618 Chap. Zr. {win expofsion upon the 7100%of J o a. Vert, 2. for himfelfe. When the o fTic`.led fpeak, theygive vent to their forrows , and when they are heard, 'cis an income ofjoy. Though tobe heard, be not comfort formally, or direFlly, yet effe6tively and virtually there is much comfort in it ; yea, God (peaks as if he werecomforted when he is but heard, or as ifwecomforted himwhen we beam him.Godbefeecheth u=, and fpeakes intreaties to us, that his counfels and commands may be heard. ( Tfal. 8 t. i 3.) O that my people hadhearkened unto me.The Lord tells them indeed it would have proved their confolation (verf 14.) I"build fore have fubdued their enemies and turned my hand againfi their adverfaries. Yet while he fpeaks fo pathetically, he feemes to include his own confolation in it as well as theirs, O that my people bad hearkned unto me; it would have been good for them, and it would have given high content to my felfe. And on the contrary we ende the Lord (peakingof it as a trouble, and a burthen to him yea as the b eaking ofhis heart when his people flop their cares, and will not beam him. Ion broken (faith the Lord ) with their whorijk heart which kath departed fromme,and with their eyes whichgot a ovhoringafter their Idols (Ezek. 6. 19. ) Now, when or how loth the heart depart fromGod ?Bit not by refufingto beam his voyce, or the voyce ofthofewho fpeake in hisName. This is a griefe to God whole the word is, and a griefe to tholewho are the lMMeffengers ofhis word. The faithfull Miniflers ofjefus thrill can fry this from their foules to thole that heart' them, Fleare our fpeech diligently, and this(ball beyour coif lation.This (hall comfort us more then all the good things you can bellow onus ; doebut receive.this gift, the truth, the wordof truth fpoken to you, and this (hall comfort us more then all that you can give. M all the forrows andmiferies which the wick- ed feele and !hall be com pafí"ed about with for ever, arife from this, becaufe they have not diligently heard that which hath been fpoken; fo, much forrow arifeth tomany who are god- ly, becaufe, what they fpeakeis not diligently heard. How of- ten doe they fay to tinbborne children, to evill fervants , to fcandalous and loole-walking friends, What joy would it be to our foules, if you would but attend and follow thecounfel which we give you We fhould look upon ti's as a great mer- cy to us as well as to you.Why did maul call the,Pbilipplans his io,
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