A29709:218
A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…
A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse about the favourable, signal and eminent presence of the Lord with his people in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers : with the resolution of several questions, concerning the divine presence, as also the reasons and improvements of this great and glorious truth ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse about the favorable, signal and eminent presence of the Lord with his people in their greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers : with the resolution of several questions, concerning the divine presence, as also the reasons and improvements of this great and glorious truth ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
and why then should any of you be afraid to enter into an afflicted condition, where you shall be sure to meet the singular presence of the Lord, that will certainly turn your afflicted condition into a comfortable condition to you? The great design of the Lord in afflicting of his People, is to meet with them, and to draw them into a nearer communion with himself; it is that they may see more of him than ever, and taste more of him than ever, and enjoy more of him than ever; in order to which he subdues their corruptions by afflictions, 1and strengthens their graces, and heightens their holiness by all their troubles and trials. When ever he leads his Spouse into a wilderness, it is that he may speak friendly and comfortably to her, or that he may speak to her heart, as the Hebrew runs. The great design of the Lord in bringing her into a wilderness, was that he might make such discoveries of himself, of his love, and of his sovereign grace, as might cheer up her heart, yea as might even make her heart leap and dance within her. Or as some sense it, I will take her alone for the purpose, even into a solitary wilderness, where I may more fr•ely impart my mind to her, that she having her whole desire she may come up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved, and so be brought into the bride-house with all 2solemnity. By all which it is most evident, that there is no such evil in a wilderness estate, in an afflicted condition, as many imagine. But,
and why then should any of you be afraid to enter into an afflicted condition, where you shall be sure to meet the singular presence of the Lord, that will certainly turn your afflicted condition into a comfortable condition to you? The great design of the Lord in afflicting of his People, is to meet with them, and to draw them into a nearer communion with himself; it is that they may see more of him than ever, and taste more of him than ever, and enjoy more of him than ever; in order to which he subdues their corruptions by afflictions, 1and strengthens their graces, and heightens their holiness by all their troubles and trials. When ever he leads his Spouse into a wilderness, it is that he may speak friendly and comfortably to her, or that he may speak to her heart, as the Hebrew runs. The great design of the Lord in bringing her into a wilderness, was that he might make such discoveries of himself, of his love, and of his soveraign grace, as might chear up her heart, yea as might even make her heart leap and dance within her. Or as some sence it, I will take her alone for the purpose, even into a solitary wilderness, where I may more frely impart my mind to her, that she having her whole desire she may come up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved, and so be brought into the bride-house with all