God's promise to his plantations

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.

This we must discern, or else we are but intruders upon God. And when we do withal discern, that God giveth us these outward Blessings from his Love in Christ; and maketh comfortable provision as well for our Souls as for our Bodies, by the means of Grace: then do we enjoy our present possession, as well by gracious Promise, as by the common and just, and bountiful providence of the Lord. Or if a man do remove, he must see that God hath espied out such a Country for him.