Page:Sermon preached on a preparation-day, before the sacrament of the Lord's-Supper, at Bruntisland, upon 2 Sam. vii. 20. Do as thou hast said.pdf/8

 But what ſays God to a poor ſoul that is harraſſed with the temptations of the Devil, and ready to be deſtroyed with the fiery darts of the wicked one? God ſays, "I will bruiſe the head of the ſerpent. Rom. xvi. 10. The God of peace ſhall bruiſe Satan under your feet ſhortly. For this cauſe was the Son of God manifeſted, to deſtroy the works of the Devil." Hath he begun to deſtroy him? and hath he ſaid, Thou ſhalt bruiſe him under thy feet? Then put him to his word, ſaying, Lord, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

Alas! But what ſays God to a poor, deſtitute creature, that hath nothing; no good, noſtrengthno strenght [sic]? He ſays, Philip. iv. 19." My God ſhall ſupply all your wants, according to his riches in glory, by Chriſt Jeſus. Pſal. ix. 18. The needy ſhall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor ſhall not periſh for ever. There is bread enough, and to ſpare in your father houſe." Hath he ſaid ſo? O then! put him to his word, ſaying, Lord, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

But what ſays God to me, that am longing, longing, earneſtly longing for ſome taſte of his goodneſs, ſome view of his beauty; ſome communion and fellowſhip with him? Why God ſays to you, that he "will ſatisfy the longing ſoul and fill the hungry with good things. Matth. v. 6. Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs: for they ſhall be filled." Hath he ſaid ſo? Then let your heart ſay, Lord, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

Oh! but is there any word for one that hath a quite other case to tell you of, that hath no longing deſire, no hunger, no thirſt, that hath as much need as any longing ſoul here; but I have no ſpiritual longing, not ſo much as a deſire, but, like the parching earth, the dry ground, that can have no active thirſt, but hath many a wide cleft? God ſays Iſa. xliv. 3, 4, "I will pour water on him that is thirſty, and floods upon the dry ground? even my ſpirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing upon thine offspring. They ſhall grow up as among the graſs, as willows by the water courſes." Have you no other thirſt, but like that of the dry ground? and he hath promiſed a flood? Then, O put him to his word, ſaying, Lord, Do as thou haſt ſaid.

Oh! but is there anyword for me, that am like the barren ground and unfruitful, that bears nothing but briars and thorns, and I find this ground iis [sic] rejected, is nigh unto curſing, whoſe end is to be burnediburned [sic]? Is this your fear and cern