God a Rich Supply of All Good, Treatise

God a Rich Supply of All Good · Treatise

GOD, A rich ſupply OF ALL GOOD. SETTING FORTH,

I. The Beleevers intereſt in it.

II. The riches of it in quantity.

III. The gloriouſneſſe of it in quality.

IV. The meanes ſealing up all: Namely,

CHRIST. All illuſtrated, with many wonderfull and remarkable ſpirituall experiences, not onelyonly of former, but of later Chriſtians.

By Doctor NATHANAEL HOMES.

LONDON, Printed by Tho: Roycroft, in Gold-ſmiths Alley neer Creple Gate, 1650.

PHILIP. 4.19.

But my GOD ſhall ſupply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Chriſt Jeſus.

HERE is a rich and glorious Text; for it containes riches and glory. A comprehenſive Text, for it holds forth a ſupply of all need. The Fountaine is infinite, Viz. God. God ſhall thus ſupply. The conveyance and inſurance infallible, Chriſt Jeſus. And the impreſſion that all theſe make upon the heart of a Beleever firſt or laſt, is very great. For this Text is ſpoken out of much confidence, and experience: My God ſhall ſupply. My God that hath ſupplyed me, Verſ. 12, 13. ſhall ſupply you.

So that the But in our Engliſh tranſlation, may be better turned into And (as the Greek well beares it) thus: God hath heretofore ſupplyed me, Verſ. 13. now you have ſupplyed me, Verſ. 14, 16. AND God ſhall ſupply you.

Qu. Why did not Paul refuſe the Philippians benevolence, and turne YOUR into MY, and his words to others, into Faith for himſelfe, ſaying, My God ſhall ſupply all my need.

Anſ. Paul could, and hath, and would againe have done this, if God had denyed all meanes, but p. 4for him to refuſe means, when meanes are offered, had been to tempt God, not to truſt in him. The Philippians had well to ſpare, and (contrary to the gripple Corinthians) were willing to ſpare; and Pauls hands could not make up his need; hee muſt fulfill his Miniſtry, what ever was layd by, and he had been rich in Doctrines to the Philippians, therefore the Philippians did well to give, and he did well to receive. Beſides Pauls Faith here ingageth for more to the Philippians, then his ſenſe had received. He, one, had received from them a great many, ſome ſmall contribution of ſome temporall things; but hee promiſeth them that his God ſhould ſupply all the need of them all, ſpiritually and temporally. My God ſhall ſupply all your NEED, according to his riches by Chriſt Jeſus.

Shall ſupply, Greek foreign, ſhall fill, or will fill. He ſhall, becauſe he will. His good will puts a neceſſity on his great power to doe great things for his people. See the great things, the fundamentals of ſalvation, of grace and glory that God doth for his in and by Chriſt Jeſus, Epheſ. 1. firſt ten Verſes. And Why? Becauſe he had taken counſell with his will ſo to doe, Verſ. 13. So in all Providences, yea in all things, Rom. 8.28, 29. Mark well the FOR that knits the two Verſes together. And as his will is a good will, ſo a rich good will. According to his riches (ſaith the Text.) He is rich for our need; and hath riches for every need. And p. 5richly ſhall he proportion the allowance viz. According to his riches in glory.

The adjoining glory to riches ſignifies (as ſom, namely Beza, will) that God wil ſupply according to his riches gloriouſly; or rather it ſignifies more, to wit, that he will ſupply according to his glorious riches.

For all the ſupplyes that come from God through Chriſt to one in Chriſt, come tipt, guilt, with a glory upon them; a centro ad caelum. Providences below, graces within, Heaven above, as they have a lovely ſcarlet bluſh of Chriſts blood upon them, ſo they are rayed upon with a beame of divine love to them that are in Chriſt.

And whether we render the text in Chriſt, or by Chriſt, or with Chriſt, it makes no great matter, ſee the Scripturs. For according to Scripture all are true, and apt, yea all will well concur to make forth the all of the way, how all things are ours through Chriſt. In regard of Chriſts Paſſion, we have all by Chriſt; namely by purchaſe. Epheſ. 1.11.12. In regard of Chriſts incarnation, we have all in Chriſt, namely in our union with him, 1 Cor. 1.5. Ioh. 15.5. Coloſ. 2.10. In regard of donation, we have all with Chriſt. That is God giving us Chriſt in ſpirituall marriage, with him he gives all he is worth, all his eſtate with him. Tranſit res cum perſona. Rom. 8.32.

D. Beleivers have aſſurance and experience that their God will fully ſupply all their need according to his glorious riches through Chriſt Jeſus.

p. 6There are 4 things to be explained in order as they lye in the doctrine for the manifeſtation, and ſo confirmation thereof. 1 The beleivers intereſt in the Supplyer, that makes him ſo bold and confident as to ſay, My God ſhall do ſo and ſo. 2 The extenſion in quantity of the ſupply: to ſupply all need. 3 The intenſion in quallity, According to his glorious riches. 4 The medium or means, Chriſt Jeſus.

