GOD, A rich supply OF ALL GOOD. SETTING FORTH,  

I. The Believers interest in it.  
II. The riches of it in quantity.  
III. The gloriousness of it in quality.  
iv The means sealing up all: Namely,   
CHRIST. All illustrated, with many wonderful and remarkable spiritual experiences, not only of former, but of later Christians.  
By Doctor NATHANAEL HOMES.  
LONDON, Printed by Tho: Roycroft, in Goldsmith's Alley near cripple Gate, 1650.   
PHILIP. 4.19. 
But my GOD shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.  
HERE is a rich and glorious Text; for it contains riches and glory. A comprehensive Text, for it holds forth a supply of all need. The Fountain is infinite, Viz. God. God shall thus supply. The conveyance and insurance infallible, Christ Jesus. And the impression that all these make upon the heart of a Believer first or last, is very great. For this Text is spoken out of much confidence, and experience: My God shall supply. My God that hath supplied me, Verse 12, 13. shall supply you.  
So that the But in our English translation, may be better turned into And (as the Greek well bears it) thus: God hath heretofore supplied me, Vers. 13. now you have supplied me, Vers. 14, 16. AND God shall supply you.  
Qu. Why did not Paul refuse the Philippians benevolence, and turn YOUR into MY, and his words to others, into Faith for himself, saying, My God shall supply all my need.  
Ans. Paul could, and hath, and would again have done this, if God had denied all means, but for him to refuse means, when means are offered, had been to tempt God, not to trust in him. The Philippians had well to spare, and (contrary to the gripple Corinthians) were willing to spare; and Paul's hands could not make up his need; he must fulfil his Ministry, what ever was laid by, and he had been rich in Doctrines to the Philippians, therefore the Philippians did well to give, and he did well to receive. Besides Paul's Faith here engageth for more to the Philippians, than his sense had received. He, one, had received from them a great many, some small contribution of some temporal things; but he promiseth them that his God should supply all the need of them all, spiritually and temporally. My God shall supply all your NEED, according to his riches by Christ Jesus.  
Shall supply, Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, shall fill, or will fill. He shall, because he will. His good will puts a necessity on his great power to do great things for his people. See the great things, the fundamentals of salvation, of grace and glory that God doth for his in and by Christ Jesus, Ephes. 1. first ten Verses. And Why? Because he had taken counsel with his will so to do, Vers. 13. So in all Providences, yea in all things, Rom. 8.28, 29. Mark well the FOR that knits the two Verses together. And as his will is a good will, so a rich good will. According to his riches (saith the Text.) He is rich for our need; and hath riches for every need. And richly shall he proportion the allowance viz. According to his riches in glory.  
The adjoining glory to riches signifies (as some, namely Beza, will) that God will supply according to his riches gloriously; or rather it signifies more, to wit, that he will supply according to his glorious riches.  
For all the supplies that come from God through Christ to one in Christ, come tipped, guilt, with a glory upon them; a centro ad caelum. Providences below, graces within, Heaven above, as they have a lovely scarlet blush of Christ's blood upon them, so they are rayed upon with a beam of divine love to them that are in Christ.  
And whether we render the text in Christ, or by Christ, or with Christ, it makes no great matter, see the Scriptures. For according to Scripture all are true, and apt, yea all will well concur to make forth the all of the way, how all things are ours through Christ. In regard of Christ's Passion, we have all by Christ; namely by purchase. Ephes. 1.11.12. In regard of Christ's incarnation, we have all in Christ, namely in our union with him, 1 Cor. 1.5. joh. 15.5. Colos. 2.10. In regard of donation, we have all with Christ. That is God giving us Christ in spiritual marriage, with him he gives all he is worth, all his estate with him. Transit res cum persona. Rom. 8.32.  
D. Beleivers have assurance and experience that their God will fully supply all their need according to his glorious riches through Christ Jesus.  
