of vain man, of ſinful man, of vile and unworthy man, of weak and fooliſh man, to compleat, perfect and make up ſomething that was wanting in his worſhip? Now aſſuredly, God will never keep houſe with them, who give in ſuch ſevere accuſations and charges againſt him. But,

Fourthly, take heed of a willing willful and preſumptuous running croſs to Divine commands, to Divine warnings. The diſobedient child is turn'd out of doors, the diſobedient ſervant ſhall have none of his Maſters ſmiles, the diſobedient wife has little of her husbands company; a willing willful preſumptuous running croſs to Divine commands ſpeaks out much pride, Atheiſm, hardneſs, blindneſs, and deſperate ſecurity and contempt of the great God; It ſpeaks out the greateſt diſingenuity, ſtoutneſs, and ſtubornneſs that is imaginable, and therefore no wonder if God turn his back upon ſuch, and if he diſdains to be in the midſt of ſuch, Num. 14. 42. Go See Deu. 1. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.Deut 1:42Deut 1:43Deut 1:44Deut 1:45Deut 1:46not up, for the Lord is not among you, that ye be not ſmitten before your enemies. Verſe 43. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, (that is, on the top of the hill, lying in readineſs to ſet upon you, and therefore are ſaid, To come down, Verſe 45) And ye ſhall fall by the ſword, becauſe ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you, Verſe 44. But they preſumed to go up to the hill-top, though they had not the preſence of God with them, nor the ſigns of his grace & favour with them, nor the company of Moſes with them, p. 184but mark, they paid dear for their preſumption. Verſe 45. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and ſmote them, and diſcomfited them even unto Hormah. When men are without Gods preſence, they are without Gods precincts, and ſo out of his protection. To act or run croſs to Gods expreſs command (though under pretence of revelation from God) is as much as a mans life is worth, as you may ſee in that ſad ſtory. 1 Kings 13. 24. We frequently deny our preſence unto diſobedient Perſons, and ſo does God his; diſobedience to Divine commands ſhuts the door againſt the Divine preſence, and will not ſuffer God to come in to ſuccour us, comfort us, or ſupport us, under our greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes. But

Fifthly, Take heed of carnal confidence, of reſting upon an arm of fleſh. Pſalm 30. 6. And in my proſperity I ſaid, I ſhall never be moved; that is, when I was proſperouſly Adam in Paradice was overcome, when Job on the dunghil was a conqueror.ſettled in the Kingdom, I began to conclude within my ſelf, that now there was an end of all my troubles, I ſhould now live all my dayes in a proſperous eſtate. David having taken the ſtrong Fort of Zion, and having vanquiſhed his Enemies round about, and all the Tribes having ſubmitted themſelves to him, and having built a fair Palace, and being quietly ſettled in his Throne, he began to be puffed up with carnal confidence. Oh the hazard of honour! Oh the damage of dignity! how ſoon are we broken upon the ſoft pillow of eaſe? Flies ſettle upon the ſweeteſt perfumes when cold; and ſo does ſin on the beſt hearts, when they are diſſolved and disſpirited by proſperity. Oh how apt are the holieſt of men to be proud and ſecure, and promiſe themſelves more than ever God promiſed them, viz. Immunity from the Croſs: He thought that his Kingdom and all proſperity was tyed unto him with …ords of Adamant, he ſitting quietly at Jeruſalem, and free from 2 Sam. 11. 1.2 Sam 11:1fear of all his Enemies; but God quickly confutes his carnal confidence, by giving him to know, that he could as eaſily blaſt the ſtrongeſt Oak, as he could trample the p. 185ſmalleſt Worm under his feet. Verſe 7. Thou didſt hide thy face, and I was troubled. God will quickly ſuſpend his favour, and withdraw his preſence, when his Children begin to be proud and carnally confident. Look as at the Eclipſe of the Sun the whole frame of nature droops; ſo when God hides his face, when he withdraws his preſence, the beſt of Saints cannot but droop, and hang down their heads. So Jerem. 17. 5. Curſed be the man that truſteth in man, and maketh fleſh his arm, and whoſe heart departeth from the Lord. Verſe 6. For he ſhall be like the heath in the deſart, and ſhall not ſee when good cometh. But

Sixthly, Take heed of barrenneſs and unfruitfulneſs under Goſpel Ordinances, turn to theſe Scriptures, Iſa. 5. 1, to 8. Matth. 21. 34, to 42. 2 Chron. 32. 16. to the laſt. Of all ſpiritual judgments, barreneſs is the greateſt; and when men are given up to this judgment God withdraws; Ezek. 47. 11. Matth. 13. 19. Hoſea 9. 14. John 15. 2. Heb 2. 6. 7, 8. Jude 12.Ezek 47:11Matt 13:19Hos 9:14John 15:2Heb 2:6Heb 2:7Heb 2:8Jude 1:12he has no pleaſure to dwell in a barren ſoil; what are barren grounds, and barren wombs to barren hearts? he that remains wholly barren under Goſpel Ordinances, may well queſtion his marriage union with Chriſt. For Rom. 7. 4. We are ſaid to be married to Chriſt, that we may bring forth fruit to God. There is a double end of Marriage. viz. Cohabitation and propagation, and therefore there cannot be a greater and clearer evidence, that thou art not yet taken into a married union with Chriſt, than a total barrenneſs uner Goſpel enjoyments. Chriſt's Spouſe is fruitful; Cant. 1. 16. Our bed is green. Cap. 4. 1. Behold thou art fair my love, behold thou art fair: thou haſt doves eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of Goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Verſe 2. Thy teeth are like a flock of ſheep that are even ſhorn, which come up from the waſhing: whereof every one bears twins, and none is barren among them. Chriſt hath no further delight in his People, nor will no further grace his Cant 7. 11, 12, 13Song 7:11Song 7:12Song 7:13People with his ſpecial preſence, than they make conſcience, of weeping over their barrenneſs, and of bringing forth fruit to him. Now my Husband will love me, now p. 186he will be joyned to me, now I have born him this ſon alſo, Gen. 29. 34.Gen 29:34ſaid Leah, ſo may the fruit-bearing ſoul reaſon it out with Chriſt: Now I know dear Jeſus will love me, now I know he will delight in me, now I know he will dwell with me, now I know he will honour me with his preſence, for now I bring forth fruit unto him. Barr…nneſs under the means of grace, drives God from us, and the Goſpel from us, and trade, and peace, and proſperity from us, and one Chriſtian from another. Ʋrſin obſerves, that the ſins and barrenneſs of the Proteſtants under the Goſpel in King Edward's dayes, brought in the perſecution in Queen Marie's dayes; and he tells us, that thoſe who fl…d out of England in Queen Marie's dayes, acknowledged, that that calamity befel them for their great unprofitableneſs under the means of grace in King Edwards dayes. Among other prodigies, which were about the time that Julian came to the Empire, there were wild Grapes appeared upon their vines, with which many wiſe men in that day were much affected, looking upon it as ominous. Ah England! England! I look upon nothing to be ſo ominous to thee, as the barrenneſs of the Profeſſors of the day! no wonder if God leave his houſe, when the Trees that are planted in it, and about it are all barren. The Nutmeg-tree makes barren all the ground about it; ſo doth the ſpice of worldly love make the hearts of Chriſtians barren under the means of grace. But I muſt haſten.

Seventhly, Take heed of pride and haughtineſs of Spirit: Hoſea 5. 5. And the pride of Iſrael doth teſtifie to See my Unſearchable riches of Chriſt, p. 49. to 58.his face: therefore ſhall Iſrael and Ephraim fall in their iniquity: Judah alſo ſhall fall with th…m. Ver. 6. They ſhall go with their flocks, and with their herds to ſeek the Lord, but they ſhall not find him, he hath withdrawn himſelf from them. Pride is the great maſter-pock of the ſoul, it will bud, and Ezek. 7. 10. Iſa. 3. 16. to 25.Ezek 7:10Isa 3:16–25bloſſom, it cannot be hid; it is the Leproſie of the ſoul, that breaks forth in the very forehead, and ſo teſtifieth to his face. Some have called Rome, Epitomen univerſi, An Epitome, or Abridgement of the whole world: So it p. 187may be ſaid of pride, that it is the ſum of all naughtineſs, a Sea of ſin, a complicated ſin, a mother ſin, ſin, a breeding ſin, a ſin that has all ſorts of ſin in the womb of it; conſult the Scriptures in the margin. Ariſtotle Hab. 1. 16. Iſa. 48. 9. Cap. 26. 12. Hab. 2. 5, &c.Hab 1:16Isa 48:9Hab 2:5ſpeaking of Juſtice, ſaith, that in Juſtice all virtues are couched, foreign, ſummarily; ſo it may be truly ſaid of pride, that in it all vices are as it were in a bundle lapped up together; and therefore no wonder if God withdraw his preſence from proud perſons, [He hath withdrawn himſelf from them.] Heb. Hath ſnatcht foreignaway himſelf; hath thrown himſelf out of their company, as Peter threw himſelf out from the rude Souldiers Mark 14. 72.Mark 14:72into a by-corner, to weep bitterly. God will have nothing to do with proud perſons, he will never dwell with them, he will never keep houſe with them; he that dwells in the higheſt heavens, will never dwell in Iſa. 57. 15. Pſalm 138. 6.Isa 57:15Ps 138:6a haughty heart. [The proud he knoweth afar of] He won't vouchſafe to come ſo near ſuch loathſome Lepers, he ſtands of from ſuch as odious and abominable, he cannot abide the ſight of them, yea his very heart riſes againſt Prov. 15. 25. Cap. 16. 5.Prov 15:25them. James 4. 6. God reſiſteth the proud, foreign, He ſets himſelf in battel array againſt him, as the Greek word emphatically ſignifies. Above all ſorts of ſinners, God ſets himſelf againſt proud perſons, as invaders of his territories, and forragers or plunderers of his chief treaſures: God defieth ſuch as deifie themſelves; God will arm himſelf againſt them, he will never vouchſafe his gracious preſence to them; and therefore as ever you would enjoy the Divine preſence arm againſt pride, watch againſt pride, and pray hard againſt pride. But

