then Israel prevailed So Gods Spirit puts the Promises under the Hand of Faith and then a Christian overcomes the Devil that spiritual Amalek The Promise is to the Soul as the Anchor is to a Ship which keeps it steddy in a Storm 2. Christ succours them that are tempted by his blessed interceeding for them When the Devil is tempting Christ is praying Of this the next timer 2. Christ succours his Saints by interceeding for them when Satan is tempting Christ is praying That prayer Christ put up for Peter when he was tempted extend◠to all the Saints Luk. 22.32 Lord saith Christ it is my Child that is tempted Father pitty him when a poor Soul lies bleeding of his wounds the Devil hath given him Christ presents his Wounds to his Father and in the virtue of those pleads for Mercy How powerful must Christs Prayer needs be He is a Favorite Iohn 11.42 He is both an High-Priest and a Son if God could forget that Christ were a Priest yet he cannot forget that he is a Son besides Christ prays for nothing but what is agreeable to his Fathers Will if a Kings Son Petitions only for that which his Father hath a Mind to grant his suit will not be denied 3. Christ succours his People by taking of the Tempter a Shepherd when the Sheep begins to straggle may set the Dog on the Sheep to bring it nearer the Fold but then he calls off the Dog again God will take of the Tempter 1 Cor. 10.13 He will with the Temptation make a way to escape 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he will make an Out-let Christ will rebuke the Tempter Zach. 3.2 The Lord rebuke thee O Satan This is no small support that Christ succours the Tempted The Mother succours the Child most when it is sick she sits by its Bed-side brings it Cordials So when a Soul is most assaulted it shall be most assisted Object But I have dealt unkindly with Christ and sinn'd against his Love and sure he will not succour me but let me perish in the Battel Answ. Christ is a merciful High-priest and will succour thee notwithstanding thy failings Ioseph was a Type of Christ. His Brethren sold him away and the Irons entered into his Soul yet afterwards when his Brethren were ready to die in the Famine he forgot their injuries and succoured them with Money and Corn. I am saith he Ioseph your Brother so will Christ say to a tempted Soul I know thy unkindnesses how thou hast distrusted my Love grieved my Spirit but I am Ioseph I am Jesus therefore I will succour thee when thou art tempted 4. Rock of support The best Men may be most tempted A rich Ship may be violently set upon by Pyrats He who is rich in Faith yet may have the Devil that Pyrate set upon him by his battering pieces Iob an eminent Saint yet how fiercely was he assaulted Satan did smite his body that he might tempt him either to question Gods Providence or quarrel with it St. Paul was a chosen vessel but how was this vessel battered with Tentation 2 Cor. 12.7 Object But is it not said he who is born of God the Wicked one toucheth him not 1 Joh. 5.18 Answ. It is not meant that the Devil doth not tempt him but he toucheth him not that is tactu lethali Cajetan with a deadly touch 1 Joh. 5.16 There is a sin unto Death now Satan with all his Temptations doth not make a Child of God sin a sin unto Death Thus he toucheth him not 5. Rock of support Satan can go no further in tempting than God will give him leave The power of the Tempter is limited A whole Legion of Devils could not touch one Swine till Christ gave them leave Satan would have sifted Peter to have sifted out all his Grace but Christ would not suffer him I have prayed for thee c. Christ binds the Devil in a Chain Rev. 20.1 If Satans power were according to his malice not one Soul should be saved but he is a Chained Enemy this is a comfort Satan cannot go an Hairs breadth beyond Gods permission If an Enemy could not touch a Child further than the Father did appoint sure he should do the Child no great hurt 6. Rock of support It is not the having a Tentation makes guilty but the giving consent We cannot hinder a Tentation Elijah that could by Prayer shut Heaven could not shut out a Temptation but if we abhor the Temptation it is our burden not our sin We read in the old Law if one went to force a Virgin and she cried out she was reputed innocent If Satan would by temptation commit a Rape upon a Christian and he cries out and will not give consent the Lord will charge it upon the Devils score It is not the laying the Bait hurts the Fish if the Fish doth not bite 7. Rock of support Our being tempted is no sign of Gods hating us A Child of God oft thinks God doth not love him because he lets him be haunted with the Devil non sequitur this is a wrong conclusion was not Christ himself tempted yet by a Voice from Heaven proclaimed This is my beloved Son Mat. 3.17 Satans tempting and Gods loving may stand together The Goldsmith loves his Gold in the Fire God loves a Saint tho shot at by fiery Darts 8. Rock of support Christs Temptation was for our consolation aqua-ignis Jesus Christ is to be looked upon as a publick person as our Head and Representative and what Christ did he did for us His prayer was for us his suffering was for us when he was tempted and overcame the temptation he overcame for us Christs conquering Satan was to shew that every Elect Person shall at last be a Conqueror over Satan when Christ overcame Satans temptations it was not only to give us an example of Courage but an assurance of Conquest We have overcome Satan already in our Head and we shall at last perfectly overcome 9. Rock of support the Saints Temptations shall not be above their strength The Lutenist will not stretch the strings of his Lute too hard lest they break 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above that ye are able God will proportion our strength to the stroke 2. Cor. 12.9 My Grace is sufficient for thee The Torch-light of Faith shall be kept burning notwithstanding all the Winds of Temptation blowing 10. Rock of support these temptations shall produce much good 1. They shall quicken a Spirit of Prayer in the Saints they shall pray more and better Temptation is orationis flabellum the exciter of Prayer perhaps before the Saints came to God as cold suiters in Prayer they pray'd as if they pray'd not temptation is a Medicine for security When Paul had a Messenger of Satan to buffet him he was more earnest in Prayer 2 Cor. 12.8 Three times I besought the Lord the Thorn in the
