But because the feeble heart might here haply reply, How shall a poor sinner, who wants both wisdom and strength, be skilful to know how to carry himself in such extremities, ⟨p. 317⟩or yet be able to undergo such pressures passing strength? To this the Apostle answers in the 5. verse, If any man want wisdom, let him ask it of God, who gives abundantly, and upbraids no man, and it shall be given him. By wisdom is meant, not the grace of spiritual understanding in the general; but that special point of wisdom which might suit with the present occasion, and make a man cunning to carry the cross. And the Apostle so propounds the direction, that it might answer and point to all the carnal pleas that a corrupt and distressed heart might cast in the way; and therefore you shall observe each circumstance is worth observance. If any of you be banished ⟨p. 318⟩and persecuted, not only such as are able Christians, of great graces, and large abilities, of glorious parts and performances, and therefore might hope to speed best; no, if any the weakest, the feeblest, and the meanest. Oh, but I want a world of wisdom, so much that it's not like to find a sufficient supply; a little will not serve the turn: Why, behold the Lord gives abundantly, richly; if thou beest a beggar in knowledge, he hath riches of knowledge, and he can supply thee. Oh, but I have abused his mercy and help in this kind, which he hath given me, and therefore I fear he will give me no more: He will not upbraid the sinner for what he did abuse; (the text adds, he upbraids ⟨p. 319⟩no man) but will give him what he needs and asks. Oh, but what's that to me, that God hath enough to bestow on whom he will, if he will give none to me? Behold this also is answered; for the words say, If any man ask, it shall be given him. Now this may seem strange, and to be too good to be true to a distressed spirit, and a distrustful soul; Why, is it possible that God should give wisdom to me, who am so ignorant? succour and supply to me, who am so weak and unbelieving? I cannot imagine it, I cannot think it, much less can I expect it at the hands of God: therefore the Apostle in the words rehearsed, gives us a caution to his former direction; Let him ask ⟨p. 320⟩in faith: What a man asks, it shall be given him; but take this with you, always provided, he ask in faith:
But because the feeble heart might here haply reply, How shall a poor sinner, who wants both wisedome and strength, bee skilfull to know how to carry himselfe in such extremities, ⟨p. 317⟩or yet bee able to undergoe such pressures passing strength? To this the Apostle answers in the 5. verse, If any man want wisdome, let him aske it of God, who gives abundantly, and upbraids no man, and it shall be given him. By wisedome is meant, not the grace of spirituall understanding in the generall; but that speciall point of wisedome which might sute with the present occasion, and make a man cunning to carry the crosse. And the Apostle so propounds the direction, that it might answer and point to all the carnall pleas that a corrupt and distressed heart might cast in the way; and therefore you shall observe each circumstance is worth observancie. If any of you bee banished ⟨p. 318⟩and persecuted, not only such as are able Christians, of great graces, and large abilities, of glorious parts and performances, and therefore might hope to speed best; no, if any the weakest, the feeblest, and the meanest. Oh, but I want a world of wisedome, so much that it's not like to finde a sufficient supply; a little will not serve the turn: Why, behold the Lord gives abundantly, richly; if thou beest a beggar in knowledge, he hath riches of knowledge, and he can supply thee. Oh, but I have abused his mercy and help in this kinde, which he hath given mee, and therefore I feare hee will give mee no more: He will not upbraid the sinner for what hee did abuse; (the text adds, hee upbraids ⟨p. 319⟩no man) but will give him what he needs and askes. Oh, but what's that to mee, that God hath enough to bestow on whom he will, if hee will give none to mee? Behold this also is answered; for the words say, If any man aske, it shall bee given him. Now this may seem strange, and to be too good to be true to a distressed spirit, and a distrustfull soule; Why, is it possible that God should give wisedome to mee, who am so ignorant? succour and supply to mee, who am so weake and unbeleeving? I cannot imagine it, I cannot think it, much lesse can I expect it at the hands of God: therfore the Apostle in the words rehearsed, gives us a caution to his former direction; Let him aske ⟨p. 320⟩in faith: What a man askes, it shall be given him; but take this with you, alwaies provided, hee aske in faith:
