were bound to follow them with his presence in all their passions, in all their wanderings. It would, I confess, be more desirable unto me than life itself, to see all those at least, who stick to the cause of God in its greatest difficulties and trials, and then when it ceased to be carried on in the ordinary paths of nations, united again in the same common interest; to see their passions and prejudices cured, and their persons returned to their former usefulness. But this is that which is the result of all this discourse: it is not this, or that thing, or any thing whatever, but the presence of God alone with a people, that is their life, their preservation, their protection, and prosperity. If our strength had lain in any thing else in this world, our light had gone out long ago, and it had departed from us: but hence it is, that we are not consumed. Now if you are so careful not to lose these and these friends, this and that party of the nation, not to provoke this or that people causelessly; oh, what weight ought it to have upon your hearts and souls, that you provoke not the Lord to depart from you, that you take care for the continuance of his presence with you? This is your life, your safety, your success, your peace. Learn to prize it, value it.

Use 3. Whilst you have any pledge of the presence of God with you, be not greatly moved, nor troubled by any difficulties that you may meet withal; be not moved with any terror, but sanctify the Lord of hosts in your hearts, and make him your dread, and your fear, and he shall be a refuge, and a hiding-place unto you.

Some pretend to visions of God, and they prophesy your ruin and destruction; yea, they have limited times thereof, to the shame of their prognostications. Some are full of revenge, and they threaten your ruin, and talk what a catholic interest is complicating, and rising up against you. Some are troubled at your proceedings, that they are not in such equal paths as might be desired; as though that were a work and way of yesterday; as though we had not been turned, and driven out of old tracks and paths, above ten years ago; and as though the old paths were not so worn to the interest of a profane multitude, that it is yet impossible to keep the burden upright in them, whose guidance you are intrusted with. Some say you will never be able to go

through with the charge of your undertakings. As though God had never said, 'The gold and silver is mine.' Should these things busy or distract you? Doth the issue of the business in hand depend on the thoughts of these men? Will the end be according to their contrivances? Have these things indeed any influence at all into the determination of this controversy? Will not this one consideration guide your hearts and spirits, when all these waves roll all together upon you? Yea, but the whole of this affair must be ordered, and will fall out, according as the presence of God is with us, or otherwise. If God be with us, who shall be against us?' How may you on this account triumph against all oppositions whatsoever?

Use 4. Fix then your thoughts on the things which lie in a tendency towards the confirming of God's special providential presence with you. You have heard of the tenure of it, the means whereby it is procured and retained: these things I have spoken to in general before. Besides your own dependance on God, and comportment with his providence, the things incumbent on you are such, as respect either persons or things.

(1.) For persons, it is that which I have minded you of before, and which I shall do whilst I have life and opportunity to speak to you, or any concerned in the government of this nation, in public or private; because I know it is your life, your peace, your duty: and that is, that the end and aim of all your consultations be the protection, encouragement, liberty of the seed of Jacob, the remnant, the hidden people; those whom God hath owned, accepted, blessed, given his presence unto, and amongst them. I plead not for their exaltation, promotion, preferment, I know not what; but charge it as your duty to take care, that this be not trodden under foot, nor swallowed up, nor exposed to the rage and contempt of the men of the earth; it is not this or that party of them that I speak of, but the generation of them that seek the face of God, whose cause alone it is, and not of any other men, or frame of things, that is through the mighty power of God triumphant in these nations. They are to God as the apple of his eye, and let their safety be so also to you, and you will not fail of the presence of God.

(2.) For things, they are either, [1.] The things of God; or, [2.] Men: of each a word.

[1.] For the things of God, or the public profession of religion in the land, my time is too far spent for me to enter into a serious discourse on the subject. Some things have of late been done, which when envy, and anger, and disappointment shall cease to operate, the whole people of God in this nation will have cause to rejoice in.

Let it not be thought amiss, if I mind you of one part of the nation in especial, the example of the saints allow us a special regard to those of our own nation, our kinsfolks in the flesh. It is for Wales I speak, where the unhappiness of almost all men running into extremes, hath disadvantaged the advancement of the gospel, and the progress of it, when we had great ground for the expectation of better things. Some are still zealous of the traditions of their fathers, and nothing almost will satisfy them, but their old road of beggarly readers in every parish. Others again, perhaps out of a good zeal, have hurried the people with violence beyond their principles, and sometimes it may be beyond the truth; and as Jacob said, Over-driving the cattle, and young ones, have almost destroyed the whole flock. Between complaints on one side, and the other, I fear between misguided zeal, and formality, the whole work is almost cast to the ground; the business of Zion, as such, is scarce by any cared for. The good Lord guide you to somewhat for its relief, that those who are godly may be encouraged, and those that need instruction may not be neglected.

[2.] The things of man, or righteous administrations of justice in things relating to this present pilgrimage. These wheels also are you to set going. Many particulars lie before you, more will present themselves; troublesome times have always produced good laws; your wisdom will be to provide for good execution, that not only the generations to come, but the present, may eat of the fruit of and travail.

your labours

END OF VOL. XV.

་

Printed by J. F. Dove, St. John's Square.

4

DRI