Commentary Upon Genesis 1-3, Commentary on Genesis · Chapter 1 · Verse 29
VERSE. 29.
BEhold] That is, Take notice of a ſpeciall favour, although all the Creatures are mine, as being the work of mine own hand, yet am I well pleaſed that ſome of them ſhould periſh, to preſerve, and keep you alive. It may be withall, that, by this particle of Obſervation, he points at Gods provident Care, in providing means to ſuſtain Man, before he had Created him.
I have given you] Who am Lord of all, and therefore have power to diſpoſe of mine own as I pleaſe: And though you can claim nothing in your own right, yet you ſhall receive all of my free gift. And [I have given] expreſſeth the full ratification of the Gift, as not to be expected hereafter, but to be enjoyed preſently from that very inſtant.
Every herb bearing ſeed] By which, though you ſpend the herb, yet the kind of it may be ſtill preſerved; and ſo the proviſions for the ſuſtaining of your lives renewing daily, may be ſufficient to yield you a laſting ſupply of food, for time to come.
Which is upon the face of the Earth] Which you are to repleniſh, and ſubdue. The words ſeem to enforce a double encouragement to labour; The firſt from neceſſity, as if he had ſaid, Husband the Earth well, for it is the fruitfulneſs of the Earth, by which you muſt ſupport your lives. The Second, for the Intereſt which God gave them in the fruits of their Labours: As if he had ſaid, Beſtow your labour in husbanding and manuring the Earth well, for you ſhall eat the fruits of it; ſo that you ſhall labor but for your own good.
In which is the fruit of a Tree] For it is only the fruit of any tree, that we make uſe of, for food. The leaves may be ſometimes uſeful for Medicine; but, only the fruit is our food.
To you it ſhall be for meat] Thus God expreſſeth the uſe of the Herbs, and Fruits, which he had given Man, that they ſhould be for their food: in which clauſe is withall included a ſecret Bleſſing of God upon them, that they ſhould not onelyonly be meat, but nouriſhment too. For Herbs, and Fruits, are not preſently nouriſhment, becauſe they are eaten; neither do they prove ſo to all, nor at all times. It is true, that Man lives not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of Gods mouth, that is, by his bleſſing upon the bread, which gives it power to nouriſh us. Our nouriſhment by food may indeed juſtly be accounted amongſt Gods wonders, much more amongſt his bleſſings.
In this, and the next Verſe is clearly ſet before us, both the Goodneſſe, and Provident care of God, in allowing and appointing of proviſion of food, both for Man, and beaſts, which God annexeth, to the Dominion given to Man over the Creatures, and that (as we may probably gueſſe) partly to enconrage him, to take care of the Earth, the fruits whereof muſt ſuſtain his life. And partly to temper his thoughts, in the conſideration of his new dignity; He was to bear rule over the Earth, but he muſt be ſupported by it; he was a Lord, but a Lord that could not ſtand by himſelf, but muſt be ſupported and upheld by the daily food, which was to be ſupplyed unto him, by thoſe very Creatures, that were put under his feet.
But why doth God abaſe Man ſo far, in this his happy condition, as to ſupport, and as it were to prop him up, by the Creatures, whereas he might have preſerved Man, as he doth the Angels, by immediate Influence from himſelf, without the help of any Creature at all, and have continued his life, as well without food as by food? It ſeems that God from the beginning, appointed Mans preſent condition in this world, to be an eſtate of abaſement, in compariſon of that glorious condition which was to follow; a ſtep lower then the Angels, although he was Crowned, even at preſent, with Glory and Honour, Pſal. 8.5. For 1. he was here on earth as a Sojourner for a time, to be removed hence to his everlaſting habitation afterwards. 2. He was at preſent, although not utterly ſhut out from Gods preſence, yet admitted only to behold his back-parts, and to enjoy him by meanes, as being uncapable, in his preſent condition, to behold him face to face, and to ſee him as he is, which he could not do in his fleſh, but was to expect afterwards. Thirdly, as he enjoyed not God on Earth Immediately: So he was not to be ſupported by him Immediately, but from him, by the Creatures. Laſtly, he ſuffered ſome abaſement in the employment, wherein, while he was to continue on Earth, he was to ſerve him, for the moſt part, in the ſervice of the the Creature, Ordering that, and governing it, according to Gods direction; whereas hereafter all his ſervices ſhall be immediately directed unto God, in praiſing and rejoycing in him continually: So that it appears evidently many waies, that from the Creation, God intended ſome degree of abaſement to Man in his preſent condition in this life, reſerving him unto the hope of enjoying the fulneſs of Glory, in the world to come: into which he was to be tranſlated, not by death, but by ſuch a change, as the Apoſtle mentions, 1 Cor. 15.51. The manner whereof, is neither known, nor curiouſly to be enquired after. From this Conſideration,
