Sermons preached

It is as if it were not, if God will blast them, if God will not work by them. Again, to look for a Blessing upon all the Means, 1 Cor. 3. 7. For neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth; but God that giveth the Increase. The best and wisest Ministers can do nothing, either to plant or water, to convert or build up, unless God give the Blessing, and set in with their Labours. Again, to keep us humble in the highest Enjoyments; 2 Cor. 11. 5. In nothing I come behind the chiefest Apostles, though I am nothing. All is but a borrowed Excellency. Thus you see it hath an Influence upon our Uprightness and sincere Dealing, from first to last, to look off from the Creature to God alone.

3dly. I shall show you that this is the intent of this Lesson which is given us in this Place. For wherefore is the Race denied to the Swift, and the Battle to the Strong, and Riches to Men of Understanding? but to show us that the Creature doth not do all, yea that it is nothing if you exclude God. Why doth the Holy Ghost direct us to this Meditation, but to carry up our thoughts to the overruling power of the highest Cause and Agent, disposing of Time and Chance, that second causes may be seen to depend upon him both in Being and Operation, and that we should not abuse our Talents by confiding in them without God, or turning and using them against God, either to oppose his Interest, or defeat his ⟨p. 264⟩Judgments? So that I might rest here: but the meanest Capacities will require more explicit Application.

3dly. I shall shew you that this is the intent of this Lesson which is given us in this Place. For wherefore is the Race denied to the Swift, and the Battel to the Strong, and Riches to Men of Understanding? but to shew us that the Creature doth not do all, yea that it is nothing if you exclude God. Why doth the Holy Ghost direct us to this Meditation, but to carry up our thoughts to the overruling power of the highest Cause and Agent, disposing of Time and Chance, that second causes may be seen to depend upon him both in Being and Operation, and that we should not abuse our Talents by confiding in them without God, or turning and using them against God, either to oppose his Interest, or defeat his