An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

First, Some expound it of staying the rain when there is most need of rain, or when the earth wants it most, or in a time of drought: For then the earth groweth hard like a molten-pillar, and the clods thereof cleaving one to another make clefts in the body of the earth. In a time of great drought, the earth at once cleaves asunder, and runs closet together, as it were to succour it self. Who stayeth the bottles of heaven, when the earth is chapt and gapes for rain to soften and cool it? Surely man doth it not, nor can he be said to do it (unless meritoriously) It is God alone who efficiently stays the clouds from rain in a time of drought, or when the necessities of the earth call aloud for it. Taking the words in this sense.

Observe; God can stop any of our mercies (as here the rain) when we have most need of them.

I (saith the Lord Amos 4.7.) have withholden the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest, and I caused it to rain upon one City, and caused it not to rain upon another City; one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not, ⟨p. 276⟩withered. One months drought before harvest threatens a scarcity or dearth of Corn; but two, yea, three months drought, must needs usher in a dreadful famine.

I (saith the Lord Amos 4.7.) have withholden the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest, and I caused it to rain upon one City, and caused it not to rain upon another City; one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not, ⟨p. 276⟩