A29709:270
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.
Thirdly, If you would enjoy the gracious presence of God with you, in your greatest troubles, deepest distresses, and most deadly dangers, then keep close to instituted worship, keep close to Gospel ordinances, keep close to your Church state, Exod. 20. 24. In all places where 1I record my Name, I will come unto thee and bless thee. Where God fixeth his solemn worship for the memorial and honour of his Name, there he will vouchsafe his gracious presence. Mat. 18. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. The promise of Gods gracious assistance, presence, and acceptance is annexed to his Church, whether it be great or small, numerous or few. Mat. 28. 20, Lo, I am with you alway, according to my Godhead, ⟨p. 198⟩Majesty, grace and spirit; Lo, I am with you to own 2you; Lo, I am with you to counsel and direct you; Lo, I am with you to cheer and comfort you; Lo, I am with you to assist and strengthen you; Lo, I am with you to shelter you, and protect you; Lo, I am with you to do all your works in you, and for you; Lo, I am with you to strengthen your graces, and to weaken your sins; Lo, I am with you to scatter your fears, and answer your doubts; Lo, I am with you to better your hearts, and to mend your lives; Lo, I am with you to bless you and crown you with immortality and glory. And what can the soul desire more? Such as have low thoughts of Gospel-ordinances, such as slight Gospel-ordinances, such as neglect Gospel-ordinances, such as vilify Gospel-ordinances, such as decry Gospel-ordinances, such as oppose Gospel-ordinances, such may talk of the presence of Christ, and such may boast of the presence of Christ, but all such are out of the way of enjoying the presence of Christ; Christ is only to be met with in his own worship and in his own ways. Ah how many in these days are there that are like to old Barzillai, that had lost his taste and hearing, and 3