AMongst the manifold grieuances which befell man-kinde , for the fall and disobedience of man , it is not to be forgotten , that the Lord cursed the very earth for his sake ; adiudging it to bring forth thornes , and thistles , and to become barren , according to this saying of the Psalmist , A fruitfull land maketh he barren , for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein . Barren ( I say ) either bringing forth no fruits at all , or such as where Infelix lolium , & steriles dominantur avenae , such as in the growth is ouer-growne with darnell , smothered with choaking thornes , and the purest graine spoiled with wasting cockle . The wily Serpent in his hellish conference with our Grandame Eue , Gen. 3.4 . promised length of daies , a gift that Wisdome is said to bring in her right hand , Pro. 3.16 . length of daies is in her right hand , and in her left riches and glory : Gen. 3.5 . he promised dominion , Eritis sicut dij , ye shall be like Gods , but instantly the earth , whose Lord whilome they was , denied to pay her tribute , but vpon condition , scil. that they should take paines to till her ; whence it comes to passe to bee so with vs now , that if we expect profit from the earth , then ( iuncto bove aratra trahuntur ) we must rip vp the bowels of the earth : and yet this is not all , for whosoeuer it be that plants or waters , it is God onely that giues the increase ; Except the Lord build the house , the worke-mans labour is but in vaine : Wherefore if wee would haue good successe to follow our enterprizes , if we would haue our paines and labours in our callings , to yeeld fruits answerable to our expectation , then must we so compose our affections , and dispose our affaires , that we may walke worthy in the sight of God : which if we doe , he will blesse vs , and that which we goe about , he will prosper all our proceedings : but if wee mis-spend our time , and liue impiously , wickedly , we may purpose , but God will dispose , he will so disprosper our proceedings , and frustrate vs of our hope , that whatsoeuer we take in hand shall be vaine and fruitlesse : yea our natiue soyle the ground that we tread vpon , for our sinnes shall be cursed , and despoyled of her glory , ( i. ) her fruitfulnesse , as heere testifieth the Psalmist , A fruitfull land maketh hee barren for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein .

The Prophet Dauid that sweet singer of Israel , is the vnquestioned author of this Psalme : he composed it , partly to stirre men vp to gratefulnesse , in regard of Gods gratiousnesse towards them ; but more specially to discouer the error of those , which deny the vniuersall and particular prouidence of God , in ordering and disposing the things of this world ; for as ( in respect of God ) his creation was the mother that brought forth the world , with all things therein , so his prouidence is the nurse that bringeth it vp : as his creation gaue it a being , so his prouidence keepeth it in that esse : as his creation erected the whole fabricke of the world , and composed and set in order all the parts thereof , so his prouidence keepeth it in repaire , it gouerneth and disposeth all the particulars therein : this he doth conuince , by many examples of things done , both by sea and by land , which haue so come to passe , that of necessitie we must grant their causes and effects to haue beene wholly gouerned by God ; but his speciall argument , tending to that purpose , and standing in nearest reference to my text , is drawne from the consideration of those changes and alterations , which ignorance commonly doth ascribe to fate or fortune , as the fruitfulnesse , and vnfruitfulnesse of the earth : which proceeds from the seasonablenes & the vnseasonablenesse of the weather . These things come not to passe as Epicures fondly dreame , by chance ; nor as the Peripateticks hold , by a generall prouidence ; nor as the Stoicks auerre , only by the operation of second causes , but by Gods speciall prouidence , ordinance , and appointment , whose actions are free , not bound to the obseruance of times , nor meanes , who when it pleaseth him , can send the former and latter raine in due season , who ( as it is in the verse following my text ) can make of a parched wildernesse , a standing water , and extract water springs out of a drie ground , so that the hills shall flourish , and the valleys stand thicke with graine , and grasse : and againe when fulnesse brings forth forgetfulnesse , and men attribute that which they haue , to the goodnesse of their land , or greatnesse of their labour , and doe not acknowledge God to be the Author thereof , then ( as it is in the verse before my text ) he turneth the floud into a wildernesse , and drieth vp their water springs : Then , A fruitfull land maketh he barren , for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein .

In these words are two things obseruable .

In the iudgement there is a metamorphosis , or change , of wealth into want , plenty into pouerty , fruitfulnesse into barrennesse : A fruitfull land maketh he barren .