1. The intereſt. The beleiver hath a God, the onelyonly true God, truly; who is the originall of all. All goodneſſes but coppies taken out of, and according to that originall. All ſtreames of goodneſſe are from that Ocean of Nectar. All my ſprings (ſaith the Pſalmiſt Pſal. 87. ult.) are in thee. i.e. From God giving forth himſelfe in the Church. All things are in God, either formally or cauſally, or eminently. Wiſedom, power, &c. are ſo formally in God, that they are eſſentially God. All the creatures are cauſally in God. That is, they have moving and being from an efficacy proceeding from him. And all the reſt are eminently in God; whatſoever is excellent below; is in God in a more excellent manner. As light is more excellent in the Sun, then in the fire or candle. God is the divine Artiſt to know all. He is the divine Artificer, facere to make, all. Heb. 11. And he is the divine vertuous one, Agere, to do all. As it is ſaid of Chriſt, he did all things well. Acti agimus we act well, being well acted of him. His omnipotent power upholds all. His all-loving heart gives p. 7all. And his allwiſe-hand diſpenceth all. His power is above all difficulties. And his good will above all our unworthyneſſe. You ſee the world below is vertually in the Sun; and the Sun a more excellent thing then al on which it hath an influence: So all things are much more eminently in God, but God himſelfe is more excellent then all. Pſal. 84.11. His nature is unacceſſable. He dwels in light that none can approach unto. His love incomprehenſible. Epheſ. 3. And his wayes of works and providences paſt finding out, Rom. 11. He ſupplyeth the Angels with power that fell not, that they might never fall. He ſupplyed Chriſt; filling him with the Spirit above meaſure, and raiſing him from the dead. Therefore much more can he ſupply us that Beleive.

In this God, hath the beleiver his intereſt, he can confidently call him my God; mine by creation. And not onelyonly of being, as the lapſed Angels, but of his well being, of a gracious heart, and gracious qualities in that heart, Pſal. 51.10. Epheſ. 4.24. Epheſ. 2.10. Mine by preſervation, and not onelyonly in common providences, as he is the Saviour of all men; but in preſervation of the ſoule from ſin, of the affections from prevayling temptations, and graces from deadneſſe. Mine by redemption. Sutably to that ſpecially here meant, is here mention of Chriſt Jeſus. According to that, Chriſt is made of God to us redemption; 1 Cor. 1. He hath payd a price to juſtice to redeem us from vengeance; and p. 8hath gained the actual love of mercy to beſtow all good upon us. * The ſame Fine and Recovery cuts of the entayle of evill, and conveighes the good eſtate to us. Upon theſe grounds, and in this manner doth the beleiver challenge God to be his God. If you will have the meaſure and graduall; then thus. The beleiver ſaith, God is my God, fundamentally by the promiſe. As that, I will be your God, and you ſhall be my people. Formally and properly by faith, my beloved is mine, and I am his. Cant. 2. And Thomas, my Lord and my God. Effectually, and feelingly, by the operations of love, joy, &c. As Mary-ſayd, my ſpirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour. And as the beleiving Iewes did. 1 Pet. 1.8. Compleatly, (in parts) when we own God, and own our ſelves to be none but his. Faith drawing down Chriſt to us. And that faith working by love, carryes us up to Chriſt. Cant. 2, My BELOVED is mine, and I am HIS, he feedeth among the Lillies, untill the day breake, and the ſhaddowes flee away, turn my beloved, &c.

2 Extenſion in quantity. God ſhall ſupply, even to a fulſilling all needs. The word foreign, here rendered need: 1. Signifies want, neceſſity. So that whatſoever is neceſſary to ſupply, God will ſupply. A ſinleſſe wanting, viz. of ſuch things without which we cannot anſwer to Gods ends, God will be ſure to ſupply. But a ſinfull wanting, a moral aguiſh dropſy thirſt of ſuch things, and ſo much, as will rather hurt then help; a wantonneſſe rather p. 9then a want, God doth beſt ſupply rather by keeping us in that want then ſupplying; rather by withholding then by giving. Pſal. 119. It is good for me that I was afflicted. For in this caſe we more want ſoule health then bodily ſupplyes; therefore God withholding the drink of creature-comforts, is beſt to cure our ſpiritual ague or dropſie appetite. So then our deſires muſt be natural, not unnatural, either after things in kinde, not good for us, or in degrees unſutable for our condition. As on the otherſide our wanting muſt be real, not imaginary as the dream of thirſt in the Prophet. Such an imaginary want was in Rachel when ſhe phantiſied that her life depended upon having children. Give me children (ſayd ſhe) or I dye.

