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After GOD hath given you the bread of affliction,* 1.1 and the wa∣ter of adversity, hee will restore teachers and no more restraine in∣struction, Esay 30.20.
Though thou see no way of helpe, yet thou knowest not how GOD can provide, Hee can open rivers on the tops of mountaines, and he maketh the wil∣dernesse a standing poole, when his people thirst and cry unto him, Esay 41.17, 18.
If ordinary meanes faile, GOD will then ••••pply of his Spirit; I will be unto them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they sha••l come, Ez••k. 11.16. I will take you one of a cittie, and two of a family, and I will ••r••ng you in Sion, Jer. 3.14. The LORD giveth the Word, great is the company of preachers, Psal. 68.11.
The rans••med of the LORD shall returne and come to Sion with songs, and everlasting ioy upon their heads, they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing shall flie away. E••ay 35.10.
Or in the power of them.
I will give you Pastors accor∣ding to mine heart, which shall feede you with knowledge and un∣derstanding, Ier. 3.15.
Or having them so, and not pro∣fiting by them.* 1.2
I am the LORD thy GOD
which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldst goe, Esay 48.17.
For thy Maker is thine husband, &c. Esay 54.5, 6. Hosea 2.19.
In the wildernesse shall waters breake out,* 1.3 and streames in the de∣sert, and the parched ground shall become a poole, and the thirsty land-springs of water, Esay 35.6, 7. that is, the most barren heart shall abound with grace, accor∣ding to that promise, Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water, Iohn 7.38. streaming out for the good of others. The Kingdome of GOD shall be ta∣ken from you and given to a na∣tion bringing forth the fruits there∣of, Matth. 21.43. This is a pro∣mise, that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruites of the Gospell, therefore every belee∣ving Gentile may apply it.
The use of Faith here is, to up∣hold us against our manifold de∣••ects, infirmities and imperfecti∣••ns. For first, it giveth evidence
to our soules, that the graces wee have are the gifts of GOD, because GOD promiseth them. Secondly, it maketh us rest on GOD for perfecting of that good worke which hee hath so graciously begun.
The Godly that know they feare GOD unfainedly, and yet are often perplexed, because all sensible tokens of GODS favour are taken from them, should 1. Acquaint themselves with the promises, and comfort themselves with these words, they will be as flagons of wine to all distres∣sed spirits. 2. Let them not con∣sider too much of, nor reason too much with their temptati∣ons, Rom. 4.19. 3. Though they feele nothing, yet let them say with David, Ps••l. 56.10. In GOD will I praise his Word, in the LORD will I praise his Word.
Comforts to those that want, or have lost the meanes of knowledge, their tea∣chers are taken from them.
In our spi∣rituall bar∣rennesse la∣men••ed,
See 1 & 2. verses.