The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

A point that may further teach us to remember that seeing also these earthly blessings are the Lords, therefore in getting, using, loosing or wanting them, we should have care so to behave our selves as those that know they are not ours, but the Lords, ⟨p. 129⟩In getting he giveth it them to whom it pleaseth him, and it is not (as many foolishly imagine) committed to the Prince of the world, to be disposed by him at his pleasure: It's true indeed, that Satan said so, that all the Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them are delivered unto him, and to whom he would, he gave them, but he said it falsely, and for the most part as false as this we see here worldly men, as if silver and gold and these worldly things were not the blessings which God bestows, seek them by unjust and unlawful means, belike thinking they are none of Gods at all, otherwise as Jacob said he would serve Laban seven years for his daughter Rachel; so they would also serve God for his blessings. But with many (as the wise man saith) stolen waters are sweet, and his bread is pleasant. The sons of Eli robbed the people that came to sacrifice, and took by force that which was not theirs: And I would to God that not only the sons of Eli, but that also our Elies themselves, for I would be loath to judge any, did they not, I will not say rob, but did they take more then their own from the portion of the Lords Sacrifices, &c. Sure if any so do, they consider not with David, Psalm 15. that preferment comes not, neither from the East, nor from the West, but that it is the Lord that doth give it, else they would be of Davids mind I hope, who ¹would not do any thing that he should not against Saul, a wicked-King, no not for a Kingdom; God forbid that I should do this, and sin against God, &c. They that pray to God as their heavenly Father, Give as this day our daily bread, and yet delight in stolen waters, show that they do the lusts of another Father; ²God forbid that I should say they are of another Father, but sure herein they serve him, by serving another then the Lord in good duties, they should get that they desire by good means; For silver is mine, and gold is mine, &c.

A point that may further teach us to remember that seeing also these earthly blessings are the Lords, therefore in getting, using, loosing or wanting them, we should have care so to behave our selves as those that know they are not ours, but the Lords,