1. Obſerve, Although God Created Man without means, yet it is not his will to preſerve him without meanes.
Obſerv. 1 THat he could do it, he ſufficiently manifeſted by preſerving Moſes, Elijah, and Chriſt, each fourty dayes without any food at all; but that he will not do it, the conſtant courſe of his providence makes it evident, yea the petition, which our Saviour directs us to preſent daily unto God, for bread for the day, makes it manifeſt, that though Man lives not by bread, as Moſes ſpeaks, Deut. 8.3. yet he lives not without it. Thus hath God ordained it, 1. To humble us in this our ſtate of baſeneſſe, as hath been ſhewed already. 2. To lead us to the Conſideration, of the wonderful waies of Gods Providence, by which he hath appointed us ſuch meanes of nouriſhment, as plainly diſcover the ſame Power of God in maintaining, and ſupporting our lives, which he ſhewed in our firſt Creation, as appears in maintaining our lives by dead things; For ſuch is our nouriſhment, which neither is quickened it ſelf, nor quickens us, except it die. And next in working ſuch changes, and alterations, in our nouriſhment, both in the form and nature of it, as might juſtly amaze us all. When we obſerve, ſo many ſeverall ſorts of Creatures, as we feed upon, of ſuch different qualities and natures, all changed into one ſubſtance, all transformed into blood: and that blood again, not returned into the ſame ſubſtance, of which it was made; but altered into as many, or more ſeveral natures, of a different temper from what they were; ſome hard, as bones; others ſoft, as fleſh; ſome ſtrong and tough, as Sinewes; others ſubtile and pure, as ſpirits, and the like: which wonders, if they be well weighed, may be eſteemed little inferiour to any miracle.
Let us then both make proviſion for, and make uſe of ſuch Creatures as God hath allowed and appointed unto us to be meanes of ſupporting our ſelves, and that too in obedience to his will, yet ſo, as, 1. To labour for them without care, 2. To make uſe of them without dependance on them, but reſting our hearts upon Him that gave them. 3. And affecting our ſelves, not ſo much with the goodneſſe of the Creatures, as with the bounty of him that gave them. 4. And ſtill longing after our future eſtate, wherein theſe meanes ceaſing, God ſhall be unto us All in All, 1 Cor. 15.28.
Before, we beheld the Creation of Man and Beaſt, here we have ſet before us the proviſion, that God makes and beſtowes on them for their food: He that gives them their Life and Being, takes Care for, and beſtowes liberally, meanes for their ſupport, and preſervation. Whence,
2. Obſerve, That God, that hath given us Life, will not fail to provide, and beſtow upon us meanes for the preſervation of our life.
Obſerv. 2 AS our Saviour not onelyonly affirmes, but proves by a ſtrong argument, Matth. 6.15. Becauſe the life is more worth then food, and the Body then Raiment, that covers it; eſpecially if we conſider, that we receive, and expect both from the hand of a faithfull Creator, as the Apoſtle terms him, 1 Pet. 4.19. And therefore can neither Hate, nor neglect, any thing that he hath made. And beſides, unleſſe he ſhould provide for his own Creatures, all fleſh ſhould ſoon periſh, and then God ſhould have made his works in vain.
