Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, Chapter 6 · Verse 31
vers. 31.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eate? or what shall we drinke? or wherewith shall we be cloathed▪
Here Christ againe repeateth his commandement against distrustfull care giuen in the 25. verse. The reasons of his repetition be these: First, to set an edge vponupon the commandement, that so it may more sharply and deepely enter into their hearts, as we said before. Secondly, to further his disciples in this practise of faith, for by this often repetition he giues them occasion to meditate and thinke vponupon the dutie the oftner, whereby their faith must needes be much confirmed: for this we must know for our direction to get and strengthen true faith in our hearts, that a man is not a meere patient in the receiuing and strengthening of this grace; it comes not from God to vsus, as visions did to the Prophets in a dreame in the night, or as the print of the seale is set into the waxe, but God workes it in the vse of ordinarie meanes. And therefore if we would hauehave faith wrought or increased in vsus, we must doe that which by nature we may doe; to wit, heare the word preached, and read, we must meditate therein, and labour so to vrge the promises of God vponupon our owne hearts; yea, we must doe what we can, to stirre vp in our hearts a desire to beleeue, and to striue against doubting and distrust, and therefore must giuegive our selues to praier with sighs and groanes to God, for the working of his spirit in our hearts.
Now touching this cōmandement against distrustfull care, we handled it in the 25. v. shewing how farre our care must goe for things needfull, and where it must stay. It must extend it selfe to the diligent vse of lawfull ordinarie meanes to procure things needefull, and there stay; giuing place to faith to waite vponupon Gods prouidence for the blessingHow distrustfull care may be discerned. of our endeauours. The distrustfull care which perplexeth the heart about the successe of our lawfull labours, is that which Christ forbids, and it is that euil sicknesse which infects most mens soules, as they may easily discerne by obseruing these things: What it is, that oft breakes their sleepe in the night: what comes first into their thoughts when they awake; and what their mindes runne… most vponupon all the day long; and whereabout they can take greatest paines with most delight, and least wearinesse. If it be for the things of this world, then distrustfull care infects their soules, which we must striue against, and learne to liue by faith.
Here onelyonly obs…e how Christ describes this vnlawfull care by the effects of it in distrustfull persons, bringing them in, saying, What shall we eate? what shall we drinke? or wherewith shall we be cloathed? And thus indeede they vse to complaine, especially when they hauehave great charges and slender meanes, or els doe▪ sustaine any great losses, then, how shall we liue? what shall we doe? and such like speeches of distrust: which Christ here iustly reprooues, because they blame God for his dealing towards them; as though he had no care of them, or would not prouide things needefull for them. We therefore must here learne to shut our mouthes against distrustfull thoughts, and beware we murmure not nor complaine of his dealing towards vsus. When lLevit. 10. 2, 3.Aarons two sonnes Nadab and Abihu were both slaine for offering straunge fire, Moses tells him it was the Lords doing, who would be glorified in all that come neere him; then the text saith, Aaron held his peace. And Dauid notably testifieth his contentation in Gods prouidence, Psal. 39. 2. I held my peace, and said nothing: yea, v. 9. I should hauehave beene dumb and not hauehave opened my mouth, because thou Lord diddest it. Excellent is that saying of the Lord, Isa. 30. 15. In rest and quietnesse shall y… be saued, in quietnesse and confidence shall be your strength: meaning, that by patience and contentation a man shewes strong confidence in God: so that though Gods dealing seeme neuer so hard, we must beware of impatient words and murmuring thoughts, endeauouring to say with m1. Sam. 3 18▪Eli, It is the Lord, let him doe what seemeth good in his eyes: and with nIob 13. 15.Iob, Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him.