Eighthly, Take heed of a flothful, lazy, trifling Spirit in the things of God: Cantic. 5. 2. I ſleep but my heart waketh; it is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh, ſaying, Open to me, my Siſter, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. Verſe 3. I have put off my coat, how ſhall I put it on? I have waſhed my feet, how ſhall I defile them? p. 188Chriſts head is filled with dew, i. e. Chriſt came to his Spouſe, full of the dew of ſpiritual and heavenly bleſſings: Chriſt alwayes brings meat in his mouth, and a Epheſ. 1. 3, 4. Revel. 22. 12.Eph 1:3Eph 1:4Rev 22:12reward in his hand: Chriſt never viſits his People empty handed; he is no beggarly or niggardly Gueſt, when he comes he brings every thing that heart can wiſh or need require; and now ſtand and wonder at the ſilly excuſe Cap. 3. 17, 19.that the Spouſe makes for her ſelf: Trouble me not for I am in bed, my clothes are off, my feet are waſhed, and I am compoſed to a ſettled reſt: But are you ſo indeed? (might Chriſt have replied) Is this your kindneſs 2 Sam. 16. 17.2 Sam 16:17to your friend? is this the part and poſture of a vigilant Chriſtian? would it not have been much better for you to have had your loyns girt, your lamp burning, and you waiting for your Lords return? Is it ſo great a trouble? Is it ſuch a mighty buſineſs for you to riſe out of your bed, to put on your clothes, and to let in ſuch a Gueſt, as comes not to take any thing from you, but to enrich you with the beſt and nobleſt of favours? Now mark how ſeverely Chriſt puniſhes his Spouſes ſluggiſhneſs, lazyneſs, ſlothfulneſs, and delayes to entertain him when he knocked. Verſe 6. I opened to my Beloved, but my Beloved had withdrawn himſelf, and was gone: my ſoul failed when he ſpake; I ſought him but I could not find him: I called him but he gave no anſwer; or he was gone, he was gone, a moſt paſſionate complaint for his departure, or my beſt beloved was departed, he was gone away: By the iteration or doubling of this ſentence, wherein the Spouſe complains of the departure of her Bridegroom, is ſignified her great trouble, her hearty ſorrow, her inexpreſſible grief, that lay as a heavy load upon her ſpirit, becauſe by her unworthy uſage of him, ſhe had fooliſhly occaſioned him to withdraw his preſence from her. Spiritual deſertions are of three ſorts: 1. Cautional for preventing of ſin as Pauls ſeems to be. 2. Probational 2 Cor. 1. 2, 8, 9.2 Cor 1:22 Cor 1:82 Cor 1:9for trial and exerciſe of grace. 3. Penal, for chaſtiſement of Spiritual ſloth and ſluggiſhneſs, as here in the Spouſe; now this laſt is far the ſaddeſt and heavieſt, p. 189and therefore as ever you would enjoy the gracious preſence of the Lord, take heed of a lazy, ſlothful, ſluggiſh ſpirit, in the things of God, in the concernments of your ſouls. That man muſt needs be miſerable, that is lazy and ſlothful, and had rather go ſleeping to hell, than ſweating to heaven. But

Ninthly, Take heed of a covetous worldly ſpirit, under the ſmarting Rod, under the ſevere rebukes of God. Iſa. 57. 17. For the iniquity of his covetouſneſs I was wroth and ſmote him; I hid me and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. Covetouſneſs was the common ſin of the Jews, this diſeaſe had infected all ſorts and ranks of men, this Leproſie did ſpread it ſelf over Iſai. 56. 11. Jer. 6. 13. Cap. 8. 10. 1 Tim. 6. 10.Isa 56:11Jer 6:131 Tim 6:10Princes, Prophets and Prople, as you may ſee in comparing the Scriptures in the margin together. Now covetouſneſs being the root of all evil, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, and the Darling ſin of the Nation, God is ſo provoked by it, that he firſt ſmites and then hides himſelf, as one that in diſpleaſure, having left one to the evil, and harſh uſage of ſome other withdraweth himſelf out of the way, and having ſhut himſelf up in his cloſet, will not be ſeen or ſpoken with. A worldly man makes the world his God, covetouſneſs is flat Idolatry: Coloſſ. 3. 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affection, evil concupiſcence, and covetouſneſs which is Idolatry. Now though it be true that what ever a man loves moſt and beſt, that is his Phil. 3. 19. Iſa. 3. 16, to 25.Phil 3:19Isa 3:16–25God, be it his belly, or his back; yet in a ſpecial manner covetouſneſs is Idolatry, ſo as no other ſin is. Three things eſpecially make a God: Firſt, our judgement, when we eſteem it in our ſerious thoughts to be our chiefeſt good, and that in which we place our happineſs: Now the covetous man looks upon the riches of the world, as his heaven, his happineſs, his great all. Pope Silveſter placed ſo much happineſs in riches that, to enjoy the Popedom for ſeven years, he ſold his ſoul to the Devil. The People of Conſtantinople placed ſo much of their happineſs in riches, and were ſo exceſſively p. 190covetous, that they were buying and ſelling in their ſhops, even three dayes after the Turks were within the walls of the City, and that was the reaſon that the ſtreets run down with the blood of them, their wives and children. Secondly, Our confidence, that is a homage which makes a God, when we place our truſt in any thing, make it our rock, our fortreſs, our all-ſufficient good, this the covetous man doth: He ſaith to the wedge of Job 21. 34.Job 21:34gold, thou art my confidence. The rich mans heart dances about his Golden-calf, ſaying to his wedg of gold, thou art my confidence; and yet his wedge of gold ſhall prove but as Achans wedge; a wedge to cleave his ſoul in ſunder, Joſhua 7. 21. to ult.Josh 7:21and as that Babyloniſh garment to be his windingſheet. [The rich mans wealth is his ſtrong City.] Covetous Prov. 10. 15. See 1 Tim. 6. 27.Prov 10:151 Tim 6:27perſons do really think themſelves ſimply the better, and the ſafer for their hoards and heaps of riches; but they may one day find themſelves greatly miſtaken. Famous Herodot. lib. 1.is that ſtory of Croeſus among the Heathens, he was a great King, and tumbled up and down in his gold and ſilver, and Solon that wiſe man of Greece, coming into his Countrey, he deſired to ſpeak with him, and when he ſaw him, after Solon had ſeen and viewed all his wealth and glory, he asked him, whom he thought to be the happieſt man in the world, imagining that Solon would have ſaid Croeſus: But Solon anſwered, I think Tellus was the moſt happy man. Tellus, ſaith he; why Tellus? Becauſe, ſaid Solon, though he was poor, yet he was a good man, and content with that which he had; and having governed the Common-wealth well, and brought up his Child honeſtly and religiouſly, he died honourably. Well then, ſaid Croeſus, but who doeſt thou think the ſecond happy man in the world? I think, ſaid he, thoſe two Brothers, that inſtead of Horſes drew their Mother in a Chariot to the Temple. Whereupon ſaid Croeſus, what thinkeſt thou of me? I think, ſays he, thou art a very rich man; but a man may be happy though he be poor, and a man may be unhappy though he be rich, for he may loſe all his riches before he dye; p. 191and therefore Ante obitum nemo, I think none truly happy, but he that lives well, and dyes well: Whereupon that Wiſe man Solon was diſmiſſed the Court with neglect. But afterward this Croeſus making War againſt Cyrus, he was overcome by Cyrus; and being taken captive, he was laid upon a pile of wood to be burned to death, then lying on the pile of wood, he cried out and ſaid: O Solon, Solon, Solon. Cyrus enquiring, what he meant? He anſwered, this Solon was a Wiſe man of Greece, that told me, that happineſs did not conſiſt in riches, for they might all be loſt, and a rich man might die miſerable: Whoſe words, ſaid he, I then neglected, but now I find true; and therefore now I cry out, O Solon, Solon, Solon! Let us now tell the covetous man, the worldly man, that his happineſs lyes not in riches, though he looks upon his riches as his ſtrong City; he won't mind us, he won't regard. O but there is a time a coming wherein the worldling will cry out: O Solon, Matth. 6. 24.Matt 6:24Solon, Solon! Thirdly, Our ſervice, that is a homage which makes a God, when we devote all our pains, labour, and ſervice to it, be it this or that, that makes a God: Now the covetous man his heart is moſt upon the world, his thoughts are moſt upon the world, his affections are moſt upon the world, and his diſcourſe is moſt about the world; he that hath his mind taken up with the world, and chiefly delighted with the world's muſick, he hath alſo his tongue tuned to the ſame Key, and taketh his joy and comfort in ſpeaking of nothing elſe, but the world ard worldly things: If the world be in the heart it will break out at the lips; a worldly minded man ſpeaketh of nothing but worldly things. [They John 4. 5.John 4:5are of the world, therefore they ſpeak of the world.] The water riſeth not above the fountain; out of the warehouſe the ſhop is furniſhed; the love of this world makes men forget God, neglect Chriſt, ſlight Ordinances, refuſe Matth. 19. 21, 22.Matt 19:21Matt 19:22Heaven, deſpiſe holineſs, and oyles the tongue for worldly diſcourſes: Ah the time, the thoughts, the ſtrength, the ſpirits, the words that are ſpent upon the p. 192world, and the things of the world, whilſt ſinners ſouls lye a bleeding, and Eternity is poſting on upon them! I have read of a griping Uſurer, who was alwayes beſt when he was moſt in talking of the world, being near his end he was much preſt to make his will, at laſt he was overcome, and then he dictates to the Scrivener after this manner: Firſt, I bequeath my own ſoul to the Devil, for being ſo greedy of the muck of this world: Item, next I give my wifes ſoul to the Devil, for perſwading me to this courſe of life: Item I give the Parſon of our Pariſh's ſoul to the Devil, becauſe he did not ſhew me the danger I lived in, nor reprove me for it. O the danger of making the world our God, when we come to die, and to make up our accounts with God. Now when men make the world their God, and ſet up their riches, pleaſures, and profits in the place of God, no wonder if God withdraws his preſence from them, and therefore as ever you would retain the gracious preſence of God with you, take heed of a covetous ſpirit, a worldly ſpirit. But

Tenthly and laſtly, As ever you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, take heed of See my Mute Chriſtian under the ſmarting rod.a Croſs, froward, and inflexible Spirit under the Rod: When the Child is froward under the Rod, the Father withdraws; ſo here, Iſa. 57. 17. I was wroth, I ſmote him, I hid me and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. Though I manifeſted my diſpleaſure Iſa. 47. 6.Isa 47:6by giving them up to their Enemies, and by giving them under the tokens of my anger, they perſiſted in their own croſs, crooked, and rebellious courſes, refuſing to repent and turn to the moſt High; and therefore God changes his countenance, hides his face, and withdraws his preſence from them: Deut. 32. 20. And he ſaid, I will hide my face from them, for they are a very froward generation. Heb. A generation of perverſneſſes. When the ſick man is froward, Friends withdraw and leave him alone, Pſalm 18. ver. 26. With the froward thou wilt p. 193ſhew thy ſelf froward. God will meet with froward perſons in their own way, and make them reap the fruits of their own doings. God will walk croſs and contrary to the froward, oppoſing and croſſing them in all they do. God has no delight to grace froward perſons with his preſence; when men begin to be froward under a Divine hand, God commonly hides his face, and turns his back upon them; Men ſick of impatiency, are no fit company for the God of all patience; men that Rom. 15. 5. Prov. 11. 20.Rom 15:5Prov 11:20are peeviſh and pettiſh under the Rod, will alwayes ſee a cloud upon the face of God; and thus you ſee that there are ten things that you muſt carefully take heed of, as you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers.

But Secondly, As there are many things to be avoided, ſo there are ſeveral things to be put in practice, as you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, let me glance at a few.

