Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 1 · Part 12
Now to the matter of Petition, things prayed for in this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our dayly Bread.
Quest. VVhat are the things wee pray for in this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread?
Answ. Fiue things especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Iob 36.31. Psal. 104.28. Psal. 145.15.Answ. This; that God would vouchsafe to supply our wants, touching the outwards good things of this life, seruing either to satisfie our hunger, or quench our thirst, or to preserue vsus from the extremities of heate and colde, winde and weather, or to restore our defects in Nature, vouchsafing things that are requisite and necessary to that purpose.
Quest. What are the things we craue at the hands of the Lord, that are requisite and necessary for the supply of our wants concerning outward good things of this life?
Answ. Such things as are meanes ordinarily causing and procuring the supply of our wants in that kind.
Quest What are the things that are meanes ordinarily causing and procuring the supply of our wants, touching the outward good things of this life?
Answ. Either such as bee common ordinary meanes, and further off; or such as be more speciall and neerer ordinary meanes.
Quest. VVhat are the common meanes and further off, ordinarily causing and procuring the supply of our wants, touching the outward good things of this life, which wee pray for in this Petition?Leuit. 26.19. Deut. 28.23. Hoze. 2.21.22. Iob 38.25.26. &c. Psal. 147.8. Ierem. 5.24. & 14.22. Zach. 8.12. Iam. 5.7. Psal. 144.13. Isai. 55.10.
Answ. These; a right disposition of the heauens and seasonable weather, the former and the later raine, frost, snow, mist, dewe, and whatsoeuer other creature God hath appointed for that purpose, fruitfulnesse of the earth, increase of cattell, and the like.
Quest. VVhat are the more speciall and neerer meanes ordinarily causing and procuring the supply of our wants, touching the outward good things of this life, which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Two especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; wit and skill to order and dresse grounds,Gen. 2 15. Gen. 4.2. Gen. 18.6.7. Gen. 27.14. Gen. 47.36. Exod. 31.34.36. 2 Sam. 13.8.9. Pro. 31.13.19. Act. 18.3. and cattell, and to make vse of the good creatures of corne, wooll, flaxe, fruites, hearbes, and such like, that God would giuegive to men, and to vsus in particular, gifts and skill to that end, that wee may know how and when to plant, to set, to reape, and sowe, and how to make the good creatures of God that we find in the world fit for food clothing, Physick, and for other good vses. Adam had perfect skill to dresse the ground, Gen 2.15.
Quest. VVhat is the second more speciall and neerer meanes ordinarily causing and procuring the supply of our wants, touching the outward good things of this life, which we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This; strength and willingnesse to imploy that wit and skill which God ha…h giuen vsus,Gen. 3.19. Pro 31.13. to 27. to make vse of his good creatures, and that with diligence and painefulnesse, that God would make men, and vsus in particular, able and willing to excercise that wit and skill wee hauehave,Act. 20.24. Ephes. 4.28. 2 Thess. 3.10.12. 2 Tim. 2.6. in some honest and good employment, and that wee may not eate the bread of Idlenesse.
Quest. VVhat is the second thing wee pray for in this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread?
Answ. This; that God would maintaine and preserue that wealth,Psal. 3.5. Psal. 16.5. Psal. 119.91. Coloss. 1.17. and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by his good prouidence: for hee that giueth those things, is also the maintainer and preseruer of them; and he must vphold our Lot, as well as deale vsus forth our portion. All things consist and are preserued in their essence and state, and sustayned in their substances, quantities, qualities, motions, and actions: and if hee withdraw his preseruing power from them, they perish, and come to nothing.
Quest. VVhat are the things we craue at the hands of God in this Petition, that serue to maintaine and to preserue that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; the immediate hand and prouidence of God, to watch ouer those things continually, that God would vouchsafe to watch ouer the outward good things wee hauehave and enioy,Iob. 1.10. Psal. 55.22. Psal. 127.1.2. Psal. 91.10. and are cast on vsus by his good prouidence, and would keepe them safe vnderunder his owne good hand and prouidence at all times.
Quest. What is the second thing we craue at the hands of God in this Petition, that serues to maintaine and preserue that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good hand and prouidence of God?
Answ. This; whatsoeuer is a meanes seruing Gods prouidence, and which God vseth ordinarily to that purpose, that God would vouchsafe to vsus the meanes that serue his prouidence, & that he vseth ordinarily for the maintenance & preseruation of that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God.
Quest. What are the meanes that serue Gods prouidence, and that he vseth ordinarily for the maintenance & preseruatiō of that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good hand an… prouidence of God?
Answ. Either such as are inuisible, and not seene by the eye of the body; or such as are seene, and wee may take notice of.