The impulsiue cause is , the wickednesse of them that dwell therein . First for the first , scil. the Iudgement : wherein note , the Author of it , and the iudgement it selfe . The Author of the iudgement is indefinitely exprest vnder the Pronoune ille , maketh he , that is , the Lord , by his power , maketh the wildernesse a standing water , and water springs of a drie ground , and thereby causeth fruitfulnesse ; and when he is thereunto prouoked , by the inhabitants sinnes , then hee turneth the floud into a wildernesse , and maketh the fruitfullest countries become extreme barren . A fruitfull land maketh he barren . So then it is the Lord that is the Author of fruitfulnesse and barrennesse , it is he that sendeth plenty or pouertie . Whence two lessons may be taken forth , seasonable for two sorts of people , scil.

For the rich : The king may not boast of his great Babel , nor the rich man of his full barnes , but as hauing nothing saue what they haue receiued , they should say , Not vnto vs Lord , not vnto vs , but to thy name be ascribed the glory . For the poore , they should rest contented with their portion , and legitimate Gods proceeding , for it is he , that either for triall of their patience , or to reclaime them from their peruersnesse , hath turned their fruitfulnesse into barrennesse : A fruitfull land maketh he barren . Thus much for the Author . Now for the iudgement it selfe : wherein obserue the matter and the manner . For the matter , it is a change of fruitfulnesse into barrennesse . What it is to be fruitfull , and what it is to be barren , is well knowne ; and that such changes haue chanced experience testifieth : and therefore we passe by the matter of the iudgement , and come to the manner of it , scil. to shew how the Lord effecteth this change , how hee maketh a fruitfull land to become barren . The Lord maketh a fruitfull land barren , by one of these three meanes , scil. either First , by his supernaturall power , or Secondly , by naturall meanes , or Thirdly , by vnnaturall men .

First , by his supernaturall power , whereby contrary to the course of nature , he maketh the heauen as iron , the earth as brasse , as he did in the daies of Eliah , 1 Reg. 17. when there fell no raine vpon the face of the earth , for three yeares space , which closed vp their water springs , yea that drought caused such a dearth , and that dearth was seconded with such a famine , as destroyed multitudes , both of men and beasts .

Secondly , as the Lord maketh a fruitfull land barren by his supernaturall ; so hee can effect the same by naturall meanes , when hee vseth the creatures ( which were created for the vse and seruice of man ) to bee the correctors and reprouers of the faults of men . To inlarge this by some instances : Amongst the elements , the fire is so necessary a creature , that without the heat thereof , neither man nor any thing made for the good of man , could grow or prosper ; this , I say , at Gods appointment , to mans great preiudice and hinderance , rageth with vnmerciful fury , consuming to ashes , the dwellings , commodities , and the bodies of men : The aire , a sweet element made for man to breathe in , which he draweth into his intrals to preserue the spirit of life ; he can alter the propertie thereof , making it contagious , and infectious , inspiring for life , death and destruction : The waters , to which he hath set bounds that they should not passe , at his permission ouerflow their bankes , and then without all resistance , drowne corne fields , medowes , pastures , and whatsoeuer commeth within the currant of their streames : The earth , which was created fruitfull , to make it selfe barren , yeelds thornes , thistles , and briers , which choake the growth of come ; cockle , darnell , and tares , which binde it fast to the ground ; caterpillers , and locusts , which eat it in the blade ; mildewes , which blast it in the Eare : with sundrie other destructions of the husbandmans labour , for there is not any thing of that which is either sowne , or planted by the hand of the husband-man , but hath some impediment and hinderance from the earth or aire to annoy it ; and they are all iust iudgements sent from God , whereby he maketh a fruitfull land barren , for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein .

Thirdly , the Lord maketh a fruitfull land barren by vnnaturall men .

1. Whereof one sort being forgetfull of the saying , non nobis nati , we are not borne for our selues onely , but to doe good to others , are therfore too carefull for their owne , and too carelesse for others welfare : their care is to doe mischiefe to others , if themselues may gaine thereby , for ayming at their priuate gaine , they ingrosse and hoord vp the commodities and treasures of the land , till they haue caused a publique dearth ; these , I say , are Gods instruments , though they intend it not , & effect that vnwittingly , which he willeth ; they are his rod wherewith he scourgeth his people for their sins .

