One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

for spiritual dispositions do not come upon us of a sudden, and by rapt motions, but by progressive and orderly degrees and preparations.

3. It is a profitable duty as to Temporals. Isaac went out to meditate, and of a sudden he espieth the Camels coming, upon which Rebecca was brought to him, Gen. 24. 63, 64. Was this a mere accident, think you, or a Providence worthy of remark and observation? Isaac goes to meet with God, and there he gets the first view of his bosom-friend and Spouse. This was a mercy cast in to the bargain. Godliness hath the promises of this life, and that which is to come. There is nothing lost by duty and acts of piety. Seneca said, the Jews were a foolish people, because they lost the full seventh part of their lives. Septimam aetatis partem perdunt vacando, intending their Sabbath time. This is the sense of Nature, to think all lost that is bestowed upon God. Flesh and blood crieth out, What need this waste? they cannot spare time from their Callings, they have Families to maintain. Oh let me tell you, by serving God you drive on two cares at once. Worldly Interests are cast in to the way of Religion; and though not designed and intended by us, these things are added to us. For comforts and manifestations of God, we have them many times in our recess, and the privacy of our retirements, in a more plentiful manner than elsewhere. The Spouse inviteth the Bridegroom, Cant. 7. 11. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field: Upon which Bernard, O sancta anima, fuge publicum, fuge, an nescis te verecundum habere sponsum, qui nequaquam tibi velit indulgere praesentiam suam coram aliis? We have most experiences of God, when we are alone with him, and sequestered from all distractions of company and business, solacing our selves with God. Exod. 3. 1. Moses drove the sheep to the backside of the Wilderness, and came to the Mount of God: he goeth aside from the other shepherds, that he might converse with the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, and there he seeth the vision of the fiery bush. Usually God cometh to us in our deep meditation; when the soul is most elevated, and fittest to entertain the comforts of his presence, then we have sensible experience of God.