324 THE FOURTEENTH SEUMON. [ECCLES. IX. 11.
blessing upon all the means : 1 Cor. iii. 7, * For neither is he that })lanteth anything, nor he tliat watereth ; bnt God that giveth the in- crease.' The best and wisest ministers can do nothing, either to plant or water, to convert or build up, unless God give the blessing, and set in with their labours. Again, to keep us humble in the highest enjoy- ments : 2 Cor. xi. 5, 'In nothing I come behind the chiefest apostles, though I am nothing ;' all is but a borrowed excellency. Thus j'ou see it hatii an influence upon our uprightness and sincere dealing, from first to last, to look oft" from the creature to God alone.
Thirdly, I shall show you that this is the intent of this lesson which is given us in this place. For wherefore is the race denied to the swift, and the battle to the strong, and riches to men of understanding, but to show us that the creature doth not do all, yea, that it is nothing if you exclude God ? Why doth the Holy Ghost direct us to this medita- tion, but to carry up our thoughts to tiie ovenuling power of the highest cau.se and agent, disposing of time and chance, that second causes may be seen to depend upon him both in being and o})eration ? and that we should not abuse our talents, by confiding in them without God, or turning and using them again.st fJod, either to oppose his interest, or defeat his judgments ? So that I might rest here. But the meanest ca])acities will require more ex})licit aiii)lication.
II. To teach us in this lottery of human affairs to look after surer comforts. This is the whole drift of this book ; for Solomon, in his critical search and observation of all things done under the sun, aimeth at this, to direct our hearts to blessings which are more stable and sure. God would leave these things at unceitainty, that our hearts might not too much be set upon them, that we miglit not pursue after favour, riche-s, and credit, as the best things. If all things here did run in one certain tenor, men, that are mightily wrought up;on by sense, would look no higher ; but there is a nobler pur.suit, a better happiness to be found elsewhere. The race is not always to the swift ; but in the spiritual race, we 'run not as uncertain,' 1 Cor. ix. 26. There the crown is sure, if we keep running and faint not ; here the battle is not always to the strong, and ' he that putteth on his harness must not boast as he that putteth it oft'.' But if you ' fight the good fight of faith,' ' the God of peace will tread Satan under your feet shortly.' Bom. xvi. 20. Here bread is not to the wise ; many persons of understanding labour and toil all their days for the meat that peiishes, and at length can hardly get it. But if you ' labour for the meat that perisheth not, the Son of man will give it you,' John vi. 27. In spiritual and heavenly things, choo.se and have, seek and have, labour and have ; but it is not so in worldly things ; there many times we have but our pains for our travail. Again, nor riches to men of understanding. Fools go away with the world, and we need not envy them if we I)e wise to salvation : ' Thou fool, tills night shall thy soul be required of thee ; so is he that heapeth up riches to himself, and is not rich towards God,' Luke xii. 20, 21. Earthly things cannot make a man tridy rich ; the true riches are the heavenly trea.sure, the graces of the s])irit, to be 'rich in faith,' James ii. 5; 'Fruitful in good works,' 1 Tim. vi. 18, 19. He that valueth an estate more by the pos.session than by the u.se, is a spiritual fool, and will at length be thrown into hell for his perverse choice. No
ECCLES. IX, 11.] THE FOURTEENTH SERMON. 325
matter if you want the riches of tliis world, so you be rich towards God. Christ fjjave his Spirit to the best disciples, but his purse to Judas, wlio was a thief and a robber. Once more, nor favour to men of skill. The favour of men, princes or people, is a very uncertain thin<^, and the best experienced in affairs do not always liglit on it ; but if we have the favour of God, this breedeth solid joy, Fs. iv. 7. Gladness is sent into the heart when God smileth, thougli the world frowneth. These spiritual and eternal blessings are dispensed by a sure covenant, the others are })romiscuously given by an uncertain providence.
III. What need there is God should be seen and sought unto in all our designs and resolutions about the disposal of ourselves and ours.
1. What will the use of means and second causes do without God? When we have prepared best, and consulted best, the intentions we travail with may niiscarry, for tlie event is wholly in God's hands : Prov. xvi. I , ' The preparations of the heart are from man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.' Man propoundeth, intendeth, purposeth ; but the success cometh from God.