7.  He should be entertaining high and loving thoughts of God, commending him highly, let his dispensations be what they will.  So did the spouse, Cant. v. 10, 16.

8.  He should earnestly seek after him.  The spouse did so, Cant. v. 6.  The discouragement she met with at the hands of the watchmen, did not put her off her pursuit, ver. 7, but she continued, yea, was “sick of love;” ver. 8; and her looks had a prevailing power with him, as we see, Cant. vi. 5, where the bridegroom uttered that most astonishing word, “Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me.”

9.  This new manifestation which he is seeking for, must be expected in and through Christ, who is the true tabernacle, and he who was represented by the mercy-seat.  He is the only trusting-place; in him alone will the Father be seen.

10.  He should also look to him for strength and support, in the mean time; and for grace, that he may be kept from fainting, and may be helped to wait till he come, who knoweth the fittest season wherein to appear.

But it will be said, what if, after all this, we get no outgate, but he hideth his face still from us?

I answer, such should know, that life is one thing, and comfort is another thing; grace is one thing, and warm blinks of God’s face is another.  The one is necessary to the very being of a Christian, the other not, but only necessary to his comfortable being; and therefore they should be content, if God give them grace, though they miss comfort for a time.

2.  They should learn to commit that matter to Christ who knoweth how to give that which is good and best for them.

3.  They should be hanging on him for strength and for duty; and in his strength setting about every commanded duty, and be exercising faith, love, patience, hope, desire, &c.

4.  Let the well-ordered covenant be all their salvation, and all their desire; and though they should not get a comfortable blink of God’s face, so long as they were here, yet holding fast this covenant, they should at length be saved souls, and what would they have more? and when they get this, what will they miss?

CHAPTER XXVII.

HOW SHALL ONE MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN WRESTLING WITH AN ANGRY GOD BECAUSE OF SIN?

That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall,

1.  Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper.

2.  Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people.

3.  Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case.

4.  Shew the believer’s duty for a recovery; and,

5.  Add a word or two of caution.

As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: