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

Sixthly, the Lord will be signally present with his ¹People in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers, because of his propriety and interest in them, and his near and dear relation to them. Isa. 43. 1. But now thus, saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name thou art mine. Thou art mine for I have made thee, thou art mine for I ²have chosen thee, thou art mine for I have bought thee, I have purchased thee, thou art mine for I have called thee, thou art mine for I have redeemed thee, thou art mine for I have stamped mine image upon thee, thou art ³mi•• for I have put my Spirit into thee. Now mark what follows Verse 2. When th•• passest through the Waters, I will be with thee, and through the Rivers, they shall not ⟨p. 124⟩overflow thee, when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. God will certainly keep his own People, his own Children company, both in the fire and in the water; that is, in those various trials and troubles, that they are incident ⁴t• in this World. When should a Husband be with his wife, but when she is in greatest troubles? and a Father with his child, but when he is in deep distresses? and a General with his Army, but when they are in greatest dangers? When should the Physician be most with his Patient, but when he is most desperately sick? and when should the Shepherd be nearest his sheep, but when they are diseased, and the wolf is at hand? Now God you know stands in all these relations to his People, and therefore he will not fail to be near them, when troubles, distresses, and dangers are growing upon them. But,