Deſign of this ſolemn Aſſembly to commemorate.
The Text, as hath been already intimated, does plainly conſiſt of Two Parts. Iſrael's Advantage, and Iſrael's Duty conſequent thereupon. The Former is declared at the Seventh and Eighth; The Latter at the Ninth Verſe.
Their Advantage is Twofold, (1.) God's Readineſs to hear and grant their Prayers, Expreſs'd by being V. 7nigh unto them in all things that they called upon him for. (2.) The Excellence of that Religion in which they were inſtructed, meant V. 8by having Statutes and Judgments ſo righteous, as all the Law, which Moſes ſet before them.
Their Duty is likewiſe ſaid to be Twofold, (1.) The making Theſe an effectual Motive to Thankfulneſs and Obedience; V. 9.Only take heed to thy ſelf, and keep thy Soul diligently, leſt thou forget, the things which thine Eyes have ſeen, and leſt they depart from thy Heart all the Days of thy Life. (2.) Taking Care to perpetuate the Memory of theſe Mercies, by teaching them their Sons, and their Sons Sons.
1. I begin with the Firſt of Iſrael's Advantages. The V. 7.Having the Lord their God nigh unto them in all things that they called upon him for.
The Holy Scripture, which frequently condeſcends to our Capacity, by ſpeaking of God after the manner of Men, hath done ſo in the Paſſage now before us. A Being by Nature Omnipreſent cannot, in ſtrict ſpeaking, be capable of Local Diſtance or Approach. He therefore, with regard to his Power and General Providence, muſt needs be equally everywhere. But Finite Beings have their Preſence and Activity limited to ſome determinate Space. Beyond this they are ſometimes Unable and cannot, ſometimes Unkind and will not, extend their Help. Now in Alluſion to Theſe it is, that we read of God withdrawing from, or coming near to Men, by ſuch a diſtinguiſhing Providence, as imports particular Favour and Affection. And, as the Miſery of the wicked, who are deprived of This, is deſcribed by God'sIsa. i. 15.Prov. i. 28.
Pſal. x. 1. hiding himſelf from them, not being found of them, not answering or hearing