There are 4 things to be explained in order as they lie in the doctrine for the manifestation, and so confirmation thereof. 1 The beleivers interest in the Supplyer, that makes him so bold and confident as to say, My God shall do so and so. 2 The extension in quantity of the supply: to supply all need. 3 The intention in quality, According to his glorious riches. 4 The medium or means, Christ Jesus.  
1. The interest. The beleiver hath a God, the only true God, truly; who is the original of all. All goodnesses but copies taken out of, and according to that original. All streams of goodness are from that Ocean of Nectar. All my springs (saith the Psalmist Psal. 87. ult.) are in thee. i.e. From God giving forth himself in the Church. All things are in God, either formally or causally, or eminently. Wisdom, power, etc. are so formally in God, that they are essentially God. All the creatures are causally in God. That is, they have moving and being from an efficacy proceeding from him. And all the rest are eminently in God; whatsoever is excellent below; is in God in a more excellent manner. As light is more excellent in the Sun, then in the fire or candle. God is the divine Artist to know all. He is the divine Artificer, facere to make, all. Heb. 11. And he is the divine virtuous one, Agere, to do all. As it is said of Christ, he did all things well. Acti agimus we act well, being well acted of him. His omnipotent power upholds all. His all-loving heart gives all. And his allwise-hand dispenceth all. His power is above all difficulties. And his good will above all our unworthiness. You see the world below is virtually in the Sun; and the Sun a more excellent thing then all on which it hath an influence: So all things are much more eminently in God, but God himself is more excellent than all. Psal. 84.11. His nature is unaccessable. He dwells in light that none can approach unto. His love incomprehensible. Ephes. 3. And his ways of works and providences past finding out, Rom. 11. He supplieth the Angels with power that fell not, that they might never fall. He supplied Christ; filling him with the Spirit above measure, and raising him from the dead. Therefore much more can he supply us that Believe.  
In this God, hath the beleiver his interest, he can confidently call him my God; mine by creation. And not only of being, as the lapsed Angels, but of his well being, of a gracious heart, and gracious qualities in that heart, Psal. 51.10. Ephes. 4.24. Ephes. 2.10. Mine by preservation, and not only in common providences, as he is the Saviour of all men; but in preservation of the soul from sin, of the affections from prevailing temptations, and graces from deadness. Mine by redemption. Suitably to that specially here meant, is here mention of Christ Jesus. According to that, Christ is made of God to us redemption; 1 Cor. 1. He hath paid a price to justice to redeem us from vengeance; and hath gained the actual love of mercy to bestow all good upon us. * The same Fine and Recovery cuts of the entail of evil, and conveighes the good estate to us. Upon these grounds, and in this manner doth the beleiver challenge God to be his God. If you will have the measure and gradual; then thus. The beleiver saith, God is my God, fundamentally by the promise. As that, I will be your God, and you shall be my people. Formally and properly by faith, my beloved is mine, and I am his. Cant. 2. And Thomas, my Lord and my God. Effectually, and feelingly, by the operations of love, joy, etc. As Mary-sayd, my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. And as the believing jews did. 1 Pet. 1.8. Completely, (in parts) when we own God, and own ourselves to be none but his. Faith drawing down Christ to us. And that faith working by love, carries us up to Christ. Cant. 2, My BELOVED is mine, and I am HIS, he feedeth among the Lilies, until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn my beloved, etc.  
2 Extension in quantity. God shall supply, even to a fulsilling all needs. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, here rendered need: 1. Signifies want, necessity. So that whatsoever is necessary to supply, God will supply. A sinless wanting, viz. of such things without which we cannot answer to God's ends, God will be sure to supply. But a sinful wanting, a moral aguish dropsy thirst of such things, and so much, as will rather hurt then help; a wantonness rather than a want, God doth best supply rather by keeping us in that want then supplying; rather by withholding then by giving. Psal. 119. It is good for me that I was afflicted. For in this case we more want soul health then bodily supplies; therefore God withholding the drink of creature-comforts, is best to cure our spiritual ague or dropsy appetite. So then our desires must be natural, not unnatural, either after things in kind, not good for us, or in degrees unsuitable for our condition. As on the otherside our wanting must be real, not imaginary as the dream of thirst in the Prophet. Such an imaginary want was in Rachel when she phantisied that her life depended upon having children. Give me children (said she) or I die.  
