I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Answ. 1 No, not yet. For •i•st: As for your want of Ordinances, if God lead you to the want of an Ordinance, he will make the very want of an Ordinance, to •e an Ordinance to you. When the Children of Israel came into the Land of Canaan, where there was ordinary food, then Manna ceased; but when ordinary food could not be had, as in the Wilderness, then they had Manna, Bread that was baked in the Clouds, then they had Angels Food immediately from God; and immediate Mercies that come immediately out of the hand of God, are the sweetest Mercies. God doth always give some opportunities of good unto his People; either of doing good, or receiving good; and the less opportunity they have of receiving good, usually the more opportunity they have of doing good: what though your hand be empty of receiving opportunities? ⟨p. 312⟩yet if your hand be full of doing opportunities, have you any cause to be discouraged? God knows how to give the comfort of an Ordinance in the want of an Ordinance. When Jonah was in the Whales belly, he prayed; and in his prayer, he looked towards the Temple, though he was absent from it, and the Lord heard his prayer. And Beloved, if the Lord do remember your carriage, labour of Love, Longings, Groanings, Mournings after the Ordinances, as much when you want them, as he remembers your enlargements under them; then you have no reason to be discouraged in this respect. Now look into Psal. 132. and you shall see how David presseth the Lord to remember him, verse 1. Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions; he was in great Afflictions, and he desired the Lord to remember him; but under what Notion would he have the Lord remember him? why saith he, remember him? How he sware unto the Lord (verse 2.) and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; surely I will not come into the Tabernacle of my House, nor go up into my Bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eye-lids, until I have found out a place for the Lord, an Habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. He wanted the Ordinance, and his heart was restless after it; and now he desires the Lord to remember him for this. So that I say, God will in a special manner remember your carriage; labour of Love, longings, and groanings after Ordinances when you want them. O! but though the Lord do remember us in due time; yet what shall we do in the mean time? Mark what follows; at verse 6.