Having now thus unfolded these terms, let us see what we may draw from thence for our use and comfort.
1. First, then, if by these trials we find that God be not, or have not been, our God, alas ! let us never rest till ive make it good that God is our God. For what if we have all things, if we have not God with all things ? All other things are but sti'eams ; God is the fountain. If we have not the spring, what will become of us at last ? Ahithophel had much wit and policy, but he had not God for his God. Ahab had power and strength, but he had not God for his God. Saul had a kingdom, but he had not God for his God. Herod had eloquence, but he had not God for his God. Judas was an apostle, a great professor, but he had not God for his God. What became of all these ? Wit* they had, strength they had, honour they had, friends they had, but they had not God ; and therefore a miser- able end they made. What miserable creatures are all such, when they shall say, Friends have forsaken me, wealth hath forsaken me, and health hath forsaken me ; terrors lay hold upon me, the wrath of God hath over- * That is, ' wisdom.' — G.
16 THE FAITHFUL COVENANTER.
taken me. But tbcy cannot say, God is my God. Oh, such arc in a miserable case, in a fearful estate indeed. Nay, suppose they have all these, suppose they could say they have a world of riches, they have inheri- tances, they have friends, &c., yet if they cannot say, God is my God, all is vanity. The whole man is this, to have God to be our God. This is the whole man, to fear God and keep his commandment, Eccles. xii. 13. If a man have all the world, and have not God for his God, all is but vanity and vexation of spirit. Never rest therefore till we can prove our- selves to be in the covenant of grace, till we can say, God is my God.
But, secondly, when we have found God to be our God, tJwn make this use of it, a use of resolution. Is God my God? then I will resolve to please him, though all creatures bo against me. This was their resolution in Micah iv. 5, ' Every nation walketh in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.' Resolve with Joshua and others to please God, whosoever saith the contrary ; to walk after the commandments of God, whatsoever others do or say. In all discouragements from men or devils, let us set this as a buckler, God is my God. Arm ourselves with resolution against all fears and tbreaten- ings of men, of men of terror, against the arm of flesh. They say they will do this and this ; ay, but God is my God. All that they do they must do in his strength. Arm ourselves with this against the power and gates of hell. Fear not the devil. If we fear man or devil more than God, fear them so as to do anything to displease God, we make them god. If our conscience rightly tells us that what is to be done by us is the will and command of God, and that herein I serve God, we need not fear any opposer ; but oppose this as an armour of proof against all creatures, against all discouragements whatsoever. And certainly experience telleth us, and approveth it to be true, that nothing can dismay a man that doth things in conscience to God, and knows God will bear him out in it, though not from danger in this world ; and yet for the most part he doth that too. Those that are the stoutest men for God arc oftentimes most safe, always freed from inward dejection. Yet God disposeth of it so as that he that keeps a good conscience shall always be a king, and rule over the world ; and therein he pei'forms his promise. Whatever discourage- ments be endureth outwardly, yet no discouragement can cast down that soul that looks to God. In his conscience he knows that ho takes God to be his, that he serveth him, arid that it shall go well with him at last, that God will be all-sufficient to him ; and this raiseth him above all, makes him rule and reign over his enemies, and be a terror to those that do him hurt.
3. Again, If God be our God, then let this stop all base and covetous desires after earthly thinr/s. If God be our portion, why should we grapple too much after the world then ? AVhat need we crack our consciences and break our peace for the muck of the world ? Is not God our portion ? Is he not rich enough ? Is not he Lord of heaven and earth ? Hath not he promised that he will not fail us nor forsake us ? 'I am thy exceeding great reward,' saith God to Abraham. Is not this enough? What doth Satan for us when he getteth us to crack our consciences by gripleness* after earthly things ? He promiseth, thou shalt have this and that, but I will take God from thee, as he did Adam in paradise. Thou shall have an apple, but thou shalt lose thy God. All his solicitations to base and earthly courses tend to nothing else but to take God from us. Now, when * That is, ' gripingnessj = greed, rapacity. — G.