God's promise to his plantations

1. By discerning themselves to be in CHRIST, in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen.

2. By finding his holy Presence with them, to wit, when he plants them in the holy Mountain of his Inheritance, Exod. 15. 17. And that is, when he giveth them the liberty, and purity of his Ordinances. It is a Land of Promise, where they have provision for Soul as well as for Body. Ruth dwelt well for outward respects while she dwelt in Moab; but when she cometh to dwell in Israel, she is said to come under the wings of God, Ruth 2. 12. When God wraps us in with his Ordinances, and warms us with the life and power of them, as with wings, there is a Land of Promise.

This may teach us all where we do now dwell, or where after we may dwell, Be sure you look at every place appointed to you from the hand of God. We may not rush into any place, and never say to God, By your leave; but we must discern how God appoints us this place. There is poor comfort in sitting down in any place, that you cannot say, This place is appointed me of God. Canst thou say, that God spied out this place for thee, and there hath settled thee above all hinderances? Didst thou find that God made room for thee, either by lawful Descent, or Purchase, or Gift, or other warrantable Right? Why then this is the place God hath appointed thee; here he hath made room for thee, he hath placed thee in Rehoboth, in a peaceable Place.