like and approve all they have done but he will not justifie the wicked So that such who rebel against Light and sin presumptuously there is little hope for such The presumptuous Sinner stops his Ear to the Councels of the Word vexeth the holy Spirit tramples on Christ's Blood he rejects the Remedy he necessitates himself to Damnation 8. Such as sin presumptuously that know to do Good yet do it not know what is evil yet will not forbear it God refuseth all their Services They sin against their Conscience and yet come and worship God God abhors their Sacrifice Isa. 1.15 When you make many Prayers I will not hear your hands are full of Blood For Men to sin presumptuously and come and pray and hear the Word they do but provoke God the more And take notice such as live in Sin against their Conscience when they pray most God will punish them most Hos. 8.13 They sacrifice Flesh for the Sacrifices of mine Offerings but the Lord accepteth them not now will he remember their iniquities and visit their Sins They were highly guilty of Idolatry they had set up one Idol in Dan and another in Bethel Here they sinn'd presumptuously went against Light and now they come and offer their Sacrifices to God Saith God I will not accept your Offering now will I remember your Iniquities and while you are worshipping me I will punish you Now will I visit your Sins Thus you see what cause you have to tremble who are guilty in this kind you see your Misery Besides all that hath been said consider these Two Things 2. You that sin presumptuously that know to do Good and do it not that know what is evil yet will not forbear you cannot sin so cheap as others though Sin will cost every one dear yet it will cost you dearer You go directly against Conscience and if there be either Justice in Heaven or Fire in Hell you shall be sure to be punished Some Places you use to say are dearer to live in than others it is dearer living in the City than the Countrey Let me tell you it is dearer sinning in the City than in a blind Village where they have not had the Means of Grace To lye cozen and be drunk after the powerful Preaching of the Word the Convictions of Conscience the Enlightnings of the Holy Ghost this will put a Weight into the Scale it will make Sin the heavier and Hell the hotter 2. You who sin presumptuously cannot take so much Pleasure in your Sin as another may have One whose Conscience is less enlightned though his Sin will be bitter to him afterwards yet at present he may rowl it as Honey under his Tongue and find Pleasure in it but you that sin against your Knowledge you cannot have so much pleasure in Sin as he for Conscience will put forth a Sting and all the Threatnings of the Word will set themselves in Battel array against you so that you can have no quiet He that hath the Tooth-Ach doth not taste so much sweetness in his Meat as another O presumptuous Sinner every step thou takest in Sin thou goest with a Thorn in thy Foot and that Trouble thou feelest now in thy Conscience is but the beginning of Sorrow Quest. What shall we do that we may not sin presumptuously against Conscience Answ. Take heed of little Sins though to speak properly there are no such things as little Sins no little Treason but comparatively one Sin may be lesser than another Take heed of little Sins The frequent committing of lesser Sins will prepare for greater A lesser Distemper of Body if it be let alone prepares for a greater Distemper Being unjust in a little prepares for being unjust in much Luke 16.10 Such as were at first more modest yet by accustoming themselves to lesser Sins by degrees their Sins have boiled up to a greater height Jayl-Sins have begun at little Sins 2. If you would not sin presumptuously viz. knowingly and wilfully then reverence the Dictates of Conscience get Conscience well inform'd by the Word as you set your Watch by the Sun and then be ruled by it do nothing against Conscience If Conscience saith do such a thing though never so unpleasing set upon the Duty When Conscience saith Take heed of such a thing come not nigh the forbidden Fruit. Conscience is God's Deputy or Proxy in the Soul The Voice of Conscience is the Voice of God Do not stifle any Checks of Conscience lest God suffer thee to harden in Sin and by degrees come to presumptuous Sin 3. Labour to have your Knowledge sanctified Men sin against their Knowledge because their Knowledge is not sanctified Knowledge is like the Moon Light in it but no Heat Sanctified Knowledge works upon the Soul it inclines us to Good it makes us fly from Sin Sanctified Knowledge is like a Breast-plate which keeps the Arrow of presumptuous Sin from entring An Alphabetical INDEX of the chief Matters of this Book A. ABstaining from external Acts of Sin not sufficient to entitle us to Salvation Pag. 879 Acts of Sin how we may keep from them 871 Adam how long he continued in Paradise before he fell 79 Adam's Sin how made ours 82 Adoption what it is 134 From what and to what it is 135 Adopted Son how free Ibid. Adoption the instrumental Cause of it ib. Adoption Signs of it 137 Adultery the heinousness of it wherein it appears 370 Adultery how we may abstain from it 372 Afflictions of the Godly how they differ from those of the Wicked 261 Afflicted how they are happy 262 Affliction what kindness there is in it when God seems most unkind 525 Affliction what profit is in it ib. Afflictions how they contribute to our Happiness 528 Afflictions how they magnifie us 864 Aggravation of Adam's Sin 81 Aggravations of the loss of the Kingdom of Heaven 488 Angels their Society how can it add to the happiness of Souls when God is infinite to fill the Soul with delight 474 Anthropomorphites Objection answer'd 24 Aphoriâ—ms about Sin and Forgiveness 805 Apostacy from Religion whence it proceeds 485 Appearance of Evil the mischief of it 871 Arguments to persuade us to seek after obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven 503 Arrians Error about the H. Ghost refuted 64 Arminians Objections against Perseverance 220 Arminians deny Saints Perseverance and why 493 Assurance what it is 201 True Assurance the difference between it and Presumption 202 Assurance its Excellency ibid. Assurance how to know if we have right to it 204 Assurance what we must do to get it 203 Assurance they that have it how they must carry themselves 205 Atheist the wickedest Creature that is 22 B. Baptism what it is 409 The Benefit of it ibid. Believers why they have not all the full enjoyment of Peace 209 Believers Privileges at Death 225 How they come to have those Privileges 227 What they are 228 How shall we know that we shall gain them at Death 230