Let us then bring our hearts, to depend upon God, for all needful proviſions for our lives: Conſidering, 1. his Nature, who is good to all, Pſal. 145.9. 2. His All-ſufficiency, who hath the ſtore of the whole Earth in his hand, Pſal. 24.1. 3. His promiſe, Pſal. 37.3. & 34.10. which is more firm then the Earth. 4. His engagements many wayes, in Creating, Redeeming, and Supporting us, from our firſt being hitherto: and we know he doth nothing in vain, but where he begins, he makes an end. 5. His diſpoſing of things in the Courſe of Nature; which by his providence, are ſo ordered, that all things are fitted, as well for Suſtentation as for Procreation; every Mother of Man and Beaſt, hath a fountaine of food in her own body, for that fruit which ſhe brings forth, ready prepared, before it comes into the World. Every winter hath proviſion ſtored up in Summer precedent, to ſupply all the neceſſities thereof before they appear, 6. The Superiments of the ſuplies which God provides, not onelyonly for our ſelves ever, ſince we had a Being, but for all Creatures, whoſe eyes waite upon him, and do from him receive their meat in due ſeaſon, Pſalme 145.
It is not to be paſſed by, that before this promiſe Moſes prefixeth a ſpeciall note of obſervation (behold) uſed ordinarily either to tax, and awaken our heedleſſe hearts, in not obſerving what we ought to have taken notice of, or to raiſe them to an expectation of ſome great work in hand, which requires more then ordinaty obſervation when it is performed. Whence,
3. Obſerve, The Goodneſſe and Providence of God, even in ſupplying us with neceſsary proviſion for our lives, requires ſpeciall obſervation.
Obſer. 3 THis God requires, in an eſpecial manner, of his own People, Deut. 8.2, as to be obſerved allwaies, ſo ſometimes to be ſolemnly and publickely acknowledged unto God himſelf, in preſenting unto him the firſt fruits of every years proviſion, Deut. 26 9.10. And that to exerciſe Mens hearts in a more ſerious meditation and thankfull remembrance of his goodneſſe, Deut. 8, 18. The neglect of which duty, God juſtly taxeth in his People, Hoſ. 11.3, 4. as either a meanes to draw them on to an Apoſtacy, and revolt from God, or at leaſt a ſign of the breeding of this dangerous ſin, Deut. 5.23, 24.
It were then a ſhame for Men to receive their food at Gods Hand, like beaſts, that have no underſtanding, who gather their food indeed, Pſal. 104.2. but without obſerving whence, or from whom it comes; Let it be our care to take ſpecial notice of Gods Hand, and goodneſſe, in all the bleſſings of this life, that we receive; taking notice both What, and of what Condition, of what Variety in their ſeverall kinds; and in what Abundance God pours out his bleſſings upon us even in Outward things, proſpering all the Labours of our hands, and watching over the land where we dwell: ſo that his Eyes are upon it from one end of the year to the other, Deut. 11, 12. Making the fruits of the Earth to Spring and grow up, and ripen, while we ſleep, and look not after them, that it may warm our hearts with the taſte of his goodneſſe, and raiſe them up to an holy rejoycing before him, and to chearfulneſſe in the ſervice of ſo liberal a Maſter.
God (as we have ſeen) had made Adam Lord of the whole Earth, and had put all his Creatures under his feet; and yet we ſee here, that he comes to give him allowance of that ſtore, which he had prepared for him, and beſtowed upon him for his food, and gives him, in a ſort, bread to put in his mouth. Whence,
4. Obſerve, Men that have the greateſt poſſeſſions in the World, muſt notwithſtanding receive their allowance out of it, continually, from Gods Hand.
Obſerv. 4 KIngs themſelves are ſerved by the field, ſaith Solomon, Eccle. 5.9, and conſequently by Gods allowance, who brings forth food out of the Earth. It muſt be God, that muſt hear the Heavens, and the Heavens the Earth, and the Earth his People Iſrael. 2.21, 22. Which unleſſe he ſhould do, daily pouring out his bleſſing upon the Earth, to make that fruitful to yield us bread, and upon the bread to give it ſtrength, to yield us nouriſhment, the Kings of the Earth muſt ſtarve as well as the pooreſt beggars. Wherefore our Saviour, in that Prayer, which we call the Lords, directs all that call God Father, to beg daily, the portion for the day, at Gods Hand, as well Kings themſelvs as their meaneſt Vaſſals.
