A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…

Fifthly, the Lord will be signally present with his ¹People in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers, because he dearly loves them. God ²entirely loves his People, and therefore he will not leave his People; persons whom we entirely love we cannot leave, especially when they are in a distressed condition. ³A friend loves at all times, saith Solomon; and God is such a friend. God loves not by fits and star••, as many do, but his love is like himself sincere and steadfast, because he loves them, he won't forsake them when they are in the greatest troubles and most terrible dangers, 1 Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord will not forsake his People, for his great Namesake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his People; He chose you for his love, and he still loveth you for his choice, and therefore he won't forsake you; ⟨p. 120⟩Chide you he may, but forsake you he won't: for it will not stand with the glory of God to leave a People, to forsake a People of his love. Should I cast you off whom I love, the Heathen Nations would say, that I was mutable in my purposes, or unfaithful in my promises. Though David's Parents forsook him, yet God did not forsake ⁴him, but took him up into his care and keeping. It is the deriding question which the enemies of the Saints put ⁵to them, in the time of their greatest troubles, deep distresses, and most deadly dangers, Ubi Deus? Where is now your God? But they may safely and groundedly return this answer, when they are at lowest, Hic Deus, Our God is here; he is nigh unto us, he is round about ⁶us, and he is in the midst of us: Witness that golden promise, that is more worth than a world, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. God is a God of bowels, a