2. The Greek word ſignifies uſe, that which is uſefull, and inſtrumental to act and doe. Now that is for our true uſe, that more fits us for Gods uſe. For (as the Philoſopher called Servants) we are Gods, inſtrumenta rationalia; his reaſonable tools or houſhold goods. Revel. 4. All is made for Gods end and uſe; Therefore without all faile God will ſo ſupply and ſerve our need, as may fit us beſt to ſerve him. And in relation to both ſignifications of the Word, remember that I told you that the word ſupply in the original, ſignifies to fill; God will at leaſt fill the true uſeful need. He may and doth oft make our cup to overflow, gives a meaſure running over; but that is of ſuperabundant kindneſſe. But this he will do, and is, tyed under p. 10hand and ſeale, in Word and Sacraments; viz. to fill ſuch wants. He will fill every ſize of veſſel, repleniſh every capacity to its proportion. He will ballaſt and tackle every ſhip, as it may ſafelyeſt ſwim and ride out every ſtorme. He clothes lambs and ſheep with a fleece they may beſt bear, and get away from the thornes.

3. Intention in qualities, one way or other, firſt or laſt he will ſupply according to his glorious riches. God is glorious, and ſo will dole out your ſhare according to your proportion, you ſhall confeſſe it when the total is caſt up. In compariſon of others nothing, or your own former ſmall thing, you ſhall have great things. God hath choſen the poore in regard of the world, (ſaith Iames) rich in faith. And (ſaith Paul) Godlineſſe is great gaine with contentment. For it brings contentment, hearts eaſe; more ſatisfied then Alexander with a world. The Godly man hath two worlds entayled upon him. Godlineſſe hath the promiſe of this world, and that to come. So that the Godly man can ſay, I have enough; He is rich that thinks he wants nothing; that hath as much as he can aske, or tell what well to doe with; give us, foreign, bread ſufficient for our ſubſtance. A mans eſtate is to be valued according to the uſe, not the bulke, according to the efficacy not the quantity. What are tooles of which one hath no uſe or benefit? Green hearbs if they give content (ſaith Solomon) exceed a ſtalled Oxe. If a mans eſtate ſerve his uſe, p. 11is effectual to a quietation of ſpirit, he hath the greateſt ENOUGH that can be deſired.

The whole of a beleivers eſtate is very rich, thus:

1. The leaſt mercy is greater then he (as Iacob confeſſed) for a man is all miſery in himſelfe.

2. The leaſt that he hath, as to him, that it might be a mercy (not a ſnare) coſt the value of Chriſts blood. A little Diamond coſts more then a load of quarry ſtones.

3. If the ſtream of mercies be ſmall, yet great is the continuance, from the fountaine. A little free-hold is better then more by ſhort leaſe.

4. Beſides all, he hath the fountaine it ſelfe; God himſelfe. The heavenly man, hath not onelyonly the light, but the Sun it ſelfe fixed in him as in its Orb. The Chriſtian and God are one, as Chriſt and God are one. Ioh. 14.20. Ioh. 17.21. All that God gives to beleivers, intends, & ends in this, to lead them to God. (Judge your condition by this) God is a wooer, that gives tokens to his love with an intent to give himſelfe.

You ſee then God doth many wayes ſupply richly.

That richneſſe according to which God will ſupply is a glorious richneſſe. The glory is three-fold; as the riches are three-fold.

1. There is a glory upon the temporalls of a beleiver. They come from Gods right hand. See the difference, Pro. 3. and in the Patriarks bleſſing. p. 12The right hand bleſſings perfected the left. They come from Gods good wil, not from meer common providence. They all taſte loviſh; they are varniſhed with love; poliſhed with a beauty as given to Chriſt for us, as the world was made exceeding good; that is, beautiful, uſeful, &c. for the firſt Adam in innocency. Again, there is a glory in the ſeaſonable giving of temporals to beleivers, So like apples of gold with picturs of ſilver. Striped with the blood of Chriſt, inlayed with the operation of ſpirit ſanctifying them unto us. Yea, there is ſomewhat of God himſelfe ſtamped upon every creature, which onelyonly the beleeving eye can ſee. On vegetables, life, on Animals, underſtanding and wiſdome. And ſo much of God as is in a creature is moſt glorious. And God that is in them hath layd his Command upon them, to doe us good (if we beleive) and goodneſſe is glorious.

If there were but the divine order in Gods diſpenſations of outward things, firſt this, then that as is beſt for our welfare; this were glorious. He firſt provides for us the breaſt, then bread. He diſpenſeth as the parent doth clothes, ſuites fit for our age, and ſo they ſit handſomely. Look how grimme diſorder is, ſo comely and glorious is order. He gives not all at once to over-whelm us; nor the laſt thing firſt, or the firſt laſt.

