DirectionsforDailyCommunionwith

God

ByMatthewHenry

TableofContents

TotheReader

TheFirstDiscourse:ShowingHowtoBeginEveryDaywithGod

TheSecondDiscourse:ShowingHowtoSpendEveryDayWithGod

TheThirdDiscourse:ShowingHowtoCloseEveryDaywithGod

TOTHEREADER

ThetwofirstoftheseDiscourseswaspreached(thatis,thesubstanceofthem)attheMorningLectureatBednalGreen,theformer,August13,theother, August 21, 1712. The latter of them I was much importuned topublishbydiversthatheardit;whichyetIthenhadnothoughtsatallofdoing,because indiverspractical treatises,wehaveexcellentdirectionsgivenof thesamenatureandtendency,bybetterhands thanmine.ButuponsecondthoughtsIconsidered,thatboththosesermonsofbeginningandspendingthedaywithGod,puttogether,mightperhapsbeofsomeusetothoseintowhosehandsthoselargertreatisesdonotfall.Andthetruthis,thesubjectofthemisofsuchanature,thatiftheymaybeofanyuse,theymaybeofgeneralandlastinguse;whereuponIentertainedthethought of writing them over, with very large additions throughout, asGod should enable me, for the Press. Communicating this thought tosomeofmyfriends,theyverymuchencouragedmetoproceedinit,butadvisedmetoaddathirddiscourseofclosingthedaywithGod,whichI

thereupon took formy subject at aneveningLecture,Sept.3. andhavelikewisemuchenlargedandalteredthat.Andsothiscametobewhatitis.

I am not without hopes, that something may hereby be contributedamongplainpeople,bytheblessingofGodupontheendeavour,andtheworkingofhisgracewithit,tothepromotingofseriousgodliness,whichis the thing I aim at. And yet I confess I had not published it, butdesigning it for a present tomy dearly beloved friends in the country,whomIhavelatelybeenrentfrom.

Andtothemwiththemosttenderaffection,andmostsincererespectsIdedicate it, as a testimony of my abiding concern for their spiritualwelfare; hoping and praying, that their conversation may be in everythingasbecomesthegospelofChrist,thatwhetherIcomeandseethem,orelsebeabsent,Imayhearcomfortablyoftheiraffairs,thattheystandfast in one spirit with onemind, striving together for the Faith of thegospel.

Iam,

TheirCordialandAffectionate

Wellwisher,

MATTHEWHENRY

Sept.8,1712

TheFirstDiscourse:ShowingHowtoBeginEveryDaywithGod

"Myvoice shalt thouhear in themorning,OLord, in themorning

willIdirectmyPrayeruntothee,andwilllookup."Psalm5:3(KJV)

Youwould think it a rudequestion, if I shouldaskyou, andyet Imustentreatyouseriously toaskyourselves,Whatbringsyouhithersoearlythismorning?

Andwhat isyourbusinesshere?WheneverweareattendingonGod inholyordinances(nay,whereverweare)weshouldbeabletogiveagoodanswer to the questionwhichGod put to the prophet,What dost thouhere,Elijah?Aswhenwereturnfromholyordinances,weshouldbeableto give a good answer to the question which Christ put to those thatattendedonJohnthe

Baptist’sministry,Whatwentyeoutintothewildernesstosee?

It is surprising to see so many got together here: surely the fields arewhiteunto theharvest; and I amwilling tohope, it isnotmerely for awalk this pleasantmorning, that you are come hither; or for curiosity,because the morning lecture was never here before; that it is not forcompany, or to meet your friends here, but that you are come with apiousdesigntogiveglorytoGod,andtoreceivegracefromhim,andinboth to keepup your communionwithhim.And if you askus that areministers,whatourbusiness is,wehopewecan truly say, it is (asGodshallenableus)toassistandfurtheryouherein.Comestthoupeaceably?saidtheeldersofBethlehemtoSamuel;andsoperhapsyouwillsaytous;towhichweanswer,as theProphetdid,peaceablywecome to sacrificeuntotheLord,andinviteyoutothesacrifice.

Whilethe lecture continueswith you, youhaveanopportunityofmorethandoublingyourmorningdevotions;besidesyourworshippingofGodinsecret,and inyour families,which thismustnot supersede,or justleout,youherecalluponGod’snameinthesolemnassembly;anditisasmuchyourbusinessinallsuchexercisestoprayaprayertogether,asitistohearasermon;anditissaid,theoriginalofthemorningexercisewasameetingforprayer,atthetimewhenthenationwasgroaningunderthedreadfuldesolatingjudgmentofacivilwar.YouhavealsoanopportunityofconversingwiththewordofGod;youhavepreceptuponprecept,andline upon line. O that as the opportunity wakens you morning by

morning,so(astheprophetspeaks)yourearsmaybewakenedtohearasthelearned,ISA50:4.Isaiah50:4(KJV)

Butthisisnotall;wedesirethatsuchimpressionsmaybemadeuponyouby this cluster of opportunities, as you may always abide under theinfluenceof; that thismorning lecturemay leaveyoubetterdisposedtomorningworshipeverafter;thatthesefrequentactsofdevotionmaysoconfirmthehabitofit,asthatfromhenceforwardyourdailyworshipmaybecomemoreeasy,andifImaysayso,inamannernaturaltoyou.

ForyourhelphereinIwouldrecommendtoyouholyDavid’sexampleinthetext,whohavingresolvedingeneral,ver.2,thathewouldaboundinthedutyofprayer,andabidebyit,untotheewillIpray,herefixethoneproper timefor it,andthat is themorning;Myvoiceshalt thouhear inthemorning;notinthemorningonly.Davidsolemnlyaddressedhimselfto the duty of prayer three times a day, as Daniel did; Morning andevening, and at noonwill I pray, and cry aloud, PS 55:17. Psalm 55:17(KJV)Nay,hedothnot think that enough,but seven timesadaywill Ipraise thee, PS 119:164. Psalm 119:164 (KJV) But particularly in themorning.

Doct.Itisourwisdomandduty,tobegineverydaywithGod.

Letusobserveinthetext,

(I.)Thegoodworkitselfthatwearetodo.Godmusthearourvoice,wemustdirectourprayertohim,andwemustlookup.

(II.)Thespecialtimeappointed,andobservedforthedoingofthisgoodwork;andthatisinthemorning,andagaininthemorning,thatis,everymorning,asdulyasthemorningcomes.

I.Forthefirst,ThegoodworkwhichbytheexampleofDavidweareheretaughttodo,isinonewordtopray;adutydictatedbythelightandlawofnature,whichplainlyand loudly speaks,Shouldnotapeople seekuntotheir God? But which the gospel of Christ gives us much betterinstructionsin,andencouragementto,thananythatnaturefurnishethuswith,forittellsuswhatwemustprayfor,inwhosenamewemustpray,

andbywhoseassistance,and invitesus tocomeboldly to the throneofgrace,and toenter into theholiestby thebloodofJesus.Thisworkwearetodonotonthemorningonly,butatothertimes,atalltimes;wereadofpreachingthewordoutofseason,butwedonotreadofprayingoutofseason,forthatisneveroutofseason;thethroneofgraceisalwaysopen,and humble supplicants are always welcome, and cannot comeunseasonably.

ButletusseehowDavidhereexpressethhispiousresolutiontoabidebythisduty.

A.Myvoiceshalt thouhear.TwowaysDavidmayherebeunderstood.Either,

1.AspromisinghimselfagraciousacceptancewithGod.

Thoushalt,i.e.thouwilthearmyvoice,wheninthemorningIdirectmyprayer to thee; so it is the language of his faith, grounded uponGod’spromise, that his ear shall be always open to his people’s cry. He hadprayed,ver1.Giveeartomywords,OLord;andver2.Hearkenuntothevoiceofmycry;andherehereceivesananswertothatprayer,thouwilthear,Idoubtnotbutthouwilt;andthoughIhavenotpresentlyagrantofthethingIprayedfor,yetIamsuremyprayerisheard,isaccepted,andcomesupforamemorial,astheprayerofCorneliusdid;itisputuponthefile, and shall not be forgotten. If we look inward, and can say byexperience thatGodhaspreparedourheart;wemay look forward, andsaywithconfidencethathewillcausehiseartohear.

Wemaybesureofthis,andwemustprayintheassuranceofit,inafullassuranceofhisfaith,thatwhereverGodfindsaprayingheart,hewillbefoundaprayer-hearingGod;thoughthevoiceofprayerbealowvoice,aweakvoice,yetifitcomefromanuprightheart,itisavoicethatGodwillhear, that he will hear with pleasure, it is his delight, and that he willreturnagraciousanswerto;hehathheardthyprayers,hehathseenthytears.Whenthereforewestandpraying,thisgroundwemuststandupon,thisprinciplewemuststandto,nothingdoubting,nothingwavering,thatwhatever we ask of God as a father, in the name of Jesus Christ theMediator,accordingtothewillofGodrevealedinthescripture,itshallbe

granted us either in kind or kindness; so the promise is, JOHN 16:23,John 16:23 (KJV) and the truth of it is sealed to by the concurringexperienceofthesaintsinallages,eversincemenbegantocalluponthenameoftheLord,thatJacob’sGodneveryetsaidtoJacob’sseed,seekyemeinvain,andhewillnotbeginnow.

WhenwecometoGodbyprayer,ifwecomearightwemaybeconfidentofthis,thatnotwithstandingthedistancebetweenheavenandearth,andour great unworthiness to have any notice taken of us, or any favourshewed us; yet God doth hear our voice, and will not turn away ourprayer,orhismercy.Or,

2. It is rather to be taken, as David’s promising God a constantattendance on him, in the way he has appointed. My voice shalt thouhear,i.e..Iwillspeaktothee;becausethouhast inclinedthineearuntomemanyatime,thereforeIhavetakenuparesolutiontocallupontheeatall times, even to theendofmy time.Notaday shallpass,but thoushaltbe sure tohear fromme.Not that the voice is the thing thatGodregards, as they seemed to think,who inprayermade their voice tobeheardonhigh,ISA58:4Isaiah58:4(KJV).Hannahprayedandprevailed,whenhervoicewasnotheard;butitisthevoiceoftheheartthatisheremeant;GodsaithtoMoses,whereforecriest thouuntome,whenwedonotfindthathesaidoneword,EXOD14:15.Exodus14:15(KJV)PrayingisliftingupthesoultoGod,andpouringouttheheartbeforehim;yetasfarastheexpressingofthedevoutaffectionsoftheheartbywordsmaybeofusetofixthethoughts,andtoexciteandquickenthedesires,itisgoodtodrawneartoGod,notonlywithapureheart,butwithahumblevoice;somustwerenderthecalvesofourlips.

However, God understands the language of the heart, and that is thelanguage inwhichwemust speak toGod;Davidprayshere,ver. 1, notonly give ear tomy words, but considermymeditation, and PS 19:14.Psalm 19:14 (KJV) Let the words of my mouth, proceeding from themeditationofmyheart,beacceptableinthysight.

Thisthereforewehavetodoineveryprayer,wemustspeaktoGod;wemustwritetohim;wesaywehearfromafriendwhomwereceivealetterfrom;wemustseetoitthatGodhearsfromusdaily.

a. He expects and requires it. Though he has no need of us or ourservices,norcanbebenefitedbythem,yethehasobligedustoofferthesacrificeofprayerandpraisetohimcontinually.

1)Thushewillkeepuphisauthorityoverus,andkeepuscontinuallyinmindof our subjection tohim,whichwe are apt to forget.He requiresthatbyprayerwesolemnlypayourhomagetohim,andgivehonour tohisname,thatbythisactanddeedofourown,thusfrequentlyrepeated,wemay strengthen the obligationswe lie under to observe his statutesandkeephislaws,andbemoreandmoresensibleoftheweightofthem.He is thy Lord, and worship thou him, that by frequent humbleadorations of his perfections, thou mayest make a constant humblecompliancewithhiswillthemoreeasytothee.Bydoingobeisancewearelearningobedience.

2)Thushewilltestifyhisloveandcompassiontowardsus.Itwouldhavebeenanabundantevidenceofhisconcernforus,andhisgoodnesstous,ifhehadonlysaid,letmehearfromyouasoftenasthereisoccasion;calluponmeinthetimeoftroubleorwant,andthatisenough;buttoshewhiscomplacencytous,asafatherdothhisaffectiontohischildwhenheissendinghimabroad,hegivesusthischarge,letmehearfromyoueveryday,byeverypost,thoughyouhavenoparticularbusiness;whichshews,thattheprayeroftheuprightishisdelight;itismusicinhisears;Christsaith tohisdove, letmesee thycountenance, letmehear thyvoice, forsweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely, Cant. 2:14. Song ofSolomon2:14(KJV)AnditistothespousethechurchthatChristspeaksinthecloseofthatSongofSongs,Othouthatdwellestinthegardens,(intheoriginalitisfeminine)thecompanionshearkentothyvoice,causemeto hear it.What a shame is this to us, that God is more willing to beprayedto,andmorereadytohearprayer,thanwearetopray.

b.WehavesomethingtosaytoGodeveryday.Manyarenotsensibleofthis, and it is their sin andmisery; they livewithoutGod in theworld,theythinktheycanlivewithouthim,arenotsensibleoftheirdependenceuponhim,andtheirobligationstohim,andthereforefortheirpartstheyhavenothingtosaytohim,heneverhearsfromthem,nomorethanthefatherdidfromhisprodigalson,whenhewasupontheramble,fromoneweek’sendtoanother.Theyaskscornfully,whatcantheAlmightydofor

them?andthennomarveliftheyasknext,whatprofitshallwehaveifweprayuntohim?Andtheresult is, theysaytotheAlmighty,depart fromus, and so shall their doom be. But I hope better things of you mybrethren, and that you are not of those who cast off fear, and restrainprayerbeforeGod,youareallreadytoownthatthereisagreatdealthattheAlmighty cando foryou,and that there isprofit inpraying tohim,andthereforeresolvetodrawnightoGod,thathemaydrawnightoyou.

WehavesomethingtosaytoGoddaily.

1)Astoafriendweloveandhavefreedomwith;suchafriendwecannotgobywithoutcallingon,andneverwantsomethingtosayto,thoughwehave no particular business with him; to such a friend we unbosomourselves, we profess our love and esteem, and with pleasurecommunicateourthoughts;AbrahamiscalledthefriendofGod,andthishonourhaveall thesaints, Ihavenotcalledyouservants, (saithChrist)but friends; his secret iswith the righteous;we are invited to acquaintourselves with him, and to walk with him as one friend walks withanother;thefellowshipofbelieversissaidtobewiththeFather,andwithhisSonJesusChrist;andhavewenothingtosaytohimthen?

Is itnoterrandenough to the throneofhisgrace toadmirehis infiniteperfections, which we can never fully comprehend, and yet neversufficientlycontemplate,andtakecomplacencyin?Topleaseourselvesinbeholding the beauty of the Lord, and giving him the glory due to hisname?Havewenotagreatdealtosaytohiminacknowledgmentofhiscondescendinggraceand favour tous, inmanifestinghimself tousandnot to theworld: and in profession of our affection and submission tohim;Lord,thouknowestallthings,thouknowestthatIlovethee.

God hath something to say to us as a friend every day, by the writtenword, inwhichwemust hear his voice, by his providences, andby ourownconsciences,andhehearkensandhearswhetherwehaveanythingtosaytohimbywayofreply,andweareveryunfriendlyifwehavenot.Whenhesaithtous,Seekyemyface,shouldnotourheartsanswerastoonewelove,Thyface,Lord,wewillseek.Whenhesaithtous,Returnyebackslidingchildren,shouldnotwereadilyreply,Beholdwecomeuntothee,forthouarttheLordourGod.Ifhespeaktousbywayofconviction

andreproof,oughtnotwetoreturnananswerbywayofconfessionandsubmission.Ifhespeaktousbywayofcomfort,oughtnotwetoreplyinpraise? If you loveGod, you cannot be to seek for something to say tohim,something foryourhearts topouroutbeforehim,whichhisgracehasalreadyputthere.

2)Astoamasterweserve,andhavebusinesswith.ThinkhownumerousandimportanttheconcernsarethatliebetweenusandGod,andyouwillreadilyacknowledgethatyouhaveagreatdealtosaytohim.Wehaveaconstantdependenceuponhim,allourexpectationisfromhim;wehaveconstantdealingswith him; he isGodwithwhomwehave to do,HEB4:13.Hebrews4:13(KJV)

Dowenotknowthatourhappinessisboundupinhisfavour;itislife,thelifeofoursouls,itisbetterthanlife,thanthelifeofourbodies?AndhavewenotbusinesswithGodtoseekhisfavour,toentreatitwithourwholehearts, to beg as for our lives that he would lift up the light of hiscountenance upon us, and to plead Christ’s righteousness, as that onlythroughwhichwecanhopetoobtainGod’slovingkindness?

Dowenotknow thatwehaveoffendedGod, thatby sinwehavemadeourselves obnoxious to his wrath and curse, and that we are dailycontracting guilt? And have we not then business enough with him toconfessourfaultandfolly,toaskforpardoninthebloodofChrist,andinhim who is our peace to make our peace with God, and renew ourcovenantswithhiminhisownstrengthtogoandsinnomore?

Dowe not know that we have daily work to do for God, and our ownsouls,theworkofthedaythatistobedoneinitsday?AndhavewenotthenbusinesswithGodtobegofhimtoshewuswhathewouldhaveusdo, to direct us in it, and strengthen us for it? To seek to him forassistanceandacceptance,thathewillworkinusbothtowillandtodothatwhichisgood,andthencountenanceandownhisownwork?Suchbusinessasthistheservanthaswithhismaster.

Dowenotknowthatwearecontinuallyindanger?Ourbodiesareso,andtheirlivesandcomforts,wearecontinuallysurroundedwithdiseasesanddeaths,whosearrowsflyatmid-nightandatnoon-day;andhavewenot

thenbusinesswithGodgoingoutandcomingin, lyingdownandrisingup, to put ourselves under the protections of his providence, to be thechargeofhis holy angels?Our soulsmuchmore are so, and their livesand comforts; it is those our adversary the devil, a strong and subtleadversary, wars against, and seeks to devour; and have we not thenbusinesswithGodtoputourselvesundertheprotectionofhisgrace,andcladourselveswithhisarmour,thatwemaybeabletostandagainstthewilesandviolencesofSatan;soaswemayneitherbesurprisedintosinbyasuddentemptation,norover-poweredbyastrongone.

Dowenotknowthatwearedyingdaily,thatdeathisworkinginus,andhastening towards us, and that death fetches us to judgment, andjudgment fixeth us in our everlasting state? And have we not thensomethingtosaytoGodinpreparationforwhatisbeforeus.Shallwenotsay,Lordmakeustoknowourend!Lordteachustonumberourdays!Havewe not businesswithGod to judge ourselves thatwemay not bejudged,andtoseethatourmattersberightandgood?

DowenotknowthatwearemembersofthatbodywhereofChrististhehead, and are we not concerned to approve ourselves livingmembers?Havewe not then businesswithGod upon the public account tomakeintercessionforhischurch?HavewenothingtosayforZion?NothinginbehalfofJerusalem’sruinedwalls?Nothingforthepeaceandwelfareofthelandofournativity?Arewenotofthefamily,orbutbabesinit,thatweconcernnotourselvesintheconcernsofit?

Have we no relations, no friends, that are dear to us, whose joys andgriefs we share in? And have we nothing to say to God for them? Nocomplaintstomake,norequeststomakeknown?Arenoneofthemsickorindistress?Noneofthemtemptedordisconsolate?Andhavewenoterrandsatthethroneofgrace,tobegreliefandsuccourforthem?

Now lay all this together, and then consider whether you have notsomething to say toGodevery day; andparticularly in days of trouble,when it ismeet to be said unto God. I have bourne chastisement; andwhen if you have any sense of things, you will say unto God, do notcondemnme.

c.IfyouhaveallthistosaytoGod,whatshouldhinderyoufromsayingit?Fromsaying iteveryday?Whyshouldnothehearyourvoice,whenyouhavesomanyerrandstohim?

1)Letnotdistancehinderyoufromsayingit.Youhaveoccasiontospeakwithafriend,butheisagreatwayoff,youcannotreachhim,youknownotwheretofindhim,norhowtogetalettertohim,andthereforeyourbusinesswithhimisundone;butthisneedsnotkeepyoufromspeakingtoGod,forthoughitistrueGodisinheaven,andweareuponearth,yetheisnightohisprayingpeopleinallthattheycalluponhimfor,hehearstheirvoicewherever theyare.Outof thedepths Ihavecriedunto thee,saithDavid,PS130:1.Psalm130:1(KJV)FromtheendsoftheearthIwillcry unto thee, PS 61:2. Psalm61:2 (KJV) Nay, Jonah saith, Out of thebellyofhellcriedI,andthouheardestmyvoice.Inallplaceswemayfinda way open heavenward. Thanks to him who by his own blood hasconsecrated for us a new and livingway into the holiest, and settled acorrespondencebetweenheavenandearth.

2)LetnotfearhinderyoufromsayingwhatyouhavetosaytoGod.Youhavebusinesswithagreatmanitmaybe,butheisfaraboveyou,orsosternandseveretowardsallhisinferiors,thatyouareafraidtospeaktohim,andyouhavenonetointroduceyou,orspeakagoodwordforyou,and therefore you choose rather to drop your cause; but there is nooccasion for your being thus discouraged in speaking toGod; youmaycomeboldlytothethroneofhisgrace,youhavetherealibertyofspeech,leave to pour out your whole souls. And such are his compassions tohumblesupplicants,thatevenhisterrorneednotmakethemafraid.Itisagainst themind ofGod that you should frighten yourselves, hewouldhave you encourage yourselves, for you have not received the spirit ofbondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption, by which you arebrought into this among other the glorious liberties of the children ofGod. Nor is this all, we have one advocate with the Father. Did everchildrenneedanadvocatewithafather?Butthatbythosetwoimmutablethings in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strongconsolation,wehavenotonlytherelationofafathertodependupon,buttheinterestandintercessionofanadvocate;aHighPriestoverthehouseofGod,inwhosenamewehaveaccesswithconfidence.

3)Letnothisknowingwhatyourbusinessis,andwhatyouhavetosaytohimhinderyou,youhavebusinesswithsuchafriend,butyouthinkyouneednotputyourselvestoanytroubleaboutit,forheisalreadyapprizedofit;heknowswhatyouwantandwhatyoudesire,andthereforeitisnomatter for speaking to him, it is true all your desire is before God, heknowsyourwantsandburdens,buthewillknowthemfromyou;hehathpromisedyourrelief;buthispromisemustbeputinsuit,andhewillforthisbeinquiredofbythehouseofIsraeltodoitforthem,EZEK36:37.Ezekiel 36:37 (KJV) Though we cannot by our prayers give him anyinformation, yet we must by our prayers give him honour. It is true,nothingwe can say can have any influence upon him, ormove him toshewusmercy,butitmayhaveaninfluenceuponourselves,andhelptoputusintoaframefittoreceivemercy.It isaveryeasyandreasonableconditionofhisfavours,Ask,anditshallbegivenyou.Itwastoteachusthenecessityofpraying,inordertoourreceivingfavour,thatChristputthat strangequestion to theblindmen,whatwouldye that I shoulddountoyou?Heknewwhattheywouldhave,butthosethattouchthetopofthegoldensceptremustbereadytotell,whatistheirpetitionandwhatistheirrequest?

4)Letnotanyotherbusinesshinderoursayingwhatwehave tosay toGod. We have business with a friend perhaps, but we cannot do it,because we have not leisure; we have something else to do, which wethinkmore needful; but we cannot say so concerning the business wehavetodowithGod;forthat iswithoutdoubttheonethingneedful, towhicheverythingelsemustbemadetotruckleandgiveway.Itisnotatall necessary to our happiness that we be great in the world, or raiseestates to suchapitch.But it is absolutely necessary thatwemake ourpeacewithGod, thatweobtainhis favour, and keep ourselveswithhislove. Therefore no business for the world will serve to excuse ourattendance upon God, but on the contrary, the more important ourworldlybusinessis,themoreneedwehavetoapplyourselvestoGodbyprayerforhisblessinguponit,andsotakehimalongwithus in it.Thecloser we keep to prayer, and to God in prayer, the more will all ouraffairsprosper.

ShallIprevailwithyounowtoletGodfrequentlyhearfromyou;lethim

hearyourvoice, though itbebutavoiceofyourbreathing, (LAM3:56)Lamentations3:56(KJV) that isa signof life; though itbe thevoiceofyour groanings, and those so weak that they cannot be uttered, ROM8:26.Romans8:26(KJV)Speaktohim,thoughitbeinbrokenlanguage,asHezekiahdid;Likeacraneoraswallow,sodidIchatter,ISA38:14.Isaiah38:14(KJV)Speakoftentohim,heisalwayswithinhearing.Hearhim speaking to you, andhave an eye to that in every thing you say tohim:aswhenyouwriteananswertoaletterofbusiness,youlayitbeforeyou;God’swordmust be the guide of your desires, and the ground ofyourexpectationsinprayer,norcanyouexpectheshouldgiveagraciouseartowhatyousaytohim,ifyouturnadeafeartowhathesaithtoyou.

