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ix. 19. It is not every entanglement, every disappointment, every defeat, that argues God's departure, as to his special presence. It may be good for us sometimes to be in such a condition; and then that desertion, that carries into it, is from the presence of God. We are now grown to that, that if every thing immediately surmount not our imagination, say some, God is gone from them ; not because it is so, but because they would have it so. But he is merciful, with whom we have to do, and will not cast off" his people for ever.
[2.] The people with whom God was, had the glory of Jehovah, as a pledge of his presence with them. This ap- peared only at extraordinary seasons; so it did at the giving of the law, Exod. xxiv. 16. so also at the setting up of the tabernacle. It differed from the cloud ; for when the cloud was upon the tabernacle, the glory of the Lord filled it. It appeared again to all the people ; Levit. ix. 23. I shall not now inquire, what was this visible representation of the ma- jesty of God ; it sufficeth, as to [the purpose in hand, that when God gives his presence to a people, at extraordinary seasons, he affords them extraordinary manifestations of his glory. So in Ezekiel's vision of those dreadful wheels of providence, the glory of the Lord is said to appear in the temple; and as his especial presence departed from the temple, and the city, so the glory by several degrees departed also; chap. ii. 10. 18, 19. xi. 23.
Eminent and glorious appearances with and for a people in extraordinary seasons, is then another thing that accom- panies God's special providential presence with them ; when they are at an utter loss in their counsels, at a stand in their motions, disappointed in their undertakings, deserted in their enterprises, pressed on every side above measure, or called to some extraordinary work, so that their ordinary di- rection and protection will not carry them on, nor bear them up; then will God relieve them by some especial appearance of his glory. In the * mount will the Lord be seen.' This will give a relief when all is at a loss. And in this 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
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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 unworthiness, carnal fears, and un- belief.
This is the second evidence of God's presence. He 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 ac- knowledge, 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 now 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 nextly to be consi- dered, 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 : some- thing it consists in.
[1.] That we may abide with God, this is indispensably required : That we may have peace 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 our 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 otherwise ; so is our abiding with God in and through him. ' God with us' is the name of Christ : our being with God is in him, who is our peace. 'Two cannot walk together, unless they be so agreed ;' 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 be such as have this interest. I do not divest of a share in government those, who have no share in Christ, if lawfully called thereunto. But, I say, when God
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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 ba- lanced, in the several parts of it, for the furtherance of pub- lic good, be devolved into the hands of men not interested in God by Christ ; though the constitution may be abso- lutely good, yet the government will not be blessed, and the nation will be ruined : for God and his glory will depart; Micah. V. 5, 6. It is Christ that is our peace, even in out- ward troubles. They are ' seven shepherds under him,' and * eight principal men' accepted with him, that are to be our relief.