2. The Greek word signifies use, that which is useful, and instrumental to act and do. Now that is for our true use, that more fits us for God's use. For (as the Philosopher called Servants) we are Gods, instrumenta rationalia; his reasonable tools or household goods. Revel. 4. All is made for God's end and use; Therefore without all fail God will so supply and serve our need, as may fit us best to serve him. And in relation to both significations of the Word, remember that I told you that the word supply in the original, signifies to fill; God will at least fill the true useful need. He may and doth oft make our cup to overflow, gives a measure running over; but that is of superabundant kindness. But this he will do, and is, tied under hand and seal, in Word and Sacraments; viz. to fill such wants. He will fill every size of vessel, replenish every capacity to its proportion. He will ballast and tackle every ship, as it may safeliest swim and ride out every storm. He clothes lambs and sheep with a fleece they may best bear, and get away from the thorns.  
3. Intention in qualities, one way or other, first or last he will supply according to his glorious riches. God is glorious, and so will dole out your share according to your proportion, you shall confess it when the total is cast up. In comparison of others nothing, or your own former small thing, you shall have great things. God hath chosen the poor in regard of the world, (saith james) rich in faith. And (saith Paul) Godliness is great gain with contentment. For it brings contentment, heart's ease; more satisfied than Alexander with a world. The Godly man hath two worlds entailed upon him. Godliness hath the promise of this world, and that to come. So that the Godly man can say, I have enough; He is rich that thinks he wants nothing; that hath as much as he can ask, or tell what well to do with; give us, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, bread sufficient for our substance. A man's estate is to be valued according to the use, not the bulk, according to the efficacy not the quantity. What are tools of which one hath no use or benefit? Green herbs if they give content (saith Solomon) exceed a stalled Ox. If a man's estate serve his use, is effectual to a quietation of spirit, he hath the greatest ENOUGH that can be desired.  
The whole of a beleivers estate is very rich, thus: 

1. The least mercy is greater than he (as jacob confessed) for a man is all misery in himself.  
2. The least that he hath, as to him, that it might be a mercy (not a snare) cost the value of Christ's blood. A little Diamond costs more than a load of quarry stones.  
3. If the stream of mercies be small, yet great is the continuance, from the fountain. A little freehold is better than more by short lease.  
4. Besides all, he hath the fountain itself; God himself. The heavenly man, hath not only the light, but the Sun itself fixed in him as in its Orb. The Christian and God are one, as Christ and God are one. joh. 14.20. joh. 17.21. All that God gives to beleivers, intends, & ends in this, to lead them to God. (Judge your condition by this) God is a wooer, that gives tokens to his love with an intent to give himself.    
You see then God doth many ways supply richly.  
That richness according to which God will supply is a glorious richness. The glory is threefold; as the riches are threefold.  
1. There is a glory upon the temporals of a beleiver. They come from God's right hand. See the difference, Pro. 3. and in the Patriarches blessing. The right hand blessings perfected the left. They come from God's good will, not from mere common providence. They all taste lovish; they are varnished with love; polished with a beauty as given to Christ for us, as the world was made exceeding good; that is, beautiful, useful, etc. for the first Adam in innocency. Again, there is a glory in the seasonable giving of temporals to beleivers, So like apples of gold with pictures of silver. Striped with the blood of Christ, inlaid with the operation of spirit sanctifying them unto us. Yea, there is somewhat of God himself stamped upon every creature, which only the believing eye can see. On vegetables, life, on Animals, understanding and wisdom. And so much of God as is in a creature is most glorious. And God that is in them hath laid his Command upon them, to do us good (if we believe) and goodness is glorious.  
