A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

4. Another piece of Ungodliness is, when we do not acknowledge his Dominion over all Events. If he be the first Cause, he will have his Government to be acknowledged. How so? By using and undertaking nothing in the course of our Affairs, till we have asked his Leave and Blessing. The Apostle saith, 1 Tim. 4.4, 5. Every Creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with Thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer; that is, by the Word we know our Liberty, and in Prayer we ask God's Leave and Blessing in all things that we use. To use another Man's Goods without his Leave, is Robbery; and so it is to use Food, Physic, or any Creature, till we have asked God's Leave; all should be sanctified by the Word and Prayer. When we go about any Business, or undertake a Journey, or fix our abode in the World, we ought to be enquiring of God; for things that seem to be most trivial and casual, God hath the greatest Hand in them, therefore we must still enquire at the Oracle. It is a piece of religious Manners, first to enquire of God; and therefore they are taxed, James 4.13. Go to now, ye that say, To Day, or to Morrow, we will go into such a City, and continue there a Year, and buy and sell, and get Gain. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that, vers. 15. You forget to bid your selves Good-morrow, or Good-day, or Good-speed, when you forget to consult and advise with God in Prayer. The Heathens would begin nothing weighty, but they would still consult with their Gods; for their Principle was, The Gods regarded greater Matters, but took no notice of those of a smaller Consequence. Now by this means would the Lord preserve a constant remembrance of himself in the Heart of the Creature. It keeps up the Memory of God in the World, to acknowledge him as one that hath an over-ruling Hand in all the Businesses and Affairs of this World. Prov. 3.6. In all thy Ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy Paths. The Children of God dare not resolve upon any Course, till they have asked Counsel of God. Thus God will be acknowledged as the first Cause; and so Men are guilty of Ungodliness, if they do not know him, depend upon him, observe his Providence, and acknowledge his Dominion over all Events in the World.