320 None exemptfrom outward char.:(let. trif , noryet richer to men ofutrierflanding, nor yet favour, menof44, 6ut timeand chance happeneth to them all. Theevent and Ate is not according to the abilities -of man, but accor- ding to the decreeand difpenfation of God : It is not in the power-of the fwift toefcape by running, nor in the power, of the ftrong to overcome in the battell, nor in the power of `the wife to fill himfelfe with bread, nor in the powerof the prudent to'fprniíh himfelfe withwealth, nor in the power of the sidifull to obtaine favour with men. Rafael though fwift as the Hart yet he fell in running Clolikh aman of mighty frature fell in theconfitet with little David; TheBar- leycake in the Midianitesdreame overturned the Midianitifä "Hoafl : eDaida man of fingular wifdome`fometime wanted' bread, and Tautwas in hunger and in thirft often..: }rrfepba ,man offingular wifedome was hated of his brethren, andun- deférvedly.caft out of the favour of Patiph::r. Mans welfare, -comfort and happineffe'fprings not from the excellency of his abilities, but from Gods gracious, wife, and all-ruling . providence. rf ;(faith the Pfalmifi) isavaine thing for the battell, neithi r /ball he deliverany byhes.great .ffrcnpth. Be holdthe eye of the Lordït upon them that feare hinì, span them ,that'hope:in -hnmercy. It is not the pelfc`tion and excellency of the iniirument, but the'Coagency of God with it that puts e'ftcacy.into it, and makes it helpful!, honourable and com- fortable to the ufer.of it. The meditation Cfthefubjeftion of ill abilities udder Gods gubernation and providence is of great power topurge.their pafeffór-s of allfelf-exalting.cogi- tations. . Vncxpeeéd 7. Meditateupon the fudden and unexpelïed change Which change. may come. The river cf mans, abundance may be turned ano- ther way, dryed up, or faile like the waters of Tema, andbe empty like Ragan bottle : The Sunne ,of mans profperity maybe fuddenly ecclipfed, and Thine no more The shadow of mans earthly comforts may be-fmitten. and vanifh like50- Gnahs gourd. Very fudden and difmall outward changesare in- cident toall forts of perfons. /06/ riches wasfoone changed into poverty. Nehnchadnezzars glory wasquickly turned final ignominy. L7Ifan (faith, Solomon) (moved/ not hid time,, hel knóweth,
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