Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

Whet is meant by give, this day: pledges of his love and favour towards us when we obtein them by good means and have care to im- ploy them to Gods glory. But contrariwife, when we get them by wicked means, by deceit, oppref- f on, ufury, &c. they are to be efeemed rather the gifts of the devil and earneft-penies of deftrudion. 4. We are not to truft in the means be they never fo good, but in the ufe of the means we are to crave the bleffing of God , and to depend thereon, without which they are nothing worth. Pfal.i 27. I, 2. Except the Lord build the houle &c. True it is indeed, that we muff ufe good means, ( for other - wife we tempt God; ) but we muff not truft in the means , but depend upon the bleffing of God which, as Solomon faith, maketh rich, Prov. i 0.22. Let us therefore remember that exhortation of Mofes, as belonging to us, Deut. 8.17, 18. Beware left thou fay in thine heart, My power hath gotten me this abundance, &c. Hab. 1. 16. 5. We are here taught, not onely to ask thefe temporali things which we want but alfo that he would give unto us thofe things which we have: And that in two re- fpeds: I. That he would give us the ufe and fruiti- God giveth on of them: which we have need to pray for, not onely the of onely becaufe men oftentimes are deprived of thofe of all. things which they have before they have ufe there- of, as the Lor4 threatneth Mich. 6. 15. Thou (halt fow, but not reap ; thou f halt tread th? olives, but (halt not anoint thee with the oyl;and make Tweet wine,but not drink it: So Hagg. í.6.7e have Town much,ai d bring in little: But alto becaufe many men deprive them- (elves of that which they have, as the Preacher faith, 335