The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being the substance of divers sermons preached on Psalm XXXII / by Samuel Willard.

God to be sought in a finding time.

DOCTRINE. III.

THey that hope to find forgiveness from God in the way of Prayer must seek him in a time when it may be found. There is emphasis in this, they

shall not only pray, but they shall do it seasonably. There are two Propositions in this Doctrine.

1. That there is a time wherein God may be found.

2. That if we would speed in our Prayers for for∣giveness, we must take this time to seek him in.

Prop. I. That there is a time wherein God may be found. And there are three Conclusions contained in this Proposition.

1. That God may be found by sinful men.

2. That the Opportunity of thus seeking God is limited to time.

3. That there are special seasons wherein God is to be found by them that seek him.

1. That God may be found by sinful men. This is the foundation of all our encouragment to seek after him. We may here enquire.

1. When God is said to be found?

2. For the evidence that he may so.

3. The ground of it, or how it comes to pass?

1. When God is said to be found?

A. In respect of his Omnipresence it is every where. Act. 17. 27, 28. And with regard to his Providence, he fills all with his presence and influence, Psal. 135. 6. But it here aims at a gracious discovery which God makes of himself to us. We then find him, when we obtain favour from him in the thing we seek him for, when he is propitious to us, Deut. 4. 29. Gods being found is, opposed to his hiding himself; and his people account him to do so, when they receive no favourable returns of their Prayers, no gracious effects coming thereupon.

But when we ask his mercy, and he bestows it up∣on us, we conclude that we have found him. If when we are burdened with the Guilt of Sin, we humbly address him for pardon, and he applies the promise, and helps us to take hold on it, and wit∣nesseth within us his accepting us, we conclude that we have found him: and so in every other respect in which his Children call upon him. It is he him∣self who comes in by his Spirit to the Soul, and leaveth those things there which testify his presence: Psal. 34. 4. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me.

2. For the evidence, that he may be found. Sin in∣deed hath made an infinite distance between God and Sinners, and hath provoked him to hide from them. Every natural man is a lost Creature, hath lost his God, and his happiness, and knoweth not where to find him, but wandereth in a Wilderness where there is no way. But for all this, such is Gods rich Grace, that he hath discovered himself in the Gospel, so as that he may be found again by the lost Creature; and these things will evidence it.

1. He invites men to seek him. This precious ad∣vice is given to all where the Gospel cometh. He would not have men to seek their help else where, but enquire after him. He gives them this call, while they are wandring from mountain to hill, seeking rest, and finding none. 1 Chron. 16. 11. 22. 19. Now God would not invite men to seek him; if there were no hope that they might find him; he doth not delude them, but point them to a way of safety.

2. He hath therefore made promises to such as see•• him, that they shall find him. The Prophet tells 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from God, Isa. 45. 19. I said not to the seed of Jacob seek me in vain. And to make this appear he hath obliged himself, 1 Chron. 28. 9. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee. So, Psal. 69. 32. Prov. 8. 17. Heb. 11. 6. And he who hath promised is faithful and will perform, and they that adventure on his word, shall never see cause to repent.

3. He hath made a way for his being found by Sin∣ful men. And there is nothing wherein God hath equally celebrated his goodness to man, as in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that when Sin had shut us out of his presence, and raised Mountains between him and us, he hath been at the cost to remove them, and make a New and Living way for us to find him. For this it was that Christ came into the World, and made the Atonement with his own Blood, that he might pull down the wall of separation: And now he tells us that he is the way, Joh. 14. 6. And so there is a new way Consecrated, Heb. 10. 20. This God would not have done, if he had not designed that some of the lost race should find him in it.

4. He hath given us directions how we may find this way, and him in it. All the Gospel Precepts are adapted to this end. As there could have been no way, if he had not opened it, so we could never have known it, if he had not shown it us, Mic. 6. 8. And his Spirit is sent to influence and guide us into it, Isa. 30. 21. The preceptive part of the Gospel is purposely given for our direction in this affair.

5. Jesus Christ came to seek lost Sinners, and bring them into this way; he himself tells us so, Luk. 19. 10. True, he had a further design in co∣ming, viz. to make this way, by his Priestly Of∣fice; but yet in his Prophetical and Kingly he pur∣sueth this design: for having purchased to himself a Church in the world, he sends forth his Spirit to gather them to himself; he seeks them up in their lost estate, and finds them, and so they find him, Isa. 65. 1.

3. For the ground of this, or how it comes to pass, that he is willing to be found, let these things be considered.

1. That God hath purposed the glory of his Grace in the Salvation of Sinners. Hence some are said to be Chosen in Christ to this very end, Eph. 1. 3. 6. The foundation of all this is laid in his good will: it was because he had a mind that this letter in his name should be made legible, and celebrated throughout Eternal Ages.

2. That mans happiness consists in his seeing and enjoying of God. There is no other object is ade∣quate for him: should he enjoy all the goodness of the whole Creation, separate from the favour and love of God, it would not make him better man miserable, Psal. 73. 27. He only is a portion that can satisfy the cravings of an immortal Soul; and if the man be happy, he must know him, Joh. ••7. 3. and he must have him to be his portion, Lam. 3. 24.

3. That man by Sin hath lost God. This is the unhappy effect of the Apostasy, and is the fruit

of sin, Isa. 59. 2. Man was at first made near to God, but as soon as sin came in, it set him at a vast distance; so that now he knows him not, but is a stranger to him; hath lost all title to him as his God, and is become his enemy, and so is made miserable.

4. That fallen man must find God again, if ever he enjoy him. Vision and Fruition go together i•• Mans misery is that he hath left him, his only happiness is in finding him. We must find him, if we find life by him, Prov. 8. 35. Till we so do, we remain in the forlorn state state which Sin hath cast us into; That man that doth not find his God again, is undone for ever.

5. For this end God exhibits himself to man, as the object whom they are to seek. God hath made our seeking of him a medium in order to our finding him. Not but that he seeks us first by his prevent∣ing Grace, yet in order to his discovering himself graciously to us, he makes us to exert this Grace, in asking after him. Hence in the Gospel Pro∣clamation these two are connected together, Jer. 29. 13.

USE I. Why then do men sit still and live contentedly without him? Let this rouse up Sinners to enquire after him; to seek him, that they may find him; for motive, Consider.

1. You are strangers to him in your natural state. This is the condition of all men, as they derive from, and stand related to the first Adam. Your condition is laid out, Eph. 2. 12. The relation you may pretend that you have to God by vertue

of the Gospel Covenant, will not secure you, but if you are still Unregenerate, you are far from him, and he will say, that he knows you not, Mat. 7. 22, 23.

2. You are undone without him. You must have him to be your God, or you perish; as content∣edly as you live without him for the present, there is a time coming when you will be made to know, that there is no happiness but in the fruiti∣on of him; all those things whereon you now trust, will shortly fail you, and if you have not a God to uphold you, you sink into remediless per∣dition; without God, and without hope, Eph. 2. 12.

3. He is willing to be found by you. Whence is it that he makes such discoveries of himself to you in the Gospel? that he cometh so near you in the means of Grace? that he so displays him∣self in the face of Christ? Surely all the Messa∣ges that are sent you from Sabbath to Sabbath, are to let you understand how ready he is to be found, why else doth he bid you look to him and be saved, Isa. 45. 22.

4. Hence if you seek him in truth, he will certainly manifest himself to you. He would never have called you so earnestly, nor expressed himself so grieved at your neglect, if it were not so. He waits for it after all your refusals, who might have put you ere this beyond all hope, did he not in compassion, resolve to give further opportunity of seeking him. He therefore cries how long? Prov. 1. 22.

5. If you find him you shall be happy. You will

never repent your seeking him. You will be fully recompensed for all the pains you have ta∣ken in it, Prov. 8. 35. He that findeth me, findeth life. Forgiveness of sin and an Inheritance among then that are Sanctified, will be the happy fruit of this Enquiry.

USE II. Let this encourage drooping Souls un∣der the sense of sin and Guilt. You are afraid, but do not as Adam did, Gen. 3. 10. but let this sense drive you to seek God. Consider,

1. You can never come to true quiet till you enjoy him. You resent a distance between him and you, and that is your perplexity; and where do you hope to find ease and relief? it is only in him that your Souls can be settled. Guilt will abide till he removes it; and as long as he is angry you are in an ill case.

2. He now expects that you should seek him. He hath not forbidden you, nor driven you away, but he requires it: this trouble he brings you to, is to make you feel your necessity; it is one way in which he is wont to fetch home his lost sheep, that are gone astray, so he did David, Peter, &c.

3. Hence be not disheartened by any Temptation to despair. Satan would be at this, and a misgiving heart, that is wounded, too readily resents it; but Consider;

1. He invites such as you are in particular, Mat. 11. 28. Come to me you that are weary and heavy lader. He would have them that are in distress to seek

refuge in him, who only can secure them: He would have none that know their sins, and feel their misery to despond, because such are nextly called to look after him.

2. He hath provided sufficient to remove all the causes of distance between him and you. Let your Guilt be never so aggravated, yet in the compleat Righteousness of Christ, there is abundant pro∣vision made, which cannot be out done by our sins: He can save to the uttermost, Heb. 7. 25.

3. And he will herein advance the glory of his Grace. How often doth he take an opportunity thus to do? he hath purposed to be admired in them that believe, 2 Thes. 1. 10. And in this way will he promote that admiration; resolve then to seek his face, for the health of his countenance.