YouseeyouhavefrequentoccasiontospeakwithGod,andthereforeareconcernedtogrowinyouracquaintancewithhim,totakeheedofdoingany thing todispleasehim;and to strengthenyour interest in theLordJesus, throughwhom alone it is that you have accesswith boldness tohim.Keep your voice in tune forprayer, and let all your languagebe apurelanguage,thatyoumaybefittocallonthenameoftheLord,ZEPH3:9. Zephaniah 3:9 (KJV) And in every prayer remember you arespeaking toGod, andmake it to appear you have an awe of him uponyour spirits; let us not be rashwith ourmouth, nor hasty to utter anythingbeforeGod,but leteverywordbewellweighedbecauseGod is inheaven,andweuponearth,ECCL5:2.Ecclesiastes5:2 (KJV)And ifhehad not invited and encouraged us to do it, it had been unpardonablepresumption for such sinful worms as we are to speak to the Lord ofglory,GEN18:27.Genesis 18:27 (KJV)Andwe are concerned to speakfromtheheartheartily,foritisforourlivesandforthelivesofoursoulsthatwearespeakingtohim.

B.WemustdirectourprayeruntoGod.Hemustnotonlyhearourvoice,butwemustwith deliberation and design address ourselves to him. IntheoriginalitisnomorebutIwilldirectuntothee;itmightbesupplied,Iwill directmy soul unto thee, agreeingwith PS 25:1. Psalm 25:1 (KJV)Untothee,OLord,doIliftupmysoul.Or,Iwilldirectmyaffectionstothee; having setmy love upon thee, Iwill let outmy love to thee.Ourtranslationsuppliesitverywell,Iwilldirectmyprayeruntothee.Thatis,

1. When I pray to thee I will direct my prayers; and then it notes a

fixedness of thoughts, and a close application of mind, to the duty ofprayer.Wemust go about it solemnly, as those thathave somethingofmomentmuchatheart,andmuchinviewtherein,andthereforedarenottrifle in it.Whenwego topray,wemustnot give the sacrificeof fools,thatthinknoteitherwhatistobedone,orwhatistobegained,butspeakthewordsofthewise,whoaimatsomegoodendinwhattheysay,andsuitittothatend,wemusthaveinoureyeGod’sgloryandourowntruehappiness; and so well ordered is the covenant of grace, that God hasbeen pleased therein to twist interests with us, so that in seeking hisglory, we really and effectually seek our own true interests. This isdirectingtheprayer,ashethatshootsanarrowatamarkdirectsit,andwitha fixedeyeandsteadyhand takesaimaright.This is engaging theheart to approach to God, and in order to that disengaging it fromeverything else. He that takes aim with one eye shuts the other; if wewould direct a prayer to God, we must look off all other things, mustgather inourwanderingthoughts,mustsummonthemall todrawnearandgivetheirattendance,forhereisworktobedonethatneedsthemall,and is well worthy of them all; thus we must be able to say with thepsalmist,OGod,myheartisfixed,myheartisfixed.

2.WhenIdirectmyprayer,Iwilldirectittothee.

Andsoitspeaks,

a.The sincerityofourhabitual intention inprayer.Wemustnotdirectourprayer tomen, thatwemaygainpraiseandapplausewiththem,asthePhariseesdid,whoproclaimedtheirdevotionsastheydidtheiralms,thattheymightgainareputation,whichtheyknewhowtomakeahandof; verily theyhave their reward,men commend them,butGodabhorstheir pride andhypocrisy.Wemustnot let our prayers run at large, astheydid that said,Whowill shewus any good?Nordirect them to theworld, courting its smiles, and pursuing its wealth, as those that aretherefore said not to cry unto God with their hearts, because theyassembledthemselvesforcornandwine,HOS7:14.Hosea7:14(KJV)Letnotself,carnalself,bethespringandcentreofyourprayers,butGod;letthe eye of the soul be fixed upon him as your highest end in yourapplicationstohim; let thisbethehabitualdispositionofyoursouls, tobetoyourGodforanameandapraise;andletthisbeyourdesigninall

your desires, that God may be glorified, and by this let them all bedirected, determined, sanctified, and when need is, over-ruled. OurSaviour hath plainly taught us this, in the first petition of the Lord’sprayer;whichis,hallowedbethyname:inthatwefixourend,andotherthings aredesired inorder to that; in that theprayer isdirected to thegloryofGod,inallthatwherebyhehasmadehimselfknown,thegloryofhisholiness,anditiswithaneyetothesanctifyingofhisname,thatwedesirehiskingdommaycome,andhiswillbedone,andthatwemaybefed, and kept, and pardoned. An habitual aim at God’s glory is thatsinceritywhichisourgospel-perfection.Thatsingleeye,which,whereitis, the whole body, the whole soul is full of light. Thus the prayer isdirectedtoGod.

b.ItspeaksthesteadinessofouractualregardtoGodinprayer.WemustdirectourprayertoGod,thatis,wemustcontinuallythinkofhim,asonewithwhomwehave to do in prayer.Wemust direct our prayer, aswedirect our speech to the person we have business with. The Bible is aletter God hath sent to us, prayer is a letter we send to him; now youknowitisessentialtoaletterthatitbedirected,andmaterialthatitbedirectedright;ifitbenot,itisindangerofmiscarrying:whichmaybeofillconsequence;youpraydaily,andthereinsendletterstoGod;youknownot what you lose, if your letters miscarry; will you therefore takeinstructionshowtodirecttohim?

1)Givehimhis titlesasyoudowhenyoudirect toapersonofhonour;addressyourselvestohimasthegreatJehovah,Godoverall,blessedforevermore;theKingofkings,andLordoflords:astheLordGodgraciousandmerciful;letyourheartsandmouthsbefilledwithholyadoringsandadmiringsofhim,andfastenuponthosetitlesofhis,whicharepropertostrike aholy aweof himupon yourminds, that youmayworship himwith reverence andgodly fear.Direct yourprayer tohimas theGodofglory, with whom is terrible majesty, and whose greatness isunsearchable,thatyoumaynotdaretotriflewithhim,ortomockhiminwhatyousaytohim.

2)Takenoticeofyourrelationtohim,ashischildren,andletnotthatbeoverlookedand lost inyourawfuladorationsofhisglories. Ihavebeentoldofagoodman,amongwhoseexperiences,whichhekeptarecordof,

afterhisdeath, this amongother thingswas found: that sucha time insecretprayer,hisheartatthebeginningofthedutywasmuchenlargedingivingtoGodthosetitleswhichareawfulandtremendous,incallinghimthe Great, the Mighty, and the Terrible God, but going on thus, hecheckedhimselfwith this thought,andwhynotmyFather?Christhathbothbyhispreceptandbyhispattern,taughtustoaddressourselvestoGodas ourFather: and the spirit of adoption teachethus to cry,Abba,Father;ason,thoughaprodigal,whenhereturnsandrepents,maygotohisfather,andsayuntohim,Father,Ihavesinned;andthoughnomoreworthy to be called a son, yet humbly bold to call him father. WhenEphraimbemoanshimself as a bullockunaccustomed to the yoke,Godbemoanshimasadearson,asapleasantchild,JER31:18,20.Jeremiah31:18-20(KJV)AndifGodisnotashamed,letusnotbeafraidtoowntherelation.

3)Directyourprayertohiminheaven;thisourSaviourhastaughtusintheprefacetotheLord’sprayer,OurFatherwhichartinheaven.Notthathe isconfinedto theheavens,oras if theheaven,orheavenofheavenscouldcontainhim,butthereheissaidtohavepreparedhisthrone,notonlyhisthroneofgovernmentbywhichhiskingdomrulethoverall,buthis throneof grace towhichwemust by faithdrawnear.Wemust eyehim asGod in heaven, in opposition to theGod of the heathen,whichdweltintemplesmadewithhands.Heavenisahighplace,andwemustaddressourselvestohimasaGodinfinitelyaboveus;itisthefountainoflight,andtohimwemustaddressourselvesastheFatheroflights;itisaplace of prospect, and we must see his eye upon us, from thencebeholdingallthechildrenofmen;itisaplaceofpurity,andwemustinprayereyehimasanholyGod,andgive thanksas the remembranceofhisholiness,itisthefirmamentofhispower,andwemustdependuponhim as one to whom power belongs.When our Lord Jesus prayed, helifteduphiseyestoheaven,todirectuswhencetoexpecttheblessingsweneed.

4) Direct this letter to be left with the Lord Jesus, the only MediatorbetweenGodandman;itwillcertainlymiscarry if itbenotput intohishand,whoisthatotherangelthatputsmuchincensetotheprayersofthesaints,andsoperfumedpresentsthemtotheFather,REV8:3.Revelation

8:3(KJV)

WhatweaskoftheFathermustbeinhisname;whatweexpectfromtheFathermustbebyhishand, forhe is theHighPriestofourprofession,thatisordainedformentooffertheirgifts;HEB5:1.Hebrews5:1(KJV)Direct the letter tobe leftwithhim,andhewilldeliver itwithcareandspeed,andwillmakeourserviceacceptable.Mr.GeorgeHerbert, inhispoemcalledtheBag,havingpatheticallydescribedthewoundinChrist’ssideashewashangingonthecross,makeshimspeakthustoallbelieversashewasgoingtoheaven.

Ifyouhaveanythingtosendorwrite,

Ihavenobag,buthereisroom,

UntomyFather’shandsandsight,

Believemeitshallsafelycome;

ThatIshallmindwhatyouimpart,

Look,youmayputitverynearmyheart;

Or,ifhereafteranyofmyfriends

Willusemeinthiskind,thedoor

Shallstillbeopen,whathesends

Iwillpresent,andsomethingmore,

Nottohishurt;sighswillconvey

Anythingtome;hark,despair,away.

C.Wemustlookup,thatis.

1.Wemust lookupinourprayers,asthosethatspeaktooneaboveus,infinitely above us, the high and holy one that inhabiteth eternity, asthose thatexpecteverygoodandperfectgift to come fromabove, from

theFatheroflights;asthosethatdesireinprayertoenterintotheholiest,and to drawnearwith a true heart.With an eye of faithwemust lookabove the world and every thing in it, must look beyond the things oftime;whatisthisworld,andallthingsherebelow,toonethatknowshowtoputadueestimateuponspiritualblessingsinheavenlythingsbyJesusChrist? The spirit of a man at death goes upward; (ECCL 3:21)Ecclesiastes3:21(KJV)foritreturnstoGodwhogaveit,andthereforeasmindfulofitsoriginal,itmustineveryprayerlookupwards,towardsitsGod, towards its home, as having set its affections on things above,wherein ithas laidup its treasure.Letus therefore inprayer liftupourheartswithourhandsuntoGodintheheavens,LAM3:41.Lamentations3:41(KJV)Itwasancientlyusualinsomechurchesfortheministertostirupthepeopletopraywiththisword,SursumCorda,upwithyourhearts;untothee,OLord,doweliftupoursouls.

2.Wemustlookupafterourprayers.

a. With an eye of satisfaction and pleasure; looking up is a sign ofcheerfulness; as a down look is amelancholy one.Wemust lookup asthosethathavingbyprayerreferredourselvestoGod,areeasyandwellpleased, and with an entire confidence in his wisdom and goodnesspatiently expect the issue. Hannah, when she had prayed, looked up,lookedpleasant;shewentherway,anddideat,andhercountenancewasnomoresad,ISAM1:18.1Samuel1:18(KJV)Prayerisheart’seasetoagoodChristian; andwhenwe have prayed,we should look up as thosethatthroughgracehavefounditso.

b.With an eye of observation,what returnsGodmakes to our prayers.Wemustlookupasonethathasshotanarrowlooksafterittoseehownearitcomestothemark;wemustlookwithinus,andobservewhattheframeofourspiritisafterwehavebeenatprayer,howwellsatisfiedtheyareinthewillofGod,andhowwelldisposedtoaccommodatethemselvesto it; we must look about us, and observe how providence worksconcerning us, that if our prayers be answered, wemay return to givethanks;ifnot,wemayremovewhathinders,andmaycontinuewaiting.ThuswemustsetourselvesuponourwatchtowertoseewhatGodwillsayuntous,HEB2:1.Hebrews2:1 (KJV) andmust be ready to hear it, PS85:8. Psalm 85:8 (KJV) expecting that God will give us an answer of

peace,andresolvingthatwewillreturnnomoretofolly.ThusmustwekeepupourcommunionwithGod;hopingthatwheneverwe liftupourhearts to him, he will lift up the light of his countenance upon us.Sometimes theanswer isquick,while theyare yet speaking Iwillhear;quicker than the return of any of your posts, but if it be not,whenwehaveprayedwemustwait.

Letuslearnthustodirectourprayers,andthustolookup;andbeinwardwithGodineveryduty,tomakeheart-workofit,orwemakenothingofit.Letusnotworshipintheoutwardcourt,whenwearecommandedandencouragedtoenterwithintheveil.

II. For the Second. The particular time fixed in the text for this goodwork, is themorning; and thePsalmist seems to lay an emphasisuponthis,inthemorning,andagain,inthemorning;notthenonly,butthentobeginwith:Letthatbeoneofthehoursofprayer.Underthelaw,wefindthat everymorning therewas a lamboffered in sacrifice,EXOD29:39.Exodus29:39(KJV)andeverymorningthepriestburnedincense,EXOD30:7.Exodus30:7 (KJV) and the singers stood everymorning to thankthe Lord, I CHRON 23:30. 1 Chronicles 23:30 (KJV) And so it wasappointedinEzekiel’stemple,EZEK46:13,14,15.Ezekiel46:13-15(KJV)By which an intimation was plainly given, that the spiritual sacrificesshouldbe offeredby the spiritual priests everymorning, as duly as themorningcomes.EveryChristianshouldprayinsecret,andeverymasterofafamilywithhisfamilymorningbymorning;andthereisgoodreasonforit.

A.Themorningisthefirstpartoftheday,anditisfitthathethatisthefirstshouldhavethefirst,andbefirstserved.Theheathencouldsay,AJove Principium, [Lit., “Begin fromGod”] whatever you do begin withGod.Theworldhaditsbeginningfromhim,wehadours,andthereforewhateverwe begin, it concerns us to take him alongwith us in it. Thedaysofourlife,assoonaseverthesunofreasonrisethinthesoul,shouldbedevoted toGod, andemployed inhis service; from thewombof themorning, let Christ have the dew of the youth, PS 110:3. Psalm 110:3(KJV)The first-fruitswerealways tobe theLord’s,and the firstlingsoftheflock.BymorningandeveningprayerwegiveglorytohimwhoistheAlphaandtheOmega,thefirstandthelast;withhimwemustbeginand

endtheday,beginandendthenight,whoisthebeginningandtheend,thefirstcause,andthelastend.

Wisdomhathsaid,Thosethatseekmeearlyshallfindme;earlyintheirlives,earlyintheday;forherebywegivetoGodthatwhichheoughttohave, thepreferenceaboveother things.Herebyweshewthatweare incaretopleasehim,andtoapproveourselvestohim,andthatweseekhimdiligently.Whatwedoearnestly,wearesaidinscripturetodoearly,(asPS 101:8). Psalm 101:8 (KJV) Industrious men rise betimes; Davidexpresseth the strength and warmth of his devotion, when he saith, OGodthouartmyGod,earlywillIseekthee,PS63:1.Psalm63:1(KJV)

B.Inthemorningweare freshand living,and inthebest frame.Whenourspiritsarerevivedwiththerestandsleepofthenight,andweliveakindofnewlife;andthefatiguesofthedaybeforeareforgotten;theGodofIsraelneitherslumbersorsleeps,yetwhenheexertshimselfmorethanordinaryonhispeople’sbehalf,heissaidtoawakeasoneoutofsleep,PS78:65.Psalm78:65 (KJV) If everwe be good for any thing, it is in themorning, it is therefore become a Proverb,AuroraMusis Amica; [Lit.,"Aurora [the goddess of themorning] is a friendof theMuses"; hence,"MorningisafriendtotheMuses";inotherwords,ifmorningisatimefor creative inspiration (poetry), so also for spiritual exercises(devotions)]andifthemorningbeafriendtothemuses,Iamsureitisnolesssotothegraces.Ashethatisthefirstshouldhavethefirst;sohethat is the best should have the best; and thenwhenwe are fittest forbusiness, we should apply ourselves to that which is the most needfulbusiness.

WorshippingGodisworkthatrequiresthebestpowersofthesoul,whenthey are at thebest; and itwell deserves them; how can they be betterbestowed,orsoas to turntoabetteraccount?Letall that iswithinmeblesshisholyname,saithDavid,andalllittleenough.Iftherebeanygiftin us bywhichGodmay be honoured, themorning is themost propertimetostir itus, (2TIM1:6)2Timothy1:6 (KJV)whenour spirits arerefreshed, and have gained new vigour; then awake my Glory, awakepsaltery and harp, for I myself will awake early, PS 57:8. Psalm 57:8(KJV)ThenletusstirupourselvestotakeholdonGod.

C. In the morning we are most free from company and business, andordinarilyhave thebestopportunity for solitudeandretirement;unlesswe be of those sluggards that lie in bed with yet a little sleep, a littleslumber, till theworkof their calling calls themup,withhow longwiltthousleep,Osluggard?Itisthewisdomofthosethathavemuchtodointheworld,thathavescarceaminutetothemselvesofallday,totaketimeinthemorningbeforebusinesscrowdsinuponthem,forthebusinessoftheirreligion:thattheymaybeentireforit,andthereforethemoreintentuponit.

Asweareconcerned toworshipGod, thenwhenweare leastburdenedwithdeadnessanddulnesswithin,soalsowhenweare leastexposedtodistractionanddiversionfromwithout;theapostleintimateshowmuchitshouldbeourcaretoattendupontheLordwithoutdistraction,ICOR7:35.1Corinthians7:35(KJV)Andthereforethatonedayinseven,(andit is the first day too, themorning of theweek)which is appointed forholywork, is appointed to be a day of rest from otherwork. Abrahamleaves all at thebottomof the hill,whenhe goes up into themount toworship God. In the morning therefore let us converse with God, andapplyourselvestotheconcernsoftheotherlife,beforeweareentangledin theaffairsof this life.OurLordJesushas setus an exampleof this,whobecausehis daywaswholly filled upwith public business forGodand the soulsofmen, roseup in themorninga greatwhilebeforeday,andbeforecompanycamein,andwentoutintoasolitaryplace,andthereprayed,MK1:35.Mark1:35(KJV)

D.InthemorningwehavereceivedfreshmerciesfromGod,whichweareconcerned to acknowledge with thankfulness to his praise. He iscontinuallydoingusgood,andloadinguswithhisbenefits.Everydaywehavereasontoblesshim,foreverydayheisblessingus;inthemorningparticularly;andthereforeasheisgivingouttousthefruitsofhisfavour,whicharesaid tobeneweverymorning,LAM3:23,Lamentations3:23(KJV)becausethoughthesamethatwehadthemorningbefore,theyarestillforfeited,andstillneeded,anduponthataccountmaybecalledstillnew; sowe shouldbe still returning theexpressionsofourgratitude tohim,andofotherpiousanddevoutaffections,whichlikethefireonthealtar,mustbeneweverymorning,LEV6:12.Leviticus6:12(KJV)

Havewehadagoodnight, andhavewenotanerrand to the throneofgracetoreturnthanksforit?Howmanymerciesconcurredtomakeitagoodnight!Distinguishingmercies granted tous, butdenied to others;manyhavenotwheretolaytheirheads;ourmasterhimselfhadnot;thefoxeshaveholes,andthebirdsoftheairhavenests,buttheSonofmanhathnotwheretolayhishead;butwehavehousestodwellin,quietandpeaceablehabitations,perhapsstatelyones:wehavebedstoliein,warmand easy ones, perhaps beds of ivory, fine ones, such as they stretchedthemselvesuponthatwereateaseinZion;andarenotputtowander indesertsandmountains,indensandcavesoftheearth,assomeofthebestof God’s saints have been forced to do, of whom the world was notworthy.Many have beds to lie on, yet dare not, or cannot lie down inthem,beingkeptupeitherbythesicknessoftheirfriends,orthefearoftheir enemies. But we have laid us down, and there has been none tomake us afraid: no alarms of the sword, either of war or persecution.Manylaythemdownandcannotsleep,butarefulloftossingstoandfrountilthedawningoftheday,throughpainofbody,oranguishofmind.Wearisomenightsareappointedtothem,andtheireyesareheldwaking:but we have laid us down and slept without any disturbance, and oursleepwassweetandrefreshing,thepleasantparenthesisofourcaresandtoils;itisGodthathasgivenussleep,hasgivenitusashegivesittohisbeloved.Manylaythemdownandsleep,andneverriseagain,theysleepthesleepofdeath,andtheirbedsaretheirgraves;butwehavesleptandwakedagain,haverested,andarerefreshed;weshakeourselves,anditiswithusasatothertimes;becausetheLordhathsustainedus;andifhehadnotupheldus,wehadsunkwithourownweightwhenwefellasleep,PS3:5.Psalm3:5(KJV)

Haveweapleasantmorning?Isthelightsweettous,thelightofthesun,thelightoftheeyes,dotheserejoicetheheart?Andoughtnotwetoownourobligationstohimwhoopensoureyes,andopenstheeye-lidsofthemorninguponus.Havewe clothes toputon in themorning, garmentsthatarewarmuponus,JOB37:17.Job37:17(KJV)Changeof raiment,notfornecessityonly,butforornament?

WehavethemfromGod,itishiswoolandhisflax,thatisgiventocoverournakedness,andthemorningwhenwedressourselves, istheproper

timeofreturninghimthanksforit;yet,Idoubtwedoitnotsoconstantlyaswedoforourfoodwhenwesitdowntoourtables,thoughwehaveasmuchreasontodo it.Arewe inhealthandatease?Havewebeenlongso? We ought to be thankful for a constant series of mercies, as forparticularinstancesofit,especiallyconsideringhowmanyaresickandinpain,andhowmuchwehavedeservedtobeso.

Perhaps we have experienced some special mercy to ourselves or ourfamilies,inpreservationfromfireorthieves,fromdangerswehavebeenawareof,andmanymoreunseen;weepingperhapsenduredforanight,and joy came in themorning, and that calls aloud upon us to own thegoodnessofGod.Thedestroyingangelperhapshasbeenabroad,andthearrowthatfliesatmidnight,andwastethindarkness,hasbeenshotinatothers’windows,butourhouseshavebeenpassedover,thanksbetoGodforthebloodofthecovenantsprinkleduponourdoorposts;andfortheministrationofthegoodangelsaboutus,towhichweoweit,thatwehavebeenpreservedfromthemaliceoftheevilangelsagainstus,thoserulersofthedarknessofthisworld,whoperhapscreepforthlikethebeastsofprey,whenhemakethdarknessanditisdark.AlltheglorybetotheGodoftheangels.

E.InthemorningwehavefreshmatterministeredtousforadorationofthegreatnessandgloryofGod.Weought to takenoticenotonlyof thegifts of God’s bounty to us, whichwe have the comfort and benefit of,they are little narrow souls that confine their regards to them; but weoughttoobservethemoregeneralinstancesofhiswisdomandpowerinthe kingdom of providence which redound to his honour, and thecommon good of the universe. The 19th psalm seems to have been aMorning Meditation, in which we are directed to observe how theheavensdeclarethegloryofGod,andthefirmamentshewethhishandy-work;andtoownnotonlytheadvantagewereceivefromtheirlightandinfluence,butthehonourtheydotohimwhostretchedouttheheavenslike a curtain, fixed their pillars, and established their ordinances,accordingtowhich,theycontinuetothisday,fortheyareallhisservants.Day by day utters this speech, and night unto night, sheweth thisknowledge,eventheeternalpowerandGodheadof thegreatCreatoroftheworld, and its great ruler.The regular and constant succession and

revolutionoflightanddarkness,accordingtotheoriginalcontractmadebetween them, that they should reign alternately,may serve to confirmour faith, in thatpartofdivineRevelationwhichgivesus thehistoryofthe creation, and thepromiseofGod toNoahandhis sons,GEN8:22.Genesis8:22 (KJV)His covenantwith thedayandwith thenight, JER33:20.Jeremiah33:20(KJV)

Look up in themorning, and see how exactly the day-spring knows itsplace,knowsitstime,andkeepsthem,howthemorninglighttakesholdoftheendsoftheearth,andoftheair,whichisturnedtoitasclaytotheseal, instantly receiving the impressions of it, JOB 38:12, 13, 14. Job38:12-14 (KJV) I was pleased with an expression of a worthy goodministerIheardlately,inhisthanksgivingstoGodforthemerciesofthemorning;Howmanythousandmiles,(saidhe)hasthesuntravelledthislastnighttobringthelightofthemorningtouspoorsinfulwretches,thatjustlymighthavebeenburiedinthedarknessofthenight.Lookupandseethesunasabridegroomrichlydressed,andhugelypleased,comingoutofhischamber,andrejoicingasastrongmantorunarace;observehow bright his beams are, how sweet his smiles, how strong hisinfluences:andiftherebenospeechorlanguagewheretheirvoiceisnotheard, the voice of these natural immortal preachers, proclaiming thegloryofGod,itispitythereshouldbeanyspeechorlanguagewherethevoice of his worshippers should not be heard, echoing to the voice ofthosepreachers,andascribingglorytohimwhothusmakesthemorningandeveningtorejoice:Butwhateverothersdo,lethimhearourvoicetothispurposeinthemorning,andinthemorningletusdirectourpraiseuntohim.

