Consolation to good men that have inward store of grace, Use. 1 though their outward state of money, or other substance be very slender and small: And though their friends should also fail as well as their wealth, yet they be neither destitute of friendship, or welfare. Because the Lord himself is all sufficient in himself and most nearly united, and knit unto them by the bond of fatherhood. The Prophet professed, and published his assurance to all the world, that he should want nothing, in this regard that God was his shepherd. Psal. 23. 1. And how can he possibly then be forlorn, that hath him to his father? Even wicked men will be tender of their children, and the Bears and Dragons will be careful of their young ones. Lam. 4. 3. and shall the God of all goodness withdraw his hand to help his sons and daughters? especially sithens he teacheth it out to minister food to every living creature, and amongst them to his very enemies? And from his own kindness he can bow mens affections to be kind, and make their very enemies, friends, and friendly unto them. And let that fall out that the times should be heard, and the prices of victuals high, yet Gods store is not diminished, nor his plenty abated, but he can afford his family sufficient allowance as well in the dearest years, as when things be at the cheapest. And then indeed his providence is most seen, and his goodness most felt, and the truth of his word most clearly manifested. For so he promiseth. Psal. 37. 19. They shall not be confounded in the perilous times, and in the days of famine they shall have enough. ⟨p. 58⟩Whereof Jacob had experience in a special manner, he never fa•ed better then in the years of dearth, when all others wanted, he abounded: when the Egyptians themselves that lowed the corn were ready to perish for want of corn: he with his household was plenteously provided for amongst them, and that for nothing.
Consolation to good men that haue inward store of grace, Vse. 1 though their outward state of money, or other substance bee very slender and small: And though their friends should also faile as well as their wealth, yet they bee neither destitute of friendship, or welfare. Because the Lord himselfe is all sufficient in himselfe and most neerely vnited, and knit vnto them by the bond of fatherhood. The Prophet professed, and published his assurance to all the world, that he should want nothing, in this regard that God was his shepheard. Psal. 23. 1. And how can he possiblie then bee forlorne, that hath him to his father? Euen wicked men will be tender of their children, and the Beares and Dragons will be carefull of their young ones. Lam. 4. 3. and shall the God of all goodnesse withdraw his hand to helpe his sonnes and daughters? especially sithens hee teacheth it out to minister foode to euery liuing creature, and amongst them to his very enemies? And from his owne kindnesse he can bow mens affections to be kinde, and make their very enemies, friends, and friendly vnto them. And let that fall out that the times should bee heard, and the prices of victuals high, yet Gods store is not diminished, nor his plentie abated, but he can afford his familie sufficient allowance as well in the dearest yeares, as when things bee at the cheapest. And then indeed his prouidence is most seene, and his goodnesse most felt, and the truth of his word most clearely manifested. For so he promiseth. Psal. 37. 19. They shall not be confounded in the perillons times, and in the dayes of famine they shall haue enough. ⟨p. 58⟩Whereof Iacob had experience in a speciall manner, he neuer fa•ed better then in the yeares of dearth, when all others wanted, he abounded: when the Egiptians themselues that lowed the corne were ready to perish for want of corne: he with his household was plenteously prouided for amongst them, and that for nothing.