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
we should not know them 2. Changeable in their Resolutions like the Wind that blows strongly in the East presently turns about to the West they resolve to be virtuous but quickly repent of their Resolutions Their Minds are like a sick Man's Pulse alters every half Hour these the Apostle compares to Waves of the Sea and wandring Stars Iud. 13. They are not Pillars in God's Temple but Reeds 3. Others are changeable in their Friendship quickly love and quickly hate sometimes will put you in their Bosom then excommunicate you out of their Favour thus they change as the Camelion into several Colours But God is Immutable Use 2. See the Vanity of the Creature there are Changes in every thing but in God Ps. 62.9 Men of high degree are vanity and men of low degree are a lye O quantum est in rebus inane We look for more from the Creature then God hath put into it The World rings Changes the Creature hath two Evils in it it promiseth more then we find and it fails us when we most need it There is a Failure in Omni. A Man desires to have his Corn ground the Water fails and then his Mill cannot go The Mariner is for a Voyage the Wind either doth not blow or it is contrary and he cannot sail One depends upon another for the payment of a Promise and he fails and is like a Foot out of joynt Who would look for a fixed Stability in the vain Creature As if one should build Houses on the Sand where the Sea comes in and overflows The Creature is true to nothing but Deceit and is constant only in its Disappointments 'T is no more wonder to see Changes fall out here below then to see the Moon dressing itself in a new shape and figure look to meet with Changes in every thing but in God Use 3. Comfort to the Godly 1. In case of Losses if an Estate be almost boyld away to nothing if lose dear Friends by Death here 's a double Eclipse but this is the Comfort God is Unchangeable I may loose these things but I cannot lose my God he never dies When the Fig-tree and Olive failed yet God did not fail Hab. 3.17 I will joy in the God of my salvation The Flowers in the Garden dye but a Man's Portion remains So outward things dye and change but Psal. 73.26 Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever 2. In case of Sadness of Spirit when God seems to cast off the Soul in Dejection Cant. 5.6 My beloved had withdrawn himself yet God is Unchangeable He is Immutable in his Love he may change his Countenance but not his Heart Ier. 31.4 I have loved thee with an everlasting love Hebrew Gnolam A Love of Eternity If once God's Electing Love riseth upon the Soul it never sets Isa. 54.10 The mountains shall be removed but my loving kindness shall not depart from thee nor the covenant of my peace be removed God's Love stands faster then the Mountains God's Love to Christ is Unchangeable and he will no more cease loving Believers then he will cease loving Christ. Use 4. of Exhortation Get an Interest in this Unchangeable God then thou art as a Rock in the Sea immovable in midst of all Changes Quest. How shall I get a part in this Unchangeable God Resp. By having a Change wrought in thee 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified When we are changed A tenebris ad lucem so chang'd as if another Soul did live in the same Body by this Change we are interested in the Unchangeable God Trust to this God only who is Unchangeable Isa. 2.22 Cease from man leave trusting to the reed but trust to the rock of ages He that is by Faith in garrison'd in God is safe in all Changes he is like a Boat that is tyed to an immovable Rock He that trusts in God trusts in that which cannot fail him he is Unchangeable Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Health may leave us Riches Friends may leave us but saith God I 'll not leave thee my Power shall support thee my Spirit shall sanctifie thee my Mercy shall save thee I will never leave thee O trust in this Unchangeable God God is jealous of two things Of our Love and of our Trust He is jealous of our Love least we love the Creature more then him therefore he makes it prove bitter And of our Trust least we should place more Confidence in it then him therefore he makes it prove unfaithful Outward Comforts are given us as Baits by the way to refresh us but not as Crutches to lean on If we make the Creature an Idol what we make our Trust God makes our Shame O trust in Deo Immutabili We like Noah's Dove have no footing for our Souls till we get into the Ark of God's Unchangeableness Psal. 125.1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion which cannot be removed God is Unchangeable in his Decree what he hath decreed from Eternity is unalterable Isa. 46.11 My counsel shall stand Argument That God's eternal Counsel or Decree is Immutable If God changeth his Decree it must be from some Defect of Wisdom or Foresight in God for that is the reason why Men do change their Purposes through a want of Foresight they see something after which they did not see before But this cannot be the cause why God should alter his Decree because his Knowledge is perfect he sees all things in one intire Prospect before him Object But is not God said to Repent there seems to be a Change in his Decree Ioâ— 3.10 The Lord repented of the evil that he said he would do unto them Resp. Repentance is attributed to God figuratively and improperly Num. 23.19 He is not man that he should repent There may be a Change in God's Work but not in his Will God may will a Change but not change his Will Mutat sententiam non decretum God may change his Sentence but not his Decree As suppose a King shall cause the Sentence to be passed upon a Malefactor whom he intends to save notwithstanding this Sentence the King doth not alter his Decree So God threatned Destruction to Nineveh Chap. 3.4 but the People of Nineveh repenting God spared them here God changed his Sentence but not his Decree it was what had laâ—n in the Womb of his Purpose from Eternity Object But if God's Decree be Unchangeable and cannot be Revers'd then to what purpose should we use the Means our Endeavours towards Salvation cannot alter his Decree Resp. This Decree of God doth not take off my Endeavour for he that hath decreed my Salvation hath decreed it in the use of Means and if I neglect the Means I go about to Reprobate myself no Man argues thus God hath decreed how long I shall live Ergo I will not use Means to preserve Life not eat and drink God hath
