A Dissuasive from Conformity to the World, Sermon

A Dissuasive from Conformity to the World · Sermon

p. 141GODS Gracious Presence, THE SAINTS Great Priviledge.

2 Thes. 3. 16.

Now the Lord of Peace, himself give you Peace alwayes, by all means. The Lord be with you all.

YOU have Peace (Blessed be God) long may it last; it is not like to be long-lived, unless God work wonderfully. Application therefore should be made to him, that he who is the God of Peace would be pleased to give it alwayes, and by all means.

p. 142The close of the Verse is that which I intend to say something unto, as the Lord shall enable me.

The Lord be with you All.

This is Pauls Valediction to the Thessalonians, and shall be mine to you. In this Valediction you have,

1. Pauls wish and desire, the Lord be with you.

2. The extent of it, The Lord be with you All. He leaves out none of them, he wisheth well to them all; and that which he wisheth is the Presence of the Lord with them, All their welfare standing therein.

The Lord, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; we must not leave out any of the Three, for we cannot be without the Presence of any one of them; nor can you have the Presence of the one without the Presence of the other, for these three are one, and where One is All are. Of the Fathers, and of the Sons, and of the Holy Ghosts coming to be with his People. You read Joh. 14. Jesus said, 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. O for faith to believe this! that the Father and the Son will come and p. 143make their abode with such. Whosoever goes from you, you may be sure the Father and Son will come, if you love him and keep his words, See verse 23. And for the coming of the Holy Ghost See Joh. 15. 16. I will pray the Father, saith Christ (Here's a praying friend, and praying friends we use to say are our best friends) and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, verse 17. That he may abide with you for ever, mark that; when he comes, he will not be like a wayfaring man that comes for a night, and then is gon, but he will abide for ever: when I came down from Heaven, I came with a purpose to return again, when I had done my work here, but this Comforter, my Spirit, shall abide with you for ever. Well then the Lord be with you, the Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you, the eternal Jehovah, who hath his being of himself, and gives being to all things else, even the being of performance to his promises; This Lord be with you, Be with your whole man, This Lord be with your Bodies, This Lord be with your Souls, This Lord be with every part of your Bodies, and with every Power of your Souls. The p. 144Apostle in his former epistle, praying for these Thessalonians. 1 Thes. 5. 23. Prayes thus, The very God of Peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole Spirit, and Soul and Body be preserved blameless, unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. So then the Apostle would have the Lord …o be with their whole man, not with a part of it, not with their Souls and Spirits only, or Bodies only, but with their Spirit Soul and Body: and the same Apostle praying for Timothy, prayes, The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy Spirit, 2 Tim. 4. 22. It matters not who are absent, so Christ be present; his presence is more, then the presence of the nearest and dearest relations. The Lord be with you all, not only with a part of you, I know not which of you to leave out of my Prayers: For you all have need of Gods presence, whether you be Saints or Sinners. If Sinners, you have need of the Lord to be with you, to convince you and convert you. And as for those that are Saints, I know none that have so much grace that they need no more, the Lord therefore be with them, to establish, confirm, and encrease grace in them; the Lord be with you at all times. If God be absent at any time, we know p. 145not what to do. Some of you have had experience, that when God hath withdrawn never so little, your case hath been bad enough. The Lord be with you in all places. We can be secure and safe in no place without his presence.

The Lord be with you in all conditions, in all estates; for if you be in the most prosperous estate, you cannot tell how to be without God. Jehosaphat thought so, 2. Chron. 20. 12. In the fulness of a mans sufficiency he may be in straights. Job 20. 22. You cannot be any where, in any estate, a minute without him. You believe it to be a Truth, that in him you live, move, and have your being, Act. 17. 28. not naturally only, but spiritually too. The Lord therefore be with you at all times, in all conditions, in sickness and in health, in peace and in trouble, in all Adversity and in all Prosperity. The Lord be with you with all kind of Aids, Helps, and Assistances, variety of Aids and Assistances we need. This is the sence and meaning of this vale dictory Prayer, the Lord be with you all. The observation that I shall commend to you, is this,

Doct. God with us is a priviledge greatly to be desired, and much to be prayed for.

p. 146The Apostle makes this Prayer for the Thessalonians whom he dearly loved, who were his hope and joy, and Crown of Rejoycing, 1 Thes. 2. 19. Could he have thought of a greater mercy, he would have wisht it to them. In speaking to this great Truth, I shall shew,

1. That there is a presence of God with his people.

2. That this presence of God is a great priviledge.

3. That this great priviledge is much to be desired and prayed for.

4. The reasons of it.

5. And after this apply it.

1. There is a presence of God with his people. I speak not of the general presence of God, whereby he is not far from every one of us, Act. 17. 27. For in him we live, move, and have our being: v. 28. not only as we had our being from him at first, but we have our being in him, as the Beam has its Being in the Sun. Of this presence of God you read Psal. 139. from which there is no fleeing, v. 7. he is every where, v. 8, 9, I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord, Jer. 23. 24. and Isa. 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my Throne, and the Earth my foot stool. p. 147This general presence of God, if seriously considered, and believingly apprehended, would be of great use. But 'tis the special presence of God that I am to speak to, his favourable and gracious presence, such as that wished and desired by Aaron and his Sons of old, Num. 6. 24, 25, 26. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. This blessing is saith Ainsworth, expounded by the Apostle 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Thus the first branch of the blessing v. 24. The Lord bless thee and keep thee, implieth the love of the Father.

The second branch v. 25. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, implieth the grace of the Son.

And the third branch, The Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, implieth the communion with the Holy Ghost. Now this Loving, Gracious, Communicative presence of Jehovah, Father Son a… Holy Ghost, is that Presence p. 148of the Lord which is so great a priviledge, and so much to be desired. The Lords presence with us to bless us, with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Eph. 1. 3. And to keep us from evil, Joh. 17. 15. And to make his face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Psal. 80. 3. 7, 19. And to be gracious to us through Christ Jesus, Eph. 2. 7. And to lift up his countenance upon us, that Gladness may be in our hearts. Psal. 4. 8. And to give us peace, that peace which passeth all understanding, and that which may guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4. 7. This, this is the presence of God which is so desireable, and of which I am to treat. That there is such a presence of God with his people, appears thus.

1. God Asserts it.

2. Promises it.

3. Hath evidenced it.

4. Gods people have acknowledged it.

1. God Asserts that there is such a presence of His with his people. Isa. 41. 10. Fear thou not, saith God, for I am with thee. And Ezek. 48. 35. The name of the City from that day shall be, The Lord is there.

2. God hath promised it, Ezek. 26. 11, 12. I will set my Tabernacle among p. 149you, and my Soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

3. God hath evidenced it, by Preservations, Assistances, Deliverances and Su… cesses vouchsafed to his people. What a mighty, Gracious, pardoning presence o… God, was with Moses and the Children of Israel, in bringing them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the Wilderness into Canaan. Read the story of it in the Book of Exodus, especially the Song of Moses, Exod. 15. What a presence of God was with David, Spi…iting, Prospering and Preserving him, when hunted like a Partridge upon the Mountains: Whence was it that he was not Caught? there were Skilful Hunters, yet he escaped the Snare, for the Lord was with him.

What a mighty presence of God was there with Daniel! He will pray, that he will, though he be torn in pieces for it. He will not cease to make his Supplications to God three times a day, though there were a Law made against it. Daniel would not fail to be with God, and God would not fail to be with Daniel. VVhat! would Daniel be with God to the Hazard of his p. 150life? Yes. And was not God with him for his Preservation? Daniel is cast into the Den of Lions: Was he torn or hurt by them? No, The Lions were muzled, their Mouths were shut, God shut them, Dan. 6. 22. My God, saith Daniel, hath sent his Angel, and hath shut the Lions mouthes that they shall not hurt me. Though men will not be obedient, yet Lions will: touch not my Servant Daniel, saith God to the Lions, and they are as quiet as Lambs. Touch not mine anointed, saith God to men, and do my Prophets no harm: yet men will not obey.

What a presence of God was there with those three noble Jews when threatned, if they would not bow, they should burn! They will bow to none but God, Dan 3. 17, 18. They will not loose their interest in God, to gain an Interest in the greatest. Then the King commanded that they should be bound and cast into the Fiery Furnace, v. 20. being cast into it, the Fire burned their executioners, and the bonds wherewith they were bound, but had no Power on their Bodies, nor was there a Hair of their Head singed, neither were their Coats changed, nor had the smell of Fire passed on them, Dan. 3. 27. and how came this to pass? God was with them.

p. 151What a presence of God had Paul with him? At my first Answer, saith he, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me, I pray God that it may not be laid to their Charge: notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion, 2 Tim. 4. 16, 17.

What a presence of God was there with those that had trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings, of Bonds and Imprisonments, of Stoning, and Sawing asunder, of wandering, Wants, Afflictions and Torments, and yet accepted not deliverance upon unwarrantable terms. Heb. 11. 35, 36, 37.

4. This presence of God hath been acknowledged by his People. Behold, saith Abijah to Jeroboam and all Israel, God himself is with us for our Captain: ye be a great multitude, and there be with you golden Calves which Jeroboam hath made you for Gods, you have Idol Gods with you; but God himself is with us, 2 Chron. 13. 8. 12.

This presence of God was also acknowledged by Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 8, Speaking of Sennacherib and his Army, with him is an Arm of flesh, but with us is p. 152the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our Battels. God was with them, not as an idle Spectator, but as a Powerful Assister and Helper.

