(c) Eufeb. hift. Eccl.l.3.c.6. Jofeph.bell. Judaic. 1.6. c. 11.

a more deplorable Condition, we may read the Hiftory of that cruel Famine which raged in Jerufalem, when Titus did befiege it (c), and God avenged his Sons blood upon them; for there we may fee, that whatfoever Calamities of this kind have been endured by all the Cities in the World, were all united and acted at once on that fad Theater, which was the Epitome of all the miferies under Heaven. This then hath been the Cafe of others, and may be ours. But God delivered the poor Samaritans as speedily as abundantly for Elisha prophefied that within twenty four hours space ten quarters of Wheat-flour fhould be fold for the late Price of one Affes head, and ten Bufhels of Barley for the fame Rate, which they had given for half a pint of Pulfe. And though this feemed incredible, yet it was accomplished for the next day all the provifions of the Syrian Army (who were fled away affrighthd with a divine terror) being brought into the City, relieved all the people at an ealie price, except that disbelieving Noble-man, who faw his Infidelity confuted, but lived not to have his Hunger allayed, thereby to teach us not to defpair though our Extremity were as great.

S.IX. have mercy upon us, that we, who are now for our Sins punished with like

may likewife find a leasonable relief.]

oversity,

S.Paul faith, whatsoever things were written afore time, were written for our learning, that we through Patience · and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope, Rom.xv.4. And that is the ufe we muft make of this Example. We have heard how grievously the Samaritans fuffered, and that fhould learn us patience; we perceive how wonderfully they were delivered, and that may give us comfort

cy upon us.

comfort and hope. It ought to encourage us to pray for Mercy; for our God is the fame, as able and as willing to deliver now as then: wherefore we say, Habe merAre we Sinners? So were they,and perhaps inthe fame kind: if Samaria's fins were the fame with her Sifter Sodom's, as is intimated, Ezek. xvi. 46. viz.Pride,idleness, fulness of Bread and uncharitableness, they were as like us in Sin, as we are now to them in punishment; for our Famine is either like theirs in the occafion, as being a Confequent of War, or elfe it is like it in the degree, that is, a very grievous one. Yet it pleafed God to have mercy upon them, and therefore we may hope he will pity us alfo. He fent them a speedy and seasonable, a large and plentiful relief, and who knows but he may fend us the like? I doubt not but any relief would be welcome, whenfoever we can obtain it; but if we be reduced to defperate extremities, we may be allowed to be importunate for fpeedy Supplies, because if they linger we may perifh 'ere they come,and that would be like a Pardon after the Execution: But our God,who gives fo willingly, we hope will give it foon, and that will double the kindness, as our Cafe now ftands. But together with our Importunity we do here alfo confefs our Sin, as the Eastern Church alfo doth (d), and if we do it fincerely we may hope for Mercy; but fo long as our Sins encreafe, we cannot fairly expect our Famine fhould decreafe. It was a foolish Cuftom of the Pagan Grecians to make a fcourge to whip this Judgment out of their houses, faying,Go out Famine,come in plenty. We muft drive Sin out of our hearts and forfake it, and then God wlli drive away the Famine, which our Sins have brought upon us.

(d) Thy sy masazazerüvad йμ, σ@TÀρ ivexJerony Sixains Enchol.p.772.

(e) Crefci fumis quotidiè pæna, quia quotidiè crefcit & cpa. Aug.de temp.

fcr. 3.

S.X.create the fruits of the Earth by thy beavenly Benediction, and grant that we receiving thy bounteous Liberality, may use the same to thy glosp, the relief of thole that are needy, and our owa_comfort through Jefus Chzif our Lozd. Amen.]