any Affliction befal you remember God sees it is that which is fit for you or it should not come your Cloaths cannot be so fit for you as your Crosses God's Providence may sometimes be secret but it is always wise Tho' we may not be silent under God's Dishonour yet we should learn to be silent under his Displeasure 3. You that are Christians believe that all God's Providences shall conspire for the good of his People and shall promote their Salvation at last The Providences of God are sometimes dark and our eyes dim and we can hardly tell what to make of them but when we cannot unriddle Providence believe it shall work together for the good of the Elect Rom. 8.28 The Wheels in a Watch seem to move cross one to another but they help forward the Motion of the Watch and make the Larum strike so the Providences of God seem to be cross Wheels but for all that they shall carry on the Good of the Elect. The pricking of a Vein is in itseâ—f evil and hurtful but as it prevents a Fevor and tends to the Health of the Patient so it is good So Affliction in itself is not glorious but grievous but the Lord turns this to the good of his Saints Poverty shall starve their Sins Affliction shall prepare them for a Kingdom Therefore Christians believe that God loves us that he will make the most cross Providences to promote his Glory and our Good 4. Let this be an Antidote against Immoderate Fear for nothing comes to pass but what is ordain'd by God's Decree and ordered by his Providence We sometimes fear what the Issue of things will be Men grow high in their Actings let us not make things worse by our Fear Men are limited in their Power and shall not go one Hair's breadth further then God's Providence will permit He might let Sennacherib's Army march towards Ierusalem but he shall not shoot one Arrow against it Isa. 38.36 Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand When Israel was compassed in between Pharoah and the Red Sea no question some of their hearts did begin to tremble and they look'd upon themselves as dead Men but Providence so ordered it that the Sea was a safe Passage to Israel and a Sepulchre to Pharaoh and all his Host. Use 2. Comfort in respect of the Church of God God's Providence reacheth in a more special manner to his Church Isa. 27.2 Sing ye unto her A vineyard of red wine God waters this Vineyard with his Blessings and watcheth over it by his Providence I the Lord keep it night and day Such as think totally to ruin the Church must do it in a time when it is neither Day nor Night for the Lord keeps it by his Providence Night and Day What a miraculous Conduct of Providence had Israel God led them by a Pillar of Fire gave them Manna from Heaven set the Rock abroach God by his Providence preserves his Church in the midst of Enemies which is as to see a Spark kept alive in the Ocean or a Flock of Sheep among Wolves God saves his Church strangely 1. By giving Unexpected Mercies to his Church when she looked for nothing but Ruine Psal. 126.1 When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion we were like them that dream How strangely did God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Iews when Haman had got a bloudy Warrant sign'd for their Execution 2. Strangely by saving in that very way in which we think he will destroy God works sometimes by Contraries He raiseth his Church by bringing it low The Bloud of the Martyrs hath watered the Church and made it more fruitful Exod. 1.12 The more they afflicted them the more they multiplied The Church is like that Plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it lives by dying and grows by cutting 3. Strangely in that he makes the Enemy do his Work When the People of Amon and Moab and Mount Seir came against Iudah God set the Enemy one against another 2 Chr. 20.23 The children of Amon and Moab stood up against them of Mount Seir to slay them and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir every one help'd to destroy another In the Powder-Treason he made the Traytors to be their own Betrayers God can do his work by the Enemies hand God made the Aegyptians send away the People of Israel laden with Jewels Exod. 12.36 The Church is the Apple of God's Eye and the Eye-lid of his Providence doth daily cover and defend it 5. Let the merciful Providences of God cause Thankfulness We are kept alive by a Wonder-working Providence Providence makes our Cloaths warm us our Meat nourish us We are fed every day out of the Alms-basket of God's Providence That in Health that we have an Estate it is not our Diligence but God's Providence Deut. 8.18 Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for he it is that gives thee power to get wealth Especially if we go a stâ—p higher we may see cause of Thankfulness That we should be born and bred in a Gospel Climate that we should live in such a place where the Sun of Righteousness shines this is a signal Providence Why might not we have been born in such places where Paganism prevails That Christ should make himself known to us and touch our hearts with his Spirit when he passeth by others Whence is this but from the miraculous Providence of God which is the Effect of his Free-grace Use 3. See here that which may make us long for that time when the great Mystery of God's Providence shall be fully unfolded to us Now we scarce know what to make of God's Providences therefore are ready to Censure what we do not understand but in Heaven we shall see how all God's Providences Sickness Losses Sufferings carried on our Salvation Here we see but some dark pieces of God's Providence and it is impossible to judge of God's Works by Pieces but when we come to Heaven and see the full Body and Pourtraicture of God's Providence drawn out in its lively Colours it will be a glorious Sight to behold Then we shall see how all God's Providences help'd to fulfil his Promises Never a Providence but we shall see had either a Wonder or a Mercy in it The Covenant of Works Quest. IX I Proceed to the next Question What special Providence did God exercise towards Man in the Estate wherein he was created Answ. When God created Man he entred into a Covenant of Life with him upon Condition of perfect Obedience forbidding him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge upon pain of death For this consult with Gen. 2.16 17. And the Lord commanded the man saying of every Tree of the Garden thou mayest freely eat but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat for in the day thou