It was also acknowledged by Jeremie. The Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one, herefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail, they shall be greatly a…amed, …er. 20. 11. And by the Church, Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge. So Isa. 8. 10. Take counsel together, saith the Lord by the Prophet to the Adversaries of the people, and it shall come to nought, for God is with us. The Lord is on my side, I will not fear what can man do unto me. Psal. 118. 6, 7. you see how great a truth this is, that there is a special presence of God with his people. God asserts it, promiseth it, evidenceth it, and his people have acknowledged it. The next thing I premised to shew you, is that

2. This presence of God with his people is a great priviledge, 'tis a token of sin ding grace in his sight, Exod. 33. 16. And it God be with us,

1. He is with us as a father with his children, 2 Cor. 6. 18.

2. As a Husband with his Wife. Isa. 54. 5. Jer. 31. 32.

p. 1533. As one friend with another. Isa. 41. 8.

4. As a Shepherd with his flock, Psal. 23. 1.

5. As a Captain with his company. Behold God himself is with us for our Captain, 2 Chron. 13. 12.

When Joshua was by Jerico, there stood a man over against him, with his Sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua said unto him, art thou for us or for our Adversaries? And he said, Nay, but as Captain of the Host of the Lord an I now come, Josh. 5. 13, 14.

6. As the Lord of Hosts, as a General with his Armies. The Lord of Hosts is with us, Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of Armies, of all the Armies of Heaven and Earth, and Hell too. Devils are subject unto him, Luk. 10. 17. The Devil could do nothing against Job, till he had commission from this Lord of Hosts, Job. 1. 12. and 2. 6. A Legion of Devils could not resist Christs word of Command, Mark. 5. 8, 9. nor could they enter into the Swine without commission, v. 12, 13. O for faith to believe what we read and hear… What do we lose for want of the exercise of faith. You have it may be the habit of faith, but p. 154if it comes not forth into act, you have no the Comfort of it.

7. If God be with us, He is with us as a King with his Subjects. Num. 23. 21. The shout of a King is among them: He is stiled the King of Jacob, Isa. 41. 21. The King of Israel, Isa. 44. 6. and the King of Saints, Rev. 15. 3. And this King is a great King, Mal. 1. 14. An everlasting King, Jer. 10. 10. and King of Kings, Rev. 19. 16. and Prince of the Kings of th… Earth, Rev. 1. 5. By whom Kings Reign, and in whose hand is their breath and life. Now to have God with us as a Father, as a Husband, as a Friend, as a Shepherd, as a Captain, as a Lord of Hosts, and as a King of Kings, must needs be a great priviledge.

8. Once more, if God be with us, He is with us as God in Covenant with us, to do all that for us which belongs to a God in Covenant to do. The Lord his God is with him, Num. 23. 21. So The Lord our God is with us to help us. 2 Chron. 32. 8. How sweet and comfortable are these Monosyllables His, and Our. The Lord His God, The Lord Our God is with us. That God with us, is a very great priviledge, will further appear, if we consider for what p. 155ends, intents and purposes, he is presen.

For what ends I shall shew you,

1. In general.

2. In particular.

1. In general, God is present with his people to bless them, Gen. 26. 24. I am with thee said God to Isaac, and will bless thee. To deal well with them. God tells Jacob that he would be with him, Gen. 31. 3. and afterwards when Jacob pleads this promise, he thus interprets it, O God of my Father Abraham, and God of my Father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, I will deal well with thee, Gen. 32. 9. Now to have God with us, and to deal well with us, sure is no mean priviledge.

2. In particular, God is with his people for these gracious ends and purposes.

1. To hear their prayers. Notable is that place Deut. 4. 7. For what Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh them, as the Lord our God is, in all things that we call upon him for. God is with us to hear our Prayers and Complaints, to grant our suits, and to do whatsoever we shall according to his will desire of him. 1 Joh. 5. 14. What have you for God to do? God is ready to do it if you desire it.

2. To guide and lead us. The Lord p. 156was with the people of Israel. Num. 14. 14. and went before them by day in a Pillar of a Cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light, to go by day and night. Exod. 13. 21. God is the same God that he was then, and his presence is as much with his people now, as it was then, though he go not before them in such visible Tokens, now, as then. I will, sayes God Psal. 32. 8. Instruct th…e, a…d teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee. God is with us to direct, and guide us, to shew us the way and make it plain. All the journyings of Isr…el were ordered by God. Tis very remarkable what you read concerning their Travels, Num. 9. 17. to the end of the Chapter, according to the command of God they journied, and rested.

3. God is with his people to give them rest. He knows they are in a VVorld full of Trouble, and that in the VVorld they shall have Tribulation, and that it cannot be avoided. Joh. 16. 33. He knows, that they will be injured, oppressed, and persecuted, and therefore will be with them to give them rest. My presence shall go with thee, said God to Moses Exod. 33. 14. and I will give thee Rest. Now thou p. 157art Travelling, journying and wandering up and down, but I will give thee rest.

4. To provide for them, to observe what they want, and to provide it; if they want food, or water, to provide it; or if they want Rayment, to provide it. As the Father is with his Children, and as the Nurse is with the Infant, so the Lord is with his people. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, Psal. 23. 1. He hath pasture enough for his Sheep, He makes them lye down in green Pastur…s, he leads them by the still waters: yea though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, saith David Psal. 23. I will not fear, for thou art with me. Sirs, who layes the Cloth, who spreads the Table, who sends in provision? Thou preparest a Table before me, Psal. 23. 6. God provides, and if their be none else to do it, he can command Ravens to do it. See 1 Kings. 14. 4, 6. If provision cannot be had in an Ordinary, he will send it in an extraordinary way. He clave the Rock in the Wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great Depths. Psal. 78. 15. He commanded the Clouds of the wind, and gave them bread and flesh also. Psal. 78. 23, 24, 26, 27. So that they lacked nothing. Deut. 2. 7.

p. 1585. God is with his people to preserve them from Trouble, if it be best. But it may be better to be in Trouble then out of it. A Prison may be better then a Pallace, Restraint may be better then Liberty, Sickness better then Health, and Poverty better then Plenty. Prosperity may s…ay, Pro. 1. 32. Adversity may profit. Heb. 12. 10. And preserve. The Lord is with us to deliver from trouble, if it be best to be preserved from it. The Lord is in the midst of his people, Psal. 46. 5. therefore they shall not be moved. Surely there is no inchantment against Jacob, there is no Divination against Israel. Num. 23. 23. I am with thee, sayes God to Paul, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, Act. 18. 10. As birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem, defending also he will deliver it, and passing over he will preserve it. Isa. 41. 5. What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8. 31. If evil be coming, he prevents it. G…deon thought if God had been with them evil could have not befallen them. O my Lord, saith he, If the Lord be with us, why is all this be fallen us? Judg. 6. 13. VVe live in the midst of dangers, in the midst of Snares, in every place evil attends us. p. 159Its a wonder that we are preserved: If God were not with us, how much evil would dayly befal us!

6. God is with his people to save from harm in trouble, if it come, to save from burning in the Fire, and from drowning in the Water. Isa. 43. 2. Remember Daniel saved from hurt in the Lions Den, and the Three Princes saved from hurt in the Fiery-Furnace, and Jonah from hurt in the Whales Belly, because God was with them.

7. God is with his people to disappoint enemies when they Associate themselves, and take counsel together, laying their Heads together, and laying their Counsels deep, that none may see them, yet then God is with his people to blast the plots of their enemies. Isa. 8. 10. Associate your selves, and ye shall be broken in pieces, take counsel together, and it shall come to nought, speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us.

8. God is with his people to overthrowtheir enemies when they pursue them, and will not be stopt, when they take up Pharaoh-like Resolutions. Exod. 15. 9. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my lust shall be p. 160satisfied upon them, I will draw my Sword, and my hand shall destroy them. Here was Resolution enough: But pray mark what follows, v. 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the Sea covered them, they sank as lead in the mighty Waters. Thus the Lord overthrew them. Exod. 14. 27. I will be with thee, said God to Gideon, Judg. 6. 16. And thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. So God tells David 2 Sam. 7. 9. I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thy enemies out of thy sight. What a promise is that, Isa. 59. 26. I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet Wine, and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am with the…, thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob.

9 The Lord is with his people to deliver them out of trouble in due time. Thus God was with Jeremie when he sent him, and enemies threatned him, I will be with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee, Jer. 15. 20. We are troubled on every side, saith the Apostle, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not for saken. No, God was with them. 2 Cor. 4. 8, 9.

p. 161God was with Joseph and delivered him out of all his Afflictions, Act. 7. 9. 10. according to that promise, Psal. 91. 15. I will be with him in trouble, and deliver him.

10. God is with his people to assist and strengthen them in their work. Act. 10. 38. It is said, our Lord Jesus Christ went about doing good, the Lord being with him. Fear not, saith the Lord, Isa. 41. 10. for I am with thee, I will strengthen thee, yea I will keep thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness. Again v. 13. I will help thee, and again, v. 14. I will help thee.

11. The Lord is with his people to comfort them. Thy R…d and thy Staff they comfort me. Gods Rod, like Aarons, blossometh, and like Jonathans hath honey at the end of it. Psal. 43. 4. In all our Tribulation God is present to comfort u…. 2 Cor. 1. 4. O for faith to believe it!

12. To Animate and hearten them against fears. Fear not, for I am with thee, Isa. 41. 10. Fear not, when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, Isa. 43. 1, 2. Be strong and of good courage, said God to Joshua, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Josh. 1. 9. Be strong O Zerubbabel, saith the p. 162Lord, and be strong O Joshua, and be strong all ye people, saith the Lord, and work, for I am with you the Lord of Hosts. Hag. 2. 4. Joshua and Caleb, to hearten and encourage the people, Num. 14. 9. to go up against their enemies, thus bespeaks them, The Lord is with us, fear them not. So Moses tells the same people, If thou shalt say in thy heart, these Nations are more then I, how can I dispossess them? Deut. 7. 17. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them, saith he v. 21. For the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. And again, Deut. 20. 1. When thou goest out to Battel against thine enemies, and seest Horses and Chariots and a People more then thou, be not affraid of them, for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt. Once more Moses encourageth the people and Joshua. Deut. 31. 6, 8. The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will not fail thee nor for sake thee, fear not, neither be dismayed.