2. There is a glory in ſpirituals. In gifts ſome as in knowledge, elocution, &c. but in grace and p. 13graces more. For the grace of favour; It clothes us with Chriſts righteouſneſſe: This muſt needs be glorious. (2 Cor. 5. la) it being the righteouſneſſe of God. You may perceive it, by conſidering how grimme the ſight of ſin was to you, before you ſaw that glorious clothing upon you. Whiles ye ſee not your ſelves in Chriſt, mantled in, and clothed with his righteouſneſſe, you are an abhorring to your ſelves. But when you behold your ſelves (yea and as beheld of God in Chriſts righteouſneſſe) you ſee your glory, ſo that you can glory. 1 Cor. 1. two la. Chriſt is made to us righteouſneſſe, &c. that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord. The Apoſtle adds, 1 Cor. 3. that the very miniſtry that holds forth this righteouſneſſe to us is far more glorious then the glorious giving of that glorious fierie Law, as it is ſet forth and called, Deut. 33.2. The Lord came from Sinai, and roſe up from Seir, and ſhone forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thouſand of his Saints, from his right hand went a FIERIE Law for them. And then too, the graces of the Saints are glorious. They are the ſpiritual creation of God. Eph. 2.10. The purchaſe of Chriſts blood, Eph. 1.7, 8. The breathings of the Spirit, Ioh. 20.22. The Image of God in us. Eph. 4.24. They make the ſoule of man (in the bent of it) like Adams ſoule; yea it is another divine ſoule, in our natural ſoule.

So that by all glories aforeſayd, a Saint is made p. 14moſt glorious within his own court or habitation. He dwels in Chriſt, glorious in his garments, glorious in his complexion; he is ful of righteouſneſſe and holineſſe. Solomon was glorious; the Lillies (ſaith Chriſt) are more glorious then he, but Chriſt moſt glorious; and ſpiritually and imputatively, as he was, ſo are we in this world. 1 Iohn 4.17.

3. There is the glory of heaven; which is the plat-forme of all our happineſſe. I need not argue this glory, but rather declare it, if I (or any elſe) could. Here below we have a glory, but it is like the glory of a glow-worme, brightened at the night-ſhining of the ſtars, in compariſon of heaven, which is as the glaring of Diamonds, or ſparkling of Chryſtal looking-glaſſes, the gloſſe of cloth of gold, and Tiſſu, at the ſight of the noon-ſun. In heaven every glory is lightened and hightened to a tranſcendency of tranſlucidation and luſtre. Our natural bodies ſhall glitter above the face of Moſes, Stephen, or innocent Adam; namely, like the body of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 15. which was moſt glorious on Tabor. Our reaſon ſhall be equalized too, if not made ſuperlative above the higheſt intellectuals of Angels (foraſmuch as we are neerer in union with God through Chriſt they.) And as for our graces, every grace ſhall be raiſed to the higheſt perfection, and actings that graces can be extended, or exalted. There in glory, we have p. 15the ſight of God; either by ſome extraordinary Species repreſenting the divine eſſence, a light of glory the mean while elevating the underſtanding with a ſupernatural ſtrength, to behold the repreſentation; or by the light of glory, elevating and ſtrengthening the underſtanding to the higheſt, pitch of apprehenſion, to behold the divine eſſence immediately preſented without any Species, or by any immediate clear viſion of God without. Species or elevation by any light, more then is innate in the glorified intellectuals. Doubtleſſe by unſpeakable union with Chriſt, in him we ſhall apprehend God, as he (ſo far forth as he is man) doth apprehend him, to our utmoſt proportion.

In heaven the fountain of our happineſſe is ſubſtantial glory. Namely, God himſelfe, perfecting our ſubſtances to the higheſt of our kinde; our company the Angels, ful of ſuperlative glorious qualities, the place filled with rayes of both, and we perfected and poliſhed in all things to a glorious hue and luſter. The floure coloured ſhining ſpring, the Golden ſea (as Homer calls it) with morning beames, or the ſpangſed ſtarry heavens, in a ſerene evening, are but ſhaddows to this glory in Heaven. Our communion there is like the moſt raviſhing muſick, our ſights all of admiration, and our thoughts ſeraphical raptures.

The fourth thing to be explained is, the means, viz. Chriſt Jeſus. God conſidered in himſelf, is able to p. 16ſupply, being infinite rich and glorious. And naturally he is willing as the chiefe good to communicate his goodneſs to his creatures, conſidered in their meer and pure naturals; but there is not in him a moral willingneſſe (as we may ſay) a willingneſſe of free choiſe to be communicative of himſelfe to fallen man, but through Jeſus Chriſt. God foreſeeing what was wiſedome and juſtice to himſelfe, choſe us in Chriſt. And now in time communicates himſelfe no other way, but through Jeſus Chriſt. He is fixt in, and ſhines through the Orbe of Chriſt Jeſus, 2 Cor. 4. Shines to us in the face of Chriſt Jeſus; even as after the Sun was made upon the fourth day, (though there was ſome general light afore, as innocent Adam had a legal light) there was no light to be communicated to the world but through the Sun. The ſum of all we wil ſay of this is briefly this.

