A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Thirdly, And this we may the rather be encouraged unto, considering the relation which is betwixt God and us: for he is our faithful creator, we the work of his hands: he is our Shepherd, we the flock of his pasture: he is our Father, we his children. Let them that suffer according to the will of God,¹ commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.² Cast all your care upon him, for he he careth for you. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day, that he is among his sheep that are scattered: ³so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places, where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, ⁴and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lye in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall the feed upon the mountains of Israel.⁵ Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewith shall we be clothed? for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. God is the great Father of the family, who provideth all things necessary for them that be under his government.⁶ The eyes of all wait upon thee and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. ⁷He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. It is his property, ⟨p. 365⟩who is the chief good, to communicate his blessings unto his creatures: much more to compass them with mercy that depend upon him. He hath put this natural affection into Parents, nay, into brute beasts to tender their young ones: and shall not he much more provide for them that cry unto him day and night for relief and succour? The Lords portion is his people;