The Power of Godliness, Book 6 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. Shewing what we desire of God in this Petition; The ground thereof. The particular things we are taught to ask under the name of Bread, and Daily Bread. And how we may lawfully pray for riches. The Evils we pray against. The wants we are to bewail. The special Blessing for which we are to give thanks in this Petition.
Question: WHat desire you of God in this Petition?
A. That God of his free mercy and love in Jesus Christ will give unto us all such things,Prov. 30.8. 1 Tim. 6.8. Job 23.12. Jam. 2.15, 16. which he seeth we may conveniently possess for the present time, even all things necessary and comfortable for this life.
Q. What is the ground of this Petition?
A. That God the absolute Sovereign and Lord of all things in Heaven and earth, in whom we live, move, and have our being,Psal. 24.1. Dan. 4.29. 2 Sam. 7.27. Mat. 6.32. 1 Pet. 4.19. Job 36.31. Psal. 104.28. & 145.15. Psal. 127.1, 2▪ is our most mercifull and loving Father, who knoweth that we stand in need of all these things, and out of tender care will provide whatsoever he seeth to be convenient for us.
Q. What do we acknowledg herein?
A. A. That in earthly things all our labour and travell is vain and to none effect, if God give not the increase: That we have no power to use the creatures under our hands, nor they any power to refresh, nourish, or comfort us without his blessing: yea, that we have no title to any earthly comforts to possess or use them,Res Dem nostros celeri citatas Turbine versat. Sen. ib. further then it shall please God of his bounty and love to bestow them upon us. And we further acknowledg that our humane frailty and infirmity is so great, that we cannot stand one day in good plight without these props of nature.
Q. What are the Particulars we are taught to ask under the Name of Bread?
A. Here we are taught to desire, 1. Food and Raiment; as Jacob prayed, If God will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on. 2. Health of Body.Gen. 28.20. 2 Sam. 19.32, 35. Job 7.3, 4. Prov. 15.15. 3 Joh. 2. Jam. 5.14, 16. Psal. 6.2. Isa. 38.3, 5. Psal. 119.117, 118. Judg. 16.28. Psal. 119.175. Prov. 3.24. Psal. 3.5. & 4.8. Lev. 26.19. Deut. 28.23. 1 King. 8.35, 36. Hos. 2.21, 22. Jam. 5.17, 18. Deut. 28.12. Jer. 5.24. & 14.22. Zach. 10.1. 2 Chro. 7.13. Job 38.26 Psal. 67.67. Psal. 147.8. Joel. 1.13, 14. Isa. 55.10. Deut. 28.8, 12. Zech. 8.12. Deut. 26.15. Prov. 3.16. & 30.8. Deut. 28.11. Gen. 24.12. Psal. 129.8. Psal. 104.15. & 23.5. Gen. 21.8. & 29.22. I wish above all things that thou maist prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3. Bodily vigour and strength. I am afflicted very much, quicken me, O Lord, according to thy Word 4. Quiet and comfortable sleep. Thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet 5. Fruitfull and wholsome seasons for man and beast. When Heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee: if they pray towards this place, and confess thy Name, and turn from their sin when thou afflictest them: Then give rain upon thy Land. 6. Gods blessing upon our labours in the fruit of the earth, and such like commodities. Then shall the earth yeeld her increase, and God, even our God shall bless us. Look down from thy holy Habitation from Heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the Land which thou hast given us. 7. Competency of outward blessings, and fit Habitation. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. 8. Good success in lawfull businesses of this life. O Lord God of my Master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day. 9. Fitting delights and liberty. For God gives Bread to strengthen the heart of man, and Oyl to make his face to shine, Prov. 5.18, 19. Phil. 22. Act. 12.5. Rom. 1.…0. & 15.32. Jer. 29.7. Prov. 17.1. Psal. 122.6, 7. Lev. 26.6. Iob. 11.18, 19. Psal. 144.4. Zech. 3.10. 2 Thes 3.16. Col. 3.15. 1 Tim. 2.2. Gen. 43.14. Prov. 3.4. 2 Chro. 19.5, 6, 7. Iudg. 3.28, 29, 30. & 4.14. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Psal. 72.4, 12, 13. Neh. 2.4, 5. Psal. 64.2, 3. Psal. 4.8. Ier. 23.6. Deut. 33.28. Numb 23.9. Psal. 21.3, 4. Psal. 30.9. Prov. 3.16. Isa. 38.2. Mat. 26.39. Psal. 91.16. Isa. 38.…6. 2 Cor. 1.4. Psal. 107.13. & 119.152. Psal. 39.9, 10, 13. Iudg. 15.18. Exo. 17.4. Gen. 17.18. 2 Sam. 10.12. 2 Sam. 23.8, 9, 10, 39. Isa. 3.2, 3. Act. 10.1, 2, 7, &c. Ier. 8.22. Luk. 10.34. Col 4.14. Gen. 4.22. 1 Sam. 13.19. Isa. 3.3. Gen. 24.60. & 30.17, 22. & 20.17. & 25.21. 