First, That diligence is the means, and Gods Blessing is the cause of all increase, and both must be regarded, or else we profit nothing; we cannot expect Gods Blessing, while we sit idle; and 'tis a wrong to Grace to trust merely to endeavours, or without looking up to God. 'Tis said in Pro. 10.4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the diligent hand maketh rich: That is, that's the Means; for Verse 22. 'tis said, The Blessing of the Lord maketh rich: That is, the Blessing of the Lord upon the use of Means. God hath ordered it so in his Providence, that diligence should be always fruitful and profitable, both in a way of Nature and Grace: That the Joy of the Harvest should recompense the Pains and Patience of the diligent Husbandman; and that the Field of the Sluggard should be overgrown with Thorns. Iron by handling weareth brighter and brighter, but by standing still, or being let alone, it contracteth rust, by which 'tis darkened and eaten out. Take away Use and Exercise, and Wisdom turneth into Folly, and Learning into Ignorance, Health into Sickness, Riches into Poverty: Strength of Body and Mind are both gotten by Use; he that useth his Talent with fidelity and sedulity, shall increase in it, but such as are idle and negligent shall grow worse and worse; God doth plentifully recompense the diligence and fidelity of his Servants, he that maketh use of any degree of Grace and Knowledge, shall have more given him; by exercising what he hath, he doth still increase it: Whereas on the contrary, remiss acts weaken habits, as well as contrary acts; this is a common truth, evident by daily Experience, but then Gods Blessing must not be excluded: God would have us labour, rather to keep us doing, than that he needeth our help. He that made the world without us, can preserve it without us, as he that planted the Garden of Eden could have preserved it without mans dressing, yet we read that when he had furnished the Garden of Eden with all delights, God took the man and put him into it, to dress it and to keep it, Gen. 2.15. that is, to use Husbandry about it, that by sowing, setting, pruning and watering, he might preserve those Fruits wherewith God had furnished that pleasant Garden, and to bestow his pains upon that whereof he was to receive the benefit;
First, That diligence is the means, and Gods Blessing is the cause of all increase, and both must be regarded, or else we profit nothing; we cannot expect Gods Blessing, while we sit idle; and 'tis a wrong to Grace to trust meerly to endeavours, or without looking up to God. 'Tis said in Pro. 10.4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the diligent hand maketh rich: That is, that's the Means; for Verse 22. 'tis said, The Blessing of the Lord maketh rich: That is, the Blessing of the Lord upon the use of Means. God hath ordered it so in his Providence, that diligence should be alwayes fruitful and profitable, both in a way of Nature and Grace: That the Joy of the Harvest should recompense the Pains and Patience of the diligent Husbandman; and that the Field of the Sluggard should be overgrown with Thorns. Iron by handling weareth brighter and brighter, but by standing still, or being let alone, it contracteth rust, by which 'tis darkened and eaten out. Take away Use and Exercise, and Wisdom turneth into Folly, and Learning into Ignorance, Health into Sickness, Riches into Poverty: Strength of Body and Mind are both gotten by Use; he that useth his Talent with fidelity and sedulity, shall increase in it, but such as are idle and negligent shall grow worse and worse; God doth plentifully recompenese the diligence and fidelity of his Servants, he that maketh use of any degree of Grace and Knowledge, shall have more given him; by exercising what he hath, he doth still increase it: Whereas on the contrary, remiss acts weaken habits, as well as contrary acts; this is a common truth, evident by daily Experience, but then Gods Blessing must not be excluded: God would have us labour, rather to keep us doing, than that he needeth our help. He that made the world without us, can preserve it without us, as he that planted the Garden of Eden could have preserved it without mans dressing, yet we read that when he had furnished the Garden of Eden with all delights, God took the man and put him into it, to dress it and to keep it, Gen. 2.15. that is, to use Husbandry about it, that by sowing, setting, pruning and watering, he might preserve those Fruits wherewith God had furnished that pleasant Garden, and to bestow his pains upon that whereof he was to receive the benefit;
