A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

this right is peculiar to a Believer and godly man, which none other, posses • what they will, can lay claim unto, for godliness and no other thing, Hath the promise both of this life and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4▪8. therefore we may upon good ground say, that Godliness is great gain.

If it be yet further asked, But what advantage have godly men by these temporal promises? Ans. This is not their advantage to be alway abounding in these outward things; that is, ⟨p. 332⟩neither so de facto and eventually, nor were it meet it should be so; but 1. they have a prom •se of what is needful and useful, simply even of temporal things which no wicked man hath, they shall, Psal. 84. want no good thing, yea, though lions suffer hunger, Psal. 34.10. yet they that seek the Lord, shall not want any good thing. 2. They may pray for these things so far as they are needful, and may confidently expect them, and go to God for them by virtue of that right, ere they get them, so Matth. 6.11. It is our daily bread by allowance, and promised before we get it. 3. If a natural man abound, he cannot promise himself the continuance of meat till the end of his life; no, not so much as his dinner to morrow, nor life till then; but if a Believer live, he may expect the continuance of as much food as shall be necessary for him; if he have nothing, he may confidently promise himself both life and food to morrow, if either or both of them be needful more nor a wicked man that hath more wealth, health, and outward protection can do. 4. He may promise himself the blessing and the sanctified use of what he enjoyeth, which another cannot. 5. He may have peace, whether he have or want, in the enjoyment of creatures, or in their scarcity, because he he hath a right to them, for it is not from want of right to creature comforts that scarcity of them cometh, but God, like a wise and skilful Physician keepeth back meat for health where there is abundance in the right, and to be given also when needful; so that comparing him with a wicked man, whether he have or want, whether he enjoy more plentifully, or be in scarcity, he hath still the better of him by far; which should make us all love godliness the more, which hath so great an advantage as this attending it.