2. Dost find the Lord a stranger to thee in all his Ordinances, wherein it may be the Lord sweetly and wonderfully and mightily, yet not alway,1 but seasonably reveals himself to others. Oh but thy heart dries and parches away, and that without much trouble under them all. If so, suspect it, believe it that there is some league with a lust. For there is a double life of a Christian. 1. An outward life, which others see: Men see he comes to Church, prays in the Family, &c. 2. There is a secret inward life; according to that of Mat. 6. 6. Thy Father which sees in secret, which none knows but himself, and the Lord; and this is an ineffable communion with God, vision of God, delight in God, &c. Psal. 45. The Kings daughter is all glorious within. There is an open life of prayer, and hearing, and fasting, and there is an inward, secret life in all these, wherein the Lord acquaints himself with his people, Psal. 63. 1, 2, 3. To see thee as I have seen thee. Now there be divers have this open life, yet wanting the secret life. As we love not to live among Tombs, not to have communion with dead men; so the Lord is a stranger to them. He may secretly sweeten an Ordinance to them, and move them, and shake and trouble them, but himself is a stranger, spiritual miseries not removed, spiritual mercies not conveyed, Isa. 58. 1, 2, 3, 4. Why have we fasted, and thou regardest not? You took pleasure saith the Lord, and break the bonds of wickedness, &c. I know Saints may be thus denied, and it may be for some space of time, yet they quarrel not with God for denying them, but are more taken off from pleasures thereby. Thou hidst thy face, and I was troubled, though the Mount stood still. But some there be whom neither good day mends them, not bad day pairs them: Surely there is some content thy heart is bewitched withal. That look as 'tis with a suitor to another, let him while he comes to her, profess never so much love, and desire love, yet if when he goes from her, commits lewdness with every one, she will lock him out. So 'tis here; never did I know any locked out from the power and sweetness of Ordinances, but because they went a whoring from God out of them. The Lord knows (though others do not) whether 'tis so with you. Look therefore upon thy self, you enjoy great means every where in this place. Is it enough to have Ordinances? the Ark?
2. Dost find the Lord a stranger to thee in all his Ordinances, wherein it may be the Lord sweetly and wonderfully and mightily, yet not alway,1 but seasonably reveals himself to others. Oh but thy heart dries and parches away, and that without much trouble under them all. If so, suspect it, beleeve it that there is some league with a lust. For there is a double life of a Christian. 1. An outward life, which others see: Men see he comes to Church, prayes in the Family, &c. 2. There is a secret inward life; according to that of Mat. 6. 6. Thy Father which sees in secret, which none knowes but himself, and the Lord; and this is an ineffable communion with God, vision of God, delight in God, &c. Psal. 45. The Kings daughter is all glorious within. There is an open life of prayer, and hearing, and fasting, and there is an inward, secret life in all these, wherein the Lord acquaints himself with his people, Psal. 63. 1, 2, 3. To see thee as I have seen thee. Now there be divers have this open life, yet wanting the secret life. As we love not to live among Tombes, not to have communion with dead men; so the Lord is a stranger to them. He may secretly sweeten an Ordinance to them, and move them, and shake and trouble them, but himself is a stranger, spiritual miseries not removed, spiritual mercies not conveyed, Isa. 58. 1, 2, 3, 4. Why have we fasted, and thou regardest not? You took pleasure saith the Lord, and break the bonds of wickednesse, &c. I know Saints may be thus denied, and it may be for some space of time, yet they quarrel not with God for denying them, but are more taken off from pleasures thereby. Thou hidst thy face, and I was troubled, though the Mount stood still. But some there be whom neither good day mends them, not bad day pairs them: Surely there is some content thy heart is bewitched withal. That look as 'tis with a suitor to another, let him while he comes to her, professe never so much love, and desire love, yet if when he goes from her, commits lewdnesse with every one, she will lock him out. So 'tis here; never did I know any lockt out from the power and sweetnesse of Ordinances, but because they went a whoring from God out of them. The Lord knowes (though others do not) whether 'tis so with you. Look therefore upon thy self, you enjoy great means every where in this place. Is it enough to have Ordinances? the Ark?
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