Let this conſideration humble all thoſe that flatter themſelves with the food, Luk. 12.19. and, depending upon the ſtore of their proviſion, or revenewes of their Lands, conceive it needleſſe to ſeek unto GOD; neither praying unto Him, nor depending on Him, nor ſerving Him, becauſe they live, as they conceive upon their own ſtock: They are not greater Lords then Adam, who had the whole Earth for his inheritance, and yet had no bread to put into his Mouth, till God gave him his allowance out of it: let none then deſpiſe the meaneſt, nor advance himſelf above them, Rich and Poor, Kings and Subjects, all muſt receive their proviſion for food, of Almes and by allowance from God day by day.
In relating Gods grant of food for the ſuſtaining of Mans life, Moſes expreſſeth, 1. the Author that beſtowes it, God Himſelf, 2. What was given, both in the kind of it, Herbs, and Fruits, and in the variety of it Every herb, and the fruit of every Tree. 3. For what Term, which being without limitation, muſt be extended both to Himſelf and his Poſterity after him. 4. For what Uſe, to be unto them for food. From the firſt Circumſtance,
5. Obſerve, Mans food is the Gift of God.
Obſerv, 5 IT is God that gives unto all fleſh their food in due ſeaſon, Pſal. 155.15. He commands bleſſings for them for that purpoſe, and opens his Treaſures for them, Deut. 28.8.12. And that not only in General but more particularly, He ſhares out unto us every one his particular portion, ſee Pſal. 146.7. Whence it is that our Saviour directs us to beg at Gods Hand the portion of every day, which alſo He proportions as He did the Mannah which He rained down upon his People according to every Mans eating Exod. 16.16. This Holy Iacob found ſo true by his own experience, that he acknowledged, that God had fed him all his life, Gen. 48.15. This portion for every Mans allowance, though God ſometimes conveighs unto them by extraordinary means; yet he uſually ſupplies by the Miniſtery of Men, or by their own labour and induſtry, by which he gives them a juſt title to the bread that they eat, ſo that they may truly call it their Own as the Apoſtle doth, 2 Theſſ. 3.12. Becauſe God gives unto them a bleſſing upon their obedience, in labouring with their hand the thing that is good, Eph. 4.28. Notwithſtanding, even that alſo is to be acknowledged as Gods Gift, who gives ſeed unto him that ſoweth, and bread for food, 2 Cor. 9, 10. And gives ability to get wealth, that he may eſtabliſh his Covenant and keep his Word with us, Deut. 8.18. But not to pay us any debt that He owes us.
1. Let every one then depend upon God for neceſſaries, for the ſupporting of his life; 1. begging it of him by prayer, as our Saviour directs us, and as Iacob doth, Gen. 28.20. and Agur, Prov. 30.8. As acknowledging our own beggery, that have not bread to put in our mouthes, unleſſe he beſtow it; and unability to get it by any meanes that we can uſe, unleſſe he proſper them; and unworthineſſe to have it from Him by any deſert of our own, unleſſe he beſtow it out of free bounty. 2. Depending and truſting on him by Faith, as we are directed, Pſalme 37.3. grounded on his Promiſe, I will not leave thee nor forſake thee, Hebr. 13.5. 3. Walking in a Courſe of Holy Obedience; to which, ſufficiency and abundance in all bleſſings of this life, is promiſed, Deut. 28.13. and Pſalme 81.13.16. Eſpecially to diligence in an honeſt Calling; he that tilleth his Land ſhall be ſatisfied with bread, Prov. 12.11. He that laboureth with his hand the thing that is good, ſhall have both to ſupply his own wants, and an overplus to give to him that needs, Eph. 4.28.
2. For ſhame, Let us ſerve him faithfully, who feeds us as it were, at his own Table; nay, prepares a Table before us, and makes our Cup to run over, Pſal. 23.5. And beſides, Warmes us and cloatheth us, with the flieces of his own Flocks, which He gives as he did to Abraham, Gen. 24, 35. Yea, abaſeth Himſelf ſo low, as to take off our yoak from us, and to lay our meat before us, Hoſ. 11.4. And beyond all this, ſupports and protects us by his Power: ſo that the Everlaſting armes are underneath us, Deut. 33.27. So that we dwell in ſafety alone, verſe 28. and no evil comes near our dwellings.