2. Another sort carelesse both of themselues and others , like desperate Pyrats endeuour to bore holes in the ship they saile in , thereby to sinke it in the Ocean , like Vipers they labour to eat out the bowels of their natiue soyle , their mother countrey which brought them forth , by stirring vp mutinous sedition , and ciuill discord ; during which tumults there is no time to sow the ground , nor plant vineyards ; nor any opportune season to gather those fruits of increase which the earth yeelds without tillage , but all is laid waste , and the land made barren ; and then , ( when the Lord either by his supernaturall power , hath shut fast the windowes of heauen , by denying the former and the latter raine : or dissolued the waterish clouds into immoderate showers ; Psal. 78. vers. 47 , 48. or when by naturall meanes , he giues your fruits to the Caterpillar , your labours to the Grashopper , and your Mulbery trees to the frost ; or when by vnnaturall men , through their vnnaturall practises , he hath despoyled the earth of her fruitfulnesse , and made the land barren ) then I say , what followes , but famine and pestilence ; first steps in famine , then which there is no temporall punishment more pinching and miserable , insomuch that the Prophet Dauid , 2 Sam. 24. v. 14. being put to his choyce into which one of the three euils he would fall into , rather chused the pestilence then it ; for it is a lingring and long-lasting torment , and hath driuen men to those extremities & enormities , that nothing else could doe : it hath made mothers murtherers , and turned the sanctuarie of life into the shambles of death ; it hath broken downe the hedges both of nurture and nature : for in ordinary course man is not meat for man , but manchet for his maker , 2 Reg. 6. v. 28. yet hath famine made those wombes which gaue children harbour before their births , afterwards become the place of their buriall ; it hath made the practises of men lamentable , and abominable , both to bee pitied and abhorred . It made one , as Iosephus relateth , De bello Iudaico . to cut the throat of another , that he might get the morsell he had put in his mouth , ere it was descended into his maw . When famine hath plaid her part , then commeth pestilence , for they two attend the one vpon the other , and this latter finding such feeble and weake resistance , ( the strength of nature by the former being disabled ) throwes whole multitudes groue-long on the ground : and thus you see that when men forget their maker , the senslesse creatures , as if they were sensible of wrongs done to their Creator , come shouldring , crowding , and striuing , which of them should first take reuenge of vs , in their masters quarrell ; the fire consumes our mansions , the aire infects our breath , the waters drowne our fruits , the earth like an angrie merchant , when it hath shewed rich wares , shuts vp the shop , and leaues vs neuer the better for them ; and these are the iudgements of God , sent to make a fruitfull land barren for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein .

