990 Chap. 42. an Expoftion upon the Boo{{ of J o a. derG i 2,, fay) was known only in fhzdo}ts and remote prophetics, in thofe times, and therefore it was neceflary the Lord fhould deal with them accordingly, and allure them by promifes of cattel, and corn, and children, efpecially by theproni.e of long life (which bath the greatefi refemblance co, and bears the faired image of eternal lice) and all becaufe the heavenly life was not then fo perfeAly difcovered, as it is now in there Gofpel times. For though it be a truth, that all the good things of the world are not füffccient to makea love-token, yet God gives thofe good things to his people as tokens of his love, and they fee love in them ; and there leffer good things are then bell to us, when we can look on them as blefsings coming from the love of God, which we may do, FICR,When we can fay t e have got and keep them with a good confcience. Secondly, When we ufe andorder themwith prudence. Thirdly, When we dirpence them charitably and freely, ac- cording to the needs and necefsities of others. When we truly and intentionally honourGod with our fubtiance, in doing aas of love, it (hews that hehach given it us in love. Fourthly, When the Lord with encreafe of riches, gives us anencreafe of grace,' when our fouls thrive as well as our elates, then we may lookupon riches as coming to us in love. Sheep and Oxen, Gold and Silver, without a juft, and wife, and gracious pofafefsing and ufing of them, prove curfes at lafi, not blefsings, fnares, not favours. There are none Co unhappy as fooli(h rich men, none fo bate as covetous rich men, none fo intollerable as proud rich men,none fo vile and defpicable as iluggiíh voluptuous rich men, none more ungodly and irreligious, thanthey who ha- ving riches, trufi in them, and dote upon them ; only when the Lord gives fpiritual things with temporal, g race with goods, they are mercies to us. When Lather received a favour from a great Prince,he began to be afraid thatGod would put him off with fuch things. A godly man receives a portioin earthly good things, but he will not take all the good things of the earth for his por- tion. Now, as all fpiritual things are better than temporal, foamong temporals, force arebetter than others. 706 received good things when his cattel were doubled, but he had better blefsings of this life
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