Conclu. 2. That the opportunity of thus finding God is limited to time. There are two ages of man, or a double state to which he is appointed, with re∣spect to duration, viz Time and Eternity; the for∣mer whereof is limited, the latter boundless; the one will quickly come to an end, the other never; and where the former ends, the other begins. Time, in the general notion of it, is the boundary of the Creatures duration: and this may be considered generally with respect to the world, and so, it be∣gins with the first moment of the Creation, and shall last till the consummation of all things, i. e. the Day of Judgment; and all this while God will be to be found by some: there will be a Day of Grace, the Mediators Kingdom, in which a

treaty of Reconciliation is held up with man, will continue till the end: for it is with regard to the Elect that the World is continued, but when that ends, this will end with it; that will deter∣mine the everlasting state of all men unchangeably. But then there is a more particular consideration of time, as it respecteth the several Creatures which are the Subjects of it: and thus every Creature in the lower world hath its own time, or the bounds of its duration, which begins with its existence, and ends with its dissolution; thus David, Psal 31. 15. My times are in thine hand. Only this difference is to be observed between man, and other sublunary beings, that when their time ends, and they are dissolved, their existence ceaseth for ever, being resolved into their first principles, never to return to their first individual being: Whereas man, when by his dissolution he ceaseth to be a Son of time, but enters upon his Eternity, in which he is to exist for ever: and though for a while his body must be resolved in∣to dust, yet it shall return again by a Resurrection to its particular existence; the Soul in the mean while retaining its essence, faculties, & activity. Now every mans particular time is the spot that lieth between his birth and his death; it begins with his coming into the World, and lasts till he goeth off the Stage, and there it ends; this is that to which his opportunity of seeking and finding God is limi∣ted. I do not say that it shall last so long with e∣very one, but I am assured that it shall extend no further. When once this glass is run, it shall be

turned no more. For the Demonstration of this, take these Conclusions.

1. That it is arbitrary with God whether ever he will be found by sinful man or no Man in his A∣postasy went away from God, bad him depart, pre∣ferred other Objects before him, and renounced communion with him; how justly might God upon this have rejected him for ever, and resol∣ved that he should never more obtain his favour? He hath no dependance on his Creature; if he had said they shall never see my face again for e∣ver, he had offered them no injury at all. He therefore in this acts his Soveraignty: and it therein eminently appears, in that he thus mani∣festeth himself when, where, and to whom he pleaseth; the greatest number of mankind are groping in the dark, seeking an object in which to find their happiness, and God doth not shew himself to them, than whom, they to whom he doth thus appear, are nothing better; so that his meer good pleasure is herein displayed; hence that of our Saviour, Mat. 11. 25, 26.

2. Hence it is at his liberty to fix the terms on which he will be found by them. If the thing it self be at his liberty, he must needs then have the power of prescribing. Man is a Rebel and an Out law; if God will pursue him to death, and destroy him, he doth him no wrong: and if he will indulge him with a treaty of reconciliation, it is at his dis∣cretion to make the Articles of it. Now among the other terms of the treaty this is one, viz. the stating of the time wherein men may come in

and find him. A Prince that proclaimeth peace, to his Rebellious Subjects, may limit the day, and proclaim, that if they come in by such a day, and she for it, they shall have it; but if they take not that opportunity, there shall be no hope; and it is a very high favour that such an offer as this, though thus bounded, should be ever made to any of the race of sinful men.

3. That except God reveals himself unto men, they may seek, but they shall not find him. There is such a thing as this, Prov. 1. 28. And there is great reason for it. God indeed hath made our seeking of him, the way to our finding him, & made a graci∣ous promise that they who truly seek him shall find him; but it is a promise of Grace, and indeed the reason why any do seek & not find him, is because they do not seek him as they ought. However, God manifesteth himself arbitrarily to men: we may be in the outward use of all the means of grace, and yet miss him, & never meet him there: and it will be so, unless he please to come and manifest himself.

4. That unless God giveth them his Spirit & Grace, they will never seek him so as to find him. There is a so seeking him, as is ever crowned with success, and brings us into his presence, such as that, Jer. 29. 13. All other is either hypocritical or legal, which is not acceptable to God. Now if any of the Children of men so seek him, they must have the grace from him so to do; it is a work of his Spirit, and till he give them a new heart, they can∣not so do: there must be his drawing, if ever there be their following. Now the drawing of

the Spirit is at his pleasure: if he see meet to withold this grace from men, they will never so seek him, notwithstanding all the calls and coun∣sels, and warnings that can be given them; and he hath no necessary lying upon him to bestow this on them.

5. There are certain means in and with which God reveals himself to men, so as they may find him. As God is to be found, so there is a way for it. Na∣tural men that live without the Gospel, can ne∣ver find him in that condition; the meer light of nature will never lead any of mankind to God, or bring them to communion with him again: had not this been manifested in the Gospel, it had never been known, and man must have wandred in an endless maze of error, 2 Cor. 4. 6. And it is in and with this Gospel that God is pleased to shew himself to the Souls of men, and therefore by serious attendance thereon they are to seek him. Where therefore these means are either not bestowed, or are taken from men, or they from them, now the opportunity must needs cease with them.

I now proceed to make it appear, that if ever we find God, it must be during the time of our life in this world; and from the premises there are these evidences for it.

1. That God hath in his Word, limited the day of Grace to this life. The Word of God is that by which we are to acquaint our selves with his will; and there we are assured that the day of Grace is limited. When our Text saith, they shall pray in a

finding time, it infers that there will be a time when there is no finding of him; and of the same import is that in Isa. 55. 6. Seek the Lord while he may be found. Hence he may be sought too late, when there is no finding him, Prov. 1 23. Nay the Scripture hath expresly limited the time to this life, Psal. 6. 5. Isa. 38. 18. And elsewhere; which intimate, that the time of Glorifying God by making our peace with him, will then be o∣ver; or that the work of providing for eternity will then be at an end; and this is the force of the wise mans argument, when he urgeth the hus∣banding the present season of life, Eccles. 9. 10. There is no work, nor wisdom, nor device, nor know∣ledge in the grave whither thou goest.

2. That the means and offers of Grace are only af∣forded men during the time of this life. Whiles God is to be found, he affords men advantages of seek∣ing him, and these are the Gospel & Ordinances, in which his Spirit is wont to come and strive. As long as he continueth these, and cometh in and with them to the hearts of men, they have a fair opportunity for finding him: but when these are withdrawn and gone, he goeth with them; and it is certain that men enjoy these only in this life. Whether so long, is arbitrary, but longer they shall not. What saith the Psalmist? Psal. 88. 11. 12. Shall the dead praise thee? &c. by which in∣terrogatories, a vehement negation is insinuated; and if Gods faithful Servants would never so fain, they can come at them no more, to speak to them about their Souls concerns.

3. There are awful threatnings denounced against such as neglect this time, and these offers. God is a God of truth in his threatnings as well as his promises: and he hath warned Sinners of what will come of it, if they neglect the present time: he hath de∣nounced that they shall for ever miss of the bene∣fit offered, and for the obtaining of which they once had a price in their hands; if they will not comply with Gods time, they shall fail when they would fain be entertained by him: How solemn a moan doth Christ make over Jerusalem, Luk. 19. 41, 42. And what mean those fearful expressions? Ezek. 24, ••, 13. Isa. 27. 11. In which God gives men to understand, that for neglecting their time, they shall be rejected for ever.

4. That Death, which finisheth the Creatures time, puts an end to all such business. It is the man that must seek God, but man consists of a Soul and a Body; and it is whiles these are in union that he is capable of this affair: Whereas Death dissolves his union, and so utterly ends the opportunity; the body can no longer be used as an instrument of this, if we should preach to it, it cannot hear 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The Soul is now separated from the body, and can no longer perform its functions in it, whiles this dissolution remains: and we are told, that life is the only working time, Eccles. 9. 10. The Grave is therefore called the place of silence, and the land of forgetfulness; and they that are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are said to know nothing, &c.

5. That the Eternal State into which men passeth from time, is unchangeable. Where time ends, E∣ternity

begins; and it is the property of time that the Subjects are mutable, they may be chan∣ged from what they are: but it is equally the pro∣perty of eternal things that they are immutable. When men dy, they pass to their particular judg∣ment, Heb. 9. 27. The condition they enter into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that from which there is no returning, Job. 16. 22. Life is working time; eternity is for the rewards of men according to their works. Men immedi∣ately pass from life, through death, either to hea∣ven or hell, and the gulf between these two is fixt; and this follows properly upon death, Luk. 16. 21. with 26. In one word, when God will be no longer found, it is too late to seek him to any advantage: when life is done, and time spent, God is resolved that they who sought him not before shall never find him.

USE I. For Information in two particu∣lars.

1. Learn hence the folly and unprofitableness of praying for the Dead. If the day of grace, the op∣portunity of seeking and finding God be over with all men, when time is done with them, and death wasts them over into eternity, what then can our prayers any more avail them? either they sought God and sound him in their life time; an•• if so, they are now in glory, and in full fruition o•• that God whom they so sought, and out of danger of ever losing him again, and so have no need 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our prayers; but if they sought him not here, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so did never find him, but died strangers to him

they are gone to their own place, to the genera∣tion of their fathers never to see light: they are beyond recovery hopeless; there is no more mer∣cy for them: what good then can our prayers do them? If all the prayers of all the Saints on earth, could fetch one soul out of hell, something might be pleaded, but it is impossible. Let us then pray for poor Sinners with the greatest im∣portunity so long as they are alive; but when once they are gone, we must leave them till the Great Day, when we shall be satisfied about them.

