A90268:68
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.
I cannot stay to show you the several ways whereby God now communicates direction to a people, how he inclines their hearts insensibly, yet powerfully; fixes the bent of their spirits effectually, (their hearts being in his hand as the rivers of water, which he turns as he pleaseth,) supplies them with reasonings and consultations beyond the verge of their own wisdom, proposes, occasions, invitations, provocations; gives them Spirit and courage, beyond their natural frames, and tempers; enlarges them in prayer, or shuts them up; makes walls on the one hand, and open paths on the other, with innumerable such ways, and means as in his infinite wisdom he is pleased to make effectual for their guidance. It suffices, that in the use of means, through patience and waiting upon him, they shall be directed to that which is pleasing to him: so is he with them.
I cannot stay to shew you the several wayes whereby God now communicates direction to a people, how he inclines their hearts insensibly, yet powerfully; fixes the bent of their spirits effectually, (their hearts being in his hand as the rivers of water, which he turns as he pleaseth,) supplys them with reasonings and consultations beyond the verge of their own wisdome, proposes, occasions, invitations, provocations; gives them Spirit and courage, beyond their natural frames, and tempers; enlarges them in prayer, or shuts them up; makes walls on the one hand, and open pathes on the other, with innumerable such wayes, and means as in his infinite wisdome he is pleased to make effectual for their guidance. It suffices, that in the use of means, through patience and waiting upon him, they shall be directed to that which is pleasing to him: so is he with them.
The second use of this pillar was, to give them 1protection and defence in all their way. So Exod. 14. 19, 20. 24. This protected them from the Egyptians, and from thence God troubled their Enemies; out of the pillar, that is from his especial presence. This use of it is insisted on