1 Sam. 1.10. Exo. 17.11. Gen. 31.26, &c. Prov. 17.2. & 14.53. Gen. 18.67. Psal. 72.1, 2. 1 King 10.5. 1 Tim. 3.4. Ier 13.20. 1 Sam. 25.16. Ioh. 20.19. Deut 4.5. Gen. 2.15. & 4.2. & 27.14. Exo. 3, 2. 2 Sam. 13.8, 9. Prov. 31.13, 19. Act. 18.23. Eccl. 2.26. Isa. 28.26. Credit and good Name. Eccl. 7.1. Prov. 22.1. Psal. 37.6. Prov 15.15.and Wine to comfort him. 10. Prosperous Journeys. Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous Journey by the will of God, to come unto you. 11. Peace and Concord. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem; Peace be within thy wals. Now the Lord of Peace himself, give you peace alwaies, by all means. 12. Favour and protection of the Magistrate. God Almighty give you mercy before the man. 13. Safeguard and protection from all enemies that might annoy, and all dangers that might befall us, sleeping or waking, at home or abroad. Thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety. 14. Length of daies to the good pleasure of God What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? shall the dust praise thee? 15. Deliverance out of danger and misery; as from sickness, poverty, and such like. O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit, so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. 16. The life and preservation of our friends. Abraham prayed for Ishmael, O that Ishmael might live before thee. 17. Valiant Souldiers for the defence of our Countrey against the invasion of all our enemies. Courage and fortitude is promised as a blessing, and must be sought by earnest and hearty Prayer. 18. Learned and good Physicians, which might minister unto us in the time of need, and skilfull Artificers to labour about the things that are necessary for our outward good. 19. Prosperity of marriage and fruitfulness. Thus the friends of Rebekah blessed her, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the Mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them. 20. Victory over our enemies. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. 21. A right and happy state politick, domesticall, scholasticall: as good Magistrates, an obedient family, dutifull Children. The Queen of Sheba was astonished, when she beheld the order of Solomons Family. 22. Wisdom and skill to make good use of what God hath given; as Corne, Oyl, &c.
Q What Particulars are we further taught to pray for, in these words, Our daily Bread?
A. Here we pray for, 1. Contentation with our estate, though it be mean. Let your conversation be without covetousness, Heb. 13.5. 1 Tim. 6 6. Phil. 4.12. 1 Tim. 6.8. Eccl. 5.9, 10. Psal. 55.22. Psal. 37.5. Prov. 16.3. & 10.3. Job 29.14. Eph. 4.28. Gen. 3.19. Prov. 16.4. & 12.24. 2 Thes. 3.12. Prov. 31.13, 14, &c. 2 Tim. 2.6. Heb. 1.2. Eccl. 5.18. & 6.2. 1 Cor. 8.7, 8. 1 Tim. 4.3, 4, 5.and be content with such things as ye have. 2. Readiness in all estates of life to rest on Gods providence whatsoever fall out. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass. 3. Love of justice and equity. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me, and my Judgment was as a Robe and a Diadem. 4. Diligence, faithfulness, and painfulness in our Callings. He becometh poor that laboureth with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. 5. Title and interest in Christ to whatsoever we possess, that we might enjoy them as the gifts of his Fatherly love and compassion towards us. 6. Liberty to use the things we have without scruple of conscience, and power to discern and take a taste of such comforts, which through his allowance we have liberty of conscience to use. We are like little Children who cannot carve for themselves when meat is provided: our heavenly Father who prepareth our daily Bread, must put it into our mouthes, and give us to taste it, else it will not benefit. 7. Frugality and moderation in the use of all outward comforts of this life, that we be not oppressed with surfeitting and voluptuousness, and the cares of this world. Be not drunk with Wine wherein is access. Gather up the broken meat, that nothing be lost. 8. Joy,Eph. 5.18. Joh. 6.12. Psal. 21.3. & 104.14, 15. Act. 14.17. Eccl. 24.25. & 5.17. Eccl. 3.12, 13. Deut. 12.18. & 26.11. Neh. 8.9. …rov 17.22. Isa. 9.3. Deut. 8.3. 1 Reg. 19.8. 