First, If the Lord doth thus provide for Lions young or old, one or other, then much more will he provide, and hunt the prey for his faithful people. David (Psal. 34.10.) gives us the Lords word for it, The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. That is, the young Lions may lack, or though the young Lions should lack and suffer hunger, yet they that seek and serve the Lord shall not. Lions have a good assurance that they shall not lack, but the servants of God have a far better assurance that they shall not. Doth God take care for Oxen? was the Apostles question (1 Cor. 9.9.) or saith he it altogether for our sakes; for our sakes (speaking of Gospel Ministers) no doubt this is written, (ver. 10.) As if he had said, if the Lord did not give that law to the Jews, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn altogether for our sakes, yet questionless he gave it chiefly for our sakes, and had a far greater respect to us in making that law than to Oxen. Thus from the text and point in hand, I may say, Doth God take care for Lions? Surely, he hath caused this to be written, that we may know, he will much more ⟨p. 289⟩take care of his sheep, of all that fear him and call upon his name. A Lion may come into a starving condition, but those that fear God shall not. Lions, though they are very strong & subtle cannot always get their prey, but the Lord hath promised to minister to his people, at least a supply of their necessities; as David speaks, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psal. 37.25.)
First, If the Lord doth thus provide for Lions young or old, one or other, then much more will he provide, and hunt the prey for his faithful people. David (Psal. 34.10.) gives us the Lords word for it, The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. That is, the young Lions may lack, or though the young Lions should lack and suffer hunger, yet they that seek and serve the Lord shall not. Lions have a good assurance that they shall not lack, but the servants of God have a far better assurance that they shall not. Doth God take care for Oxen? was the Apostles question (1 Cor. 9.9.) or saith he it altogether for our sakes; for our sakes (speaking of Gospel Ministers) no doubt this is written, (ver. 10.) As if he had said, if the Lord did not give that law to the Jews, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corn altogether for our sakes, yet questionless he gave it chiefly for our sakes, and had a far greater respect to us in making that law than to Oxen. Thus from the text and point in hand, I may say, Doth God take care for Lions? Surely, he hath caused this to be written, that we may know, he will much more ⟨p. 289⟩take care of his sheep, of all that fear him and call upon his name. A Lion may come into a starving condition, but those that fear God shall not. Lions, though they are very strong & subtle cannot always get their prey, but the Lord hath promised to minister to his people, at least a supply of their necessities; as David speaks, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psal. 37.25.)