The kinds of the proviſions, which God allowed unto Man, followes; Herbs and fruits of trees muſt be his food: both of them but a little before: and produced out of the Earth by the powerfull Word of Gods Mouth, upon the third day, verſe 11. So that we may out of that Conſideration,
6. Obſerve, All the Proviſion, that God hath allowed Man, for his food, is drawn out of Earth.
Obſerv. 6 WHence by his own bleſſing upon the labours of Men he brings it forth, Pſal. 104.14. And, if we conſider it well, what are Corn, Fruits, Cattel and their fleſh on which we feed, but Earth, as it were refined, and changed both in ſhape and quality, but not in ſubſtance? Neither is this more true then neceſſary, that Mens bodies, which are themſelves out of the Earth, ſhould be nouriſhed out of the Earth, that is, with a kind of food that is proportionable to themſelves: neither is it more neceſſary then it is Convenient; that the heart of Man by the conſideration thereof, may be kept low by the repreſentation of the baſeneſſe both of his Original and End, that he came out of the earth, and thither muſt return again, ſet before him, in every diſh at his Table which he feeds upon.
It juſtly taxeth both our niceneſſe and fooliſh pride, in making that an occaſion, and meanes of lifting up our hearts and glorying to others, by which God moſt endeavours to humble and abaſe us, our food and cloathing; being both of them Evidences of our Weakneſſe, Baſeneſſe and Shame, who being made of Earth, dwelling in houſes of Earth or Clay, as Job calls them, Job. 4.19. and getting our bread and food out of the Earth, are withall cloathed with no better then Earth; from whence we draw our fineſt linnen immediately, and from whence the flieces of our flocks, the skins and coſtly furres which we borrow from the backs of beaſts, are derived in the ſecond deſcent. O Earth, Earth, Earth, know thine own vileneſſe, and glory not in thine owne ſhame, as wicked Men are juſtly charged to do, Phil. 3.19.
If we lay together the diſpenſations of God unto Man, we may eaſily obſerve, and have cauſe ſeriouſly to conſider, how ſtrangely God levels Mans waies thereby, and tempers together, our Advancement, and Abaſement. Firſt, Adam is made as it were a God upon Earth; and now a Worm feeding, as it were, upon the duſt: firſt, a Lord over all the works that God had made, to rule, and Command them; and now made to ſtoop in a ſort, to his own vaſſails, and to make uſe of them for the ſuſtaining of his life. Whence,
7. Obſerve, God doth ſtrangely counterballance our Honours, and Abaſements in all his diſpenſations unto us.
Obſerv. 7 THus the Prophet David profeſſeth that God did lift him up, and caſt him down, Pſal. 102.10. Thus he dealt with Jacob, whom he advanced in his Birth-right, and Bleſſing, above his brother Eſau, and made him his Lord; and not long after, brings him down before him on his knees: Makes Moſes the reputed ſon of Pharaohs daughter, and by and by an Exile and Shepherd in Midian; and from that baſe condition advanceth him to an eſtate above the greateſt Monarchs of the world. Thus he dealt with David, Job, and many others. And in the ſame manner he deals with all his children, in ſpiritual things; tempering our advancement with abaſement, (as he dealt with S. Paul, 2 Cor, 12.7.) our Conſolations with Heavineſſe of ſpirit, our Holineſſe with manifold Corruptions. And thus it pleaſeth him to deal with us, 1. To fit us to that condition of baſeneſſe, in which he hath placed us in this World. 2. To keep our hearts low and humble, which (eſpecially in this ſtate of Corruption) we are ſo hardly brought unto; leſt we forget both our ſelves, and, which is much worſe, Him that made, as all things, ſo us alſo for his own honour; which Agur feared, Prov. 30.9.
