Consolation to those from whom he detaineth such accustomed Use. ⟨p. 63⟩helps and means of safety, or sustenance, as others wontedly enjoy, and reserveth them, by himself, in a peculiar manner to be provided for. In this case are many seeming wholly forlorn, and utterly destitute of all aide and succour, who may truly be said to live by faith, not only for salvation, and everlasting life, for food, apparel, harbour, and lodging, with other needful things appertaining to this life. Their maintenance ceaseth, their strength faileth, their friends forsake them, their adversaries pursue them, and yet they are not without comforts, and refreshings. They have nothing to take too, or depend upon, and yet behold they want nothing. Elijah found the fidelity of this providence for his food in the time of the great drought and scarcity, when he could come by no other meat, but that which a raven should minister unto him,1 and that kind of creature is seldom a good purveyor, or cater, and yet was he no day neglected, as being disappointed either of bread or flesh, for dinner, or supper. And S. Paul among others, had experience of the same for his preservation, in the time of his tribulations. We are afflicted, saith he, on every side, yet are we not in distress: in poverty, but not overcome of poverty. We2 are persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but we perish not.
Consolation to those from whom he detaineth such accustomed Vse. ⟨p. 63⟩helpes and meanes of safetie, or sustenance, as others wontedly enioy, and reserueth them, by himselfe, in a peculiar manner to be prouided for. In this case are many seeming wholy forlorne, and vtterly destitute of all aide and succour, who may truely be said to liue by faith, not onely for saluation, and euerlasting life, for foode, apparell, harbour, and lodging, with other needfull things appertaining to this life. Their maintenance ceaseth, their strength faileth, their friends forsake them, their aduersaries pursue them, and yet they are not without comforts, and refreshings. They haue nothing to take too, or depend vpon, and yet behold they want nothing. Eliah found the fidelitie of this prouidence for his foode in the time of the great drought and scarcitie, when he could come by no other meate, but that which a rauen should minister vnto him,1 and that kinde of creature is seldome a good purueyer, or cater, and yet was he no day neglected, as being disappoynted either of bread or flesh, for dinner, or supper. And S. Paul among others, had experience of the same for his preseruation, in the time of his tribulations. We are afflicted, saith he, on euery side, yet are we not in distresse: in pouertie, but not ouercome of pouertie. We2 are persecuted, but not forsaken: cast downe, but we perish not.
- 11. King. 6. 17.
- 22. Cor. 4. 8. 9.