2. Learn hence also the madness of those who spend their time in seeking other things, neglecting to seek God in it. And is not this the unhappy trade which the generality of the Children of men are driving? observe what the most, even under the Gospel, are doing, and you shall see how fearfully this is neglected.

1. Are there not those that will not seek God? Nay they bid him depart from them; if not in words yet their carriages speak their minds. How ma∣ny are there that despise all the counsels that are given them, who will not pray to God; nor read his word, nor enquire after him? they are angry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those that give them good counsel? this is the ••••••ty character of them, Psal. 10. 4. The wicked ••••ll not seek after God; and if at any time they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 led with terrours, they do all they can to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, which is a plain discovery of their ••••••fulness.

2. And how many are there who are so taken up with other things, that they can find no time to seek

him? Their hearts are ensnared with these things and they cannot get from them; the profits, plea∣sures, and preferments of this world, things lawful in themselves, have stollen their hearts from them; and though Christ calls, and invites them, they hearken not. One hath a Farm to look after, a∣nother is over head and ears in Trading, another is ••aken up with his new married wife, and so the time slides away, wherein he should be seeking an•• interest in Christ, and he continues estranged from him; and how contentedly do men spend their time at this rate?

But Consider,

1. You lose a finding time. It is a day of grace that you squander; a precious opportunity to be getting acquainted with God, and laying up for eternity. If it were a time in which you had nothing else to do, it were more excusable; but it is a season of doing the greatest and most im∣portant business that lieth on the children of men. Vain men think, it is nothing but a little time they throw away, and that is no great matter: but time is a pearl of more worth then, and tha•• cannot be purchased with a whole world.

2. That which you lay out your time for, will not profit. Possibly you count your selves the best Husbands: and think them mad who spend so•• much time in Religious duties: whiles this man was•• praying, you made such a gainful bargain; while•• he was hearing a Sermon, you earned so much o•• the world, and bless your selves in your discretions•• but you will sooner or later find your miserable er∣••our:

the best title that God hath to put on you, is Fool, Luk. 12. 20. And see, Isa. 55. 2. Eccles. 5. 16. Compare but what you lose mean while with our Saviours Rule; Mat. 16. 26. What is a man profited, &c.

3. When time is done, and you would seek God, he will not he found. Whiles you have been minding unprofitable things, your opportunity hath been Stealing away from you irrecoverably, and when you come to be on the brink of time, and your Soul ready to fleet into an unchangeable state, you will then Mourn, Prov. 5. 11. And what a doleful out∣cry will it be, to hear a desparing Sinner in his passage, roaring out, Call time again, and wishing, Oh that I had one of those Sabbaths that I despised, one of those hours to seek God in, which I trifled away in vanity, had I all the gold and pearls in the world, I would give them for it, but it is now too late; Oh that you were wise, that you understood this!

USE. 11. Let it be an awakening call to us all to Redeem our time, by setting our selves speedily to seek God. And to move us hereto, Consider,

1. We are all of us strangers to him in our natural ••tate Eph. 2. 12. The Apostasy hath made an infi∣nite distance between God and Sinners. Man go∣•••• away from God by every Sin, for it is of the nature of Sin to deaprt from him, Psal. 73. 27. Hence ••he Sinners of the Gentiles are said to be afar off, ••ct. 2. 39.

2. If we get not an interest in him, we must perish or ever. Mans misery took its date from his loos∣••ng of God, and his happiness begins upon his find∣ing

of him; nor will he ever be perfectly blessed, till he cometh to that compleat and uninterrupted Communion with him, which is reserved for glory. Every distance from God is so far a misery, and they that regard it not now, will find it to their cost, when they shall hear that fearful word, Depart, pronounced upon them: and there is no other way to remedy our misery, but by the getting of this distance removed; & God reconciled to us through Christ: he must, of our enemy be our God, or we are undone.

3. We must seek after this, if ever we obtain it. On how many Solemn considerations is this Command urged in the Scriptures? and, though it be a Solemn truth, that if Christ do not seek us first by his preventing Grace, we shall never seek him; yet the way in which he cometh to be found by us, is in his putting us upon seeking him He gives us such an heart, and then he comes and revealeth himself to us. All men are either seekers or for∣sakers of him, and we are told how it is with both, 1 Chron. 28. 9.

4. We have but this time of life to do it in, God hath limited the whole opportunity of a•• treaty with Sinners hither: What said Christ to those Jews that despised him, Joh. 8. 21. Ye shall•• seek me, and dy in your sins. This life is mans•• probation time, for another. You have but on•• life to work in, take heed then that you d•• not let it go before your work be done: Go•• will not give you a second life to try over a∣gain, if you spend this away prodigally, though••

you should repent never so bitterly of it, and promise never so sairly; he will bid you to re∣member you had a time, but you regarded it not.

5. This time will soon be done. The shortness of life is that of which all complain, though but few rightly improve the consideration; there is indeed through Grace, time enough, if well husbanded, to lay up store in for time to come: However, it is but a little while, a few days will summ up, and put a conclusion to it. See how the Word of God comments upon lifes brevity, Job. 14. 1. Psa. 102. 11. 103. 15. 144. 4. It makes use of the most fleet and transitory things to represent it by; it is but a moment to eternity; and yet on this moment that eternity dependeth. We begin to dy, as soon as we begin to live. Sinners! you have but a short day to do your great work in: take heed how you let it slide away insensibly, lest your glafs be out before you are aware.

6. The finishing of this time is very uncertain. Your times are not in your own hands, but Gods, Psal. 21. 15. An age indeed is a poor short thing, Psal. 39. 5. But how few are there that live to consummate the ordinary age of man? how few whose candle of life burns out? the most have it blown out by an immature end; and there is ••one of you that knows how soon death will seiz you. The truth is, if you must find God in this life; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ever, you had need to do it just now, or you may miss of it. Think of this you that pretend ex∣••uses and delays; you are young, and there is ••••me enough; how know you but God hath ap∣pointed

your time to dy to be in youth? you say to the Spirit, go away and come to morrow; but what if this night you be cut off, and to morrow dawn not upon you? Take heed, there is but an hands breadth between life and death, and the Change made by it is inexpressibly great. If you take this day, you may do your work, but if you put it off to another, it may never be done; and then there is a Soul undone and lost to Eternity.

7. The finishing of time will put an end to all op∣portunity of grace. You now enjoy it, but then no more. Now you have Gods holy Sabbaths, and precious Ordinances; now you may read, hear, pray, ask counsel, repent, believe, and be saved: You have a rich price in your hands, why will you not set your hearts to improve it? when time is done, all these things cease; no more Sab∣baths, you must never hear a Sermon more, never be entreated again to be reconciled to God; then the Spirits strivings will cease. Where will you then seek God, when you can no more come there where he useth to reveal himself?

8. Possibly a great portion of your little time is al∣ready gone, and you have hitherto neglected this great business. You have had a fair season for many years, living under the Gospel, and enjoying a•••• helps for seeking and finding of God; but yo•• have squandred them away negligently; and yo•• have squandred them away negligently; and yo•• have now reason to think that your time is ha∣stening to an end: it may be gray hairs predic•• your approaching dissolution; it may be you la∣bour of wasting bodily infirmities, that are un∣dermining

your lives, and telling you that you can hold out but a little longer. And is it not time for you to rouse up now at last, who have so small a remnant of a short life left you to seek God in? and will you lose this too? shall the few ••••itting hours that are behind be sent after the rest? there is time yet, but it is upon the last sands; Oh! redeem it.

9. The longer you delay, the harder work you will find of it. It is the most unhappy way of arguing, for men to plead, they shall be better disposed af∣terward, when they grow into years, or their youthful lusts are tired out, or worldly business a little over, and in better order, &c. Assure your selves, he that is not ready to day, will be more unready to morrow: it is the deceitfulness of sin, to use delays on such pretences, while sin taketh faster hold, and gets deeper rooting; and custom in sin adds a second nature. When lust pleads hereafter, the true meaning is never. For helps in this affair;

1. Resolve in this to be the first and most necessary thing. It is a point of prudence to be rightly in∣formed in this matter. The most that perish for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, have this plea to make for themselves, that they minded that which they accounted most ne∣cessary, yielding to the pleadings, and importuni∣ties of the flesh; but weigh things in an equal allance: enquire what will be of greatest moment ••o you when come to part with time, and ••hink that to be so now: And I am sure that will •••• the favour of God.

2. Lay aside all that will hinder, and subordinate every other affair to this. When vain and unprofi∣table things press hard to be minded, resolutely tell them you have a more important business on your hands, and time little enough to attend that and if the neeful affairs of this life would impo•••• upon you, see that you entertain them not to the hindrance of this great concern, but to make them to serve under it, to this end; beware of a∣ny weight that should impede your race, Heb. 12. 1. 2. Reckon all time lost, which doth not ad∣vance your communion with God.

3. Apply your selves to the use of all means by which you may find God. Give diligence in atten∣dance on the Gospel Ordinances, whiles you have the liberty of them; read, hear, pray, meditate; when any such opportunity offers, think, it may be I shall have no more such in this world, time may be done with me before another comes: and let this thought make deep impression on your hearts, and rouse you up, not only diligently to at∣tend these means, but make it your business to seek, that you may find God in them all.