If there were but the divine order in God's dispensations of outward things, first this, then that as is best for our welfare; this were glorious. He first provides for us the breast, than bread. He dispenseth as the parent doth clothes, suits fit for our age, and so they sit handsomely. Look how grim disorder is, so comely and glorious is order. He gives not all at once to over-whelm us; nor the last thing first, or the first last.  
2. There is a glory in spirituals. In gifts some as in knowledge, elocution, etc. but in grace and graces more. For the grace of favour; It clothes us with Christ's righteousness: This must needs be glorious. (2 Cor. 5. la) it being the righteousness of God. You may perceive it, by considering how grim the sight of sin was to you, before you saw that glorious clothing upon you. Whiles ye see not yourselves in Christ, mantled in, and clothed with his righteousness, you are an abhorring to yourselves. But when you behold yourselves (yea and as beheld of God in Christ's righteousness) you see your glory, so that you can glory. 1 Cor. 1. two la. Christ is made to us righteousness, etc. that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord. The Apostle adds, 1 Cor. 3. that the very ministry that holds forth this righteousness to us is far more glorious than the glorious giving of that glorious fiery Law, as it is set forth and called, Deut. 33.2. The Lord came from Sinai, and risen up from Seir, and shone forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousand of his Saints, from his right hand went a FIERY Law for them. And then too, the graces of the Saints are glorious. They are the spiritual creation of God. Eph. 2.10. The purchase of Christ's blood, Eph. 1.7, 8. The breathe of the Spirit, joh. 20.22. The Image of God in us. Eph. 4.24. They make the soul of man (in the bent of it) like Adam's soul; yea it is another divine soul, in our natural soul.  
So that by all glories aforesaid, a Saint is made most glorious within his own court or habitation. He dwells in Christ, glorious in his garments, glorious in his complexion; he is full of righteousness and holiness. Solomon was glorious; the Lilies (saith Christ) are more glorious than he, but Christ most glorious; and spiritually and imputatively, as he was, so are we in this world. 1 john 4.17.  
3. There is the glory of heaven; which is the platform of all our happiness. I need not argue this glory, but rather declare it, if I (or any else) could. Here below we have a glory, but it is like the glory of a glowworm, brightened at the night-shining of the stars, in comparison of heaven, which is as the glaring of Diamonds, or sparkling of Crystal looking-glasses, the gloss of cloth of gold, and Tissu, at the sight of the noon-sun. In heaven every glory is lightened and heightened to a transcendency of translucidation and lustre. Our natural bodies shall glitter above the face of Moses, Stephen, or innocent Adam; namely, like the body of Christ, 1 Cor. 15. which was most glorious on Tabor. Our reason shall be equalised too, if not made superlative above the highest intellectuals of Angels (forasmuch as we are nearer in union with God through Christ they.) And as for our graces, every grace shall be raised to the highest perfection, and actings that graces can be extended, or exalted. There in glory, we have the sight of God; either by some extraordinary Species representing the divine essence, a light of glory the mean while elevating the understanding with a supernatural strength, to behold the representation; or by the light of glory, elevating and strengthening the understanding to the highest, pitch of apprehension, to behold the divine essence immediately presented without any Species, or by any immediate clear vision of God without. Species or elevation by any light, more than is innate in the glorified intellectuals. Doubtless by unspeakable union with Christ, in him we shall apprehend God, as he (so far forth as he is man) doth apprehend him, to our utmost proportion.  
In heaven the fountain of our happiness is substantial glory. Namely, God himself, perfecting our substances to the highest of our kind; our company the Angels, full of superlative glorious qualities, the place filled with rays of both, and we perfected and polished in all things to a glorious hue and lustre. The flower coloured shining spring, the Golden sea (as Homer calls it) with morning beams, or the spangsed starry heavens, in a serene evening, are but shadows to this glory in Heaven. Our communion there is like the most ravishing music, our sights all of admiration, and our thoughts seraphical raptures.  