F.Inthemorningwehave,orshouldhavehadfreshthoughtsofGod,andsweetmeditationsonhisname,andthoseweoughttoofferuptohiminprayer.Havewebeen,accordingtoDavid’sexample, rememberingGoduponourbeds,andmeditatinguponhiminthenightwatches?Whenweawake,canwesay,ashedid,wearestillwithGod?Ifso,wehaveagooderrandtothethroneofgracebythewordsofourmouths,toofferuptoGod themeditationsofourhearts,and itwillbe tohima sacrificeofasweet smelling savour. If thehearthasbeen inditinga goodmatter, letthetonguebeasthepenofareadywriter,topouritoutbeforeGod,PS

45:1.Psalm45:1(KJV)WehavethewordofGodtoconversewith,andweoughttoreadaportionofiteverymorning:ByitGodspeakstous,andinitweoughttomeditatedayandnight,whichifwedo,thatwillsendustothethroneofgrace,andfurnishuswithmanyagooderrandthere.IfGodinthemorningbyhisgracedirecthiswordtous,soastomakeitreachourhearts,thatwillengageustodirectourprayertohim.

G.Inthemorning,itistobefeared,wefindcausetoreflectuponmanyvainandsinfulthoughtsthathavebeeninourmindsinthenightseason;and upon that account it is necessary we address ourselves to God byprayerinthemorning,forthepardonofthem.TheLord’sprayerseemstobe calculatedprimarily in the letterof it for themorning; forwearetaughttoprayforourdailybreadthisday:Andyetwearethentopray,Father, forgive us our trespasses; for as in the hurry of the day wecontractguiltbyourirregularwordsandactions,sowedointhesolitudeof the night, by our corrupt imaginations, and the wanderings of anunsanctifiedungovernedfancy.Itiscertain,thethoughtoffoolishnessissin, PROV 24:9. Proverbs 24:9 (KJV) Foolish thoughts are sinfulthoughts;thefirst-bornoftheoldman,thefirstbeginningsofallsin;andhow many of these vain thoughts lodge within us wherever we lodge;their name is legion, for they are many: Who can understand theseerrors!Theyaremorethanthehairsofourhead.Wereadofthosethatwork evil upon their beds, because there they devise it; and when themorningislighttheypractiseit,MIC2:1.Micah2:1(KJV)Howofteninthe night season is themind disquieted and distracted with distrustfulcareful thoughts; polluted with unchaste and wanton thoughts;intoxicated with proud aspiring thoughts; sowered and leavened withmalicious revengeful thoughts; or at the best diverted fromdevout andpiousthoughtsbyathousandimpertinences:outoftheheartproceedevilthoughts which lie down with us, and rise up with us, for out of thatcorrupt fountain,whichwhereverwe go,we carry aboutwith us, thesestreamsnaturally flow.Yea, and in themultitude of dreams, aswell asmany words, there are also divers vanities, ECCL 5:2. Ecclesiastes 5:2(KJV)

Anddarewe go abroad tillwehave renewedour repentance,whichweareevery night aswell as every day thusmakingwork for?Arewenot

concerned to confess to him that knows our hearts, their wanderingsfromhim,tocomplainofthemtohimasrevoltingandrebellioushearts,andbent tobackslide; tomakeourpeace in thebloodofChrist, and topray,thatthethoughtsofourheartmaybeforgivenus?Wecannotwithsafety go into the business of the day under the guilt of any sinunrepentedof,orunpardoned.

H. In themorningwe are addressing ourselves to thework of the day,andthereforeareconcernedbyprayertoseekuntoGodforhispresenceandblessing,wecome,andareencouragedtocomeboldlytothethroneofgrace,notonlyformercytopardonwhathasbeenamiss,butforgracetohelp in every timeofneed:Andwhat time is it that is not a timeofneedwithus?Andthereforewhatmorningshouldpasswithoutmorningprayer?Wereadofthatwhichthedutyofeverydayrequires,EZRA3:4,Ezra3:4(KJV)andinreferencetothatwemustgotoGodeverymorningtopray for the gracious disposals of his providence concerning us, andthegraciousoperationsofhisSpirituponus.

Wehave families to lookafter itmaybe,and toprovide for,andare incare to do well for them; let us then everymorning by prayer committhemtoGod,putthemundertheconductandgovernmentofhisgrace,and thenwe effectually put them under the care and protection of hisprovidence. Holy Job rose up early in the morning to offer burnt-offerings for his children, andwe should do so to offer up prayers andsupplicationsforthem,accordingtothenumberofthemall,JOB1:5.Job1:5(KJV)Thuswecausetheblessingtorestonourhouses.

Wearegoingaboutthebusinessofourcallings,perhaps,letuslookuptoGodinthefirstplace,forwisdomandgracetomanagethemwell,inthefearofGod,andtoabidewithhiminthem;andthenwemayinfaithbegof him to prosper and succeed us in them, to strengthen us for theservicesof them,tosupportusunderthe fatiguesof them,todirect thedesigns of them, and to give us comfort in the gains of them.Wehavejourneystogo,itmaybe,letuslookuptoGodforhispresencewithus,andgonotwhither,wherewecannotinfaithbegofGodtogowithus.

Wehaveaprospectperhapsofopportunitiesofdoingorgettinggood,letus lookup toGod foraheart toeveryprice inourhands, for skill, and

will,andcourage,toimproveit,thatitmaynotbeasapriceinthehandofafool.Everydayhasitstemptationstoo,someperhapsweforesee,butthere may be many more that we think not of, and are thereforeconcerned to be earnest with God; that we may not be led into anytemptation, but guarded against every one; that whatever companywecomeinto,wemayhavewisdomtodogood,andnohurttothem;andtogetgood,andnohurtbythem.

Weknownotwhatadaymaybringforth;littlethinkinthemorningwhattidings wemay hear, and what eventsmay befall us before night, andshould therefore beg of God, grace to carry us through the duties anddifficultieswhichwedonotforesee,aswellasthosewhichwedo:thatinordertoourstandingcompleteinallthewillofGod,asthedayis,sothestrength shall be.We shall find that sufficient unto the day is the evilthereof, and that therefore, as it is folly to take thought for tomorrow’sevent,soitiswisdomtotakethoughtfortoday’sduty,thatsufficientuntothis day, and the duty of it, may be the supplies of the divine gracethoroughlytofurnishusforeverygoodwordandwork,andthoroughlytofortifyusagainst everyevilwordorwork; thatwemaynot thinkof, orspeak, or do any thing all day, which we may have cause upon anyaccounttowishunthought,unspoke,andundoneagainatnight.

ForApplication

First,Letthiswordputusinthemindofouromissions;foromissionsaresins,andmustcomeintojudgment;howoftenhasourmorningworshipbeeneitherneglectedornegligentlyperformed.Theworkhasbeeneithernotdoneatall,ordonedeceitfully;eithernosacrificeatallbrought,orithas been the torn and the lame, and the sick; either no prayer, or theprayer not directed aright, nor lifted up. We have had the morning’smercies,Godhasnotbeenwantinginthecompassionandcareofafatherfor us, yet we have not done the morning’s service, but have beenshamefullywantinginthedutyofchildrentohim.

Let us be truly humbled beforeGod thismorning for our sin and follyherein,thatwehavesooftenrobbedGodofthehonour,andourselvesofthe benefit of our morning worship. God hath come into our closets,seekingthisfruit,buthasfoundnone,ornexttonone,hathharkenedand

heard,but eitherwe spakenot tohimat all, or spakenot aright. Sometriflingthingorotherhasservedforanexcusetoputitbyonce,andwhenonce the good usage has been broken in upon, conscience has beenwounded,and its bonesweakened, andwehave grownmore andmorecooltoit,andperhapsbydegreesithasbeenquiteleftoff.

Secondly, Ibeseechyou, sufferawordofexhortationconcerning this. Iknowwhataninfluenceitwouldhaveupontheprosperityofyoursoulstobeconstantandsincereinyoursecretworship,andthereforegivemeleave to press it upon youwith all earnestness; let God hear from youeverymorning, everymorning let your prayer be directed to him, andlookup.

1.Makeconscienceofyoursecretworship;keepitup,notonlybecauseithasbeenacustomyouhavereceivedbytraditionfromyourfathers,butbecauseitisaduty,concerningwhichyouhavereceivedcommandmentsfromtheLord.Keepupstatedtimesforit,andbetruetothem.Letthosethathavehithertolivedinthetotalneglect,orinthefrequentomissionofsecret prayer, be persuaded from henceforward to look upon it, as themostneedfulpartoftheirdailybusiness,andthemostdelightfulpartoftheir daily comfort, anddo it accordinglywith a constant care, and yetwithaconstantpleasure.

Nopersonsthathavetheuseoftheirreason,canpretendanexemptionfromthisduty;whatissaidtosomeissaidtoall,Pray,pray,continueinprayer, andwatch in the same. Rich people are not somuch bound tolabourwiththeirhandsasthepoor.Poorpeoplearenotsomuchboundtogivealmsastherich,butbothareequallyboundtopray.Thericharenotabovethenecessityof theduty,northepoorbelowacceptancewithGodinit.Itisnottoosoonfortheyoungesttobegintopray;andthosewhomthemultitudeofyearshastaughtwisdom,yetattheirendwillbefools,iftheythinktheyhavenownofurtheroccasionforprayer.

Letnonepleadtheycannotpray;ifyouwerereadytoperishwithhunger,you could beg and pray for food, and if you see yourselves undone byreasonofsin,canyounotbegandprayformercyandgrace?ArtthouaChristian?Neverforshamesay,Thoucanstnotpray,forthatisasabsurdasforasoldiertosay,heknowsnothowtohandleasword,oracarpenter

anax.Whatareyoucalled for into the fellowshipofChrist,butthatbyhim you may have fellowship with God. You cannot pray so well asothers,prayaswellasyoucan,andGodwillacceptofyou.

Letnonepleadtheyhavenotimeinamorningforprayer;Idaresay,youcan find time forother things thatare lessneedful;youhadbetter taketimefromsleep,thanwanttimeforprayer;andhowcanyouspendtimebetter,andmoretoyoursatisfactionandadvantage?Allthebusinessofthedaywillprosperthebetter,foryourbeginningitthuswithGod.

Letnoneplead,thattheyhavenotaconvenientplacetobeprivateinforthiswork;Isaacretiredintothefieldtopray;andthePsalmistcouldbealonewithGodinacornerofthehouse-top.Ifyoucannotperformitwithso much secrecy as you would, yet perform it; it is doing it withostentation that is the fault, not doing it under observation, when itcannot be avoided. I remember when I was a youngman, coming uphithertoLondoninthestagecoach,inKingJames’time,therehappenedto be a gentleman in the company, that then was not afraid to ownhimselfaJesuit;manyencountersheandIhadupontheroad,andthiswasone;hewaspraisingthecustominpopishcountriesofkeeping thechurchdoorsalwaysopen, forpeopletogo intoatanytimetosaytheirprayers: I toldhim it looked too like thepractice of the pharisees, thatprayedinthesynagogues;anddidnotagreewithChrist’scommand,thouwhenthouprayestthyself,enternotintothechurchwiththedoorsopen,but into thy closet and shut thy doors; when hewas pressedwith thatargumentherepliedwithsomevehemence,Ibelieve,youprotestantssayyourprayersnowhere; for (saidhe) Ihave travelledagreatdeal in thecoach in companywithprotestants,haveoften lain in inns in the sameroom with them, and have carefully watched them, and could neverperceivethatanyofthemsaidhisprayersnightormorningbutone,andhewasapresbyterian.Ihopetherewasmoremalicethantruth inwhathesaid;but Imention itasan intimation, that thoughwecannotbesoprivateaswewouldbeinourdevotions,yetwemustnotomitthem,lesttheomissionshouldprovenotasinonly,butascandal.

2.Make a business of your secret worship, and be not slothful in thisbusiness, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Take heed lest itdegenerateintoaformality,andyougrowcustomaryinyouraccustomed

services.Goaboutthedutysolemnly.BeinwardwithGodinit; it isnotenoughtosayyourprayers,butyoumustprayyourprayers,mustprayinpraying, as Elijah did, JAMES 5:17. James 5:17 (KJV) Let us learn tolabour frequently inprayer,asEpaphrasdid,COL4:12,Colossians 4:12(KJV) andwe shall find it is the hand of the diligent in this duty thatmakethrich.Godlooksnotatthelengthofyourprayers,norshallyoubeheardforyourmuchspeaking,orfinespeaking;butGodrequirestruthinthe inward part, and it is the prayer of the upright that is his delight.When you have prayed look upon yourselves as thereby engaged andencouraged,bothtoserveGodandtotrustinhim;thatthecomfortandbenefit of your morning devotions may not be as the morning cloudwhich passeth away, but as the morning light which shines more andmore.

TheSecondDiscourse:ShowingHowtoSpendEveryDayWithGod

"OntheedoIwaitalltheday."-Psalm25:5(KJV)

Which of us is there that can truly say thus! That lives this life ofcommunionwithGod,whichissomuchourbusiness,andsomuchourblessedness? How far short do we come of the spirit of holy David,thoughwehavemuchbetterassistancesforouracquaintancewithGod,than the saints then had by the clearer discoveries of themediation ofChrist. Yet that weak Christians who are sincere may not thereforedespair,be itremembered, thatDavidhimselfwasnotalways insuchaframeasthathecouldsayso;hehadhisinfirmities,andyetwasamanafterGod’sownheart:Wehaveours,whichiftheybesincerelylamentedandstrivenagainst,and thehabitualbentofoursoulsbe towardsGod,andheaven,weshallbeacceptedthroughChrist,forwearenotunderthelaw,butundergrace.

However David’s profession in the text, shews us what should be ourpractice,onGodwemustwaitalltheday.Thatnotestwothings,apatient

expectation,andaconstantattendance.

1.Itspeaksapatientexpectationofhiscomingtousinawayofmercy;andthen,allthedaymustbetakenfiguratively,forallthetimethatthewanted and desiredmercy is delayed. David, in the former part of theverse, prayed for divine conduct and instruction, Leadme in thy truthand teach me; he was at a loss, and very desirous to know what Godwould have him to do, and was ready to do it; but God kept him insuspense,hewasnotyetclearwhatwasthemindandwillofGod,whatcourse he should steer, and how he should dispose of himself; will hethereforeproceedwithoutdivinedirection?No,ontheewillIwaitalltheday,asAbrahamattendedonhissacrificefrommorningtillthesunwentdown, before God gave him an answer to his inquiries concerning hisseed,GEN15:5,Genesis15:5(KJV)GEN15:12;Genesis15:12(KJV)andasHabakkukstooduponhiswatchtower,toseewhatanswerGodwouldgive him, when he consulted his oracle; and though it do not comepresently,yetattheenditshallspeak,andnotlie.

David in thewordsnext before the text, had calledGod theGod of hissalvation, the God on whom he depended for salvation, temporal andeternalsalvation,fromwhomheexpecteddeliveranceoutofhispresentdistresses,thosetroublesofhisheartthatwereenlarged,ver.17,andoutofthehandsofthoseenemiesthatwerereadytotriumphoverhim,ver2,andthathatedhimwithcruelhatred,ver.19.HopingthatGodwillbehisSaviour, he resolves to wait on him all the day, like a genuine son ofJacob,whose dying professionwas, GEN 49:18.Genesis 49:18 (KJV) Ihave waited for thy salvation, O Lord. Sometimes God prevents hispeople with the blessings of his goodness, before they call he answersthem, is inthemidstofhischurch, tohelpher,andthatrightearly,PS46:5.Psalm46:5(KJV)Butatothertimesheseemstostandafaroff,hedelaysthedeliverance,andkeepsthemlonginexpectationofit,nay,andinsuspenseaboutit:thelightisneitherclearnordark,itisday,andthatisall,itisacloudyanddarkday,anditisnottilleveningtime,thatitislight, that the comfort comes which they have been kept all the daywaitingfor;nay,perhapsitcomesnottillfarinthenight,itisatmidnightthatthecryismade,Beholdthebridegroomcomes;thedeliveranceofthechurch out of her troubles, the success of her struggles, and rest from

them,arescuefromundertherodofthewicked,andtheaccomplishmentof all that which God hath promised concerning it, is what we mustcontinue humblywaiting uponGod forwithout distrust or impatience;wemustwaitalltheday.

a.Thoughitbealongday;thoughwebekeptwaitingagreatwhile,quitebeyond our own reckoning. Thoughwhenwe havewaited long,we arestillput towait longer,andarebidwith theprophet’s servant togoyetseventimes(IKINGS18:43)1Kings18:43(KJV)beforeweperceivetheleastsignofmercycoming.Welookedthatthisandtheotherhadbeenhethat should have delivered Israel, but are disappointed; the harvest ispast, the summer is ended, andwe are not saved, JER8:20. Jeremiah8:20(KJV)Thetimeisprolonged,nay,theopportunitiesareletslip,thesummertimeandharvesttime,whenwethoughttohavereapedthefruitofallourprayersandpains,andpatienceispastandended,andweareas far as ever from salvation; the time that the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim,was long,much longer than itwas thought itwould have been,when it was first lodged there; it was twenty years; so that the wholehouseofIsraellamentedaftertheLord,andbegantofearitwouldabideforeverinthatobscurity,ISAM7:2.1Samuel7:2(KJV)

Butthoughitbealongday,itisbutaday,butoneday,anditisknowntothe Lord, ZECH 14:7. Zechariah 14:7 (KJV) It seems longwhilewe arekeptwaiting,butthehappyissuewillenableustoreflectuponitasshort,andbutforamoment.It isnolongerthanGodhathappointed,andwearesurehistimeisthebesttime;andhisfavoursareworthwaitingfor.Thetimeislong,butisnothingtothe

daysofeternity,whenthosethathadlongpatienceshallberecompensedforitwithaneverlastingsalvation.

b.Thoughitbeadarkday,yetletuswaituponGodalltheday.ThoughwhilewearekeptwaitingforwhatGodwilldo,wearekept inthedarkconcerningwhatheisdoing,andwhat isbestforustodo,yet letusbecontenttowaitinthedark.Thoughweseenotoursigns,thoughthereisnonetotellushowlong,yetletusresolvetowait,howlongsoeveritbe;forthoughwhatGoddoth,weknownotnow,yetweshallknowhereafter,whenthemysteryofGodshallbefinished.

Neverwas manmore at a plunge concerning God’s dealings with himthan poor Job was; I go forward, but he is not there; backward, but Icannotperceivehim,onthelefthand,ontherighthand,butIcannotseehim,JOB23:8,9,Job23:8-9(KJV)yethesitsdown,ver.10,resolvingtowaitonGodallthedaywithasatisfactioninthis,thatthoughIknownotthewaythathetakes,heknowsthewaythatItake,andwhenhehastriedme,Ishallcomeforthasgold,approved,andimproved.Hesitsbyasarefiner,andwilltakecarethatthegoldbeinthefurnace,nolongerthanisneedfulfortherefiningofit.WhenGod’swayisinthesea,sothathecannotbetraced,yetwearesurehiswayis inthesanctuary,sothathemaybe trusted, seePS 77:13, Psalm77:13 PS 77:19. Psalm 77:19 (KJV)Andwhen thecloudsanddarknessare roundabouthim,yet even thenjusticeandjudgmentarethehabitationofhisthrone.

c. Though it be a stormy day, yet wemust wait upon God all the day.Thoughwearenotonlybecalmed,anddonotget forward,but thoughthewind be contrary, and drives us back, nay, though it be boisterous,andthechurchbetossedwithtempests,andreadytosink,yetwemusthopethebest;yetwemustwaitandweatherthestormbypatience.Itissomecomfort,thatChristisintheship,thechurch’scauseisChrist’sowncause,hehasespousedit;andhewillownit;heisembarkedinthesamebottomwithhispeople,andtherefore,whyareyefearful;doubtnotbuttheshipwillcomesafetoland;thoughChristseemforthepresenttobeasleep,theprayersofhisdiscipleswillawakehim,andhewillrebukethewindsandthewaves;thoughthebushburn,ifGodbeinit,itshallnotbeconsumed. Yet this is not all, Christ is not only in the ship, but at thehelm;whatever threatens thechurch, isorderedby theLordJesus,andshall be made to work for its good. It is excellently expressed by Mr.GeorgeHerbert,

Awaydespair,mygraciousGoddothhear,

Whenwindsandwavesassaultmykeel,

Hedothpreserveit,hedothsteer,

Evenwhentheboatseemsmosttoreel.

Stormsarethetriumphofhisart,

Wellmayheclosehiseyes,butnothisheart.

It isaseasonablewordat thisday;whatGodwilldowithuswecannottell;butthiswearesure,heisaGodofjudgment,infinitelywiseandjust,and therefore blessed are all they that wait for him, ISA 30:18. Isaiah30:18 (KJV) He will do his own work in his own way and time; andthoughwebehurriedbackintothewilderness,whenwethoughtwehadbeenupon theborders ofCanaan,we suffer justly for our unbelief andmurmurings, but God acts wisely, and will be found faithful to hispromise; his time to judge for his people, and to repent himselfconcerninghisservants,is,whenheseesthattheirstrengthisgone.Thiswas seen of old in the mount of the Lord, and shall be again. Andthereforeletuscontinueinawaitingframe.Holdoutfaithandpatience,for it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for thesalvationoftheLord.

2.Itspeaksaconstantattendanceuponhiminawayofduty.Andsoweunderstandthedayliterally;itwasDavid’spracticetowaituponGod“alltheday.”Itsignifiesbotheveryday,andall theday long; it is thesamewith that command, PROV23:17. Proverbs 23:17 (KJV)Be thou in thefearoftheLordallthedaylong.

Doct.ItisnotenoughforustobegineverydaywithGod,butonhimwemustwaiteveryday,andallthedaylong.

FortheopeningofthisImustshew,(I.)WhatitistowaituponGod;And,(II.)Thatwemustdothiseveryday,andallthedaylong.

I.Forthefirst,Letusinquire,whatitistowaitonGod.Youhaveheardhowmuchitisourdutyinthemorningtospeaktohim,insolemnprayer.Buthavewethendonewithhimforallday?No,wemuststillbewaitingonhim;asonetowhomwestandverynearlyrelated,andverystronglyobliged.TowaitonGodistolivealifeofdesiretowardshim,delightinhim,dependenceonhim,anddevotednesstohim.

A.ItistolivealifeofdesiretowardsGod;towaitonhim,asthebeggar

waitsonhisbenefactor,withearnestdesiretoreceivesuppliesfromhim;as the sick and sore in Bethesda’s pool, waited for the stirring of thewater,andattendedintheporcheswithdesiretobehelpedinandhealed.Whentheprophethadsaid,Lord, in thewayof thy judgmentswehavewaitedforthee,heexplainedhimselfthusinthenextwords,thedesireofoursoul is to thyname, and to the remembranceof thee; andwithmysoul have I desired thee, ISA 26:8, 9. Isaiah 26:8-9 (KJV) Our desiremust be not only towards the good things that God gives, but towardsGodhimself,hisfavourandlove,themanifestationofhisnametous,andtheinfluencesofhisgraceuponus.ThenwewaitonGod,whenoursoulspantafterhim,andhisfavour,whenwethirstforGod,forthelivingGod:O that I may behold the beauty of the Lord! O that I may taste hisgoodness!OthatImaybearhisimage,andbeentirelyconformedtohiswill!Forthereisnoneinheavenorearth,thatIcandesireincomparisonofhim.OthatImayknowhimmore,andlovehimbetter,andbebroughtnearer to him, and made fitter for him. Thus upon the wings of holydesire should our souls be still soaring upwards towards God, stillpressingforwards,forwardstowardsheaven.

Wemustnotonlypraysolemnlyinthemorning,butthatdesirewhichisthe life and soul of prayer, like the fire upon the altar, must be keptcontinuallyburning,readyforthesacrificesthataretobeoffereduponit.ThebentandbiasofthesoulinallitsmotionsmustbetowardsGod,theservingofhiminallwedo,andtheenjoyingofhiminallwehave.Andthisisprincipallyintendedinthecommandsgiventoustoprayalways,to pray without ceasing, to continue in prayer. Even when we are notmakingactualaddresses toGod,yetwemusthavehabitual inclinationstowardshim;asamaninhealth,thoughheisnotalwayseating,yethasalwaysadispositioninhimtowardsthenourishmentsanddelightsofthebody. Thusmustwe be alwayswaiting onGod, as our chief good, andmovingtowardshim.

B.It is to livea lifeofdelight inGod,as the loverwaitsonhisbeloved.Desireisloveinmotion,asabirduponthewing;delightisloveatrest,asabirduponthenest;nowthoughourdesiremuststillbesotowardsGod,asthatwemustbewishingformoreofGod,yetourdelightmustbesoinGod,asthatwemustneverwishformorethanGod.Believinghimtobea

Godall-sufficient,inhimwemustbeentirelysatisfied;lethimbemine,andIhaveenough.DowelovetoloveGod?ItisapleasuretoustothinkthatthereisaGod,thatheissuchaoneashehasrevealedhimselftobe,thatheisourGodbycreationtodisposeofusashepleaseth,ourGodincovenant todisposeofall for thebest tous; this iswaitingonourGod,alwayslookinguptohimwithpleasure.