Quest. What are the meanes seruing Gods prouidence, and that hee vseth ordinarily for the maintenance and preseruation of that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God, that are inuisible and not seene with the eye of the Body, which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. They are the good Angels of God:2 King. 6.16.17. 2 Chron. 32.7. Psal. 34.7. Psal. 91.11. that God would vouchsafe by his good Angels to guard and keepe safe that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by his good prouidence.
Quest. What are the meanes seruing Gods prouidence, and that hee vseth ordinarily for the maintenance and preseruation of that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God, that are seene, and we may take notice of, which we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Either publike meanes, or priuate meanes.
Quest. VVhat are the publike meanes seruing the prouidence of God, and that hee vseth ordinarily for the maintenance of that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good hand and prouidence of God that are seene, and wee may take notice of, which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Three especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; good Magistrates, such as are wise and prouident for the common good,2 Chron. 19.5.6.7. 1 Tim. 2.2. Iudg. 3.28.29.30. Iudg. 4.14. 2 King. 18.7.3. that Good would vouchsafe to giuegive vsus such Magistrates, as may both make wholesome Lawes, and execute the same iustly and truely as occasion is offered, for the quiet and peaceable gouernment of the common wealth, and may also by lawfull and iust warre defend their subiects and countrey.
Quest. What is the second publike meanes seruing Gods prouidence, and that he vseth ordinarily for the maintaining and preseruing of that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by his good prouidence, that is seene and we may take notice of, which we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This; valiant, expert, & skilfull captaines and souldiers, such as hauehave both strength & skill to fight as they ought to doe,2 Sam. 23.8. to the end. Isai. 3.2.3. for the defence of their countrey; That God would vouchsafe to giuegive vsus such captaines and such souldiers, as being strong and valorous, may be ready on a iust and lawfull calling, to fight resolutely and wisely for the defence of our liues and liberties: such a Captaine was Cornelius, Act. 10.1, 2. and such a souldier he had, vers. 7.
Quest. What is the third publike meanes seruing Gods prouidence, and that he vseth ordinarily for the maintenance & preseruation of that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God, that is seene and we may take notice of, which we pray for in this petition?
Answ. Learned and experienced Physicians, and such as are carefull for the health of the body; and generally all such skilfull Artificers as doe labour about the things that are necessarie for the continuance of our outward good and welfare,Iere. 8.22. Luk. 10.34. Coloss. 4.14. Gen. 4.22. 1 Sam. 13.19. Isai. 3.3. both in the time of peace, and in the time of warre, that God would vouchsafe to vsus such Physicians, and such Artificers.
Quest. What are the meanes seruing Gods prouidence, and that hee vseth ordinarily for the maintenance and preseruation of that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by his good prouidence, that are seene and wee may take notice of, which we pray for in this Petition?
Gen. 31 26. to 31. Pro. 14.35. Pro. 17.2. 1 Tim. 3.4. Tit. 1.6. 1 Sam. 25.16. Iere. 15.20. 2 King. 6.32. Ioh. 20.19. Nehem. 4.9.17.18.Answ. These; Industrious, painefull, and faithfull seruants, frugall children; walles, barres, doores, and other necessary fences: That God would would vouchsafe vsus such seruants, such children, and such fences.
Quest. What is the third thing we pray for in this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread?
Answ. This; that God would giuegive vsus leaue to vse that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave & enioy, and are cast on vsus by his good prouidence: for though God doe supply our wants touching outward good things, and doe maintaine and preserue those outward good things we hauehave and enioy; yet vnlesse he also giuegive vsus leaue,Eccles. 5.18. Eccles. 6.2. and make vsus able to vse them, we are not the better for them.
Quest. What are the things wee craue at the hands of God in this Petition, that serue to make vsus able to vse that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God?
Answ. Either things inward, or things outward.
Quest. What are the inward things?
Answ. Two especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This;1 Cor. 8.7.8. 1 Tim. 4.3.4.5 Coloss. 3.21. a setled perswasion of mind and conscience touching the lawfulnesse of the vse of that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave & enioy. That God would giuegive vsus to be setled and perswaded in mind and conscience, that we may lawfully vse that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, & are cast on vsus by his good prouidence, we vsing them with prayer and thanksgiuing, and moderately and soberly, and to right ends: for if there be a scruple in conscience, touching the lawfulnesse of them, it makes men or women vnable, as we may see in superstitious persons; Papists dare not eat flesh, or white meates, though they hauehave abundance at certaine times, as Lent, Ember weekes, Fasting dayes, and such like; yea they hold it a foule sinne, and no lesse fault then to kill a man.
Quest. What is the second inward thing?
Answ. This; quietnesse and contentednesse of mind in respect of that portion of wealth and outward good things,Eccless. 5.9.10. 1 Tim. 6.10. Ppilip. 4.11.12 Heb. 13.5. it pleaseth God to measure out vntounto vsus; that God would make vsus well contented with that wealth, and those outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and are cast vponupon vsus by the good prouidence of God, for discontentment with our present estate, & lingring after that we hauehave not, & would hauehave, makes men or women vnable to vse their present portion with cōfort; and discontented persons are poore in the midst of great wealth, and are tormented with a desire of wealth to come.
