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

But how may a person that has lost this gracious Quer. presence of God, recover it again?

First, Observe how you lost this presence of God, and Respon. labour to recover it by a contrary course; did you lose it ⟨p. 219⟩by sinful omissions, then be more active in a way of duty. Didst thou lose the presence of God by neglecting thy watch, or by not walking with God, or by an eager pursuit of the world, or by closing with this or that temptation, or by letting fall thy communion with God; take a contrary course, now keep up thy watch, walk close with God, keep up a daily converse with lively Christians, ¹let thy heart and affections be set upon things above, keep thy ground in the face of all temptations, maintain a standing communion with God. After Christ had stood knocking and calling to his Spouse [Open to me my Sister, my Love, my Dove, my Undefiled, for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night, Cant. 5. 2, 3, 6.] but found no entrance, he retired and withdrew himself, because she would not arise, and put on her coat; but when she bestirs her self, she finds him whom her soul loved, Cant 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. Then Christ comes into his garden again, and returns to his Spouse again, and forgets all former unkindness, Cap. 6. 1, 2. But,

First, Observe how you lost this presence of God, and Respon. labour to recover it by a contrary course; did you lose it ⟨p. 219⟩by sinful omissions, then be more active in a way of duty. Didst thou lose the presence of God by neglecting thy watch, or by not walking with God, or by an eager pursuit of the world, or by closing with this or that temptation, or by letting fall thy communion with God; take a contrary course, now keep up thy watch, walk close with God, keep up a daily converse with lively Christians,