1. That Chriſts incarnation is the fundamental inſurance of our aſſurance of our neererneſſe to God then Angels, Heb. 2. That he wil be our Immanuel. Matth. 1. Applyed, Rom. 8. to our juſtification and ſalvation. And ſo wil doe by us as he did by Chriſt, in all excellencies whereof we may be capable.

2. The perfecting and formal act of the vertue of this incarnation to communicate himſelfe to us, is our actual union with Chriſt by the Spirit.

3. That Chriſt is the pattern to which we muſt in all things, according to our proportion be conformed p. 17to; and is the beginning of the reaſſimilating and making us like to Gods image in the firſt Innocent Adam, Chriſt therefore is called, the firſt borne of every creature, &c.

Uſeful is this Doctrine, 1. For invitation of all that ſtand off at a difference with Chriſt, totally holding off, or ſtand off at a diſtance from Chriſt, as in a degree ſtrange, fearing to come neer and cloſe to Chriſt; in doubt whether to throw themſelves into Chriſts armes, fully to truſt themſelves with him. Come ſaith this Doctrine, come in, come neer, own God in Chriſt, and rejoyce in him as thine own, that thou maiſt come up to this priviledge, viz. with aſſurance of faith to ſay, My God ſhall ſupply all wants. Mine and thine in temporals, ſet all the world together by the ears; Kings ſay, that is mine, nay ſay Parliaments, that is mine; nay ſay the people, that is mine. But in ſpirituals they ſet all in tune. Therefore of all things learne to MINE the Lord, to cry by faith, thou art mine, as Thomas, My Lord and my God; and as Mary, My God and my Saviour. You may as they (but more ſpiritually) rely on him, for you have him held forth to you not onelyonly as borne, but as crucified for you before your eyes. Gal. 3.1. That is, in the preaching of the Goſpel; which continually beſeecheth us to receive Chriſt. 2 Cor. 5. Why therefore do not men come in and come up cloſer to Chriſt Jeſus, through whom God will be ſuch a p. 18rich ſupply? And therefore if ye be poore like Laodicea, it is becauſe ye do not com on through profeſſion of Chriſt cloſe to Chriſt himſelfe. If ye be rich, yet ye are not rich indeed, if ye cloſe not with Chriſt. If ye be honourable; yet ye are not right honourable, unleſſe ye put on Chriſt. Come therefore, come, come to God in Chriſt. Hear thoſe glorious invitations, Iſa. 55.1. to the end of the Chapter. And Revel. 22.17. turn to them, reade them, weigh them; they wooe thee imphatically and pathetically; and anſwer all ſcruples. Come therefore to Chriſt. The promiſe is to you, for it is to all the Lord ſhall call; that is to all that obey his Call, Act. 2.39. He dyed for the ungodly, Rom. 5. And he came with an intent not to condemne the world, but that the world might be ſaved, Joh. 3.

Oh therefore cloſe with Chriſt, throw your ſelves into his armes. Let thine heart ſay, he is mine by faith, mine in hope; I love him, I give up my ſelfe to him, I will lye in his armes, lean on his boſome, live in and upon his heart of love, there I will expect all incomes from God. Cloſe with God in Chriſt, for here in the Text and Doctrine he doth as it were call to you in the marker place of wiſdome, come ſee what ye lack, ſee what ye want, do ye want riches, honour, comfort, any thing, all things, See what ye want, come buy, and buy without money or moneys worth. Iſa. 55.1. Revel. 22.27. And in the Text. He will ſupply all your p. 19wants. Do ye want a comfortable habitation? Pſ. 90.1. Lord thou haſt been our dwelling place in all generations. Do ye want riches? Solomon tells you The bleſſing of the Lord maketh rich. And Paul tells you that Godlineſſe is great gaine. And ſo we might run over all things, His power ſhall be your chambers to hide in, Iſa. 26.20. His love and union ſhall be your chamber (your Bride chamber) to rejoyce in. Cant. 1.4. Do ye want peace. The Apoſtle calls God, the God of peace. And he promiſeth, Iſa. 26.3. He will keep them in perfect peace, whoſe mindes are ſtayd on him. Do ye want friends? By Faith Abraham was called the friend of God; that is, paſſively God was a friend to him; for God juſtified him by faith, Jam. 2.25. And by obedience (flowing from faith) we manifeſt we are Chriſts friends, Joh. 15.24. Do ye want wiſedome? And what to do? To bear afflictions (that perhapps ariſe from wants)? If any man lack wiſedome, (and for ſuch a purpoſe) let him ask it of God who gives it liberally. Jam. 1.

If any man out of a willingneſſe to follow Chriſt looſeth all, he ſhall finde all, with addition above that he loſt. Matth. 19.28, 29.

Object. For ſpirituals, God doth eaſily ſupply them, by immediate infuſion. But how can he ſupply temporal, when they are not in being?

