corrupt flesh! We understand then
how God doth visit men, as well by his severe judgments, as by his
merciful visitation of deliverance from troubles, or by bringing trouble
upon his chosen for their humiliation; and now it remains to understand
how man visits God. Man doth visit God, when he appears in his presence,
be it for the hearing of his word, or for the participation of his
sacraments; as the people of Israel, besides the observation of their
sabbaths and daily oblations, were commanded thrice a-year to present
themselves before the presence of the tabernacle; and as we do, and us
often as we present ourselves to the hearing of the word. For there is the
footstool, yea, there is the face and throne of God himself, wheresoever
the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly preached, and his sacraments rightly
ministered.

But men may on this sort visit God hypocritically; for they may come for
the fashion, they may hear with deaf ears; yea, they may understand, and
yet never determine with themselves to obey that which God requires: and
let such men be assured, that He who searches the secrets of hearts will
be avenged of all such; for nothing can be more odious to God, than to
mock him in his own presence. Let every man therefore examine himself,
with what mind, and what purpose, he comes to hear the word of God; yea,
with what ear he hears it, and what testimony his heart gives unto him,
when God commands virtue, and forbids impiety.

Repinest thou when God requires obedience? Thou hearest to thine own
condemnation. Mockest thou at God's threatenings? Thou shalt feel the
weight and truth of them, albeit too late, when flesh and blood cannot
deliver thee from his hand. But the visitation, whereof our prophet
speaks, is only proper to the sons of God, who, in the time when God takes
from them the pleasures of the world, or shows his angry countenance unto
them, have recourse unto him, and, confessing their former negligence,
with troubled hearts, cry for his mercy. This visitation is not proper to
all the afflicted, but appertains only to God's children: for the
reprobates can never have access to God's mercy in time of their
tribulation, and that because they abuse his long patience, as well as the
manifold benefits they receive from his hands; for as the same prophet
heretofore saith, "Let the wicked obtain mercy, yet shall he never learn
wisdom, but in the land of righteousness," that is, where the true
knowledge of G