A people's prospeuity. 563
to seek out a resting-place for them ; Numb. x. 33. It was carried on, to see where the pillar, or cloud of direction would stay, and there they rested v/herever it was. When God gives a people so- much direction, as that they see it is their duty to go on, and to trust him in so doing, though they see not the end, nor know what their resting-place will be, yet it is a pledge of God's presence with them. I sup- pose in your assembly you have had the cloud taken off, as to your engagements in some undertakings, concerning which you are to trust, that the ark of God's presence, the Lord Jesus Christ, will find you out a resting-place, which as yet appears not unto you.
What a full experience have we had of this kind of pro- ceeding among us ? In the last assembly of parliament how many had no less real intentions to be at work for God, than now ? God saw that it would not be for the advantage of the people, that they should proceed ; hence the cloud rested on that assembly, that they could not see how to take one step forward. He was still present with us, but it was by a darkening cloud, that we could not journey towards our rest. Nor is it the will, or counsel of man, but of God, that is to be looked to in these things. We now hope the cloud is up, and we are journeying towards our rest. The great angel of his presence will find a rest for us in the good providence of God. This then lies in God's special pre- sence, he is with us to give us direction in all our undertak- ings ; to take away darkness, perplexities, difficulties from our counsels ; or to cause us to rest, and cease from what- ever may come into our hearts, that is not according to his mind. The Lord give us evermore of this his presence.
I cannot stay to shew you the several ways whereby God now communicates direction to a people; how he inclines their hearts insensibly, yet powerfully ; fixes the bent of their spirits effectually, their hearts being in his hand as the rivers of water, which he turns as he pleaseth ; supplies them with reasonings and consultations, beyond the verge of their own wisdom, proposes occasions, invitations, provo- cations ; gives them spirit and courage beyond their natural frames and tempers ; enlarges them in prayer, or shuts them up ; makes walls on the one hand, and open paths on the other ; with innumerable such ways and means, as in his
2o 2
564 god's PRESEN'Ct
infinite wisdom he is pleased to make effectual for their guidance. It suffices, that in the use of means, through pa- tience and waiting upon him, they shall be directed to that which is pleasing to him ; so is he with them.
2dly. The second use of this pillar was, to give them pro- tection and defence in their ways : so Exod. xiv. 19,20.24. This protected them from the Egyptians, and from thence God troubled their enemies, out of the pillar, that is, from his especial presence. This use of it is insisted on, Isa. iv. 5, 6. The cloud that was as smoke by day, and as fire by night, was also a shadow, a place of refuge, and a covert ; in one word a protection, or a defence.
And this is a second thing which is in God's special pre- sence ; he will protect or defend them, with whom he is so present. He is their dwelling-place, Psal. xc. 1. then when in this world they have none ; their refuge in the time of trou- ble: so Isa. XXV. 4. xxvi. l.xxxi. 4. Promises and instances to make this good abound, are known to all ; the time would fail me to insist upon them. I might go over all the causes, means, and ways of the fears, dangers, ruins of such a people, and shew you how a defence is provided against them all. Are their fears from themselves, because of their folly, weak- ness, and division ; or from pretended friends, because of their envy and desertion ; or from open enemies, because of their power, cruelty, malice, and revenge ? A defence is pro- vided on every account, heat, rain, tempests, storms, adver- sity, prosperity, all are provided against, where God is pre- sent; Isa. xxxii. 1, 2.
And if any people in the world have experience of this truth, we have it this day. Had not the Lord been with us, who had not destroyed us ? Enemies, friends, abroad, at home, our own follies, all, any of them had done the work, had not the Lord himself been with us.
Only observe, that the presence of God, as to these ef- fects may sometimes in some particulars be eclipsed, and the effects themselves for some season be entangled, though there be not an utter breach between him and his people. How often did the Israelites attempt things without his di- rection? How often did he break in upon them to their woe and sorrow? Yet for the main he forsook them not, until the great work intended by them was accomplished ; Nehem.