4. His smiling or frowning on them, according as they do well or ill. He does not walk among his Churches merely as an idle Spectator, that only observes them, but does not concern himself any further about them. No, indeed, but he's ready to help and relieve, or chastise and punish them according to what their behaviour is. 2 Chron. 15 2. The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. The more humbly and closely any Churches walk with Christ, diligently conforming themselves ⟨p. 23⟩to his holy Laws and Institutions: So much the more reason they have to expect his gracious, protecting, supplying presence with them. He said to the Church of Philadelphia, ver 3.10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will kept thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early. What says God of his Vineyard? Isa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day. Tho' it's true, that a Churches walking carefully in the ways of Christ, does not altogether exempt them from sore afflictions and trials; no fault was mentioned against the Church of Smyrna, yet they were to suffer, to have tribulation ten days, some of them must be cast into prison, Rev. 2.8, 10. Yet the more careful they are to please Christ, so much the more reason they have to expect his protection and favour, as they are a Society; but considered ⟨p. 24⟩personally as sincere Saints (if such they are) it's certain, that all things shall work together for their good. Rom. 8.28. And if God be for them, who can be against them? v. 31. Again, the Lord Jesus walks among his Churches, to testify against, and to punish those things that are displeasing and provoking to him. He says, Rev. 2.16.22, 23. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit Adultery with her into great tribulation.—I will give unto every one of you according to your works. The Lord Jesus has his fan in his hand, he'll thoroughly purge his floor: as he'll gather the wheat into his garners;
4. His smiling or frowning on them, according as they do well or ill. He does not walk among his Churches meerly as an idle Spectator, that only observes them, but does not concern himself any further about them. No, indeed, but he's ready to help and relieve, or chastize and punish them according to what their behaviour is. 2 Chron. 15 2. The Lord is with you, while ye bewith him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. The more humbly and closely any Churches walk with Christ, diligently conforming themselves ⟨p. 23⟩to his holy Laws and Institutions: So much the more reason they have to expect his gracious, protecting, supplying presence with them. He said to the Church of Philadelphia, ver 3.10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will kept thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early. What says God of his Vineyard? Isa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day. Tho' it's true, that a Churches walking carefully in the ways of Christ, does not altogether exempt them from sore afflictions and trials; no fault was mentioned against the Church of Smyrna, yet they were to suffer, to have tribulation ten days, some of them must be cast into prison, Rev. 2.8, 10. Yet the more careful they are to please Christ, so much the more reason they have to expect his protection and favour, as they are a Society; but considered ⟨p. 24⟩personally as sincere Saints (if such they are) it's certain, that all things shall work together for their good. Rom. 8.28. And if God be for them, who can be against them? v. 31. Again, the Lord Jesus walks among his Churches, to testifie against, and to punish those things that are displeasing and provoking to him. He says, Rev. 2.16.22, 23. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit Adultry with her into great tribulation.—I will give unto every one of you according to your works. The Lord Jesus has his fan in his hand, he'll thro'ly purge his floor: as he'll gather the wheat into his garners;