Quest. What are the outward things that serue to make vsus able to vse that wealth, and those outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and are cast on vsus by the good prouidence of God which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Two especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; health and soundnes of body; that God would vouchsafe to giuegive and to continue to vsus,2 Sam. 19.32.35. Iob. 7.3.4. Pro. 15.15. as he in his wisdome shall see meet, health and strength, and soundnes of body: for if God send sicknesse, or some extreame weaknesse of body; that makes men or women vnable to vse their wealth and outward good things with comfort, & they find sweet things then bitter to them.
Quest. What is the second outward thing?
Leuit. 26.6. Iob 11.18.19 Psal. 144.14. Zach. 3.10.Answ. This; outward peace and freedome from the inuasion and fury of enemies, that God would vouchsafe to giuegive and to continue to vsus, as he in his wisdome shal see meet, outward peace and freedome from the power and rage of enemies: for if men or women bee inuaded by enemies, and bee vnderunder their power and rage, they can take little or no comfort in the wealth and outward good things they hauehave and enioy.
Quest. What is the fourth thing we pray for in this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread?
Answ. This; that God would giuegive vsus a true taste and feeling of that good and that comfort that is offered to vsus in the wealth and outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and which we are made able to vse. For as God doth supply our wants,Eccles. 2 24.25.26. Eccles. 5.17. Act. 14.17. touching outward good things, and doth maintaine and preserue our wealth and outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and doth make vsus able to vse them: so doth he also giuegive vsus a true taste and feeling of the good, and that comfort that is offered to vsus in the wealth and outward good things we hauehave and enioy.
Quest. What are the things we craue at the hands of God in this petition, wherby we may come to hauehave a true taste & feeling of that good and that comfort that is offered to vsus in the wealth and outward good things wee hauehave and enioy, and which we are made able to vse?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; a right discerning of that good and comfort that is offered, in the wealth and outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and which we are made able to vse, that God would giuegive vsus rightly to discerne of the good and comfort that is offered to vsus in them, as that therein is offered to vsus not onelyonly some good, and some contentment to our bodies, but a taste also of Gods bountie and goodnes to vsus; and of his care and prouidence ouer vsus, in that he hath made them and giuen them to vsus for our good; yea, of his speciall goodnes and mercy to vsus, we being his children:Psal. 104.2. verse 32. Rom. 1.20. Iud. ver. 10. for heerein wee go beyond the bruit creatures, that feed vponupon the creatures, and vse them as they are guided by sense, as sight, taste, feeling, and by appetite, but discerne not the goodnesse and comfort that is offered by them: and by thus discerning of them wee may come to hauehave a true taste and feeling of that good that is offered to vsus in the wealth and outward good things we hauehave and enioy.
Quest. What is the second thing whereby we may come to hauehave a true taste & feeling of the good and comfort that is offered to vsus in the wealth and outward good things we hauehave and enioy, & which we are made able to vse, which we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This; cheerefulnesse and honest delight in the vse of the outward good things of this life; that God would giuegive vsus to vse them with cheerefulnes, and with honest delight,Deut 12.18. Deut. 26.11. Nehem. 8.19. Pro. 17.22. Psal. 104.15 Isai. 9.3. Galat. 5.22. so as our delight in them bee moderate, and doe neither hinder, nor draw vsus away from things heauenly and spirituall; and so as our chiefe d…light be in Christ, and in the things of a better life, wee thus delighting in the vse of the outward good things of this life, we may come to hauehave a true taste of that good and that comfort that is offered to vsus in the wealth and outward good things we hauehave and enioy.
Quest. What is the fift thing wee pray for in this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread?
Answ. This; the blessing of God on the outward good things and meanes wee hauehave and enioy, and doe vse, tending to the preseruation of this life; that God would by his blessing make them effectuall for our good and comfort, and for those good ends for which wee vse them:Leuit 26.26. Pro. 10.22. Hag. 1.6. for the best outward good things and meanes are vnprofitable, and as a deafe Nut, and doe vsus no good at all, if God withhold his blessing from them, and suspend the vertue of them, Luke 12.15. The rich mans plentie could not continue his life. vers. 19.20.
Quest. VVhat must this teach vsus?
1 Tim. 4.4.5. 2 Chron. 16.12 Psal. 20.7. Psal. 146.3.4.5. Iere. 17.5.Answ. Thus much; that wee are to craue of God a blessing on all the outward good things we hauehave and enioy, and doe vse, tending to the preseruation of this present life; and are also wholly and only to depend on him in the vse of them for a blessing on them.