USE III. To excite and encourage us to endea∣vour to bring others to seek God. Are there no•• those to whom we are bound in duty to endea∣vour their Salvation, and for whom we are sollic••∣tous that they may be saved? Let us then from the consideration of the truth in hand,

1. Be excited to do it presently. Do not delay it call upon them now, use means with them now

let us not adjourn the duty, but use all earnest∣ness and importunity in pursuance of it: Consi∣der then;

1. It is now the time for it. This is a finding time: are they young? it is the best season for them to seek and find God in, Prov. 8. 17. Hence that advice, Eccl. 12. 1. You have now all advan∣tages before you to pursue this business to effect, they enjoy the Gospel means; it is also the best opportunity to press them to this whiles there are these helps to promote it: you will never have a more convenient season.

2. This finding time may be gone before we are a∣ware. It is very uncertain, whether if now we delay it, it will not slip by irrecoverably: for,

1. Our time may be past. Let us do as much good this way as we can, while we live, for when once we are dead, we shall be past doing, Eccles. 9. 10. We resolve to speak to this person, and deal seriously with that other; but to morrow, or the next week; but our mouths are stopt are then, and so our good thoughts perish: Isaac desi∣red to bless his Son before he died, Gen. 27. begin.

2. Their time may be over. If we should live, they may dy, and then they are past hearing of us; they are liable to many casualties which we can neither foresee nor prevent. A sudden death may surprize them, which will not give us leave to drop one counsel upon them, or make one prayer over them.

3. If the time thus slip through our neglect, it will •••• bitter to us. Whatever the event of our endea∣your

be, yet if we have been faithful to our trust•• in this way, it will afford us inward peace: but if we have grosly neglected it, it will procure a sad remorce, and leave a sting on our Consciences. When we come to ly on a death bed, it will dis∣quiet our tranquility: or if they be taken from us, it will be the most afflicting consideration, to think we have neglected to do our part toward thei•• spiritual and eternal welfare, and now it is t•••• late, and because we did it not when we might, & ought, we shall no more have any advantage for it••

2. Be encouraged to pursue this work. Though you have been faithful according to your opportu∣nity, and see little good come of it: you have been earnest and serious with them, and told them of their miserable state by nature, necessity of seeking and finding God, the folly of their co••∣ses, the hazards they are exposed to; and with bleeding hearts entreated them; but your com••∣sels are neglected, your warnings slighted, your entreaties disregarded. Do not for this aband•••• all hope, but take heart, renew your sollicitation•• Consider;

1. They are still within the compass of time. •• that were done, you must have done too, they a•• among the living: and what saith he? Isa. 38. 1•• Though they are gone far, they may return; the•• is a who knows left; and that is an encourag••∣ment in a desperate case.

2. They are within the reach of the means. they were beyond the opportunity of Gosp•• Ordinances, of our counsels and prayers, our b••

siness with them would be over; but while they enjoy these priviledges, they may be taken by them: God may still send a word, which may stop them in their wicked and vain courses, and rouse them up to seek after him; though they have despised offered mercy, God can be too hard for them, and melt them.

3. There are the examples of such as have sought God at last, and found him. In their month they were taken. Yea, What doth God himself say of such? Isa. 57. 17, 18. He knows how to glorifie his grace, and get him honour on such; and he will have them to be monuments of his mercy in whom he will be admired for ever. Despair not; there are some whom we must save with fear, Jude 25.

USE IV. Let this be to prevent despair in such who fear they have outlived their time. God righte∣ously suffers some to be hurried by this Tempta∣••••on; and Satan takes advantage by it: they are under awakening terrours; they have had a long ••ay of Grace, many calls, serious counsels, loud ••cries, potent strivings of the Spirit; but they have withstood, and refused to seek God; and now ••here is no more hope for them; their day is ••one, finding time is over with them: To such ••et me offer these considerations; after I hav epre∣••nised that it is a dangerous thing for any to run ••he adventure of such a presumption. It is a wonder of grace that ever God should make an ••offer of grace to such as have despised ten thou∣••and counsels, and warnings, and are now grown

old in sin: and such had need be very speedy, and deeply humbled for all the affronts given to•• God. Yet let me say to such.

1. You are yet in the place where there is room for repentance and forgiveness. You are not in the pit from which there is no Redemption; if you were there, you were gone for ever; but you are alive still, and within the compass of a treaty; you are there where proclamation is made, that it you seek God with all your heart, you shall find him. God hath no where said that he will not give you the grace to seek him, or that you shall not find him if you so do. Secret things belong to God; but the offer of this Grace is to be made to you; and though it be admirable, yet God hath bidden such a proclamation to be published, Jer. 3. 1. And I am sure that he can break your hard hearts, and give you repentance; and if he do, there is no doubt of the good success of it.

2. You are yet striven with, and called upon. God indeed speaks of a cessation of his Spirit striving with obstinate Sinners, Gen. 6. 3. And there are the awful instances of it; but the case is otherwise with you. If the means of grace are influenced so as to rouse and awaken you out of your securi∣ty, and make you feel your mifery, and be asraid by reason of it: if he presents your sins to you i•• their aggravations, and makes them evil and bitte•• to vou, this is a wo••k of his Spirit, and saith tha•• he st••ives still; and whiles he strives, there is hop•• that he may be found.

3. Hence these fears and terrours are not to dri••

••ou to despair, but to awaken you from your neglect. And indeed you stand in need of them. You de∣••pised many a gentle warning, and were grown dreadfully secure, fearfully asleep: it was there∣••ore meet that you should be star••led by some ter∣••ible impressions made on you; that he should give you deep and gaping wounds in your Con∣••dences, to make you sensible; the providence. then is merciful, though terrible; but you ought to count it a mercy, and then, the lesson properly to be learned from it, is to put you upon speed, and utmost diligence, in seeking of God without delay. We have such a prayer of the Psalmist, Psal. 83. 15, 16. God makes sin a burden too heavy t•• hear, that men may feel the necessity of seeking him: And therefore Christ specially invites such to come unto him, Mat. 11. 28. Be then en∣couraged; whatever you have been and done, there is hope in Israel concerning this thing; only delay not.

Conclu. 3. That there are special special seasons wherein God is to be found by those that seek him A finding time, not only intends that it must be done in time; but that there is a division of time into that wherein God is to be found; and that where∣in he is not to be found. Here in general ob∣serve.

1. That God hath more largely made this life a fin∣ding time; so that none in particular ought to conclude his time to be past, if he be alive. This is the diffe∣rence between the dead and the living, Isā. 38.

18, 19. The treaty of grace ordinarily continu•• with men under the Gospel, till they dy; and a•• long as it so doth, their state is not to us despe∣rate; for any to say of himself, my time is over, my day is done, I am gotten past hope of Salva∣tion, is a rash conclusion, without any Scripture warrant. It is a great sin, because it stops men from using the means; yea, it is to make God ••∣liar; for he saith in his word to such, if you will return to me, I will return to you: whereas this saith, let me seek, and pray, and confess, and mourn, all will be to no purpose, he is resolved never to save me.

2. God hath declared concerning some that their f••••∣ing time shall be over in this life. He may wait and strive longer or shorter as he pleaseth; and though we have no ordinary Rule, certainly to determine it to persons, that they are so left, yet there are some, and that should make all fearful of trifling with, and putting of him off; we have such threatnings, Prov. 1. 28. Joh. 8. 21. Hence that warning, Heb. 3. 7. Gods invitations are all for the present, their date is, To Day: and whether he will repeat them another day, is with him. Esau represented too late, Heb. 12. 17. And how awful a word was spoken to those Jews, who rejected the Salvation offered them? Act. 13. 46. Now, there are some awful symptoms of this.

3. That there are some seasons wherein there is great∣er advantage to seek & find God, than in other. The word, Time, in our Text, signifyeth an Opportunity it intimates a fit season. A work may be done

while there is time, but it is best and more readily done at some times. We are told that sometimes God is near, and that it is best then to Call upon him, Isa. 55. 6. intimating that he may be far off, and then it will be more difficult. There are times when he is within call, and will answer at first, and times when we may call again & again, before we have an answer from him. Here,

••o Quest, What are those seasons wherein we are pe∣culiarly advantaged for the seeking and finding of God?

A. There are four seasons more especially for this.

1. The time of Youth is a special season for this. Young persons put off, and think hereafter is soon enough; but it is their great folly, there is no such ••eason for seeking, and making out after Christ as 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For,

1. God earnestly calls upon such to seek him. He doth, as it were, single out such, and the offer is par∣ticularly made to them: the Spirit of God speaks emphatically to such; Psal. 34. 11. Come ye Children, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Wisdom calls them, as it were, by name, Prov. 4. 1. 5. 7. 8. 32. Eccl. 12. 1. which tells us how ••••in God would have young ones to begin early, and how loth he is that they should spend their first time in vanity.

2. God hath testifyed how well pleased he is, when such seek him. The entertainment he gives them, is a testimony how acceptable it is to him. What respect did he shew to young Abel? Gen. 4. 4. How wonderfully did he reveal himself to young Samuel, who was devoted to him from his Infancy? 1 Sam.

3. 1. with verse 19; 21. What an eminent instru∣ment of reformation did he make of Josiah, who began young? 2 Chron. 34. 3. And what a testi∣mony did he give to a good Child of a wicked father, when dying? 1 King. 14, 12, 13.

