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…

Lastly, If all these things, that yet seem to be the proper effects of second ¹causes, are yet the gifts of God, Then how much more are all those enjoyments, wherein mans wisdom and power cannot claim any work at all? Such are now all those favours of God in a temporal may, that are cast upon us without any care or providence of ours. That as God provided a wife for Adam, while he was in a sleep; Thus doth the Lord bring about many providences of love for his children, that they never thought of, that they could not in the least manner imagine. To this head we may refer Paul's mercy in the Text. It might well be called a gift, because he was pressed above strength, and had no hope of life, yet even then God did deliver him. Such mercies also must needs be Gods gifts, which are bestowed upon us while we are asleep, while all the senses are locked up; our preservation then from outward dangers, yea, and from many other ways, which might be our death or ruin, when we have no use of reason to prevent them, they must needs be Gods gift. And lastly, All the providences of God to us, while little children, having no wit or power to help our selves, but exposed to danger every way, all these were the gifts of God. But who doth with thankfulness remember and meditate upon Gods mercies to him, while a little child, when he did eat, and drink, and play, and thought of no God, yet even then did God vouchsafe mercy to him? David did acknowledge this, Psal. 22. 9. Thou didst make me hope, when I was upon my mothers breasts. David was a sucking child then, he could not put forth the actings of hope, or any grace at that time, but [I] meaneth God was he that did then support and preserve him, though he did not know of it. Thus you see, that if you let your thoughts run over all the good things you enjoy, let them come in what channel they can, yet they are all gifts from God. So that we are to overlook all natural causes, all means, all men, all our own wisdom, and labour, and take them from Gods hand alone. That which David saith in reference to the creatures, belongeth also to man, Psal. 104. 27. These all wait upon thee, that thou mayest give them their meat in due season; That thou givest them, they gather; thou openest thy hand, and they are filled.

Lastly, If all these things, that yet seem to be the proper effects of second