But quid hoc ad rombum ? What is all this to the purpose ? Peraduenture the Psalmist might haue some cause to speake this to the people of the Iewes , and to the land of Israel ; but what is this to vs , and to the land of England ? Yes ( beloued ) the glasse reflects to vs : for , for the subiect , scil. A fruitfull land ; Such a one is this triangle Iland wherein we liue , and that which Moses spake of the fruitfulnesse of the land of Israel , may be affirmed of the land of England ; The Lord thy God , saith Moses to Israel , Deut. 8.7.9 . bringeth thee into a good land , a land of brookes of water , of fountaines , and deepes that spring out of vallies and hils , a land of wheat and barley , a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarcenesse , thou shalt not lacke any thing in it : a land whose stones are iron , and out of whose mountaines thou mayest digge brasse . In all these respects England is fruitfull as well as Israel ; it affords dishes drest with dainties ; Garners fraught with graine , staules filled with fatlings , orchards full of fruits ; gardens , and fields aspersed and enamuled with varietie of fragrant flowers , innumerable multitudes of water-springs , whereof some shew wonderfull effects in curing diseases , pleasant riuers , running Meander-like along their siluer shores : a sweet and wholsome aire to breathe in ; and what not ? requisite either for the profit or pleasure of man : so that our land is as it were , the treasurie and store-house of Gods blessings : and we may affirme as truly as any other nation , that our lot and portion is fallen vs in a good land . But what then ? is our gold become dimme ? hath God made our fruitfull land barren ? no , he hath not , and therefore here I must for application , make vse of that , that the Psalmist makes the burthen or vnder-song of this Psalme , Ps. 15.21.31 . O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse , and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men ; that they would exalt him in the congregation of the people , and praise him in the seat of the elders ; and so much the rather , because he hath not only giuen vs this good and fruitfull land , but withall sends vs calme and peaceable times , to enioy the fruits thereof : we are not , nor we haue not this long time ( blessed be Gods name for it ) beene scard with the barkings of vncouth Wolues , but so as euery man might quietly rest , and repose himselfe vnder his owne vine and his owne fig-tree ; we haue peace , the childe of heauen ; plentie , the childe of peace ; pleasure , the childe of plentie : We are raised vp to our labours by the noise of the cocke , which chirping so merily , can greet the morning , whereas others are raised vp to the battell , by the sound of the trumpet : so that in this respect also , God hath blessed vs aboue other countries . Doe but looke about you , and whilst you tremble at the plagues naturall to your neighbours , blesse God for your safetie . Behold the confines , Christendome ; Polonia , and Hungarie , 2 Reg. 18. infested by the Turke , who like Senacherib , hath sent his host to defie the liuing Lord : Italie groaneth vnder the slauerie of Antichrist ; France sometimes a flourishing kingdome , now made wretched through her owne vnciuill ciuill warres ; Germanie for long time knew not what peace meant , and yet their warre is not ended , but for a time by truce suspended : Ireland hath felt the fruits of her rebellion : Bohemia is made the cock-pit for all Christendome to fight their battells in ; only England remaines like Gideons fleece , drie and secure , when the raine of Gods iudgement hath wet in a manner the whole earth besides : a peaceable Prince leads vs , and the Prince of peace leads him : and therefore I must needs once more say with the Psalmist , O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse , and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men . Well , but the Sunne doth not alwaies shine , neither is there any time , or day of iollitie without an euening of conclusion , if no cloud of disturbance preuent it with ouercasting : and therefore though all things be well with vs now , and our land yet continues fruitfull , yet it may be otherwise , and then , considering that God is the author of all alterations , let vs examine whether we by our cariage and demeanour towards him , haue not alreadie deserued a change or no : Let vs after the example of the man going to warre , Luk. 14.31 . sit downe , and take aduice , whether we be able with ten thousand , to meet him that commeth against vs with twentie thousand , or no : after this examination held , doubtlesse we shall finde that we haue deserued that he should withdraw his goodnesse from vs , and that we haue iustly prouoked him to send forth his power against vs , which if he doe , we are not able to answer him one for a thousand ; the least and meanest of his creatures are too forcible for vs , if he set them to fight : an host of froggs , an armie of grashoppers , a swarme of flies , dismaid King Pharao , and all his people ; then si rem nostram sapimus , if we be spiritually wise , whilst the enemie is a farre off , ere Gods iudgements fall vpon vs , we will send forth our Embassadours , our feruent praiers , and serious repentance , to desire conditions of peace : and for our former misdeeds , we should resolue , and promise amendment of life : and so much the rather should we doe this , because if we doe duely obserue it , he hath alreadie giuen vs faire warning to take heed . Doth not the fire euery yeere consume our mansions in some part of our land ? Heare we not of inundations of waters ? with vnseasonable weather in the extremes ? This may serue to testifie that God is angrie , and to put vs in minde of the deluge of our sins : the crie of them reacheth vnto heauen , and there workes our woe , by turning one yeere into drinesse , to make the land barren ; and the next dissoluing into liquid teares , and immoderate showers , dropping downe for fatnesse , dearth and death . Quicquid id est , timeo : howsoeuer the matter is , we may well feare that it is our rebellion against God , that makes this commotion of the creatures against vs : hath not the Lord of late time cast forth his ice like morsels ? It will be remembred whilst Chronicles can speake , that within these few yeeres , the earth was fast bound with a prodigious frost to Englands wonderment , when Thames was paued for cart and carriage , on one day able to support a waight of wonder , and on the next dissolued into liquid waters : at that time it pierced so deepe into the bowels of the earth , that the effects thereof as yet are sensible . Surely this should warne vs of our zeale to God-wards , more cold then isicles on a winters day hanging at our doores : strange it is , that so many Sun-shines as haue beene since , and showers of Gods mercies still powred vpon vs , should not haue thawed our frozen hearts , and bred an alteration of life in vs . But not to trouble you with recounting things past ; obserue but with me this iudgement , that euen now hangs ouer you ; now is your haruest come , at which time ( as the old saying is ) God openeth his barne doores , and inuites your labours to gather your winter prouision ; but doth not he himselfe vse the blustring windes as his flaile , to thresh the corne out of the eare , before you can get it from off the earth ?

