* income thereof, I have many times observed so much of his peculiar ' providence, thai thereby they have been very much sweetened, and ' my heart hath been raised to admire his grace. When of late under
* an hard dispensation (which I judge not meet to mention, wherein ' I suffered with inward peace conscientiously) all streams of wonted ' supplies being stopt, the waters of relief for myself and family did ' run low. I went to bed with some staggerings and doubtings of
* the fountain s letting out itself for our refreshing ; but ere I did
* awake in the mornirig, a letter was brought to my bed-side, which
* was signed by a choice friend, Mr. Anthony Ash, which reported
* some unexpected breakings out of God's goodness for my comfort.
* These are some of his lines, — — Your God, who hath given you
* an heart thankfully to record your experiences of his goodness, doth
* renew experiences for your encouragement. Now I shall report
* one which will raise your spirit towards the God of your mercy, &c.» Whereupon he sweetly concludes, ' One morsel of God's provision, ' (especiallv if it come unexpected, and upon prayer, when wants are " most) will be more sweet to a spiritual relish, than all former full ' enjoyments were.
Manv mercies come unasked for, and they require thankfulness, but when mercies come in upon prayer, and as a return of prayer, their sweetness more than doubles ; for now it is both God's bles- sing upon his own institution, and a seal set to his promise at once, Psal. Ixvi. 18, IT. Doubtless Hannah found more comfort in her Samuel, and Leah in her Naphtah, the one being asked of God, and the other wrestled for with God, (as their names import) thai^ mothers ordinarily do in their children.
™, ^ . Do the people of God desire only so much of the
„ , J '^ ! creature as may fit them for the service of God .?
of me designing ^^-j^^^ y^reich am I that have desired only so much
lypocri e. ^£ j.gjjgJQj^ ^g ^^y £^ ^-^^ ^q g^^jj ^j^g creature ! As
• Epistle to the Earl of Bedford ; ante ultima.
tHE HEAVENLY USE OF EARTHLY THINGS. 45
God^s people have subjected all their creature-enjovments to religion, so appositely, O my soul, thou hast subected religion to thy worldly interest and designs. Instead of eating and drinking to serve God, I have served God that I might eat and drink ; yea, I have not only acted below religion, but below reason also ; for reason dictates plain- ly, that the means must never be more excellent than the end. Wretch that I am, to make religion a slave to my lust, a stirrup to advancement, an artifice to carry on my carnal designs ; verily I have my reward ; and this is all the good I am ever like to get by it. And no less should the worldling tremble, to consider how he hath cast off the duties of religion, made them stand rpj ^„ 777. , aside, and give place to the world. Instead of de- ij f siring so much only as might make him serviceable "^ '
to God, he thrusts aside the service of God to get as much of the world as he can, who is so far from making godliness the end of his creature-comforts, that he rather looks upon it as an obstacle and hindrance to them. May not the very heathens make me blush .-* Could Aristotle deliver this as a true rule to posterity, to make re- ligion our first, and chief care.? Could Aristippus say, He would ra- ther neglect his means than his mind ! his farm than his soul .? Will the very Mahometans, how urgent soever their business be, lay it all aside five times in the day to pray "^ Yea, it is common to a proverb among the very Papists, that mass and meat hinder no man ; and yet I, that profess myself a Christian, thrust out duty for every trifle!
0 wretched soul \ how hath the god of this world blinded mine eyes .? Can the world indeed do that for me that Christ can do : Hath it ever proved true to them tiiat trusted it, and doated on it ? Hath it not at last turned them off, as men turn ofFa sumpter-horse at night, that hath been a drudge to carry their gold and silver for them all day, and at last is turned out with an empty belly, and a galled back .? O how righteous will that sentence of God be ! Go cry to the gods whom thou hast served.
And may not many gracious hearts turn in upon themselves with shame and sorrow, to consider how unsatisfied they rjii .. • ^ 71.
1 1 .1 T* i,.i 1 J- '^^ fl'l'CiClOUS SOUL 9
have been in that condition, that others nave pre- ^ ^. ferred and esteemed as the greatest of all out ward -^ mercies ? I have indeed been fed with food convenient, but not con- tented ? how hath mine heart been tortured from day to day with anxious thoughts, what I shall eat and drink, and wherewith I and mine shall be clothed ? I pretend indeed that I care but for a compe- tency of the world, but sure I am, my cares about it have been in- competent. Come my distrustful, earthly heart, let me propound a few questions to thee about this matter, and answer truly to what I shall demand of thee.
Quest. 1. Hast thou here a continuing city ? Art thou at home, or upon thy journey, that thou art so solicitous about the world .? Thy profession indeed speaks thee a stranger upon earth, but thy conver-
46 HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; OR,
sation a home-dweller. Erasmus said he desired honours and riches no more than a weary horse doth a heavy cloak-back. Wouldst thoit not account him a fool that would victual his ship as much to cross the channel to Fmnce, as if she were bound for the East Indies ? Alas ! it will be but a little while, and then there will be no more need of any of these thino-s. It is sad, that a soul which stands at the door of eternity, should be perplexing itself about food and raiment.
Quest. 2. Which of all the saints hast thou known to be the better for much of the world ? It hath been some men''s utter ruin. Seldom doth God suffer men to be their own carvers, but they cut their own fingers. ' To give riches and pleasure to an evil man (saith Aristotle) ' is but to give unne to one that hath a fever.'' Where there is no ti'anf, there is usually much icanionness. What a sad story is that of Pius Quintus. When I was in a low condition, said lie, I had some comfortable hopes of my salvation ; but when I came to be a cardi- nal, I greatly doubted of it : But Since I came to the Popedom, I have no hope at all. Though this poor, undone wretch, spake it out, and others keep it in ; yet, doubtless, he hath manyj thousand fellows in the world that might say as much, would they but speak the truth.
And even God's ov.n people, though the world hath not excluded them out of lieaven, yet it hath sorely clogged them in the way thi- ther. Many that have been very humble, holy, and heavenly in a low condition, have suffered a sad ebb in a full condition. What a cold blast have they felt coming from the cares and delights of this life, to chill both their graces, and comforts ! It had been well for some of God's people, if they had never known what prosperity meant.