1 Tim. 4.5. Hag. 1.6. Lev. 26.26. …rov. 10.22. Phil. 4.6. Psal 37.5, 6. Psal. 16.5. Col. 1.17. Psal. 3 5. Psal. 119.91. Job 1.10. Psal. 55.22. & 127.1, 2. Psal. 91.10. cheerfulness, and comfort, that through the blessing of God we may use them with gladness of heart. I know there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoyce, and to do good in this life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 9. The sanctification of whatsoever is in our power, and the blessing of God upon it for our use, that it may strengthen our frail nature, and by his providence be elevated to a supernatural use. 10. The maintenance of what we have with the sanctified use of it, that it might not take up our thoughts, nor draw our hearts away from God: For he must uphold our Lot as well as deal us forth our Portion; he must direct to use, as well as give the blessing, otherwise it will steal the heart from God, or become unprofitable. We pray for grace to contain our selves within the care for the meanes, leaving the events unto Gods only disposition. These things we beg of God in this order. First, For those who are Gods, but yet uncalled, whether having abundance, but without the title of Inheritance; or have neither title nor possession of any thing (for many belonging to mercy conflict with extream poverty) we pray in the behalf of these, that God would give as a Father to the one, as Children and Heires in Christ, the things they have; for the other, God would be pleased by a new grant, to furnish them with necessaries, who have justly, as we all, forfeited all things. Secondly, We who have something about us, yet find want of others, we wish that God would supply us so farre, as he seeth good for us. Thirdly, We who are called, and have for outward things more then we could in modesty ask (for God doth for his sometimes this way, and other, above that they can ask or thing) we do beg at God to maintain these things unto us. And we wish also that God would give us leave to use the things we have; and that he would give us power to take a taste of such comforts, which through his allowance, we have liberty of conscience to use. Moreover we desire that with his blessing he would make them comfortable to us: And that he would bless all means we use, tending to preservation of this present life. Fourthly, If we be in Christ, and yet poor, having in a manner nothing, we pray that God out of his secret love would minister to us, and make the fruit of his da…ly providence a contented Portion unto us, be it never so little; and finally make us see him by faith our All-sufficient God, that will not leave us, nor forsake us.
Q. Is it lawfull for a man to pray for riches?
A. In regard of the quantity of outward blessings to be desired, they are either necessary, sufficient and plentifull, or abundant and superfluous. The necessity of riches either respecteth a mans nature or his state: The necessity of nature is, that a man have things necessary to sustain and preserve nature, as food, apparel, lodging and such like; with which a man must rest contented if he have no more: according to the Apostles Rule, If we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content. And these necessaries every man is bound to desire and seek after, both that nothing be lacking unto him for the preservation of his life, and also that he be not chargeable unto others. The necessity of state, place or calling, either respecteth himself or others. Unto the former is required that a man have not only things fit to sustain nature, but to maintain himself according to his place and calling: in which a greater or less proportion is necessary, according to the dignity or meanness of a mans quality or condition. And thus a Noble-man hath need of a large allowance to maintain him according to his Nobility, and a King more to maintain his Royalty. In respect also of others, riches are necessary either to maintain those wich are committed to a mans charge, or others who are not under his Government: For the former, the Father is bound to maintain, not only himself, but also his children, the master his family, the magistrate his officers: of which a man ought have as great a care to provide them necessaries according to their several conditions as himself.1 Tim. 5.8. Gen. 30.30. Prov. 31.15, 21 Joh. 13.29. & 12.6. Prov. 6.6. & 10.5. 