The new covenantThe nevv covenant

The meaning is this, that, if there was a change in his estate, the change in God was the cause, so then it was the Lord that comforted him, though he saw it not, it was not the mountain that held him up, it was not all those blessings that he enjoyed in it that refreshed his heart, but it was the light that shined through them; and therefore he found, when this light was with drawn, though he enjoyed them still, his comfort was gone. So, I say, if it were from the things, they ⟨p. 72⟩might continue your comforts to you, but when there is a change in heaven, then comes the change upon earth. And on the other side; if God continue constant, if he remain safe, you need fear nothing, the creature follows him, it is he that shines through them. What if a man had the air and no light in it? So, what if we had never so much, and no beams flowing form him though them, who only is the God of all comfort, and the Father of all consolation?

The meaning is this, that, if there was a change in his estate, the change in God was the cause, so then it was the Lord that comforted him, though he saw it not, it was not the mountaine that held him vp, it was not all those blessings that he enioyed in it that refreshed his heart, but it was the light that shined through them; and therfore he found, when this light was with drawne, though he inioyed them still, his comfort was gone. So, I say, if it were from the things, they ⟨p. 72⟩might continue your comforts to you, but when there is a change in heavē, then comes the change vpon earth. And on the other side; if God continue constant, if he remaine safe, you neede feare nothing, the creature followes him, it is he that shines through them. What if a man had the avre and no light in it? So, what if we had never so much, and no beames flowing form him though them, who onely is the God of all comfort, and the Father of all consolation?

But, my Beloved, to be brief; Put the case a man were stripped of all things, and suppose he were exiled out of his own Country, suppose he were reduced to extreme poverty, or shut up close Prisoner, suppose all employments were taken from him, and he were laid aside like a broken vessel; now for a man to say, yet God is enough, and that he is content with him alone for his portion. This is the trial, and this we ought to do: and there is great reason why we should do it; you shall see it was practised by the Saints. When Abraham was an exile from his Country, and had not a foot of land, was not the Lord All-sufficient to him? did he not provide for him abundantly? When Elijah fled, and had no meat, he had neither money, nor any body to provide any thing for him, did not the Lord provide for him? he set the creature a-work to do that, to feed him in an extraordinary way, when the ordinary failed. When Paul was shut up in Prison, yet the Lord filled him with joy and comfort; you know, Syls and he, their feet were fast in the Stokes,