13. God is with his people sometimes to make them greater and greater, as he was with David. 1 Chron. 11. 9. So David waxed greater and greater; for the Lord of Hosts was with him. But what if p. 163we wax not greater and greater in the World, if we wax greater and greater in Goodness, in knowledge, faith and other graces, will it not be much better? and this we shall do if God be with us.

14. God is with his people to Correct them. But you will say perhaps, Is it a priviledge to be corrected? A greater priviledge it may be then all the rest. Sirs, such is our State here that we need correction: We are Sanctified but in part. We have Dross, and Dirt, and Rust, and Filth in and about us, God knoweth. If you had no Dross, you would need no Fire. If you had no Dirt, you would need no washing. If no Rust, you would need no File, and if no Chaff you would need no Flail. If no Folly, you would need no Rod. But seeing you have Dross, Dirt, Rust and Chaff not a little, Is it not best for the Gold to be refined, and best for the Dirt and Filth to be washed out, and for the Chaff to be fann'd away, and for the Rust to be scoured off? And if so, is i… not a priviledge to be Corrected? Correction is our melting, washing, fanning, …iling. If the Child offend in the Fathers …bsence, he scapes a scouring; but if the Father be at home he will not think to p. 164scape so. If we offend, and be faulty, God is with us to Correct us. And he will correct; yet as a Father, in measure; He will stay his rough Wind in the day of his East Wind. Isa. 27. 8. Fear thou not O Jacob my servant, saith the Lord, for I am with thee, I will not make a full end of thee, as of others, but correct thee in measure, yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. Jer. 46. 28. and 30. 11. David blessed God for his Correction. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word, Psal. 119. 67. and v. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes. and v. 75. I know O Lord that thy Judgements are righ…, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

15. God is with his people to encline their hearts to himself to walk in his wayes. 1 King. 8. 57, 58. The Lord our God is with us; let him not leave us, nor forsake us, that we may encline our hearts unto him to walk in all his wayes, and to keep his commandments.

16. To enable them to finish work begun. The Lord God, even my God will be with thee, said David to his Son Solomon, he will not fail thee nor forsake thee, un…il p. 165thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 1 Chron. 28. 20.

17. To give wisdom and understanding. David prayes, The Lord be with thee my Son, and give wisdom and understanding, 1 Chron. 22. 11, 12. and to give him a wise behaviour, David behaved himself wisely in all his wayes, and the Lord was with him. 1 Sam. 18. 14.

18. God is with his people to effect difficult undertakings. Moses thought that going to Pharaoh, and bringing the Children of Israel out of Egypt, was a work too great and difficult for him, and therefore desired to be excused, saying, who am I that I should take such a work in hand. Exod. 3. 11. I am not eloquent, I am of slow speech, and of a slow tongue, Exod. 4. 10. Tis no matter for that saith God; go and I will be with thy mouth, and I will teach …hee what thou shalt say, Exod. 4. 12. Certainly I will be with thee, Exod. 3. 12. And thou shalt bring them out of Egypt. And Joshua should bring them into Canaan, as hard a work as it was, for God will be with him. Deut. 31. 23.

19. To hold them. I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by thy right hand, p. 166Psal. 73. 23. thou hast holden me fast, so Ainsworth, and kept me from falling, so Isa. 41. 10. I am with thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. God is with us to hold us by our right hand with his right hand; this is a great priviledge, seeing God is greater then all, and none is able to pluck them out of his hand. Joh. 10. 29. He is with us to keep us by his Power through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5.

20. God is with his people to separate them and others. Exod. 33. 16. To make a difference between them that serve him, and them that serve him not. Mal. 3. 18. and 4. 1. 2, 3. See an instance, Dan. 3. 22, 23. In those that were cast into the fiery Furnace, and those that cast them in. See also to this purpose, Exod. 11. 7. &. 10. 23. &. 9. 26. &. 8. 22. 23.

When some are seperated to evil, Deut. 29. 21. God is with his people to separate them unto good.

3. I come now to the third General, to shew that this priviledge of Gods gracious presence is much to be desired and prayed for.

Paul desired it for these Thessalonians. p. 1672 Thes. 3. 16 And for Timothy, 2 Tim. 4. 22.

Moses desired it for himself, and the people, Exod. 13. 15. &. 34. 9. If I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us.

So did Jabez, 2 Chron. 4. 10. Jabez called on God saying, Oh that thou wouldst bless me, and that thine hand might be with me.

David also desired it for Solomon. 1 Chron. 22. 11, 16. My Son, the Lord be with thee. v. 11. Arise and be doing, and the Lord be with thee, v. 16.

Jonathan also prayes thus for David. The Lord be with thee, 1 Sam. 20. 12.

And thus prayes Solomon for himself, …nd for his people, 1 King. 8. 57. The Lord our God be with us, let him not leave us, nor forsake us, that we may encline our …earts unto him to walk in all his wayes.

4. Now for the ground and reasons of this Doctrine, why Gods presence is so much to be desired and prayed for.

1. Rea. Because God is so excellent and admirable in all Perfections. There is nothing wanting in God, God is All. How excellent is that name of his, Exod. 34. 6. The Lord, the Lord God, Merciful p. 168and Gracious, long suffering, and aboundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin. Again Mic. 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage: he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

2. Rea. Because he is so sutable to our condition, therefore is his presence so much to be desired. We are in misery, we are unworthy, we are weak, and yet provoking; And doth God suit with such? with such as are in misery? yes, for he is merciful: and with such as are unworthy? yes, for he is gracious: and with the weak? yes, for he is strong. Doth he suit with such as are provoking too? yes, for he is long suffering, and with backslider…? yes, for he is a God that healeth backslidings. And doth he suit with such as have neither money nor price? yes, He will love them freely. Surely mercy and misery do well agree, and so doth graciousness and unworthiness, strength and weakness. Now hence it is, because no person or thing in all the World suits so well with our condition as God doth, that his presence is so p. 169much to be desired and prayed for.

3. Rea. Because God is so useful for us, therefore his presence is so much to be desired. VVhat say you to a portion, is not that of use? VVhat say you to an Inheritance, is not that of use? VVhat say you to the Light, is not that of use? VVhat say you to a shield in Battel, is not that of use? VVhat say you to a shelter in a Storm … not that of use? VVhat say you to a Refuge, a Rock, a Tower, when you are pursued, is not that of use? God is all this: The Lord is my Portion saith my soul, Lam. 3. 24. The Lora is their Inheritance. Ezek. 44. 28. Psal. 16. 5. The Lord is my Light. Psal. 27. 1. The Lord is a Sun and a Shield. Psal. 84. 11. The God of Jacob is ou… Refuge. Psal. 46. 11. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my Strength in whom I will trust, my Buckler, the horn of my salvation, and my high Tower. Psal. 18. 2. Now, no wonder, the presence of God is so desirable, because he is so excellent and so sutable a good and so useful for us.

4. Rea. Because God is so lasting a good. There are many things that may … p. 170well with us, and be very useful to us, but they may be of little continuance, they may he short lived. Husbands & Wives whom God hath so suited, that none could possibly be suited better must part. Husbands do not live for ever with their Wives, and Parents do not live for ever with their Children, nor one friend with another. But God is a lasting good. The everlasti…g God. Isa. 40. 28. Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, …at the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the e…ds of the Earth fainteth not, neither is weary.

5. Reas. Because all other good will do us no good without him. The Creature, nay all the Creatures are but Cyphers without him. The Creature is not Bread, you mistake if you think so, why do you spend money for that which is not Bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? …sa. 55. 2.

The Creatures name is vanity, vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Eccles. 1. 2. The … is a thing of nought. Amos. 6. 13… It is not. Prov. 23. 5. Wilt thou … thine eyes upon that which is not. Sirs, p. 171how many things is there, that have been in your possession, of which you must now say they are not: My VVife is not, my Husband is not, my Father is not, my Mother is not. But will it ever be said God is not? Christ is not? The Holy Spirit is not? No, no. Hence 'tis also that the presence of God is so much to be desired above all other things; because all other things will do us no good without him. Jehosaphat a Prince, a potent Prince, whose Militia was Eleven hundred and threescore thousand, besides what he had in Garrisons, 2 Chron. 17. 12, &c. 'Tis said, he waxed great exceedingly; yet sayes he, 2 Chron. 20. 12. We have no might, neither know we what to do. but our eyes are unto thee. This he speaks in reference to God, without whom indeed they had no might at all. He looked upon all the Forces he had, as nothing without God. And so are Riches, and so are Relations: Alas! they are nothing without God.

Reas. 6 Because God alone is enough, he is enough without any thing else. God needs not the Creature to supply us, to support us, to refresh, revive and comfort p. 172us; He needs not the Creature to direct or counsel us. It pleaseth him to make use of the Creature, and to afford it most times; but if he deny it, he can do it without the Creature. It was an excellent saying of that Martyr, If you take away my food, God will t…e away my hunger. Truly Sirs God hath made a little serve the turn many times, when others with their much have been in want. In the midst of their sufficiency they have been in straights, Job 20. 22. Remember that of Habakkuk, I wish the same frame of heart to you that he had, Habak. 3. 17, 18. Although the fig…ree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail; and the fields shall yield no meat, the slock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no heard in the stalls: (How then would he be able to live!) yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. When there is no meat in the fields or stalls; there is yet a God in Heaven: and he knows how 'tis with us, and that we have need of these things, Matth. 6. 32. and if the Father know that his child wants bread, he shall not want it long, if his Father be able to relieve him; p. 173what ever you want, if you want not faith, it will be well enough: O for the skill of living by faith! It is nothing with thee to help, sayes Asa, in his prayer to God, whether with many, or with them that have no power: 2 Chron. 14. 11. God with us is more then all besides, 2 Chron. 32. 7, 8.

