3.68 Chap. 23. An expofition upon the TookofJ O B. Vert. 9. Cod onelybath Immertaloty, dwelling in the lightthat no man can approach unto, whom no man bath lien nor tanjee, that is,with ho. dily eyes,and ás it is impoffible to feehim at any time with an eye offence, fohe will not alwayes be teen by the eye dour under- ftanding, nonor alwayes by the eye offaith. Faith (hall hereafter be perfected in the vifionofGod,but here faith is fometime quite deprivedof vifion ofGod, He bidetb bimfelfefrom the koufe of latch. Faith is oppofed to all bodily fight (a Cor. 5.7. ) We walke byfaith not byfight ; and faith bath not alwayes a fpirituall fight. It is laid (Heb. 11.27.) that Mcfeafaro him that invi- ftble, he taw him with a (pirituall eye, theeye of faith ; we have reafon tobeleeve, that lobat that time, taw God with an eyeof faith,but he taw him not with an eye ofunderftanding.to difcern thewayof his working with him. They who are moll fpiritual'I and of the largeft underftanding in fpiritual ls, can no more com- prehend God then a cockle-fhel can containe the Ocean;and ma- ny who are fpirituall,are fo dark in their underftandings,or God is f darke to their underftandings, that they cannot fo much as apprehend ordifcerne him, fee or perceivehim. 'Thirdly, When lob faith, God bideth himfelfeon the right hand, or in theSouth, fo that I cannot fee him. This teacheth us; That God dcth fometimes purpojely withdraw and refrve him- felfefrom his moft precious fervants. The Prophet bath aftrange defcription ofGod (1/.4.45, t 5.) Verily thouart a god that bideft thy ;elfe (as if he had Laid) it is thyufe and cuftome to doe fo) O God ofIfrael the Saviour ; he was theGod and Saviour of Ifrael, yet Ifrael could not fee him, for hehid himfelfe ; When God will conceale himfelf,his Ifrael cannot fee him, And hence we find in Scripture fo many earneft Deprecations, that God would not hide himfelfe, and fo many vehement Exp.oftulations whenhe did. wherefore kid(11 th' u thy face (faith the Chnrch,Pfal.44. 24.) andforgettu ft our afifl'ion and epprefon ? God hides himfelfe five wages, or in five thirgs from his people. Firft, He hides his favour and the light of his Countenance from his people. And ( when this is hidGod is hid) he will not let them fee the love which he bath in his heart towards them, yea
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