1. His leave. God is the absolute Lord of all things, both in heaven and earth, and whatsoever is possessed by any creature is by his indulgence. Whatever store and plenty we have by us, our Saviour teacheth us to beg our allowance, or leave to use so much as is necessary for us, or the portion of every day : ' Give us, a/j/xepov, this day our daily bread.' It is a piece of religious manners to acknow- ledge God's right and sovereignty. It is robbery to make use of a man's goods, and to waste them and consume them, without his leave. All that we have or use is God's, who reserveth the property of all to himself. In distributing to the creatures, he never intended to divest himself of his right ; as a husbandman, by sowing his corn in the field, is not dispossessed of a right to it. God hath dominium ; we have dispensationem of life, and all the comforts that belong to it. Life is his ; man is a custos, a guardian of it for God. Gold and silver is his ; man is a steward to improve it for God. Adam had no interest in Eve till God brought her to him, and bestowed her on him. Every one of us must get a grant of God of all that he hath ; the Lord he possesseth tlie house that we dwell in, the clothes we wear, the food we eat ; and so, in the use of all other comforts, we must have a license from God, and take his leave. God is said to have given David the wives that he had into his bosom.
170 A WEDDING SERMON. [GeX. IT. 22.
2. His counsel an<l direction when the case is doubtful and our thoughts are uncertain : Prov. iii. 5, ' Lean not to thy own under- staniling.' We scarce know duties, certainly ^Ye cannot foresee events ; therefoie a man that maketh his bosom his oracle, his "wit his counsellor, will clioose a mischief to himself, instead of a comfort and a blessing. Therefore we ought chiefly, and first of all, to consult with God, and seek his direction, for he seeth the heart, and foreseeth events. We can only look upon what is present, and there upon the outward ajipearance. Therefore God can best direct us in our choice, he knowelh the fittest matches and consorts for every one ; who hath a prospect of all things in one moment of time, and by one act of the understanding, and so can best dispose of human afliiirs for the profit and comfort of the creature : Jer. x. 23, * 0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself : nor is it in the sons of men to direct their steps ;' that is, to order their aftairs so as they may have felicity and comfort in them. So Prov, xx. 24, ' Man's goings are of the Lord ; how can a man then understand his own way ? ' We cannot foresee the event of things, what is expedient, what not. Man would fain work out his happiness like a spider, climb up by a thread of his own spinning. But alas ! all our devices and fine contrivances are gone with the turn of a besom. He that will be his own carver, seldom carveth out a good portion to himself. They intrench upon God's prerogative, and take the work out of his hands ; and therefore no wonder if their wisdom be turned into folly.
3. We ask his blessing. God doth not only foresee the event, but order it ; by his wisdom he foreseeth it, and by his powerful providence he bringeth it to pass. Therefore God, that hath the disposal of all events, when our direction is over, is to be sought unto for a blessing ; for every comfort cometh the sooner when it is sought in prayer ; and whatever God's jjurjwses be, that is our duty: Jer. xxix. 11, 12, 'I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and ])ray unto me, and I will hearken unto you;' Ezek. xxxvi. 37, ' I will for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.' So in this case we read, John ii. 2, when there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, 'both Jesus was called and his disciples to the marriage.' Married persons do need, and therefore should seek, Christ's presence to their marriage, that he would vouchsafe his presence and countenance. Be sure to invite him, and take him along with you, that he may strengthen you by his grace, and dispose all providences about 3'ou for your comfort. He puts the greatest honour upon the marriage when he doth enable you lo carry yourselves graciously in that relation, and to God's glory ; and he hath the power of all providences put into his hand, as well as uU grace.
Use 2. Is advice to persons that are entering into this relation.
1. Negatively. See that God be no loser b3;^the marriage.
2. Positively. Be sure that God be a gainer. These arc the two proffers I have to make to you.