I come now to the Application, If the Gracious presence of God be so grea a priviledge, and therefore so much to be desired. Then hence be Informed,

1. Happy are they that have God graciously present with them. Take your Bible and read, Deut. 4. 7. & 33. 29. 2 Sam. 7. 23. Lev. 26. 11, 12. Happy the Congregations and Habitations that have this Name, The Lord is there, Ezek. 48. 35. and that may be called the Throne of God, Jer. 3. 17. This is matter of rejoycing, Sing and rejoyce O daughters of Zion, for lo I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord, Zech. 2. 10, 11. See also Rev. 21. 3.

2. Miserable are they with whom God is not, that want his gracious presence. p. 174How was Saul distressed for want of Gods presence, 1 Sam. 28. 15, 16. Wo, wo to such from whom God departs, Hos. 9. 12.

Use 2. Is God with us so great a priviledge, and so much to be desired? Then examine, Is God with us? Are we priviledged with his presence? To know, take these signs of Gods gracious presence.

First, A praying frame of heart is a sign of Gods favourable presence. God is a God hearing Prayer, Psal. 65. 2. and prepares the heart to pray where ever he is, Psal. 10. 17. and pour's out a spirit of prayer, Z…ch. 12. 10. Jerem. 31. 9. which spirit helps our Infirmities, and prayes in us, Rom. 8. 26. God sets them with whom he is, a praying.

1. In all places, in the closet and family, yea and in the field, Ruth 2. 4. The Lord be with you, said Boaz, to his Reapers in the field.

2. At all times, in the Evening and Morning, at Noon, and at Midnight, Psal. 55. 17. & 119. 62. God was with Moses, David and Daniel, and they pray; with Jabez, and he prayes; 1 Chron. 4. p. 17510. with Ephraim, Jerem. 31. 18. and he prayes; with Paul, and he prayes; Act. 9. 11. and when with us, we shall pray also; Psal. 91. 15.

Secondly, A penitent frame of heart; where God is, there is weeping and mourning for sinning against him. How wer… Joseph's guilty brethren troubled at h… presence, Gen. 45. 3. So shall guilty w… be at the presence of God, we shall lo…k on him whom we have pierced, and mou…; Z…ch. 12. 10. & J…r. 31. 9, 18, 19. where you have an instance of a mourning frame of heart, when God vouchsafed his presence.

Thirdly, An humble frame of heart; God dwells with such, and none but such, sa. 57. 15.

Fourthly, An obedient frame of heart inclined to God, to walk in all his wayes. If the Lord our God be with us, he will incli…e our hearts to keep his Testimonies, 1 Kings 8. 57, 58. Where he comes, he puts his spiri… into them, and causeth them to walk in his Statutes, Ezek. 36. 27. See Joh. 8. 29.

Fifthly, Strength in the Soul, Psal. 138. 3. whom God is with, he strengthens; p. 176Isa. 41. 10. both to do and suffer; to do business, and bear burdens, Psalm 55. 22.

Sixthly, Warm affections, heat and life in the service of God; whilst Christ was with, and talked with his Disciples, their hearts burned within them, Luke 24. 32.

Seventhly, A spirit stirred up to promote the worship, and service of God. I am with you saith the Lord, Hag. 1. 13. And the Lord stirred up their spirits, and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts their God, v. 14.

Eighthly, Preservation from evil, from the evil of sin especially. Oh that thou wouldst be with me, and keep me from evil; was the request of Jabez, 1 Chr…. 4. 10. where God is he delivers from every evil work, 1 Tim. 4. 18.

Ninthly, Victory over enemies; Surely, I will be with thee, saith God to Gideon, Judg. 6. 16. and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. If God be with us, enemies will be subdued, 1 Chron. 22. 18. world f…esh and Devil too will be subdued; Through the spirit, the deeds of the flesh will be mortif…d, Rom. 8. 13.

p. 177Tenthly, Profiting by afflictions, H…b▪ 12. 10.

Eleventhly, Fruitfulness, under means of grace: If the spirit come and blow upon our garden, the spices thereof will flow out; Cant. 4. 16. If Christ be in us, and abide in us, we shall bring forth much fruit, Joh. 15. 5.

Twelfthly, Fixedness, unmoveableness from God, and his truth: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; Psal. 46. 5. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved; Psal. 16. 8. Because he is with us, the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against us. Christ our Sampson (as one sayes) hath flung them off their Hinges. We shall not be greatly moved, Psal. 62. 2.

Use 3. Of Exhortation. Sirs, get God to be with you. Gods gracious Presence is the principal thing, therefore with all thy getting, get it. Gold in the purse or coffer will not stead or avail you, like God with you. God answers more then money. Wealth when gotten, moth and rust may corrupt it, Thieves may break through and steal it. But God is p. 178out of the reach of all, there is no fear or danger of loosing him, when once you have gotten him: He therefore is worth the getting. Some have found by experience that such and such things have not been worth their getting, not worth their sitting up late, and rising betimes for them, not worth their running and riding and venturing for them. How earnest have some been to be possessed of, and to enjoy such and such persons and things, and having obtained them, have they not found them by wofui experience, not worth the cost and pains laid out for them? But God will over and above make amends for what is laid out for him. A shadow is not worth the following, but substance is. Chaff is not worth heaping up, but Corn is. Dross is not worth the seeking, but Gold is, and God much more then Gold. And farther, you may seek the Creature, and never be able to get it: You may seek, and not find: You may wish, O that I had wealth, and yet never have it, and O that I had credit and repute in the World, and possibly never have it. But who ever sought God and found him not? who ever sought the presence of God; and was denied it? shall p. 179any Soul, ever have cause to say, Lord I did desire thy presence, but could not have it; I did chuse to have thee with me, rather then to have all the World with me, and yet I could not have thee with me? Do you think there will ever be cause for such a Reflection upon God, the God of love? shall it ever be said, this poor Soul would have had the presence of God, but God would not afford it? O no! shall any person be ever able to say, I would have had God to be my God, and to be with me as a Father, Friend, and Husband, but he would not? or shall ever any person be able to say, I would have had Jesus Christ, to be with me as a Prophet, Priest and King, but he would not? I would have had him to be my mediator, Advocate, Surety and Saviour, but he would not; I would have had his righteousness imputed to me, and his Spirit imparted to me, but could not have it? or shall any person be ever able to say, I would have had the holy Spirit to be with me, to convince me of my sin and misery, to enlighten me in the knowledge of Christ and to renew my will, and to perswade and enable me to imbrace Christ Jesus p. 180freely offered to me, but he would not be with me to do any of those things for me; no, for then how should God be the faithful God, as he is stiled, Deut. 7. 9. Isa. 49. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 9. &. 10. 13. 2 Thes. 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 13. Heb. 10. 23. &. 11. 11. And a faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4. 19. If we confess our sins he is faithful (because he hath promised) to forgive them 1 Joh. 1. 9. So if we ask, seek and knock, he is faithful to give, to be found, and to open: If we desire his presence, he is faithful to afford it. He that hath promised, Jer. 29. 13. that we shall find him when we shall search for him with all our heart, is faithful to perform it.

And how should Jesus Christ be a merciful and faithful high Priest? as he is stiled. Heb. 2. 17. And how should the holy Ghost be the Spirit of truth? as he is called, Joh. 14. 17. But I fear God will have cause to say of many, I would have been with you, but you regarded not my presence; you said to me depart, Joh. 21. 14. I would have been your God, but you would none of me, Psal. 8…. 11. I would have been your Portion, but you made light of me; I would p. 181have been a Father and a Friend to you, and a Husband too, but you would not carry your selves like Children to me, nor friendly to me, nor Spouse-ike to me.

And Christ I fear, will have cause to say of many, I would have been with you as a prophet to teach you, but you desired not the knowledge of my wayes. Joh. 21. 14. I would have been with you as a Priest to have offered … incense with your Prayers, and to have made your spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, but you would not yray, nor offer up any spiritual sacrifice unto God: You would not come unto me, Joh. 5. 40. nor unto God by me. I would have covered you with my righteousness, but you would not put it on; you went about to establish your own righteousness, and would not submit to Gods, Rom. 10. 3. I would have given my spirit, but you would not receive it, you would needs quench, grieve, and resist it. Act. 7. 51. I would have been with you as a King, but you would not that I should Reign over you, Luke 19. 14. And the Holy Spirit I fear will have cause p. 182to say, I would have convinced you of sin and misery, but you would not see, but would flatter your selves, that you were rich and encreased with goods and wanted nothing, Rev. 3. 17. I would have enlightned your minds in the knowledge of Christ, and you shut your eyes, and loved darkness rather then light, Joh. 3. 19. I would have renewed your wills, but you would have your own wills, and would chuse your own wayes, Isa. 66. 3. and delight in your Abominations. I would have perswaded you to embrace Christ Jesus freely offered to you in the Gospel, but you would not receive him, Joh. 1. 15. I would have perswaded you to rejoyce in Christ Jesus, but you would rejoyce in a thing of nought, Amos 6 13.

