Moses his prayer. Or, An exposition of the nintieth Psalme.: In which is set forth, the frailty and misery of mankind; most needfull for these times. Wherein [brace] 1. The sum and scope. 2. The doctrines. 3. The reasons. 4. The uses of most texts are observed. / By Samuel Smith, minister of the Gospel, author of Davids repentance and the Great assize, and yet living.

See the reasons.

First in regard of that propriety that God hath in all his creatures; [Reas. 1] The Gold

is mine. &c. sayth God. * 1.1 And the Beasts upon a thousand Hills are mine; He is the soveraigne Lord of all things and it is he that gives them to the chil∣dren of men to some more to some less; And to him they must one day be ac∣comptable for their receipts and expen∣ces.

He onely is wise, [Reas. 2] with him is wise∣dome and strength, * 1.2 Counsell and under∣standing. He knowes best, when where, and how to bestow his help and bles∣sing, and therefore our dependency must be upon him.

And lastly, [Reas. 3] because without his blessing even that which we have, and enjoy can doe us no good. * 1.3 VVhilest the meate was in their mouthes the wrath of God fell upon them. And the prince of Samaria saw the plenty that was prophecied of, but did not taste of it. For men to eate and drink and rejoyce in their labours, (sayth Solomon) I find that this is the gife of God. So that in the getting, and inioying, of all earthly comforts, God is to be sought unto for his blessing, with∣out whom no creature can doe us good.

This shewes the wickednesse madnesse and folly, [Vse 1] of many wicked and ungodly men, that seeke so earnestly to increase their Substance by unlawfull meanes, as by lying, Stealing, oppression, usury, by deceite, false measure &c. Here is their misery, they cannot seek to God by prayer for a blessing upon such gettings but may rather looke for a curse upon their substance and many times God doth visit the sins of the Father upon their children, that such goods doth sel∣dome prosper, but carry the curse of God along with them.

B••sides, here is the misery of such wicked men, they cannot thank God for their riches. What? thank God for thy substance thou hast gotten wicked∣ly, and deceifully; what is this but to make God a partner in thy sin. Now God is not the author of sin, nor partner with any in sin; but his curse rather shall pursue such to destruction.

Seeing that nothing we take in hand can prosper, [Vse 2] without Gods blessing, this may mind us of our duty continually to seeke unto him, for his blessing, that he would direct us and blesse our labours,

and indevours, or else, be our worke ne∣ver so lawful, honest, good or necessary, if the Lord do not direct us, and blesse our indevors, we cannot prosper. What is the reason why many men, though they have honest callings, lawfull, and good, yet they doe not prosper, nor see any fruit of their labours. Surely one main cause may be this, they seeke not unto God for a blessing.

Thou maist ride and run, dig and delve, plow, and Sowe, rise up early, and go late to bed, and eat the bread of Car••fulnesse, and yet if God give not a blessing, all is in vaine.

Seeing nothing we take in hand can prosper, [Vse 3] without Gods blessing;

This lets us see the cause, why the VVord doth no more prosper in many places, Congregations, and families, at this day, we preach and you heare, and little fruit and effect followes. Men were ignorant before the word came amongst them and ign••rant still, prophane be∣fore, prophane still, men are not, will not, be wrought upon. Surely, setting aside Gods secret purpose and will, who will have mercy on whom he will have

mercy & whom he will he hardens; And the word must be to some the Savour of death to death; as to others the sweet savour to life. One principall cause is, men doe not begin with prayer, and beg not a blessing from God, we that are Ministers may look that God will blast that Sermon, for the which we beg not a blessing from God: And you that are our hearers, may looke that God will blast your hearing, when you neglect this duty.

But do we not see that many times the wicked do prosper, [Object.] have riches wealth, and prosperitie, in a greater measure, then the very godly themselves. As David observed in his time. * 1.4 Loe these are the wicked, these prosper in the world, these increase in Riches, this was such a dangerous temptation, that Da∣vid was assaulted withal, to behold that it made him to think, I have clensed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

David himselfe shall make answer to this, [Resol.] When I went into the Sanctuary of God, then understand I their end. Surely thou didst set them in Slipp••ry places

thou castest them down to destruction.

What though God bestowes upon wicked men riches, honour, prosperity and all things that their hearts can wish, these are but few giftes of Gods left∣hand, and are often bestowed in wrath, not with his blessing, but there goes many times a secret curse with them, either they want most, that they seeme to enjoy, having no heart to use the riches, or else God gives them, to fat them up to the day of slaughter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hag. 1.9 Psal. 50.
• * 1.2

  Iob 12.13.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 78. 2 Reg. 7.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 73.12.