Anſw. This is our fault. God provided Manna; But ſay they, can he provide fleſh in the Wilderneſſe? p. 20Sure ſaith that great man, 2 Kin. 7.2. he cannot ſend plenty into beſieged Samaria, by to morrow, if the windows of heaven ſhould rain down bread. This or the like, is the language of our unbeleeving hearts, and the cenſures we paſſe upon divine providence, as if we would provoke God to do nothing for us. Why, God hath, and can do ſtrange things, ſo that they ſeem to be done by creation. How wonderfully did he lead his people from Egypt into Canaan. And he will create Hieruſalem (a ſad City) into joy. He will create peace.

Come therefore yee diſputers, attend upon the words of his mouth, rely on him by faith, he will be true, he muſt be true to you, according to this Text, To ſupply all your wants according to his riches in glory by Chriſt Jeſus. Can ye finde a want, a need of ſpirituals? Do ye feele your need? Seek firſt the Kingdome of God, and the righteouſneſſe of him, and all other things ſhall be added unto you. Go cloſe with Chriſt, and then go to God and aske and have any thing that you truly need that may do you good. By this you ſhall know whether your outward wants be a true and right need, by what and how ye dare aske them of God in prayer. That is not a true need which you dare not ask boldly of God in prayer. And ſo much is not needful which you dare not confidently begge of God in prayer. And that way or manner, or meanes of attaining p. 21any thing is not needful, for which you dare not with a free heart petition to God for his bleſſing on the ſame. When God hath a minde to bend his eare, he will prepare the heart to pray. Pſal. 10.17. Therefore go to God by faith, make your addreſſes to him by prayer in faith for a ſupply of whatſoever ye need. Say here it is, here it is to be had, I wil go no further then this doore, here I wil ſtay, and begg till I receive.

The Devil, and ſin wil tel us they wil ſupply our need, ſo they told the Angels (that fel) and Adam, Belzebub ſeduced the reſt, and one of them ſeduced Adam. The politick world wil bear us in hand, that they wil ſupply all our need. Do but come (ſay they) over to us, go our way, come plot in our Plot, co-operate, and comply in our deſigne and ye are made, we wil make you men for ever. And the creatures with their beautiful looks wil ſmilingly ſeeme to promiſe much: And our owne corrupt hearts, and carnal reaſons wil tell us many faire tales. But whom and with what wil theſe ſupply? onelyonly our ſenſes with ſenſible things, and leave our inward man to faint and faile; or they wil ſupply our luſts, with impure objects, which are worſe then nothing, to poiſon and pain us to all degrees of miſery. They wil ſupply (they ſay) but according to what? even quite contrary to the text. viz. they wil ſupply according to the abundance and p. 22baſeneſſe of evil, that is in ſin, and the Devil. But the voice of the text is life, the voice of God indeed. He will ſupply all your need according to the riches of his glory by Chriſt Jeſus.

Second Uſe is, for improvement of God in Chriſt Jeſus unto all conſolation, to them that can cloſely cloſe with, and own God in Chriſt: to ſay, My God by the blood of Chriſt, My God by the ſpirit of faith. Theſe men ſhall be able to ſay, My God ſhall ſupply all my wants; yea mine and others that are beleivers, as Paul ſpeaks in the text, for himſelfe and other Saints. God ſhal ſupply all, Widdows, Orphans, Priſoners; and with all; of which we have abſolute need, without all faile; of what is alſo convenient for us, when it is convenient.

Firſt, We have abſolute need of grace, without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11. And God tells us we have need of patience, Heb. 10.36. Therefore that God muſt needs ſupply: according to his promiſe; he will poure out his Spirit, Act. 2. And according to his inſurance, having filled Chriſt, that of his fulneſſe we might receive. Ioh. 1.

Secondly, There is an abſolute neceſſity of what is altogether neceſſary to gracious actings in all conditions. Heb. 4.16. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and p. 23finde grace in the time of NEED. And my grace ſhall be ſufficient for thee, even in thy wraftling with Satan, 2 Cor. 12. Compare diligently, 1 Cor. 10.13. Therefore this alſo God muſt needs ſupply.

Thirdly, That is of abſolute neceſſity that concurrs to our natural being and life, whiles God wil have us to be on earth for his ſervice. In this reſpect Chriſt ſaith of outward things, Your heavenly Father knows you have NEED of theſe things. Therefore ſo much of food, of clothes, of liberty, of peace, &c. as whereby we may be able to be, and act according to Gods minde, God muſt needs ſupply.

Fourthly, There is an abſolute need that God ſhould be glorified by us. He muſt attaine his end. All things was made for his glory, Revel. 4. Therefore whatſoever is needful for us to further Gods glory, that God muſt needs ſupply.