Firſt, Be ſure that you are brought under the bond of the Covenant. This gracious ſignal preſence of God Ezek. 20. 37. Pſalm 25. 14. Pſalm 50. 5. Jer. 32. 40, 41. G…neſ. 6. 8. 18.Ezek 20:37Ps 25:14Ps 50:5Jer 32:40Jer 32:41with his People, under their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, is peculiar to thoſe that are in Covenant with God. Noah was in Covenant with God, and God was with him, providing an Ark for him, and preſerving of him from drowning in the midſt of drowning. Lot was in Covenant with God-, and God was with him, and ſecures him in Zoar, when he rained Cap. 19. 20, to 26.Hell out of Heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Joſeph was in Covenant with God, and God was with Joſeph Ge 39. 20, 21, 22. Jer. 1. 17, 18, 19. Cap. 37. 15. ult. Dan. 3. 23, 24, 25. Cap. 6. 22, 23.Jer 1:17Jer 1:18Jer 1:19Dan 3:23Dan 3:24Dan 3:25in priſon. Jeremiah was in Covenant with God, and God kept him company in the Dungeon. The three Children (or rather Champions) were in Covenant with God, and God was ſignally preſent with them in the fiery Furnace. Daniel was in Covenant with God, and God was wonderfully with him in the Lions Den. p. 194Job was in Covenant with God, and God was with him in ſix troubles, and in ſeven. David was in Covenant Job 3. 18, 19. Pſal. 89. 33, …4. Pſal. 23. 4.Job 3:18Job 3:19Ps 89:33Ps 89:4Ps 23:4with God, and God was with him in the valley of the ſhadow of death. Take not up in a name to live, nor in a form of godlineſs, nor in common convictions, nor in an outward reformation, take up in nothing below a Covenant-relation, as you would enjoy the precious preſence De…t. 26. 17, 18, 19.of the Lord with you in your greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, if you chuſe him for your God you ſhall then aſſuredly find him to be your God; if he be the God of our love and fear, he will be the God of our comfort and ſafety; if God be your God in Covenant, then in diſtreſs the cities of refuge are open to you; he will ſtick cloſe to you, he will never leave you nor forſake you, you have a Father to go to, a God to flee Heb. 13. 5, 6, 7.Heb 13:5Heb 13:6Heb 13:7to, a God that will take care of you, [Come my People, enter th…u into thy Chambers, and ſhut thy doors about thee, hide thy ſelf, as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpaſt.] Here are Chambers (withdrawing rooms provided not open Chambers, but with doors, and doors ſhut round about, intimating that guard of protection, which the People of God ſhall find from him, even in a common inundation. But,

Secondly, if you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then look to the practical 2 Chron. 15. 2.2 Chr 15:2part of holyneſs keep up the power of godlyneſs in your hearts and lives, Joh. 14. 21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me, ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelf to him. Ver. 23. If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that frames his heart and life according This is evident throughout the whole Bo…k of the Prophet E…eki…l. See Cap. 2. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.to Chriſts rule, ſhall be ſure of Chriſts preſence. Ezekiel was a man that kept up the power of holyneſs and godlineſs in his heart and life; And O, the glorious viſions, and deep myſteries, and rare diſcoveries of God, p. 195and of his preſence, and of the great things that ſhould be brought about in the latter days, that was diſcovered to him! Daniel kept up the power of holyneſs and godlineſs in his heart and life; And O, what ſecrets and myſteries did God reveal to him! Many of thoſe great and glorious things, which concerns the deſtruction of the four laſt Monarchies, and the growth, increaſe, exaltation, flouriſhing, durable, invincible and unconquerable eſtate of his own Kingdom was diſcovered to him. Paul was a perſon that kept up the power of holyneſs and godlineſs in his heart and life; And O, what a mighty preſence of God had he with him, in all his doing, ſuffering and witneſſing work! And O, what glorious revelations and diſcoveries of God had he, when he was caught up into the third Heaven, into Paradiſe, & heard unſpeakable words, or wordleſs words, ſuch as words were to weak to utter, Such as was not poſſible for man to utter, and that either becauſe they tranſcended mans capacity in this life, or elſe becauſe the Apoſtle was forbid to utter them, they being revealed to him, not for the publick uſe of the Church, but only for his particular encouragment, that he might be the better able to encounter with all hardſhips, difficulties, dangers and deaths, that did or might attend him in his Miniſterial 3 Cor. 1. 7, 8, 9, 10work. Some of the Ancients are of opinion, that he ſaw Gods eſſence, for ſay they, other things in Heaven might have been uttered, but the eſſence of God is ſo great and ſo glorious a thing that no man or Angel can utter it. But here I muſt crave lieve to enter my diſſent from theſe learned men, for the Scripture is expreſs in this, That no man hath thus ever ſeen the Lord at any time, & that no man Joh. 1. 18. 1 Tim. 6. 16. 1 Joh. 4. 12. Exod. 33. 20, 21, 22, 23.John 1:181 Tim 6:161 John 4:12Exod 33:20Exod 33:21Exod 33:22Exod 33:23can thus ſee the Lord, and live. And as great a Favourite of Heaven as Moſes was, yet he could only ſee the back parts of God, he could only behold ſome lower repreſ…ntations of God. Some ſay, that he heard the Heavenly ſinging of Angels, and bleſſed Spirits, which was ſo ſweet, ſo excellent and glorious, that no mortal man was able to utter it; and this of the two is moſt probable. p. 196But no man is bound to make this opinion an Article of his Faith; This I think we may ſafely conclude, that in this rapture, beſides the contemplation of Celeſtial myſteries, he felt ſuch unſpeakable delight and pleaſure, that was either like to that, or exceeded that which Adam took in the Terreſtrial Paradiſe; Doubtleſs the Apoſtle did ſee and hear ſuch excellent things, as was impoſſible for the tongue of any mortal man to expreſs, or utter. John was a burning and a ſhining Light, both in John 5. 35.John 5:35life and doctrine; he was a man that kept up in his heart and life the power of holyneſs and godlineſs, and Chriſt reveales to him the general eſtate of his Church, and all that ſhould beſal his People, and that from John's time unto his ſecond coming; Chriſt gives John a true repreſentation of all the troubles, tryals, changes, mercies and glories, that in all times, and in all ages and places ſhould attend his Church, until he came in all his glory. About ſixty years after Chriſts Aſcenſion, Chriſt comes to John, and opens his heart, and unboſomes his ſoul, 'Tis the general opinion of the learned, that this Book of the Revelation was penned about the latter end of the reign of Domi…ian the Emperour which was about ſixty years after Chriſts Aſcenſion.and makes known to him, all that care, that love, that tenderneſs, that kindneſs and that ſweetneſs, that he would exerciſe towards his Church, from that very time to the end of the world. Chriſt tells John, that though he had been abſent, and ſeemingly ſilent for about threeſcore years, that yet he was not ſo taken up with the delights, contents, and glory of Heaven, as that he did not care what became of his Church on earth, O no! and therefore he opens his choiceſt ſecrets, and makes known the moſt hidden and gloriou myſteries to John, that ever was made known to any man; as there was none that had ſo much of the heart of Chriſt as John, ſo there was none had ſo much of the ear of Chriſt as John; Chriſt ſingles out his ſervant John from all the men in the world, and makes known to him all the happy providences, and all the ſad occurrences that were to come upon the followers of the Lamb, that ſo they might know what to fit for, and what to pray for, and what to wait for; Alſo he declares to John p. 197all that wrath and vengance, all that deſolation and deſtruction that ſhould come upon the falſe Prophet, and the Beaſt, and upon all that wandered after them, and that were worſhippcrs of them, and that had received their marks, either in their foreheads or in their hands. Thus you ſee, that they which keep up the power of holyneſs in their hearts and lives, they ſhall be ſure to enjoy the choiceſt preſence of God, and the cleareſt, fulleſt and ſweeteſt diſcoveries of God, and of theſe great things that concern the internal and eternal good of their ſouls. Nothing wins upon God like holyneſs, nothing delights God like holyneſs, nothing engages the preſence of God like holyneſs. He ſhews his ſalvation to Pſal. 50. ult. Vide Muis in loc.Ps 50him that ordereth his converſation aright; He that puts every piece of his converſation in the right order, he ſhall ſee and know that he ſhall be ſaved; He that walks accurately and exactly, that walks as in a frame treading gingerly, ſtepping warily, he ſhall have a proſpect of Heaven here, and a full fruition of Heaven hereafter, Jſa. 64. 5.Isa 64:5[Thou meeteſt him that rejoyceth, and worketh righteouſneſs, thoſe that remember thee in thy wayes.] He that works righteouſneſs and walks in righteouſneſs, ſhall be ſure to meet with God, & to enjoy the precious preſence of God in his greateſt troubles & deepeſt diſtreſſes. But,

Thirdly, If you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then keep cloſe to inſtituted worſhip, keep cloſe to Goſpel ordinances, keep cloſe to your Church ſtate, Exod. 20. 24. In all places where Iſa. 64. 5. Rev. 2. 1 Cant. 7. 5. Ezek. 48. ult.Isa 64:5Rev 2:1Song 7:5Ezek 48I record my Name, I will come unto thee and bleſs thee. Where God fixeth his ſolemn worſhip for the memorial and honour of his Name, there he will vouchſafe his gracious preſence. Mat. 18. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midſt of them. The promiſe of Gods gracious aſſiſtance, preſence, and acceptance is annexed to his Church, whether it be great or ſmall, numerous or few. Mat. 28. 20, Lo, I am with you alway, according to my Godhead, p. 198Majeſty, grace and ſpirit; Lo, I am with you to own Chriſt in his ordinances doth as Mary open a box of ointments, which diffuſeth a ſpiritual ſavour among the Saints and this makes the ordinances precious in their eyes.you; Lo, I am with you to counſel and direct you; Lo, I am with you to cheer and comfort you; Lo, I am with you to aſſiſt and ſtrengthen you; Lo, I am with you to ſhelter you, and protect you; Lo, I am with you to do all your works in you, and for you; Lo, I am with you to ſtrengthen your graces, and to weaken your ſins; Lo, I am with you to ſcatter your fears, and anſwer your doubts; Lo, I am wirh you to better your hearts, and to mend your lives; Lo, I am with you to bleſs you and crown you with immortality and glory. And what can the ſoul deſire more? Such as have low thoughts of Goſpel-ordinances, ſuch as ſlight Goſpel-ordinances, ſuch as neglect Goſpel-ordinances, ſuch as vilify Goſpel-ordinances, ſuch as decry Goſpel-ordinances, ſuch as oppoſe Goſpel-ordinances, ſuch may talk of the preſence of Chriſt, and ſuch may boaſt of the preſence of Chriſt, but all ſuch are out of the way of enjoying the preſence of Chriſt; Chriſt is only to be met with in his own worſhip and in his own ways. Ah how many in theſe dayes are there that are like to old Barzillai, that had loſt his taſt and hearing, and 2 Sam. 19. 35.2 Sam 19:35ſo cared not for David's feaſts and muſick! How many are there that formerly were very zealous for ordinances, but now are as zealous againſt them! How many formerly have made many great, hard & dangerous ventures to enjoy Goſpel ordinances, who now won't venture a broken ſhin for an ordinance, no nor ſtir out of doors to enjoy an ordinance, &c. How many in our dayes upon neglecting and deſpiſing Goſpel-ordinances, have grown from naught to be very naught, and from very naught to be ſtark naught! He ſhall be an Apollo to me, that can ſhew me one man in the world, that ever grew better or holyer by neglecting or ſlighting Goſpel-ordinances. Many come to the ordinances too like the Aegyptian Dog, which laps a little as he runs by the ſide of Nylus, but ſtays not to drink. How many in this great City run every Sabbath to hear this man and that, and here they lap p. 199a little and there a little, but never ſtay to drink, never fix in this Congregation or that, this way or that. Theſe perſons are neither wiſe, ſerious, lovely nor lively in the ways of God. I think they are judicially blinded and hardned, that are indifferent whether they enjoy ordinances or not, or that can part with ordinances, with Zeph. 3. 18.Zeph 3:18dry eyes. Surely the Child is either very ſullen, or very ſick that cryes not for the breaſt. As ever you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you in all your troubles and diſtreſſes, make conſcience of ſticking cloſe to Goſpel-ordinances. But,

