`t4keth array theof andendofGods Gifts. 563 Treatife. Hirdly, itis contrary to the ufe and end of Gods gifts be- I ¡towed upon men : Which gifts are oftwo forts : z. Gifts III. It ís of Nature; our Creation, Suftentation, Prefervation , toge- contrary to ther withtHealth, Strength, Beauty, Wiffome, &c. z,.Gifts the ufe and of Grace; Which have a more immediate relation to everl'aft- end of ing life, and are means either of purchafing faivation or of GODS applying it. Means of purchafing it , are the coming of GIFTS Chrift into the world, and the Sacrificingof himfeif on the to mere. croffe. Means of applying it, are the Miniftery ofthe word andSacraments, the Long- fufferingofGod the Enlighten- ing of mens underftandings, the Plantation ofmany excel. lent virtues in.theì.r hearts, with many moreof the like fort. Now of thefe endowments of Nature and Grace what the true ufc and end is, the Scripture Both plainly and patticu- larlylhevv us. Firft, for gifts of Nature , we find (A) them bellowed upon all that have them, for the encouraging and enabling of them to ffrve God and fave their fouls. For Ads 14. 16, 17. the Apoftle faith, that God (even in thofe times in which he Coffered the Gentiles towalk in their own wayes, &with- held from them the light of his holy word) did give unto the people of theworld rain fromheáven and fruitfulfeafons, filling their hearts tritb foodand gladneffe, and in fo doing he left not himfeif among themwithout witneffe. This im- plieth, that therefore he gave them thofe good things that he might make himfeif known unto them, and fo might draw them to gloti fie him according to the knowledgewhich they had of him. A6ts 17. z6. the Apcítle faith directly, that therefore menare madeand placed in this world and appoint- ed to their feverall times anddwellings, that they might feek andfindGod, that is, that theymight f rvehim and fave their fouls. For what is it to feek Godbut to Cerve him? and what is it to find God but to enjoy his face and favour here and in heaven ? To this purpoCe Profper, P Therefore, faith he, is p Prop. De voc. Gene. every creature made and ordained e¡pecially, that mankind, 1, z.c,4.p.gzg which is indued with knowledge and abilitie to difcoarfe, cvelum quippe, act terra, &mare, omnífque creatura qux videri & intelligï poteíi , adhanc præcipué difpofita eil humani generis utilitatem, ut natura rationalis de contemplation* tot fpecierum, de experimentis tot bonorum, de perceptione tot munerumad cul- tum & dileftionem fui imbucrctur Auroris, impiente omnia SpiritùDei, in quo vi-, yirnus, movemur & fumus. might
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