An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

2. Another Rule is, That when God hath promised to do any thing for his people, yet he doth for the most part seem to go contrary to it, especially at first, as when Abraham was promised a great Posterity; David a Kingdom, they met at first with nothing, but what did make against these, so that his providence did seem to gainsay his promise. Now if this be not known, how quickly will the godly be deceived. The world was a great Chaos and confusion before it was made so glorious as now it is.

2. Another Rule is, That when God hath promised to do any thing for his people, yet he doth for the most part seem to go contrary to it, especially at first, as when Abraham was promised a great Posterity; David a Kingdome, they met at first with nothing, but what did make against these, so that his providence did seem to gainsay his promise. Now if this be not known, how quickly will the godly be deceived. The world was a great Chaos and confusion before it was made so glorious as now it is.

3. This will prevent mistake also, when we consider, That God doth usually hide himself and deny help, till every thing be desperate, and then he cometh to help. When the poor cripple that lay so many years, and could not be put into the Poole, said, I have no help, then Christ healed him; Christ did not provide Wine at the Marriage Feast till all was spent; Moses cometh when the •aske of brick is doubled; in the Mount the Lord will be seen. Would not this truth alone deliver thee from many conclusions, as if God had forsaken thee, and would be merciful no more. What if Christ do with thee as that Woman of Canaan to put thee off, to call thee Dog? Is it not to provoke thy faith and importunity more?

3. This will prevent mistake also, when we consider, That God doth usually hide himselfe and deny help, till every thing be desperate, and then he cometh to help. When the poore creple that lay so many years, and could not be put into the Poole, said, I have no help, then Christ healed him; Christ did not provide Wine at the Marriage Feast till all was spent; Moses cometh when the aske of brick is doubled; in the Mount the Lord will be seen. Would not this truth alone deliver thee from many conclusions, as if God had forsaken thee, and would be mercifull no more. What if Christ do with thee as that Woman of Canaan to put thee off, to call thee Dog? Is it not to provoke thy faith and importunity more?