If our neceffities and circumstances be fuch, that nothing below a Miracle can relieve us, we mnft not prescribe a Method to divine Providence, but leave the means to the choice of his Wisdom in this prefent Exigent; but with respect to the future and the regular means of Supply, we may point out to that,defiring to be better provided against another year: And here we muft confider, that we acknowledg the fruits of the Earth do encrease by his Heavenly Benediction: not the fertility of the foil, the influence of the Sun,nor the defcent of the Showrs can make them grow without his bleffing; wherefore all that we reap at Harvest is here called his bounteous Liberality, who openeth his band, and filleth all things living with plenteousness. Since then all our plenty is from him, we must pray to him to give us Grace to ufe it well, left we fhould abuse these gifts to the dishonour of the Giver. Famine is grievous, but plenty is dangerous, for it makes men apt to forget the God, which fends it, Deut.8.12,13,14. Nor is there any time more seasonable to learn how to ufe Plenty, than when we have felt what it is to want it. Now therefore we are here admonished, that if ever God fhall again reftore us to our former abundance,, that we use all thofe good things.

I. To the glory of God, that is, to make us more frequently mindful of him, and more heartily thankful to him: They muft (hew us our dependance on him, and excite our gratitude, and engage our Obedience to

him, the more he gives us, the more freely and chearful. ly we muft ferve him.

II. We must use them to the relief of those that are needy for what we freely receive, we ought to give freely. Belides God hath now taught us by fad experience what hunger and thirst are: we now know, what the poor man feels, who in his need begs for a bit of Bread; fo that now he expects, we should be more apt to pity them, and more ready to relieve them. Whilst we fate at our full Cups,and overloaden Tables, we were ftrangers to the pangs of an hungry Soul, and he that faw us defpife their mifery, took away our plenty to difcipline us into Compaffion: wherefore if ever we enjoy our former varieties, we muft beware we be not uncha ritable ftill; and while the scarcity remains, if we give a little out of that little which we have, it will (like the Widows Cake to Elisha) make our little laft longer, and cause the Famine to cease fooner. Sure I am S.Bafil complains, that all the Churches Litanies and Prayers in time of Famine were not heard by God, because none did hear the Cry of the poor (f). It was our unmercifulness brought this Scarcity upon us, and before it will be removed thole that have any thing muft begin to fhew pity to their Brethren, that God may pity us all. We muft have no vanities nor fuperfluities in fuch a time especially, nor may we let a poor Creature farve, who might have been kept alive out of our unneceffary expences or ftore; and if we will begin to practice this Compaffion now, we fhall more catily do it afterwards, and we fhall the fooner prevail with God to beftow upon us wherewithal to act according to our defire.

III. The

III. The laft ufe we must make of our plenty is to our own Comfort, for God allows this alfo, we may use it, to fupply our needs, not to feed our lufts, to refreshment and health, not to debauchery and drunkenness: Now if we refolve thus to use our abundance, when God gives it,it will be for the good of our Souls and Bodies,and at once promote our temporal comfort and our eternal Salvation; wherefore upon these terms we may and ought to beg it both earnestly and chearfully,though Jefus Chrift our Lord, and God fhall hear us. Amen.

The Paraphrafe of the Second Prayer.

God, who haft relieved the miserable in all times and places, thou art the fame [merciful Father, who in the time,] and according to the word [of Elitha the Prophet,] by making the Enemy fly [dioft fuddenly] within the space of one night [tn Samarta turn] that fo [great (carcity,] which made Mothers eat their own Children, [and] that exceffive [Dearth,] which made the vileft food of fo great price, [into plenty of all Provilions and cheapnels, Jas to the Rates thereof: Thou art the fame God; [Have mercy] therefore [upon us] alfo, and pity our Distress, [that we,who are now for the likeness of our ins] to theirs in number, nature and kinds, fadly but justly [puntthed with like aodertty] of grievous Famine,[may likewife] upon our true Repentance[find a feasonable ] and speedy relief:] And for the time to come, Good Lord, [increase the fruits of the Earth,] the food of man and beaft,[by the heavenly Benediction,] which maketh all things to bring forth abundantly: [And grant] we may not abuse our plenty, when thou doft relieve us, but [that we receiving all our abundance, as from [thy bounteous LiY berality,