2 Cor. 12.14. Prov. 13.22. And this provision of necessaries ought not onelyonly to be for the time present, but also for the time to come: for the learning of which lesson the sluggard is sent to the Pismire to learn providence, seeing she in Summer provideth food for Winter. Neither ought a man thus to provide for his charge, that they may have comfortable maintenance whilest he liveth, but also that they may have a competency for their relief after he is dead. In respect also of others who are not under our charge, riches are necessary, and that both for publique and private uses: publique, as when we contribute to all good uses, which either respect the Church or Commonwealth: to which purposes we are to extend our helping hand, not only out of our supersluities, but out of our necessities, pinching both back and belly to perform these publique services: private, as when out of that portion which God hath alotted us, we be ready according to our ability to relieve the poor who stand in need of our help. The Second degree or measure of riches, is to have not only things necessary, but also to have some sufficiency and reasononable plenty of them; so as a man may have not only wherwith to hold life and soul together, and to provide in some slender manner for his charge and family, but also such store, as that together with them that depend upon him, he may live comfortably and cheerfully in his vocation. And not only so, but also may be enabled thereby, to be liberally helpfull and beneficiall unto others, and to advance their good whether it be publique or private.Prov 30.8. Act 20.35. Deut. 28.11. Eph. 4.28. And in this degree also riches may lawfully be desired: First, Because the Holy Ghost doth account this plentifull estate in it self, more happy then that of want. Secondly, Because God requireth of us, that we be ready to perform those good duties both publique and private unto others. In Scripture we find many Commandements enjoyning, and Exhortations incouraging us to give unto the poor, and to do the works of mercy to those who need our help; as also to give Tribute to the Prince, and maintenance to those who labour in the work of the ministry: all which manifestly prove the lawfulness of desiring and seeking this sufficiency of riches and convenient plenty, so it be with moderation. Thirdly, The Lord in his infinite bounty and goodness, hath not only created such plentifull store of these his creatures, as are sufficient for necessity,Lev. 26.5. Deut. 28.2, 3, 4, 11. but also for honest comfort and delight, and hath in many places promised this store and plenty to those that fear and serve him. The third degree of riches is abundance and superfluity, when a man hath more then is fit for his place and calling, or then he can or will imploy to any good uses. And this desire and seeking of abundance is unlawfull, not simply and absolutely in it self, but by reason of our corruption, as it argues distrust and diffidence in Gods Promises,1 Tim. 6.9. Mat. 13.12. is contrary to the end why riches are to be desired, will not stand with Christian moderation, and is the occasion of many dangerous temptations.
Q. What are the Evils we pray against in this Petition?
A. We pray against, 1. Beggery and extream want. The destruction of the poor man is his poverty. Prov. 10.15. & 30.9. Lev. 26.19, 20 2 Sam. 21.1. Joh. 1.1…. 1 Reg. 8.33, 35. Lam 4.9, 10. Psal. 105.16. Isa. 5.13. Deut. 32.14. 1 Chro. 21.14. Gen. 21.16. Exo. 15.25. Jer. 29.17. Ezek. 5.17. Mat. 24.7. Jer. 19.9. Judg. 15.18. 2 Sam. 12.16. 2 Chro. 7, 13.2. Famine and dearth of corn. There was a famine in the dayes of David three years, year after year, and David enquired of the Lord. Under this head may be comprehended, extremity of hunger and thirst. When Sampson was so athirst, he called on the Lord and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant, and now I shall die for thirst. 3. Pestilence or other sickness and infirmity. If I shall shut up Heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people: If my people, which are called by my name, Ps. 91.3. Ps 38.1. Mat. 8.2. Luc. 17.13. Mat. 9.27. Mar. 10.47. Mat. 9.2. Ps. 35.13. Luc. 4.38. Jo. 4.47. Mar. 8.22. Mat. 17.24 & 15.22. 1 Reg. 13.6. Num. 12.13. Ezek. 14.21. Gen. 13.7, 8. Heb. 12.14. Deut. 7.14. Ps. 106.16. Hag. 1.6. Job. 7.13, 14. Exod. 22.23. Joel. 1.19. Leu. 26.19, 20. Pro. 26.1. 1 Reg. 8.35. Deut. 28.18, 24, 40. Ps. 107.34. Ps. 120.1, 2. 2 Chro. 32.20. Lev. 26.25. Deut. 28.48. Jud. 2.14. Jer. 5.15, 16, 17. Ps. 35.11. & 10, 18. Ps. 11.2. & 12.2. & 25.19. & 28.3. & 36.3. Ps. 44.9, 10, 11, 12. Judg. 20.23. Contempt and opprobry, I am the song of the drunkards. Ps. 69.11, 12. Ps. 71.7. Deut. 32.30. Ps. 39.10.13. Ps. 119.36. Pro. 15.27. & 1.19. 1 Tim. 6 9, 10. Hab. 2 9, 10. 1 King. 21.4. Ps. 78.21, 22. 