The fourth thing to be explained is, the means, viz. Christ Jesus. God considered in himself, is able to supply, being infinite rich and glorious. And naturally he is willing as the chief good to communicate his goodness to his creatures, considered in their mere and pure naturals; but there is not in him a moral willingness (as we may say) a willingness of free choice to be communicative of himself to fallen man, but through Jesus Christ. God foreseeing what was wisdom and justice to himself, chose us in Christ. And now in time communicates himself not other way, but through Jesus Christ. He is fixed in, and shines through the Orb of Christ Jesus, 2 Cor. 4. Shines to us in the face of Christ Jesus; even as after the Sun was made upon the fourth day, (though there was some general light afore, as innocent Adam had a legal light) there was no light to be communicated to the world but through the Sun. The sum of all we will say of this is briefly this. 

1. That Christ's incarnation is the fundamental insurance of our assurance of our neerernesse to God than Angels, Heb. 2. That he will be our Immanuel. Matth. 1. Applied, Rom. 8. to our justification and salvation. And so will do by us as he did by Christ, in all excellencies whereof we may be capable.  
2. The perfecting and formal act of the virtue of this incarnation to communicate himself to us, is our actual union with Christ by the Spirit.  
3. That Christ is the pattern to which we must in all things, according to our proportion be conformed to; and is the beginning of the reassimilating and making us like to God's image in the first Innocent Adam, Christ therefore is called, the first borne of every creature, etc.    
Useful is this Doctrine, 1. For invitation of all that stand off at a difference with Christ, totally holding off, or stand off at a distance from Christ, as in a degree strange, fearing to come near and close to Christ; in doubt whether to throw themselves into Christ's arms, fully to trust themselves with him. Come saith this Doctrine, come in, come near, own God in Christ, and rejoice in him as thine own, that thou mayst come up to this privilege, viz. with assurance of faith to say, My God shall supply all wants. Mine and thine in temporals, set all the world together by the ears; Kings say, that is mine, nay say Parliaments, that is mine; nay say the people, that is mine. But in spirituals they set all in tune. Therefore of all things learn to MINE the Lord, to cry by faith, thou art mine, as Thomas, My Lord and my God; and as Mary, My God and my Saviour. You may as they (but more spiritually) rely on him, for you have him held forth to you not only as borne, but as crucified for you before your eyes. Gal. 3.1. That is, in the preaching of the Gospel; which continually beseecheth us to receive Christ. 2 Cor. 5. Why therefore do not men come in and come up closer to Christ Jesus, through whom God will be such a rich supply? And therefore if ye be poor like Laodicea, it is because ye do not come on through profession of Christ close to Christ himself. If ye be rich, yet ye are not rich indeed, if ye close not with Christ. If ye be honourable; yet ye are not right honourable, unless ye put on Christ. Come therefore, come, come to God in Christ. Hear those glorious invitations, Isa. 55.1. to the end of the Chapter. And Revel. 22.17. turn to them, read them, weigh them; they woo thee imphatically and pathetically; and answer all scruples. Come therefore to Christ. The promise is to you, for it is to all the Lord shall call; that is to all that obey his Call, Act. 2.39. He died for the ungodly, Rom. 5. And he came with an intent not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved, Joh. 3.  
