This was a special branch of the Apostles prayer for the Philippians (Phil: 1.10.) That ye may approve the things that are excellent; or the things that differ in excellency; Some are contented to sit down in the lowest form of Christs School; if they have but any thing which they may call good, or true, right and sincere, they look no further; any thing satisfieth them, which will serve turn to keep them from perishing; they have no holy aspirings, nor godly covetous desires after the best things, and the best of the best. God is willing and hath promised to give us not only good things, but the best things (Psal: 81.16.) He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat, ⟨p. 511⟩and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee; 'tis a mercy to have wheat, but the finest of the wheat, and honey out of the rock, not ordinary honey, but the best honey, the purest honey, are greater mercies. We, by our sins, deserve that God should (as the Prophet speaks, Isa: 30.20.) give us the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction; that is, either that he should give us adversity in stead of bread, and affliction in stead of water, or that he should feed us with the coursest bread, with husks and bran, and give us bitter waters, the waters of Marah to drink, yet he in mercy gives us pleasant bread, and well-tasted water; yea were we better, he would give us the best bread, the finest of the wheat, and our cup should be sweeter to us then the sweetest honey. The reason why we have not of the best, is because we are no better. Yea God now gives us not only good things, but the best of good things, even himself, his Son and Spirit, who are best of all (O how excellent is this loving kindness!) therefore let us not only look after good things, but the best of good things, to honour God, and lift up his name to the highest in this world; Let us labour to know and do the best things; and give God our best services and purest praises, even the male of our flock, the first-borne, the strength of our whole souls. To these highest attainments, Elihu persuades those wise and knowing men, promising to join with them in that search; Come let us beat out the business with diligence, that we may at last choose Judgement, and know among our selves what is good, what is best.
This was a speciall branch of the Apostles prayer for the Philippians (Phil: 1.10.) That ye may approve the things that are excellent; or the things that differ in excellency; Some are contented to sit downe in the lowest forme of Christs Schoole; if they have but any thing which they may call good, or true, right and sincere, they looke no further; any thing satisfieth them, which will serve turne to keep them from perishing; they have no holy aspirings, nor godly covetous desires after the best things, and the best of the best. God is willing and hath promised to give us not only good things, but the best things (Psal: 81.16.) He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat, ⟨p. 511⟩and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee; 'tis a mercy to have wheat, but the finest of the wheat, and honey out of the rock, not ordinary honey, but the best honey, the purest honey, are greater mercies. We, by our sins, deserve that God should (as the Prophet speakes, Isa: 30.20.) give us the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction; that is, either that he should give us adversity in stead of bread, and affliction in stead of water, or that he should feed us with the coursest bread, with huskes and bran, and give us bitter waters, the waters of Marah to drinke, yet he in mercy gives us pleasant bread, and wel-tasted water; yea were we better, he would give us the best bread, the finest of the wheat, and our cup should be sweeter to us then the sweetest honey. The reason why we have not of the best, is because we are no better. Yea God now gives us not only good things, but the best of good things, even himselfe, his Son and Spirit, who are best of all (O how excellent is this loving kindness!) therefore let us not only look after good things, but the best of good things, to honour God, and lift up his name to the highest in this world; Let us labour to know and doe the best things; and give God our best services and purest praises, even the male of our flocke, the first-borne, the strength of our whole soules. To these highest attainments, Elihu perswades those wise and knowing men, promising to joyne with them in that search; Come let us beat out the business with diligence, that we may at last chuse Judgement, and know among our selves what is good, what is best.