Now hath God spread his table , for so I may terme the earth , and furnished it with daintie cates and viands , with a rich store of corne and grasse : but doth he not vse immoderate showers , and vnmercifull flouds , as a voider to take all away , before you haue staid your stomacks ? Thinke not that this comes by chance , nor fix your eies vpon the arrow that wounds you , but vpon the hand that drew the bow ; looke higher then the clouds , and you shall see the finger of God in the worke , for the inter-course and change of weather is ordered by his prouidence : Amos. 4.7 . I ( saith the Lord ) haue with-holden the raine from you , when there was yet three moneths to the haruest , I caused it to raine vpon one citie , and caused it not to raine vpon another citie . And , Job 38.28 . Hath the raine a Father ? saith Iob , and who hath begotten the drops of dew ? Ierem. 14.22 . And , Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause raine ? saith a Prophet , or can the heauens giue showers ? art not thou only he , ô Lord our God ? This granted , scil. that the clouds are Gods bottles , and that he only emptieth them when , where , and in what measure he will ; it plainly appeares , that this vnseasonable season , is his messenger , purposely sent , either 1. To trie our patience , or 2. To reclaime vs from our sinnes .

1. If for the former end , we ought to be so far from grudging and murmuring at it , that contrarily wee should welcome it with a cheerefull heart . When a man would buy an earthen vessell , he will knocke vpon it with his hand , and iudge of the soundnesse of it by the sound : when God doth knocke vpon vs by any crosse , if we sound cleerely and beare our selues cheerefully , it is a hopefull signe , that we are meet for his acceptance ; but if we returne an hoarse noise of murmuring and repining , it is a fearfull token , that we shall be reiected .

2. But if this messenger be not sent so much to trie our patience , as to reclaime vs from our sinnes , if these immoderate showers tell vs that our sinnes haue kept no low water , the tide of them hath euer beene swelling , then let vs humble our selues before God by repentance , lest he humble vs with greater afflictions : and seeing that the waters of sinne haue descended downe into our soules , let vs draw them vp againe with buckets of sighes , and pumpe them out in riuers of teares : let our eies gush forth with teares , in passion for our selues , in compassion for others , because neither we nor they haue so kept the law of God as we ought : this if we performe , happily it may be a meanes to preuent Gods further iudgements , and to reconcile vs againe to his fauour : and euery one of vs ought to performe this , because that though this iudgement be not alike shewed against our whole land , but some part , and therein some persons doe specially feele the smart of it ; yet , tunc tua res agitur , we should be so sensible one of anothers miseries , that we should take these iudgements that befall others , as warnings sent to admonish vs . Those vpon whom the tower of Siloan fell , were they greater sinners then all the rest in Hierusalem ? I tell you no , saith Christ , but except you repent , ye shall likewise perish . In that any are spared , it is of his mercie : the Lord hath often heretofore , and euen now hath found vs securely sleeping in our sins , as Dauid found Saul sleeping in a caue , cutting a peece of our garment , touching a corner of our land with afflictions ; and though we haue all deserued to feele the scourge of his iudgement , yet of his mercie hee leaues peace within our Walls , plentie within our Palaces , making good the prouerbe concerning the rainbow , scil. that Gods bowe is without a bolt ; he threatneth much and warneth often , before he will suffer his whole displeasure to arise ; what then , Shall we continue in sinne , that grace may abound ? God forbid : nay , God hath forbidden it , for that will inhance his wrath , and improue his anger against vs ; rather let vs feare that the regions are not yet white for the haruest , the sinnes of the land are not yet mellow for Gods iudgements , but like a bottle cast into the water , which whilst it is but partly full , leaneth to the one side ; but when it is filled to the brim , it sinketh directly to the bottome : so we ought to feare , that though in respect of Gods iudgements , our land yet leaneth but to the one side ; yet when those waters of Mara , those bitter waters are brim full , when the sinne of the land , the measure of iniquitie is filled , there is then nothing to be looked for , but an vtter ruine and downe-fall . What shall I say then ? 1 Reg. 18.44 . Arise , quoth Elias to Ahab , I heare a sound of abundance of raine , prepare thy Chariot , except thou passe quickly thou canst not passe . Here the sound of the raine preuented the danger that might haue come by it : O that it would be so with vs , that being fore-warned , we would be fore-armed , that the sound & fore-telling of the iudgement , would be a meanes to preuent the execution thereof : doubtlesse our sinnes haue iustly prouoked Gods iustice to proceed to the chastisement of sinners , yet in his mercie he first puts the axe to the root of the tree , to see if reformation of manners and amendment of life will preuent the cutting downe . Let vs therefore make vse of Gods admonitions , and be schooled by them , lest if we continue in our sinnes , we force the Lord to extend his wrath against vs , & to turne our fruitfull land into barrennesse , for the wickednesse of vs that dwell therein . Thus much shall serue for the iudgement , A fruitfull land maketh he barren .

