A29709:232
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.
Secondly, To move you so to order demean, and 1carry your selves as you may enjoy the gracious presence of God with you, in your greatest troubles, and deepest distresses, consider that nothing can make up the ⟨p. 166⟩want of this signal presence of God; it is not the presence of Friends, of Relations, of Ministers, of Ordinances, of outward comforts, that can make up the want of this presence; it is not candle-light, or torchlight, or star-light, nor moon-light, that can make up the light of the Sun: When the Sun is set in a cloud all the world cannot make it day, and when the presence of God is withdrawn, nothing can make up that dismal loss: Thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled; that 2is thou didst suspend the actual influence and communication of thy grace and favour (the Chaldee calleth it Shechinah, the Divine presence) an• I was all-amort. It was not his Crown, his Kingdom, his Riches, his Dignities, his Royal attendance, &c. that could make up the loss of the face of God, neither is it the presence of an Angel that can make up the want of the presence of God. Exod. 33. 2. And I will send an Angel before thee. God here promiseth Moses that he would send an Angel before them, but with all adds that he would 3not go up himself in the midst of them. I but such a Guide, such a Guardian, such a Nurse, such a Companion, such a Captain General would not satisfy Moses. Verse 14. And he said, my presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Verse 15. And he said unto him, if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Nothing would satisfy Moses below the presence of God, because he knew that they were as good never move a foot further, as to go on without Gods favourable presence. God engages himself that he will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizite, 4and the Hivite, and the Jebusite out of the Land. O but if thy presence go not with me, carry us up not hence. I will bring the necks of all thy proud, stout, strong, and subtle Enemies under thy feet: O but if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. I, but I will bring