The excellency of a gracious spirit Delivered in a treatise upon the 14. of…The excellency of a gracious spirit Deliuered in a treatise upon the 14. of…

Fifthly and lastly, not to instance in more particulars, the soul that follows God fully in all duties, is willing ¹to follow him in duties wherein it must go alone; it is willing to follow God in solitary paths. Many men, were it that they might have company in the way, in following the Lord, they would be content; but to go all alone in such solitary ways, wherein they can see none go before them, wherein they can have none along with them, few or none are like to follow after them; this is tedious. But a child of God thinks he hath enough, in that he hath God with him, that he walks along with God; this is company enough, let the way be what it will be: As David, Psal. 23. 4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet thou art with me. God promises that he will go before his people; that is enough, though there ⟨p. 263⟩be none else. It is true, company in Gods ways is delightful, and it is a sad thing, that there is so little a tract in Gods paths. It was the complaint of Gods people, Lam. 1. 4. that the ways of Zion did mourn, because none came in them. But if company cannot be had, it is enough we have the Lord. 2 Tim. 4. 16. At my first answer, saith S. Paul, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me, notwithstanding the Lord stood with me. Elijah thought he was left alone, he could see no man go that way he did; yet he continues in his fervour and zeal, following the Lord. Indeed we should the rather follow the Lord, because we see so few follow him: What? shall he have none to follow him? as Christ said to his Disciples, when many forsook him, Will you also forsake me?

Fiftly and lastly, not to instance in more particulars, the soule that followes God fully in all duties, is willing ¹to follow him in duties wherein it must go alone; it is willing to follow God in folitary paths. Many men, were it that they might have company in the way, in following the Lord, they would be content; but to go all alone in such solitary wayes, wherein they can see none goe before them, wherein they can have none along with them, few or none are like to follow after them; this is tedious. But a childe of God thinkes he hath enough, in that he hath God with him, that he walkes along with God; this is company enough, let the way be what it will be: As David,