6. To prevent evil to come, especially pride, that we might not be lifted up ; and to entender our hearts to others : 2 Cor, i. 4, ' That we
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might comfort others with tho comforts wherewith we were comforted of God/
Use 1. This informs us that we are not therefore cast out of the love of God because there may be some forsaking. Desertion is incident to the most heavenly spirits. Christ hath legitimated this condition, and made it consistent with grace. It is a disease this whicli follows the royal seed; David, Heman, Hezekiah, these were forsaken, yet were children of God. It is more incident to the godly than the wicked and carnal. The carnal may be under bondage; sometimes their peace may be troubled and disturbed ; but this deser- tion properly is a disease incident to the godly, and none are so affected with it as they : they have a tender heart ; when God is gone how are they troubled ! They are very observant, and therefore we cannot say they are not godly because they are forsaken. But those that never felt the love of Christ, never knew what communion with God means, were never troubled with sin, have none of this affliction ; but this is incident to the richest and most heavenly spirit whom God hath taken into communion with himself.
Use 2. For direction to the children of God.
1. Observe God's comings and goings; see whether you be forsaken. When God hides himself from your prayers, when means have not such a lively influence, when you have a strong affection to obey, but not such help to bring it into act, and you begin to stumble, observe it ; God is withdrawn, and many times seems to withdraw, to observe whether you will take notice of it. Christ made as if he would go further, but they constrained him to stay ; so he makes as if he would be gone, to see if you will constrain him to tarry.
2. Inquire after the reason : Ps. Ixxvii, 6, ' I communed with mine own heart.' What then ? ' My spirit made diligent search.' Ay ! this is the time to make diligent search what it is divides be- tween God and you. Though God doth it out of sovereignty and instruction sometimes, yet there is ever cause for creatures to humble themselves, and make diligent search what is the matter.
3. Submit to the dispensation : murmuring doth but entangle you more ; God will have us stoop to his sovereignty and wisdom before he hath done. A husband must be absent for necessary occasions ; a frown is as necessary for a child as a smile. David refuseth not to be tried, only he prays, 'Lord, forsake me not utterly.' It is a fond child that will not let its parent go out of sight.
4. Learn to trust in a withdrawing God, and depend upon him ; to stay ourselves upon his name when we see no light, Isa. 1. 10. Never leave until you find him. Look, as Esther would go into the king's presence when there was no golden sceptre held forth, so venture into God's presence when you have no smile and countenance from heaven ; trust in a withdrawing God ; nay, when wrath breaks out, when God killeth you : Job xiii. 15, ' Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him.' With such a holy obstinacy of faith should we follow God in this case.
Doct. 4. When God seemeth to forsake us, and really doth so in part, yet we should pray that it be not an utter and total desertion. Isa. Ixiv. 9, ' Be not wroth very sore, 0 Lord, neither remember
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iniquity for ever. Behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.' (1.) Do not despond ; we are very apt to do so: Ps. Ixxvii. 7-9, ' Will the Lord cast off for ever ? will he be favourable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for evermore ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies ? Selah/ The worst kind of despondency is to lie in sin. To lie in the dirt, because we are fallen, is foolish obstinacy. (2.) Pray to God — (1st.) Acknowledging that we have deserved it ; (2d.) By supplication. There is nothing which God hath promised to perform but we may ask it in prayer : Heb. xiii. 5, ' He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' If thou provest me, let me not miscarry ; if thou exercisest me, let me not be cut off. Beg his returns. (3.) Give thanks that God is not wholly gone, as certainly he is not, as long as you are sensible of your loss, and have a tender heart left. Though he hath withdrawn the light of his countenance, yet he hath left the esteem of it, a thirst after God, and a desire of communion with him- self. As long as there is any attraction left, you may find him by the smell of his ointments.