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THese two words tempted, proved, being joyned together, and referred to the same persons, shew that they who did the one, did also the other. They who tempted God, by experience found that God was a God of Power, able to help in the greatest distresse: a God of truth, faithfull in keeping promise: a God of wisdom, ordering matters in the fittest season: a provident God, affording all
things needfull for people; yet were these no sure tokens of his fatherly love to them: for they so tempted him, as they grieved him: and he was displeased 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them.
God bestows outward blessings on such as have no assurance of his fatherly fa∣vour.* 1.1 The Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him, Gen. 4. 15. It doth not follow that Hagar in truth feared God, because God heard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 childs voice, and provided water for her and him, Gen. 21. 19. God gave to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fatnesse of the earth, and the dew of heaven, and yet loved him not, Gen. 27. 39. Mal. 1. 2.
Outward worldly blessings concerning this life, and our temporall estate, are common to all of all sorts: yea many of them to bruit beasts. God giveth to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his food, Psal. 147. 9. He preserveth man and beast, Psal. 36. 6.
Yea God oft giveth outward blessings in wrath. He gave Israel a King in anger, Hos. 13. 11. When he gave quails to the Israelites, While the flesh was yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their teeth, yer it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Num. 11. 33.
We are not therefore to judge of Gods favour by outward blessings, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 that he loves us because he provides supply for our needs, or recovers us out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sicknesse, or easeth us in our pains, or freeth us from our enemies, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 otherlike blessings upon us. Tempters of God may prove and finde God in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kinde to be good unto them. See the reasons hereof in the former Section. There are better and surer evidences of Gods fatherly love: namely the inward •…•…∣mony of Gods Spirit, and the effectuall operation thereof in regenerating us, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 working many sanctifying graces in us, and keeping us from tempting God.
Outward bles∣sings on wick∣ed.
Judge not Gods favour by outward blessings.