Oh therefore close with Christ, throw yourselves into his arms. Let thine heart say, he is mine by faith, mine in hope; I love him, I give up myself to him, I will lie in his arms, lean on his bosom, live in and upon his heart of love, there I will expect all incomes from God. Close with God in Christ, for here in the Text and Doctrine he doth as it were call to you in the marker place of wisdom, come see what ye lack, see what ye want, do ye want riches, honour, comfort, any thing, all things, See what ye want, come buy, and buy without money or moneys worth. Isa. 55.1. Revel. 22.27. And in the Text. He will supply all your wants. Do ye want a comfortable habitation? Ps. 90.1. Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Do ye want riches? Solomon tells you The blessing of the Lord maketh rich. And Paul tells you that Godliness is great gain. And so we might run over all things, His power shall be your chambers to hid in, Isa. 26.20. His love and union shall be your chamber (your Bride chamber) to rejoice in. Cant. 1.4. Do ye want peace. The Apostle calls God, the God of peace. And he promiseth, Isa. 26.3. He will keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on him. Do ye want friends? By Faith Abraham was called the friend of God; that is, passively God was a friend to him; for God justified him by faith, Jam. 2.25. And by obedience (flowing from faith) we manifest we are Christ's friends, Joh. 15.24. Do ye want wisdom? And what to do? To bear afflictions (that perhaps arise from wants)? If any man lack wisdom, (and for such a purpose) let him ask it of God who gives it liberally. Jam. 1.  
If any man out of a willingness to follow Christ looseth all, he shall find all, with addition above that he lost. Matth. 19.28, 29.  
Object. For spirituals, God doth easily supply them, by immediate infusion. But how can he supply temporal, when they are not in being?  
Answ. This is our fault. God provided Manna; But say they, can he provide flesh in the Wilderness? Sure saith that great man, 2 Kin. 7.2. he cannot send plenty into besieged Samaria, by to morrow, if the windows of heaven should rain down bread. This or the like, is the language of our unbelieving hearts, and the censures we pass upon divine providence, as if we would provoke God to do nothing for us. Why, God hath, and can do strange things, so that they seem to be done by creation. How wonderfully did he lead his people from Egypt into Canaan. And he will create Jerusalem (a sad City) into joy. He will create peace.  
Come therefore ye disputers, attend upon the words of his mouth, rely on him by faith, he will be true, he must be true to you, according to this Text, To supply all your wants according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Can ye find a want, a need of spirituals? Do ye feel your need? Seek first the Kingdom of God, and the righteousness of him, and all other things shall be added unto you. Go close with Christ, and then go to God and ask and have any thing that you truly need that may do you good. By this you shall know whether your outward wants be a true and right need, by what and how ye dare ask them of God in prayer. That is not a true need which you dare not ask boldly of God in prayer. And so much is not needful which you dare not confidently beg of God in prayer. And that way or manner, or means of attaining any thing is not needful, for which you dare not with a free heart petition to God for his blessing on the same. When God hath a mind to bend his ear, he will prepare the heart to pray. Psal. 10.17. Therefore go to God by faith, make your addresses to him by prayer in faith for a supply of whatsoever ye need. Say here it is, here it is to be had, I will go no further than this door, here I will stay, and beg till I receive.  
The Devil, and sin will tell us they will supply our need, so they told the Angels (that fell) and Adam, Belzebub seduced the rest, and one of them seduced Adam. The politic world will bear us in hand, that they will supply all our need. Do but come (say they) over to us, go our way, come plot in our Plot, cooperate, and comply in our design and ye are made, we will make you men for ever. And the creatures with their beautiful looks will smilingly seem to promise much: And our own corrupt hearts, and carnal reasons will tell us many fair tales. But whom and with what will these supply? only our senses with sensible things, and leave our inward man to faint and fail; or they will supply our lusts, with impure objects, which are worse than nothing, to poison and pain us to all degrees of misery. They will supply (they say) but according to what? even quite contrary to the text. viz. they will supply according to the abundance and baseness of evil, that is in sin, and the Devil. But the voice of the text is life, the voice of God indeed. He will supply all your need according to the riches of his glory by Christ Jesus.  
