CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. God hath put such a natural storge into all Creatures, that what is their own they will defend; The Hen will save its own little ones and venture for them, The Mother will save her own child: Now shall God put such a property in all Creatures to save their own, to protect their own, and shall not God much more? Yea, God maketh his affections to be more tender then a mothers, such may forget even her sucking Infant, Isa. 49.15. but God will not, yea, doth not God show his care in providing for all Creatures, because they are his Creatures, who feeds the young Ravens, who preserveth the Sparrows Life, Is not all by Gods Providence? Oh then what special care will he show to his spiritual Creature, which cost far more then even the natural Creature did: It would be a dishonour to God if he should not take care of such; We see amongst men it's counted matter of honour to remember them that have suffered for their sakes; What said David to the Priest that escaped Sauls sword when so many were bloodily devoured by his Sword, I have been the Cause of their death, stay with me, and thou shalt fare as I fare; Thus will Christ say, I have been the cause of all thy reproaches and miseries in the world, Stay with me, and I will protect you; To forsake a man that hath been undone to maintain thy cause, or thy credit, would be great dishonour; And doth it not more belong to Gods honour that such as have denied all their worldly comforts for him, that he should regard them? What will not God suffer any to seek him in vain? and shall they suffer for him in vain? Besides it would discourage all to stand for his Word, Should he forsake them, who would set out upon this spiritual War with the world upon his own charges? It's true, we are to say after all is done, We are unprofitable Servants, and when we have suffered here, we might suffer in hell hereafter, but Gods Grace and goodness will not regard our merits, but his fidelity and promise.

2. God hath put such a naturall storge into all Creatures, that what is their own they will defend; The Hen will save its own little ones and venture for them, The Mother will save her own childe: Now shall God put such a property in all Creatures to save their own, to protect their own, and shall not God much more? Yea, God maketh his affections to be more tender then a mothers, such may forget even her sucking Infant, Isa. 49.15. but God will not, yea, doth not God shew his care in providing for all Creatures, because they are his Creatures, who feeds the young Ravens, who preserveth the Sparrows Life, Is not all by Gods Providence? Oh then what specal care will he shew to his spiritual Creature, which cost farre more then even the natural Creature did: It would be a dishonour to God if he should not take care of such; We see amongst men it's counted matter of honour to remember them that have suffered for their sakes; What said David to the Priest that escaped Sauls sword when so many were bloudily devoured by his Sword, I have been the Cause of their death, stay with me, and thou shalt fare as I fare; Thus will Christ say, I have been the cause of all thy reproaches and miseries in the world, Stay with me, and I will protect you; To forsake a man that hath been undone to maintain thy cause, or thy credit, would be great dishonour; And doth it not more belong to Gods honour that such as have denied all their worldly comforts for him, that he should regard them? What will not God suffer any to seek him in vain? and shall they suffer for him in vain? Besides it would discourage all to stand for his Word, Should he forsake them, who would set out upon this spiritual Warre with the world upon his own charges? It's true, we are to say after all is done, We are unprofitable Servants, and when we have suffered here, we might suffer in hell hereafter, but Gods Grace and goodnesse will not regard our merits, but his fidelity and promise.