Fourthly, If you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, then when you are not in troubles, diſtreſſes, dangers, &c. be ſure you make much conſcience of five things, 1. Of prizing his preſence above all other things, ſo Moſes did; ſo Auguſtin Ex. 33. 13. to 17.Exod 33:13–17would willingly go through Hell to Chriſt, and Luther had rather be in Hell with Chriſt, than in Heaven without him; and Bernard had rather have Chriſt in a chimny corner, than be in Heaven without him. 2. Of improving this gracious preſence againſt ſin, the world, the fleſh, oppoſitions and temptations, &c. 3. Of walking ſutable to this gracious preſence. 4. Of lamenting and mourning over thoſe that want this gracious preſence. 5. Of holding any ſecret intelligence or correſpondence with the profeſt and known enemies of Chriſt; Princes will never vouchſafe their favourable preſence to ſuch ſubjects as hold any ſecret intelligence with their profeſt & known enemies, either at home or abroad, ſo here. But,

Fifthly, If you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then in all your troubles and diſtreſſes, &c. maintain uprightneſs and integrity of ſpirit Pſal. 5. 12.Ps 5:12with God, 2 Chron. 16. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in the behalf of them whoſe heart is perfect towards him. Pſalm 84. 11. For the Lord God is a Sun and ſhield, the p. 200Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. This is the largeſt promiſe we find in the whole Book of God. The Creature ſtands in need of two things, Proviſion and Protection; for the firſt, the Lord is a Sun, as full of goodneſs as the Sun is of light; He is a Sun, in that he doth enlighten and enliven his Church, when as all the world beſides lye under darkneſs and the ſhadow of death; and in that he doth chear, and warm, and comfort the hearts of his People by his preſence and lightſome countenance, and is the fountain from whence all external, internal, and eternal bleſſings are derived to them; For the ſecond, a Shield: Among all inanimate Creatures the Sun Pſal. 18. 2.Ps 18:2is the moſt excellent, and among all artificial Creatures a Shield is chiefeſt, and was of greateſt uſe in thoſe dayes; The Sun notes all manner of excellency and proſperity, and the Shield notes all manner of protection whatſoever, Iſa 60. …0. Pſal. 3. 4.Isa 60Ps 3:4under the name of grace all ſpiritual good things are to be underſtood, and under the name of glory all eternal good things are to be underſtood, and under that phraſe of, No good thing will he withhold, all temporal good things are to be underſtood, ſo far as they make for his glory, and his Peoples real good. Now this choice, this ſweet, this full; this large promiſe is made over only to the upright, & therefore as you would have any ſhare in it, maintain your uprightneſs, Pſalm 11. 7. His countenance doth behold the upright, Heb. His faces. Every gracious diſcovery of God to the upright, is his face; God will all manner of wayes make gracious diſcoveries of his love and delight to upright ones; No Father can ſo much delight to behold the countenance of his child, as God delights to behold the countenance of the upright, Pſalm 112. 4. Ʋnto the upright there ariſeth light in darkneſs; Light commonly ſignifies joy, Job 30. 26. Eſth. 8. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 10.Job 30:26Esth 8:162 Cor 6:10comfort, peace, help, deliverance. The upright man ſhall have joy in tribulation, plenty in penury; liberty in bonds, life in death, as the Martyrs have frequently and gloriouſly experienced. Sometimes God turnes the p. 201upright mans adverſity into proſperity, his ſickneſs into health, his weakneſs into ſtrength, his night into day, his ſtormes into calmes, his long Winter-nights into pleaſant Summer-days. Sometimes God hides his upright ones in the hollow of his hand, in his pavilion, in his preſence-chamber; when his judgments are abroad Iſa. 26. 9, 20. Mal. 3. 17.Isa 26:9Isa 26:20Mal 3:17in the earth, he takes ſpecial care of his Jewels, and many times when the upright are in darkneſs and in great Pſal. 94. 19. Pſal. 71. 20, 21.Ps 94:19Ps 71:20Ps 71:21diſtreſs, God chears their hearts with the conſolations of his Spirit, and the light of his countenance. By all which it is moſt evident, that Ʋnto the upright there ariſeth light in darkneſs. O Sirs, do but maintain your uprightneſs in all your troubles and diſtreſſes, and then you will be ſure of the gracious preſence of God with you in all your troubles and diſtreſſes. God values an upright Job Job 1. 8. Cap. 2. 3, 7, 8, 9. Luke 16.Job 1:8Luke 16upon a Dunghil, before a deceitful Jehu upon his Royal Throne; he ſets a higher price upon an upright Lazarus in rags, than upon a rich Dives in his purple robes; And therefore when an upright man is in troubles and diſtreſſes God will be ſure to keep him company. The upright mans Motto is ſemper idem, he is like the Philoſophers Dye, caſt him which way you will, and into what condition you will, he is ſtill upright, and therefore of all perſons God loves to grace the upright man with his gracious preſence. But,

Sixthly, If you would enjoy the gracious preſence of God with you, in all your troubles, deep diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, then you muſt be very earneſt and importunate with God not to leave you, but to ſtay with you, to abide with you, and to dwell in the midſt of you, Pſalm 148. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him; (but to prevent miſtakes, I mean) to all that call upon him in truth. There are many that call upon Prov. 1. 28 Iſa. 1. 11. to 17. Deut. 4. 4. 2▪ Joh. 4.Prov 1:28Isa 1:11–17Deut 4:42 John 1:4God, but not in truth, from theſe God ſtands at a diſtance; There are others that call upon God in truth, in plainneſs and ſingleneſs of heart, and theſe God are near, not only in regard of his eſſence, which is every where, but alſo in regard of the effects of his power, and p. 202the readineſs of his will in granting their requeſts. Abijah prays, and finds an admirable preſence of God with him, giving him a mighty victory over his moſt powerful enemy, 2 Chron. 13. 3, 10, 11, 17, 18. Aſa prays, & finds ſuch a ſingular preſence of God with him, as made him victorious over an hoſt of a thouſand thouſand, and three hundred Chariots, a huger hoſt than that of Xerxes; J…ſephus ſaith, it conſiſted of nine hundred thouſand foot, and one hundred thouſand horſe, 2 Chron. 14. 9. to the end. Jehoſhaphat prayes, and had ſuch a ſignal preſence of God with him, that thoſe numerous forces that were combined againſt him fall by their own ſwords, 2 Chron. 20. 1. to the 11. Verſe, with Ver. 22. They were carried by ſuch a ſpirit of rage and fury, that no man ſpared his Neighbou…, but each one deſtroyed him that w…s next him.23, 24, 25. The wrath of God wrought their ruin as by an ambuſcado unexpectedly and irreſiſtibly; Some underſtand this ambuſhment of the holy Angels ſent ſuddenly in upon them to ſlay them; whereupon they miſtaking the matter, and ſuppoſing it had been their own Companions, flew upon them, and ſo ſheathed their ſwords in one anothers bowels. Others ſay, that the Lord did ſuddenly and unexpectedly cut them off, as when men are cut off by enemies that lye in ambuſh againſt them, and that by ſending ſome unexpected ſtrife among thoſe Nations, whereupon they fell out among themſelves and ſlew one another, and ſo accompliſhed that which the Levite had foretold Verſe 17. Ye ſhall not need to fight in this Battel, ſet your ſelves, ſtand ye ſtill and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord with you. O Judah and Jeruſalem, fear not, nor be diſmayed, to morrow go out againſt them, for the Lord will be with you. It was the preſence of God with his People, that was their preſervation, and their enemies deſtruction; there is no power, no force, no ſtrength, no combinations that can ſtand before the powerful preſence of God with his People, and a ſpirit of prayer upon his People. Hezekiah prays and finds ſuch a powerful preſence of God with him, as bears up his heart, and as ſtrengthens his faith, and as cuts off his enemies, Iſa. 37. 14. to 21. with Verſe 36. O beg hard p. 203of the Lord that he will ſtay with you, do as they did when Chriſt made as though he would have gone from Luke 24. 28. Equivocators abuſe this place greatly, but they muſt know, that Chriſt did not pretend one thing and intend another, but as he made an offer to depart ſo without queſtion he would have gone further, if the importunity of the Diſciples had not ſtaid him.Luke 24:28them, Luke 24. 29. But they conſtrained him, ſaying, abide with us, for it is towards evening and the day is far ſpent; and he went in to tarry with them. By prayer and importunity lay hold on Chriſt; ſay, Lord night is near, the night of trouble, the night of diſtreſs, the night of danger, the night of death is near, ſtay with us, depart not from us. They over-intreated him by their importunity, they compelled him by intreaty: Night is near, and the day is far ſpent. Some conjecture, that Cleophas obſerving Chriſt to be very expert in the Prophets, and to diſcourſe ſo admirable well-of Chriſts perſon, ſufferings and glory, his heart burning in him with muſing, who this ſhould be! he is marvellous importunate with him to ſtay at his houſe, and at laſt prevailes. O lay a hand of holy violence upon God as Jacob did, and ſay (as he) Gen. 32. 25, 26. Hoſ. 4. 12.Gen 32:25Gen 32:26Hos 4:12I will not let thee go; Jacob though lamed and hard laid at, yet will not let Chriſt go; Jacob holds faſt with both hands when his joynts were out of joynt, being fully reſolved that what ever he did let go, he would not let go his Lord till he had bleſt him. O be often a crying out with Jeremiah, Leave us not: Lord, though in our great Jer. 14. 9.Jer 14:9troubles and deep diſtreſſes, friends ſhould leave us, and Relations leave us, and all the world leave us, yet don't thou leave us, O don't thou leave us, Lord; though all Creatures ſhould deſert us, yet if thou wilt but ſtand by us, we ſhall do well enough: But wo, wo unto us, if God depart from us. O leave us not. But,

