Sermons preached

1. Before the Event: for many times they meet with more disappointments than those that want them; and their best designs miscarry, when meaner Persons are carried through their difficulties with less ado.

After the Event, we must look above second Causes; not attribute any thing to our own Strength, or Gifts, but to God's Assistance and Blessing on our Labours. Let not the wise Man glory in his Wisdom, nor the strong Man glory in his Might, &c. Jer. 9. 23. So Deut. 8. 17, 18. Say not in thy Heart, My Power, and the Might of my Hand hath gotten me this Wealth. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for he it is that ⟨p. 268⟩giveth thee Power to get Wealth. Let us not sacrifice to our own Net. The Battle is not to the Strong; nor Bread to the Wise. It is God's, and he will not be robbed of his Glory. And as we should carry it humbly towards God, so also to Men, not despising them of mean Gifts. Many times God giveth them more Success in the Ministry, in ordinary Callings, in Favour and Preferments in the World; or esteem in the Eyes of the People. It is God only makes the difference, and what thou hast above others, thou hast it from God, and for God; not to lift up thy self, but to exalt God: Therefore give thanks, and do not contemn others.

After the Event, we must look above second Causes; not attribute any thing to our own Strength, or Gifts, but to God's Assistance and Blessing on our Labours. Let not the wise Man glory in his Wisdom, nor the strong Man glory in his Might, &c. Jer. 9. 23. So Deut. 8. 17, 18. Say not in thy Heart, My Power, and the Might of my Hand hath gotten me this Wealth. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for he it is that