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God in taking away outward com∣forts [ V] from us, doth thereby teach us to know how to want, as well as to a∣bound. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where, and in all things, I am instructed both to be full, and to be hungry, both to a∣bound▪ and to suffer need, Phil. 4.12.
Although some of these outward things are in some degree necessary for this present life, yet our heavenly Father knoweth how far forth they are neces∣sary, and how much is necessary for us, or else gives us content in himself imme∣diately without them: yet these things are not so needful as they are common∣ly supposed to be: it is wonderful to consider what sweet joy and content many a Childe of God hath had; when they have been stript of these things; and the reason is, because when the peo∣ple of God do want these things, they do more fully apply themselves to God; when a Christian is stript of these, and hath none of these things to rest upon, then the affections of the soul are like water running one way in one Channel: whatsoever S. Pauls out∣ward condition was, he could find e∣nough in Christ to be content; in par∣ticular, he knew how to be abased, sweetly satisfying himself in this, that he was an adopted Son of God, and he knew how to be hungry, because he had bread and meat to feed on that the world knew not of, and could feast himself with marrow and fatness at that time, when carnal eyes thought
him ready to perish for hunger: he knew also how to suffer want, content∣ing himself with that abundance that is found in Christ: Many evil men have been forced to suffer need, but were ne∣ver instructed to it as Paul was; they never learnt to relieve themselves in their wants out of the fulness of Christ, as the Saints do, who (be their wants never so great) do find enough in Christ to satisfie them all. Again, the Lord doth immediately fill and satisfie the soul with himself, when it lies under many outward wants, and replenisheth them with abundance of joy, when they are under many occasions of sadness and sorrow. So saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 6. 10. As sorrowful, yet alwayes rejoy∣cing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things: He was filled with the joy of the Holy Ghost at the same time when he had many outward occasions of sor∣row: as poor in respect of worldly enjoyments, yet being able to enrich o∣thers in God; as having nothing (no∣thing of the world) yet possessing all things in God. Thus doth the Lord glorifie the All-sufficiency of his grace, in giving in himself plentifully to his poor
people, when they are under many out∣ward straits and wants.
Moreover, there are many things which we fondly perswade our selves we can in no wise want, while we pos∣sess them; but when they are taken from us, God teacheth us how to live without them. One that was former∣ly rich, and fared delicately, having by the providence of God, lost all, being brought to a hard pinch, is glad of a mess of pottage to his dinner, and to go to bed supperless; he is then taught to be content with his mean estate, and to say, I had not thought I could have lived so sparingly. Drexelius tells us of a prodigal Knight, who having bu∣ried all his substance in Banquets and Belly-cheer, and for want of an Horse, being forced to go on foot, in this ebbe praised God, and said; I thank God, who hath set me on my own legs again; I had not thought before this, that I was so good a footman: So God deal∣eth with many men, he reduceth them to a mediocrity and temperance, by a wholsome penurious indigence. Many while they abound in all outward com∣forts, are apt to say, one thus; I must have so many dishes at my table, I can∣not
not keep house without such an annual income; I cannot endure hunger or scar∣city: Another saith, I cannot want sleep, nor endure watching; I must have such conveniencies and accommo∣dations: but now when God takes a∣way these outward comforts from us, takes away our dainty dishes, our asso∣ciates, our sleep, and turneth our Wine into water, and turneth us out of house and home, then God instructeth us how to want, how to suffer need, how to fast and watch, and live under decks, or lie upon the ground, or in a prison, or to live in banishment, and then we need not care where or in what condition we be, if the Lord be with us.