Something or other the soul has that it values itself by, something orotherthatitreposesitselfin,andwhatisit?Godortheworld?Whatisitthatweprideourselvesin?Whichwemakethematterofourboasting?Itis the character of worldly people, that they boast themselves in themultitude of their riches, PS 49:6, Psalm 49:6 (KJV) and of their ownmight, and the power of their own hands,which they think has gottenthem this wealth; it is the character of godly people, that in God theyboastallthedaylong,PS44:8.Psalm44:8(KJV)ThatiswaitingonGod;havingoureyealwaysuponhimwithasecretcomplacency,asmenhaveuponthatwhichistheirglory,andwhichtheygloryin.

What is it that we please ourselves with, which we embrace with thegreatest satisfaction, in the bosom of which we lay our heads, and inhavingwhichwehugourselves,ashavingallwewouldhave:theworldlyman when his barns are full of corn, saith, soul, take thine ease, eat,drink,andbemerry;thegodlymancanneversaysotillhefindshisheartfullofGod,andChrist,andgrace;andthen,returnuntothyrest,Omysoul,hererepose thyself; thegracioussouldwells inGod, isathome inhim,andtheredwellsatease,isinhimperpetuallypleased;andwhateverhemeetswithintheworldtomakehimuneasy,hefindsenoughinGodtobalanceit.

C.ItistolivealifeofdependenceonGod,asthechildwaitsonhisfather,whomhehasaconfidencein,andonwhomhecastsallhiscare.TowaitonGodistoexpectallgoodtocometousfromhim,astheworkerofallgoodforus,andinus,thegiverofallgoodtous,andtheprotectorofusfromallevil.ThusDavidexplainshimself,PS62:5.Psalm62:5(KJV)Mysoul wait thou only upon God, and continue still to do so, for myexpectationisfromhim,IlooknottoanyotherforthegoodIneed;forIknowthateverycreatureisthattome,andnomorethanhemakesit tobe, and from him everyman’s judgment proceeds. Shall we lift up our

eyes to the hills?Doth our help come from thence?Doth the dew thatwatersthevalleyscomenofurther,thanfromthetopsofthehills?Shallwegohigher,andliftupoureyestotheheavens,totheclouds?Cantheyof themselvesgiverain?No, ifGodhearnot theheavens, theyhearnottheearth;wemustthereforelookabovethehills,abovetheheavens, forallourhelpcomethfromtheLord;itwastheacknowledgmentofaking,andnogoodoneneither,iftheLorddonothelpthee,whenceshallIhelptheeoutofthebarn-floor,oroutofthewine-press?

And our expectations from God as far as they are guided by, andgrounded upon the word which he hath spoken, ought to be humblyconfidentandwithafullassuranceoffaith.Wemustknowandbesure,thatnowordofGodshall fall totheground,thattheexpectationof thepoorshallnotperish.Worldlypeoplesaytotheirgold,thouartmyhope;andtothefinegold,thouartmyconfidence,andtherichman’swealthishisstrongcity;butGodistheonlyrefugeandportionof thegodlymanhereinthelandoftheliving;itistohimonlythathesaith,andhesaithitwithaholyboldness,thouartmyhope,andmyconfidence.Theeyesofall things wait on him, for he is good to all; but the eyes of his saintsespecially, for he is in a peculiarmanner good to Israel, good to them.They know his name and therefore will trust, and triumph in him, asthosethatknowtheyshallnotbemadeashamedoftheirhope.

D. It is to live a life of devotedness toGod, as the servantwaits onhismaster,readytoobservehiswill,andtodohiswork,andineverythingtoconsult his honour and interest. To wait on God, is entirely andunreservedly to refer ourselves to his wise and holy directions, anddisposals, and cheerfully to acquiesce in them, and comply with them.The servant that waits on his master, chooseth not his own way, butfollowshismasterstepbystep:thusmustwewaitonGod,asthosethathavenowillofourown,butwhat iswhollyreserved intohis;andmustthereforestudytoaccommodateourselvestohis.Itisthecharacteroftheredeemedof theLord, that they follow the Lambwheresoever he goes,withanimplicit faithandobedience.As theeyesofaservantare to thehandofhismaster,andtheeyesofamaidentothehandofhermistress,somust our eyeswait on the Lord, to dowhat he appoints us, to takewhatheallotsus;Father,thywillbedone;Master,thywillbedone.

Theservantwaitsonhismaster,notonlytodohimservice,buttodohimhonour;andthusmustwewaitonGodthatwemaybetohimforaname,andforapraise.Hisglorymustbeourultimateend,towhichwe,andallwe are, have, and can do,must be dedicated;wemustwear his livery,attend inhiscourts,andfollowhismotionsashisservant, for thisend,thathemayinallthingsbeglorified

TowaitonGod,istomakehiswillourrule.

1.Tomakethewillofhisprecept,theruleofourpractice,andtodoeverydutywithaneyetothat.Wemustwaitonhimtoreceivehiscommands,with a resolution to comply with them, how much soever they maycontradictourcorruptinclinations,orsecularinterests.Wemustwaitonhim,astheholyangelsdo,thatalwaysbeholdthefaceoftheirFather,asthosethatareathisbeck,andarereadytogoupontheleastintimationofhiswill,thoughbutbyawinkofhiseye,whereverhesendsthem.ThusmustwedothewillofGod,astheangelsdoitthatareinheaven,thoseministersofhisthatdohispleasure,andarealwaysabouthisthroneinordertoit;neveroutoftheway.

Davidhereprays, thatGodwouldshewhimhisway,andleadhim,andteachhim,andkeephim,andforwardhiminthewayofhisduty;andsothetextcomesinasapleatoenforcethatpetition,forontheedoIwaitalltheday;readytoreceivethelawfromthymouth,andineverythingtoobservethineorders.Andthenitintimatesthis,thatthoseandthoseonlycanexpecttobetaughtofGod,whoarereadyandwillingtodoastheyare taught. If any man will do his will, be stedfastly resolved in thestrength of his grace to complywith it, he shall knowwhat his will is.Davidprays,Lord,givemeunderstanding,andthenpromisethhimself,Ishallkeepthylaw,yeaIshallobserveit;astheservantthatwaitsonhismaster.TheythatgouptothehouseoftheLord,withanexpectationthathewill teach themhisways, itmust bewith a humble resolution, thattheywillwalkinhispaths,ISA2:3.Isaiah2:3(KJV)Lord,letthepillarofcloud and fire go beforeme, for I am determined with full purpose ofhearttofollowit,andthustowaitonmyGodalltheday.

2.Tomakethewillofhisprovidence,theruleofourpatience,andtobeareveryafflictionwithaneyetothat.Wearesure,itisGodthatperformeth

allthingsforus,andheperformeththethingthatisappointedforus;wearesure,thatalliswellthatGoddoth,andshallbemadetoworkforgoodtoall that lovehim:and inorder to that,weought toacquiesce in,andaccommodateourselves,tothewholewillofGod.TowaitontheLord,istosay,itistheLord,lethimdowithmeasseemethgoodtohim,becausenothingseemethgoodtohim,butwhatisreallygood;andsoweshallsee,whenGod’sworkappearsinafulllight;itistosay,NotasIwill,butasthouwilt,forshoulditbeaccordingtomymind?Itistobringourmindtoourconditionineverything,soastokeepthatcalmandeasy,whateverhappenstomakeusuneasy.

Andwemustthereforebeartheaffliction,whateveritis,becauseitisthewill ofGod; it iswhathehasallottedus,whodothall according to thecounselofhisownwill.ThisisChristianpatience;Iwasdumb,Iopenednotmymouth,notbecauseitwastonopurposetocomplain,butbecausethou didst it, and therefore I had no reason to complain. And thiswillreconcileustoeveryaffliction,oneaswellasanother,becausewhateveritis,itisthewillofGod;andincompliancewiththatwemustnotonlybesilent, becauseof the sovereigntyofhiswill,Woeuntohim that striveswith his Maker; but we must be satisfied, because of the wisdom andgoodness of it. Whatever the disposals of God’s providence may beconcerningthosethatwaitonhim,wemaybesurethatashedoththemnowrong,sohemeansthemnohurt:Nay,theymaysayasthePsalmistdid,eventhenwhenhewasplaguedallthedaylong,andchastenedeverymorning,however itbe,yetGod isgood;andtherefore,Thoughheslayme,yetwillItrustinhim,yetwillIwaitonhim.

ImightopenthisdutyofwaitingonGodbyotherscriptureexpressionswhich speak the same thing, and are, as this, comprehensive of a greatpart of that homage, which we are bound to pay to him, and thatcommunionwhichitisourinteresttokeepupwithhim.TrulythusourfellowshipiswiththeFather,andwiththeSonJesusChrist.

ItistosetGodalwaysbeforeus,PS16:8.Psalm16:8(KJV)Tolookuponhimasonealwaysnearus,alwaysatourrighthand,andthathashiseyeupon us, wherever we are and whatever we are doing; nay, as one inwhomwelive,andmove,andhaveourbeing,withwhomwehavetodo,and towhomweare accountable.This ispresseduponus, as the great

principle of gospel obedience; walk before me, and be thou upright;herein consists that uprightness which is our evangelical perfection, inwalkingatall timeasbeforeGod,andstudying toapproveourselves tohim.

ItistohaveoureyesevertowardstheLord,asitfollowshere,PS25:15.Psalm25:15(KJV)Thoughwecannot seehimby reasonofourpresentdistanceanddarkness,yetwemustlooktowardshim,towardstheplacewherehishonourdwells;asthosethatdesiretheknowledgeofhimandhiswill,anddirectalltohishonourasthemarkweaimat,labouringinthis,thatwhetherpresentorabsentwemaybeacceptedofhim.Towaiton him, is to follow himwith our eye in all those thingswherein he ispleasedtomanifesthimself,andtoadmitthediscoveriesofhisbeingandperfections.

ItistoacknowledgeGodinallourways,PROV3:6,Proverbs3:6(KJV)inall the actions of life, and in all the affairs of life,wemustwalk in hishand,andsetourselves inthewayofhissteps.Inallourundertakings,wemustwaituponhimfordirectionandsuccess,andbyfaithandprayercommitourwaytohimtoundertakeforus;andhimwemusttakewithuswhereverwe go; If thy presence go not upwith us, carry us not uphence. Inallour comfortswemust seehishandgiving themout tous,and inallourcrosseswemustseethesamehand layingthemuponus,thatwemaylearntoreceivebothgoodandevil,andtoblessthenameoftheLordbothwhenhegivesandwhenhetakes.

ItistofollowtheLordfully,asCalebdid,NUMB14:24.Numbers14:24(KJV)ItistofulfilaftertheLord,sothewordis;tohaverespecttoallhiscommandments, and to study to stand complete in his whole will.WhereverGodleadsusandgoesbeforeus,wemustbefollowersofhimasdearchildren,mustfollowtheLambwhithersoeverhegoes,andtakehimforourguidewhithersoeverwego.

ThisistowaitonGod,andthosethatdosomaycheerfullywaitforhim,forhewillwithoutfailappearinduetimetotheir joy,andthatwordofSolomonshallbemadegoodtothem;hethatwaitsonhismastershallbehonoured,forChristhassaidwhereIam,thereshallalsomyservantbe,JOHN12:26.John12:26(KJV)

II.Forthesecondthing.HavingshewedyouwhatitistowaitonGod,Icomenexttoshew,thatthiswemustdoeveryday;andallthedaylong.

A.WemustwaitonourGodeveryday.Omnidie (Everyday),sosome.Thisistheworkofeveryday,whichistobedoneinitsday,forthedutyofeverydayrequiresit.Servantsinthecourtsofprinceshavetheirweeks,or months of waiting appointed them, and are tied to attend only atcertain times. ButGod’s servantsmust never be out of waiting: all thedays of our appointed time, the time of ourwork andwarfare here onearthwemustbewaiting,JOB14:14,Job14:14(KJV)andnotdesireorexpect to be discharged from this attendance, till we come to heaven,whereweshallwaitonGod,asangelsdo,morenearlyandconstantly.

WemustwaitonGodeveryday. 1.Bothonsabbathdays, andonweekdays. The Lord’s day is instituted and appointed on purpose for ourattendanceonGodinthecourtsofhishouse,therewemustwaitonhim,to give glory to him, and to receive both commands, and favours fromhim,ministersmustthenwaitontheirministry,ROM12:7,Romans12:7(KJV)andpeoplemustwaitonittoo,sayingasCorneliusforhimselfandhisfriends,nowweareallherereadybeforeGod,tohearallthingsthatarecommandedtheeofGod,ACTS10:33.Acts10:33(KJV)It is forthehonourofGodtohelptofilluptheassembliesofthosethatattendatthefootstool ofhis throne, and to add to theirnumber.Thewhole sabbathtimeexceptwhat is takenup inworksofnecessity andmercy,must beemployed inwaitingonourGod.Christiansarespiritualpriests,andassuchitistheirbusinesstowaitinGod’shouseatthetimeappointed.

Butthatisnotenough;wemustwaituponourGodonweekdays,too,foreverydayoftheweekwewantmercyfromhim,andhaveworktodoforhim.Ourwaitinguponhim inpublicordinanceson the firstdayof theweek,isdesignedtofixusto,andfitusforcommunionwithhimalltheweekafter;sothatweanswernottheintentionsofthesabbath,unlesstheimpressionsofitabideuponus,andgowithus intothebusinessof theweek,andbekeptalwaysintheimaginationofthethoughtsofourheart.Thusfromonesabbathtoanother,andfromonenewmoontoanother,wemustkeep inaholygracious frame;mustbe so in theSpirit on theLord’sday,astowalkintheSpiritalltheweek.

2.Bothon idledays,andbusydays,wemustbe foundwaitingonGod.Somedaysofourlivesaredaysoflabourandhurry,whenourparticularcallingcallsforourcloseanddiligentapplication;butwemustnotthinkthatwillexcuseusfromourconstantattendanceonGod.Eventhenwhenourhandsareworkingabouttheworld,ourheartsmaybewaitingonourGod,byanhabitualregardtohim,tohisprovidenceasourguide,andhisgloryasourend, inourworldlybusiness;and thuswemustabidewithhiminthem.Thosethatriseupearly,andsituplate,andeatthebreadofcarefulness in pursuit of the world, yet are concerned to wait on God,becauseotherwisealltheircareandpainswillsignifynothing;itislabourinvain,PS127:1,2,Psalm127:1-2(KJV)nay,itislabourinthefire.

Somedaysofourliveswerelaxfrombusiness,andtakeourease.Manyofyou have your time for diversion, but then when you lay aside otherbusiness, this of waiting upon God must not be laid aside. When youprove yourselves with mirth, as Solomon did, and say, you will enjoypleasure a little, yet let this wisdom remain with you, ECCL 2:1, 3,Ecclesiastes2:1-3(KJV)letyoureyebethenuptoGod,andtakeheedofdroppingyourcommunionwithhim,inthatwhichyoucallanagreeableconversationwithyourfriends.Whetheritbeadayofwork,oradayofrest,we shall findnothing likewaitinguponGodboth to enlighten thetoil of our work, and to sweeten the comfort of our repose. So thatwhetherwehavemuch todo, or little todo in theworld, stillwemustwait uponGod, that wemay be kept from the temptation that attendsboththeoneandtheother.

3.Bothindaysofprosperity,andindaysofadversity,wemustbefoundwaitinguponGod.Doththeworldsmileuponus,andcourtus?YetletusnotturnfromattendingonGod,tomakeourcourttoit:Ifwehaveneversomuchofthewealthoftheworld,yetwecannotsaywehavenoneedofGod,nofurtheroccasiontomakeuseofhim,asDavidwasreadytosay,wheninhisprosperityhesaidheshouldneverbemoved;butsoonsawhis error,whenGodhid his face, andhewas troubled, PS 30:6. Psalm30:6(KJV)Whenouraffairsprosper,and intoourhandsGodbringethplentifully,wemustwaituponGodasour great landlord, andownourobligationstohim;mustbeghisblessingonwhatwehave,andhisfavourwith it, and depend upon him both for the continuance, and for the

comfortofit.WemustwaituponGodforwisdomandgrace,tousewhatwehave intheworld for theends forwhichweare intrustedwith it,asthose thatmust give account, and knownot how soon. And howmuchsoeverwehaveofthisworld,andhowrichlysoeveritisgivenustoenjoyit,stillwemustwaituponGodforbetterthings,notonlythantheworldgives,butthanhehimselfgives in thisworld.Lordputmenotoffwiththisforaportion.

Andwhentheworldfrownsuponus,andthingsgoverycross,wemustnotsofretourselvesatitsfrowns,orsofrightenourselveswiththem,astherebytobedrivenofffromwaitingonGod,butratherletustherebybedriventoit.Afflictionsaresentforthisend,tobringustothethroneofgrace,toteachustopray,andtomakethewordofGod’sgracepreciousto us. In the days of our sorrow, we must wait upon God for thosecomfortswhicharesufficienttobalanceourgrief;Job,whenintears,felldownandworshippedGod,takingaway,aswellasgiving.Inthedayofour fear we must wait upon God for those encouragements that aresufficienttosilenceourfears;Jehoshaphat,inhisdistresswaitedonGod,andwasnot invain,hisheartwasestablishedby it;andsowasDavid’soften,whichbroughthimtothisresolution,whichwasananchortohissoul,whattimeIamafraid,Iwilltrustinthee.

4.Bothinthedaysofyouth,andinthedaysofoldage,wemustbefoundwaitingonGod.Those thatareyoungcannotbegin theirattendanceonGodtoosoon:ThechildSamuelministeredtotheLord,andthescripturestory puts a particular mark of honour upon it; and Christ waswonderfully pleased with the hosannas of the children that waited onhim, when he rode in triumph into Jerusalem: when Solomon in hisyouth,uponhisaccessiontothethrone,waiteduponGodforwisdom,itissaid,thesayingpleasedtheLord.Irememberthee(saithGodtoIsrael)even the kindness of thy youth,when thouwentest afterme, and didstwaituponmeinawilderness,JER2:2.Jeremiah2:2(KJV)TowaituponGod,istobemindfulofourCreator,andthepropertimeforthatisinthedaysofouryouth,ECCL12:1.Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV)Those thatwouldwaituponGodaright,mustlearnbetimestodoit;themostaccomplishedcourtiersarethosethatarebredatcourt.

AndmaytheoldservantsofJesusbedismissedfromwaitingonhim?No,

theirattendanceisstillrequired,andshallbestillaccepted:theyshallnotbe cast off by theirMaster in the timeof old age, and therefore letnotthem then desert his service.When through the infirmities of age theycan no longer be working servants in God’s family, yet they may bewaitingservants.ThosethatlikeBarzillaiareunfitfortheentertainmentsof the courts of earthly princes, yet may relish the pleasures of God’scourtsaswellasever.TheLeviteswhen theywerepast theageof fifty,andweredischargedfromthetoilsomepartoftheirministration,yetstillmustwaitonGod,mustbequietlywaiting,togivehonourtohim,andtoreceivecomfortfromhim.ThosethathavedonethewillofGod,andtheirdoingworkisatanend,haveneedofpatiencetoenablethemtowaittilltheyinheritthepromise:andthenearerthehappinessiswhichtheyarewaitingfor,thedearershouldtheGodbetheyarewaitingon,andhopeshortlytobewith,tobewitheternally.

B.WemustwaitonourGodalltheday.Totodie(Alltheday),sowereadit.Everyday frommorning tonightwemust continuewaitingonGod;whatever change there may be of our employment, this must be theconstantdispositionofoursouls,wemustattenduponGod,andhaveoureyes ever towards him; we must not at any time allow ourselves towander from God or to attend on any thing beside him, but what weattendonforhim;insubordinationtohiswill,andinsubserviencytohisglory.

1.Wemust cast our daily cares upon him.Every day bringswith it itsfreshcares,moreorless,thesewakewithuseverymorning,andweneednotgosofarforwardastomorrowtofetchcare,sufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof:youthataregreatdealers intheworld,haveyourcaresattendingyouall theday;thoughyoukeep themtoyourselves,yet theysitdownwithyou, and riseupwith you; they goout and come inwithyou, and are more a load upon you than those you converse with areaware of. Some, through the weakness of their spirits, can scarcedetermineanythingbutwithfearandtrembling.

Let this burden be cast upon the Lord, believing that his providenceextends itself toall youraffairs, toall eventsconcerningyou, and toallthe circumstances of them, even the most minute, and seeminglyaccidental; that your times are in his hand; and all your ways at his

disposal; believe his promise that all things shall bemade to work forgoodtothosethatlovehim,andthenreferittohimineverything,todowith you and yours as seemeth good in his eyes, and rest satisfied inhavingdoneso,andresolvetobeeasy.BringyourcarestoGodbyprayerinthemorning,spreadthembeforehim,andthenmakeittoappearalltheday,by thecomposednessandcheerfulnessofyourspirits, thatyouleftthemwithhimasHannahdid,who,whenshehadprayed,wentherway anddid eat, andher countenancewasnomore sad, I SAM 1:18. 1Samuel1:18(KJV)CommityourwaytotheLord,andthensubmittohisdisposal of it, though it may cross your expectations; and bear upyourselvesupon the assuranceGodhas given you, that hewill care foryouasthetenderfatherforthechild.

2. We must manage our daily business for him, with an eye to hisprovidence,puttingusintothecallingandemploymentwhereinweare;and to his precept,making diligence in it our duty; with an eye to hisblessing, as that which is necessary to make it comfortable andsuccessful;andtohisglory,asourhighestendinall.ThissanctifiesourcommonactionstoGod,andsweetensthem,andmakesthempleasanttoourselves.IfGaiusbringshisfriendsthatheispartingwith,alittlewayon their journey, it is but a piece of common civility, but let him do itafteragodlysort;lethiminitpayrespecttothem,becausetheybelongtoChrist,andforhissake;lethimdoitthathemayhaveanopportunityofdomuchmoreprofitablecommunicationwiththem,andthenitbecomesanactofChristianpiety,THIRDJOHN6.3John1:6(KJV)Itisageneralrule by which we must govern ourselves in the business of every day,Whateverwedoinwordordeed,todoallinthenameoftheLordJesus,COL3:17,Colossians3:17(KJV)andthusinandbytheMediatorwewaitonourGod.

Thisisparticularlyrecommendedtoservants,thoughtheiremploymentsare but mean, and they are under the command of their mastersaccordingtotheflesh,yetletthemdotheirservileworksastheservantsof Christ, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; let them do it withsinglenessofheartasuntoChrist,andtheyshallbeacceptedofhim,andfromhim shall receive the reward of the inheritance, EPH6:5, 6, 7, 8,Ephesians6:5-8(KJV)COL3:22,24.Colossians3:22-24(KJV)Letthem

waitonGodalltheday,whentheyaredoingtheirday’swork,bydoingitfaithfully and conscientiously, that theymay adorn thedoctrineofGodourSaviour,byaimingathisgloryevenincommonbusiness:theyworkthat theymay get bread, theywould get bread that theymay live, theywould livenot that theymay live to themselves,andpleasethemselves,butthattheymaylivetoGod,andpleasehim.Theyworkthattheymayfillup time,and fillupaplace in theworld,andbecause thatGodwhomade andmaintains us, has appointed us with quietness to work andmindourownbusiness.

3.Wemustreceiveourdailycomfortsfromhim;wemustwaitonhimasourbenefactor,astheeyesofallthingswaituponhim,togivethemtheirfoodindueseason,andwhathegiveththem,thattheygather.Tohimwemust look as to our Father for our daily bread, and from him we areappointedtoaskit,yeathoughwehaveitinthehouse,thoughwehaveitupon the table.Wemust wait upon him for a covenant right to it, forleavetomakeuseofit,forablessinguponit,fornourishmentbyit,andforcomfort in it. It is in thewordandprayer thatwewaitonGod,andkeep up communion with him, and by these every creature of God issanctified to us, FIRST TIMOTHY 4:4, 5. 1 Tim 4:4-5 (KJV) and thepropertyof it isaltered; to thepureall thingsarepure; theyhavethemfrom the covenant, and not from common providence, which makes alittlethattherighteousmanhas,betterthantherichesofmanywicked,andmuchmorevaluableandcomfortable.

Noinducementcanbemorepowerfultomakeusseetoit,thatwhatwehavewegetithonestly,anduseitsoberly,andgiveGodhisdueoutofit,thanthisconsideration, thatwehaveourall fromthehandofGod,andareintrustedwithitasstewards,andconsequentlyareaccountable.Ifwehavethisthoughtasagoldenthreadrunningthroughallthecomfortsofevery day, these are God’s gifts, every bite we eat, and every drop wedrink ishismercy,everybreathwedraw,andeverystepwetake, ishismercy, thiswillkeepuscontinuallywaitinguponhim,as theassonhismaster’s crib, andwill put a double sweetness into all our enjoyments.Godwill have hismercies taken fresh fromhis compassions,which forthisreasonaresaidtobeneweverymorning;andthereforeitisnotoncea week that we are to wait upon him, as people go to market to buy

provisionsforthewholeweek,butwemustwaitonhimeveryday,andalltheday,asthosethatlivefromhandtomouth,andyetliveveryeasy.