All theſe are but abſolute neceſſary ſupplyes. But God ſupplyes ſomtimes, ex ſuperabundanti, good meaſure preſſed down, and running over: not onelyonly for neceſſity, but for delight. And he wil ſo ſupply us at preſent need in ſome things, that we ſhall be able out of experience to ſpeake with confidence, of futures, My God ſhall ſupply all needs. As Paul ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 1.10. Who delivered us from ſo great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we truſt he will yet deliver. And Rom. 5. p. 24Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, experience hope. Paſt mercyes are the firſt fruits of future. As the Apoſtle argues, Rom. 11. That God hath more mercy for the Jews whom he calls the lump, becauſe the firſt-fruits of the fathers afore the floud, and the Patriarks after the floud were holy by mercy received from God.

And as God ſupplyes all, with all (as we have ſayd) ſo alſo ſutably to the Saints condition in this world wil he ſupply. For Hel, and the world indeavour to put the Saints into need, and all manner of wants. But, ſaith the text, God will ſupply all your need. Hel and the world labour to make them poor, and ſcanty, and miſerable; but ſaith the text, God wil ſupply all your need according to his riches. Hel and the world, do nothing but render them contemptible, and ignominious. (But ſaith the text) God wil ſupply according to his riches in glory. Hel and the world labour if it were poſſible to divide them from Chriſt. But (ſaith the text) God wil ſupply them by Chriſt Jeſus.

Object. But how wil God ſupply us?

Anſw. Either ordinarily, or extraordinarily, God is pleaſed (when he ſees good) to uſe means, but he is not tyed to means, method, or manner of acting. When Moſes was much with God on the mount he could faſt forty dayes, p. 25when Peter had a viſion (Act. 10.) he forgate his hunger. When Paul was in a rapture, he knew not whether he was in the body or no, and therefore minded not bodily wants. When we conſider our clothing with Chriſts righteouſneſſe, and eternal glory, we ſhall more minde our clothing upon with them, then moth-eatable garments. 2 Cor. 5. Whiles Adam injoyed God, he minded not his nakedneſſe. There are no perplexities can enwrap and hamper and ſeize upon Pauls ſpirit, whiles he conſiders Chriſts fulneſſe; through whom he can do all things. Phil. 4. A word from Chriſts mouth ſtils him in a great fight of temptations. 2 Cor. 12. Diſtractions there may be in States, and upon Churches, and every one enquires what wil things come to? But the conſideration of theſe, Chriſt muſt reign, Pſal. 2. Heb. 2. The four mettalled Image of all humane power oppoſing him, muſt be broken before him, Dan. 2. And Antichriſt muſt down, as ſure as if down already, Revel. 18. Chriſts Church muſt be ſet up in glory, Revel. 21. The Saints muſt rule, chap. 20: theſe I ſay will quiet our mindes.

Object. But my heart hath many doubtings in it.

Anſw. Doſt thou call him my God? and haſt had ſome former experiences what he hath done for thee? then mayeſt thou boldly, as Paul, ſay in p. 26the text; My God ſhall ſupply all my wants: Yea the ſame God that makes any promiſe wil give to thee lying under the ſerious conſideration of that promiſe, aſſurance through that promiſe, that he wil performe it; and make thee wait till thine eyes ſee it done. In waiting with hope upon God, a ſoule oft times hath much communion with God. And in this communion, God doth make admirable impreſſions on Saints ſpirits, touching aſſurance, Pſal. 130.5, 6, 7. So that if all the world ſhould perſwade them it were in vaine to waite, they could not be taken off. Yea ſome Saints waiting upon God unto, and in great ſufferings, have little leſſe then an impreſſion of Propheſie made upon their ſpirits. Hus a Bohemian, ſignifying a Gooſe in his language, ſayd, that if they coſted him in the fire, within an hundred years ſhould riſe a Swan that ſhould carry the cauſe on for which he ſuffered. And accordingly, Luther, (ſignifying a Swan) roſe up, and did ſo moſt ſucceſſefully. The Martyr that laſt was burnt in Smithfield, told the people they ſhould be of a good comfort, for he was perſwaded he was the laſt that ſhould ſuffer under Queen Mary; And ſo he was. The world doth not conſider this of ſecret impreſſions. And therefore they plot ſometimes great plots, thinking to have the people to ſide with them: But God makes contrary impreſſions, and ſo all falls to nothing.

p. 27Queſt. When wil God ſupply?

Anſw. When his time is come; As he wil not ſtay a minuit longer then the fitteſt time; ſo nor wil he act a minuit afore the time. But juſt at his time to a minuit he wil do it; Ioh. 2. There wanted wine; His mother tells him of it. He anſwers, his houre was not yet come. And there were but a very few ſands to run. Thoſe being out, he turns water into wine; which was preſently after his mother ſpake to him. See Chriſt wil be punctual at the inſtant of the fitteſt ſeaſon to do us good.

Object. There are many great men and means to hinder thoſe ſupplyes we want.