What further shall I say to move and perswade you to get God to be with you; to get God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost to be with you? (for there is a presence of each; Of the Father, 2 Cor. 6. 16. John 14. 23. Of the Son, Matth. 28. 20. John 14. 23. And of the Holy Ghost, John 14. 6, 17.)

1. Enemies will be with you whether you will or no: You have many enemies, p. 183and therefore need one friend. Do not think your warfare will be at an end while you live here. Assure your selves you will be set upon, and if you have not a God with you, you will certainly be overcome, you will be snared and taken, and carried away captive.

First, The Devil is with you, and he is with you as a roaring Lion, 1 Pet. 5. 18. ready to tear you in pieces, and none but God can deliver you: What will you do when the Devil is with you, if God be not with you to help you? Whither will the Devil drive you, if God do not stop him? If God do not stand in the way, and hedge up the way with thornes? How did the Swine run when the Devil did enter into them, they stopt not till they were choaked and drowned in the Sea. What work will the Devil make, if God be not with us to deliver us? What work did he make with our first Parents, Gen. 3. 1. and with David, 1 Chron. 21. 1. and with Judas, John 13. 2, 27. Such work will he make with us if God be not with us. Therefore what ever you do, get God to be with you:

p. 184Secondly, The world is with you, and 'tis a bewitching, ensnaring, and mischeiving world? They that follow after mischief, draw nigh, Psal. 119. 150. and when they draw nigh, what will you do if God be not nigh too. The world was with Demas, and for want of Gods presence with him, what work it made with him you may see, 2 Tim. 4. 10. It made him apostatize. It was also with the young man in the Gospel, and what work it made with him, see, Matth. 19. 22. It made him turn his back upon Christ and eternal life. It was with Gehazi, and what work it made with him, see 2 King. 5. 22. It made him tell lye upon lye: and all this for want of Gods presence with them. The world with its three great Commanders, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, was with Joseph, and Moses; and set upon them, but could not harm them, because God was with them. The lust of the flesh, viz. carnal pleasure, could not harm Joseph because God was with them, Gen. 39. 8, 9. The lust of the eye, and the pride of life, could not harm Moses, because God was with him, … Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26, 27.

p. 185Thirdly, Corrupt nature, that great evil is alwayes present with you, Rom. 7. 21. World and Devil could not harm us were it not for this. This made Paul cry out, Oh wretched man, Rom. 7. 24. Had it not been for Jesus Christ, he had been overcome by it.

2. Motive, God is ready at a call to be with you, Psal. 50. 15. Call upon me and I will deliver thee. As ready to be with you, as Jonathan's Armor-bearer was to be with him, 1 Sam. 14. 7. Behold, saith he to Jonathan, I am with thee according to thy heart: So will God say much more, if thou desire it, Behold I am with thee according to thy hearts desire; As ready to be with you in your war with the world, sin and the Devil, as ever Jehosaphat was to be with Ahab in his war▪ with the King of Syria: I am as thou art, said Jehosaphat to Ahab, and I will be with thee in the war, 2 Chron. 18. 3. So will God say to thee, if thou say to hi, as Ahab said to Jehosaphat; wilt thou go with me to Ramoth Gilead? So if thou say to God, Lord wilt thou go with me against the world, flesh, and Devil. The Lord will answer, I am as thou art in this matter, and I will be p. 186with thee in this war; and if he be with us▪ he will go forth as a mighty man, he will stir up jealousie like a man of war, he will cry yea roar, he will prevail against his enemies, Isa. 42. 13. And as ready as the people were to be with Ezra in the Reformation; Arise, say they to him, be of good courage and do it, Ezr. 10. 4. we also will be with thee. So saith God to you, Arise, Resist the Devil; 1 Pe…. 5. 9. S…rive against sin, Heb. 12. 4. Be of good courage and do it, I also will be with you. This readiness of God to be with you, methinks should strongly perswade you to desire and endeavour his presence.

Motive 3. Lovers and friends may be far off; My lovers and my friends stand …oof off from my sore, and my kinsmen stand a far off, Psal. 38. 11. I looked on my right hand, and behold there was no man that would know me; Refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul, Psal. 142. 4. No man stood with me, but all men forsook me, said Paul; 2 Tim. 4. 16. Now sirs, when all shall forsake you, if you shall not be able to say with Paul, the Lord stands by me, what will you do? So when Refuge shall fail you, if you shall not be able to say p. 187with David, The Lord is my Refuge, Psal. 142. 5. what will you do?

Motive 4. In the absence or want of some Creatures, you comfort your selves with the presence of others. You comfort your selves with the presence of friends and relations in the want of other things; and you say, though this be gone, and that be gone, though this be lost, and that be lost and taken away, yet my Husband is with me, or my Father is with me, or my Brother and Sister are with me. Thus you comfort your selves in the want of some things, with the presence of some other. How much more will it be a comfort to be able to say, Though this and that be wanting, yet God is with me; Though Father and Mother be not with me, yet God is with me; Though Brother and Sister be gone from me, yet God is with me. This, this will be the comfort.

Motive 5. Nothing will be done acceptably without this gracious presence of God, Joh. 15. 5. No duty or service that you can perform.

Motive 6. Nothing will succeed and prosper well without it, neither Temporals p. 188nor Spirituals, but all prospers with it. 1. Temporals, see an instance in Potiphars Possessions, what he had in his house, in his field; all prospered upon the account of God's presence with Joseph, Gen. 39. 2, 3, 5. Another instance you have in Labans goods, Gods promise to be with Jacob, see Gen. 28. 15. I am with thee, I will not leave thee. Now Laban sayes, Gen. 30. 27. I have learned by experience, that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. God with us makes all to prosper, Deut. 2. 7. The Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hands, these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee, thou hast lacked nothing. Go, do all that is in thy heart, said Nathan to David, 2 Sam. 7. 3. For the Lord is with thee, q. d. Go and prosper for the Lord is with thee.

Motive 7. God with us will make men afraid of us, and willing to comply and be at peace with us: We read 1 Sam. 18. 12. that Saul was affraid of David, because the Lord was with him. Abimilech, Ahuzza, and Phicol, come to Isaac, and desire to make a league, agreement, and covenant with him; and they render this as p. 189the Reason, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee, 1 Sam. 26. 28. See also Isa. 45. 14.

Motive 8. God with us makes enemies and opposers to fall before us, Josh. 1. 5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee; I will be with thee.

Motive 9. God with us makes others to fall to us. When Israel saw that God was with Asa, they fell to him in great abundance 2 Chron. 15. 9.

Quest. But what is to be done that we may have God to be with us? What direction can you give us?

Answ. Take these.

1. Pray the Lord earnestly to be with you. Pray as Solomon, 1 King. 8. 57. The Lord our God be with us, let him not leave us nor forsake us: and as Jeremiah in the name of the Church, Jer. 14. 9. We are called by thy name, leave us not. And as the Apostle in the Text, The Lord be with you; So do you pray for your selves, The Lord be with me. When you go about any Natural, Civil, or Religious action, say, The Lord be with me. When you go to your Table, there's a snare; and when to the Shop, there's a snare; and when to p. 190your Beds, there's a snare; therefore whensoever you go to your Table, Shop, or Bed, pray, The Lord be with me. There are snares every where, and therefore every where you have need to pray, The Lord be with me. Desire Gods presence, and you shall not be denied it. Name the Person if you can that ever was denied Gods presence, if he prayed for it? 'Tis true, God may seem to be absent, but he is really present with his, when seemingly absent: He is but behind the curtain, on the other side of the wall. How near may the Mother be, when the Child thinks her lost, and falls a crying? And all this while the Mother is but in the next room. Thus it is between God and his People; Christ withdraws from his Spouse, yet is really present; for by vertue of his presence she seeks after him till she has found him; if he had not been present, she could not have sought him: for if he draw not, there is no running after him. Draw me, and we will run after thee, Cant. 1. 4. Pray then for the presence of God, let God see that you will not be satisfied without him: How unsatisfied are some without Persons and Things? They must enjoy such a Person, p. 191such a Thing, or they cannot be satisfied: They cannot live, they shall dye without them. Let God see that you cannot live without his presence. If you long for it, you shall not long be without it.

2. Hearken to the voice of them, that give you Counsel for your real good. Hearken unto my voice, said Jethro to Moses, Exod. 18. 19. I will give thee Counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be instructed, sayes God, Jer. 6. 8. Least my Soul depart from thee.

3. Be with God. If you be with him, he will not fail to draw nigh to you: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, Jam. 4. 8. The Lord is with you, whilst you are with him, 2 Chron. 15. 2. Be much with God then. Be with him in your thoughts: let your hearts and affections be with him. When you awake be still with him, Psal. 139. 18. When you arise, be with him; when you go to duty be with him, and draw night to him with your hearts, as well as your lips. When you go about your work and business, be with him; when you go forth, and when you return, be still with him. Be with the Lord continually, set him at your p. 192right hand, and fear not: you shall then find him with you, holding your right hand, Psal. 73. 23. Nevertheless, I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by my right hand. When you eat, do not eat without thoughts of God that feeds you; when you put on your Cloathes, be not without thoughts of God that Cloatheth you; when you are in company, and when you are alone, still be with him. This is the way to have God be with you. Be much with God. You know, 'tis no difficult thing to be with those that are a thousand miles from us. Cannot the Wife be with her Husband in her affections and desires though he be beyond the Sea? and cannot the Father be with the Child that is many miles distant from him? And why cannot we be thus with God?

Be with God also in his Ordinances and appointments, In them he will meet you, and speak unto you, Exod. 29. 42. &. 30. 36. There you shall find him, Prov. 8. 34, 35. Watch dayly therefore at his Gates: Wait at the Posts of the Dores. Whilst you are with him, he will be with you. Whilst you carry your selves, as in his presence, fearing serving and honouring p. 193him, he will be with you. VVell then, be with God.

