God defers, but his deferring is no ⟨p. 436⟩empty space, wherein no good is done, but there is in that space a fitting for promises. Whilst the seed lieth hid in the earth, time is not lost, for Winter fits for Spring, yea the harder the Winter, the more hopeful the Spring; yet were it a mere empty space we should hold out, because of the great things to come, but being only a preparing time, we should pass it with the less discouragement. Let this support us in all the thwartings of our desire; it is a folly to think, that we should have Physic and health both at once; we must endure the working of Gods Physic; when the sick humour is carried away and purged, then we shall enjoy desired health. God promiseth forgiveness of sin, but thou findest the burden of it daily on thee. Cheer up thy self, when the morning is darkest, then comes day; after a weary week comes a Sabbath, and after a fight victory will appear. Gods time is best, therefore resolve upon waiting his leisure. For the better demeaning of our selves herein, we must know we ⟨p. 437⟩must so wait, that we provoke not in •e mean time his patience on whom •e depend, by putting forth our hand to any evil, which indeed is a crossing of our hopes. Therefore waiting upon 1God, is always joined with doing good. There is an influence in the thing hoped for, in the spirit of him that truly hopes, stirring him up to a suitable conformity, by purging himself of whatsoever ever will not stand with the holiness of that condition. Waiting implies all graces, as Patience, Perseverance, Long suffering in holding out, notwithstanding the tediousness of time deferred, Courage, and breaking through all difficulties that stand between. For what is waiting indeed, but a continuing in a gracious inoffensive course, till the accomplishment of our desires?
God deferres, but his deferring is no ⟨p. 436⟩empty space, wherein no good is done, but there is in that space a fitting for promises. Whilest the seed lyeth hid in the earth, time is not lost, for Winter fits for Spring, yea the harder the Winter, the more hopefull the Spring; yet were it a meere empty space wee should hold out, because of the great things to come, but being onely a preparing time, we should passe it with the lesse discouragement. Let this support us in all the thwartings of our desire; it is a folly to thinke, that wee should have Physick and health both at once; we must endure the working of Gods Physick; when the sick humour is caried away and purged, then wee shall enjoy desired health. God promiseth forgivenesse of sinne, but thou findest the burthen of it daily on thee. Cheere up thy selfe, when the morning is darkest, then comes day; after a weary weeke comes a Sabbath, and after a fight victory will appeare. Gods time is best, therefore resolve upon waiting his leisure. For the better demeaning of our selves herein, we must know we ⟨p. 437⟩must so waite, that we provoke not in •e meane time his patience on whom •e depend, by putting forth our hand to any evill, which indeed is a crossing of our hopes. Therefore waiting upon 1God, is alwayes joyned with doing good. There is an influence in the thing hoped for, in the spirit of him that truly hopes, stirring him up to a sutable conformity, by purging himself of whatso ever will not stand with the holines of that condition. Waiting implyes all graces, as Patience, Perseverance, Long suffering in holding out, notwithstanding the tediousnesse of time deferred, Courage, and breaking through all difficulties that stand betweene. For what is waiting indeed, but a continuing in a gracious inoffensive course, till the accomplishment of our desires?
- 1What it is to wait upon GodWhat it is to waite upon God