manner Thirdly When are the Seasons Fourthly Why God delivers Fifthly How the deliverances of the Godly and Wicked out of Trouble differ First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That God doth deliver his Children out of Troubles Psal. 22.4 Our Fathers trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them 2 Tim. 4.17 And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion viz. from Nero. Psal. 66.11 12. Thou laidst Affliction upon our Loins but thou broughtest us out into a Wealthy Place Psal. 30.5 Heaviness may endure for a Night but Ioy cometh in the Morning God brought Daniel out of the Lions Den Sihon out of Babylon God in his due time gives an issue out of trouble Psal. 68.20 The Tree which in Winter seems dead in the Spring revives Post nubila Phaebus Affliction may leap on us as the Viper did on Paul but at last this Viper shall be shaked off 'T is called a Cup of Affliction Isa. 51.17 The Wicked drink a Sea of Wrath the Godly drink only a Cup of Affliction and God will say shortly Let this Cup pass away God will give his People a Goal Delivery Secondly Quest. In what manner doth God deliver his People out of Trouble Resp. He doth it like a God in Wisdom 1. He doth it sometimes suddenly as the Angel was caused to fly swiftly Dan. 9.21 So God sometimes makes a Deliverance fly swiftly upon the Wing and on a Suddain he turns the shadow of Death into the Light of the Morning As God gives us Mercies above what we can think Ephes. 3.20 so sometimes before we can think of them Psal. 126.1 When the Lord turned the Captivity of Sion we were like them that Dreamed we were in a Dream we never thought of it Ioseph could not have thought of such a sudden Alteration to be the same Day freed out of Prison and made the chief Ruler in the Kingdom Mercy sometimes doth not stick long in the Birth but it is brought forth on a sudden 2. God sometimes delivers his People strangely That the Whale which swallow'd up Ionah should be a means to bring him safe to Land God sometimes delivers his People in that very way they think he will destroy In Bringing Israel out of Egypt God stirred up the Hearts of the Egyptians to hate them Psal. 105.22 And that was the means of their Deliverance He brought Paul to Shoar by a contrary Wind and upon the broken Pieces of the Ship Acts 27.44 Thirdly Quest. When are the times and Seasons that God usually delivers his People out of the Bondage of Affliction Resp. 1. When they are in the greatest Extremity When Ionah was in the Belly of Hell then Chap. 2.5 Thou hast brought up my Life from Corruption When there is but an Hairs breadth between the Godly and Death then God ushers in Deliverance When the Ship in the Gospel was almost covered with Waves then Christ awoke and rebuked the Wind. When Isaac was upon the Altar and the Knife going to be put to his Throat then comes the Angel Lay not thy Hand upon the Child When Peter began to sink then Christ took him by the Hand Cum duplicantur lateres venit Moses When the Tale of Brick was doubled then comes Moses the Temporal Saviour When the People of God are in the greatest danger then appears the Morning Star of Deliverance When the Patient is ready to faint now the Cordial is given 2. The Second Season is when Affliction hath done its Work upon them When it hath effected that God hath sent it for As First When it hath humbled them Lam. 3.19 Remembring my Affliction the Wormwood and Gall my Soul is humbled in me When Gods Corrosive hath eat out the Proud Flesh. Secondly When it hath tamed their Impatience Before they were proud and impatient like froward Children that would struggle with their Parents but when their curst Hearts are tamed and they say as Micah 7.9 I will bear the Indignation of the Lord because I have sin'd against him and as Eli It is the Lord let him do what seems him good Let him hedge me with Thorns if he will plant me with Grace 3 When they are more Partakers of God's Holiness Heb. 12.10 they are more full of Heavenly-Mindedness When the sharp Frost of Affliction hath brought forth the Spring Flowers of Grace now the Cross is sanctified and God will bring them out of the House of Bondage Luctus in laetitiam vertetur cineres in Corollas When the Metal is refined then it is taken out of the Furnace When Affliction hath heal'd us now God takes off the smarting Plaister Fourthly Quest. Why doth God bring his People out of the House of Bondage Resp. Hereby he makes way for his own Glory Gods Glory is dearer to him than any thing besides it is a Crown-Jewel God by raising his People raiseth the Trophies of his own Honour He glorifies his Attributes His Power Goodness Truth do all Ride in Triumph 1. His Power If God did not sometimes bring his People into Trouble how would his Power be seen in bringing them out He brought Israel out of the House of Bondage with Miracle upon Miracle he saved them with an outstretched-Arm Psal. 114.5 What ailed thee O thou Sea that thou fleddest c. It is spoken of Israel's March out of Egypt when the Sea fled and the Waters were parted each from other Here was the power of God set forth Ier. 32.27 Is any thing too hard for me God loves to help when things seem past hope he creates Deliverance Psal. 124.8 He brought Isaac out of a Dead Womb and the Messiah out of a Virgins Womb. O how doth his Power shine forth when he overcomes seeming Impossibilities and works a Cure when things look desperate 2. His Truth God hath made Promises to his People when they are under great pressures to deliver them and his Truth is engaged in his Promise Psal. 50.15 Call-upon me in the Day of Trouble I will deliver thee Job 5.19 He shall deliver thee in Six Troubles and in Seven How is the Scripture bespangled with these Promises as the Firmament is with Stars either God will deliver them from Death or by Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he will make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10.13 When Promises are verified God's Truth is magnified 3. His Goodness God is full of Compassion to such as are in Misery The Hebrew Word Racham for Mercy signifies Bowels God hath Soundings of Bowels Isa. 63.15 And this Sympathy stirs up God to deliver Isa. 63.9 In his Love and in his Pity he Redeemed them This makes way for the Triumph of Gods Goodness First He is Tender-hearted he will not over-afflict he cuts asunder the Bars of Iron he breaks the Yoaks of the Oppressor Thus all his Attributes ride in Triumph in the saving his People out of Trouble Fifthly Quest. How the Deliverances of the Godly and Wicked out of Trouble differ Resp. 1. The deliverances of