1. VVake with him, Psal. 139. 8.

2. VValk with him, as Enoch and Noah did.

3. VVork with him. 'Tis said that Jonathan wrought with God, 1 Sam. 14. 45. And Ministers are workers together with God, 2 Cor. 6. 1. And all of us must work with him: Work out your salvation with fear &c. for it is God that worketh in you, to will and to do, Philip. 2. 12, 13. He worketh all our works in us, Isa. 26. 12. Sit not still therefore when he works.

4 VVar with God, the Lamb wars, Rev. 17. 14. And they that are called and chosen, and faithful, they war with him: they side with him, and take his part. He that is not with me, is against me, saith Christ Mat. 12. 30. VVith these God will side, and will take part with them. Psal. 118. 6, 7.

Direct. 4. Love God and keep his Commandments, and then I can promise you his presence. Sirs, would you have his company, whom you have no love for? would you have him, p. 194whom you do not love to come unto you? Love him, and he will come, else he will be at a distance from you: and shew your love to him by keeping his Commandments, then he will come and make his abode with you, Joh. 14. 23. If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him. VVhat a promise did God make to Jeroboam by Abijah the Prophet, 1 King. 11, 38. If thou wilt hearken to all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my wayes, and do that which is right in my sight, I will be with thee. He that feareth God, and worketh Righteousness, is accepted with him, Act. 10. 35 Such God will meet in grace and mercy, Isa. 64. 5. Jacob went on his way, the way that God had commanded him, and the Angels of God met him, Gen. 32. 1.

Direct. 5. If you would have God to be with you, keep your selves Clean: Do not defile and pollute your selves with sin, which is the greatest filthiness. It is sin that sets God at a distance from you. 'Tis your iniquities that separate between you and your God, Isa. 59. 2. Stand in awe p. 195therefore, and sin not, Psal. 4. 4. A Law was given, of Old, to Gods people, that when ever they did ease themselves abroad they should turn about, and with a Paddle cover that which came from them, that no filthiness might be seen among them, Deut. 23. 13 The Reason is given, v. 14. For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of the Camp, therefore shall thy Camp be holy, that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. This outward cleanness here required, was to teach them their duty to God and their Neighbour. Chiefly to God, that in regard of his presence among them, they ought to keep themselves clean from all spiritual pollutions. Next to their Neighbour, that they ought to do nothing that might offend or annoy him. Sirs, God is of purer eyes then to behold evil, and cannot look upon iniquity without detestation, Habak. 1. 13. You your selves turn away from filthy Creatures; and will not God much more turn away from filthy sinners?

When God sees filthy Pride, and filthy Lucre, filthy Ryoting, and filthy Drunkenness, filthy Chambering, and filthy Wantonness, filthy Strife, and filthy Envying, these works of Darkness, Rom. p. 19613. 12, 13. God he turns away; For what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6. 14. God will not be with us, unless we destroy sin, that accursed thing. See Josh. 7. 11, 12. The throne of iniquity shall have no fellowship with him, Psal. 94. 20. Let not sin be with you; if you would have God to be with you, keep a strict watch against sin. And when at any time you do sin, (for there is no man that sinneth not) turn back and cover it, that God may not behold it: set faith and repentance a work immediately, and cover thy sin with the righteousness of Christ, and the waters of godly sorrow: Let faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance towards God be thy paddle to cover that filthiness of sin which comes from thee: so shall you have the presence of God with you.

Direct. 6. Please God. That's the way to have God with you. He that hath sent me is with me (saith our Saviour) The Father hath not left me alone, for I do alwayes those things that please him; John 8. 29. I do the works of him that sent me; John 9. 4. I am ever about my Fathers business; Luke 2. 49. and therefore the Father hath not left me alone. Nor will he leave us p. 197alone, but will be nigh unto us in all that we call upon him for; if we do those things that are pleasing in his sight; 1 John 3. 22.

Quest. How shall we do to please God?

Answ. Get out of the flesh; for we are in it, Rom. 7. 5. as a man in the water covered over head and ears with it; or as a man in bonds, Act. 8. 23. and snares, 2 Tim. 2. 26. fast bound and hamperd in them. Now they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom. 8. 8. They that are in their natural estate, still remaining such as they were by Adams fall, and such as they were born into the World, without any change of Nature, Heart or Life, cannot please God. If the Powers of their Souls and parts of their Bodies be still the same, if their understandings be as dark as ever, if their wills be as stubborn as ever, if their affections be as carnal and eart…ly as ever; If their Eyes, Ears, Tongues, Hands, and Feet be as forward to sin as ever, they cannot please God: If therefore you would please God, you must not rest satisfied in that Estate wherein you were Born, and wherein you were Bred, and wherein you have Li…ed. p. 198You must get out of the flesh, out of your Natural estate. You must be born again, and be renewed. You must be quite another person, and be able to say, I am not I. I was darkness, but now I am light in the Lord, Ephes. 5. 8. I was dead, but now I am quickned, Ephes. 2. 1. I was such and such, but now I am washed, 1 Cor. 6. 11. You must put off the Old man, and put on the new, Ephes. 4. 22, 23. You must put off bad, and put on better, if you will please God, Col. 3. 8, 9, 10. Old things must pass away, and all things must become new, 2 Cor. 5. 17. You must be new Creatures, else you cannot be God-pleasers.

2. Get into Christ. We are accepted only in the beloved, Ephes. 1. 6. 'Tis in Christ that God is pleased with any, Mat. 3. 17. Accept of Christ for your Prophet, Priest and King▪ and God will accept of you for his Children, Spouse, Friends.

Direct. 3. Prize Christ and use him.

1. Prize Christ. Leave all and cleave to him, See Psal. 45. 10, 11. Christs Spouse must shave her head, pair her Nails, and bewail her Father and Mother:

p. 1991. Her Natural inbred evils and corruptions for Christs sake, and then she will please, See Deut. 21. 11, 12, 13. You must part with your Hair and Nails, and Fathers House, if you will so please Christ as to be his Spouse. You must rejoyce in Christ, and have no confidence in the flesh, Phil. 3. 3. and say as, Isa. 45. 24. In the Lord I have righteousness and strength, if you will please God. Count all things but Loss and Dung in comparison of Christ. Phil. 3. 8. If Christ be not precious in your Eyes, you will be but vile in Gods; but if Christ be prized, God will be pleased. Sell all you have, and buy this Pearl. Mat. 13. 46 This will please God.

2. Use Christ. It hath pleased the Father, that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 19. for our use. that of his fulness we might receive what we want, Job. 1. 16. Seeing God has made Christ for use, you cannot please God unless you make use of Christ. The Ark by Noah was made for use, and so was the Brasen Serpent by Moses; had neither been made use of, God would not have been well pleased. To make use of Christ for the p. 200end and purposes for which God has made him, is the way to please him. God has made Christ unto us Wisdo…, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1. 30. Now to go to Christ to be cured of our folly, to be cleared from our guilt, to be cleansed from our filth, to be redeemed out of bondage, is the way to please God; but if Christ be made light of, and not made use of, God will be displeased not a little, Matth. 22. 5, 7. Christ is meat and d…rk, John 6. 55. feed on him by Faith; Christ is rayment, put him on, Rom. 13. 14. Christ is the foundati…n, 1 Cor. 3. 11. build upon him; Christ is the Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 4. secure your selves in the cles…s of it, Cant. 2. 14. Christ is the Fountain opened for sin, and for uncleanness, Zech. 13. 1. wath your selves in it. Christ is the true Light, John 8 12. come to it, and follow it. Christ is an Apple tree, Cant. 2. 3. sit under the shadow of it with delight, and eat of the fruit thereof. This will please God to see his Son so much honoured by being so much used, John 12. 26.

Direct. 4. Live by Faith, Habak. 2. 4. Walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. p. 201Look to the things not seen, 2 Cor. 4. 18. This will please God. Enoch had this Testimony, that he pleased God, Heb. 11. 5. and 'twas by faith, for Heb. 11. 6. without faith 'tis impossible to please God. Act faith in the power of God, as Abraham did, Rom. 4. 21. Heb. 11. 19. and in the faithfulness of God, as Sarah did, Heb. 11. 11. This will please God. Be fully perswaded that what God hath promised, he is able and faithful to perform; This will please God. Trust in God at all times, Psal. 62. 8. Cast your burden upon him, Psal. 55. 22. Thy care on him, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Be careful for nothing, Phil. 4. 6. but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; This will please God. See what a blessing God has promised to such, Jer. 17. 7. 8.

Direct. 5. Labour to be like God and Christ, if you would please him: for liking, is founded in likeness; and complacency, in conformity: What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be ye holy as God is holy▪ 1 Pet. 1. 16. and mercifull as he is, Luke 6▪ 36.

p. 202Direct. 6. Be not like the world. Come out from among them, and I will receive you, and be so well pleased with you, that I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, 2 Cor. 6. 17, 18. Come thou, and all thy house, sayes God to Noah, Gen. 7. 1. into the Ark, I am well pleased with thee, and I will take care of thee, and gives this for the Reason; For thee have I seen righteous in this generation, called by St. Peter, The world of the ungodly, 2 Pet. 2. 5. This Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Gen. 6. 8. God saved him, 2 Pet. 2. 5. To be blameless and harmless without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation; and to shine as lights among them, this will please God, Phil. 2. 15. Walk not as other Gen…iles walk in the vanity of their minds, Eph. 4. 17. Sleep not as do others, 1 Thes. 5. 6. Conform not to this world, Rom. 12. 2. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, Eph. 5. 11. This will be acceptable to the Lord. What care God took of Lot, who was righteous, in wicked Sodom, see Gen. 19. 16, 22.

p. 203Dir. 7. Be mourners for your own sins, and the sins of others. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, wounded for sin; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise, but accept, Psal. 51. 17. God will restore comfort to his mourners, Isa. 57. 18. These mourners in Zion, and for Zion, Isa. 61. 3. & 66. 10. who mou…n for the desolation of Zion, and for their own sins and the sins of others, as the procuring causes thereof, these are the persons that please God, so that he takes double care of them in evil times, Ezek. 9. 4, 6▪ and pronounces them blessed, and promises that they shall be comforted, Mat. 5. 4.