II. Now we come to speake of the cause of the iudgement , in these words , for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein . Although it be true that Almightie God doth visit some of his elect people , for no cause or crime by them committed , as appeares by the man that was blinde from his birth : concerning whom , Iohn 9. vers. 1 , 2 , 3. when the question was made to Christ , whether that iudgement was befallen him for his owne sinne , or for the sinnes of his parents , he answered , that it was for neither , but that the workes of God might be manifested in him : yet notwithstanding this , I no where finde it , that God euer bent his ire against a whole kingdome , and made a fruitfull land to become barren , till he was thereunto vrged by the sinnes of the people ; but when men persist in sinning , he then proceeds to punishing . There haue beene foure flourishing Monarchies in the world , and sinne hath let downe the sinewes of them all , and made them barren : Lust dissolued the first Monarchie amongst the Assirians ; Prodigalitie supplanted the second of the Persians ; Ambition dismembred the third of the Grecians ; hidden hatred and priuate malice wracked the fourth of the Romans . Sinne caused the floud that drowned the old world , brought the fire from heauen that burnt Sodome and Gomorrah , opened the earth to swallow Corah , Dathan , and Abiram : and how often did it prouoke the Lord to punish his owne people , euen his people Israel , which was deare vnto him as the apple of his eie , & Signet on his finger ? So that this euill is the cause of all euils , it causeth all afflictions and calamities , all paine and penurie , it depriueth vs of all Gods spirituall blessings and temporall benefits , and ( still to put you in minde of this present occasion ) doubtlesse it is our sinnes that haue caused these immoderate showers and vnseasonable weather , whereby the Lord makes our fruitfull land barren . This being thus , it should teach vs , 1. To bewaile our sinnes past . 2. To beware of sinnes to come .

1. To bewaile sinnes past : Shall the young Swallowes , our vnbridled youngsters sing in the warme chimneyes ; shall the lustfull Sparrowes , noctiuagant adulterers , sit chirping about our houses ; shall the filching Iayes , secret theeues , rob our Orchards , shall the Kite and Cormorant , deuoure and hoord our fruits ? And shall not the Doues mourne , and the voice of the Turtle be heard in our land , for these enormities ? Let not our hearts be so hid in the Maze of vanities , that repentance cannot finde them out ; shall the heauens shed teares , and the earth mourne for our sinnes , and shall not we be moued ? Rather let vs haue our eies like the fish-ponds of Hesbon standing full of water , that so we may appeare beautifull in the sight of our beloued Spouse : let vs with Dauid put on sackcloth , and mourne with sorrow , that God may put it off and gird vs with gladnesse . And as we should bewaile sinnes past , so

