A90268:65
God's presence with a people, the spring of their prosperity
God's presence with a people, the spring of their prosperity; with their special interest in abiding with Him. A sermon, preached to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, at Westminster, Octob. 30. 1656. A day of solemn humiliation. / By John Owen, D.D. a servant of Jesus Christ, in the work of the Gospel. Printed by Order of Parliament.God's presence with a people, the spring of their prosperity; with their speciall interest in abiding with Him. A sermon, preached to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, at Westminster, Octob. 30. 1656. A day of solemn humiliation. / By John Owen, D.D. a servant of Jesus Christ, in the work of the Gospel. Printed by Order of Parliament.
London: printed by R.N. for Philemon Stephens, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Sometimes perhaps they are heavy, fearful, slothful, there is a Lion in the way, Giants are in the land, difficulties, and perplexities lie in the way before them in such and such undertakings, they have no heart to them, the way is long, and perilous, better return than go forward. Would God now have them pass on, and engage? the cloud shall break up, and go before them, they shall see so far on their way, as to go forth with cheerfulness. Only observe this! that when the cloud was taken up, they knew they were to go on in the way wherein they were, and journeyed accordingly; yet they know not whither they should go, nor what would be the end of their journey: And therefore it is said, that when they journeyed the Ark went before them to seek out a resting place for them Numb. 10. 33. It was carried on, to see where the pillar, or cloud of ⟨p. 19⟩direction would stay, and there they rested where ever it were. When God gives a people so much direction, as that they see it is their duty to go on, and to trust him in so doing, though they see not the end, nor know what their resting place will be, yet it is a pledge of Gods presence with them. I suppose in your Assembly you have had the cloud taken off, as to your engagements in some undertakings, concerning which you are to trust, that the Ark of Gods presence, the Lord Jesus Christ, will find you out a resting place, which as yet appears not unto you.
Sometimes perhaps they are heavie, fearful, slothful, there is a Lion in the way, Gyants are in the land, difficulties, and perplexities lie in the way before them in such and such undertakings, they have no heart to them, the way is long, and perilous, better return than go forward. Would God now have them pass on, and engage? the cloud shall break up, and goe before them, they shall see so far on their way, as to goe forth with chearfulness. Only observe this! that when the cloud was taken up, they knew they were to goe on in the way wherein they were, and journeyed accordingly; yet they know not whither they should goe, nor what would be the end of their journey: And therefore it is said, that when they journeyed the Arke went before them to seek out a resting place for them Numb. 10. 33. It was carried on, to see where the pillar, or cloud of ⟨p. 19⟩