1 Tim. 9.10. Numb. 11.18, 19. Pro. 18.9. 2 Thess. 3.10. Mat. 20.3.6. Pro. 6.9, 10. & 10.4.5. & 20.13. Pro. 15.13 1 Tim. 5.23. 1 Tim. 4.4. Mat. 4.4. Eccl. 9.11. The race is not to the swift. Pro. 4.7. & 28.8. & 30.9. Eph. 4.28. Hab. 2.6, Pro. 11.24, 25.26. Eccl. 11.1. Is. 58.7.shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked wayes: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 4. Wild beasts, which is one of the plagues of God, that he sends upon the world to punish the disobedience of men. 5. Discord and contention, frowardness and undutifulness in them that should obey. As much as is possible have peace with all men. 6. Ill success in our labors, journeys, or the use of any thing that is put into our hands for good, that it may not be a curse unto us. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul, under which head is comprehended barrenness of the ground or cattel. 7. Terrors and anguish that might hold our eyes waking in the night season. When I say, my bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint: Then then fearest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions. 8. Oppression. If thou afflict any widow or fatherless childe, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry. 9. Unseasonable weather, as excessive rain, or immoderate drouth. O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burnt all the trees of the field. 10. Unjust war, or annoyance and vexation by wicked men in suites of Law, secret conspiracies, false reports, flatteries, or such like, False witnesses did rise up: they layed to my charge things that I knew not. 11. Falling before the enemy in just war, and captivity with reproach and misery that followeth it. Thou makest us to turn back from the enemies, and they which hate us, spoil for themselves. Thou hast given us like Sheep appointed for meat, and hast scattered us among the Heathen. 12. Cowardise and faint-heartedness in the just and lawful defence against them that unjustly invade and set upon us. How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up. 13. Untimely death of good Magistrates, holy Ministers faithful friends, &c. Remove thy stroak away from me, I am consumed by the blow of thy hand. O spare me that I may recover health: before I go hence, and be no more. 14. Covetuousness or over greedy desire of earthly things. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 15. Distracting cares. Take no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it self. 16. Distrust in the providence of God for the things of this life. It was the sin of Israel, that they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation. 17. Discontent with our estate. The love of mony is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 18. Idleness. He that will not labor, let him not eat. 18. Scrupulousness whereby we deprive our selves of the comfortable, honest, and sweet use of what God hath given us to injoy. 20 Superstition, whereby men place holiness in abstinence from meats and drinks, and account voluntary poverty a state of perfection; as the Papists do. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake, and thine own infirmity. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused. 21. Vain confidence, when we rest in the means, but look not to the Lord for a blessing upon the creatures. Man lives not by bread alone. 22. Mercilessness, cozenage, injustice, when we respect our selves and our own advantage, but have no feeling of our poor brethrens necessity. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth: and there is that withholdeth more then is meet, but it tendeth to poverty, The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that which holdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 23. Luxury and riot in the use of meat, drink, sleep, apparel, recreation, buildings, and such like. Take heed to your selves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeting and drunkenness, Prov. 23.20. Luk. 21.34. & 15.13, 14, 15, 16.and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Lastly, we pray against that prophaneness which naturally possesseth the hearts of men, which maketh them careless of their spiritual title to earthly things, or whether they taste of the special love of God in the use of earthly things, so they may have their fill of vain pleasure, or injoy outward things as they stand in need.
Quest. What considerations serve to kindle devotion in this Petition?