Dir. 8. Walk uprightly, order your conversation aright, without guile and hypocrisie; in simplicity and godly sincerity have your conversations, doing all your duties, to please God, and not for by-respects: With this God will be so well pleased, that he will be to you a Sun and a Shield, that he will give you Grace and Glory, that he will with-hold no good thing from you, Psal. 84. 11. Prov. 2. 7. He will shew you his salvation, Psal. 50. 23. God will give him a prospect of heaven here, and hereafter a full fruition of it; and no w… der, p. 204for you are his delight, Prov. 11. 20. Such as are upright in their way are his delight: and what will not a man do for such in whom he delights? Read Esther 6. 6.

Dir. 9. Make the Christian Sabbath your delight; be glad and rejoyce in it. This will so please the Lord, that he will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth; yea, upon the heights of heaven, where thou shalt keep an everlasting Sabbath; and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your Father; not only with the good things of the earthly Canaan, but with the good things of the heavenly, of which the earthly was a type; with heavenly Manna, such food as eye hath not seen, ear heard, or mouth of natural man ever tasted. This you may build upon, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, Isa. 58. 13, 14. If you keep the Sabbath, and chuse the things that please God, Isa. 56. 4. God will be so well pleased, as to give you, 1. A place in his House: v. 5. And a doorkeepers place in Gods house is worth the having, Psal. 84. 10. A place in Gods house, is that one thing which David was so earnest for, Psal. 27. 4. 2. A Name better then of sons and daughters of Princes; p. 205even prerogative royal, that heavenly honour to be the sons and daughters of God, 2 Cor. 6. 18. John 1. 12. And so to be called. 1 John 3 1. To have both the comfort and the credit of it; for if sons, then heirs, Rom. 8. 16, 17. 3. And make them joyful in his house of Prayer, ver. 7. By their free access unto him, and good success in all their suits. 4. And accept their sacrifices, ver. 7. Their sacrifices of Prayer, Praise, Alms and Obedience, shall be accepted through Christ, who is the true Altar that sanctifieth all that is offered on it, Heb. 13. 10, 15. Rev. 3. 4.

Dir. 10. Watch at Wisdoms gates daily; wait at the posts of her doors, Prov. 8. 34, 35. And there you▪ shall find life, Isa. 55. 3. And obtain the favour of God, which is better then life. There the Lord will meet you, and bless you, Exod. 20. 24. There he will teach you, Isa. 2. 3. And there he will accept you, Ezek. 20. 40. There you give him your loves, Cant. 7. 12. And there he will give you his Loves. If he sup with you, you shall sup with him, Rev. 3. 20. There you may get Faith more precious then Gold, Rom. 10. 17. There you may have a call to the obtaining of the p. 206glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thes. 2. 14.

Dir. 11. Pray continually. This pleases God. The prayer of the upright is his delight, Prov. 15. 8. 'Tis sweet unto him, Cant. 2. 14. He will be nigh to them that call upon him in truth, Psal. 145. 18. Daniel's praying pleased God; as appears by the event. Prayers come up for a me norial before God, Acts 10. 4. God is so well pleased with prayer, that he will never turn it away, Psal. 66. 20.

Dir. 12. Meditate on Gods Law day and night. Shew thy love to God and it thereby, as David did, Psal. 119. 97. O how I love thy Law, it is my meditation all the day. Let it be yours also, and God will make you like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, and whose leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever you do shall prosper, Psal. 1. 2, 3.

Dir. 13. Worship God in spirit and in truth: Sure this is pleasing to him; for the Father seeketh such to worship him, Joh, 4. 23. He is greatly delighted with such worship. God loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Jacob, Psal. 87. 2. p. 207The gates of Zion, the place of his worship, which he had chosen to dwell in, more then all the Towns and Cities else which he had given Jacob to dwell in. 'Tis not all worship that God is so delighted with; some worship is an abomination to him. God complains of those that draw nigh to him with their mouths, when their hearts are far from him, Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 8. 'Tis the heart God calls for, Prov. 23. 26. and truth in the inward parts, that God desires, Psal. 51. 6. 'Tis worship in spirit and truth that pleases God.

Dir. 14. Love God heartily, and seek him early. God loves them that love him, Prov. 8. 17. and will shew it, John 14. 21, 23. 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, and we will come and make our abode with him. Obedience to this first and great command of loving God, is more then all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, Mark 12. 33. Therefore for certain it pleases God. Delight thy self in the Lord, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart, Psal. 37. 4. And let the desire of thy soul p. 208be to his name, and to the remembrance of him. With thy spirit seek him early, Isa. 26. 8, 9. and he will be found of thee, Jer. 29. 13.

Dir. 15. Fear God greatly, as Obadiah did, 1 Kings 18. 3. On such the Sun of righteousness will shine, Mal. 4. 2. The Lord will fulfil the desires of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them, Psal. 145. 19.

Dir. 16. Chuse to suffer rather then to sin. This was Moses's choice, Heb. 11. 25. rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. This pleaseth God highly. Those three servants of the most high God, Dan. 3. who did chuse to burn to ashes, rather then to bow to an Image, God was so well pleased with, that he restrained the fire from burning of them. Daniel chuses to be torn to pieces, rather then not to pray, Dan. 6. and God was so well pleased with his choice, that he shuts the mouths of the Lions, that they hurt him not, v. 22. God also was so well' pleased with the Martyrs choyce of sufferings rather then of sinning, that he so wrought for many of them; that they felt little or no pain. Baynam; one p. 209of our English Martyrs, in the midst of flames, with arms and legs half consumed, uttered these words; O ye Papists! behold, ye look for miracles; here now ye may see a miracle: for in this fire I feel no more pain, then if I were in a Bed of Down; but it is to me as a Bed of Roses.

Dir. 17. Get a meek and a quiet spirit: This is in the sight of God an ornament of great price, 1 Pet. 3. 4. But a froward heart is an abomination to God, Prov. 11. 20. Moses had this commendation, that he was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth, Numb. 12. 3. God takes his part, and appears for him, Num. 12. 2, 4. Moses. is deaf and dumb, but God hears and calls suddenly about the wrong done to Moses. And what a good end did God make with patient Job? Jam. 5. 11.

Dir. 18. Be zealous, hot, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, Rom. 12. 11. God cannot away with lukewarmness: lukewarm Laodicea he loaths, Rev. 3. 16. but zealous Phineas he loves, Num. 25. 11, 12, 13. Psal. 106. 30. Be fervent in prayer, swift to hear, strict in the observation of the Sabbath; be strong in faith, weep bitterly p. 211for sin. This heat in duty, will please God.

Do justly. This pleases God, Mic. 6. 8. more then thousands of Rams. To do judgment and justice, to judge the cause of the poor and needy, is the way to have it be well with us, Jer. 22. 15, 16. The just and rtghteous God hates injustice, Zech. 8. 17. Doing justice and judgment, is the way of the Lord, Gen. 18. 19. And sure he is well pleased with those that walk in his way.

Dir. 20. Love mercy. This also pleases God. To do good and communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16. 'Tis an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 18. Christ is so well pleased with it, that he takes it as done to himself, Mat. 25. 34, 35, 36. And the contrary, shewing no mercy, he takes so ill, that he threatens, Jam. 2. 13. He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.

Dir. 21. Walk humbly. To such an one God will look, Isa. 66. 2. yea, God will dwell with the humble, and revive the humble, Isa. 57. 15. God resisteth the p. 210proud, but giveth grace to the humble, Jam. 4. 6. And if he give them grace, sure he will give them glory.

Dir. 22. Be fruitful in every good work. This pleases God. The earth that brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God, Heb. 6. 7. I am come into my Garden, my Sister, my Spouse: Now there is such pleasant fruit there, I cannot keep away. He is so well pleased with the fruit he finds, that he gathers, eats and drinks, Cant. 5. 1.

A fruitful Vine pleaseth the Dresser.

A fruitful Tree the Planter.

A fruitful Field the Husbandman.

And a fruitful Christian pleaseth God much more.

Dir. 23. Be thankful. This pleaseth the Lord, Psal. 69. 30, 31. I will praise the name of the Lord with a song, and will magnifie him with thanksgiving. v. 30. This also shall please the Lord better then an Oxe or Bullock that hath horns and hoofs. v. 31. This rendring the Calves of our lips, Hos. 14. 2. is very pleasing to God, when offered up by Christ. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks p. 212to his Name, Heb. 13. 15. He that offereth praise, glorifieth me, saies God, Psal 50. Alwaies provided that the praise be cordial and real, as well as oral; provided that there be estimation of benefits, and retribution for them, as well as recognition of them.

And now beloved, I must take my leave of you, and what more or better can I wish or desire for you then this gracious presence of God. The Lord be with you all. The Lord be with you little children, and incline your hearts to learn Solomons lesson which his father taught him, 1 Chron. 28. 9. viz. To know the God of your Fathers, and to serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts, if you seek him, he will be found of you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever: and for this end, The Lord be with you, and incline your hearts whilst you are Children, to know, as Timothy did from a Child, the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 3. 15. and perswade you to continue p. 213in the things which you have learned, and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them, 2 Tim. 3. 14.

