The Christian's Duty Under the Hiding of God's Face

First, Whom is it that the Lord hides his face from? It is from "the house of Jacob." God never hides his face from the world, because his face never shines upon them. The face of God's providence alters towards the world. It is sometimes filled with more frowns and anger than at other times, and he works great alterations accordingly; but the face of God's grace, that neither shines upon nor can be said to be hid from the world. God hides his face from "the house of Jacob." And two things are considerable herein: — 1. That it is the true church of God that is intended; 2. That it is the church of God in some special state and condition that is intended, that is "Jacob."