Seventhly, keep humble and walk humbly with your Mic. 6. 8. Pſal. 25. 9.Mic 6:8Ps 25:9God. The higheſt Heavens and the loweſt hearts are the habitation of Gods glorious preſence, Iſa. 57. 15. For ſaith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whoſe Name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy Place with him alſo that is of a contrite and humble ſpirit, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. He that would in good earneſt enjoy the gracious preſence of God with him in his great troubles, deep diſtreſſes and moſt deadly dangers, he muſt keep humble, p. 204and walk humbly with his God; God will keep houſe with none but humble ſouls, there are none that feel ſo great a need of the Divine preſence as humble ſouls, there are none that ſo prize the divine preſence as humble ſouls, there are none that ſo love the divine preſence & that are ſo enamoured with the Divine preſence as humble ſouls, there are none that ſo thirſt & long for much of the Divine preſence as humble ſouls, there are none that ſo lament and bewail the loſs of the Divine preſence as humble ſouls, there are none that make ſuch a ſingular and through improvement of the Divine preſence as humble ſouls, and therefore no wonder that of all the men in the worl God ſingles out the humble Chriſtian, to make his heart the habitation where his honour delights to dwell. Abraham is but duſt and aſhes in his own Gen. 18. 27.Gen 18:27eyes, and what man on earth had ever more of the Divine preſence of God with him, than he? Gen. 15. 12. Gen. 32, 10.Gen 32:10to 19. Gen. 17. 1. to 10. Gen. 18. 17, 18, 19, &c. Jacob was leſs than the leaſt of all mercies in his own eyes, & he had a mighty preſence of God with him, Gen. 32. 24. to 31. &c. David in his own eyes was but a worm & no man; Pſal. 22. 6.Ps 22:6The word in the Original Tolagnath, ſignifieth a very little worm which bre…deth in ſcarlet, it is ſo little that no man can hardly ſee it or preceive it; and yet what a mighty preſence of God had David with him in the many Battels he fought, and in the many dangers he was in, and in the many miraculous deliverances he had! See them all ſummed up in that 18 Pſalm, it is his triumphant ſong after many victories won, deliverances vouchſafed, and mercies obtained, and therefore worthy of frequent peruſal. Paul was the leaſt of all Saints in his 1 Cor. 15. 8. 1 Cor. 4. 9. 1 Tim. 1. 15.1 Cor 15:81 Cor 4:91 Tim 1:15own eyes, yea he was leſs then the leaſt of all Saints (foreign) this is a double diminutive, and ſignifies leſſer then the leaſt, if leſſer might be; here you have the greateſt Apoſtle deſcending down to the loweſt ſtep of humility. Great Paul is leaſt of Saints, leaſt of the Apoſtles, and greateſt of ſinners in his own eyes, and never had any mortal more of the gracious preſence of p. 205God with him in all his ſervices, and in all his ſufferings, in all his afflictions, and in all his temptations, in all his trials, and in all his troubles, which were many and great. See Acts 16. 23, 24, 25. Acts 23. 10, 11. Acts 27. 23, 24, 25. 2 Cor. 1. 8, 9, 10. 2 Cor. 4. 8, 9, 10, 11. 2 Cor. 7. 4, 5, 6, 7. 2 Cor. 11. 21—ult. 2 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9, 10. Is your condition low, then let your hearts be low; he that is little in his own account, is great in Gods eſteem, and ſhall be ſure to enjoy moſt of his preſence. God can dwell, God will dwell with none but thoſe that are lowly in heart; and therefore as ever you would enjoy the ſignal preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, be ſure you walk humbly with your God. Many may talk much of God, and many may profeſs much of God, and many may boaſt much of God; but he only enjoys much of God, who makes conſcience of walking humbly with God. But

Eightly and laſtly, If you would enjoy the ſignal preſence of God with you, in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt Ponder upon theſe Scriptures, Iſa. 58. 8. 9, 10, 11 2 Cor. 6. 16, 17, 18. Cap. 7. 1. Deut. 23. 13, 14.Isa 58:8Isa 58:9Isa 58:10Isa 58:112 Cor 6:162 Cor 6:172 Cor 6:18Deut 23:13Deut 23:14diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then labour every day more and more after greater meaſures of holineſs; the more holineſs you reach to, the more you ſhall have of the preſence of a holy God with you, in all your ſtraits and trials. If the Scriptures be narrowly ſearched, you will find that men of the greateſt meaſures and degrees of holineſs, have alwayes enjoyed the greateſt meaſures of the Divine preſence; witneſs Enoch, Geneſ. 5. 24. Noah, Geneſ. 6. 8, 9, 17, 18. So Abraham, Jacob, Joſeph, Job, David, Daniel, John, Paul, &c. they were all famous for holineſs, and accordingly they had a famous preſence of God with them, as hath been ſhewed in part, and might more fully have been diſcovered, but that the preſs calls upon me to haſten to a concluſion; and therefore I ſhall now but hint at things, conſider.

Firſt, That the more holy any perſon is, the more excellent that perſon is, all corruptions are diminutions p. 206of excellency; the more mixt any thing is, the more abaſed it is; the more you mix your wine with water, the more you abaſe your wine; and the more you mix your gold with tin, the more you abaſe your gold: But the purer your wine is, the richer and better your wine is; and the purer your gold is, the more glorious and excellent it is; ſo the purer and holier any perſon is, the more excellent and glorious that perſon is. Now the more Divinely excellent, and glorious any perſon is, the Dan. 9. 23.Dan 9:23more he is beloved of God; and the more he is the delight of God, and the more he ſhall have of the preſence of God. Conſider

Secondly, The more holy any perſon is, the more that perſon pleaſes the Lord: Fruitfulneſs in holineſs fills Heaven with joy; the Husbandman is not ſo much pleaſed with the fruitfulneſs of his fields, nor the Wife with the fruitfulneſs of her womb, as God is pleaſed with the fruitfulneſs of his People in grace and holineſs. Now certainly the more God is pleaſed with any perſon, the more he will be preſent with that perſon; they commonly have moſt of our preſence, that moſt pleaſe us. Heb. 11. 5. Geneſ. 5. 24. The Hebrew word 'foreign from 'foreign is in Hithpael, and notes a continual walking with God without ceaſing.Heb 11:5Gen 5:24Enoch had this teſtimony, before his tranſlation, that he pleaſed God, or gave God content, as the original word foreign imports. Enoch eyed God at all times, in all places, and in all companies, and this pleaſed God: Where ever Enoch was, his eye was ſtill upon God. Enoch walked conſtantly with God, his whole life was but one continued day of walking with God, and this pleaſed God. Enoch kept himſelf from the corruptions and pollutions of the times, which were very great; he was not carried away with the ſtream of the times, he kept a conſtant counter-motion to the corrupt courſes of the times, and this pleaſed God. Enoch maintained and kept up a clear, choice, and ſtanding communion with God, and this pleaſed God. Enoch made it his buſineſs, his work, his Heaven to approve his heart to God, and his wayes to God, and this pleaſed God. Enoch was very ſerious, and ſtudious to avoid every thing p. 207that might be a diſhonour to God, or diſpleaſing to God, and this pleaſed God. Enoch had great, and high, and honourable thoughts of God, and this pleaſed God. God was ſo pleaſed and taken with Enoch, that he tranſlates God took him up in a whirl wind, ſay the Hebrew Doctors, as Elias was; he changed his place but not his company, for he ſtill walked with God as on Earth ſo in Heaven.him from Earth to Heaven, from a gracious to a glorious preſence. It was a ſingular mercy for God to be with Enoch on Earth, but it was a far more glorious mercy for Enoch to be with God in Heaven. The gracious preſence of God is very deſirable, but the glorious preſence of God is moſt comfortable. Enoch pleaſes God, and God tranſlates Enoch: We can never have thoſe Friends near enough to us, who take a pleaſure and delight to pleaſe us; So here, Enoch was a bright morning Star, a riſing Sun for vertue and holineſs; and therefore God could not ſatisfie himſelf (to ſpeak after the manner of men) that he ſhould live at ſo great a diſtance from him, and therefore tranſlates him from Earth to Heaven. Well my Friends, the greater meaſures of holineſs you reach too, the more you will pleaſe God; and the more you pleaſe God, the more you ſhall be ſure to enjoy of the preſence of God. Conſider

Thirdly, The more holy any perſon is, the more like to God he is; and the more like to God he is, doubtleſs 1 Pet. …. 15, 16. Le…ir. 11. 44. Can. 19. 2. and 20. 7.the more he is beloved of God; it is likeneſs both in nature and grace that alwayes draws the ſtrongeſt love: Though every Child is the Father multiplied, the father of a ſecond Edition; yet the Father loves him beſt, and delights in him moſt, who is moſt like him, and who in feature, ſpirit, and action does moſt reſemble him to the life; and ſo does the Father of Spirits alſo, he alwayes loves them beſt who in holineſs reſemble him Heb. 12. 9.Heb 12:9moſt. There are four remarkable things in the beloved Diſciple, above all the reſt: 1. That he lay near…ſt to John 13. 23. Cap. 18. 16. Cap. 19 26, 27. Mark 14. 50.John 13:23Mark 14:50Chriſt's boſom at the Table. 2. That he followed Chriſt cloſeſt to the high Prieſts Palace. 3. That he ſtood cloſe to Chriſt when he was on the Croſs, though others had baſely deſerted him, and turned their backs upon him. 4. That Chriſt commended the care of his p. 208Virgin Mother to him. Now, why did Chriſts deſire, love, and delight run out with a ſtronger and a fuller tide towards John, than to the reſt of the Diſciples? doubtleſs it was becauſe John did more reſemble Chriſt than the reſt, it was becauſe John was a more exact picture, and lively repreſentation than the others were. Now the more any man in holineſs is like to Chriſt, the more any man in holineſs reſembles Chriſt; the more that man ſhall enjoy of the preſence of Chriſt, the more that man ſhall lay in the boſom of Chriſt. The Father loves to be moſt with that Child that is like him moſt: So here, As ever you would enjoy the preſence of God in your greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, be ſure that you keep up holineſs in your hearts and lives, be ſure that you grow in holineſs, and flouriſh in holineſs, and then you ſhall be ſure of the preſence of God with you, in all your troubles, and deep diſtreſſes: A holy God will never leave the holy Chriſtian; and thus much for this uſe of Exhortation.