In the kinds of the food which God allowed to Adam, we cannot but take notice of the homelineſſe of that proviſion that God appoints him to feed on, no way anſwerable to thoſe delicates that our Luxurious Palates ſo much affect and delight in; but wholſome and vulgar, eaſily to be found in any place, where he ſhould ſet his foot. It cannot be denyed, but that thoſe Herbs and Fruits, before Gods curſe came upon the Earth for ſin, exceeded, both in Taſte, and Virtue, thoſe which the Earth now brings forth; Notwithſtanding, ſince God makes ſuch vulgar proviſion, for the greateſt Monarch that ever the Sun ſaw, we may,
8. Obſerve, Plain and Ordinary Fare, may, and ought to content the beſt amongſt men, and is moſt agreeable to the Mind and Will of God.
Obſerv. 8 THe Patriarchs, of whom the world was not worthy, feaſted ſtrangers with Veal and Butter, Gen. 18.8. and themſelves fed upon Pottage of Lentiles, Gen. 25.34. Food convenient will content Agur, Prov. 30.8. And our Saviours own proviſions were but barley loaves, and ſmall fiſhes, John 6.9. It is true, that John Baptiſts feeding upon Locuſts and wild honey, was extraordinary, and therefore not to be drawn into imitation. And it muſt be granted, that both for Civil and Religious Reſpects and Occaſions, we are permitted to a more free and liberal uſe of the Creatures for our food. Rulers, as Solomon implyes, Prov. 23.1. and as appears by the proviſion which he made for his own Table and Family, 1 King. 4.23. and that of Nehemiah, Chap. 5.18. and all other men of Abilities and Large Eſtates, are permitted to make proviſions for their Tables according to their Places and Conditions: Yea, men of ordinary rank upon Special Occaſions of Marriages, Birth of Children, entertaining of friends, holy feaſtings, and like, are allowed to exceed their ordinary proportions; Provided alwayes, 1. That they affect not delicacy in their food. 2. Make not the Creatures fewel for their luſts; eating ſtill for hunger and health, and not ſurfeiting and drunkenneſſe, Eccl. 10.17. 3. Exceed not the proportions of their eſtates, nor hinder their liberality in relieving thoſe that need; as that rich Glutton did, Luke 16.19. 4. Uſe it not at unſeaſonable times; which God ſo ſharply taxeth, and ſeverely puniſheth, Iſa. 22.13, 14. Otherwiſe God is beſt pleaſed with Moderation and Competency; as appears, 1. By the large proviſion that he hath made for ordinary and vulgar food, whereas Creatures for delicacy are few and ſcarce. 2. By his Bleſſing upon our food. Simple and plain fare beſt maintains our health and ſtrength, and thereby fits the body for employment; whereas abundance and delicates over-burthening nature, both impair the health and ſtrength of the body, and make way beſides for the raiſing up and nouriſhing of corrupt luſts in the heart.
Let no man be diſcontented with his mean proviſions, which, 1. The men, of whom the World was not worthy, ſatisfied themſelves withal. 2. And are as good as the body which they nouriſh. 3. And better then we deſerve. 4. And more then we are able to procure of our ſelves. 5. And are more profitable to us for the maintaining the health and ſtrength of our bodies. 6. And free us from dangerous enticements to Luxury and Exceſſe.
Now although God appointed man to feed upon Herbs and Plants, yet he enlargeth his Grant, and allowes him to eat of all kinds of Herbs and Fruits, the ſeveral kinds whereof are ſo various and almoſt infinite, that they cannot eaſily be numbred. Whence,
9. Obſerve, Gods Allowance to Man of Food, for the ſuſtaining of his life, is exceeding Large, and of Wonderful variety.
Obſerv. 9 IT was ſo to Adam in this firſt Grant; but much larger to Noah and his poſterity when it was renewed after the Flood, Gen. 9.3. when it took in all ſorts of Beaſts and Fiſhes, which he hath given us likewiſe to make uſe of for food in fit times, and in due proportions, and for the end for which they were given; ſome for maintaining our lives in health and ſtrength; and others for delight, within ſuch Limits as are mentioned in the former point. Which he hath done, 1. To manifeſt his Bounty in the Largeneſſe of his Gift; As it teſtified Potiphar's Kindneſſe to Joſeph, when he truſted him with all that he had in the houſe, Gen. 39.8. 2. To raiſe up our hearts by the experience of the variety of the taſtes of ſo many Excellent and Pleaſant Creatures, to rejoyce in and ſerve Him alone, and that with chearfulneſſe, that gives all things ſo abundantly to enjoy.
