[ 494] In getting the things of this World, Gods way is the best way.
AS the Israelites travailing through the Wildernesse towards the Land of promise,* 1.1 Numb. 9. 22, 23. (which to have gone the next way, had not been a jour∣ney of many dayes, yet were they many years about it) they were to go as God led them, as they saw the cloud go before them, and not to take that way that seemed best, or most compendious in their own eyes: So must we observe Gods wayes in our trade at home, and traffick abroad: in our walking towards wealth we must keep the way that God leads us, go no other way then we can see him going before us, follow the line of his Law, though it seem to lead us in and out, backward and forward, as it were treading in a Maze, and not take those wayes that seem gainer, and nearer in our own eyes, and much more compendious then the other: though we might compass wealth with a word or two,* 1.2 with the bow of a knee onely one way, whereas we must travail, and toyl and moyl much e're we come by it the other way; though we might attain to it in a day or a week the one way, whereas we are like to stay many weeks, many moneths, nay many years, it may be, e're we come at it the other way; yet this way must we keep, and resolve to forsake all the world with our Saviour, Math. 4. 10. If it be offered to entice us out of it; The Israelites when they went out of Gods precincts, they went withall out of Gods protection, and so fell before their foes, Numb. 14. 44. So those that make more haste then good speed to be rich, that balk Gods path, and step out of Gods way to get wealth, shall surely come to evil, Psalm. 28. 20.