2. In all our businesses and affairs God must be sought unto; and we must ask his leave, his counsel, and his blessing. Pagans, before the awe of Religion was extinguished, would begin with their gods in every weighty enterprise; A Jove principium, was an honest heathen principle. Laban consults with his Teraphim: Balac sends for Balaam; they had their Oracles that they would resort to. So far as any Nation was touched with a sense of a Divine Power, they would never venture upon anything without consulting with their gods. And it is enjoined as a piece of Religious good manners, to own God upon all occasions. Prov. 3. 5. In all thy ways acknowledge him. It is an acknowledgement of God, an owning him as a God, that we would be asking his leave, counsel and blessing. His leave must be asked, though the thing be never so lawful and easy. We are taught every day to ask our daily bread, though we have it by us, that we may not like thieves and robbers use his goods without his leave. So, for his Counsel; he is sure to miscarry that makes his bosom his Oracle, his wit his Counsellor. It is a high piece of spiritual Idolatry, to lean upon our own understanding, and think to carry even the ordinary affairs of any day without asking counsel from God, and then his blessing. God is not an idle spectator, he disposeth of all events, and giveth the blessing. Jer. 10. 23. The way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. That is, as to any happy issue. God doth the more stand upon his right, that he may the oftener hear from us, and that we may have many occasions to bring us to the throne of grace. Now this is the constant practice of Gods children. David always ran to the Oracle or the Ephod, when he had any business to do. 1 Sam. 23. Shall I do thus and thus? or shall I not? Jacob in his journey would neither go to Laban, nor come from him, without a warrant. Jehoshaphat in the business of Ramoth-Gilead, would not stir a foot until he had counsel from God; he sends not only to the Captain of the Host, but to the Prophet of the Lord, Enquire, I pray thee, of the Lord to day, 1 King. 22. 2. Judg. 1. 1. Judg. 2. 28.
2. In all our businesses and affairs God must be sought unto; and we must ask his leave, his counsel, and his blessing. Pagans, before the awe of Religion was extinguisht, would begin with their gods in every weighty enterprise; A Iove principium, was an honest heathen principle. Laban consults with his Teraphim: Balac sends for Balaam; they had their Oracles that they would resort to. So far as any Nation was touched with a sense of a Divine Power, they would never venture upon anything without consulting with their gods. And it is injoined as a piece of Religious good manners, to own God upon all occasions. Prov. 3. 5. In all thy ways acknowledg him. It is an acknowledgment of God, an owning him as a God, that we would be asking his leave, counsel and blessing. His leave must be asked, though the thing be never so lawful and easie. We are taught every day to ask our daily bread, though we have it by us, that we may not like thieves and robbers use his goods without his leave. So, for his Counsel; he is sure to miscarry that makes his bosom his Oracle, his wit his Counsellor. It is a high piece of spiritual Idolatry, to lean upon our own understanding, and think to carry even the ordinary affairs of any day without asking counsel from God, and then his blessing. God is not an idle spectator, he disposeth of all events, and giveth the blessing. Jer. 10. 23. The way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. That is, as to any happy issue. God doth the more stand upon his right, that he may the oftner hear from us, and that we may have many occasions to bring us to the throne of grace. Now this is the constant practice of Gods children. David always ran to the Oracle or the Ephod, when he had any business to do. 1 Sam. 23. Shall I do thus and thus? or shall I not? Iacob in his journey would neither go to Laban, nor come from him, without a warrant. Iehoshaphat in the business of Ramoth-Gilead, would not stir a foot until he had counsel from God; he sends not only to the Captain of the Host, but to the Prophet of the Lord, Enquire, I pray thee, of the Lord to day, 1 King. 22. 2. Judg. 1. 1. Judg. 2. 28.
