d of the promises when there is not a foot-breadth of a dispensation
to build on. While all things go with you ye have no difficulty to
maintain your faith; nay, but when the Lord seemeth to look angry, then
awake and gather strength, and take hold on his strength. Look what is in
your condition or his dispensation, what is good or ominous, then take
hold on the other hand on him, and look what is in him to answer it, and
swallow it up. Ye ought to be well acquainted with the grounds of
consolation that are in God, in the worst case, and then ye might lay hold
on him though he seemed a consuming fire. It is then a time that calleth
most for securing your interest in him, a time when there is no external
advantage to beguile you, a time when the only happiness is to be one with
God. Therefore the man who, in such calamities and judgments, is not
awakened to put his eternal estate out of question, he is in a dangerous
case. For, do not most part drive over their days, and have no assurance
of salvation, they dare not say either _pro_ or _contra_. It may be, and
it may not be. And this is the length that the most part come,--a negative
peace; no positive confidence; no clear concluding, on sure grounds, an
interest. Always ye are most called to this, when God afflicteth the land
or you: if ye do not then make peace it is most dangerous. 2. The Lord
loveth faith in a difficulty best,--it is the singlest and the cleanliest,
it is that which most honoureth him, and glorifieth his truth and
faithfulness, and sufficiency and mercy; for then it is most purely
elevated above creatures, and pitcheth most on God; and therefore bringeth
men to this, "No help for my soul, but thou art my portion." And this
commendeth God most when he is set alone. Prosperity bringeth him down
among creatures, and secure faith maketh little distinction; but awakening
faith grippeth strongly and singly, putteth God alone.

_Secondly_, Oftentimes, when God is departing, none stirreth up himself to
lay hold on him. Although there may be praying and doing of many duties,
yet there is nothing beyond ordinary. The varieties and accessions of new
grounds of supplications doth neither make greater frequency nor more
fervency. This our experience may clear unto us both in duties and faith.

I. There is very little diligence in seeking of God in the way and means
appointed, even when God seemeth to bid farewell to the land, and go away.
Nobody cometh in as an i