The Lord be with you young men, and incline your hearts to remember your Creatour in the dayes of your youth, as you are commanded, Eccles. 12. 1. and to be kind to him in your youth, Jer. 2. 2. that he may another day say to you, I remember the kindness of your youth.

The Lord be with you to be the guide of your youth, Jer. 3. 4. and to teach you from your youth, as he did David, Psal. 71. 17.

The Lord be with you, that you may with Obadiah fear the Lord from your youth, 1 King. 18. 12. and that you may flee youthful lusts, as you are commanded, 2 Tim. 2. 22.

The Lord be with you, and be your hope and trust from your youth, as he was Davids, Psal. 71. 5. and make you sober minded, as you are exhorted to be, Tit. 2. 6.

The Lord be with you, and cause you to grow up as plants in your youth, Psal. 144. 12. That you may never complain, as Job chap. 13. 26. Thou hast made me possess the sins of my youth. And that you may not be forced to pray as David, Remember not p. 214against me the sins of my youth, Psal. 25. 7. nor lie down in shame because of the sins of your youth, as they, Jer. 3. 25. and that in your age, you may not find your bones full of the sins of your youth, Job 20. 11.

The Lord be with you Aged men, to make you sober, grave, temperate, to make you sound in the faith, sound in charity, in patience, as you are taught to be, Tit. 2. 2.

The Lord be with you young women, to make you such as you are taught to be, Tit. 2. 4. viz. Sober, and to love your Husbands, and your children, and to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to your own Husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed, and that your Husbands beholding your chaste conversation coupled with fear, may be won by it, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2.

The Lord be with you and deliver you from all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions, and make you careful to preserve your own and your neighbours chastity in heart, speech, and behaviour. This prayer for you is not without need; too much unchaste behaviour is to be seen in our Congregations. I cannot think that the exposing of your naked backs and breasts to the p. 215view of all, can consist with chastity of heart. I wish that some or other would do that office for you, that Shem and Japheth did for their father, Gen. 9. 23. and cast at least a Scarf or Handkerchief over your naked necks, backs and breasts.

The Lord be with you aged women, that you may be such as you are required to be, Tit. 2. 3. That you may be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, Teachers of good things.

The Lord be with you widowes, to cause you to trust in God, as 'tis your duty, Jer. 49. 11. and continue in prayer and supplications night and day, 1 Tim. 5. 5.

The Lord be with you Parents, That you may bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Ephes. 6. 4. and that you may not provoke them to anger lest they be discouraged, Col. 3. 21.

The Lord be with you Children, that you may obey your Parents in the Lord, and honour them, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the earth, Ephes. 6. 1, 2, 3.

The Lord be with you Masters, that you may give unto your Servants, that which p. 216is just and equal, Col. 4. 1. and forbear threatning, knowing that your Master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him, Ephes. 6. 9.

The Lord be with you Servants, that you may be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Ephes. 6. 5, 6. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the Inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ, Col. 3. 24.

Yea, the Lord be with you, that you may be subject not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward: for this is thankworthy, if for conscience towards God, you endure grief, suffering wrong fully; and acceptable with God, if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, 1 Pet. 2. 18, 19, 20.

The Lord be with you Husbands, that you may love your wives, and not be bitter against them, Col. 3. 19. And that you may dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto them, as unto the weaker vessels, and as being heirs together of the p. 217grace of life, that your prayers be not hindred, 1 Pet. 3. 7.

The Lord be with you wives, that you may be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they may be won by your conversation, while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear; and that your adornin̄g may not be with outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of Gold, or of putting on of apparel, but that it may be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4.

The Lord be with you poor: (and my request for you is double.)

1. That you may be poor in spirit, and so blessed, that yours may be the kingdom of heaven, Mat. 5. 3.

2. That you may be rich in faith, Jam. 2. 5. by which God has promised the just shall live, Hab. 2. 4.

The Lord be with you Rich, that you may not be high-minded, nor trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6. 17.

The Lord be with you, that you may do p. 218good, that you may be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, that you may lay up in store for your selves, a good foundation, against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6. 18, 19.

The Lord be with you young Disciples, that having put your hands to the plough you may not look back, lest you prove not fit for the kingdom of God, Luk. 9. 92.

The Lord be with you old Disciples, that you may bring forth much good fruit, and be fat and flourishing, Psal. 62. 14.

The Lord be with you All, to deal well with you,

To hear your Prayers,

To direct your steps,

To give you rest,

To provide you necessaries,

To protect your persons,

To prevent trouble, or to deliver out of it.

To assist in work,

To support under burdens,

To disappoint enemies,

To Animate against fear,

To comfort in tribulation,

To correct if need be,

p. 219To encline your hearts to God,

To give you wisdom,

To help you to finish your works, and to effect difficult undertakings,

To hold you by your right hand,

To put a difference between you, and toose that serve him not.

The Lord be with you All,

1. With All of All of you.

1. With your Hearts.

1. To circumcise them, Deut. 30. 6.

2. To write his Law in them, Heb. 8. 10.

3. To new make them, Ezek. 36. 26.

4. To soften them, Ezek. 36. 26.

5. To strengthen them, Psal. 31. 24. acchrding to his promise.

6. To unite them, Psal. 86. 11.

7. To enlarge them, Psal. 119. 32.

8. To encline them to him and his Testimonies, 1 King. 8. 58. Psal. 119. 36.

9. To create them clean, Psal. 51. 10.

10. To put gladness into them, Psal. 4….

2. With your heads,

1. To lift them up, Psal. 3. 3.

2. To make them waters, Jer. 9. 1.

3. With your eyes,

1. To open them that you may behold wonderous things out of Gods Law, Psal. 119. 18.

p. 2202. To turn them away from beholding vanity, Psal. 119. 37.

4. With your ears,

1. To open them, Psal. 40. 6.

2. To cause them to hear the word behind them, Isa. 30. 21.

5. With your mouthes.

1. To satisfie them with good things, Psal. 103. 5.

2. That a deceitful tongue may not be found in them, Zeph. 3. 13.

6. With your hands,

To hold them, Isa. 41. 13. & 42. 6.

7. With your feet,

To keep them, 1 Sam. 1. 9.

1. The Lord be with you All,

2. At all times.

1. In the Morning, when you awake that you may awake with God, Psal. 139. 18. Psal. 55. 17.

2. At noon, when you go to meat, Psal. 55. 17.

3. At evening, when you go to bed, Psal. 55. 17. This was Davids practice: Evening, and Morning, and at Noon will I pray and cry aloud, and not in vain, for it followes, and he shall hear my voice.

4. The Lord be with you even at midnight, p. 221and in the night watches, that even then you may meditate on Gods word and give thanks after the example of David, Psal. 119. 62. & 63. 6. 119. 148.

5. On the week dayes, that you may do your work, and all your work on them, as you are Commanded, Exod. 20. 9.

6. On the Lords day, that you may keep it holy, and call it a delight. The holy of the Lord, Honourable; not doing your own wayes, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, Isa. 58. 13, 14.

The Lord be with you All,

3. In All places. In the closet, in the family. In the shop, in the field, In Bed, at Board.

In the Closet, to make you serious.

In the family, to make you profitable.

In the shop, to awe you.

In the field, to preserve you.

In bed, to refresh you.

At Board, to satisfie you.

The Lord be with you All.

4. In all estates and conditions, in adversity and prosperity, in sickness and health, in poverty, and Riches.

In Adversity, that you may consider, Eccles. 7. 14.

In prosperity, that you may rejoyce, Eccles. 7. 14.

p. 222In sickness, to make your bed, Psal. 41. 3.

In health, to make you thankful, Psal. 103. 3.

In poverty, to make you contented, Heb. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 8.

In Riches, to make you lowly minded, Trusters in God, rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, 1 Tim. 6. 17, 18.

The Lord be with you All,

5. In all duties of Religion and holy Ordinances, in praying, reading, hearing, meditating, conferring, instructing, admonishing, exhorting, reproving, comforting.

In praying, that you may pray fervently, Jam. 5. 16, 17.

In reading, that you may read understandingly, Act. 8. 30.

In hearing, that you may hear believingly, Heb. 4. 2.

In meditating, that you may have soulsatisfaction, Psal. 6…. 5, 6.

In conferring, that you do it with aff…ct…on.

In instructing, that you may do it convincingly.

In admonishing, that you may do it compass…onately, Jude 22.

p. 223In exhorting, that you may do it earnestly, Heb. 10. 24.

In reproving that you may do it wisely.

In comforting, that you may do it mercifully.

In observing, the Sabbath, that you may observe it more strictly.

In receiving the Supper, that you may receive it more worthily.

In fasting, that you may do it soul-afflictingly, soul-chasteningly, Levit. 23. 32. Psal. 69. 10. and life-reformingly.

The Lord be with you All,

6. In all your Civil Imployments and lawful undertakings, that in All you do you may make Gods word your Rule, Gods glory your end, and the credit of the Gospel and Christian Religion your Care.

The Lord be with you,

In your Trading and dealing, that you may do as you would be done unto, Ma…. 7. 12.

In buying and selling, that you may set God before you, buying and selling as in his presence, Psal. 16. 8.

In working and sitting still, that you may be heavenly minded, Phil. 3. 20.

In your journeying, and travelling, that p. 224you may be preserved and prospered, Gen. 24. 21.

Finally Beloved, The Lord be with you to sanctifie you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the c…min… of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen▪ and Amen.

FINIS.