Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or A brief discourse, wherein Christs parable of…

1. They have their Original from his power and goodness: God formed the eye, he planted the ear, &c. Psal. 94. 9: God was under no natural obligation to the creature, he owed him not so much as his being, nor any either internal or external ornament of it; he stood no more engaged to give Wisdom to the wise man, than he did to the fool: Nabal had as much right, and as good a claim to counsel and understanding as Ahithophel, &c. Whatever men have they had it of him, and it was his bounty that bestowed it; it is he that gives life, breath, and being to all; and he gives it as he will: ⟨p. 20⟩He gives men their Songs in the night, i.e. their conveniences and comforts, and he teacheth them more than the beasts of the field, though they practically forget, or do not regard whence all this comes, as Elibu complains, Job 25. 10, 11.

1. They have their Original from his power and goodness: God formed the eye, he planted the ear, &c. Psal. 94. 9: God was under no natural obligation to the creature, he owed him not so much as his being, nor any either internal or external ornament of it; he stood no more engaged to give Wisdom to the wiseman, than he did to the fool: Nabal had as much right, and as good a claim to counsel and understanding as Achitophel, &c. Whatever men have they had it of him, and it was his bounty that bestowed it; it is he that gives life, breath, and being to all; and he gives it as he will: ⟨p. 20⟩He gives men their Songs in the night, i.e. their conveniences and comforts, and he teacheth them more than the beasts of the field, though they practically forget, or do not regard whence all this comes, as Elibu complains, Job 25. 10, 11.

2. They are preserved and upheld in being by him: It is he alone who maintains that which he had before conferred upon us: He keeps our soul in life, eye from tears, foot from sliding,