The laſt uſe of all, is a uſe of comfort and conſolation to all the P…ple of God, in their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes. Now here conſider

Firſt of all, That God himſelf hands out this as a rare comfort of his People, in all their troubles, diſtreſſes, and dangers, viz. That he will be graciouſly preſent with them, in the midſt of all their ſorrows and ſufferings. Iſa. 43. 2. Pſalm 91. 15. Joſh. 1. 5. Heb. 13. 5. Exod. 3. 12.Isa 43:2Ps 91:15Josh 1:5Heb 13:5Exod 3:12Geneſ. 26. 3. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bleſs thee. Cap. 28. 15. And behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goeſt, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, &c. Don't talk of thy loſs of Friends, for I will be with thee; nor don't talk of thy Countrey, for I will give thee this Land, which is the Paradiſe of the world; nor don't talk of thy poverty, for thou ſhalt ſpread abroad to the Weſt, and to the Eaſt, and to the North, and to the South. Verſe 14. Nor don't talk of thy ſolitarineſs and aloneneſs, for I will not leave thee. Iſa. 91. 10. Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not p. 209diſmayed, for I am thy God; I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs. Suppoſe a man was injuriouſly dealt with, by this man or that, would it not be a comfort to him that a juſt and righteous Judge ſtood by, and was an eye witneſs of all the violences that were offered to him? Suppoſe a man were in exile with David, or in priſon with Joſeph, or in a Dungeon with Jeremiah, or in the ſtocks with Paul and Silas, or in baniſhment (for the teſtimony of Jeſus) with John, yet would it not be a ſingular comfort to him, to have the preſence of a kind Father, a boſom Friend, a wiſe Counſeller, an able Phyſician with him? O Chriſtian, be thou in what place thou wilt, and with what Company thou wilt, and in what condition thou wilt, yet thy loving God, thy kind Father, thy boſom Friend, &c. will be ſtill with thee, he will never leave thee, nor forſake thee; and O! what a ſpring of comfort ſhould this be to thee! But

Secondly, Know for your comfort, that there is alwayes ſome ſpecial favours and bleſſings annexed to this ſignal preſence of God, as I will be with thee, and bleſs thee. Geneſ. 26. 3. I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goeſt. Geneſ. 28. 15. I will be with him in trouble, and honour him. Pſalm 91. 15. I will be with him, and ſtrengthen him. Iſai. 41. 10. I will be with thee, and the flames ſhall not kindle upon thee. Cap: 43. 2. I will be with thee, and there ſhall not a man be able to ſtand before thee. Joſhua 1. 5: I will be with thee, to deliver thee. Jerem. 1. 19. I am with thee, to ſave thee, and to deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and out of the hand of the terrible. Cap. 15. 20, 21. Huſhai's preſence with David was a burden, Jobs Wifes preſence was but 2 Sam. 15. 33. Job 2. 9. 10. and Matth. 8. 28. 34.2 Sam 15:33Job 2:9Job 2:10Matt 8:28Matt 8:34a vexation unto him, and Chriſts preſence among the Gergeſens was a terrour to them, and the preſence of talkative Friends is many times a trouble to us. O but this ſignal, this favourable preſence of the Lord with his People, in their greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, p. 210is a ſweet preſence, a comfortable preſence, a delightful preſence, a bleſſed preſence, yea ſuch a preſence as has many ſingular bleſſings annexed to it. But

Thirdly, Know for your comfort, that you ſhall have mercy and kindneſs, and what ever good you need in due ſeaſon, at that very inſtant, at that very nick of time wherein you moſt need mercy. God will time your Pſalm 145. 18. Deut. 4. 7. Gen. 22. 10, 11, 12, 13.Ps 145:18Deut 4:7Gen 22:10Gen 22:11Gen 22:12Gen 22:13mercies, and your bleſſings for you, he is nigh and will not fail you at a dead lift. When Abraham had bound his Son, and bent his ſword, and the knife was up, then comes a voice from Heaven: Abraham, Abraham hold thy hand. At that very nick of time when the four hundred and thirty years were expired, Iſrael was delivered Exod. 12. 41. 51.Exod 12:41Exod 12:51out of their captivity and ſlavery. Deut. 11. 14. I will give you the rain of your land in his due ſeaſon, the firſt rain, and the latter rain, that thou mayeſt gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oyl.] God gives rain to all by a Providence, but he gives rain to his Iſrael by vertue of Acts 14. 18. Job 38. 26.Acts 14:18Job 38:26a promiſe: God engages himſelf not only to give rain, but to give it in due ſeaſon; he will give the firſt rain after the ſowing of the ſeed, that it might take rooting in the Earth; and he will give the latter rain a little before Harveſt, that the cars might be full: O my Friends! it is wonderful mercy, that God will time our mercies for us. When Jehoſhaphat was put to a hard pinch, at that 2 Chron. 20. 12. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.2 Chr 20:122 Chr 20:222 Chr 20:232 Chr 20:242 Chr 20:252 Chr 20:26very nick of time God ownes him, ſtands by him, and gives him a great victory. When David was at a great 1 Sam. 23. 26, 27, 28. Let him (ſaith Auguſtin…) chuſe his own opportunity that ſo freely grants the mercy.1 Sam 23:261 Sam 23:271 Sam 23:28plunge, Saul being at his very heels, at that very nick of time, tydings were brought to Saul, that the Philiſtines had invaded the land, and ſo David eſcapes: When all humane help failed, God came in and help't at a dead lift. So Julian was cut of by the Perſian War, at that very nick of time when he had vowed at his return, to make a Sacrifice of the Chriſtians lives. And ſo Charles the Fifth was diverted from perſecuting of the Proteſtants, by the Turks breaking into Hungary, at that very nick of time when his heart was ſet upon a p. 211warm perſecution. And ſo Juſtice Gilford, a violent Papiſt Acts and Mon. 1880.in Queen Marie's dayes, going up the ſtairs to Miſtriſs Roberts her Chamber, to compel her, will ſhe or will ſhe not, to go to Maſs, at that very nick of time he was ſuddenly taken with his old diſeaſe the Gout, and ſo grievouſly tormented, that he ſwore he would never trouble her more. When Faux was giving fire to the match, that ſhould have given fire to the Powder, that ſhould have blown up King, Lords, and Commons, at that very nick of time, he that never ſlumbers nor ſleeps, Pſal. 121, 3, 4, 5.Ps 121:3Ps 121:4Ps 121:5prevented him; and ſo turned our intended Funeral into a Feſtival. O Chriſtian! are thy troubles many in number, ſtrange in nature, heavy in meaſure, much in burthen, and long in continuance, yet remember that thy God is near, whoſe mercies are numerous, whoſe wiſdom is wonderous, and whoſe power is miraculous. The nearneſs or remoteneſs of a Friend is very material and conſiderable in our troubles, diſtreſſes, wants, dangers, &c. I have ſuch a Friend, and he would help me, but he lives ſo far off: And I have another Friend that has a great love for me, that is able to counſel me, and to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to me, and that in my diſtreſs would ſtand cloſe to me, but he is ſo remote. I have a ſpecial Friend, that did he know how things ſtand with me, would make my burdens his, and my wants his, and my ſorrows his; but he is in a far Countrey, he is at the Indies, and I may be undone before I can hear from him. But it is not thus with you, O Chriſtians! who have a God ſo nigh unto you, who have the ſignal preſence of God in the midſt of you, yea who have a God alwayes ſtanding by you. The Lord ſtood by me, &c. O my Friends, how can you want comfort, that have the God of all conſolation preſent with you? How can you 2 Cor. 1. 3. Iſa. 9. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 10. Iſa. 9. 6.2 Cor 1:3Isa 9:61 Pet 5:10want counſel, that have the wonderful Counſeller ſo near unto you? How can you want grace, who have the God of all grace ſtanding by you? How can you want Peace, who have alwayes the preſence of the Prince of Peace with you? But.

p. 212Fourthly, Know for your comfort, that if God be with you, there is nothing, there can be nothing but weakneſs againſt you. Iſa. 27. 4. Who would ſet the briars God holdeth the Churches Enemies in chains, having his hook in their noſe, and his bridle in their lips, Iſa. 37. 29. he can eaſily rule and overrule his proudeſt Enemies.Isa 37:29and thorns againſt me in battel, I would go through them, I would burn them together? What are briars and thorns to a devouring fire, to the conſuming flames? no more are all the Enemies of the Church to the preſence of God with his People: God will be a burning and deſtroying fire to all the Enemies of Zion; wicked men are chaff: Pſalm 1. 1. And what is that to the wind, to the whirl wind? they are ſtubble. Job 21. 18. They are as driven ſtubble to his bow. Iſai. 41. 2. They are as ſtubble fully dry. Nahum. 1. 10. They are as ſtubble before the flame. Joel 2. 5. They arelike duſt. 2 Kings 13. 7. Yea like ſmall duſt. Iſa. 29. 5. They are like a morning cloud, an early dew, a little ſmoak. Hoſea 13. 3. The morning cloud is ſoon diſpelled, the early dew is ſoon dried up, the rowling ſmoak out of the chimney is preſently ſcattered. O the weakneſs of man! O the power of God! No People on Earth have ſuch a power on their ſides as the Saints have, conſult theſe Scriptures, 2 Kings 6. 16. 2 Chron. 32. 6, 7. Iſai. 8. 9, 10. Numb 13. 28, 30, 31, 32, 33. Cap. 14. 9. No Chriſtian can look upon the ſtrong and mighty Enemies of Zion in a Scripture glaſs, but muſt behold them as weak and impotent Perſons: Who could but ſmile to ſee weak Children to attempt to Zach. 2. 5.Zech 2:5beſiege a wall of braſs, or a wall of fire? as great a folly and weakneſs it is for wicked men to make attempts, upon the Saints, who have been to this day, and will be to the end, a trembling and a burdenſome ſtone to all Cap. 12. 2, 3.that gather together againſt them. Senſe looks upon the Powers of the world as ſtrong, mighty, and invincible; but Faith looks upon them as poor, weak, contemptible, gaſping, dying Men. Thus heroical Luther look'd upon them: Contemptus eſt a me Romanus & favor & furor, I care neither for Romes favour nor fury; I am neither fond of the one, nor afraid of the other. It is dangerous to look upon the Powers of the world in the Devils multiplying p. 213glaſs; it is beſt and ſafeſt to look upon them in a Scripture glaſs, and then we ſhall never fear them, nor ſinfully ſhift them. But

Fifthly, If God be ſignally preſent with his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then know for your comfort, that none can be againſt you but they muſt be againſt God himſelf; for God is with you in all your troubles, as a Acts 9. 4, 5, 6.Acts 9:4Acts 9:5Acts 9:6Father is with his Child, a Husband with his Wife, a General with his Army, and as a Confederate with his Allies, who is with them offenſively and defenſively; hence they are ſaid to rage againſt God, Iſa. 37. 28, 29. And to blaſpheme God, 2 Kings 19. 3, 6. And to fight See Acts 23. 9. Prov. 21. 30.Acts 23:9Prov 21:30againſt God, Acts 5 38, 39. To fight againſt God, is labour in vain; who ever ſought againſt God, and proſpered? Some think that this Phraſe of fighting againſt God, is drawn from the Fable of the Gyants, which were ſaid to make war with the Gods. The Church of Chriſt alwayes flouriſheth moſt, and increaſeth moſt, when the Exod. 1. 12, 1.Exod 1:12Exod 1:1Tyrants of the Earth oppoſe it moſt, and perſecute it moſt. Diocletian laid down the Empire in great diſcontent, becauſe he could not by any perſecution ſuppreſs the true Chriſtian Religion; the more violent he was againſt the People of God, the more they increaſed and multiplied, and the more they were emboldned and encouraged; and therefore in a rage he throws up all. But

