The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

3 The providence of God in maintaining them, in which God receiveth praise in divers respects: First, that he respects and cares for all the beasts of the field, every work of his hand, as he knoweth them all, so he like a Shepherd, tends them and provides for them: these all look up unto thee, Psal. 104. 27. Secondly, that he hath given them such large room in the Earth. He hath made them free in all Deserts and Wildernesses through the world, allowing them these places to dwell in and to feed in, Job 39. 5, 6, 7, 8. Thirdly, that he hath ordered it so, as they must depend upon him in a manner immediately: and therefore is said to feed them with his own hand, Psal. 104. 28. Which appears the more, because they neither sow nor reap, nor have any Barnes to lay up provision before hand, but are provided for as they need: The Lyon as oft as he is hungry seeketh his prey of God: God hunts his prey for him, Job 38. 39, 40. Fourthly, that God takes notice of the natural necessities of the beasts, their wants and hunger being as Prayers before him: and therefore they are said to look up to him, Psal. 104. 27. to cry to him, Job 38. 41. to seek their meat of God, Psal. 104. 21, Fifthly, that he provides variety of meat for them according to their kinds, hence he is said to give them their meat, not meat to them, to note that it is that meat which is is fit for every kind, Psal. 104. 27. Sixthly that he gives it them in due season; No Physician tending his Patient, no Nurse feeding her Infant more carefully then God doth these living Creatures, Psal. 104. 27. Seventhly, that when there are worlds of them dissolved into their dust, he sends his Spirit to create a new world of them, perpetuating their sorts by continual off-springs,