4.Wemust resist ourdaily temptations, anddoourdailyduties in thestrengthofhisgrace.Everydaybringsitstemptationswithit;ourMasterknewthatwhenhetaughtus,asdulyaswepray forourdailybread, topray thatwemightnotbe led into temptation.There isnobusinessweengagein,noenjoymentwepartakeof,butithasitssnaresattendingit;Satanbyitassaultsus,andendeavorstodrawusintosin:Nowsinisthegreatevilweshouldbecontinuallyuponourguardagainst,asNehemiahwas,ch.6:13.Nehemiah6:13 (KJV)That I shouldbeafraid, anddo so,andsin.Andwehavenoway to secureourselvesbutby thewaitingonGodalltheday,wemustnotonlyinthemorningputourselvesundertheprotection of his grace, but we must all day keep ourselves under theshelterofit;mustnotonlygoforth,butgoonindependenceuponthatgracewhichhehathsaidshallbesufficientforus,thatcarewhichwillnotsufferus tobe temptedabovewhatweareable.OurwaitinguponGodwill furnish us with the best arguments to make use of in resistingtemptations, and with strength according to the day; be strong in theLord,andinthepowerofhismight,andthenwewaitontheLordalltheday.

Wehaveduty todo,manyanopportunityof speakinggoodwords,anddoinggoodworks,andwemustseeandownthatwearenotsufficientofourselves for any thing that is food, not so much as to think a goodthought:wemustthereforewaituponGod,mustseektohim,anddependonhim,forthatlightandfire,thatwisdomandzeal,whichisnecessarytothe due discharge of our duty; that by his grace we may not only befortifiedagainsteveryevilwordandwork,but furnished foreverygoodwordandwork.FromthefullnessthatisinJesusChrist,wemustbyfaithbe continually drawing grace for grace, grace for all gracious exercises;grace to help in every time of need:Wemustwait on this grace,mustfollow the conduct of it, complywith the operations of it, andmust beturnedtoitaswaxtotheseal.

5.Wemustbearourdailyafflictionswithsubmissiontohiswill;Wearebidtoexpecttroubleintheflesh,somethingorotherhappenseverydaythat grieves us, something in our relations, something in our callings,

events concerningourselves, our families, or friends, that arematter ofsorrow: perhaps we have every day some bodily pain or sickness: or,somecrossanddisappointmentinouraffairs;nowinthesewemustwaituponGod.Christ requires it of all his disciples, that they take up theircross daily, MATT 16:24. Matthew 16:24 (KJV) We must not willfullypluckthecrossdownuponus,butmusttakeitupwhenGodlaysitinourway,andnotgoastepoutofthewayofdutyeithertoit,ortomissit.Itisnot enough to bear the cross, but we must take it up, we mustaccommodateourselvestoit,andacquiesceinthewillofGodinit.Not,thisisanevil,andImustbearit,becauseIcannothelpit;butthisisanevil,andIwillbearit,becauseitisthewillofGod.

WemustseeeveryafflictionallottedusbyourheavenlyFather,andinitmust eyehis correctinghand, and thereforemustwait onhim toknowthecausewhereforehecontendswithus,whatthefault is forwhichweare in thisafflictionchastened:what thedistemper iswhich is tobebythisafflictioncured,thatwemayanswerGod’sendinafflictingus,andsomaybemadepartakersofhisholiness.Wemust attend themotions ofprovidence,keepoureyeuponourFatherwhenhefrowns,thatwemaydiscoverwhathismindis,andwhattheobedienceiswearetolearn,bythe things thatwe suffer.Wemustwait onGod for support under ourburthens; must put ourselves into, and stay ourselves upon theeverlasting arms, which are laid under the children of God to sustainthem,when the rodofGod isupon them.Andhimwemust attend fordeliverance;must not seek to extricate ourselves by any sinful indirectmethods,norlooktocreaturesforrelief,butstillwaitontheLord,untilthathehavemercyonus;wellcontenttobeartheburdenuntilGodeaseus of it, and ease us in mercy, PS 123:2. Psalm 123:2 (KJV) If theafflictionbelengthenedout,yetwemustwaitupontheLord,evenwhenhehideshis face, ISA8:17, Isaiah8:17 (KJV)hoping it isbut in a littlewrath,andforasmallmoment,ISA54:7,8.Isaiah54:7-8(KJV)

6.Wemustexpectthetidingsandeventsofeveryday,withacheerfulandentireresignationtothedivineprovidence.Whileweareinthisworld,wearestillexpecting,hopingwell, fearingill:weknownotwhatadayoranight,oranhourwillbringforth,PROV27:1,Proverbs27:1(KJV)butitisbigwithsomething,andwearetooapttospendourthoughtsinvain

about things future, which happen quite differently from what weimagined.NowinallourprospectswemustwaituponGod.

Areweinhopesofgoodtidings,agoodissue?LetuswaitonGodasthegiverofthegoodwehopefor,andbereadytotakeitfromhishand;andtomeethimwithsuitableaffectionsthenwhenheiscomingtowardsusinawayofmercy.Whatevergoodwehope for, it isGodalone,andhiswisdom,power, andgoodness thatwemusthope in.And thereforeourhopesmustbehumbleandmodest,andregulatedbyhiswill;whatGodhaspromisedus,wemaywithassurancepromiseourselves,andnomore.If thus we wait on God in our hopes, should the hope be deferred, itwouldnotmaketheheartsick,nonotifitshouldbedisappointed,fortheGodwewaiton,willover-ruleallforthebest;butwhenthedesirecomes,in prosecution of which we have thus waited on God, we may see itcomingfromhis love,anditwillbeatreeof life,PROV13:12.Proverbs13:12(KJV)

Areweinfearofeviltidings,ofmelancholyevents,andasadissueofthedependingaffair!LetuswaitonGod tobedelivered fromallour fears,from the things themselves we are afraid of, and from the amazingtormentingfearsofthem,PS34:4.Psalm34:4(KJV)

WhenJacobwaswithgoodreasonafraidofhisbrotherEsau,hewaitedonGod, brought his fears to him,wrestledwith him, and prevailed fordeliverance!What timeIamafraid,saidDavid, Iwill trust in thee,andwaitonthee;andthatshallestablishtheheart,shallfixit,soastosetitabovethefearofeviltidings.

Areweinsuspensebetweenhopeandfear,sometimesoneprevails,andsometimestheother?LetuswaitonGod,astheGodtowhombelongtheissues of life and death, good and evil, fromwhom our judgment, andevery man’s doth proceed, and compose ourselves into a quietexpectation of the event, whatever it may be, with a resolution toaccommodateourselvestoit:Hopethebest,andgetreadyfortheworst,andthentakewhatGodsends.

ForApplication

First,LetmefurtherurgeuponyouthisdutyofwaitinguponGodalltheday,insomemoreparticularinstances,accordingtowhatyouhavetodoalltheday,intheordinarybusinessofit.Weareweakandforgetful,andneedtobeputinmindofourdutyingeneral,uponeveryoccasionforthedoing of it; and therefore I choose to be thus particular, that Imay beyourremembrancer.

1.Whenyoumeetwithyourfamiliesinthemorning,waituponGodforablessing upon them, and attend him with your thanksgivings for themerciesyouandyourshavejointlyreceivedfromGodthenightpast;youandyourhousesmustservetheLord,mustwaitonhim.Seeitowingtohis goodness who is the founder and father of the families of therighteous,thatyouaretogether,thatthevoiceofrejoicingandsalvationis in your tabernacles, and therefore wait upon him to continue youtogether, tomakeyoucomforts tooneanother, toenableyou todo thedutyofeveryrelation,andtolengthenoutthedaysofyourtranquility.Inalltheconversationwehavewithourfamilies,theprovisionwemakeforthem,andtheorderswegiveconcerningthem,wemustwaituponGod,astheGodofallthefamiliesofIsrael,JER31:1.Jeremiah31:1(KJV)Andhave an eye to Christ, as he in whom all the families of the earth areblessed.

Everymemberofthefamilysharinginfamilymercies,mustwaitonGodforgracetocontributetofamilyduties,whateverdisagreeablenesstheremaybeinanyfamilyrelation,insteadofhavingthespiriteitherburdenedwithit,orprovokedbyit,letitbeaninducementtowaitonGod,whoisable either to redress the grievance, or to balance it, and give grace tobearit.

2.When you are pursuing the education of your children or the youngonesunderyourcharge,waituponGodforhisgracetomakethemeansof their education successful. When you are yourselves giving theminstructioninthingspertainingeithertolifeorgodliness,theirgeneralorparticularcalling,whenyouaresendingthemtoschoolinamorning,orordering them the business of the day,wait uponGod to give them anunderstanding, and a good capacity for their business. Especially theirmainbusiness,foritisGodthatgivethwisdom.Iftheyarebutslow,anddonotcomeonasyoucouldwish,yetwaitonGodtobringthemforward,

andtogive themhisgrace inhisowntime,andwhileyouarepatientlywaitingonhim,thatwillencourageyoutotakepainswiththem,andwilllikewisemakeyoupatientandgentletowardsthem.

And let children and young people wait on God in all their dailyendeavors,tofitthemselvesfortheserviceofGodintheirgeneration,youdesiretobecomfortstoyourrelations, tobegoodforsomethinginthisworld,doyounotbegofGodthenawiseandanunderstandingheart,asSolomondid,andwaituponhimall thedayfor it, thatyoumaybestillincreasing inwisdom,asyoudo instature,and in favourwithGodandman.

3.Whenyougotoyourshops,orapplyyourselvestothebusinessofyourparticularcalling,waituponGodforhispresencewithyou.Yourbusinesscalls for your constant attendance, every day, and all the day, keep thyshop,andthyshopwillkeepthee;butletyourattendanceonGodinyourcallings, be as constant as your attendance on your callings. EyeGod’sprovidenceinalltheoccurrencesofthem.Openshopwiththisthought,Iamnowinthewayofmyduty,andIdependuponGodtoblessmeinit.Whenyouarewaitingforcustomers,waitonGodtofindyousomethingtodo in that calling towhichhehath called you; those you call chancecustomers,youshouldrathercallProvidencecustomers,andshouldsayoftheadvantageyoumakebythem,theLordmyGodbroughtittome.

When you are buying and selling, see God’s eye upon you to observe,whether you are honest and just in your dealings, and do nowrong tothose you deal with; and let your eye then be up to him, for thatdiscretiontowhichGoddothinstructnotonlythehusbandman,butthetradesman, ISA 28:26, Isaiah 28:26 (KJV) that prudencewhich directsthe way, and with which it is promised, the good man shall order hisaffairs;forthatblessingwhichmakesrich,andaddsnosorrowwithit;forthathonestprofitwhichmaybeexpectedinthewayofhonestdiligence.

Whatever your employments be, in country business, city-business, orsea-business,oronlyinthebusinessof thehouse,goabouttheminthefear of God, depending upon him to make them comfortable, andsuccessful,andtoprospertheworkofyourhandsuntoyou.Andherebyyouwillarmyourselvesagainstthemanytemptationsyouarecompassed

aboutwithinyourworldlybusiness;bywaitingonGod,youwillbefreedfrom that care and cumberwhich attendsmuch serving,will have yourminds raised above the little things of sense and time, will be servingGod,thenwhenyouaremostbusyabouttheworld,andwillhaveGodinyourhearts,whenyourhandsarefulloftheworld.

4.Whenyoutakeabookinyourhands,God’sbook,oranyotherusefulgoodbook,waituponGodforhisgracetoenableyoutomakeagooduseofit.Someofyouspendadealoftimeeverydayinreading,andIhopenone of you let a day passwithout reading some portions of scripture,eitheraloneorwithyourfamilies; takeheedthatthetimeyouspendinreadingbenotlosttime;it isso,ifyoureadthatwhichis idleandvain,andunprofitable;itisso,ifyoureadthatwhichisgood,eventhewordofGod itself, and do notmind it, or observe it, or aim tomake it of anyadvantage to you.Wait upon God, who gives you those helps for yoursouls,tomakethemhelpfulindeedtoyou.TheEunuchdidso,whenhewas reading the book of the prophet Isaiah in his chariot, and Godpresentlysenthimone,whomadehimunderstandwhatheread.

You read perhaps now and then the Histories of former times; inacquaintingyourselveswiththem,youmusthaveaneye toGod,andtothatwise andgraciousProvidencewhich governed theworldbeforewewere born, and preserved the church in it, and therefore may be stilldependedupontodoallforthebest,forheisIsrael’skingofold.

5.Whenyousitdowntoyourtables,waitonGod,seehishandspreadingandpreparinga tablebeforeyou indespiteofyourenemies,and in thesociety of your friends; often review the grant whichGodmade to ourfirst father Adam, and in him to us, of the products of the earth,GEN1:29.Genesis1:29(KJV)BeholdIhavegivenyoueveryherbbearingseed,breadcornespecially,toyouitshallbeformeat.AndthegrantheafterwardsmadetoNoahoursecondfather,andinhimtous,GEN9:3.Genesis9:3(KJV)Everymovingthingthat livethshallbemeat foryou,evenasthegreenherb;andseeinthosewhatabountifulbenefactorheistomankind,andwaituponhimaccordingly.

WemusteatanddrinktothegloryofGod,andthenwewaitonhimineating anddrinking.Wemust receivenourishment for our bodies, that

wemaybefittedtoserveoursoulsintheserviceofGod,tohishonourinthisworld.Wemust tastecovenant-love incommonmercies,andenjoytheCreatorwhilewe are using the creature;wemustdependupon thewordofblessingfromthemouthofGod,tomakeourfoodnourishingtous;andifourprovisionsbemeanandscanty,wemustmakeupthewantofthembyfaithinthepromiseofGod,andrejoiceinhim,astheGodofoursalvation,thoughthefig-treedothnotblossom,andthereisnofruitinthevine.

6.Whenyouvisityourfriends,orreceivetheirvisits,waituponGod;letyoureyebetohimwiththankfulnessforyourfriendsandacquaintances,thatyouhavecomfortin;thatthewildernessisnotmadeyourhabitation,andthesolitaryanddesertlandyourdwelling;thatyouhavecomfortnotonlyinyourownhouses,butinthoseofyourneighbors,withwhomyouhavefreedomofconverse;andthatyouarenotdrivenoutfromamongallmen, and made a burden and terror to all about you. That you haveclothing not only for necessity but for ornament, to go abroad in, is amercywhich,thatwemaynotprideourselvesin,wemusttakenoticeofGod in, I decked thee with ornaments, saith God, and put earrings inthineears,EZEK16:11,12.Ezekiel16:11-12(KJV)Thatyouhavehouses,furniture, and entertainment, not only for yourselves, but for yourfriends,isamercyinwhichGodmustbeacknowledged.

Andwhenwe are in company,wemust look up toGod for wisdom tocarryourselves,soasthatwemaydomuchgoodto,andgetnoharmbythosewithwhomweconverse;waitonGodforthatgracewithwhichourspeechshouldbealwaysseasoned,bywhichall corruptcommunicationmaybeprevented,andwemayaboundinallthatwhichisgood,andtotheuseofedifying,andwhichmayministergracetothehearers,thatourlipsmayfeedmany.

7.Whenyougivealms,ordoanyactofcharity,waitonGod,doitasuntohim,givetoadiscipleinthenameofadisciple,tothepoorbecausetheybelongtoChrist;doitnotforthepraiseofmen,butforthegloryofGod,with a single eye, and anuprightheart, direct it tohim, and then youralms as well as your prayers, like those of Cornelius, come up for amemorialbeforeGod,ACTS10:4.Acts10:4(KJV)BegofGodtoacceptwhat you do for the good of others, that your alms may indeed be

offerings,ACTS24:17,Acts24:17(KJV)maybeanodourofasweetsmell,asacrificeacceptable,wellpleasingtoGod,PHIL4:18.Philippians4:18(KJV)

Desire of God a blessing upon what we give in charity, that it may becomfortablethosetowhomitisgiven,andthatthoughwhatyouareabletogiveisbutalittle,likethewidow’stwomites,yetthatbyGod’sblessingitmaybedoubled,andmadetogoagreatway,likethewidow’smealinthebarrel,andoilinthecruse.

DependuponGodtomakeuptoyouwhatyoulayoutingoodworks,andtorecompenseitabundantlyintheresurrectionofthejust;nay,andyouareencouragedtowaituponhim,forareturnofiteveninthislife;itisbreadcastuponthewaters,whichyoushall findagainaftermanydays;andyoushallcarefullyobservetheprovidenceofGodwhetheritdothnotmake you rich amends for your goodworks, according to the promise,that you may understand the loving kindness of the Lord, and hisfaithfulnesstothewordwhichhehathspoken.

8.Whenyouinquireafterpublicnews,inthatwaituponGod:doitwithan eye tohim; for this reason, because you are truly concerned for theinterests of his kingdom in the world, and lay them near your hearts;because youhave a compassion formankind, for the lives and souls ofmen, and especially of God’s people; ask, what news? Not as theAthenians,onlytosatisfyavaincuriosity,andtopassawayanidlehouror two,but that youmayknowhow todirect yourprayers andpraises,and how to balance your hopes and fears, and may gain such anunderstandingofthetimes,astolearnwhatyouandothersoughttodo.

Ifthefaceofpublicaffairsbebrightandpleasing,waituponGodtocarryon and perfect his own work; and depend not upon the wisdom orstrength of any instruments; if it be dark and discouraging, wait uponGodtopreventthefearsofhispeople,andtoappearforthem,whenheseesthattheirstrengthisgone.Inthemidstofthegreatestsuccessesofthe church, and the smiles of second causes, we must not think itneedlesstowaitonGod;andinthemidstofitsgreatestdiscouragements,when its affairs are reduced to the last extremity,wemust not think itfruitlesstowaituponGod;forcreaturescannothelpwithouthim,buthe

canhelpwithoutthem.

9.Whenyouaregoing journeys,waitonGod;putyourselvesunder hisprotection,commityourselvestohiscare,anddependuponhimtogivehis angels a charge concerning you, to bear youup in their armswhenyoumove, and to pitch their tents about you where you rest. See howmuch you are indebted to the goodness of his providence, for all thecomfortsandconveniencesyouaresurroundedwithinyourtravels.Itishethathascastourlotinalandwherewewandernotinthewilderness,as in the deserts of Arabia, but have safe and beaten roads; and thatthroughtheterrorsofwar,thehighwaysarenotunoccupied;tohimweoweit,thattheinferiorcreaturesareserviceabletous,andthatourgoingoutandcominginarepreserved,thatwhenweareabroadwearenotinbanishment, but have liberty to comehome again; andwhenwe are athomewearenotunderconfinement,buthavelibertytogoabroad.

Wemust thereforehaveoureyesup toGodatour settingout,LordgoalongwithmewhereIgo;underhisshelterwemusttravel,confidinginhiscareofus,andencouragingourselveswiththatinallthedangerswemeetwith;andinourreturnmustownhisgoodness;allourbonesmustsay,Lordwhois likeuntothee,forhekeepethallourbones,notoneofthemisbroken.

10.Whenwe retire into solitude, to be alone, walking in the fields, oralonereposingourselvesinourclosets,stillwemustbewaitingonGod;stillwemustkeepupourcommunionwithhim,whenwearecommuningwithourownhearts.Whenwearealone,wemustnotbealone,buttheFathermustbewithus,andwewithhim.Weshallfindtemptationsevenin solitude, which we have need to guard against; Satan set upon ourSaviour, when he was alone in a wilderness; but there also we haveopportunity, if we but know how to improve it, for that devout, thatdivine contemplation, which is the best conversation, so that we maynever be less alone than when alone. If when we sit alone and keepsilence,withdrawnfrombusinessandconversation,wehavebuttheart,Ishould say the heart to fill up those vacant minutes with piousmeditationsofGodanddivinethings,wethengatherupthefragmentsoftimewhichremain,thatnothingmaybelost,andsoarewefoundwaitingonGodalltheday.

Secondly,Letmeusesomemotivestopersuadeyou,thustolivealifeofcommunionwithGod,bywaitingonhimalltheday.

1.Consider, the eye ofGod is always upon you.Whenwe arewith oursuperiors, and observe them to look upon us, that engageth us to lookupon them; and shall we not then look up to God, whose eyes alwaysbehold,andwhoseeye-lidstrythechildrenofmen.

Heseesallthemotionsofourhearts,andseeswithpleasurethemotionsof our hearts towards him, which should engage us to set him alwaysbeforeus.

Theservant, thoughhebecarelessatother times,yetwhenhe isunderhismaster’seye,willwaitinhisplace,andkeepclosetohisbusiness;weneed no more to engage us to diligence, than to do our work witheyeservicewhileourmasterlookson,andbecausehedothso,forthenweshallneverlookoff.

2.TheGodyouare towaiton, isonewithwhomyouhave todo,HEB4:13.Hebrews4:13(KJV)Allthings,eventhethoughtsandintentsoftheheart,arenakedandopeneduntotheeyesofhimwithwhomwehavetodo;proVonhminlogoV,(Lit.,“Towhomwemustgiveanaccount”)withwhomwehavebusiness,orword,whohathsomethingtosaytous,andtowhomwehavesomethingtosay;oras someread it, towhomforusthere isanaccount; there isareckoning,arunningaccountbetweenusandhim:Andwemusteveryoneofusshortlygiveaccountofourselvestohim,andofeverythingdoneinthebody,andthereforeareconcernedtowaitonhim;thatallmaybemadeevendailybetweenusandhiminthebloodofChrist,whichbalanceththeaccount.Didweconsiderhowmuchwe have to do with God every day, we would be more diligent andconstantinourattendanceonhim.

3.TheGodwearetowaitupon,continuallywaitstobegracioustous;heisalwaysdoingusgood,preventsuswiththeblessingsofhisgoodness,daily loadsuswithhisbenefits,andslipsnoopportunityofshewinghiscareofuswhenweareindanger;hisbountytouswhenweareinwant;andhis tenderness for uswhenwe are in sorrow.His good providence

waits on us all the day, to preserve our going out and our coming in,PS121:8,Psalm121:8(KJV)togiveusreliefandsuccourindueseason,tobeseeninthemountoftheLord.Nay,hisgoodgracewaitsonusalltheday,tohelpusineverytimeofneed;tobestrengthtousaccordingasthedayis,andalltheoccurrencesoftheday.IsGodthusforwardtodousgood,andshallwebebackwardandremissindoinghimservice?

4. IfweattenduponGod,hisholy angels shall have a charge to attenduponus.Theyareallappointedtobeministeringspirits,toministerforthegoodof themthatshallbeheirsofsalvation,andmoregoodofficesthey do us every day than we are aware of. What an honour, what aprivilegeisittobewaitedonbyholyangels,tobeborneupintheirarms,to be surrounded by their tents, what a security is theministration ofthosegoodspirits,againstthemaliceofevilspirits?ThishonourhavealltheythatwaitonGod,alltheday.

5.ThislifeofcommunionwithGod,andconstantattendanceuponhimisaheavenuponearth.Itisdoingtheworkofheaven,andthewillofGod,astheydoitthatareinheaven;whosebusinessitisalwaystobeholdtheface of our Father. It is an earnest of the blessedness of heaven, it isapreparativeforit,andapreludiumtoit;itishavingourconversationinheaven, from whence we look for the Saviour. Looking for him as ourSaviour,welooktohimasourDirector;andbythiswemakeitappear,thatourheartsare there,whichwillgiveusgoodgroundtoexpect thatweshallbethereshortly.

Thirdly,Letmeclosewithsomedirections,whatyoumustdo, thatyoumaythuswaitonGodalltheday.

1. Seemuch of God in every creature, of hiswisdom and power in themakingandplacingofit,andofhisgoodnessinitsserviceablenesstous.Lookaboutyou,andseewhatavarietyofwonders,whatanabundanceofcomfortsyouaresurroundedwith;andletthemallleadyoutohim,whois the fountainofbeing,andthegiverofallgood;allourspringsare inhim,andfromhimareallourstreams;thiswillengageustowaitonhim,sinceeverycreature is thattous, thathemakes it tobe.Thusthesamethingswhichdrawacarnalheart fromGod,will leadagracious soul tohim;andsinceallhisworkspraisehim,his saintswill fromhence take

continualoccasiontoblesshim.

Itwas (they say) the customof thepious Jewsof old,whateverdelighttheytookinanycreature,togivetoGodthegloryofit;whentheysmelledaflower,theysaid,blessedbehethatmadethisflowersweet;iftheyeatamorselofbread,blessedbehethatappointedbreadtostrengthenman’sheart.IfthuswetasteineverythingthattheLordisgracious,andsuckall satisfaction from the breasts of his bounty, we shall thereby beengagedconstantlytodependonhim,asthechildissaidtohangonthemother’sbreast.