3. Young ones have not so resisted him as others have done. Children have Original Sin in them, as soon as they live, and begin to discover it as soon as they are capable: but God hath taken the Children of his Servants into Covenant with him, and they have not so notoriously rejected his Covenant as those have done, who withstoold him in youth, and addicted themselves to follow folly and vanity.

4. Their hearts are usually more tender and easy to be wrought upon. Not but that natural hardness born with us requires Gods Almighty power to take it away, in the tenderest Child that is. But there is a contracted obstinacy, which grows on persons by custom, which Children do not present∣ly arrive at; but are more tractible, readier to re∣ceive the impressions of Counsels given them. And this is the reason why we are bidden to begin early with them in, Prov. 22. 6.

5. They have many advantages now which they will not have afterwards. With such arguments the Spi∣rit of God pleads with young ones to husband their youth well, Eccl 12. begin There will be ma∣ny encumbrances of life afterward, which now burthen them not: and when old age siezeth them it will greatly unfit them for it, who did not en∣gage in it before.

2. Whiles the Gospel is dispensed to them powerfully, and faithfully. This is another special season.

Here observe,

1. That the Gospel Ministry and Ordinances, are the ordinary instruments by which God Converteth Sinners. He hath seen meet to make this the appointed way of promoving the Salvation of men. 1 Cor. 1. 21. Rom. 10. 17. Where he sendeth not these, it is an awsul sign that he hath none of this work to do there.

2. That they are the Gospel truths, by the dispensa∣tion whereof he useth them as instruments. They are moral instruments, and therefore their business is to treat with men: and the matter of the treaty is, these great truths that declare the Counsel of God, and the way wherein Sinners may come to enjoy him, in and through Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 2. 2.

3. Hence the faithful dispensation of these truths is that which gives men all the advantage to seek and find God. Their work is an Embassy, 2 Cor. 5. 20. And the business is Reconciliation; which is to be ad∣vanced by opening the terms, and urging of them suitably. If then they are faithful, and do seriously, and solemnly pursue this design, there is all that can be expected of instruments by way of infor∣mation and excitation. Legal Preaching sufficeth not for this, but Preaching Christ, and the way of Peace by him: and the more there is of this, the more is the advantage of such a people.

4. Hence when these fail, this advantage is greatly impeded. If then the Gospel is no longer Preached among a people, it is a Judgment, and a sign of his

departure. If instead of such dispensations, there be such who Preach false Doctrines, who blow up men with opinion of their own abilities, who cor∣rupt the pure stream of Gospel Truth, or Proach unprofitable things, needs must these impede this affair.

3. Whiles the Spirit is pleased to accompany the means with his powerful influences. This is a special finding time. And here observe,

1. That our sincere seeking of God depends on the Spirits operation. He first seeks us, if ever we seek him. We must have a principle of Grace for it, else we cannot do it; and that must derive from him, who is the God of all grace, 1 Pet. 5. 10. All our own moral powers can never exert this.

2. There are times when he is more plenteously pou∣red out upon men. Not only is there a more pow∣erful Ministry at one time than another, but also more of the efficacy. of Grace on the hearts of men; when Sinners come flocking in apace at the call of the Gospel, and the reason why it is so at any time, is because the Spirit sets in powerfully with the means. They may be the same, and the labour in dispensing them as great; Isa. 33. 15.

3. There are times when he applieth himself to this and that person in particular, as he did to Lydia, Act, 16. 14. And this is not always, but at certain sea••∣sons, which are arbitrary, and he acts his liberty therein. This he doth sometimes to one, some∣times to another: and when it is so, it is an hap∣py opportunity; he is now very near, and rea∣dy

to be found: when he stands at the door and knocks, it is but opening to him.

4. There are times of his withdrawing in both re∣spects. He sometimes lets a faithful Ministry be an unprofitable one to such as sit under it; his Ser∣vants toil all night, and catch nothing: they com∣plain as he, Isa. 49. 4. I have laboured in vain, &c. And then it becomes an hardning Ministry, as Isa. 6. 9, 10. a savour of death, 2 Cor. 2. 16. It will be hard finding of God at such a time as this.

5. And there are times when after a great while he cometh again. The Spirit withdraws, and mens hearts grow hard, but afterwards sometimes he comes again before he utterly giveth them up; they have awakenings and remorces: and now he is also near.

4. When God brings his Judgments on a people: And here,

1. These Judgments, whether publick or personal, are Testimonies of Gods displeasure at men for neg∣lecting to seek him. He herein witnesseth his righ∣teous anger at them; and the reason is because they have not sought him, but something else in∣stead of him, Jer. 2. 17. Isa. 57. 17. If they had not forgotten him, he had not fallen upon them.

2. The proper design of these Judgments, is to a∣waken them to seek him. A professing people may so far provoke him, as to fall upon them in his fury, and make his Judgments a Sword to cut them off; but it is not so at first; they are part of his Discipline, hence called his Corrections,

and God, speaking after the manner of men, tell•• them what he expected, Zeph. 3. 17. I said thou•• wilt receive instruction, &c.

3. He is wont to stir up some at least of his Servan•••• to take this occasion to be earnest with men: He af∣fecteth them, and makes them to cry aloud; they see his anger, and are afraid, and upon it blow the Trumpet: Thus in the times of the Apostasy of Is∣rael and Judah, God sent such Prophets to them; who dealt faithfully with them.

4. And he usually toucheth mens hearts at suc•• times. Indeed it is a natural operation of Judg∣ments to put men upon thoughtfulness; but th•• Spirit is wont to set in, and put such a people, at••∣least many of them, upon enquiring after hi•• mind, and to affect them with Convictions of sin•• and fear of his Wrath. And this is a great advan∣tage now to seek him.

5. If all this be neglected, he is hereby grievously•• incensed. It is an high provocation, and he now thinks of withdrawing, Hos. 5. 15. Nay, some•• times it arrives at that, that because all means a••∣ineffectual, and they grow worse by them, he de••∣clares resolutely to come at them in this way n•• more, but abandon them to destruction, Ezek. 2•• 13. And then what a wo case are they in?

USE 1. For caution: Let none from the pr••∣mises conclude that his time is past. I know som•• troubled hearts are apt to be shaken by such aw••∣ful truths, and the adversary is ready to set i•• and perswade them that their day is done, an••

so sink them into despondency. To prevent this, •••• me offer these things.

1. That none hath Scripture warrant so to conclude. Gods purposes concerning individual persons on this account are reserved with himself; nor hath he given us any Rules in Scripture to determine it concerning our selves or others; there being but one Sin there branded for unpardonable, all others may be forgiven, Mat. 12. 31. Now we are to ••••tch our hope, and regulate our selves in our duties by the revealed will of God.

2. The arguments that such are wont to use, will •••• infer this conclusion. They may prove their ••••esent state bad and hazardous, but not evidence them past hope.

1. The greatness of their sins. If they have fallen into some heinous and aggravated transgression, and conscience smites them for it, Satan presently ••ells them, this is to big for a pardon; Cain saith, ••en. 4. 13. My Sin is greater than I can bear, or can be forgiven: how can the forgiveness. of ••••eh sin be consistent with Gods Justice? But ••is is to reflect on the value of Christ's Sacrifice; •••• if the vertue of his blood had only an influence •••• do away the Guilt of smaller sins, whereas we ••re told otherwise, 1 Joh. 1. 7. Heb. 7. 25. How ••argumentative then must Davids plea be? Psal. •••• 11. Pardon my sin, for it is great. Yea, God ••••self resolves this doubt, Isa. 1. 18.

••. The multitude of them. They are not only ••ormous, but their number is not to be reckoned ••, they outdo their Arithmetick, they are innu∣merable;

and every one of them as a great mountain: and did ever so great a Sinner obtain mercy? and is not Manasseh set forth as a monu∣ment of mercy, who is scarce to be parallel'd, either for magnitude or multitude of sins? 2 Chr. 33. begin. God hath multiplied pard••n for such as have multiplied their transgressions, Isa. 55. 7.

3. Their long living in their sins. They have long driven this trade; they began in their youth, and have followed it to their ripe and declining years; this hath been their course all along, and now they are habituated by custom, and what saith God, Jer. 13 23. Can the Ethiopian, &c but though by this you have rendred your Conversi∣on and Salvation more difficult in respect of the Subject of it, yet it is not hard to Gods Omnipo∣tency, we have the case represented. Isa. 57. 17. 18. Suppose you have made you heart as an ad••∣ment, yet God can give you a new and a soft one, Ezek. 11. 19.

4. Their resisting of the means of Grace. If upon the first report of Salvation they had embraced 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there had been hope, but they have been brought up under a faithful Ministry, and under careful Parents, who often told them of their sin and danger, who solemnly warned, and importunate∣ly entreated them to think of it, and seek to God for mercy, but they despised all: and can the•• be any hope for them? Truly the case is lame••∣table, but yet not desperate. God can bring such a Prodigal home to himself, and make him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 turn to his father, and if he do, he will m••••••

and embrace him. Luk. 15. 17, 20. was not Ephra∣sm such an one, and yet see how it was, Jer. 31. 18, 19.

