do with creatures, we keep trysts so
punctually with them, so that we cannot keep with God. We have so many
things in our affections and thoughts, that God cannot get place, he
cannot get us at leisure for the throng of our business, we lose God by
catching at shadows. Well then, we are called in such a time of difficulty
to come in to God himself, to draw by the vail of ordinances, that we may
have communion with God himself. And this is right praying, when the soul
getteth such immediate access to God, as it were, to handle him, and see
him, and taste him, to exercise its senses on him. Ordinances have been of
a long time a covering of his face, and he useth not now to unvail himself
in the sanctuary, and let us see his glory God is departed from preaching
and praying, and the solemn meeting, so that we meet not with God,--we lay
hold on a shadow of an outward ordinance, but not on God himself.
Therefore, Christians, make advantage of this time. You may be brought to
want ordinances, then lay hold on himself who is the substance and marrow
of them. You may be denuded of outward comforts and accommodation here,
then lay hold on himself in much prayer. If affliction would blow away the
cloud on his face, or would scatter our idols from us, and make us single
alone with God, as Jacob was, it were well sent.

II. Your exercise should be to take hold on God by faith. 1. Ye would
make peace with God, be much in direct acts of apprehending God himself in
Jesus Christ. And this is according as ye take up yourselves with your own
misery and necessity. Do but travel continually between your own misery
and something answerable in God.

The first thing we would have you do, now when God frowns upon us, is to
find out your own lost condition, and how great strangers you have been to
him, even when ye have approached in many ordinances, and find a necessity
of making peace with God and atonement. Now from this day hold on Christ,
as the hope set before you. Look upon that in him which will answer all
your necessities, and be suitable to them. It is not matters of outward
lot that should go nearest your heart. Let the world go where it will,
that which concerneth you most in such a time, is the securing of your
soul, for if you lose it, what gain you? what keep you? Your houses, and
lands, and lives may be in hazard, nay, but one thing is more worth than
all these, and in more hazard. Begin at spiritual things, and ask how
matters