2.SeeeverycreaturetobenothingwithoutGod;themorewediscernofthevanityandemptinessoftheworld,andallourenjoymentsinit,andtheirutter insufficiency tomakeushappy, the closerwe shall cleave toGod,and themore intimatelywe shall conversewithhim, thatwemayfind that satisfaction in the Father of spirits, which we have in vainsoughtforinthethingsofsense.Whatfollyisittomakeourcourttothecreatures,andtodanceattendanceat theirdoor,whencewearesuretobesentawayempty,whenwehave theCreatorhimself togo to,who isrichinmercytoallthatcalluponhim,isfull,andfree,andfaithful.Whatcanwe expect from lying vanities?Whyoften shouldweobserve them,andneglectourownmercies?Whyshouldwetrusttobrokenreeds,whenwe have a rock of ages, to be the foundation of our hopes? And whyshould we draw from broken cisterns, when we have the God of allconsolationtobethefoundationofourjoys.

3.LivebyfaithintheLordJesusChrist.WecannotwithanyconfidencewaituponGod,but inand throughaMediator, for it isbyhisSon thatGodspeakstous;andhearsfromus:allthatpassethbetweenajustGodandpoorsinners,mustpassthroughthehandsofthatblesseddays-man,whohaslaidhishanduponthemboth;everyprayerpassethfromustoGod,andeverymercyfromGodtousbythathand;itisinthefaceoftheanointed,thatGodlooksuponus;andinthefaceofJesusChrist,thatwebeholdthe glory and grace ofGod shining; it is byChrist thatwehaveaccesstoGod,andsuccesswithhiminprayer,andtherforemustmakemention of his righteousness, even of his only; and in that habitualattendancewemust be all the day giving upon God, wemust have anhabitualdependenceonhim,whoalwaysappearsinthepresenceofGod

forus;alwaysgivesattendancetobereadytointroduceus.

4.Befrequentandseriousinpiousejaculations.InwaitinguponGodwemust often speak to him,must take all occasions to speak to him; andwhenwehavenotopportunityforasolemnaddresstohim,hewillacceptof a sudden address, if it come from an honest heart. In these DavidwaitedonGodallday,asappearsbyver.1.Untothee,OLord,doIliftupmysoul:totheedoIdartit,andallitsgraciousbreathingsafterthee.Weshouldinaholyejaculationaskpardonforthissin,strengthagainstthiscorruption,victoryoverthistemptation,anditshallnotbeinvain.Thisistoprayalwaysandwithoutceasing;itisnotthelengthorlanguageoftheprayerthatGodlooksat,butthesincerityoftheheartinit:andthatshallbeaccepted,thoughtheprayerbeveryshort,andthegroaningssuchascannotbeuttered.

5.Lookuponeveryday,as thosewhoknownotbut itmaybeyour lastday. At such an hour as we think not, the Son of man comes; andthereforewecannotanymorningbesure,thatweshalllivetillnight,wehear ofmany lately that have been snatched away very suddenly,whatmannerofpersonsthereforeoughtwetobeinallholyconversationandgodliness.Thoughwecannotsay,weoughttoliveasifweweresurethisdaywouldbeourlast,yetit iscertain,weoughttoliveasthosewhodonotknowbutitmaybeso;andtherather,becauseweknowthedayoftheLordwill come first or last; and thereforewe are concerned towait onhim.Foronwhomshouldpoordyingcreatureswait,butonalivingGod.

Deathwillbringusall toGod, tobe judgedbyhim; itwillbringall thesaintstohim,tothevisionandfruitionofhim;andonewearehasteningto, andhope tobe foreverwith,weare concerned towaitupon,and tocultivate an acquaintance with. Did we thinkmore of death, we wouldconverse more with God; our dying daily, is a good reason for ourworshippingdaily; and thereforewhereverwe are,we are concernedtokeepnear toGod, becauseweknownotwheredeathwillmeet us: thiswill alter the property of death; Enoch, that walked with God, wastranslatedthatheshouldnotseedeath;andthiswillfurnishuswiththatwhichwillstandusinsteadontheothersideofdeathandthegrave.IfwecontinuewaitingonGodeveryday, andall theday long,we shall growmoreexperienced,andconsequentlymoreexpertinthegreatmysteryof

communionwithGod,andthusourlastdayswillbecomeourbestdays,our last works our best works, and our last comforts our sweetestcomforts:inconsiderationofwhichtaketheprophet’sadvice;HOS12:6.Hosea12:6(KJV)TurnthoutothyGod;keepmercyandjudgment,andwaitonthyGodcontinually.

TheThirdDiscourse:ShowingHowtoCloseEveryDaywithGod

PSALM4:8IwillbothlaymedowninPeace,andsleep;forthou,Lord,onlymakestmedwellinsafety.Ps4:8(KJV)

Thismaybeunderstoodeitherfiguratively,ofthereposeofthesoulintheassurancesofGod’sgrace;orliterally,ofthereposeofthebodyundertheprotectionofhisprovidence;IlovetogiveScriptureitsfulllatitude,andthereforealikeinboth.

1. The Psalmist having given the preference to God’s favour above anygood,havingchosenthat,andportionedhimselfinthat,hereexpressethhis great complacency in the choice he hadmade; while he sawmanymaking themselves perpetually uneasy with that fruitless inquiry, whowillshewusanygood?Wearyingthemselvesforveryvanity;hehadmadehimselfperfectlyeasybycastinghimselfonthedivinegoodwill,Lord,liftthouup the lightof thycountenanceuponus:anygood, shortofGod’sfavour,will not serve our turn, but that is enough,without theworld’ssmiles:themoonandstars,andallthefiresandcandlesintheworld,willnotmakedaywithoutthesun;butthesunwillmakedaywithoutanyofthem. These areDavid’s sentiments, and all the saints agreewith him:findingnorest therefore, likeNoah’sdove in thedelugeddefiledworld,hefliestotheark,thattypeofChrist,returnuntothyrest,untothyNoah(sothewordisintheoriginal,forNoah’snamesignifiesrest)Omysoul,PS116:7.Psalm116:7(KJV)

IfGodliftupthelightofhiscountenanceuponus,asitfillsuswithaholyjoy,itputsgladnessintotheheartmorethantheyhavewhosecornandwine increaseth, ver. 7, so it fixeth us in a holy rest, Iwill now laymedownandsleep.GodismyGod,andIampleased,Iamsatisfied,Ilooknofurther,Idesirenomore,Idwell insafety:Orinconfidence;whileIwalkinthelightoftheLord,asIwantnogood,noramIsensibleofanydeficiency,soIfearnoevil,noramapprehensiveofanydanger.TheLordGodistomebothasunandashield;asuntoenlightenandcomfortme,ashieldtoprotectanddefendme.

HencelearnthatthosewhohavetheassurancesofGod’sfavourtowardsthem,mayenjoyandshouldlabourafter,aholyserenity,andsecurityofmind. We have both these put together in that precious promise, ISA32:17.Isaiah32:17 (KJV)But thework of righteousness shall bepeace,thereisapresentsatisfactionindoinggood;andintheissue,theeffectofrighteousnessshallbequietnessandassuranceforever;quietnessintheenjoymentofgood,andassuranceinafreedomfromevil.

a.Aholyserenity isoneblessedfruitofGod’s favour;Iwillnowlaymedown in peace and sleep.While we are under God’s displeasure, or indoubt concerning his favour, how can we have any enjoyment ofourselves!Whilethisgreatconcernisunsettled,thesoulscannotbutbeunsatisfied.HathGod a controversywith thee?Give not sleep to thineeyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids, until thou hast got the controversytakenup;Gohumble thyself,andmakesure thy friend, thybest friend,PROV6:3,Proverbs6:3(KJV)andwhenthouhastmadethypeacewithhim,andhastsomecomfortableevidencethatthouartacceptedofhim,thensaywiselyandjustly,whatthatcarnalworldlingsaidfoolishly,andwithout ground, Soul take thy ease, for inGod, and in the covenant ofgrace,thouhastgoodslaidupformanyyears,goodslaidupforeternity,LK12:19.Luke12:19(KJV)Arethysinspardoned?HastthouaninterestinChrist’smeditation?DothGodnow inhimaccept thyworks?Go thyway, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart,ECCL9:7.Ecclesiastes9:7(KJV)Letthisstilleverystormandcommand,andcreateacalminthysoul.

HavingGodtobeourGodincovenant,wehaveenough,wehaveall;andthoughthegracioussoulstilldesiresmoreofGod,itneverdesiresmore

thanGod;inhimitreposethitselfwithaperfectcomplacency;inhimitisat home, it is at rest, if we be but satisfied of his loving kindness;abundantly satisfied: There is enough in this to satiate theweary soul,andtoreplenisheverysorrowfulsoul,JER31:25,Jeremiah31:25(KJV)tofilleventhehungrywithgoodthings,withthebestthings;andbeingfilled,theyshouldbeatrest,atrestforever,andtheirsleephereshouldbesweet.

b. A holy security is another blessed fruit of God’s favour. Thou, Lord,makestme todwell in safety,when the light of thy countenance shinesuponmeIamsafe,andIknowIamso,andamthereforeeasy,forwiththy favourwilt thou compassme aswith a shield, PS 5:12. Psalm 5:12(KJV)Beingtakenundertheprotectionofthedivinefavour.Thoughanhostofenemiesshouldencampagainstme,yetmyheartshallnotfear,inthis I will be confident, PS 27:3. Psalm 27:3 (KJV)Whatever God haspromisedme,Icanpromisemyself,andthatisenoughtoindemnifyme,andsavemeharmless,whateverdifficultiesanddangersImaymeetwithinthewayofmyduty.Thoughtheearthberemoved,yetwillnotwefear,PS46:2,Psalm46:2(KJV)not fearanyevil,nonot in thevalleyof theshadowofdeath,intheterritoriesofthekingofterrorshimself,fortherethouartwithme, thy rodand thy staff they comfortme.What the richman’swealthistohim,inhisownconceit,astrongcity,andahighwall,that the goodman’s God is to him, PROV 18:10, 11. Proverbs 18:10-11(KJV)TheAlmightyshallbethygold,thydefence,JOB22:25.Job22:25(KJV)

Nothing is more dangerous than security in a sinful way, and men’scrying peace, peace, to themselves, while they continue under thereigningpowerofavainandcarnalmind:Othatthesinnersthatareateaseweremadetotremble:Nothingismorefoolishthanasecuritybuiltupon theworld, and its promises, for they are all vanity and a lie; butnothingmorereasonable in itself,ormoreadvantageous tous, than forgoodpeopletobuildwithassuranceuponthepromisesofagoodGod,forthose that keep in thewayofduty, tobequiet from the fearof evil; asthose thatknownoevil shallbefall them,norealevil,noevil,butwhatshall be made to work for their good; as those that know, while theycontinue in the allegiance to God as their king, they are under his

protection, under the protection of Omnipotence itself, which enablesthemtobiddefiancetoallmalignantpowers;IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainst us? This security even the heathen looked upon every honestvirtuousmantobeentitledto,thatisIntegervitæscelerisquepurus, [AbeautifullinefromHorace'sOdes,notfullygivenhere,whichreads"Anupright man, free of guilt, needs no weapon to defend himself."] andthought if theworld should fall inpiecesabouthis ears,heneedednotfearbeinglostinthedesolationsofit;muchmorereasonhaveChristians,thatholdfasttheirintegrity,tolayclaimtoit,forwhoishe,orwhatisit,thatshallharmus,ifwebefollowersofhimthatisgood,inhisgoodness?

Now,1)Itistheprivilegeofgoodpeople,thattheymaybethuseasyandsatisfied: This holy serenity and security ofmind is allowed them,Godgivesthemleavetobecheerful;nayitispromisedthem,Godwillspeakpeacetohispeople,andtohissaints;hewillfillthemwithjoyandpeaceinbelieving;hispeaceshallkeeptheirheartsandminds;keepthemsafe,keepthemcalm.Nay,thereisamethodappointedfortheirobtainingthispromised serenity and security.The scriptures arewritten to them thattheirjoymaybefull,andthatthroughpatienceandcomfortofthemtheymayhavehope.Ordinancesareinstitutedtobewellsofsalvation,outofwhichtheymaydrawwaterwith joy.Ministersareordained tobe theircomforters, and the helpers of their joy. Thus willing has God been toshew to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, that theymighthavestrongconsolation,HEB6:17,18.Hebrews6:17-18(KJV)

2) It is the duty of good people to labour after this holy security andserenityofmind,andtousethemeansappointedfortheobtainingofit.Give not way to the disquieting suggestions of Satan, and to thosetormenting doubts and fears that arise in your own souls. Study to bequiet, chide yourselves for your distrusts, charge yourselves to believe,and to hope in God, that you shall praise him. You are in the darkconcerningyourselves,doasPaul’smarinersdid,castanchor,andwishfortheday.PoortremblingChristian,thatarttossedwithtempests,andnotcomforted,trytolaytheedowninpeaceandsleep;composethyselfintoasedateandevenframe;inthenameofhimwhomwindsandseasobey,commanddownthytumultuousthoughts,andsay,

Peacebestill;laythatachingtremblingheadofthinewherethebeloved

disciplelaidhis,inthebosomoftheLordJesus;or,ifthouhastnotyetattainedsuchboldnessofaccesstohim,laythatachingtremblingheadofthine at the feet of the Lord Jesus, by an entire submission andresignation tohim, saying, If Iperish, Iwillperishhere;put it into hishand by an entire confidence in him; submit it to his operation anddisposal,whoknowshow to speak to theheart.And if thouartnot yetenteredintothesabbatism,asthewordis,HEB4:9,Hebrews4:9(KJV)thispresentrestthatremainethforthepeopleofGod,yetlookuponittobe a land of promise, and therefore though it tarry, wait for it, for thevisionisforanappointedtime,andattheenditshallspeak,andshallnotlie.Lightissownfortherighteous,andwhatissownshallcomeupagainatlastinaharvestofjoy.

2.ThePsalmisthavingdonehisday’swork,andperhapsfatiguedhimselfwithit,itbeingnowbedtime,andhehavinggivengoodadvicetothosetowhomhe hadwished a good night, to communewith their own heartsupontheirbeds,andtooffertheeveningsacrificesofrighteousness,ver.4,5,Psalm4:4-5(KJV)nowretirestohischamberwiththisword,Iwilllaymedowninpeaceandsleep.ThatwhichIchosethistextfor,willleadme to understand it literally, as the disciples understood theirMaster,whenhesaid,Lazarussleepeth,of takingrest in sleep,JOHN11:12, 13.John11:12-13(KJV)AndsowehavehereDavid’spiousthoughtwhenhewasgoing tobed:Aswhenhe awakeshe is stillwithGod,he is still sowhen he goes to sleep, and concludes the day, as he opened it, withmeditationsonGod,andsweetcommunionwithhim.

It should seem David penned this Psalm when he was distressed andpersecutedbyhisenemies;perhapsitwaspennedonthesameoccasionwith the foregoingPsalm,whenhe fled fromAbsalomhis son;withoutwere fightings, and thennowonder thatwithinwere fears; yet thenheputssuchaconfidence inGod’sprotection, thathewillgo tobedathisusualtime,andwithhisusualquietnessandcheerfulness,willcomposehimselfasatothertimes:Heknowshisenemieshavenopoweragainsthim,butwhat is given them fromabove, and they shall havenopowergiven them, but what is still under the divine check and restraint; norshalltheirpowerbepermittedtoexertitselfsofarastodohimanyrealmischief,andthereforeheretires intothesecretplaceof themosthigh,

andabidesundertheshadowoftheAlmighty,andisveryquietinhisownmind.Thatwillbreakaworldlyman’sheart,whichwillnotbreakagodlyman’ssleep;Letthemdotheirworst,saithDavid,Iwilllaymedownandsleep;thewilloftheLordbedone.Nowobservehere,

a.HisconfidenceinGod;Thou,Lord,makestmetodwell insafety;notonlymakestmesafe,butmakestmetoknowthatIamso;makestmetodwellwithagoodassurance;itisthesamewordthatisusedconcerninghimthatwalksuprightly,thathewalkssurely,PROV10:9.Proverbs10:9(KJV)Hegoesboldlyinhisway,soDavidheregoesboldlytohisbed.Hedothnot carelessly as themenofLaish, JUDG18:7, Judges 18:7 (KJV)but dwells at ease in God, as the sons of Zion, in the city of theirsolemnities,when theireyes see itaquiethabitation, ISA33:20. Isaiah33:20(KJV)

Thereisonewordinthispartof thetextthat isobservable; thou,Lord,onlydostsecureme.SomereferittoDavid;evenwhenIamalone,havenone ofmy privy-counsellors aboutme to adviseme, none ofmy life-guardstofightforme,yetIamundernoapprehensionofdanger,whileGodiswithme.TheSonofDavidcomfortedhimselfwiththis,thatwhenallhisdisciplesforsookhim,andlefthimalone,yethewasnotalone,forthe Fatherwaswith him. Someweak people are afraid of being alone,especially in thedark,buta firmbeliefofGod’spresencewithus inallplaces,andthatdivineprotectionwhichallgoodpeopleareunder,wouldsilencethosefears,andmakeusashamedofthem.Nay,ourbeingaloneapeculiarpeoplewhomGodhathsetapartforhimself,(asit ishere,ver.8.) will be our security. A sober singularity will be our safety andsatisfaction,asNoah’swas intheoldworld;Israel isapeoplethatshalldwellalone,andnotbereckonedamongthenations,andthereforemayset them all at defiance, till they foolishly mingle themselves amongthem,NUMB23:9.Numbers23:9(KJV)Israelshallthendwellinsafetyalone,DEUT33:28.Deuteronomy33:28(KJV)Themorewedwellalone,themoresafewedwell.ButourtranslationrefersittoGod;Thoualonemakestmetodwellsafely.Itisdonebytheeonly!Godinprotectinghispeople needs not any assistance, though he sometimes makes use ofinstruments:Theearthhelpedthewoman,yethecandoitwithoutthem;andwhenallotherrefugesfail,hisownarmworkssalvation;notheLord

alonedidleadhim,andtherewasnostrangeGodwithhim,DEUT32:12,Deuteronomy32:12(KJV)yetthatisnotall,Idependontheeonlytodoit;thereforeIameasy,andthinkmyselfsafe,notbecauseIhavehostsonmyside,butpurelybecauseIhavetheLordofhostsonmyside.

Thoumakestme to dwell in safety; Thatmay look either backward orforward,orratherboth:Thouhastmademetodwellinsafetyallday,sothatthesunhasnotsmittenmebyday;andthenitisthelanguageofhisthankfulness of themercies he had received; or, thouwiltmakeme todwellinsafetyallnight,thatthemoonshallnotsmitemebynight:andthenitisthe languageofhisdependenceuponGodfor furthermercies;andboththeseshouldgo together;andoureyemustbe toGodaseverthesame,whowas,andis,andistocome;whohasdelivered,anddoth,andwill.

2.Hiscomposedness inhimself inferred fromhence, Iwillboth laymedownandsleep:Simul,orpariterinpacecubabo.["Atthesametime(or)likewise, Iwill liedowninpeace."] Theythathave theircornandwineincreasing,thathaveabundanceofthewealthandpleasureofthisworld,theylaythemdownandsleepcontentedly,asBoazattheendoftheheapofcorn,RUTH3:7.Ruth3:7(KJV)ButthoughIhavenotwhattheyhave,Icanlaymedowninpeaceandsleep,aswellasthey.Wemakeittojoin,hislyingdownandhissleeping;Iwillnotonlylaymedown,asonethatdesirestobecomposed,butwillsleepasonethatreallyisso.Somemakeittointimatehisfallingasleeppresentlyafterhehadlaidhimdown;sowellweariedwas hewith thework of the day, and so free from any ofthosedisquietingthoughtswhichwouldkeephimfromsleeping.

Now these are words put into our mouths, with which to composeourselveswhenweretireatnighttoourrepose;andweshouldtakecaresotomanageourselvesallday,especiallywhenitdrawstowardsnight,asthat we may not be disfitted, and put out of frame, for our eveningdevotions;thatourheartsmaynotbeoverchargedeitherontheonehandwith surfeiting and drunkenness, as theirs often are that are men ofpleasure;orontheotherhandwiththecaresofthis life,astheirsoftenarethataremenofbusiness:Butthatwemayhavesuchacommandbothofourthought,andofourtime,asthatwemayfinishourdailyworkwell;whichwill beanearnestofour finishingour life’sworkwell; andall is

wellindeedthatendseverlastinglywell.

Doct.AswemustbeginthedaywithGod,andwaituponhimalltheday,sowemustendeavourtocloseitwithhim.

ThisdutyofclosingthedaywithGod,and inagoodframe,Iknownothowbettertoopentoyou,thanbygoingovertheparticularsinthetext,intheirorder;andrecommendingtoyouDavid’sexample.

I.First,Letusretiretolayusdown:naturecallsforrestaswellasfood:mangoesforthtohisworkandlabour,andgoestoandfroaboutit,butitisonlytillevening,andthenitistimetoliedown.WereadofIshbosheth,thathelayonhisbedatnoon,butdeathmethimthere,2SAM4:5,6,2Samuel4:5-6(KJV)andofDavidhimself,thathecameofffromhisbedatevening-tide,butsin,aworsethingthandeath,methimthere,2SAM11:2.2Samuel 11:2 (KJV)Wemustwork theworksofhim that sentuswhileitisday,itwillbetimeenoughtoliedownwhenthenightcomes,andnomancanwork;anditisthenproperandseasonabletoliedown:itispromised,ZEPH2:7.Zephaniah2:7(KJV)Theyshall liedown in theevening, and with that promise we must comply, and rest in the timeappointed for rest; and not turn day into night, and night into day, asmanydouponsomeillaccountorother.

A.Somesituptodomischieftotheirneighbours;tokill,andsteal,andtodestroy;inthedarktheydigthroughhouseswhichtheyhadmarkedforthemselvesinthedaytime,JOB24:16.Job24:16(KJV)Davidcomplainsof his enemies, that at evening they go round about the city, PS 59:6.Psalm59:6(KJV)Theythatdoevilhatethelight.JudasthetraitorwasinquestofhisMaster,withhisbandofmen,whenheshouldhavebeeninhisbed.And it is anaggravationof thewickednessof thewickedwhentheytakesomuchpainstocompassanilldesign,andhavetheirheartssomuchuponit,thattheysleepnotexcepttheyhavedonemischief,PROV4:16.Proverbs4:16(KJV)Asitisashametothosewhoprofesstomakeittheir business to do good, that they cannot find in their hearts toentrenchuponanyofthegratificationsofsenseinpursuanceofit:

UtjugulentHomines,surguntdenocteLatrones,

Tuqueutteservesnonexpergisceris?

["Inorderthattheymaymurdermen,robbersriseupbynight,anddoyounotawakenthatyoumayprotectyourself?"]

Say then, while others sit up watching for an opportunity to bemischievous,Iwilllaymedownandbequiet,anddonobodyanyharm.

B.Otherssitupinpursuitoftheworld,andthewealthofit.Theynotonlyrise up early, but they sit up late, in the eager prosecution of theircovetouspractices,PS127:2,Psalm127:2(KJV)andeithertogetorsave,deny themselves theirmost necessary sleep; and this theirway is theirfolly,forherebytheydeprivethemselvesofthecomfortableenjoymentofwhat they have, which is the end, under pretence of care and pains toobtain more, which is but the means. Solomon speaks of those thatneitherdaynornightsleepwiththeireyes,ECCL8:16,Ecclesiastes8:16(KJV) that make themselves perfect slaves, and drudges to the world,thanwhich there is not amore cruel task-master: and thus theymakethatwhich of itself is vanity, to be to them vexation of spirit, for theyweary themselves of every vanity,HAB2:13,Habakkuk2:13 (KJV) andaresomiserably in lovewiththeirchain, that theydenythemselvesnotonlythespiritualrestGodhasprovidedforthemastheGodofgrace,butthenatural rest,which,as theGodofnature,hehasprovided,and isaspecimen of thewrong sinners do to their own bodies, aswell as theirownsouls.Letussee the follyof it,andnever labour thus for themeatthatperisheth,andthatabundanceoftherichwhichwillnotsufferhimto sleep; but let us labour for thatmeatwhich endureth to eternal life,thatgracewhichistheearnestofglory,theabundanceofwhichwillmakeoursleepsweettous.

C.Others sit up in the indulgence of their pleasures; they will not laythemdowninduetime,becausetheycannotfindintheirheartstoleavetheirvainsportsandpastimes,theirmusic,anddancing,andplays,theircardsanddice;orwhichisworse,theirriotingandexcess, fortheythatare drunk are drunk in the night. It is bad enough when thesegratifications of a base lust, or at least of a vainmind, are suffered todevourthewholeevening,andthentoengrossthewholesoul,astheyareaptenoughtodoinsensibly;sothatthereisneithertimenorheartforthe

evening devotions, either in the closet or in the family; but it is muchworse when they are suffered to go far into the night too, for then ofcoursetheytrespassupontheensuingmorning,andstealawaythetimethat should thenalsobebestowedupon theexercisesofreligion.Thosethatcanofchoice,andwithsomuchpleasuresituptillIknownotwhattimeofnight,tomake,astheysay,amerrynightofit,tospendtheirtimein filthiness, and foolish talking and jesting, which are not convenient,wouldthinkthemselveshardlydealtwith,iftheyshouldbekeptonehalfhour past their sleeping time, engaged in any good duties, and wouldhave called blessed Paul himself a long winded preacher, and havecensured him as very indiscreet, when, upon a particular occasion hecontinuedhisspeechtillmidnight,ACTS20:7.Acts20:7(KJV)Andhowloth would they be with David at midnight, to rise and give thanks toGod:orwiththeirMastertocontinueallnightinprayertoGod.