Sixthly, If the ſignal preſence of God be with his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, then know for your comfort, that there is no preſence like this preſence, no preſence to the preſence of God; let me evidence this by an induction of ſix particulars bri…fly thus: For Firſt, It is the preſence of an Almighty God. Geneſ. 17. 1. I am the Almighty Geneſ. 49. 25. Numb. 24. 4.Gen 49:25Num 24:4God, walk before me, and be thou perfect. Some derive the word Shaddai, here uſed from dai, that ſignifieth ſufficiency. God is an all ſufficient good, and a ſelfſufficient good, he is an Independent good, an abſolute p. 214good, an original good, an univerſal good; ſome derive the word Shaddai from Shad, that ſignifieth a breaſt, a dug, becauſe God feedeth his Children with ſufficiency of all good things, as the loving Mother doth the Child with the milk of her breaſts. God is the only ſatisfactory good, and proportionable good, and ſutable good to our ſouls; as the breaſt, the dug is the moſt ſutable good to the Childs ſtomach: And others derive the word Shaddai from Shaddad, which ſignifieth to ſpoil, conquer, or overcome, and ſo they ſay; that God did here invert or overcome the order of nature, in cauſing the barren to bear: But moſt Authors do tranſlate it Omnipotent; God then is called Shaddai, that is omnipotent and all-ſufficient, for his omnipotency includeth alſo allſufficiency. Secondly, you have the preſence of a loving God with you. Iſa. 43. 4. Since thou waſt precious in my ſight, thou haſt been honourable, and I have loved thee. But that this may the better ſtick and work, you muſt remember, Firſt, that God loves you with a firſt See De…t. 7. 7, 8.love. 1 John 4. 19. We love him becauſe he firſt loved us. Our love is but a reflex of his. God firſt caſt an eye of love upon us, before we caſt an eye of love on him, and therefore God is no way indebted to us for our love. Mary anſwers not Rabboni, till Chriſt firſt ſaid unto her John 20. 16.John 20:16Mary. The pure nature of love is more ſeen in Gods firſt love to us, than in ours to him; by nature we were Epheſ. 2. 12. 19. Rom. 5. 10. Cap. 1. 30.Eph 2:12Eph 2:19Rom 5:10without God, and afar of from God, we were ſtrangers to God, and enemies to God, yea haters of God; and therefore if God had not loved us firſtly, we had been undone everlaſtingly. Secondly, As God loves you with a firſt love, ſo he loves you with a free love. Hoſea 14. 4. I will heal their back-ſliding, I will love them freely: I know they are back-ſliden, but I will heal their back-ſlidings; I know they have broken their bones by their fall, but I will make thoſe broken bones to rejoyce; I know there is nothing at all in them that is excellent or eminent, that is honourable or acceptable, that is laudable or lovely, yet I will love them freely, Ex mero motu, p. 215of mine own, free, rich, abſolute, ſoveraign, and independent grace. Thirdly, As he loves you with a free love, ſo he loves you with an everlaſting love. Jer. 31. 3. I have loved thee with an everlaſting love: therefore with loving kindneſs have I drawn thee. Heb. I love thee with the love of perpetuity, or with the love of Eternity. My love and my affections continue ſtill the ſame to thee, and ſhall do for ever; or as others carry the words, I love thee with an Ancient love, or with the love of Antiquity; I love thee ſtill with the ſame affection, that in former ages I bare towards thee. Fourthly, As he loves you with an everlaſting love, ſo he loves you with an unchangeable love. Mal. 3. 6. I am the Lord I change not: therefore ye ſons of Jacob are not conſumed Men change, and counſels change, and occurrences change, and Friends change, and Relations change, and Kingdoms change, and Common-wealths change; but God never changes, as Balaam confeſſes, who was the Devils Numb. 3. 19.Num 3:19Hackney, and who had a mind to dance with the Devil all day, and then ſup with Chriſt at night. God is neither falſe nor fickle, he cannot like men ſay and unſay, Pſalm 89. 34.Ps 89:34he can nor alter his mind nor eat his words. [The Eternity of Iſrael cannot lie nor repent, for he is not a man 1 Sam. 15. 29.1 Sam 15:29that he ſhould repent.] Men are ſo mutable and changeable that there is no hold to be taken of what they ſay; but God is immutable in his nature, in his eſſence, in his counſels, in his attributes, in his decrees, in his promiſes, &c. He is (as the School-men ſay) Omninò immutabi lis, Altogether immutable. Fifthly, As he loves you with an unchangeable love, ſo he loves you with a ſpecial P ſalm 146. 7, 8love, with a peculiar love, with a diſtinguiſhing love, with a ſuperlative love. The Lord executes judgment for the oppreſſed, he gives food to the hungry, he looſeth the Priſoners, he opens the eyes of the blind, he raiſes them that are bowed down, he loveth the righteous, and this is more than all the reſt. Sixthly, and laſtly, As he loves his People with a ſpecial love, with a peculiar love, ſo he loves them with the greateſt love p. 216with a matchleſs love. [O Daniel greatly beloved.] John 3. 16. God ſo loved the world, &c. Here is a ſic without a ſicut; there being nothing in nature wherewith to parallel it: This ſic without a ſicut, ſignifies the greatneſs of Gods love, the vehemency of his love, and the admirableneſs of his love. Now what an unſpeakable comfort muſt this be to his Saints, to have the preſence of a loving God, to have the preſence of ſuch a loving God with them, in all their troubles and deep diſtreſſes? If the preſence of a loving Friend, a loving Relation in our troubles and diſtreſſes be ſuch a mercy, O! what then is the preſence of a loving God. Thirdly, It is the Pſalm 18. 2. 2 Chron. 16. 9. Prov. 18. 10. Jer 32. 40. 41. Iſa. 30. 18, 19. Iſa. 27. 3. Jer. 31. 23.Ps 18:22 Chr 16:9Prov 18:10Jer 32:40Jer 32:41Isa 30:18Isa 30:19Isa 27:3Jer 31:23preſence of an active God, who will be a defence to you, a Shield to you, a Sword to you, a Buckler to you, a Sun to you, a ſtrong Tower to you, a Salvation to you; none can withſtand him, none can equal him, none can out act him. Fourthly, It is the preſence of a wakeful God, of a watchful God, of a God that never, no never ſlumbers or ſleeps; God will be ſo far from ſleeping that he will not ſo much as ſlumber. Pſalm 121. 3, 4, 5. The Phraſe is taken from watchmen, who ſtand on the walls in time of war, to diſcover the approaches of Enemies and accordingly give warning; Now watchmen have been treacherous and ſleepy. The Capitol of Rome had been taken by the Gaules, if the Geeſe had not been more wakeful then the watchmen of the walls. Iphicrates the Athenian Captain viſiting the Guards on the walls of Corinth; found one of the watch aſleep, and preſently thruſt him thorough with his ſword, ſaying: Dead I found him, and dead I left him; though watchmen ſlumber and ſleep, yet that God that is preſent with his People doth neither, his ſeven eyes are alwayes open. Fifthly, It is the preſence of a wiſe God, of an omniſcient Ezech. 3. 9. Pſalm. 33. 10, 11. Iſa. 46. 10. Cap. 40. 28. Rom. 11. 33. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Jonh 1. 5. 1 Kings 14. 6 Matth. 26. 24, 25Ezek 3:9Ps 33:10Ps 33:11Isa 46:10Rom 11:332 Pet 2:91 Kgs 14:6Matt 26:24Matt 26:25God; God fills all things, he encompaſſeth all things, and he ſuſtaineth all things, and therefore he muſt needs know all things. God can find Jonah in the bottom of the ſhip; and Jeroboam's Wife in her diſguiſes; and Judas inhis Treaſon, and Demas in his Apoſtacy: p. 217and the Scribes and Phariſees in their hypocriſie. The 2 Timoth. 4. 10. Matth. 23. Rev. 4. 6. Heb. 4. 13.2 Tim 4:10Matt 23Rev 4:6Heb 4:13whole world is to him as a Sea of glaſs: Corpus diaphanum, A clear tranſparent body; there is nothing hid from his eyes, ſo that he that can but find out a place where God ſees not, there let that man ſin and ſpare not. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do; foreign, naked, as when the skin is pulled of, and foreign, opened as the entrails of a Sacrifice, cut down the back. The Apoſtle, ſay ſome, uſeth a Metaphor taken from a ſheep, whoſe skin is taken off, and he hanged up by the neck, with his back towards the wall, and all his entrailes laid bare and expoſed to open view. He alludes, ſay others, to the Anatomizing of a Creature, wherein men are very cautious to find out every little vein or muſcle, though they be never ſo cloſe. They are naked, therefore God ſees their outſide, and opened, diſſected, quartered, and cleft aſunder through the back bone, ſo that he ſees their inſide alſo. Opened is more than naked; naked is that which is not cloathed or covered; opened is that whoſe inwards are diſcovered, and made conſpicuous. Some make it a Metaphor, from thoſe that lie with their faces upwards, that all Paſſengers may ſee who they are. Is it of ſuch a comfort to have the preſence of a wiſe, and knowing friend with us, in our greateſt troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes; what a tranſc…ndent comfort muſt it be, to enjoy the preſence of an all-ſeeing, and an allknowing God, in all our troubles and diſtreſſes. The eye of Heaven ſees all, and knows all, and writes down all thy troubles and trials, thy ſorrows and ſufferings, Matth. 6. 32.Matt 6:32thy loſſes and croſſes; and accordingly will an all-knowing God act for his own glory and his Peoples good. Sixthly and laſtly, It is the preſence of a God of Mercy, a God of Bowels, a God of compaſſions. Jer. 31. 18, 19, Exod. 33. 7. 8.Exod 33:7Exod 33:820. Hoſea 11. 8, 9. Lament. 3. 22. His compaſſions fail not. Mercy is as eſſential to God as light is to the Sun, or as heat is to the fire: He delights in mercy, as the ſenſes and faculties of the ſoul do in their p. 218Micha 7. 18, 19.Mic 7:18Mic 7:19ſeveral actions: Patience and clemency, and mercy, and compaſſion, and peace are the fruits of his bowels, the ofſpring which the Divine Nature doth produce; Gods compaſſions are Fatherly compaſſions, Pſalm 103. 13. They are Motherly compaſſions, Iſa. 49. 15. They are Brotherly compaſſions, Heb. 2. 12. They are Friendly compaſſions, Cant. 5. 1, 2. O how ſweet muſt the preſence of a God of mercy, a God of compaſſion be to the Saints in a day of trouble? the preſence of a compaſſionate Friend in a day of diſtreſs, is very deſirable and comfortable; what then is the preſence of a compaſſionate God? Thus you ſee that there is no preſence to the Divine preſence, no preſence to the ſignal preſence of God with his People, in their greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes. But

Seventhly and laſtly, If God be ſignally preſent with his People, in their greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes, then let them all know for their comfort, that this preſence will make up the want or loſs of all outward 1 Sam. 1. 8.1 Sam 1:8comforts, this preſence will make up the loſs of a Husband, a Child, a Friend, an Eſtate, &c. Look as all light meets in the Sun, and as all water meets in the Sea, ſo all our outward comforts meet in the God of all 2 Cor. 1. 3.2 Cor 1:3comfort. When Alexander asked King Porus, being then his Priſoner, how he would be uſed? He anſwered in one word, foreign, i. e. like a King: Alexander again replying, Do you deſire nothing elſe? No, ſaith Porus, all things are in foreign, in this one word, like a King; ſo all things, all comforts are to be found in this ſignal preſence of God with his People, in their greateſt troubles and deepeſt diſtreſſes; certainly the gracious preſence of the Lord is infinitely better than the preſence of all outward comforts, as you know one Sun is more glorious and comfortable than ten thouſand Stars.

