First, it preserveth from the use of all unlawful means knowing that nothing can prosper, which God approves not.1 The Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose; therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. 2When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound: then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Joreb; yet could he not heal you, no• cure you of your wound. If a man be soundly persuaded, that the blessing of God is all in all, he will ply that fare first, and not undertake any thing, till he see God witnessing unto him by his Spirit, that he will be with him to bless him: which he cannot hope for, if the means used to compass and secure any blessing or good thing, be indirect and sinful. Nay, to hope for blessed and good success in any evil course is palpable and gross Idolatry: what is it but really to acknowledge the Devil (whose direction thou followest for advantage) to be the Governor of the world, and the disposer of earthly things? then which nothing is more opposite to lively faith. Faith speaketh on this wise,3 Better is a little wrth righteousness, then great revenues without right; more comfor•able in respect of inward peace, the present use of this life, and continuance; which maketh the Believer consult what is just, not what is gainful or profitable: what may be compassed by honest courses, not what may be gained by fraud, deceit, cozenage, or other carnal dealing. Again, faith taketh direction of God in his Word in all businesses, being assured that his counsel only is firm ⟨p. 367⟩and stable, and that course prosperous, which is consonant to his revealed will.4 There are many devices in a mans heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the Heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counse•l of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Carnal policies are disappointed, and counsels broken, but the direction of the Lord it shall prosper.
First, it preserueth from the vse of all vnlawfull means knowing that nothing can prosper, which God approues not.1 The Egyptians shall helpe in vaine, and to no purpose; therefore haue I cryed concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. 2When Ephraim saw his sicknesse, and Iudah saw his wound: then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Ioreb; yet could he not heale you, no• cure you of your wound. If a man be soundly perswaded, that the blessing of God is all in all, hee will ply that fare first, and not vndertake any thing, till hee see God witnessing vnto him by his Spirit, that hee will be with him to blesse him: which hee cannot hope for, if the meanes vsed to compasse and secure any blessing or good thing, be indirect and sinfull. Nay, to hope for blessed and good successe in any euil course is palpable and grosse Idolatry: what is it but really to acknowledge the Deuill (whose direction thou followest for aduantage) to be the Gouernour of the world, and the disposer of earthly things? then which nothing is more opposite to liuely faith. Faith speaketh on this wise,3 Better is a little wrth righteousnesse, then great reuenues without right; more comfor•able in respect of inward peace, the present vse of this life, and continuance; which maketh the Belieuer consult what is iust, not what is gainfull or profitable: what may be compassed by honest courses, not what may be gained by fraud, deceit, coozenage, or other carnall dealing. Againe, faith taketh direction of God in his Word in all businesses, being assured that his counsell onely is firme ⟨p. 367⟩and stable, and that course prosperous, which is consonant to his reuealed will.4 There are many deuices in a mans heart, neuerthelesse the counsell of the Lord, that shall stand. The Lord bringeth the counsell of the Heathen to naught: he maketh the deuices of the people of none effect. The counse•l of the Lord standeth for euer, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Carnall policies are disappointed, and counsels broken, but the direction of the Lord it shall prosper.
- 1Isaiah 30.7.Esay 30.7.
- 2Hosea 5.13, 14.
- 3Prou. 16.8.
- 4Prou. 19.21. Psal. 33.10.
