Let us learn by this a direction to piety and holy walking with God: in all things to pray to God for a blessing. And to that purpose we must be in such a condition of spirit, ⟨p. 70⟩as we may desire God to prosper us: that is,1 we must not be under the guilt of sin when we come to God to prosper us. And we must be humble, God will not prosper a business till we be humble. As in the case of the Benjamites, when they came, they were denied, the first, second, and third time, till they prayed and fasted, and were thoroughly humbled, they had their suit denied: If the cause be never so good, till we be humbled, God will not prosper it: because we are not in frame for the blessing; if we had it we would be proud. God, in preventing ⟨p. 71⟩mercy and care will grant nothing till we be humbled. Therefore let us see that we be humble; and see that the matter be good that we beg God to bless and prosper us in, or else we make a horrible idol of God, we make (with reverence be it spoken) a devil of God. Do we think that God will give strength to an ill business? This is to make him a factor for mischief, for the Devils work: We must not come with such strange fire before God, to transform God, to the contrary to that he is: but come with humble affections, ⟨p. 72⟩with repentant souls for our former sins. And let the thing it self be good, that we may come without tempting of him▪ let the cause be such that we may desire Gods assistance without tempting of him, as we do when it is good and when we come disposed. Then come with a purpose to refer all to his service. Lord, if thou wilt bless me in this business, the strength and encouragement I have by it, I will refer it to thy further service. Let me have this token of love from thee, that I have a good aim in all, and then I am sure to speed well.
Let us learne by this a direction to piety and holy walking with God: in all things to pray to God for a blessing. And to that purpose we must be in such a condition of spirit, ⟨p. 70⟩as we may desire God to prosper us: that is,1 we must not be under the guilt of sin when we come to God to prosper us. And we must be humble, God will not prosper a businesse till we be humble. As in the case of the Benjamites, when they came, they were denyed, the first, second, and third time, till they prayed and fasted, and were thorowly humbled, they had their suit denyed: If the cause be never so good, till wee be humbled, God will not prosper it: because we are not in frame for the blessing; if we had it we would be proud. God, in preventing ⟨p. 71⟩mercy and care will grant nothing till we be humbled. Therefore let us see that we be humble; and see that the matter be good that wee beg God to blesse and prosper us in, or else we make a horrible idoll of God, we make (with reverence be it spoken) a divell of God. Doe wee thinke that God will give strength to an ill businesse? This is to make him a factor for mischiefe, for the Divels worke: Wee must not come with such strange fire before God, to transforme God, to the contrary to that he is: but come with humble affections, ⟨p. 72⟩with repentant soules for our former sinnes. And let the thing it selfe be good, that we may come without tempting of him▪ let the cause be such that we may desire Gods assistance without tempting of him, as we do when it is good and when we come disposed. Then com with a purpose to referre all to his service. Lord, if thou wilt blesse me in this businesse, the strength and incouragement I have by it, I will referre it to thy further service. Let me have this token of love from thee, that I have a good ayme in all, and then I am sure to speed well.
- 1In what condition of soul we may expect prosperity from GodIn what condition of soule wee may expect prosperity from God