5. The former strivings of the Spirit with them. Time was when the Spirit was wont to come in with the means, and apply to their consciences; and many a time they confessed their sins, and promised amendment; but they out grew these, quenched the Spirit, gat carnal quiet, and forgat all their purposes and promises; and now they can sit under the most awakening Ordinan∣ces, and be nothing affected with them; or at most they are but faint and languishing motions that are on them: and this saith to them, their time is past. To such let me say, it is a righ∣teous thing for the Spirit to withdraw his stil∣vings, when such affronts are offered him, and your danger is hereby encreased: but if he now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this home upon you with deepest resentments, it saith that he is come again to try what you will do, and if you take the hint, and rightly improve it, there is a good hope set before you.

6. The near approaching of their dissolution. They are spent all their time in sinful neglects of God, and are grown old in sin; their sun is setting and they ready to drop into the grave, all their strength hath been devoted to sin and Satan; and will God, accept of the dregs of their time, ••hen they are sit for no Service? Truly, it would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a righteous thing for God to reject such as ••••he so late, and have withstood his invitations long: and there are but few of these that

truly return to him. Yet if God pleaseth to a∣waken such to look about them, he can magnifie his mercy upon them. To see an old Sinner go∣ing to Eternity without any thoughtfulness, is a tremendous sight, but to hear such an one crying out of his miserable loss of time, and the wretch∣ed course he hath led, falling down before God, and giving him glory, is an encouragement: for if God give repentance, he will give remission; and there are some who are born out of time, to be the monuments of the admirable patience and grace of God. Fly then to Christ, and believe that he is able to do this for you. In one word, let none despair, who are under awakenings, but hearken to Gods counsel, and seek mercy of him, and you shall find him merciful and gracious.

USE II. We here see a reason why it is more hard for some to find God, than for others. God doth not so readily reveal himself to some that seek him, as he doth to others. Some receive an answer as soon as they call, others bemoan themselves that they have sought him and cannot find him; they have been sighing and groaning a••ter him, but there is no voice or answer: and though his Soveraignty is in this to be adored yet there may often be a reason given for i•• from the thing under consideration;

Observe then,

1. There are some who have put off their he•••• season of finding him. He hath often come t•• them in his Word by his Spirit, and presented

them with alluring invitations to come to, and accept of him; and possibly sometimes they have b••en almost perswaded: but their vain minds have recoiled, and instead of opening to him, have shut the door faster against him, whiles they have en∣tertained other lovers: He came to them in their Childhood, but they delayed him, and put him off till afterwards; he repeated his calls in their youth, but they were wedded to their follies, and obstinately refused him: He came again to them in their riper years, but they had their worldly business to attend, and craved his excuse; but after all they begin to bethink themselves of their for∣mer wickedness, and resolve now to seek after him, which is wrought in them by a more effect∣ual and irresistible touch of his Spirit on their hearts.

2. It is a wonder of his mercy that such as these should find him at all It is rich Grace that he should once offer himself, and accept of those that embrace that first offer; this is a favour which none of the Fallen Angels share in. But that after such Grace hath been so often slighted, he should bow such an heart to seek him; and after never so long a tarriance, at last lift up the light of this countenance, and signalize his love to him, and receive him into his arms, is matter of admiration, that the Great God should deal so by a vile man, is an astonishing thing: Paul thought it so, 1 Tim. 1. 16.

3. It is fit that God should make them smart for their folly. Though his Grace be free, it is not

fi•• that it should be contemptible: it is suitable that Sinners should know that he resents their un∣worthy carriage, and that they have a deep sense of the contempt they have cast upon him, and his Salvation. God will have his people find the bitterness of their rebellion, Jer. 2. 19. And hence as they have made him to wait long on them; so that they wait some season upon him for his evi∣dencing of his love to them.

4. They have been greatly hardned by these carri••∣ges. Every resistance made to the Spirit of God hardens men more: there is a contracted hard∣ness which corroborates that which is natural. Hence they need more terrifying, breaking and humbling dispensations, to bring them down to the foot of God, and make them apprehensive of their evil ways, and doings; if the Prophet betr•••••• an old barlot, he will make her tarry for him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 days, Hos. 3. 3. Let not such then murmur at Gods so dealing with them, but remember their ••••∣riage to him, and justify him in this, and say, w•• deserve not only this delay, but utter rejection•• nor yet be discouraged, but acknowledge Gods wisdom in it, and wait with humble submission hoping in his Grace, and resolving, if ever he come it will be admirable favour.

USE III. For awakening to all to improve t•••• season of Grace. Are there such special seasons •••• Grace? Let the consideration thereof call eve•• one to make the use of them, and use utmost d•• ligence, not to slip such an opportunity: and

we have heretofore been negligent, let us be more careful of that which is in our hands, ac∣knowledging Gods wondrous benignity in renew∣ing them to us after so many provocations given him to depart: And let me apply this in the for∣mer respects mentioned in the explication.

1. Let it call them that are young now to seek God. Oh that Children would be perswaded to Remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth. You think there is no such hast, it looks like a work too rigid and severe for you to mind, you are loth to forgo your vain company, and mad mirth; but do not rashly reject the motion that i•• now made to you. What a comfortable thing would it be to see young solks in good earnest ••••ting themselves to seek and to serve God? What ••••oken would it be that God hath mercy in re∣••••ve for a sinful Land? Children, you are our 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and you are our fear: how chearfully should we leave the world; could we but see you in ••ood earnest enquiring after the Lord, and devo∣ting your selves to him? How would it remove those sad reflections that are sometimes ready to ••ink us? How glad should we be to see good ••opes, that when we are gone, you will stand up for Christ and his ways; and that we shall ••eet you in the Great Day at his Right hand? ••et me address you in his words, 1 Chron. 28. 9. My Son, know thou the God of thy Father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and willing mind; if thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, be will cast thee off for ever: To move you, Consider,

1. You owe your Childhood and Youth to God. He deserves of you that you seek him now. Sin and Satan can lay no just claim to this age of yours, but God can and doth: He requires your youth to be devoted to him: the God that made you challengeth it, and can you deny him? Shall the Devil and your lusts have your prime and strength, and only the decays of your lives left for God to be put off withal? He hath laid you under innu∣merable obligations to consecrate your young time to him; He kept you in your Mothers belly, and made the knees to prevent you: He hath preserved your lives, and provided for you ever since. And may not heaven be astonished to hear him complain, I have nourished and brought up Children, and they have rebelled against me, Isa. 1. 2, 3. He hath ordered you to be born where his Gospel is dispensed, in which he pleads with you to take him to be your God now and will you deny him? Yea, your Baptism de∣clares you to be devoted to him; it saith that you were dedlcated to him from your Infancy; and every day wherein you neglect to inquire after him; you do violence to that Covenant, whereof this is a Seal

2. This is your proper season to seek to God in; and whether you shall ever have another you know not. Yo•• have all advantages now, but how long you shal•• have them, God only can tell. You are now a∣live, but you know not how soon you shall go to the Grave. Do you not see that young ones dy a•• well as the old? Go to the Sepulchers, measure th•• monuments, ask who lies here, and you shall fin••

multitude who lived not to so many years as you ••ave: and now reflect and ask, Have I found God? •••• my peace made? If I should now dy, have I made sure •••• a Jesus to receive my Soul? Now Gods word is ••reached to you, now Godly Parents and Friends ••all upon and counsel you: God knows how long ••t will be so. You are not now encumbred with ••he troublesome cares of this world: you are now ••n your strength, and do not know what the Evil days mean, of which you must say, you have no plea∣••ure in them. Oh! that you knew your time, if you let it slip, you will not find it again.

3. You are born strangers to God, and if you so dy, •••• are undone for ever. You derive from the cursed ••tock of fallen Adam, of whom it is said, 1 Cor. 15. 22. ••n Adam all dy; you are Children of wrath by nature, Eph. 2. 3. The Guilt of the great Transgression ly∣eth on you, for which you are condemned to ever∣••asting destruction. You are enemies, you are afar off from God, and if you do not get out of this condi∣••ion, and get into Christ before you are taken away, God will destroy you for ever, Psal. 73 27. You must be New born, if ever you inherit the Kingdom, Joh. 3. 3. Your Covenant interest, your Baptism, ••our Parents piety, all your Gospel priviledges will ••lot save you; it will not avail that God is your fa∣••hers God, if he be not your God too.

4. Think how welcome Christ will make you, if now ••ou seek to him in good earnest. As his Spirit is griev∣••ed every time you deny him, so he will be exceed∣••ngly pleased if you now open to him. He is de∣••ighted to see young ones set themselves to read his

Word, to wait upon his Ordinances, to pray to him, and obey their Parents in the Lord. He hath said, Prov. 8. 17. They that seek me early shall find me. Nay, in all likelihood, he will use you in some e∣minent Service for him, and put some special ho∣nour upon you here; or at least, will make you soon ripe and fit for glory: and probably you shall have the most joyful communion with him in this world.

5. You will thus prevent abundance of Repentance and Sorrow. If now, without delay, you will for∣sake all vain things for Christ, and seek him with your whole heart, you shall never repent of it, but rejoyce in it. You never heard of a sincere con∣vert that complained of making too much hast, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was sorry that he took not a little more liberty in his sinful ways: but on the contrary, if ever 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be truly converted, who hath lost his youth in p••••∣suit of sin, he will bitterly bewail his former times, together with celebrating the Grace which appear∣ed in bringing him home to God at last. How doth he cry our, how much time have I lost? what opportunities have I slipt? how miserably have I consumed my days? Besides, there is abundance that old Sinners lay in for repentance; which will make the pangs of the New birth very terrible which by this may be prevented. Can you thin•• to go on in sin, and not smart for it? and truly there is enough already to make the New birth sharp and severe; be wise then, and add not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by delays.

