Use 2. Let us not place our confidence in second causes, but in God, by whose goodness and providence over us all temporal things do come unto us ; for without him all our carking and labour is nothing ; and if we have our wishes without labour, yet we shall not have our comfort and blessing without God : Mat. vi. 27- Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit to his stature ? ' By taking thought, he meaneth anxious care about success. We cannot change the colour of a hair by all our anxious thoughts. We cannot make ourselves stronger or taller. Many a man is pierced through with worldly cares, and still the world frowns upon him, so all his care comes to nothing. Prov. X. 4, it is said, ' The hand of the diligent maketh rich.' Com- pare it with ver. 22, and it is said, ' The blessing of the Lord, it mak- eth rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it' Most commonly they that are diligent they thrive with their diligence ; yea, but if that be all, if they have not the Lord's blessing, they have not that sweetness and peace when they have gotten abundance. Oh, therefore, let us place our confidence, not in second causes, but in God.
Use 3. Let us be thankful to God for these worldly things that we enjoy. I urge this: —
First, Because of the danger of ingratitude. Usually we never forget God more than when he remcmbereth us most. When men have what they would have, then God is neglected ; they grow care-
160 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 11.
less in prayer, or flat and cold in the performance of it. There is a great deal of difference between men poor and rich. When poor, they will seem to put a natural fervency into their prayers ; but when rich, they grow cold and careless. Mark what the Lord saith, Hos. xiii. 6, ' They were filled, and their heart was exalted ; therefore have they forgotten me.' Oh, how frequent is this, that many having been kept under a great sense of God in a low condition, but when they have been well at ease, then they bear it up as if they could live without God. The bucket comes to the river with an empty mouth, gaping to receive its fulness, as it were ; but when it is full, the bottom is turned towards it. So it is very usual with men to turn their backs upon the mercy-seat, and when the Lord hath given them great in- crease in worldly things, and leased out a great estate to them, he hath very little rent from them. Now, because this is usual, therefore those whom God hath blessed with the supplies of the present life, how should they study thankfulness !
Secondly, Because of the equity of it. Consider what an equity there is, that we should be thankful for outward blessings.
1. They are good in themselves.
2. They come from God.
3. They come from the Lord's grace and mercy.
[1.] They are good in themselves. Food and raiment is good, and ' every creature of God is good,' 1 Tim. iv. 4. They are good things, though not the best things. They. are good for ourselves, that we may serve God more cheerfully. The Lord would have the Levites and priests have their portion, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord : 2 Chron. xxxi. 4. Now these things are good to encourage us, and support us in our work. Man consists of two parts, of a body and of a soul. Now whether we look to the one or the other, you will have many arguments to love and praise God, not only for what he hath done for our souls, but likewise for our bodies. And they are good, because they prevent many snares and temptations : Prov. XXX. 9, ' Lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.' Diseases which arise from fulness are more common ; but diseases which arise from indigence and emptiness, they are more dangerous. So diseases of prosperity they are more common, it is a rank soil and yields more weeds ; but diseases which arise from poverty breed atheism, irreligion, and rebellion against God. They are good, as they make us more useful for God and man. For God, as having more advantages for the honouring of God : Prov. iii. 9, ' Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.' And of doing good to others : ' That we may have to distribute to them that need,' Eph. iv. 28. Oh, we should all covet and affect mightily, to have wherewith to relieve the necessities of others.
[2.] As they are blessings, so they are blessings which do not come by chance, or by man's providence : 1 Tim. vi. 17, ' The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.' The people of God are plentifully provided for. Your tables are well furnished, backs well clothed ; it is God which gives you richly to enjoy them, and he must be acknowledged. As David doth : 1 Chron. xxix. 14, ' For all things