promi f sofearthly kleffings,&c. 357 Secondly, Faith is painúll, provident, and frugali, z. though notdiftruf(full, pinching, or niggardly. It (hakes off idleneffe, obferves Gods providence, takes the oppor- tunity, husbands thriftily what he bellowed], andorde- reth all affaires withdiscretion. He that refs moll confi- dent upon Gods bleffing for all good things of this life, will be moll diligent to feek them by lawfiall meanes,and carefiull topref.(rve what thebountifùll handofGod (hail miniller untohim. He that is filent,expeting Gods helpe when meanesfaile,cannot fit Hill whenmeanes beat hand, nor lavifh indifcreetlywhen his cup runneth over.Labour and providence be impofedofGod,whereunto faith doth as freelyfubmit it felfe,evenwhenGods bleffingsdo flow in abundantly, as it doth heartily wufh and expect fupply from God in the timeofneed. Thirdly, It maketh inquiry into the heart, turneth fromevill, and feeketh the faceofGod earneftly. Con- fidence in God breeds fufpitionofour felves, left any fn Gould harbour fecretly in our bofome, or corruptionget head tohinder profperity : fpecially ifGod bleffe usnot according to promife, the fire( workeof faith is to ran- facke aid fanne the foule narrowly, to find out andre- move whatfoever doth offend. I thought on nay wayes ; and turned myfeet unto thy teffimanies. Before Iwas af- flic`led lwent affray ; but now I have kept thy word. The counfell of Elephaz to Iob was good, if hehad rightly applied it ; Acquaint now thyfelfe with him, andbee at peace; therebygoodfhall comeunto thee. Receive, Ipray thee, the law Porn hie mouth, and lay up hie words in thine heart. If thou reteerne to the e/ Ilmighty,thou(halt be built up, thoufhalt put away iniquityfarre front thy Tabernacles. This found advice faith dígelleth, andwith much feri- oufheffe doth early with thewholeheart feeke theLord, exercife itfelfe in the werfhipof God; iaboureththe re- formationofwhat is amife,and compofeth it felfewholy to the prefcript rule of his Word. By faith we know, I God will draw nigh unto us, if we draw nigh to him Iam.4.8,io. A,a3 he 3. Pfal.t rg.ç9. Verfe 67. Iob,az.zi,zz, 23.
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