6. If you will not be perswaded to seek God now, 〈◊〉〈◊〉

may be you shall never find him. When God begins early, he often leaves off early, if resisted. How many that bad fair in youth, have out grown all, & fallen into debauoheries & vilest abominations, & been left to dy in their impenitency? they would have their own courses in despite of calls and coun∣sels, and God hath cut them off in their sins, and let them for examples: and it is a righteous thing for him so to do. See how God complains of such, Jer. 2. 30. 5. 7. Ezek. 20. 21. And how fearfully he threatens them, Jer. 6. 11. 9 21. 11. 22. 18. 21. And God hath been calling a loud to young men in his providence, by many Judgments, in which the flow∣er of our youth have been immaturely taken away; and what doth it speak to their survivours, but that they take heed of putting off Repentance, & provoking a jealous God against them. And if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will not take warning by others, how seen may you be made amazing warnings to others? Accept then of the Exhortation, and reject all the sollicitations of your cursed companions, and make hast to seek God. Let me address you in the words of the wise man, Prov. 23. 15. My son, if thine heart 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wise, my heart shall rejoyce, even mine. But if you reject this counsel, let me leave that memento with you, Eccl. 11. 9. Rejoyce O young man in thy youth, &c. but know thou that for all these things God will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee into judgment.

2. Let us all take hold of the opportunity wherein the Gospel is freely dispensed to us. I believe, the Gospel truths have been as fully and soundly Preached in this land, as in any part of the Christian world;

and that God hath thrust forth such Laboure•••• into his Harvest, as have made it their business to feed his people with knowledge and understanding; and though he hath by manifold Judgments been pleading his Con••roversy with us; yet he ha•••• not brought a famine of hearing his Word, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eyes see our Teachers: and by this he testifyeth that although he is angry, he yet waits to be gracious and it is still a finding time. Let us then so im∣prove it; Consider therefore,

1. How great a price there is in our hands, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall we not improve it? We shall shew our se•••••••• notorious fools if we do not, Prov. 17. 16. Here by we have all directions, encouragements, quick∣nings to this duty; by these God is calling and inviting us to seek after him, shewing us the w•••• in which we may find him, which the best im∣provement of the light of nature would not have discovered. Herein he lets us know that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not departed from us; thus heavens market 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kept open, and everlasting mercies are waiting 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on us. Why then do we sit still, and not regard them? Can we promise our selves ever to have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fairer season? This is certainly a day of grace why then should we sit idle all the day, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing.

2. How fearful a thing would it be, if it should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 otherwise with us? God can easily order it to 〈…〉〈…〉▪ The Gospel means and Ministers are his gift he can put out the Lights in the Candlesticks when he will: and nothing will more readily provoke him to it, than not to walk in the light while w••

enjoy it; he can take away the Shepherds, and suffer grievous Wolves to come in their stead, who ••hall devour the Flock. How many places are ••here in the world, where the Truth once flou∣rished gloriously, are now turned aside to lies? and though they bear the name of Christians, yet are sed with husks instead of bread; where igno∣rance, error, formality, neglect of feeding the Flock, and woful debaucheries prevail; and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lead the blind; this is a fore calamity; and ••ould it be our lot, it would make an amazing change among us; and what would you give then for such an opportunity as you now despise?

3. What grounds there are to fear lest corruption in Doctrine and Manners should come upon us a a flood. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 avert the Omen: but methinks there are sad symptoms of it. They are the last and perillous times, in which we are told that such things shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Tim. 3. begin. The woful ignorance of fun∣damental Truths that many labour of, and the ••oo general neglect of instructing Children in Gospel principles; the giddy spirit that many are infected withal, that love to run after novelties; that awful contempt of the Gospel Ministry, at∣tended with the little regard in many, whether they enjoy it or no, looking upon it as a bur∣den; the little apparent success of the Gospel, and how fearful a threatning is out against such? 2 Thes. 2. 9, 10. Add to this the unsuccessfulness of Gods other Judgments, which hath a moral ten∣dency hereto; for if God strives in Judgment, and men will not be perswaded, he is wont to

give them up, Hos. 4. 17. All these things speak sadly to considerate Souls.

4. What if God should take the Gospel away from you? This also is a Judgment threatned, Mat. 21. 43. Rev. 2. 5. And God is wont to execute it, when other means fail, and an Apostatizing peo∣ple will not be reclaimed. How many famo•••• Churches have there been in the world, which are utterly ruined, and ly in rubbish, or swallowed up in Paganism or Mahome••anism? Nor are we m•••••• secure! How doleful a thing would it be, to •••• the whole face of a Church altered, all the me•••• of grace lost and gone, God forsaking his house, and removing from us? if ever it come to this, it will be because we did not know the things of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 peace in the day of them. Let the very thoughts of such a thing put us upon improving the pre•••••• precious season.

3. Doth the Spirit strive with any of you? Take heed that you do not resist him; are there any inward strivings of Conviction; shakings of con∣trition, sharp prickings of compunction, sec•••••• perswasions to hearken to the concerns of your Souls? Doth the Word take how of you, awaken Conscience, and put you upon serious thinking? These are inward addresses of the Spirit, and say he is near, be sure to ta••e the opportunity; put him not off; To quicken you, Consider,

1. If he should cease thus to strive, the means would do you no good. He hath chosen the means to come in, and apply his grace to our Souls, and we are diligently to attend on them for this end:

and the neglect of so doing is an affront put upon the Spirit. However, all the saving efficacy of it ••••pends on his influencing them: if he apply them with power, we are savingly benefited by them, if he withold that from them, there will he no such blessed effect flow from them; it is not Pauls Planting, &c. God often affords as emi∣••••ent means to a declining people, as to those that flourish in a profession: but they have not the ••••••e effect, because he comes not in them with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if then you send him away, you hinder your own profiting. What a sad remark was that of Moses? Deut. 29. 2, 3, 4.

2. Nay, on his witholding, the means have a con∣••••••y operation. Instead of softning, they will har∣den; instead of drawing you nearer to God, they will put you at a farther distance from him. There are two contrary effects of the means on men, 2 Cor. 2. 15, 16. And where the one is not, the other is. God by the same means ripens ••••••e for ruine, by which he fits others for glory. Not that it is the natural tendency of the Gospel, but the Judicial Dispensation of God towards men who despise his Spirit, striving in it, who for this ••••ves them to their hearts lusts, to their hardning in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and encouraging themselves in their wicked courses, and by presumpion to put from them the fear of God, and the aw of his Judgments, and so to heap up wrath against themselves; and in such a •••• soil, to ripen the faster for destruction.

3. If we resist him, it will be the way to have him ••e gone. The Spirit of Christ is a tender Spirit:

Gods own Children in whom he dwells, if they take not heed, may grieve him; and if they do, he can and will withdraw from them to their great sorrow; the Spouse found it to her cost, Cant. 5. We are therefore warned to take heed of grieving him, Eph. 4. 30. And there is a sinful dis∣position in unconverted sinners to resist him, Acts 7. 51. And this is done when we regard not his application of himself to us, when we turn away his awakenings, and refuse to submit to them, and chuse to hearken to the sollicitations of our vain minds, and suggestions of Satan.

4. Nay, do not his strivings begin to be more l•••• guid? Do you not begin to grow Sermon proof, warning proof, and threatning proof? Time was when the word affected you, you trembled at the awful truths of it, you were afraid of Gods, Judgments, and could not soon get off the impression of an awak∣ning Sermon: but now you find very faint and easy motions on your Spirits; though not altoge∣ther stupid & senseless. Be afraid; the happy ••••a∣son begins to decline, and if you trifle a little longer, it may be gone.

5. If he hath sometimes ceased, and now comes again take heed to your selves. You had resisted him, ti•• you were grown remorceless, but he hath sent hi•• Spirit again, and put you into fear about your ever∣lasting state; tremble to think of the issue of this you have a new price in your hands, use it right, and all shall be well: but if you treat him as you di•• formerly, it may be one of the last offers that h•• will make to you; if you quench him now, it i••

likely that he will come no more, see, Gen. 6 2. Psal. 81. 11, 12. Dread then the terrible Oath, Psal. 95. 10, 11. Though God proceeds slowly to this, yet he may be provoked to come to it at last, Ezek 24. 13. And what a fearful condition will that be? God is not a man that he should ly. If Christ say, never more let fruit be found in this Fig tree, it wi∣thers up presently. No rains or dews of Ordinan∣ces will ever fetch you to life, but dry you up, and fit you for everlasting burnings. Oh then improve this finding time with fear and trembling.

4. Let the Judgments of God that are upon us, rouse you to seek him. God afflicts us, it may be to prevent his destroying of us: and he is cer∣tainly near his people, as long as he is using his rod upon them; there is a gracious design in some fore afflictions, Isa. 27. 9. By this shall the Iniquity of Jacob be purged, &c. And he would have his people prepare to meet him, Amos 4. 12. And to move you, Consider,

1. What danger you are now in, who are strangers to God. True, a Christless condition is a milera∣ble condition at all times, the man that is in it is never safe, having God for his enemy; but when God brings his wasting Judgments on a Land, to plead the quarrel of his neglected Covenant, there is reason for all to be afraid; Gods own Children will feel the smart of the rod; David saith, Psal. 119. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments; but yet they that fear God have something to support them; God is their Father; and though he chastize, he will

not cast them off. But as for them that are stran∣gers to God at such a time, what can they expect, when they see the arrows of his anger flying a∣bout, but to be slain by them? You may trem∣blingly look every moment, not only to be cut off from the earth, but sent down to the place of endless miseries: as you have no security for this life, so no ground to expect a well being in ano∣ther.

