A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

3. When we do not observe his Providence; the blind world sets up an Idol called chance, and doth not acknowledge God at the other end of causes, as swaying all things by his Wisdom and Power. 1. In afflictions, they think they come by chance and ill luck 1 Sam. 6. 9. and Isa. 26. 11, As if instruments and second causes did all, and the Lord were an Idle spectator and looker on▪ and had no hand in all that befalleth us: Job better, The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh, he doth not look only to the Chaldean, the Sab• an, the Thief, but the Lord: in all afflictions we should look beyond the creature, and not complain of ill fortune, and chance, or stars or constellations or any thing on this side God. 2. In mercies, 'tis ungodliness when we do not see God in all our mercies: wicked men receive blessings, and never look up, they live upon God every moment; they have life and breath and motion and hourly maintenance from him, and yet God is not in all their thoughts: as swine ravine upon the Acorns, and never look up to the Oak from whence they fall; so they look no higher then the next hand; but Gods children may be compared to Chickens that sip and look upwards: The Lord complaineth of Israel, Hos. 2. 8. She did not know that I gave her corn and wine and oyl•, and silver and gold; there cannot be a greater sign of an ungodly spirit then this unthankful profaneness; this is that which God expecteth from reasonable creatures, by way of homage, that we should own him as Author of all the good, which we enjoy, other creatures live upon God, but they are not ⟨p. 195⟩capable of knowing the first cause as we are: Idolatry and Atheism had never crept into the world, if men had considered who it was that gave them fruitful seasons and showers of rain, and filled their hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14 16, 17. And surely nothing feedeth piety, and maintaineth a constant awe of God, so much as thinking of God every time we eat and drink, and enjoy any new mercy from him: but, alas, usually we forget God, when he remembereth us most, he is never so much dishonoured as in eating and drinking, and in the plentiful enjoyment of outward comforts.