theCloud is taken offthe Tabernacle. I17 that the happinefs of a Saint is when he can glory in infirmi- ties (as Paul faith) and rejoyce in darkneßandmifery; for he fees this is his portion, and he cannot remove the cloud, and he is willing tofit fhll there till the day damn, and the Dayftararife inhim. Happy is the foule that can fit in darinefl, and when he hath no light, can flay himfelfe upon the Lord hit God: Happy,I fay ,is that föul(though there be a cloud on theTabernacle) that can fit í1i11, and wait the Lords good pleaftcre, and cry unto theLord, till he pleafe to lead hin onward towards Canaan. And there was a cloud on it by day, andapillar of-fire appeared on it by night., Know this further from hence, That in the time of a Saints greateft light,there is it'll a cloud upon the Lords Ta- bernacle at the greateft height of light, liberty , and enjoy- ments to his own feelingand apprehenfion; even then there is force darknef a upon the Tabernacle, efpecially imme- diately after fuch great light and glory.When Paul was wrapt np into-the third-heaven , there was a meffenger ofSa- tanfent to buffet hint, 1paft hefhould be exalted above meafure ; there was again a cloud let fall over the Tabernacle, when he was in the height of his joys, a priclwasPent him , in theflefh, a Mellinger ofSatan to buffet him: and therefore he concludes in another place, we walk by faith , arid not by fight. Tis fowith every Ghriftian:in the dayofhis light,and . the time of hisgreateft fhinings,ufually and then efpecially there is a cloud-upon theTabernacle: -srhy?to let manknow thus much, that he muff not live upon the GI FT but on the GIVER, that man mull not gather to day,for ever, but he is to gather to morrow, and every day, as the chil- dren of Ifrael in gathering Manna : for if thou layeft up flore, it will be deadhthenext time thou commeft to feed on it, it will all`(inle, and it will not nourifh thee; but wait full on the giver, and- athen his mercy will be fweet, frefh, flòurifiing, and green Lafily ,- from this that the fire fhined on the Tabernacle by night, we í1áa11 onelÿ note , that when the Light of the Tabernacle (hines upon the foules ofmen, all things elfe be- come dark; tis night in that foule toall things but the light of 2 Pet. x. 19. Efa.5oao.
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