Chap. 34. An E.vpofition upon the Book of B. Verf,19, As they have the fame nature,. ind are of the famematter, as They are both made of the fame fluff, or are both of a piece, fo they have the fame maker ; and their maker bath been at asmuch charge in the making of the one, as in the makingof the other ; yea, and ufually, the Foore man yeilds him a better rent,, and brings more intohis Treafury thenthe rich mandoth, Secondly Note. .ft is the Lordwho makes men poor, andmakes menrich; Agurprayed (Prov. 30. S.) Giveme nîther poverty nor rieher; Agur knewpoverty was a gift of Cod aswell as riches. It h th been faid(though.prophanely) Every man is thefafhionerofhis fortune, or the contriver ofhis own condition. Some who acknow- ledge God hath made them men, think they have made them felves rich, or great men ; and we commoly look onthofe who- fail in their worldlyElates, that they have made themfelves poor and low in theworld. I granr,there isa fenfe wherein menmake themfelves rich, and make themfelves poor ; that is, when they do either by their fins. God is nor fo engaged in the making of a man rich,, when heenricheth himfelf byhis fin, by deceivingor opprefling his brethren, as when,he groweth rich in a way of righteoufnefs : He that is entiched by oppreflion, or deceit, or fetshis nefl on high by flattery, or byfraud, cannot thank God for his riches, or honours ; and if hedoth, he blafphemoullymakes God a partner in thofe fins by which he bath.:got his riches and honours. For though it be a truth that there isa hand of God in hisgettings, (for all the craft, and policy, and oppreflion which men ufe, will never beable tomake them either rich or great, if God did not permit and order it fo) yet the heart of God is not with him init;. andGod will not own his own hand ingiving them wealth or power, further thenas theyarea teflimonyagamfl them., of his goodnefs, and their ingratitude. We may alfo fay of fbme poor men, they have made themfelvespoor, not God ; He made 3'okpoor, The Lordgave, and the LordBath taken away, was his humble acknowledgement (chap.. T. za.). but there.are forne, of whom wecannot fomuch fay God hath made them poor by his fad providences to them,as that they have made themfelves poor by their idlenefs and improvidence, or by their prodigality and winprofufenefs ; yet even of fuck poor men we maytruly fay,' there:
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