4. He that is bountiful, must give all he gives freely, and willingly. Which, though I put together, yet may imply two distinct things: As first, that he that gives, must be a free agent in it, who is at his choice, whether he would give any thing away or no. The Sun doth much good to the world, it affords a large light, and even half the world at once is full of its glory: yea and all this light is its own, not borrowed, as that of the Moon and Stars is; yet this Sun cannot be called good or bountiful, because it sends forth this light necessarily, and naturally; and cannot choose but do so; nor can it draw in its beams. But God is a free giver, he was at his choice, whether he would have made the world or no; and can yet when he pleaseth, with-draw his Spirit and face, 1and then they all perish, Psal. 104. 29. Secondly, it must be willing by also: that is, no way constrained, nor by extraction wrung from him, who is to be called Bountiful. A willing mind in matter of bounty, is more accepted than the thing, 2 Cor. 8. 12. Now of God it is said, ⟨p. 7⟩Dan. 4. 22. that he gives the Kingdoms of the world to whom he will, and none sways him, or can stay his hand, ver. 35. yea he gives all away with delight. So Psal. 104. 31. having spoken of feeding every living thing, and of other the like works of his goodness, throughout that Psalm, he concludes with this, God rejoiceth in all his works: that is, doth all the good he doth to his creatures with delight; It doth him good (as it were) to see the poor creatures feed.
4. He that is bountifull, must give all he gives freely, and willingly. Which, though I put together, yet may imply two distinct things: As first, that he that gives, must be a free agent in it, who is at his choice, whether he would give any thing away or no. The Sunne doth much good to the world, it affords a large light, and even halfe the world at once is full of its glory: yea and all this light is its owne, not borrowed, as that of the Moone and Starres is; yet this Sunne cannot be called good or bountifull, because it sends forth this light necessarily, and naturally; and cannot choose but doe so; nor can it draw in its beames. But God is a free giver, he was at his choice, whether he would have made the world or no; and can yet when hee pleaseth, with-draw his Spirit and face, 1and then they all perish, Psal. 104. 29. Secondly, it must be willing by also: that is, no way constrained, nor by extraction wrung from him, who is to be called Bountifull. A willing mind in matter of bounty, is more accepted than the thing, 2 Cor. 8. 12. Now of God it is said, ⟨p. 7⟩Dan. 4. 22. that he gives the Kingdomes of the world to whom he will, and none swayes him, or can stay his hand, ver. 35. yea hee gives all away with delight. So Psal. 104. 31. having spoken of feeding every living thing, and of other the like works of his goodnesse, throughout that Psalme, hee concludes with this, God rejoyceth in all his workes: that is, doth all the good he doth to his creatures with delight; It doth him good (as it were) to see the poore creatures feed.
- 1Psal. 104. 29.