2. We should beware of sinne to come , and specially we must for this purpose beware of these particular sinnes , scil. 1. Improuidence , 2. Impertinent curiositie , 3. Vnconscionablenesse in the vse of Gods creatures , 4. Vnthankfulnesse ; for these are speciall meanes and motiues , to cause the Lord to turne a fruitfull land into barrennesse . First , we must not be improuident , but if we would haue God to care for vs , we must care for our selues , and euery one seeke to liue , either by the sweat of his braine , or of his brow , painfully performing the duties of his calling . And that done , for the euent , and successe of our labours , we must not be impertinently curious , which is the second vice to be eschewed : for when men sacrifice to their nets , Haba. 1.16 . attributing their thriuing to their owne industrie , and for that cause slander the frost and the haile , and murmur at whatsoeuer seemes to crosse their hope , then they prouoke God to take away the staffe of their labours , I meane his blessing from their labours , without which they are but vaine and fruitlesse . Therefore when we haue prouidently done our best , we must patiently wait vpon the Lords pleasure for a blessing ; and for the successe , not be impertinently curious , but freely refer that to Gods wise disposure . When God hath blessed our labours with increase , and we haue the fruits thereof in our possession , then we must not be vnconscionable in the vsing , or rather abusing of his creatures ; which is the third vice to be eschewed : for if we roist and riot , and abuse Gods blessings , he hath an action of Waste against vs , whereby he may amerce vs to such dammages , as should quickly cause vs see how wilfully we haue forfeited the title we had vnto them . Herodotus in Clio. Gindes is called Gihon , Gen. 2. When the riuer Gindes had drowned one of Cyrus his white horses , the angrie King cut so many channels , into which the riuer was diuided , that from thenceforth it lost both depth , name , & glorie . If those flouds of abundance , which through Gods blessing our land bringeth forth , drowne not our white horses , but our soules that should be white and spotlesse , then know that God can diuide those streames of plenty into many channels , he can draine and drie them vp , conuay them into other mens hands , and dispossesse vs both of the name and glorie we had by them . When God gaue his people corne , Ezech. 16. and wine , and oile to vse , and they abused them , he expostulated with them , why they bestowed his gifts vpon their Idols . When God bestowes his blessings vpon vs , he must needs be angrie with vs , if we spend them vpon our vanitie : you are but stewards of that you haue , dispose of it wisely , so as may be to your comfort , and your masters glorie , that hee seeing your faithfull vsage , may increase your store , and augment your talent . And when you haue had the full and free vse of Gods benefits , to your comforts and refreshing , then beware of vnthankfulnesse , which is the fourth vice to be eschued ; be not like the swine vnder the tree , that looke downe to the fruits , but neuer looke vp to the tree from whence they came . Let not Gods blessings fall vpon vs , like sweet water vpon a filthy sinke , which returnes nothing in lue thereof but a noisome smell ; for then shall our ingratitude like a parching winde , drie vp the fountaine , from whence Gods blessings should spring forth vnto vs , and depriue our land of fruitfulnesse . It is obserued by Anatomists , that there is giuen vnto man one muscle more in the eie , then in the eie of any other creature , whereby he hath a facilitie to roule , and turne it vp to heauen-wards : this doubtlesse doth teach that man aboue all other creatures , after benefits receiued , should lift vp his eies , hands , and heart , to God in thankfulnesse . When the parched earth receiueth raine from the clouds , whereby her thirst is quenched and her drought slaked , it returneth vapours , and watery matter to the clouds againe , and so requiteth the former benefit . When the streaming fountaines , and running riuers receiue supplie of waters from the sea , through the hollow cauernes of the earth ; at length they send their waters downe into the sea againe , in signe of gratitude ; the boughs , and branches of trees , when in the Spring time they haue receiued sap from the root , to make them bud and blossome , and flourish with Summer fruit , at the fall of the leafe , they send it downe againe to the root , to nourish it in the Winter season , and thereby testifie their thankfulnesse . Shall nature graft this affection in the senslesse creatures , and shall not reason guided by diuine knowledge , lead men thereunto ? Surely wee should glorifie God for his benefits towards vs , not only by word , but by workes also , all the actions of our life should be like so many seuerall voices , with a siluer rhetoricke sounding forth the praises of our God . Thus if you doe , not being wanting to your selues , through improuidence , liuing without care , and without calling ; nor ( through too much depending vpon your own industrie ) impatiently murmuring at your crossed expectations ; not being vnconscionable in the vse of Gods creatures , nor vnthankfull to him for benefits receiued ; then doubtlesse the Lord ( according to his promise ) will blesse you , and yours : Deut. 7.13 . then you shall not plow the Land in vaine , the Lord will say to the South , giue , and to the North , keepe not backe ; then your land shall open her bosome and bring forth her hidden treasure : and ye shall reape the fruits thereof in due season ; ye shall eat your fill and dwell therein in safetie . To conclude , remember this , that as you sow so must you reape . Hosea 8.7 . Sow not winde , saith a Prophet , for feare you reape a whirlewinde for your haruest : so say I to you , sow not wickednesse , lest you reape barrennesse ; but sow godlinesse , be prouident , and take paines , be patient in waiting for profit ; hauing receiued , be conscionable in the vsing ; and after vse had , forget not the giuer , but be thankfull to God for his blessings . Hath God done great things for vs ? then let vs giue great thanks vnto the Lord : Doth he fundere beneficia ? then let vs fundere corda ; ascendat gratia vt descendat gratia : let our thankfulnesse duly ascend vp to God , that his grace and goodnesse may seasonably descend downe to vs , that so our land may flourish , and the fruitfulnesse thereof not be turned into barrennesse , for the wickednesse of vs that dwell therein .