Wood to take Fire and indeed what needs so many Words in the Commandment Thou shalt not make any Graven Image or the likeness of any thing in Heaven Earth Water Sun Moon Stars Male Female Fish Thou shalt not bow down to them I say what needed so many Words but to shew how subject we are to this sin of false Worship It concerns us therefore to resist this sin Where the Tide is apt to run with greater force there we had need make the Banks higher and stronger the Plague of Idolatry is very infectious Psal. 106.35 36. They were mingled among the Heathens and served their Idols It is my Advice to you to avoid all occasions of this Sin 1. Come not into the Company of Idolatrous Papists dare not to live under the same Roof with them You run into the Devils Mouth Iohn the Divine would not be in the Bath where Cerinthus the Heretick was 2. Go not into their Chappels to see their Crucifixes or hear Mass As the looking on an Harlot draws to Adultery so the looking on the Popish guilded Picture may draw to Idolatry Some care not though they go and see their Idol-worship indeed a Vagrant that hath nothing to lose cares not though he goes among Thieves Such as have no goodness in them care not into what Idolatrous Places they come or what Temptations they cast themselves upon but you who have a Treasure about you good Principles take heed the Popish Priests do not rob you of your Principles and defile you with their Images 3. Dare not to joyn in Marriage with Image-worshippers Solomon though a Man of Wisdom yet his Idolatrous Wives drew away his Heart from God the People of Israel entred into an Oath and Curse that they would not give their Daughters in Marriage to the Idolaters Nehem. 10.30 For a Protestant and Papist to Marry is to be unequally yoaked 2 Cor. 6.14 and there is more danger the Papist will corrupt the Protestant than hope the Protestant will convert the Papist Mingle Wine and Vinegar the Vinegar will sooner sour the Wine than the Wine will sweeten the Vinegar 4. Avoid Superstition which is a Bridge leads over to Rome Superstition is the bringing in any Ceremony Fancy or Innovation into Gods worship which he never appointed This is very provoking to God because it reflects much upon his Honour as if he were not wise enough to appoint the manner of his own Worship God hates all strange Fire to be offered in his Temple Lev. 10.1 A Ceremony may in time bring to a Crucifix They who contend for the Cross in Baptism why may they not as well have the Oyl Salt and Cream the one being as antient as the other Such as are for Altar-worship they who will bow to the East may in time bow to the Host. Take heed of all occasions of Idolatry Idolatry is Devil-worship Psal. 106.37 And if you search through the whole Bible there is no one Sin that God hath more followed with Plagues than Idolatry the Jews have a Saying that in every Evil which befals them there is uncia aurei vituli an Ounce of the Golden Calf in it Hell is a Place for Idolaters Rev. 22.15 For without are Idolaters Synesius calls the Devil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Rejoycer at Idols because Image-worshippers help to fill Hell That you may be preserved from Idolatry and Image-worship 1. Get good Principles that you may be able to oppose the Gain-sayer Whence doth the Popish Religion get ground not from the goodness of their cause but from the ignorance of the People 2. Get love to God The Wife that loves her Husband is safe from the Adulterer and the Soul that loves Christ is safe from the Idolater 3. Pray that God will keep you Though it is true there is nothing in an Image to tempt for if we pray to an Image it cannot hear and if we pray to God by an Image he will not hear I say there is nothing to tempt yet we know not our own Hearts or how soon we may be drawn to Vanity if God leave us therefore pray that you be not enticed to false Worship or receive the Mark of the Beast in your right hand or Forehead Pray Psal. 119.117 Hold thou me up and I shall be safe Lord let me neither mistake my way for want of Light or leave the true way for want of Courage 2. Let us Bless God who hath given us the Knowledge of his Truth That we have tasted the Hony of his Word and our Eyes are enlightned Bless him that he hath shewn us the Pattern of his House the right Mode of Worship That he hath discovered to us the Forgery and Blasphemy of the Romish Religion Let us pray that God will preserve pure Ordinances and powerful Preaching among us Idolatry came in at first by the want of good Preaching Then the People began to have golden Images when they had wooden Priests Of the Ten Commandments Exod. 20.5 For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me 1. I The Lord thy God am a jealous God The first reason why Israel must not worship graven Images is because the Lord is a jealous God Exod. 34.14 The Lord whose name is Jehovah is a jealous God Jealousie is taken in a good sense and so God is jealous for his People 2. In a bad Sense and so God is jealous of his People 1. In a good Sense and so God is jealous for his People Zech. 1.14 Thus saith the Lord I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousie God hath a dear Affection to his People they are his Hephsibah or Delight Isa. 62.4 The Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 To express how dear they are to him and how tender he is of them Nihil charius pupilla oculi Drusius They are his Spouse adorn'd with the Jewels of Grace They lye near to his Heart He is jealous for his Spouse therefore will be avenged on them who go to wrong her Isa. 42.13 The Lord shall stir up jealousie like a man of war he shall roar he shall prevail against his enemies What is done to the Saints God takes as done to himself 2 Kings 19.22 and the Lord will undo all them that afflict Sion Zeph. 3.19 I will undo all that afflict thee 2. Jealousie is taken in a bad Sense and so God is jealous of his People And so it is taken in this Commandment I the Lord thy God am a jealous God I am jealous lest you should go after false Gods or worship the true God in a false manner lest you defile your Virgin Profession by Images God will have his Spouse keep close to him and not go after other Lovers Hos. 3.3 Thou shalt not be for another man God cannot bear a Corrival Our conjugal Love viz. a Love joyn'd with Adoration