Let the corrupt affections, which run out thus and transgress, bemortified,andnotgratified;thosethathaveallowedthemselves insuchirregularities; if they have allowed themselves an impartial reflection,cannot but have found the inconvenience of them, and that they havebeenaprejudicetotheprosperityofthesoul,andshouldthereforedenythemselvesfortheirowngood.

Onerulefortheclosingofthedaywell,istokeepgoodhours:everythingisbeautifulinitsseason.Ihavehearditsaidlongsince,andIbegleavetorepeatitnow,that

Earlytobed,andearlytorise,

Isthewaytobehealthy,andwealthy,andwise.

Weshallnowtakeitforgranted,thatunlesssomenecessarybusiness,orsomeworkofmercy,or somemore thanordinaryactofdevotion,keepyouupbeyondyourusualtime;youaredisposedtolayyoudown.AndletuslaydownwiththankfulnesstoGod,andwiththoughtsofdying;withpenitent reflections upon the sins of the day; and with humblesupplicationsforthemerciesofthenight.

1.LetusliedownwiththankfulnesstoGod.Whenweretiretoourbed-

chambers,orclosets,weshouldliftupourheartstoGod,theGodofourmercies,andmakehimtheGodofourpraiseswheneverwegotobed.Iamsurewedonotwantmatterforpraise,ifwedonotwantaheart.Letus therefore address ourselves then to that pleasant duty, that workwhich is its own wages. The evening sacrifice was to be a sacrifice ofpraise.

a.Wehave reason tobe thankful for themanymerciesof thedaypast,whichwe ought particularly to review, and to say, blessed be the Lordwho daily loadeth us with his benefits. Observe the constant series ofmercies, which has not been interrupted, or broken in upon any day.Observe the particular instances of mercy with which some days havebeensignalizedandmaderemarkable.Itishethathasgranteduslifeandfavour,itishisvisitationthatpreservesourspirits.Thinkhowmanyarethecalamitiesweareeverydaypreservedfrom;thecalamitieswhichweare sensibly exposed to, and perhaps have been delivered from theimminentdangerof;andthosewhichwehavenotbeenapprehensiveof;many which we have deserved, and which others, better than we are,groan under. All our bones have reason to say, Lord, who is like untothee?ForitisGodthatkeepethallourbones,notoneofthemisbroken:Itisofhismerciesthatwearenotconsumed.

Thinkhowmanyarethecomfortsweareeverydaysurroundedwith,allwhichweare indebtedtothebountyof thedivineprovidencefor;everybit we eat, and every dropwe drink ismercy; every step we take, andevery breath we draw, mercy. All the satisfaction we have in theagreeableness and affections of our relations, and in the society andserviceablenessofourfriends:Allthesuccesswehaveinourcallingsandemployments, and the pleasure we take in them: All the joy whichZebulunhasinhisgoingout,andIssachar inhistents, iswhatwehavereasontoacknowledgewiththankfulnesstoGod’spraise.

Yet it is likely the day has not past without some cross accidents,something or other has afflicted and disappointed us, and if it has, yetthatmustnotindisposeusforpraise;howeveritbe,yetGodisgood;anditisourdutyineverythingtogivethanks,andtoblessthenameoftheLordwhenhetakesaway,aswellaswhenhegives;forourafflictionsarebut few, and a thousand times deserved; ourmercies aremany, and a

thousandtimesforfeited.

b.Wehavereasontobethankfulfortheshadowsoftheevening,whichcallustoretireandliedown.Thesamewisdom,powerandgoodnessthatmakesthemorning,makestheeveningalsotorejoice;andgivesuscauseto be thankful for the drawing of the curtains of the night about us infavour to our repose, as well as for the opening of the eye-lids of themorninguponus infavourtoourbusiness.WhenGoddividedbetweenthe light and the darkness, and allotted to both of them their timesuccessively, he saw that it was good, it should be so; in a world ofmixturesandchanges,nothingmoreproper.Letusthereforegivethanksto thatGodwho forms the light, andcreates thedarkness; andbelieve,that as in the revolutionsof time, so in the revolutionsof theeventsoftime,thedarknessofafflictionmaybeasneedfulforusinitsseason,asthelightofprosperity.Ifthehirelinglongstilltheshadowcomes,lethimbethankfulforitwhenitdothcome,thattheburdenandheatofthedayisnotperpetual.

c.Wehavereasontobethankfulforaquiethabitationtoliedownin;thatwearenotdrivenoutfromamongmenasNebuchadnezzar,to liedownwith thebeastsof the field; that thoughwewereborn like thewildass’colt,yetwehavenotwith thewildass thewildernessofourhabitation,and the desolate and barren land for our dwelling. That we are not towanderindesertsandmountains,indensandcavesoftheearth,asmanyofGod’sdear saints and servants have been forced to do, ofwhom theworldwasnotworthy;butthegoodShepherdmakesusliedowningreenpastures:thatwehavenot,asJacob,thecoldgroundforourbed,andastoneforourpillow,whichyetonewouldbecontentwith,andcovet, ifwithitonecouldhavehisdream.

d.Wehavereasontobethankfulthatwearenotforcedtositup;thatourMasternotonlygivesusleavetoliedown,butordersthatnothingshallpreventour lyingdown.Manygo tobed,but cannot liedown there,byreasonofpainfulandlanguishingsicknesses,of thatnature, that if theyliedowntheycannotbreathe:Ourbodiesareofthesamemould,anditisof theLord’smercies thatwe arenot so afflicted.Many are kept upbysicknessintheirfamilies;childrenareill,andtheymustattendthem:ifGodtakessicknessawayfromthemidstofus,andkeepsitaway,sothat

noplaguecomesnearourdwellings,anumerousfamilyperhaps,andallwell, it isamercyweareboundtobeverythankful for,andtovalue inproportion to the greatness of the affliction, where sickness prevails.Many are kept up by the fear of enemies, of soldiers, of thieves; Thegoodman of the house watcheth, that his house may not be brokenthrough:butourlyingdownisnotpreventedordisturbedbythealarmsofwar,wearedeliveredfromthenoiseofarchersintheplacesofrepose,therefore should we rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, even hisrighteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages in Israel, whichunder his protection are as safe as walled cities with gates and bars.Whenweliedown,letusthankGodthatwemayliedown.

2.Letusliedownwiththoughtsofdeath,andofthatgreatchangewhichatdeathwemustpassunder.Theconclusionofeverydayshouldputusinmindoftheconclusionofallourdays;whenournightcomes,ourlongnight,whichwillputaperiodtoourwork,andbringthehonestlabourer,both to take his rest, and receive his penny. It is good for us to thinkfrequently of dying, to thinkof it as oft aswe go tobed; itwill help tomortifythecorruptionsofourownhearts,whichareourdailyburdens,to arm us against the temptations of the world, which are our dailysnares;itwillweanusfromourdailycomforts,andmakeuseasyunderour daily crosses and fatigues. It is good for us to think familiarly ofdying,tothinkofitasourgoingtobed,thatbythinkingoftenofit,andthinkingthusofit,wemaygetabovethefearofit.

a.Atdeathweshallretire,aswedoatbed-time;weshallgotobeprivateforawhile,tillthepublicappearanceatthegreatday;Manlyethdown,andrisethnottilltheheavensbenomore;tillthentheyshallnotawake,norberaisedoutof theirsleep,JOB14:12.Job14:12(KJV)Nowwegoabroadtoseeandbeseen,andtonohigherpurposedosomespendtheirday,spendtheirlife;butwhendeathcomes,thereisanendofboth;weshall then see nomore in thisworld, I shall beholdmannomore: ISA38:11Isaiah38:11(KJV)weshall thenbeseennomore; theeyeofhimthathathseenme,shallseemenomore,JOB7:8Job7:8(KJV),weshallbehidinthegrave,andcutofffromallliving.Todieistobidgoodnighttoallourfriends,toputaperiodtoourconversationwiththem;webidthemfarewell,butblessedbeGod,itisnotaneternalfarewell.Wehope

tomeetthemagaininthemorningoftheresurrection,topartnomore.

b.Atdeathweshallputoffthebody,asweputoffourclotheswhenweliedown.Thesoulistheman,thebodyisbutclothes;atdeathweshallbeunclothed, the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved, thegarment of the body shall be laid aside; death strips us, and sends usnaked out of the world, as we came into it; strips the soul of all thedisguiseswhereinitappearedbeforemen,thatitmayappearnakedandopenbeforeGod.Ourgraveclothesarenightclothes.Whenwearewearyandhot,ourclothesareaburden,andweareverywillingtothrowthemoff,arenoteasytillweareundressed:thuswethatareinthistabernacledogroan being burdened; butwhen death frees the soul from the loadand incumbrance of the body, which hinders its repose in its spiritualsatisfactions,howeasywillitbe?Letusthinkthenofputtingoffthebodyat death with as much pleasure as we do of putting off our clothes atnight;beasloosetothemaswearetoourclothes;andcomfortourselveswiththisthought,thatthoughweareunclothedatdeath,ifwebeclothedwithChrist andhis grace,we shall not be foundnaked, but be clotheduponwith immortality.We have new clothes amaking,which shall bereadytoputonnextmorning;agloriousbodylikeChrist’s, insteadofavilebodylikethebeasts.

c.Atdeathweshallliedowninthegraveasourbedshallliedowninthedust:Job20:11JOB20:11(KJV)Tothosethatdieinsin,andimpenitent,thegrave isadungeon,their iniquitieswhichareupontheirbones,andwhichliedownwiththem,makeitso;buttothosethatdieinChrist,thatdieinfaith,itisabed,abedofrest,wherethereisnotossingstoandfrountil the dawning of the day, as sometimes there are upon the easiestbedswehaveinthisworld?wherethereisnodangerofbeingscaredwithdreams, and terrified with visions of the night; there is no beingchastened with pain on that bed, or the multitude of the bones withstrongpain.Itistheprivilegeofthose,whowhiletheylivewalkintheiruprightness, thatwhen theydie they enter intopeace, and rest in theirbeds,ISA57:2.Isaiah57:2(KJV)

HolyJobcomfortshimselfwiththis,inthemidstofhisagonies,thatheshallshortlymakehisbedinthedarkness,andbeeasythere.Itisabedofroses,abedofspicestoallbelieverseversincehelayinit,whoisthe

roseofSharon,andthelilyofthevalleys.

Saythenofthygrave,asthoudostofthybedatnight,therethewearyareatrest;withthisfurtherconsolation,thatthoushaltnotonlyrestthere,butrisethenceshortly,abundantlyrefreshed;shaltbecalleduptomeetthebelovedof thy soul, and tobe foreverwithhim; shalt rise toadaywhichwillnotrenewthycares,aseverydayonearthdoth,butsecuretotheeunmixedandeverlastingjoys.Howcomfortablymayweliedownatnight, ifsuchthoughtsasthese liedownwithus?Andhowcomfortablymay we lie down at death, if we have accustomed ourselves to suchthoughtsasthese.

3.Letusliedownwithpenitentreflectionsuponthesinsofthedaypast.PraisingGodanddelightingourselvesinhimissuchpleasantwork,andso much the work of angels, that methinks it is pity we should haveanythingelsetodo;butthetruthis,wemakeotherworkforourselvesbyourownfolly,thatisnotsopleasant,butabsolutelyneedful,andthatisrepentance.Whileweareatnightsolacingourselves inGod’sgoodness,yet wemust intermix therewith the afflicting of ourselves for our ownbadness;bothmusthavetheirplace inus,andtheywillverywellagreetogether;forwemusttakeourworkbeforeus.

a.Wemustbeconvincedofit,thatwearestillcontractingguilt;wecarrycorruptnaturesaboutwithus,whicharebitter roots thatbeargall andwormwood,andallwesayordoisimbitteredbythem.Inmanythingswealloffend, insomuch that there isnota justmanuponearth thatdoethgoodand sinsnot.We are in themidst of a defilingworld, and cannotkeepourselvesperfectlyunspotted fromit. Ifwesaywehavenosin,orthatwehavepastadayandhavenotsinned,wedeceiveourselves,forifwe know the truth by ourselves, we shall see cause to cry, who canunderstandhiserrors?Cleanseusfromoursecretfaults;faultswhichweourselvesarenotawareof.Weoughttoaimatasinlessperfection,withas strict a watchfulness as if we could attain it: But after all mustacknowledge, that we come short of it; that we have not yet attained,neitherarealreadyperfect.Wefinditbyconstantsadexperience,foritiscertainwedoenougheverydaytobringusuponourkneesatnight.

b.Wemustexamineourconsciences,thatwemayfindoutourparticular

transgressionsthedaypast.Letuseverynightsearchandtryourways,our thoughts, words, and actions, compare them with the rule of theword,lookourfacesinthatglass,thatwemayseeourspots,andmaybeparticular intheacknowledgmentof them.Itwillbegoodforus toask,whathavewedonethisday?Whathavewedoneamiss?Whatdutyhaveweneglected?Whatfalsestephavewetaken?Howhavewecarrieditinourcallings, inourconverse?Havewedonethedutiesofourparticularrelations,andaccommodatedourselvestothewillofGodineveryeventof providence. By doing this frequently, we shall grow in ouracquaintancewithourselves,thanwhichnothingwillcontributemoretooursoul’sprosperity.

c.Wemustrenewourrepentanceforwhateverwefindhasbeenamissinus,orhasbeen saidordone amissbyus.Wemustbe sorry for it, andsadlylamentit,andtakeshametoourselvesforit,andgiveglorytoGodbymakingconfession.Ifanythingappeartohavebeenwrongmorethanordinary,thatmustbeparticularlybewailed;andingeneral,wemustbemortified for our sins of daily infirmity, which we ought not to thinkslightly of, because they are returning daily, but rather be the moreashamed of them, and of that fountain within which casts out thesewaters.

It isgood tobespeedy inrenewingourrepentance;before theheartbehardenedbythedeceitfulnessofsin.Delaysaredangerous;greenwoundsmaysoonbecured,iftakenintime,butiftheystinkandarecorrupt,asthe Psalmist complains, PS 38:5, Psalm 38:5 (KJV) it is our fault andfolly,andthecurewillbedifficult.Thoughthroughtheweaknessof thefleshwe fall intosindaily, ifwegetupagainbyrenewedrepentanceatnight,wearenot,noroughtwetothinkourselvesutterlycastdown.Thesinthathumblesusshallnotruinus.

d.Wemustmakea freshapplicationof thebloodofChrist tooursoulsfor the remission of our sins, and the gracious acceptance of ourrepentance.Wemustnot think thatwehaveneedofChristonlyatourfirst conversion toGod;nowehavedailyneedofhim, as our advocatewiththeFather,andthereforeassuchhealwaysappearsinthepresenceofGodforus,andattendscontinuallytothisverything.Evenoursinsofdaily infirmitywouldbe toourruin, ifhehadnotmadesatisfactionfor

them,anddidnotstillmakeintercessionforus.Hethat iswashed,stillneedeth towashhis feet, from the filth he contracts in every step; andblessed beGod, there is a fountain opened for us towash in, and it isalwaysopen.

e.Wemustapplyourselvestothethroneofgraceforpeaceandpardon.Those that repent must pray, that the thought of their heart may beforgiventhem,ACTS8:22.Acts8:22(KJV)Anditisgoodtobeparticularin our prayers for the pardon of sin; that as Hannah said concerningSamuel, for this child I prayed; so we may be able to say, for theforgivenessofthisIprayed.However,thepublican’sprayeringeneral,isaveryproperoneforeachofustoliedownwith,Godbemercifultomeasinner.

4.Letusliedownwithhumblesupplicationsforthemerciesofthenight.Prayer is as necessary in the evening, as it was in themorning, forwehave thesameneedof thedivine favour and care, tomake the eveningoutgoingstorejoice,thatwehadtobeautifythoseofthemorning.

a.Wemustpray,thatouroutwardmanmaybeunderthecareofGod’sholyangels,whoaretheministersofhisprovidence.Godhathpromised,thathewillgivehisangelschargeconcerningthosewhomaketheMostHightheirrefuge,andthattheyshallpitchtheirtentsroundaboutthemanddeliverthem;andwhathehathpromised,wemayandmustprayfor;notasifGodneededtheserviceoftheangels,orasifhedidhimselfquitall the care of his people, and turn it over to them: but it appears byabundanceofScriptureproofs,thattheyareemployedaboutthepeopleofGod,whomhetakesunderhisspecialprotection,thoughtheyarenotseenbothforthehonourofGodbywhomtheyarecharged,andforthehonour of the saints with whom they are charged. It was the glory ofSolomon’sbed,thatthreescorevaliantmenwereaboutit,ofthevaliantofIsrael,allholdingswords,becauseoffearinthenight,CANT3:7,8.SongofSolomon3:7-8(KJV)Butmuchmorehonourablyandcomfortablyarealltruebelieversattended,forthoughtheylieneversomeanly,theyhavehostsofangelssurrounding theirbeds,andby theministrationofgoodspirits, are preserved from malignant spirits. But God will for this beenquiredofbythehouseofIsrael;ChristhimselfmustpraytheFather,and he will send to his relief legions of angels,MATT 26:53.Matthew

26:53(KJV)Muchmorereasonhavewetoask,thatitmaybegivenus.

b.Wemustpray,thatourinwardmanmaybeundertheinfluencesofhisHoly Spirit, who is the Author and fountain of his grace. As publicordinancesareopportunitiesinwhichtheSpiritworksupontheheartsofmen,andthereforewhenweattendonthem,wemustprayfortheSpirit’soperations,soareprivateretirements,andthereforewemustputupthesame prayer, when we enter upon them.We find, that in slumberingsuponthebed,Godopeneththeearsofmen,andsealeththeirinstruction,JOB 33:15, 16. Job 33:15-16 (KJV) And with this David’s experiencesconcur,hefoundthatGodvisitedhiminthenight,andtriedhimandsodiscoveredhimtohimself,PS17:3.Psalm17:3(KJV)AndthatGodgavehimcounsel,andhisreinsinstructedhiminthenightseason,andsohediscoveredhimselftohim,PS16:7.Psalm16:7(KJV)Hefoundthatwasaproper season for rememberingGod, andmeditatinguponhim; and inordertoourdueimprovementofthisproperseasonforconversingwithGod in solitude, we need the powerful and benign influences of theblessed Spirit, which therefore when we lie down we should earnestlyprayfor,andhumblyputourselvesunder,andsubmitourselvesto.HowGod’sgracemayworkuponus,whenweareasleepweknownot;thesoulwill act in a state of separation from the body, and how far it doth actindependent on the body, when the bodily senses are all locked upwecannotsay,butaresure,thattheSpiritoftheLordisnotbound;wehavereason topray,notonly thatourmindsmaynotbeeither disturbed orpolluted by evil dreams, in which for ought we know, evil spiritssometimes have a hand, but may be instructed and quieted by gooddreams, which Plutarch reckons among the evidences of increase andproficiency in virtue, and on which the good spirit has an influence. Ihaveheardofagoodman,thatusedtoprayatnightforgooddreams.

II.Secondly,Whenwelayusdown,ourcareandendeavourmustbetolayusdowninpeace.It ispromisedtoAbraham,thatheshallgotohisgraveinpeace,GEN15:15,Genesis15:15(KJV)andthispromise issuretoallhis spiritual seed, for theendof theuprightman ispeace;Josiahdiesinpeace,thoughheiskilledinabattle;nowasanearnestofthisletuseverynightliedowninpeace.Itisthreatenedtothewicked,thattheyshallliedowninsorrow,ISA1:11.Isaiah1:11(KJV)Itispromisedtothe

righteous,thattheyshallliedown,andnoneshallmakethemafraid,LEV26:6,Leviticus26:6(KJV)JOB11:19.Job11:19(KJV)Letusthenenterinto this rest, this blessed Sabbatism, and take care that we come notshortofit.

A.Let us lie down in peacewithGod; forwithout this there can be nopeaceatall;Thereisnopeace,saithmyGod,tothewicked,whomGodisat war with. A state of sin is a state of enmity against God; they thatcontinueinthatstateareunderthewrathandcurseofGod,andcannotlie down in peace:What have they to dowith peace?Hasten therefore(sinner) hasten to make thy peace with God in Jesus Christ, byrepentance and faith; takehold onhis strength that thoumayestmakepeace with him, and thou shalt make peace, for fury is not with him.Conditionsofpeaceareoffered,consenttothem;closewithhimwhoisourPeace;takeChristuponhisownterms,Christuponanyterms.Defernot todo this;darenot tosleep in thatcondition, inwhich thoudarestnot die.Escape for thy life, looknot behind thee.Acquaintnow thyselfwith him, now presently, and be at peace, and thereby this good shallcomeuntothee,thoushaltliedowninpeace.

Sin is ever and anon making mischief between God and our souls,provokingGodagainstus,alienatingusfromGod,wethereforeneedtobeeverynightmakingpeace,reconcilingourselvestohimandtohisholywill, by the agency of his Spirit upon us, and begging of him to bereconciled to us, through the intercession of his Son for us; that theremaybenodistance,nostrangenessbetweenusandGod,nointerposingcloudtohinderhismercies fromcomingdownuponus,orourprayersfrom coming up unto him. Being justified by faith, we have this peacewithGod,throughourLordJesusChrist;and thenwemaynotonly liedowninpeace;butwerejoiceinhopeofthegloryofGod.Letthisbeourfirstcare,thatGodhavenoquarrelwithus,norwewithhim.

B.Letusliedowninpeacewithallmen;weareconcernedtogotosleep,aswellastogotodieincharity.Thosethatconversemuchwiththeworldcanscarcepassaday,butsomethingorotherhappensthatisprovoking,someaffrontisgiventhem,someinjurydonethem,atleastsotheythink;whentheyretireatnightandreflectuponit,theyareapttomagnifytheoffence,andwhiletheyaremusingonitthefireburns,theirresentments

rise,andtheybegintosay,Iwilldosotohimashehasdonetome,PROV24:29.Proverbs24:29(KJV)Thenisthetimeofripeningthepassionintoarootedmalice,andmeditatingrevenge;thentherefore letwisdomandgracebesetonwork,toextinguishthisfirefromhellbeforeitgethead,thenletthisrootofbitternessbekilledandpluckedup;andletthemindbedisposed to forgive the injury, and to thinkwellof, andwishwell tohimthatdidit.Ifothersinclinetoquarrelwithus,yetletusresolvenottoquarrelwiththem.Letusresolvethatwhatevertheaffrontorinjurywas,itshallneitherdisquietourspirits,normakeustofret,whichPeninnahaimedatinprovokingHannah,ISAM1:6,1Samuel1:6(KJV)norsourorembitterourspirits,ormakeuspeevishandspiteful:butthatwestillloveourselves, and love our neighbors as ourselves, and therefore not byharbouringmalice,doanywrongtoourselvesorourneighbour.Andweshall find it much easier in itself, and much more pleasant in thereflectiontoforgivetwentyinjuriesthantoavengeone.

That it should be our particular care at night, to reconcile ourselves tothose who have been injurious to us, is intimated in the charge, EPH4:26.Ephesians4:26(KJV)Letnotthesungodownuponyourwrath.Ifyour passion has not cooled before, let it be abated by the cool of theevening,andquitedisappearwiththesettingsun.Youarethentogotobed,andifyouliedownwiththeseunmortifiedpassionsboilinginyourbreasts, your soul is among lions, you liedown inabedof thorns, inanest of scorpions. Nay, some have observed from what followsimmediately, Neither give place to the devil, ver. 27. Ephesians 4:27(KJV)That thosewhogo tobed inmalice,have thedevil for theirbed-fellow.WecannotliedownatpeacewithGod,unlesswebeatpeacewithmen:notinfaithpraytobeforgiven,unlessweforgive.Letusthereforestudythethingsthatmakeforpeace,forthepeaceofourownspirits,bylivingasmuchas inus liespeaceablywithallmen.Iamforpeace,yea,thoughtheyareforwar.

C.Letusliedowninpeacewithourselves,withourminds,withasweetcomposednessofspiritandenjoymentofourselves;returnuntothyrest,Omysoul,andbeeasy;letnothingdisturbmysoul,mydarling.

Butwhenmayweliedowninpeace?Atnight.

1.IfwehavebythegraceofGodinsomemeasuredonetheworkoftheday,andfilleditupwithduty,wemaythenliedowninpeaceatnight.Ifwehave the testimony of our consciences for us, that in simplicity andgodlysincerity,notwithfleshlywisdom,butbythegraceofGodwehavethisdayhadourconversationintheworld,thatwehavedonesomegoodinourplaces,somethingthatwillturntoagoodaccount;ifourheartsdonotreproachuswithadiemperdidi, [Consciencesaystoyou:"Iwastedtheday."]alas,Ihavelostaday:orwiththatwhichisworse,thespendingof that time in the service of sin,which should have been spent in theserviceofGod;butifonthecontrarywehaveabodewithGod,havebeeninhisfear,andwaitedonhimallthedaylong,wemaythenliedowninpeace,forGodsaith,Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant;andthesleepofthelabouringman,ofthelabouringChristian, issweet, isverysweet,whenhecansay,asIamaday’sjourneynearermyend,soIamaday’sworkfitterforit.

