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

(3.) God owns them in the course of his Providence sometimes with outward Blessings. Thus God set up Abraham as a Mark of Envy to the Nations about him. As Benjamin's Mess was five times as much as the rest, so many times in outward Blessings God owns his People. But I cannot much press this; but the aim of Providence principally concerns them, Rom. 8.28. All things work together for good to them that love God. All things may seem to work against them, but they work for them. It is a Mercy that God takes notice of them, and visits them day by day, Job 7.18. That thou shouldst visit him every Morning, and try him every Moment. Brambles are not pruned and pared as Vines are. Wicked Men they are as Sheep whom no Man taketh up, God doth not look after them. But God's Children may take notice how the special Care of Providence serves their special Necessities; and particularly as to their Afflictions, they do not spring out of the Dust, but every day God is mindful of them, and ordereth such Dispensations to keep them in order; whereas wicked Men are only under the general Care of Providence, they cannot discern such particular Love and Aim at their Good and spiritual Welfare.

(3.) God owns them in the course of his Providence sometimes with outward Blessings. Thus God set up Abraham as a Mark of Envy to the Nations about him. As Benjamin's Mess was five times as much as the rest, so many times in outward Blessings God owns his People. But I cannot much press this; but the aim of Providence principally concerns them, Rom. 8.28. All things work together for good to them that love God. All things may seem to work against them, but they work for them. It is a Mercy that God takes notice of them, and visits them day by day, Iob 7.18. That thou shoulst visit him every Morning, and try him every Moment. Brambles are not pruned and pair'd as Vines are. Wicked Men they are as Sheep whom no Man taketh up, God doth not look after them. But God's Children may take notice how the special Care of Providence serves their special Necessities; and particularly as to their Afflictions, they do not spring out of the Dust, but every day God is mindful of them, and ordereth such Dispensations to keep them in order; whereas wicked Men are only under the general Care of Providence, they cannot discern such particular Love and Aim at their Good and spiritual Welfare.