Chap. 34. An E.xpofitian ;qv: the Book_ of j o s, Verf. 29. 743 God hide his face. And it will not beunufeful to inflance a little in this place; what thofe evils and mifchiefs are which thronb.and croud in upon Nations and Churches,,when God hideth his face from them. Fïrfi, When God hideth his face froma Nation,he layeth down his former care of them, and watchfulnefs over them, he takes little orno notice of their cafe and condition, of their troubles and flreights, (aswas taucht in opening the Text) he regards, not how it iswith them, nor what becomes of them. Such apprehenfions the Prophethad in referenceunto the people of Ifrael, (fer. 14. 8.) where he humbly expoflulated with the Lord, whyart thou asa firanger in the land,&ma wayfaring man that turneth afide to tares ryfor anight; a firanger or a wayfaring man,intending to flay but a night ina place,thinks not himfelf concerned with the flareof that place; if hecanbut get a flipper and a lodging for his money that night,he troubles himfeifno farther:whether it be well or ill with théplace,whether it be ficknefs or health,if he can make fhift for a night, he is fatisfied. Thus the Prophet conceived the Lord e- ven as a firanger amonghis people, little minding what became of them, whether they did fink on fwim, whether it were peace or trouble, joy or f rrow-with them. And, farther, he reprefents the Lordnotonly as a firanger, but as a man afionifhed, not only as amanwho, cares not tohelp, but as aman who cannot. Anafro-. nifhed man, howmighty foever he is, bath no rife of his might. He that can do littlewith hisreafon(that's the cafeof anafionifh'd affrighted man) can do lefswith his hands. Now fuch a one is God to.his people (that is hewill do no more for them then' fuch a one) when once he hidethhis face from them. Secondly, . When the Lord hideth his face from a Nation, he bath no regard to their prayersand fupplications, no not to their farts and humiliations ; that fpeaks, fadly. Prayer is or bes`s! firength, it engageth the firengthof, God ; by prayer we have our refort to God, and fetch all-our help and fuccour in aday of trouble from his All-fufficienoy. Ifonce God fay to a people, I will not hear nor anfwer your prayers, they , are in a moll forlorn condition. Thus God refolvedagainfi thepeople of Ifrael, (1.er. . i4. a 2.) when they f4, Iwill not hear theircry : And as he would not regard their ownprayers, fo he forbade the Prophet to pray focthem, .(.wer' i 3.).,7he Lord;lid untowe, pray motfor thispeo- pre
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