[10.] We cannot be absolutely confident of success as to temporal things ; that is not the faith required of us, for they are not absolutely promised ; but with exception of the cross, and as God shall see them good for us. God hath I'eserved a liberty of showing his justice in punishing a sinning people : Ps. Ixxxix. 32, ' He will visit their iniquity with the rod, and their transgression with stripes ' The world shall know that he doth not allow sin in his own people and children ; it is as odious to God in them as in others, yea more, and therefore they leel the smart of it. When we go out of the way in which the bless- ing falls, it is no marvel it falls beside us. But here is a doubt that might be largely discoursed upon. Why then are temporal blessings so often expressed m the covenant?
I answer —
(1.) Partly because it is the ordinary practice of the Lord's free grace to suj)ply his people with things comfortable and necessary ; while he lialh work for them to do, he will r^ive them protection and mainten- ance. I observe two difterent speeches of Paul whilst he was in the middle of his work ; he saith, in 2 Cor. i. 10, 'Who has delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, and in whom I trust that he will yet deliver , ' but when his work l)egMu to draw to an end, he sjicaketh at another rate: 2 Tim. iv. 6-8, 'For I am now ready to be otiVred, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; hence- forth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.' God by a secret instinct begat a confidence in him. But when he began to call him off, and the time of his departure was drawing nigh, he sj)eak8 more faintly, as one that was sensible that God was calling him off from his service in the world.
THE LIFE OF FA IT IT. 93
(2.) Partly, because tlie.se blessings are adopted into the covenan.t that they may be a ground of prayer and praise.
1st. It is a ground of prayer. We go the more confidently to God when we have a particular promise of the blessing we ask; as Ps. cxix. 49, ' Remember thy word unto thy servant, wherein thou hast caused me to hope.' When God hath given out a promise, and enables ns to apply it, and then to challenge him upon his word, then we are the moie borne up to prayer. A general intimation is not so clear a ground of trust as an express and particular promise. Our necessities lead us to the promise, and the promise to God, that we may put his bonds in suit. We have somewhat to urge and plead, and have a greater iiold- fast upon God ; it is a sweet argument that increaseth our earnestness in prayer.
2d. It is a ground of praise. It is a greater comfort when we can see our mercies coming out of the womb of the covenant. What others have by common providence, they have by special mei'cy ; others have by simple donation and indulgence, they have everything. by promise; others receive from a creator, they from a loving father;. though for sill stance the gift is the same, yet the cause and end ditfer.. 'God blesseth them out of Zion,' Ps. cxxviii, 5, Mercies wrapt up in the bowels of Christ, and dipped in his blood, are a ground of praise indeed.
3d. We now come to the third thing, — What faith is required ? or ■what are the acts of faith about these promises ? In the general, ta depend upon God's all-sufficiency, that he is able, and his })romises, that he is willing to provide for us ; for if God were not willing, why hath he multiplied so many promises concerning temporal things ? Now this dependence is to be manifested several ways.
[1.] By recommending our case to God in prayer. We may law- fully pray for temporal things ; for Christ hath made it one of the petitions iu his perfect form ; ' Give us this day our daily bread,' next to ' Thy will be done.' Such things are to be asked as are necessary to the being of the subjects. Prayers to God for spiritual things are- most acceptable, but these are not despised. A child pleaseth his father most wdien he desireth him to teach him his book rather than give him an apple ; yet he is not refused when he desireth food ; both requests are allowed, though one be preferred. Well then, pray we must, and in prayer we act faith: Ps. Ixii. 8, 'Trust in him at all times, ye people ; pour out your hearts before him ; ' and 1 Sam. xxii. 3, 4, ' God is my rock, in whom I trust ; I will call upon the name of the Lord, so shall I be saved.' If we trust God, we will be often wiih him at the throne of grace, for there we act our trust, and encourage ourselves in our belief of God's hearing. Whenever we feel ourselves pinched with any earthly necessity, we run to God, and spread his promises before him. This is trust, for it always keepeth up an acknowledgment of God as the giver of corn, and wine, and oil, and the comforts of this life : Hosea ii. 8, ' She did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold.' It easetli the heart of the burden of distracting cares: Phil. iv. 6, 'Be careful for nothing, but in everything let your requests be made known unto God." When the wind is gotten into the bowels and caverns of the