Anſw. What are mountaines before Zerubbabel (ſaith Zechary) what can let God to make his way plaine, yea who can reſiſt God when he wil make impreſſions on great mens hearts, that they ſhall not hurt, nor hinder? Both Laban and Eſau came out in fury againſt Jacob, but God made impreſſions on their hearts that they ſhould not hurt him, and they became as tame and gentle as lambs. Plots have been againſt us, as we ſayd afore, by great ones, but God made impreſſions on the Commonalty, that they could not act, nor execute any thing.

Object. But I am full of unworthyneſſe.

Anſw. So thou art in thy ſelfe, but ſeeing it, and acknowledging it, is the way to remove p. 28that, that it be not an impediment. Eſpecially if thou lookeſt from thy ſelf to Gods free mercy through Chriſt, Pſal. 130.4. And the text gives thee a ful anſwer. God will ſupply all thy need according to his riches in glory BY CHRIST JESƲS.

Though thou art unworthy, beleive in, and hope on Chriſt, who is worthy. He accepts of us in him the BELOVED, Eph. 1. O therefore that men would not take up Religion in the outſide, or in the Gallantry of wit, parts, repute, and favour of great men, but in the kernel, faith, hope, communion with God. By theſe to lye in Gods boſome wil quiet, when all helps are ſuſpended.

Object. I am in ſuch a ſtate, and condition, as of afflictions, impriſonments, &c. as are quite contrary, to any probability of ſupplys of my wants.

Anſw. God to ſhew his wiſedome, and power, and to exerciſe our faith, doth oft times take contrary courſes to ſupply us. As in the Creation, being about to make a beautiful lightſome world, he firſt created a Chaos lying in darkneſſe; ſo in his providence, he works oft by contraryes. Iſrael muſt go out of Canaan into Egypt to be preſerved for Canaan. And when at firſt he ſent Moſes and Aaron to treat with Pharaoh to let them goe, things went worſe with them. God p. 29doth of purpoſe ſometimes caſt us into afflictions, and ſeem to hide himſelfe, that we might pray, and beleive, and hope, till he returne and help, Hoſ. 5. la. And for the particular of being in priſon: As touching thy inward condition, The Heathen could ſay, Solus ſapiens eſt liber. That is, A wiſe man is the onelyonly free-man; freer in priſon, then a foole at large, moſt gloriouſly true ſpiritually. If Chriſt hath made us free, we are free indeed. Its a brave freedome to go to priſon to be free in conſcience. As touching thy outward condition of impriſonment, Ioſeph muſt through a priſon be advanced. The Lord wil carry down Jeremiah to the Potters houſe, and there teach him the leſſon he is to learn of free grace, that God will have mercy, becauſe he will. Once a priſoner in this place ſpake a glorious ſentence, when condemned to have his head taken off. He ſpake it on the ſcaffold. If there had been (ſaith he) an eaſier way for me to heaven then this, I ſhould have found it: But God would lead me this way rather then no way, thither.

Object. You have given many faire words, but they ſeeme to be but notions.

Anſw. Thus our megrom giddy heads think ſubſtances to be but ſhaddowes. I ſay to you, as Paul once to the Corinthians, God or his Goſpel-miniſters are not ſtreitned, but ye are ſtreitned in your owne bowels. Elſe we might come to p. 30that as other Saints attaine to: as a woman of late of mean eſtate ſayd, I want nothing, I have all things in Chriſt. Are theſe onelyonly notions, which hold forth to us, that which is the reſult of all. viz. contentment, For God in Chriſt is the onelyonly contentment, which evidently appears by comparing a poore beleever and a rich unbeleever together: The one hath much contentment, the other hath none. Is this a meere notion? If he ſpared not his own Son, how ſhall he not WITH him freely give us all things, Rom. 8. And Pſal. 37. I have been young and now am old, yet I never ſaw the righteous forſaken, &c. Is Gods taking care of crowes, ſparrowes and ravens, notions? From thence our Saviour argues, how much more will God take care of men that truſt in him? Are thoſe notions, that prove moſt real in event? A woman in theſe hard times having loſt her eſtate and yearning over her children, wanting clothes, fel down before the Lord in prayer, mourning thus, Lord ſuch a childe wants a coat, and ſuch a childe wants ſuch a garment, what ſhall I do, my eyes and hopes are upon, and to thee to help. And ſuddenly the Lord ſtrangely provided for them. Two other being in diſtreſſe, the one in torment of paine, the other greatly afflicted with compaſſion. Come ſayd the husband to the wife, if it be the will of God, that thus this extremity p. 31muſt lye upon us, we wil even hire more help to attend, and ſettle to the affliction. And behold preſently the Lord took away the affliction. I have known a ſtock of prayer driven for diverſe years for a mercy; and oft the deliverance came to the birth, and was not brought forth. At laſt it was given in as in a dreame. The thing done, when ſcarce any means uſed.

Therefore I conclude, Beleeve, pray, hope, and waite on God, and he ſhall (according to the infallible truth of this text) ſupply all your need according to his riches in glory, by Chriſt Jeſus. Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Nathanael Homes, God a Rich Supply of All Good (1650)