A. The motives breeding devotion this way, are, First, For all that yet find the want of something,Catech. Trid. Exposit. orat. Dom. in 4. Petit. for the more comfortable service of God, that they would well weigh the wants of others and of themselves. Secondly, Consider what a sweet thing it is, to feel this, that God of his grace giveth this or that to us. If we sit at board with great personages, if they carve us a bit and give it us, the whole feast is not so sweet to us, as their honorable remembrance of us. All the creature is a deaf Nut, and no better, if the Lord be not perceived in it. Thirdly, For such as have abundance, they must consider, how he that giveth these, is the maintainer of them; how easily God might bring the things they have to nothing, letting riotous servants and children, like back-doors, bring down the house. Fourthly, how many wayes God can keep them from being able to use or find comfort in any thing they take or possess; if he send a scruple into the conscience touching the lawfulness of it, if he send sickness, deep discontents, lingring after that we have not; or otherwise if he should give us to such weakness in using any thing, that we should breed our selves more bitterness in the end, then we take comfort in the first tasting of them. How little things put us out, that for the time all we have is nothing to us? Fifthly, we must consider how all things without Gods blessing are nothing,Deut. 28.38. clothes warm not, meats nourish not, physick heals not, labors prosper not to effect any thing; which those well know, whose false affianced hearts have been well whipped out of all the creature. Sixthly, we must remember the singular use and benefite of earthly blessings, and how many wayes our life would be irksome and tedious, if we should be deprived of them. Nor are they profitable to this life onelyonly, but they are instruments of vertue, furtherances of our Christian course, if used aright according to the will of God.
Q. What are the wants which are to be bewailed in this petition?
A. The special things to be bewailed are, 1. Covetuousness, a vice which is naturally engraffed in every mans heart: it is when men over-greedily desire the things of this life, and have their hearts so taken up with the thought of them, that they cannot mind the things that concern the glory of God,Psal. 4.6. the good of his Church and their own salvation. This desire is unsatiable, and men that have enough, would still have more. 2. Diffidence and distrustfulness in Gods providence touching the things of this life. This appears, when men are pressed with adversity: for then they howl and weep, and pierce themselves through with many sorrows. And these two sins do oft carry men to the use of unlawful means, and wicked shifts, to satisfie their desires, or supply their wants. 3. Unthriftiness, that we have consumed or wasted the good creatures of God vainly,Luk. 15.13. riotously, to the maintenance of sin, and the satisfaction of our lusts. 4. Hypocrisie, in making this petition, when we begge of God what we need, but will not wait his leasure, nor trust in his promise; but shift for our selves by hook or crook: when we desire our own bread, but live by oppression, injustice, fraud, cozenage, stealth, the sweat of other mens brows. 5. Sottishness and pride, when we pray God to give us our daily Bread, but are puffed up with outward things as if we had not received them; and in prosperity are so senceless and overly in prayer, as if we needed not the blessing of God to maintain our lot, and make what is under our hands to be profitable and comfortable for our use. If our barns be full, and our tables richly furnished, we pray so coldly for a blessing, that it may appear we feel not the infirmity of the creature, we find not want of Gods blessing. 6. Unthankfulness for mercy received, that we have not taken notice of the Lords bounty, nor looked to him by whom we are fed, clothed, laid to sleep, raised again, preserved in health, strength, and safety; who doth keep us in our going out and coming in, and maketh our way prosperous. 7. Unquietness and discontentment, that by froward carriage, unseemly speech, sullen behaviour, we have troubled them that we should have comforted, and been injurious to them whose peace and welfare we are bound to seek. 8. Want of compassion, that when we are fed, we remember not them that want and stand in need. Lastly, we are to be grieved and mourn in moderation for the outward miseries that lie upon our selves or other the people of God; specially, that afflict the Church in general, as war, famine, &c.
Quest. What are the special blessings for which we are to give thanks?
A. Thankes are to be given to God,Deut. 8.8, 9, 10. Psal. 21.2, 3, 4. Psal. 65.9, 10. Psal. 18.1, 2. Isa. 38.16. 2 Cor. 1.4. Joel 2.26. that he hath created things necessary for this life and doth daily minister unto us out of his treasure; that he often delivers our life out of dangers, and comforts us in our sorrows, that he hath blessed our labors, and made his benefits useful and comfortable unto us. If we sojourn a week or two with any, how thankeful are we? But we are Gods daily guests all the year long: he layeth the cloth every where.