94 OfIneffellual ,Jeari2g the Hord. the Lord remove that deafneffe ? youold hearers, that have ears fat with hearing, but heavy, he never intended love, elfe he would (peak, therewould be force time of love. Rom. r. 7, 8. The Eleilhave had it, others are blinded, as 'tis written, God bath given them the fpirit o f flumber, eyes that they fhouldnot fee,and ears that theyfhould not hear to this day. 3. 'Tis the Lords indent difpleafure. when a man looks for love and fpeech, and he doth not (peak at thofe times he is not wont to fpeak; one may take it as nofgn ofanger but when the Lord (hall fpeak ufually, and thenhe fpeaks not, this is a fad (iign. - i Sam. 28. 6, 15. He cries out ofthis,He anfwors me not by "(him nor dreams, nor thee by the Gofpel nor Law, neither where he ufeth to anfwer. If this anger were to came, it were force comfort : but when 'tis now upon thee, even that very. Sermon and Word whereby he fpeaks to others, but nor aword to thee. 4. 4. 'Tis his infenfible anger : for a fat heart,and an hea- vy ear ever go together ; for youwill fay, I feel no hurt in this, .I have heard and been never the better, but yet that hash made menever the w.orfe. Ohpoor creature ! 'tis becaufe you feel It nor; but when the time cfmifery !hall come, you will fay, This is wo and load enough, for theLord togive no anfwer. Pfal. 71. 9 . We fee not our Prophets, nor any to tell us how long : fo you that de- fpife means you (hall then lament and fay, none cantell how long. Oh therefore, lament this thy condition now, that the Lord may hear lone ofyour cries, 8ac. Vfe 4. Hence examine whether ever you heard the Lords voice or no: not onlyoutwardly(for that you know you have often done ) but inwardly; and not only fo, for fo ye may do, andyet your eares heavy ; but effedually, that if it benot fo you may be humble, and fay, Lord how have 1 fpent my time in vain ? and if it be fo, you may be thankfull, and fay, Lord, what am I that the infi- nite God fhould fpeak to me ? There is great needof trial ofthis,for a,inmay read, hear and underhand externally, what ever another may; andyet the whole Scripture a fealed Book. There are therefore thefe three degrees, by which you !hall difcern the effectuall voice of God, you muft take them joyntly. to a. Thevoiceof God Tingles a Iran our,;and (though it be
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