Adulteress who can paint her black enough The Scripture calls her a deep Ditch Prov. 23.27 She is a Common-shore Whereas a Believer his Body is a Living Temple and his Soul a little Heaven bespangled with the Graces as so many little Stars The Body of an Harlot is a walking Dunghil and her Soul a lesser Hell Fourthly Adultery is destructive to the Body Prov. 5.11 And thou mourn at last when thy Flesh and thy Body is consumed It brings into a Consumption Uncleanness turns the Body into an Hospital it wastes the Radical Moisture rots the Skull eats the Beauty of the Face As the Flame wastes the Candle so the Fire of Lust consumes the Bones The Adulterer hastens his own Death Prov. 7.23 Till a Dart strike through his Liver The Romans had their Funerals at the Gate of Venus Temple to signify that Lust brings Death Venus is Lust. Fifthly Adultery is a Purgatory to the Purse as it wastes the Body so the Estate Prov. 6.26 By the means of a Whorish Woman a Man is brought to a piece of Bread Whores are the Devil's Horseleeches Spunges that will soon suck in all ones Money The Prodigal had soon spent his Portion when once he fell among Harlots Luke 15.30 King Edward the Third's Concubine when he lay a dying got all she could from him and pluck'd the Rings off his Fingers and so left him He that lives in Luxury dies in Beggery Sixthly Adultery blots and eclipseth the Name Prov. 6.33 Whoso committeth Adultery with a Woman a wound and dishonour shall he get and his Reproach shall not be wiped away Some while they get Wounds get Honour The Soldiers Wounds are full of Honour The Martyrs Wounds for Christ are full of Honour These get Honour while they get Wounds But the Adulterer gets Wounds in his Name but no Honour His Reproach shall not be wiped away The Wounds of the Name no Physician can heal The Adulterer when he is dead his Shame lives When his Body rots under ground his Name rots above ground His base-born Children will be the Living Monuments of his Shame Seventhly This Sin doth much eclipse the Light of Reason it steals away the Understanding it stupifies the Heart Hos. 4.11 Whoredom takes away the Heart It eats out all Heart for good Solomon besotted himself with Women and they enticed him to Idolatry Eighthly This Sin of Adultery ushers in Temporal Iudgments The Mosaical Law made Adultery Death Lev. 20.10 The Adulterer and the Adulteress shall surely be put to Death And the usual Death was Stoning Deut. 22.24 The Saxons commanded the Persons taken in this Sin to be burnt The Romans caused their Heads to be stricken off This Sin like a Scorpion carries a Sting in the Tail of it The Adultery of Paris and Helena a beautiful Strumpet ended in the Ruin of Troy and was the Death both of Paris and Helena Iealousie is the rage of a Man and the Adulterer is oft killed in the Act of his Sin Adultery cost Otho the Emperor and Pope Sixtus the Fourth their Lives Laeta venire Venus tristis abire solet I have read of two Citizens in London 1583. who defiling themselves with Adultery on the Lord's Day were immediately struck dead with a Fire from Heaven If all that were now guilty of this Sin should be punished in this manner it would rain Fire again as on Sodom Ninthly Adultery without Repentance damns the Soul 1 Cor. 6.9 Neither Fornicators nor Adulterers nor Effeminate shall enter into the Kingdom of God The Fire of Lust brings to the Fire of Hell Heb. 13.4 Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Tho Men may neglect to judge them yet God will judge them But will not God judge all other Sinners Yes Why then doth the Apostle say Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge The meaning is 1. He will judge them assuredly they shall not escape the Hand of Justice 2. He will punish them severely 2 Pet. 2.10 The Lord knoweth how to reserve the Vnjust to the Day of Iudgment to be punish'd but chiefly them that walk in the Lust of Vncleanness The Harlot's Breast keeps from Abraham's Bosom Momentaneum est quod delectat Aeternum q. d. Cruciat Who would for a Cup of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Prov. 9.18 Her Guests are in the depths of Hell A wise Traveller when he comes to his Inn tho many pleasant Dishes are set before him yet he forbears to taste because of the Reckoning which will be brought in We are here all Travellers to Ierusalem above and tho many Baits of Temptation are set before us yet we should forbear and think of the reckoning which will be brought in at Death With what Stomach could Dionisius eat his Dainties when he imagined there was a naked Sword hung over his Head as he sat at Meat While the Adulterer feeds on strange Flesh the Sword of God's Justice hangs over his Head Causinus speaks of a Tree that grows in Spain that is of a sweet Smell and pleasant to the Taste but the Juyice of it is poysonous The Emblem of an Harlot she is perfum'd with Powders and fair to look on but poysonous and damnable to the Soul Prov. 7.26 She hath cast down many wounded yea many strong Men have been slain by her Tenthly The Adulterer doth not only wrong his own Soul but doth what in him lies to destroy the Soul of another and so kill two at once And thus the Adulterer is worse than the Thief For suppose a Thief Rob a Man yea take away his Life yet that Man's Soul may be happy he may go to Heaven as well as if he had died in his Bed But he who commits Adultery endangers the Soul of another and deprives her of Salvation so far as in him lies Now what a fearful thing is it to be an Instrument to draw another to Hell Eleventhly The Adulterer is abhorr'd of God Prov. 22.14 The mouth of a strange Woman is a deep Pit he who is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein What can be worse than to be abhorr'd of God God may be angry with his own Children but for God to Abhor a Man it is the highest Degree of Hatred Quest. But how doth the Lord show his abhorring of the Adulterer Answ. In giving him up to a Reprobate Mind and a Seared Conscience Rom. 1.26 And now he is in such a condition that he cannot repent This is to be abhorred of God Such a Person stands upon the Threshold of Hell and when Death gives him a Jog he tumbles in All which may sound a Retreat in our Ears and call us off from the pursuit of so damnable a Sin as Uncleanness I will conclude with two Scriptures Prov. 5.8 Come not nigh the Door of her House Prov. 7.27 Her House is the way to Hell Twelfthly Adultery is a Sower of Discord It destroyes Peace and Love the two best Flowers which grow in a Family Adultery sets Husband
