CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

5. They may have the comfortable presence and corporal direction of wise, holy and godly persons, but at last God may take them away. Thus a godly people may have the ministry of a faithful Pastor, while he is with them, the flock is kept, no wolves have been able to get into the fold. Children and servants may have a godly Father and Master; wives, gracious and wise husbands, now these while they were enjoyed, were wonderful supports. Hence Elisha is called the horsemen and chariots of Israel. When Chrysostom was banished, the people said, The sun might have been better taken out of the firmament. Thus God hath given his people many sensible supports by godly Magistrates, godly Ministers, godly Fathers, godly Husbands, and while they had them all was well, as with the Disciples while Christ was with them, but when the shepherd is smitten; when the pillars of the house are removed, oh then thy condition is a new condition, it requireth new graces, new strength. While Ismael is in his fathers ⟨p. 332⟩house, he will do well enough, but when cast out of doors, there is his difficulty. Oh then if God give any of these visible supports to you, do not think to have them always; God will put you to higher exercises; God by degrees brings up his people to more and more hardship. Deut. 32.12. God there compareth his dealing with the Israelites, to an Eagle fluttering over her nest, and teaching her young ones to fly. They say the Eagle doth not presently expel her young ones, but by degrees teacheth them hardship, and at last makes them live upon the prey they get themselves. God put not his people immediately upon war with their enemies, but used them forty years to hardship in the wilderness.

5. They may have the comfortable presence and corporall direction of wise, holy and godly persons, but at last God may take them away. Thus a godly people may have the ministry of a faithfull Pastor, while he is with them, the flock is kept, no wolves have been able to get into the fold. Children and servants may have a godly Father and Master; wives, gracious and wise husbands, now these while they were enjoyed, were wonderfull supports. Hence Elisha is called the horsemen and chariots of Israel. When Chrysostom was banished, the people said, The sun might have been better taken out of the firmament. Thus God hath given his people many sensible supports by godly Magistrates, godly Ministers, godly Fathers, godly Husbands, and while they had them all was well, as with the Disciples while Christ was with them, but when the shepheard is smitten; when the pillars of the house are removed, oh then thy condition is a new condition, it requireth new graces, new strength. While Ismael is in his fathers