Nothingwillmake our bed-chambers pleasant, and our beds easy, likethewitnessoftheSpiritofGodwithourspirits,thatwearegoingforwardforheaven;andaconsciencekeptvoidofoffence,whichwillbenotonlyacontinualfeast,butacontinualrest.

2. If we have by faith and patience, and submission to the divine willreconciled ourselves to all the events of the day, so as to be uneasy atnothing that God has done, we may then lie down in peace at night.Whateverhathfallenoutcrosstous,itshallnotfretus,butwewillkissthe rod, take up the cross, and say, all is well that God doth. Thuswemustinourpatiencekeeppossessionofourownsoulsandnotsufferanyaffliction to put us out of the possession of them. We have met withdisappointments, in husbandry perhaps, in trade, at sea, debtors proveinsolvent,creditorsprovesevere,butthisandtheotherproceedethfromtheLord,thereisaprovidenceinit,everycreatureiswhatGodmakesitto be, and therefore I am dumb, I open not my mouth: That whichpleasethGodoughtnottodispleaseme.

3. If we have renewed our repentance for sin, and made a freshapplication of the blood of Christ to our souls for the purifying of ourconsciences, wemay then lay us down in peace. Nothing can break inuponourpeacebutsin,thatisitthattroublesthecamp;ifthatbetaken

away,thereshallnoevilbefallus.Theinhabitantthoughhebefarfromwell, yet shallnot say I am sick, shall not complain of sickness, for thepeople that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity, ISA 33:24.Isaiah33:24(KJV)Thepardonofsinhasenoughinittobalanceallourgriefs,andthereforetosilenceallourcomplaints:amansickofthepalsy,yethasreasontobeeasy,nay,andtobeofgoodcheer,ifChristsaithtohim,thysinsareforgiventhee,andIamthysalvation.

4. Ifwehaveput ourselves under thedivineprotection for the ensuingnight,wemaythenlayusdowninpeace.Ifbyfaithandprayer,wehaverun into the name of the Lord as our strong tower, have fled to takeshelterundertheshadowofhiswings,andmaketheLordourrefugeandourhabitation,wemaythenspeakpeacetoourselves,forGodinhiswordspeakspeacetous.IfDavidhasaneyetothecherubims,betweenwhichGod is said to dwell, when he saith, PS 57:1. Psalm 57:1 (KJV) In theshadowofthywingswillImakemyrefuge;yetcertainlyhehasaneyetothesimilitudeChristmakesuseof,ofahengatheringherchickensunderherwings,whenhesaith,PS91:4.Psalm91:4(KJV)Heshallcovertheewithhisfeathers,andunderhiswingsshaltthoutrust,andthechickensunderthewingsofthehenarenotonlysafe,butwarmandpleased.

5. Ifwehavecastallourcares for theday followinguponGod,wemaythen lay us down in peace. Taking thought for themorrow is the greathinderance of our peace in the night; let us but learn to live withoutdisquietingcare,andtorefertheissueofalleventstothatGodwhomayandcandowhathewill,andwilldowhatisbestforthosethatloveandfearhim;Father,thywillbedone,andthenwemakeourselveseasy.OurSaviour presseth this very much upon his disciples, not to perplexthemselveswiththoughtswhattheyshalleat,andwhattheyshalldrink,and wherewithal they shall be clothed, because their heavenly Fatherknows that they have need of these things, and will see that they besupplied.Letusthereforeeaseourselvesofthisburthen,bycastingitonhimwhocarethforus,whatneedhecare,andwecaretoo?

III. Thirdly, Having laid ourselves down in peace, we must composeourselves to sleep. I will layme down and sleep. The love of sleep forsleepingsake,isthecharacterofthesluggard,butasitisnature’sphysicfortherecruitingofitswearypowers,itistobelookeduponasamercy

equal to that of our food, and in its season to be received withthankfulness.

Andwithsuchthoughtsasthesewemaygotosleep.

A.Whatpoorbodiesare thesewecarryaboutwithus, thatcall for restandreliefsooften,thataresosoontiredevenwithdoingnothing,ornexttonothing.Itisanhonourtomanabovethebeasts,thatheismadetogoerect,OsHominisublimededit,["Hegavetomantobeupright."]itwaspartof theserpent’scurse,on thybellyshalt thougo;yetwehave littlereasontoboastofthishonour,whenweobservehowlittleawhilewecanstandupright,andhowsoonweareburdenedwithourhonour,andareforcedtoliedown.Thepowersofthesoul,andthesensesofthebody,areourhonour,butitismortifyingtoconsiderhowafterafewhoursusetheyarealllockedupunderatotaldisabilityofacting,anditisnecessarytheyshouldbeso.Letnotthewisemangloryinhiswisdom,orthestrongmaninhisstrength,sincetheyboth lie fora fourthpartof their timeutterlybereftofstrengthandwisdom,andonalevelwiththeweakandfoolish.

B. What a sad thing is it to be under a necessity of losing so muchprecioustimeaswedoinsleep.Thatweshouldliesomanyhourseveryfourandtwenty,innocapacityatallofservingGodorourneighbour,ofdoing any work of piety or charity. Those that consider how short ourtimeis,andwhatagreatdealofworkwehavetodo,andhowfastthedayofaccounthastenson,cannotbutgrudgetospendsomuchtimeinsleep,cannotbutwishtospendaslittleasmaybeinit:cannotbutbequickenedby it to redeem time when they are awake, and cannot but long to betherewherethereshallbenoneedofsleep,buttheyshallbeastheangelsof God, and never rest day or night from the blessed work of praisingGod.

C.What a goodmaster dowe serve, that allows us time for sleep, andfurnisheth us with conveniences for it, and makes it refreshing andrevivingtous?Bythisitappears,theLordisforthebody,anditisagoodreasonwhyweshouldpresentourbodiestohimaslivingsacrifices,andglorifyhimwiththem.Nay,sleepisspokenofasgivenbypromisetothesaints,PS127:2.Psalm127:2(KJV)Sohegivethhisbelovedsleep.Thegodly man hath the enjoyment of that in a quiet resignation to God,

which the worldlyman labours in vain for, in the eager pursuit of theworld.Whatadifferenceistherebetweenthesleepofasinner,thatisnotsensibleofhisbeingwithinastepofhell,andthesleepofasaint,thathasgoodhopes, throughgrace,ofhisbeingwithina stepofheaven; that isthesleepGodgivestohisbeloved.

D. How piteous is the case of those from whose eyes sleep departs,throughpainofbody,oranguishofmind,andtowhomwearisomenightsareappointed;who,whentheyliedown,say,Whenshallwearise?Andwho are thus made a terror to themselves. It was said, that of all theinhumantorturesusedbythosewhomtheFrenchkingemployedtoforcehisProtestant subjects to renounce their religion,noneprevailedmore,thankeepingthembyviolencelongwaking.Whenwefindhowearnestlynaturecravessleep,andhowmuchitisrefreshedbyit,weshouldthinkwith compassionof those,who,uponany account,want that and othercomfortswhichweenjoy,andprayforthem.

E.HowungratefulwehavebeentotheGodofourmercies, insufferingsleep,whichissogreatasupportandcomforttous,tobeourhinderanceinthatwhich isgood.Aswhen ithasbeenthegratificationofourslothandlaziness,whenithaskeptusfromourhourofprayerinthemorning,anddisfittedus for ourhour of prayer atnight; orwhenwehave sleptunseasonably in the worship of God; as Eutychus when Paul waspreaching;andthedisciples,whenChristwasinhisagonyofprayer.Howjustlymightwebedeprivedofthecomfortofsleep,andupbraidedwiththisastheprovokingcauseofit;What!couldyenotwatchwithmeonehour? Those that would sleep and cannot, must think how often theyshouldhavekeptawakeandwouldnot.

F.We have now one day less to live than we had in themorning; thethreadoftime iswindingoffapace, its sandsarerunningdown,andasTimegoes,Eternity comes; it ishastingon;ourdaysare swifter thanaweaver’sshuttle;whichpassethandrepassethinaninstant;andwhatdowe of the work of time? What forwardness are we in to give up ouraccount? O that we could always go to sleep with death upon ourthoughts,howwould itquickenus to improve time! Itwouldmakeoursleepnot the lessdesirable,but itwouldmakeourdeathmuch the lessformidable.

G.Tothyglory,OGod,Inowgotosleep:whetherweeat,ordrink,yea,orsleep,forthatisincludedinwhateverwedo,wemustdoittothegloryofGod.WhydoIgotosleepnow,butthatmybodymaybefittoservemysoul, andable forawhile tokeeppacewith it in the serviceofGod to-morrow.Thuscommonactionsbybeingdirectedtowardsourgreatend,are done after a godly sort, and abound to our account; and thus theadvantageswehavebythemaresanctifiedtous;tothepureallthingsarepure; and whether we wake or sleep, we live together with Christ, 1THESS5:10.1Thessalonians5:10(KJV)

H.To thy grace,OGod, and to theword of thy grace I now commendmyself.Itisgoodtofallasleep,withafreshsurrenderofourwholeselves,body,soulandspirittoGod;nowreturntoGodasthyrest,Omysoul,forhehasdealtbountifullywiththee;thusweshouldcommitthekeepingofoursouls tohim, fallingasleepasDaviddid,PS31:5,Psalm31:5(KJV)with,IntothyhandsIcommitmyspirit;andasStephendid,LordJesusreceivemyspirit.Sleepdothnotonlyresembledeath,but issometimesan inlet to it:manygo to sleepandneverawake,but sleep the sleepofdeath, which is a good reason why we should go to sleep with dyingthoughts, and put ourselves under the protection of a living God, andthen,suddendeathwillbenosurprisetous.

I.O thatwhen Iawake Imaybe stillwithGod; that theparenthesis ofsleep,thoughlong,maynotbreakoffthethreadofmycommunionwithGod,butthatassoonasIwakeImayresumeit.OthatwhenIawakeinthenight,Imayhavemymindturnedtogoodthoughts,mayrememberGod upon my bed ,who then is at my right hand, and to whom thedarkness and the light are both alike; and that Imay sweetlymeditateupon him in the night-watches; that thus even that time may beredeemed, and improved to the best advantage, which otherwise is indangernotonlyofbeinglostinvainthoughts,butmisspentinillones.OthatwhenIawakeinthemorning,myfirstthoughtsmaybeofGod,thatwiththemmyheartmaybeseasonedforallday.

J.OthatImayenterintoabetterrestthanthatwhichIamnowenteringupon!TheApostlespeaksofarest,whichwethathavebelieveddoenterinto, even in this world, as well as of a rest which in the other world

remains for the people ofGod,HEB4:4,Hebrews 4:4 (KJV)HEB4:9.Hebrews 4:9 (KJV) Believers rest from sin and the world, they rest inChrist, and in God through Christ; they enjoy a satisfaction in thecovenantofgrace,andtheirinterestinthatcovenant;thisismyrestforever, herewill I dwell. They enter into this ark, and there are not onlysafe,buteasy.Now,OthatImightenjoythisrestwhileIlive,andwhenIdie,mightenterintosomethingmorethanrest,eventhejoyofmyLord,afulnessofjoy.

IV.Fourthly,Wemust do all this in a believing dependence uponGodandhispower,providenceandgrace.ThereforeIlaymedowninpeace,and compose myself to sleep, because thou, Lord, keepest me, andassurestmethatthoudostso;Thou,Lord,makestmetodwellinsafety.DavidtakesnoticeofGod’scompassinghispath,andhis lyingdown,asheobserves,PS139:3.Psalm139:3(KJV)Heseeshiseyeuponhim,whenheisretiredintohisbed-chamber,andnoneelseseeshim;whenheisinthe dark, and none else can see him. Here he takes notice of him,compassinghislyingdownashispreserver;andseeshishandabouthim,toprotecthimfromevil,andkeephimsafe;feelshishandunderhimtosupporthim,andtomakehimeasy.

A. It is by the power of God’s providence that we are kept safe in thenight,andonthatprovidencewemustdependcontinually. It ishe thatpreservethman and beast, PS 36:6, Psalm 36:6 (KJV) that upholds allthingsbythewordofhispower.Thatdeath,whichbysinenteredintotheworld,wouldsoonlayallwaste,ifGoddidnotshelterhiscreaturesfromits arrows, which are continually flying about. We cannot but seeourselves exposed in the night. Our bodies carry about with them theseedsofalldiseases;death isalwaysworking inus,a little thingwouldstop the circulation either of the blood or the breath, and then we aregone;eitherneverwake,orwakeunderthearrestsofdeath.Menbysinareexposedtooneanother;manyhavebeenmurderedintheirbeds,andmany burned in their beds. And our greatest danger of all is from themaliceofevilspirits,thatgoaboutseekingtodevour.

Weareveryunabletohelpourselves,andourfriendsunabletohelpus;we are not aware of the particulars of our danger, nor can we foreseewhichwayitwillarise;andthereforeknownotwheretostanduponour

guard;orifwedid,weknownothow.WhenSaulwasasleep,helosthisspearandcruseofwater,andmightaseasilyhavelosthisheadasSiseradidwhen hewas asleep, by the hand of a woman.What poor helplesscreatures are we, and how easily are we overcome when sleep hasovercomeus?Ourfriendsareasleeptoo,andcannothelpus.Anillnessmayseizeusinthenight,whichiftheybecalledupandcometous,theycannothelpusagainst;themostskillfulandtenderphysiciansareofnovalue.

It is therefore God’s providence that protects us night after night, hiscare, his goodness. That was the hedge about Job, about him and hishouse,andallthathehadroundabout,JOB1:10,Job1:10(KJV)ahedgethatSatanhimselfcouldnotbreakthrough,norfindagapin,thoughhetraversed it round.There isaspecialprotectionwhichGod’speople aretakenunder,theyarehidinhispavilion, inthesecretofhistabernacle,undertheprotectionofhispromise,PS27:5,Psalm27:5(KJV)theyarehisownanddeartohim,andhekeepsthemastheappleofhiseye,PS17:8. Psalm 17:8 (KJV) He is round about them from henceforth andforever, as themountains are round about Jerusalem, PS 125:2. Psalm125:2(KJV)HeprotectstheirhabitationsashedidthetentsofIsraelinthewilderness,forhehathpromisedtocreateuponeverydwellingplaceofmount Zion, a pillar of cloud by day, to shelter from heat; and theshiningofaflamingfirebynight,toshelterfromcold,ISA4:5.Isaiah4:5(KJV) Thus he blesseth the habitations of the just, so that no real evilshallbefallit,noranyplaguecomenighit.

Thiscareofthedivineprovidenceconcerningusandourfamilies,wearetodependupon,soas to lookuponnoprovisionswemakeforourownsafety sufficient, without the blessing of the divine providence upon it,except theLordkeepthecity, thewatchmanwakethbut invain.Be thehousenever sowellbuilt, thedoorsandwindowsnever sowellbarred,the servantsnever so careful,never sowatchful, it is all tono purpose,unlesshe thatkeepsIsrael,andneitherslumbersnorsleepsundertakesforoursafety;andifhebethyprotector,atdestructionandfaminethoushaltlaugh,andshaltknowthatthytabernacleisinpeace,JOB5:22,Job5:22(KJV)JOB5:24.Job5:24(KJV)

B.ItisbythepowerofGod’sgracethatweareenabledtothinkourselves

safe,andonthatgracewemustcontinuallydepend.Thefearofdanger,though groundless, is as vexatious as if it were never so just. Andtherefore to complete the mercy of being made to dwell safely, it isrequisitethatbythegraceofGodwebedeliveredfromourfears,PS34:4,Psalm34:4(KJV)aswellasfromthethingsthemselvesthatweareafraidof;thatshadowsmaynotbeaterrortous,nomorethansubstantialevils.

IfbythegraceofGodweareenabledtokeepconsciencevoidofoffence,and still to preserve our integrity; if iniquity be put far away, and nowickednesssufferedtodwellinourtabernacles,thenshallweliftupourfaces without spot, we shall be stedfast, and shall not need to fear,JOB11:14,15,Job11:14-15(KJV)forfearcameinwithsin,andgoesoutwith it. Ifourheartscondemnusnot, thenhaveweconfidence towardsGod, and man too, and are made to dwell securely, for we are surenothingcanhurtusbutsin;andwhateverdothharmus,sinisthestingof it; and therefore if sinbepardonedandprevented,weneednot fearanytrouble.

IfbythegraceofGodwebeenabledtolivebyfaith,thatfaithwhichsetsGodalwaysbeforeus,thatfaithwhichappliesthepromisestoourselves,andputstheminsuitatthethroneofgrace,thatfaithwhichpurifiestheheart, overcomes the world, and quencheth all the firey darts of thewickedone,thatfaithwhichrealizethunseenthings,andisthesubstanceandevidenceofthem:

Ifwebeactedandgovernedbyhisgrace,wearemadetodwellsafely,andtobiddefiancetodeathitself,andallitsharbingersandterrors;Odeathwhereisthysting?Thisfaithwillnotonlysilenceourfears,butwillopenourlipsinholytriumphs,ifGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?

Let us lie down in peace and sleep, not in the strength of a naturalresolution against fear, nor merely of rational arguments against it,thoughtheyareofgooduse,butinadependenceuponthegraceofGodtoworkfaith inus,andto fulfil inustheworkof faith.This isgoingtosleeplikeaChristianundertheshadowofGod’swings,goingtosleepinfaith;and itwillbe tousagoodearnestofdying in faith; for the samefaith thatwill carry us cheerfully through the short death of sleep,willcarryusthroughthelongsleepofdeath.

ForApplication

First,Seehowmuchitisourconcerntocarryourreligionaboutwithuswhereverwego,andtohaveitalwaysatourrighthand;forateveryturnwehaveoccasionforit,lyingdown,risingup,goingout,comingin;andthosethatareChristiansindeed,whoconfinenottheirreligiontothenewmoons and the sabbaths, but bring the influences of it into all thecommonactionsandoccurrencesofhumanlife.Wemustsitdownatourtables and rise from them, lie down in our beds, and arise from them,withaneyetoGod’sprovidenceandpromise.ThuswemustlivealifeofcommunionwithGod,evenwhileourconversationiswiththeworld.

Andinordertodothis, it isnecessarythatwehavealivingprincipleinourhearts,aprincipleofgrace,which,likeawelloflivingwater,maybecontinuallyspringinguptolifeeternal,JOHN4:14.John4:14(KJV)Itisnecessarylikewisethatwehaveawatchfuleyeuponourhearts,andkeepthemwithalldiligence,thatwesetastrictguardupontheirmotions,andhave our thoughtsmore at command than I fearmostChristians have.Seewhatneedwehaveoftheconstantsuppliesofdivinegrace,andofaunionwithChrist,thatbyfaithwemaypartakeoftherootandfatnessofthegoodlyolivecontinually.

Secondly,Seewhatahidden life the lifeofgoodChristians is,andhowmuchitlies fromundertheeyeandobservationof theworld.ThemostimportantpartoftheirbusinessliesbetweenGodandtheirownsouls,inthe frame of their spirits, and the working of their hearts in theirretirements,whichnoeyeseesbuthisthatisalleye.JustlyarethesaintscalledGod’shiddenones,andhissecretissaidtobewiththem,fortheyhavemeattoeat,andworktodowhichtheworldknowsnotof;andjoys,andgriefs,andcareswhichastrangerdothnotintermiddlewith.Greatisthemysteryofseriousgodliness.

And this is a good reason, why we should look upon ourselves asincompetent judgesoneofanother,becauseweknownotothershearts,norarewitnessestotheirretirements.It istobefeared,therearemanywhosereligionliesall intheoutside,theymakeafairshowintheflesh,andperhapsagreatnoise;andyetarestrangerstothissecretcommunionwithGod, inwhichconsists somuchof thepowerofgodliness.Andon

theotherhand,itistobehoped,therearemanywhodonotdistinguishthemselvesbyanythingobservableintheprofessionofreligion,butpassthroughtheworldwithoutbeingtakennoticeof,andyetconversemuchwithGodinsolitude,andwalkwithhimintheevenconstanttenorofaregulardevotionandconversation.ThekingdomofGodcomesnotwithobservation. Many merchants thrive by a secret trade, that make nobustle in theworld. It is fit therefore thateveryman’s judgmentshouldproceedfromtheLord,whoknowsmen’shearts,andseesinsecret.

Thirdly, Seewhat enemies they are to themselves, that continue underthepowerofavainandcarnalmind,andlivewithoutGodintheworld.Multitudes I fear there are, to whom all that has been said of secretcommunionwithGodisaccountedasastrangething,andtheyarereadytosayof theirministerswhen theyspeakof it,do they speakparables?They liedownand riseup, gooutandcome in, in the constantpursuiteither of worldly profits, or of sensual pleasures: But God is not in alltheirthoughts,notinanyofthem:theyliveuponhim,anduponthegiftsofhisbountyfromdaytoday,buttheyhavenoregardtohim,neverowntheirdependenceonhim,norareinanycaretosecurehisfavours.

They that live such amere animal life as this, do not only put a greatcontemptuponGod,butdoagreatdealofdamage to themselves; theystand in their own light, and deprive themselves of the most valuablecomfortsthatcanbeenjoyedonthissideofheaven.WhatpeacecantheyhavewhoarenotatpeacewithGod?Whatsatisfactioncantheytake intheirhopes,whobuildthemnotuponGodtheeverlastingfoundation?Orintheirjoys,whoderivethemnotfromhimthefountainoflifeandlivingwaters? O that at length they would be wise for themselves, andremembertheirCreator,andBenefactor.

Fourthly,SeewhateasypleasantlivesthepeopleofGodmightlive, if itwere not their own faults. There are those who fear God and workrighteousness, and are accepted of the Lord, but go drooping anddisconsolatefromdaytoday,arefullofcaresandfears,andcomplaints,andmakes themselvesalwaysuneasy;and it isbecausetheydonot livethat lifeofdelight inGodanddependenceonhim, that theymightandshould live.Godhas effectually provided for their dwelling at ease, buttheymakenotuseofthatprovisionhehaslaidupforthem.

O that allwho appear to be conscientious, and are afraid of sin,wouldappear to be cheerful, and afraid of nothing else; that allwho callGodFather, and are in care to pleasehim, andkeep themselves inhis love,wouldlearntocastalltheirothercareuponhim,andcommittheirwaytohim as to a Father.He shall choose our inheritance for us, and knowswhat isbest forus,better thanwedo forourselves.Thou shalt answer,Lord,forme.It iswhatIhaveoftensaid,andwillabideby.ThataholyheavenlylifespentintheserviceofGod,andincommunionwithhim,isthemostpleasantcomfortablelifeanybodycanliveinthisworld.

Fifthly, See in this, what is the best preparation we can make for thechanges,thatmaybebeforeusinourpresentstate,andthat is, tokeepupaconstantacquaintanceandcommunionwithGod,toconversewithhim daily, and keep up stated times for calling on him, that so whentroublecomesitmayfindthewheelsofprayergoing.Andthenmaywecome to Godwith a humble boldness and comfort, and hope to speedwhenweare inaffliction, ifwehavebeenno strangers toGodat othertimes,butinourpeaceandprosperityhadoureyesevertowardshim.

Evenwhenwearrivetothegreatestdegreeofholysecurityandserenity,andliedownmost inpeace,yetstillwemustkeepupanexpectationoftroubleintheflesh;oureasemustbegroundednotuponanystabilityinthecreature; if itbe,weputacheatuponourselves,andtreasureupsomuch the greater vexation of ourselves. No, it must be built upon thefaithfulnessofGod,whichisunchangeable.OurMasterhastoldus,intheworld you shall have tribulation, much tribulation, count upon it, it isonlyinmethatyoushallhavepeace.Butifeverydaybetous,asitshouldbeasabbathofrestinGod,andcommunionwithhim,nothingcancomeamisstousanyday,beitneversocross.

Sixthly, See in this, what is the best preparation we can make for theunchangeable world, that is before us. We know God will bring us todeath, and it is ourgreat concern toget ready for it. It ought tobe thebusiness of every day, to prepare for our last day, andwhat canwedobetterforourselvesintheprospectofdeath,thanbyfrequentretirementsfor communion with God, to getmore loose from that world which atdeath we must leave, and better acquainted with that world which at

deathwemustremoveto.Bygoingtoourbedsastoourgraves,weshallmakedeath familiar tous,and itwillbecomeaseasy tous toclose oureyesinpeaceanddie,asitusedtobetocloseoureyesinpeaceandsleep.

We hope God will bring us to heaven; and by keeping up dailycommunionwithGod,wegrowmoreandmoremeet topartakeof thatinheritance; andhave our conversation in heaven. It is certain, all thatwillgotoheavenhereafterbegintheirheavennow,andhavetheirheartsthere; if we thus enter into a spiritual rest every night, that will be apledgeofourblessedreposeintheembracesofdivinelove,inthatworldwhereindayandnightcometoanend,andweshallnotrestdayornightfrompraisinghim,whois,andwillbeoureternalrest.