There is one thing more yet to be taken notice of, that God is pleaſed to allow us ſuch Herbs and Fruits for our food, as having ſeed in them, may be daily renewed in their kinds, leſt our proviſions ſhould fail us at the laſt, ſeeing the Creatures daily periſh with the uſing. Whence,
10. Obſerve, God gives us not our Proviſions at once, but by a continual and daily Supply of thoſe things that we need.
Obſer. 10 THus he dealt with his people in the Wilderneſſe, where he gave them their portion for food, daily, from heaven, as Moſes teſtifies, Deut. 8.3: As he gives us our proviſions, by commanding and pouring out his Bleſſings from thence upon the Creatures, by which they are renewed every day, that we might have a continual ſupply by them for our daily uſe. In the ſame manner he deals, in ſupplying that ſtrength and nouriſhment, which we receive by feeding on the Creatures, which uſually laſts not above a day, and then muſt be repaired and renewed again. And this God is pleaſed to do upon theſe grounds: 1. To manifeſt his Fatherly care and Providence over us, when he ſupplies us with all neceſſaries from day to day, as our neceſſities require, that our ſtore is no ſooner done, but it is renewed daily; we are no ſooner hungry, but we have food to fill us: As it manifeſted Gods care of Elijah, and the Widow that entertained him, that her handful of meal, and a little oyl in a Cruſe, were encreaſed as faſt as they ſpent it. 2. To bind us to continual dependance on him, and ſervice of him, as Parents do their Children, by feeding them daily, but keeping the ſtock in their own hands. 3. To exerciſe our faith, in depending firmly upon his faithful Promiſes, which being ſupported by his All-ſufficiency, and Unchangeable Love towards us, aſſure us of a ſufficient ſupply from time to time, in all our wants. 4. Laſtly, neceſſity in a ſort enforceth it, ſeeing if all our proviſions for food ſhould be laid up together at once, it muſt of neceſſity prove both more troubleſome, and leſſe comfortable unto us.
The laſt obſervable Circumſtance in Moſes his Relation of this Decree of God concerning his allowance of Food unto man, is ſo pronounced, that it includes withal a promiſe, that what he grants them, they might not onelyonly lawfully uſe, but in the uſe of it ſhould find that it ſhould prove meat unto them, that is, it ſhould nouriſh them, and ſuſtain them, without which the Grant of uſing the Creatures for food, had done them little pleaſure. Whence,
11. Obſerve, It is onelyonly by Gods Decree and Bleſsing upon the Creatures, that they have Power and Strength to Nouriſh and Suſtain us.
Obſer. 11 SO that (as Moſes tells us) we live not ſo much by bread, as by every Word that proceeds out of Gods mouth, Deut. 8.3. that is, by his Bleſſing upon the bread, which if he ſuſpend or withdraw, the Creatures can do us little good, Levit. 26.26. Hag. 1.6. The truth is, it muſt needs be ſo, becauſe the nouriſhment of mens bodies by food is a work beyond the power of the Creature, which cannot give or maintain in another, that life which it ſelf hath not. 2. Becauſe all Creatures having their Being and Motions from God cannot poſſibly work any thing farther then he both Directs and Aſſiſts them. 3. And it is fit it ſhould be ſo, that Man might depend upon no Creature, but ſtay his heart upon God alone.
Let all men then, in the uſe of the Creatures, raiſe up their hearts above them, praying unto God for his Bleſſing upon them, and depending on him for it: Eſpecially now ſeeing the Curſe of God is fallen upon them for Mans ſin, by which they are made more unſerviceable unto us, and leſſe able to do us good then they were before the Fall. So that unleſſe they be uſed with thankſgiving, and ſanctified by the Word and Prayer, 1 Tim. 4.5. we have no more reaſon to expect ſtrength, and nouriſhment from bread, then from a ſtone; nay, that which we take for our food, might turn to be our poyſon.