their chrystal streams the Sun inlightens others with its golden beams the more a Christian is enobled with Grace the more he besiegeth Heaven with his Prayers for others If we are Members of the Body Mystical we cannot but have a sympathy with others in their wants and this sympathy sets us a praying for them David had a publick Spirit in Prayer Psal. 125.4 Do good O Lord unto those that be good Though he begins the Psalm with Prayer for himself Psal. 51.1 Have Mercy upon me O God yet he ends the Psalm with Prayer for others ver 18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion VSE III. It is matter of Comfort to the Godly who are but low in the World yet they have the Prayers of Gods people for them they pray not only for the increase of their Faith but their Food that God will give them Daily Bread He is like to be rich who hath several stocks going so are they in a likely way to thrive who have the Prayers of the Saints going for them in several parts of the World So much for this second word in the Petition Give us Thirdly The thiâ—â— word in the Petition is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This day We pray not give us Bread for a month or a year but a day Give us this day Quest. Is it not lawful to lay up for afterwards Doth not the Apostle say He who provides not for his Family is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 Answ. 'T is true it is lawful to lay up for Posterity but our Saviour hath taught us to pray Give us this day our bread for two Reasons 1. That we should not have carking care for the future We should not set our Wits upon the tenter or torment our selves how to lay up great Estates if we do vivere in diem if we have but enough to supply for the present it may suffice Give us this day Take no thought for to morrow Matth. 6.34 God fed Israel with Manna in the wilderness and he fed them from hand to mouth sometimes all their Manna was spent and if any one had asked them where they would have their break-fast next morning they would have said our care is only for this day God will rain down what Manna we need If we have Bread this day do not distrust Gods Providence for the future 2. Our Saviour will have us pray Give us bread this day to teach us to live every day as if it were our last We are not to pray give us Bread to morrow because we do not know whether we shall live while to morrow but Lord give us this day it may be our last day we shall live and then we shall need no more VSE If we pray for Bread only for a day Give us this day then you who have great Estates have cause to be thankful you have more than you pray for you pray but for Bread for one day and God hath given you enough to suffice you all your life What a bountiful God do you serve Two things may make rich Men thankful 1. God gives them more than they deserve 2. God gives them more than they pray for Fourthly The fourth thing in the Petition is Our bread Quest. Why is it called our Bread when it is not ours but Gods Answ. 1. We must understand it in a qualified sense it is our Bread being gotten by honest industry There are two sorts of Bread that cannot properly be called our Bread 1. The Bread of Idleness 2. The Bread of Violence 1. The Bread of Idleness Prov. 31.27 She eateth not the bread of idleness An idle Person doth vivere aliena quadra he lives at another bodies cost and is at their finding Prov. 1.25 His hands refuse to labour We must not be as the Drones which eat the honey that other Bees have brought into the hive If we eat the bread of Idleness this is not our own bread 2 Thess. 3.11 12. There are some that walk disorderly working not at all such we command that they work and eat their own bread The Apostle gives us this hint that such as live idly do not eat their own Bread 2. The Bread of Violence We cannot call this our Bread for it is taken away from others That which is gotten by stealth or fraud or any manner of extortion is not our Bread it belongs to another He who is a bird of prey who takes away the Bread of the Widow and Fatherless he eats that Bread which is none of his nor can he pray for a Blessing upon it Can he pray God to bless that which he hath gotten unjustly 2. It is called our Bread by vertue of our Title to it There is a twofold title to Bread 1. A Spiritual Title In and by Christ we have a right to the Creature and may call it our Bread As we are Believers we have the best Title to Earthly things we hold all in capite 1 Cor. 3.22 All things are yours by what Title Ye are Christs 2. A Civil Title which the Law confers on us To deny Men a Civil Right to their Possessions and make all common it opens the door to Anarchy and Confusion VSE See the priviledge of Believers they have both a Spiritual and a Civil Right to what they possess They who can say Our Father can say our Bread Wicked Men tho' they have a Legal right to what they possess yet not a Covenant right they have it by Providence not by Promise with Gods leave not with his Love Wicked Men are in Gods eye no better than usurpers all they have their Money and Land is like Cloth taken up at the Drapers which is not paid for but this is the sweet priviledge of Believers they can say our Bread Christ being theirs all is theirs O how sweet is every bit of Bread dip'd in Christs Blood How well doth that Meat relish which is a pledge and earnest of more The Meal in the barrel is an earnest of our Angels food in Paradise Here is the priviledge of Saints they have a right to Earth and Heaven Fifthly The fifth and last thing in this Petition is the thing we pray for Daily Bread Quest. What is meant by Bread Answ. Bread here by a Synechdoche speciei pro genere is put for all the Temporal Blessings of this Life Food Fuel Clothing Quicquid nobis conducit ad bene esse Aust. whatever may serve for Necessity or sober Delight VSE Learn to be contented with that allowance God gives us If we have Bread a competency of these outward things let us rest satisfied We pray but for Bread Give us our daily Bread we do not pray for superfluities not for Quails or Venison but for Bread that which may support Life Tho' we have not so much as others so full a Crop so rich an Estate yet if we have the staff of Bread to shore us up from falling let us be content most people are