But how may a perſon that has loſt this gracious Quer. preſence of God, recover it again?

Firſt, Obſerve how you loſt this preſence of God, and Reſpon. labour to recover it by a contrary courſe; did you loſe it p. 219by ſinful omiſſions, then be more active in a way of duty. Didſt thou loſe the preſence of God by neglecting thy watch, or by not walking with God, or by an eager purſuit of the world, or by cloſing with this or that temptation, or by letting fall thy communion with God; take a contrary courſe, now keep up thy watch, walk cloſe with God, keep up a daily converſe with lively Chriſtians, Pſal. 119. 63. Col. 3. 1. ….Ps 119:63Col 3:1let thy heart and affections be ſet upon things above, keep thy ground in the face of all temptations, maintain a ſtanding communion with God. After Chriſt had ſtood knocking and calling to his Spouſe [Open to me my Siſter, my Love, my Dove, my Ʋndefiled, for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night, Cant. 5. 2, 3, 6.] but found no entrance, he retired and withdrew himſelf, becauſe ſhe would not ariſe, and put on her coat; but when ſhe beſtirs her ſelf, ſhe finds him whom her ſoul loved, Cant 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. Then Chriſt comes into his garden again, and returns to his Spouſe again, and forgets all former unkindneſs, Cap. 6. 1, 2. But,

Secondly, Enquire where, when, and why God has withdrawn himſelf, as we do when dear Friends abſent themſelves from us, O the hope of Iſrael, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why ſhouldeſt thou be as a ſtranger in the Land, and as a way-faring man that turneth aſide to tarry for a night? Verſe 9. Why ſhouldeſt thou be as a man aſtonied, as a mighty man that cannot ſave? Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midſt of us, and we are called by thy Name, leave us not.

Thirdly, Stand not with Chriſt for any thing, not for a right eye, or a right hand, nor for an Iſaac or a Benjamin, don't ſay this work is too high, and that too hard, and t'other too hot, and the other too dangerous, in order to the recovery of Gods countenance and preſence, thou muſt not think any thing in the world too much to do for Chriſt, or to ſuffer for Chriſt; thou wilt be a happy man if thou canſt recover Chriſts loſt preſence, though it be upon the hardeſt termes imaginable. But,

p. 220Fourthly, Let your hearts lye humble and low under Pſal. 51. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 1 Pet. 5. 6.Ps 51:8Ps 51:9Ps 51:10Ps 51:11Ps 51:121 Pet 5:6the loſs of Gods gracious preſence: For, 1. 'Tis the greateſt loſs. 2. 'Tis a loſs-imbittering loſs, it is a loſs that will greatly imbitter all your worldly loſſes; I have loſt my health, I have loſt a hopeful Child, I have loſt a gracious yoke-fellow, which was the delight of mine eyes and the joy of my heart, I have loſt a fair eſtate, I have loſt an intimate Friend, I have loſt a brave trade: O but that which imbitters all my loſſes and puts a ſting into them, is this, that I have loſt the gracious preſence of God, that once I enjoyed. 3. 'Tis a loſs that all outward comforts can never make up; when the Sun is down, nothing can make it day with us. 4. 'Tis an inviſible loſs, and no loſſes to inviſible loſſes as there are no mercies to inviſible mercies, ſo there are no loſſes to inviſible loſſes. 5. 'Tis a loſs that will coſt a man dear before it will be made up again. O the ſighs, the groans, the ſtrong crycs, the earneſt prayers, the bottles of tears, that the recovery of the Divine preſence will coſt a Chriſtian, upon all which accounts, how well does it become a Chriſtian to lye humble at the foot of God!

Fifthly, Lift up a mighty cry to Heaven: Thus the Saints of old have done: conſult theſe Scriptures, Pſal. 51. 6. to 13. Lam. 3. 56, 57. Pſal. 4. 6, 7. Pſal. 27. 9. Pſal. 38. 21, 22. Pſal. 138. 3. Pſal. 119. 8. O forſake me Suidas ſaith, Job was clouded and to his ſenſe and feeling forſaken ſeven …ears; But you are not bound to make this an Article of your Faith.not utterly; Chriſt was forſaken for a few houres, David for a few months, and Job for a few years, for the tryal and exerciſe of his faith and patience; but then they all ſent up a mighty cry to Heaven: Leave them, God did to their thinking, but forſake them he did in regard of viſion, but not in regard of union. The promiſe is, that God will draw near to us if we draw near to him, Jam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God in duty, and he will draw nigh to you in mercy; Sanctify him, and he will ſatisfie you. Prayer is the only means to ſupply all defects, it gets all, and makes up the loſs of all, as a gracious poor women ſaid in her diſtreſs, I have no Friend, but I have prayer, p. 221that will get favour with my God, ſo long as I can find a praying heart, God will (I am ſure of that) find a pittying heart, and a helping hand. It is not the length, but the ſtrength of prayer; it is not the labour of the lip, Jer. 29. 12, 13, 14.Jer 29:12Jer 29:13Jer 29:14but the travel of the heart that prevails with God; it is not the Arithmetick of our prayers, how many they are, nor the Rhetorick of our prayers, how eloquent they be; nor the Geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the Muſick of our prayers, how ſweet they be; nor the Logick of our prayers, how methodical they be, that will carry the day with God, it is only fervency, importunity in prayer, that will make a man prevalent with God. Fervent prayer hits the mark, carries the day, and pierceth the walls of Heaven, though like thoſe of Gaza Jam. 5. 16, 17. Luk. 18. Iſa. 45. 2.Jas 5:16Jas 5:17Luke 18Isa 45:2made of Braſs and Iron. The Child has got many a kiſs, and many a hug by crying; if God has withdrawn his preſence, the beſt, the ſureſt, and the readieſt way to recover it, is to ſend up a mighty cry to Heaven. But,

Sixthly, Be ſure you don't take up your reſt in any Jer. 50. 6.Jer 50:6Creature, in any comfort, in any contentment, in any worldly enjoyment. When the preſence of God is withdrawn from you, ſay as Abſalom, What is all this to me, 2 Sam. 14. 24, 28, 32, 33.2 Sam 14:242 Sam 14:282 Sam 14:322 Sam 14:33ſo long as I am baniſhed my Fathers preſence, ſo long as I can't ſee the Kings face. When the Mother ſees that the Child is taken with the baby, the rattle, the fiddle, ſhe comes not in ſight: If you take up your reſt in any of the babies, in any of the poor things of this world, God will certainly keep out of ſight, he will never honour them with his countenance and preſence, who take up in any thing below himſelf, below his favour, below his preſence. I have read of a devout Pelgrim, who going up to Jeruſalem, was very kindly and nobly entertained in ſeveral places but ſtill he cryed out, O but this is not Jeruſalem, this is not Jeruſalem! So when you caſt your eye upon thiis Creature, or that, O then cry out, This is not the preſence of God, this is not the preſence of God; & when you begin to be tickled & p. 222taken with this and that enjoyment, with this or that contentment, O then remember, this is not the preſence of God, this is not the preſence of God! Here is a gracious yoke-fellow, here are hopeful Children, here is a pleaſant habitation, here is brave air, here is a gainful trade, &c. but what are all theſe to me, ſo long as my Sun is ſet in a cloud, and God has withdrawn his preſence from me? Remember this once for all, that the whole world is but a barren Pſal. 63. 1, 2, 3.Ps 63:1Ps 63:2Ps 63:3wilderneſs, without the countenance and preſence of God. But,

Seventhly and laſtly. Patiently and quietly wait upon him in the way of his Ordinances for the recovery of his Exod. 20. 24. Mat. …8. 20. Iſa. 64. 5. Pſal. …7 4. Pſal. 65. 4. Revel. 2. 1. Pſal. 40. 1, 2, 3. Iſa. 8. 17. Mich. 7. 7, 8, 9. Iſa. 26. 8, 9.Exod 20:24Matt 8:20Isa 64:5Ps 7:4Ps 65:4Rev 2:1Ps 40:1Ps 40:2Ps 40:3Isa 8:17Mic 7:7Mic 7:8Mic 7:9Isa 26:8Isa 26:9preſence. Conſult the Scriptures in the margin: Here God dwells, here he walks, here he makes known his glory, here he gives forth his love, here he vouchſafes his preſence; when God is withdrawn your great buſineſs is to prize Ordinances, and to keep cloſe to ordinances, till God ſhall be pleaſed to lift up the light of his countenance, and vouchſafe his preſence to you; you will never recover the Divine preſence by neglecting ordinances, nor by ſlighting ordinances, nor by turning your back upon ordinances, nor by entertaining low thoughts of ordinances. He that thinks ordinances to be needleſs things concludes, 1. That the taking away of the Kingdom of Heaven from the Jews was no Mat. 21. 43. Joh. 5. 2. to 10.Matt 21:43John 5:2–10great judgment. 2. That the beſtowing of it upon other People is no great mercy. If God be gone, 'tis good to lay at the pool till he returns: There are many dear Chriſtians who have loſt their God for a time, but after a time they have found him again in the way of his ordinances; and therefore let no temptation draw thee off from ordinances, ſay, here I will live, here I will lie, here I will wait at the pool of ordinances, till the Lord ſhall return in mercy to my ſoul.

I ſhall follow this Diſcourſe of the Divine preſence with my earneſt prayers, that it may from on high be p. 223ſo ſignally bleſt, as that it may iſſue in the furtherance of the internal and eternal good, both of Writer, Reader, and Hearer.

Thus ends the SECOND PART of the Golden Key.

Soli Deo Gloria in Aeternum.

FINIS.