4-1-4 god's pkesence
then will God relieve them by some especial appearance of his glory. " In the mount will the Loed be seen." This will give a relief when all is at a loss. And in tliis lies the most discriminating evidence of special providence. Glorious appearances in great straits are eminent testimonies of God's regard.
Could I now insist on some of the instances that might be given of this kind of dealing with us in England, in the pursuit of the cause we have in hand, it would make us ashamed of all our un worthiness, carnal fears, and unbelief
This is the second evidence of God's presence: — ^lie is with a people to direct them, to protect, to manifest his glory amongst them, — his glory in balancing the issues of providence one in respect of another, — so that all shall acknowledge that of a truth the Lord is amongst them. " Blessed is the people that is in such a case ; yea, blessed is the people whose God is the Lord." What would you have more? Here is ease of all cares, a remedy for all sores, security in the midst of troubles, — rest, and peace, and assured dwelling-places, though the Assyrian should be in the land.
Thus you see what is this great concernment of any people.
(2.) Let us nov/ consider the tenure of this blessedness, — on what account it is to be obtained or enjoyed. Now this is, our abiding with God. This, then, is next to be considered : What it is for a people, — what it is for you and us, so to abide with God, as that we may in all our affairs enjoy his presence in the ways before described.
Now, something is hereunto previously required, — something it consists in.
[L] That we may abide with God, this is indispensably required, — that we may have jieace with him in Jesus Christ. If we are never with him, we cannot abide with him; no man can abide where he never comes. The acceptance of o\xr persons lies at the bottom of the acceptance of our duties. As the special presence of God with any, is in and by Christ, and no othenvise, so is our abiding \At\\ God in and through him. " God with us" is the name of Christ: our bemg with God is in him who is our peace. Two cannot walk together, unless they be agi-eed, Amos iii. 3.
Now, because this is not to be expected from all the individuals of a nation, yet this thing is to be endeavoured, — that the rulers of it he such as have this interest. I do not divest, of a share in govern- ment, those who have no share in Christ, if lawfully called thereunto ; but I say, when God gives governors whom he intends to make a blessing unto a people, they shall be such as are blessed of him in Christ. And if ever the government of this nation, in this present constitution, — suppose it the most exactly framed and balanced, in the Beveral parts of it, for the furtherance of public good, — be devolved into
A people's prosperity. 415
the hands of men not interested in God by Christ, though the consti- tution may be absohitely good, yet the government will not be blessed, and the nation will be ruined; for God and his glory will depart, Mic. V. 5, 6. It is Christ that is our peace, even in outward troubles. They are " seven shepherds under him," and " eight principal men" accepted with him, that are to be our relief.
It is true, for some particular actions or works a wicked man may be anointed particularly, — as Jehu, and Jeroboam the son of Joash ; but you have no instance that ever God was with a people, to bless them indeed in a course of special providence, when wicked men, by their own consent, were their rulers, — where the union and relation between them and the jDeoplo is considerable. I confess unto you, I never think of the state of England, but my heart trembles at this thing, — namely, that those who have, and it is fit should have, so great a share in the government of this commonwealth, should have their rise from the body of the people, that is dark and profane, and full of enmity against the remnant. Did not God overrule men, con- trary to their own inward principles and lusts, how soon would ruin and desolation break in upon that hand! And give me leave to say, that God, in his sovereign providence, having called so many at this time to the place of rule and authority, who indeed (as we believe) love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, it seems to me to look as your duty, to consider all ways and means, whereby the power of these nations may be, in succeeding seasons, devolved on men of the like spirit and condition.
I shall not interpose in that which by some is so much spoken of, — the reign of the saints. I am sure the means used and attempted by some, to set upon and to set up such a rule and dominion, have not become sober men, much less saints of Christ. Yet this I must say, and in the saying of it, I dare say, " Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin," If ever God cease to call saints — that is, men interested personally in Christ — to places of chief authority in this nation, or commit the power of it into other hands, — and when those called to power, cease to exert it in a subserviency to the kingdom of Christ, for the true spiritual advantage of his people, — there will be an end of England's glory and happiness. I say. Hear ye this, all ye people ! This I have delivered long ago, and many times in this place ; — this I say still, and in this persuasion hope to live and die. The Lord guide you in this thing; however, we shall live on the good providence of our God, who hath hitherto taken care for us.