And if the Clouds of Heaven return to man naturally according to that they receive from the Earth; how is man on earth bound morally, or in duty, to return according to what he receives from Heaven. Let us mind our accordings and proportions to the dealings and dispensations of God. The Clouds of the air will condemn us, at least witness against us, if we receive much, and return little. I pass this. Only here we may take notice of six things in Concatenation one with another: First, vapours are drawn up from the Earth: Secondly, they are made into watery Clouds: Thirdly, from thence they are sent back to moisten the Earth: Fourthly, the rain sent down is proportionable to the vapour that went up: Fifthly, according to that proportion, the Earth is made more or less fruitful; plentiful rains cause or produce plentiful fruits ordinarily from the Earth, and little rains little fruits: Sixthly, and lastly, man is nourished and hath his outward Comforts increased or lessened in proportion to the fruits which the Earth bringeth forth, or to the fruitfulness of the Earth. All these things attend and depend upon one another. They pour down according to the vapour thereof, and God draws up ⟨p. 396⟩in proportion to what himself purposeth they shall pour down. Thus we see, how God by the Sun draws out the moisture and sap of the Earth, to return it back with advantage. Drawing up the moisture makes the Earth languish, and her fruits wither; sending it down again, makes the Earth green, flourishing and fruitful. They pour down rain, &c. And what more? Elihu answers Vers. 28. Which the Clouds do drop.
And if the Clouds of Heaven return to man naturally according to that they receive from the Earth; how is man on earth bound morally, or in duty, to return according to what he receives from Heaven. Let us mind our accordings and proportions to the dealings and dispensations of God. The Clouds of the aire will condemn us, at least witness against us, if we receive much, and return little. I passe this. Only here we may take notice of six things in Concatination one with another: First, vapours are drawn up from the Earth: Secondly, they are made into watery Clouds: Thirdly, from thence they are sent back to moisten the Earth: Fourthly, the rain sent down is proportionable to the vapour that went up: Fifthly, according to that proportion, the Earth is made more or lesse fruitfull; plentifull rains cause or produce plentifull fruits ordinarily from the Earth, and little rains little fruits: Sixthly, and lastly, man is nourished and hath his outward Comforts encreased or lessened in proportion to the fruits which the Earth bringeth forth, or to the fruitfulness of the Earth. All these things attend and depend upon one another. They pour down according to the vapour thereof, and God draws up ⟨p. 396⟩in proportion to what himself purposeth they shall pour down. Thus we see, how God by the Sun draws out the moisture and sap of the Earth, to return it back with advantage. Drawing up the moisture makes the Earth languish, and her fruits wither; sending it down again, makes the Earth green, flourishing and fruitful. They pour down rain, &c. And what more? Elihu answers Vers. 28. Which the Clouds do drop.
