7. Seventhly, The presence of God in his church will make all
world. The world was created in the space of six days by a word, the erecting a church hath cost God more pains and time. Before the church of the Jews could be settled, he hath both a contest with the peevishness of his people and the malice of their enemies. And his own Son must bleed and die before the church of the Gentiles could be fixed. Men delight in that which hath cost them much pains and a great price. God hath been at too much pains, and Christ at too great price, to have small delight in the church; will he then let wild boasts break the hedges, and tread down the fruit of it? Shall not all things be ordered to the good of that which is the object of his greatest delight in the world?
7. Seventhly, The presence of God in his church will make all providences tend to the good of it.
It would be an idle, useless presence if it were not operative for their good. 'The Lord is there' is the very name of the gospel church, Ezek.
48:35; what would it signify if it were a useless presence? Christ stands upon mount Sion, his throne is in the church, when the great things in the world shall be acted for the ruin of antichrist, Rev. 14:1.
God's presence in his church is the glory and defence of it, as the presence of the king is the glory of the court: Zech. 2:5, 'For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.' His presence is a covenant presence: Isa.
41:10, 'Fear not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God;' whence follows strength, help, and support: 'I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness;' that is, with my righteous power, with my power engaged to thee in a righteous covenant. His presence and providence in the world is in a way of absolute dominion, but in his church in a way of federal relation. He is the God of Israel, and God to Israel, or for Israel, 1 Chron. 17:24, yea, and a God in the midst of Israel,—every one of them sufficient engagements to protect Israel, and provide for Israel, and govern everything for Israel's good. God is under an oath to do good to Israel; will he violate his oath, tear his