upon the Epi.ftle of J A'M li· s. His frock is not fpent by giving: See J.ob 3 2. ?· T_he.re u aJPirit in m~n; but the infj.irationof the ~!mtghty g~veth underftandinx,: Men have the faculty, but God gtveth the l1ght; as the D_yal is capable of lhewing the time of the day, when the Sun (hineth on it. ~ris a mofl: fpiritua:l Idolatry to lean to our own underflan~ing. True Wifdom is :l' divine ray, and an emanation from God : ·Men, never obtain it, but in the way of an humble truft : · When we fee 11 our infufficiency, and Gods al-fufficicncy, then the Lord under- '( ta~eth for us, to direct uund guide us; Prov. 3· 5, 6. Ack.!Jolvledg the Lord i~ all thywaJ~, and he~all dire_Cf thy paths: .When men are con<ttted, and thmk to relieve their fouls hy the1r own thoughts and care, they do but perplex themfelves the more : God will be ackzmvledged, that is, confulted with, in all ·our undertakings and confl:itls, or elfe we lhall mifcarry. The bet~er fort of Heathens would not begin any thing of moment without asking counfel at the Oracle. As all wifdom is to be fought of God, fo e- ( fpecially this wifdom to bear afflictions : There is nothing more abhorrent from reafon, then to think ourfelves happy in milery. We mufi go to another School then that of N atfJ.re : I confefs, Rcafon and JV(ItHre may offer fome rules that may carry am:m far. in the ,tttrt of Patience : But -whats an inferior or Grammer School to an Vniverjity? The bell way will be, not ,tQ gotoN(Iture, but ChrijJ, :~<in Whom ,are hid aft the treafoYes of Wi{d9m and •Col. 2.. ~· Knawledg. , · 6•.From that [let himask..] God will have every thir1g fetched O!:{ervat. 6. out by pr4Jer: Hegivethnodung without ask,ing j 'Tis one of the , Laws according to wllichHcavensbounty is-difpenfed, Ez;,e~ 36. 37· I wiO befought to by the bo-ufe of Ifrael for this thi11g. God will have us fee the Authorofevery mercy by the way of obtain· ,ing it: 'Tis acomfort, and a priviledg, to receive mercies in a way . of duty: i< ·ru better toa~k, and not receive, then to receive, and l~bclems. Alex. l. P . b . d r. d h b- . f t • 7 • tram. not as~ rayer commg,· .etween our e11res an t e ounty o 'Go~, ts a.means tobege~a.due re!peEl: between him and us. Every aucltencemcreafeth love, thank.!, and trufl, Pfal. II6. I, z. We ufu~Uy -wear with thankJ, what we win by prayer: And thofe comforts.are befi improved, which we receive upon our .k.nees. Well then,. Wifdotri, and every goodgift, is an Alms , you have it for the asking; mercies at thac rate do not CQfl dear : Oh l ·whoweuld not lie ~ne o~ that number whomGod calleth bis[r-tppli~ - -- · · F 2 · · ants ?
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