2. For earthly things. This fear of God qualifies a man to be put in trust with them rather then with another. Therefore God made Joseph Lord of all Egypt; Obadiah, Steward of Ahab's house, Daniel, Mordecai and the three Children were set over the province of Babylon. And this by the wonderful working hand of God because he had to dispose of earthly things now, not only in a common way, but for the good of his people in special. True, when there is no special matter, or thing to be done by God in a Nation for his people, then who will, that is, whether they have grace or no, may have the dispose of those things: but if God has any thing in special to bestow upon his people of this worlds good, then he will intrust it in the hands of men fearing God. Joseph must now be made Lord of Egypt because Israel must be kept from starving: Obadiah must now be made Steward of Ahab's house, because the Lords Prophets must be hid from, ⟨p. 190⟩and fed in despite of the rage and bloody mind of Jezebel: Daniel with his companions, and Mordecai also, they were all exalted to earthly and temporal dignity, that they might in that state, they being men that abounded in the fear of God, be serviceable to their Brethren in their straits and difficulties, Gen. 42.18. Chap. 41.39. 1 King. 18.3. Esther the two last Chapters, Dan. 2.48. Chap. 3.30. Chap. 5.29. Chap. 6.1, 2, 3.
2. For earthly things. This fear of God qualifies a man to be put in trust with them rather then with another. Therefore God made Joseph Lord of all Aegypt; Obadiah, Steward of Ahabs house, Daniel, Mordecai and the three Children were set over the province of Babilon. And this by the wonderful working hand of God because he had to dispose of earthly things now, not only in a common way, but for the good of his people in special. True, when there is no special matter, or thing to be done by God in a Nation for his people, then who will, that is, whether they have grace or no, may have the dispose of those things: but if God has any thing in special to bestow upon his people of this worlds good, then he will intrust it in the hands of men fearing God. Joseph must now be made Lord of Aegypc because Israel must be kept from starving: Obadiah must now be made Steward of Ahabs house, because the Lords Prophets must be hid from, ⟨p. 190⟩and fed in despite of the rage and bloody mind of Jezebel: Daniel with his companions, and Mordecai also, they were all exalted to earthly and temporal dignity, that they might in that state, they being men that abounded in the fear of God, be serviceable to their Brethren in their straits and difficulties, Gen. 42.18. Chap. 41.39. 1 King. 18.3. Hester the two last Chapters, Dan. 2.48. Chap. 3.30. Chap. 5.29. Chap. 6.1, 2, 3.