2. You are more peculiarly concerned in these Judg∣ments. If a reason be asked, why God brings his Judgments on a professing people, the answer is ready, because they neglected to improve the means of grace aright: it is because they who have the title of Children, do not answer their ti∣tle; Deut. 32. 19. And though every one ought at such a time to say, What have I done? yet such as you have special reason to confess, these Judg∣ments come for our sakes: and should not this put you an enquiring how to obtain peace, and the turning away of Gods fierce anger? nor is there any other hope for this, but in your serious seeking of him.

3. You may expect that if you will not hearken to the Word and Rod, God will have a Sword to cut you off God is in earnest when he takes this course, and he will be glorified by it in the issue; it is his mercy, that when angry, he maketh o∣ventures of peace, and happy they that comply with him: but if Sinners are so foolish and ob∣stinate, as not to give him glory at such a time he will strain for it, and certainly recover it

if you will not be reformed by the Rod, he hath a Sword to cut you off, and what else should he do with such? Hence that warning, Jer. 4. 4. And that threatning, Isa. 27. 11.

4. Gods Judgments, added to his warnings, are wont to be his last essayes with men to reclaim them. Hence, when these have been tried, and repeated, and due patience used, and no good comes of them; God, speaking after the manner of men, now seems to be at a loss, Hos. 6. 4. What shall I do unto thee, &c. Isa. 1. 5. Why should ye be smitten any more, &c. Hence he either cutteth such off in his anger, or else abandoneth them to their own ••arts lusts, till they are ripe for the more asto∣nishing ruine. True, there is a prerogative mercy that God reserves, when all means fail, to shew his Soveraign Grace, Isa. 57. 17, 18. But let not bold Sinners presume on this, lest they rue it, But if any are awakened by these Judgments; and trem∣ble at the fearful prognosticks of them; let it be an argument of encouragement to them; there is hope in Israel, and this is a good Omen that God will yet return and have mercy on them, and that they shall both seek and find him,

USE IV. This truth affords a loud cry to old Sinners to make haste. Such as have hitherto lived under Gospel means, strangers to God, at a distance from him; have had many invitations and withstood them. God came in their youth, and bespake them, but they regarded him not, and since he hath addressed them many a time,

but nothing hath moved them: as they grew, in years, they grew more vile; yoked themselves with vain companions, neglected reading the Word and praying to God, addicted themselves to drinking and gaming, and other lewd courses: they have been often told of it, have seen their associates hurried out of the world by their in∣temperance, and God hath visited them also with afflictions, but they still go on: and now the blossoms of the grave are on their heads? Let me beseech such to beware that they despise not this advice. To quicken you, Consider,

1. You have had a long day of Grace, and must answer for it all. Though you have forgotten, God hath not: Your sins are written with a pen of iron, & the point of a diamond. All the endeavours that have been used with you are upon record; God hath them in his book, & there is a day of reckoning when he will set them in order before you: and how terrible must it be? when you shall be called to a very uncomfortable repetition, and told of every Sabbath you prof••ned, every Sermon you regard∣ed not, every check of conscience you stifled, e∣very mock you made at the solemn warnings gi∣ven. you, every neglected purpose, forgotten or vi∣olated promise; every vain meeting with your accomplices in sin, every cursed drinking bout you had where you scoffed at Godliness, and hardened one another in sin: the time when, the place where, and every other circumstance: your memories refreshed, and conscience made to do its office. Would you prevent this fearful reck∣oning? Now seek God.

2. Your season is certainly almost over. It may be so with the youngest Sinner, but it is undoubt∣edly so with you. Young ones may feed them∣selves up with fond hopes by reason of youth, health and vigour; but you have every thing put∣ting you in mind, that the Graves are ready for you, where there will be no working. Not only is your best season gone, but your whole season is on the turning point: you are just leaping into eter∣nity; you are ready to shake hands with time, and to have done with it for ever.

3. You are not yet out of hope. You have yet one offer of a treaty left you, before you go to the Dead: and though you have grievously provoked God to forsake you, he is yet gracious and merci∣ful. Christ's Blood hath vertue enough in it to expiate the guilt of all your sins; his spirit wants not for power to break your hard hearts, and give you repentance: and after so many thousand de∣nials, he again accosts you; and know it, that if after this call you perish, it will be a witness a∣gainst you, and aggravate your Guilt in the Great Day.

4. You have a great work to do, and but little time to do it in. If ever you hope to find God propi∣tious, you must break off your sins by Repentance, for∣sake your evil ways, relinquish your cursed compa∣nions; turn to God, believe in Jesus Christ, morti∣fy your lusts, and endeavour the perfecting of holiness. You must give glory to God, before your feet stumble on the dark mountains; and how short a time have you for this? yet despair not: it may be done by Gods

h••lp, only it concerns you to make hast: for;

5. A little more delay will be your utter undoing. It is not for you to say, go away and come to mor∣row: a few moments more, and your case will be determined unrepealably. You will never have an offer of Grace more, when gone to the Grave, and you are upon the brink of it: the treaty will be over, the day of Grace finished, God forever departed, your Souls laid up in the Prison from whence there is no delivery: and then you will mourn bitterly, and say, Oh! that I had hearkned to Counsel, and received Instruction! Come then just now; forsake your lies, and betake your selves to him this moment: if so, all shall be well; if you will not, God knows whether ever you shall have such another invitation made to you, before you drop into everlasting burnings.

Prop. 2. I should now have proceeded to the Second Proposition in the Doctrine, viz

That if we would speed in our Prayers to God for forgiveness, we must take this time to seek it in. But this hath superseded in the Discourse on the for∣mer. That we all stand in need of dayly forgive∣ness, hath been before evidenced; and that if we hope to obtain it, we must seek it of God in the way of Prayer. It is not then a matter of indiffe∣rency when we so address. him; but we must take the finding time to do it in. There are three Con∣clusions which result from the premises, which give us the confirmation of this Proposition, viz.

1. That it is vain for any to pray for forgiveness

after this life; who did not seek and obtain it in this life. If this be the only finding time, needs must it be so: it is now that God and we are in the way, which our Saviour assures us is the proper time for us to agree with him in, Luk. 12. 58, 59. We are given to understand that there will be some who will at last be importunate for admittance & acceptance, but all in vain, Luk. 13. 25, 26, 27. Christ, who is now ready to hear prayers, will then have no ear to ••end to them, nor be any whit moved by loud entreaties.

2. That Sinners may, in this life, put God off so long, till he resolves to have nothing more to do with them in way of special favour. It is a truth, that at what time a sinner truly turns, God will shew him mercy; but yet men may sin themselves into desertion and de∣reliction, so that God will not give them repentance, and if so, he will not afford them forgiveness; for they are inseparable, Acts 531. And yet there may be such horrours and remorces, as will make them to cry fearfully for pardon; but they shall not be heard; hence such warning, Prov. 1. 28. And that reason, Vers. 24.

3. That Gods own Children may, by missing the op∣portunity, pray a long time before God will let them know that he hears them. God makes them tarry long before he pours the balm of comfort into their Souls. Hence their complaints, that they are not heard though they cry, that they seek, and can∣not find him; and their Sins mean while oppress, and almost sink them; see, Psal. 31. 9, 10. 38 begin. If when a Child of God hath been trepan'd into

any sin, he presently resents it with Godly sorrow, and maketh hast to the throne of Grace, humbling himself, and imploring forgiveness; how readily will he be accepted? whereas, how often are we remorceless, stupid, seek to cover our sins, and keep silence; and so suffer our wounds to fester, and grow corrupt? Now we begin to despond, and are afraid to come to God and so still hide: this pro∣voketh him, and he will make us to know our folly, and accordingly to wait a great while before he will give us an answer of peace.

USE. Let then the consideration of this be for our admonition. Let us be roused hereby to take heed to our selves, how we dally in this affair. Let us not only seek God, but seek him early; that is the way to find him quickly. Let Sinners do it, and let sinning Saints do it. And for our quick∣ning, let us call to remembrance, and be affected with all the considerations urged under the former Conclusion: It is the way to prevent, not only the hazard of never being forgiven, but the danger of being left under long darkness and distress, roaring out of our wounds, and finding no ease.

But I pass to the next thing.

2. We have the priviledge of all such as pray for forgiveness in a finding time: Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

Here observe,

1. The asseveration introductory, Surely: the Hebrew word is a diminutive, and signifies, at least; q. d. whatsoever he wants, he shall have this privi∣••edge:

intimating that there are great benefits belonging to such an one.

2. The time when they shall enjoy this bene∣fit, in the Floods of great waters. The word Blood, signifies a Torrent, or that which breaks in impe∣tuo••sly, bearing all before it: and the word great signifies, both great and many. Waters in Scripture language are used to signifie sore afflictions, Psal. 69. 1, 2. Ezek. 26. 19. Psal. 124. 4. David here points us to a time of sore distress, whether by outward ••alamities, or inward temptations: and supposeth such a time may fall out.

3. The priviledge it self, they shall not come nigh ••im, the word signifieth,

1. To approach.

2. To touch.

3. To smite.

4. To hurt. In summe it intends that they shall have no real harm by any of them. Hence,