Second Use is, for improvement of God in Christ Jesus unto all consolation, to them that can closely close with, and own God in Christ: to say, My God by the blood of Christ, My God by the spirit of faith. These men shall be able to say, My God shall supply all my wants; yea mine and others that are beleivers, as Paul speaks in the text, for himself and other Saints. God shall supply all, Widows, Orphans, Prisoners; and with all; of which we have absolute need, without all fail; of what is also convenient for us, when it is convenient.  
First, We have absolute need of grace, without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11. And God tells us we have need of patience, Heb. 10.36. Therefore that God must needs supply: according to his promise; he will pour out his Spirit, Act. 2. And according to his insurance, having filled Christ, that of his fullness we might receive. joh. 1.  
Secondly, There is an absolute necessity of what is altogether necessary to gracious actings in all conditions. Heb. 4.16. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in the time of NEED. And my grace shall be sufficient for thee, even in thy wraftling with Satan, 2 Cor. 12. Compare diligently, 1 Cor. 10.13. Therefore this also God must needs supply.  
Thirdly, That is of absolute necessity that concurs to our natural being and life, whiles God will have us to be on earth for his service. In this respect Christ saith of outward things, Your heavenly Father knows you have NEED of these things. Therefore so much of food, of clothes, of liberty, of peace, etc. as whereby we may be able to be, and act according to God's mind, God must needs supply.  
Fourthly, There is an absolute need that God should be glorified by us. He must attain his end. All things was made for his glory, Revel. 4. Therefore whatsoever is needful for us to further Gods glory, that God must needs supply.  
All these are but absolute necessary supplies. But God supplies sometimes, ex superabundanti, good measure pressed down, and running over: not only for necessity, but for delight. And he will so supply us at present need in some things, that we shall be able out of experience to speak with confidence, of future's, My God shall supply all needs. As Paul speaks, 1 Cor. 1.10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust he will yet deliver. And Rom. 5. Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, experience hope. Past mercies are the first fruits of future. As the Apostle argues, Rom. 11. That God hath more mercy for the Jews whom he calls the lump, because the first-fruits of the fathers afore the flood, and the Patriarches after the flood were holy by mercy received from God.  
And as God supplies all, with all (as we have said) so also suitably to the Saint's condition in this world will he supply. For Hell, and the world endeavour to put the Saints into need, and all manner of wants. But, saith the text, God will supply all your need. Hell and the world labour to make them poor, and scanty, and miserable; but saith the text, God will supply all your need according to his riches. Hell and the world, do nothing but render them contemptible, and ignominious. (But saith the text) God will supply according to his riches in glory. Hell and the world labour if it were possible to divide them from Christ. But (saith the text) God will supply them by Christ Jesus.  
Object. But how will God supply us?  
Answ. Either ordinarily, or extraordinarily, God is pleased (when he sees good) to use means, but he is not tied to means, method, or manner of acting. When Moses was much with God on the mount he could fast forty days, when Peter had a vision (Act. 10.) he forgot his hunger. When Paul was in a rapture, he knew not whether he was in the body or no, and therefore minded not bodily wants. When we consider our clothing with Christ's righteousness, and eternal glory, we shall more mind our clothing upon with them, then moth-eatable garments. 2 Cor. 5. Whiles Adam enjoyed God, he minded not his nakedness. There are no perplexities can enwrap and hamper and seize upon Paul's spirit, whiles he considers Christ's fullness; through whom he can do all things. Phil. 4. A word from Christ's mouth stills him in a great fight of temptations. 2 Cor. 12. Distractions there may be in States, and upon Churches, and every one inquires what will things come to? But the consideration of these, Christ must reign, Psal. 2. Heb. 2. The four mettalled Image of all humane power opposing him, must be broken before him, Dan. 2. And Antichrist must down, as sure as if down already, Revel. 18. Christ's Church must be set up in glory, Revel. 21. The Saints must rule, chap. 20: these I say will quiet our minds.  
Object. But my heart hath many doubtings in it.  
Answ. Dost thou call him my God? and hast had some former experiences what he hath done for thee? then mayest thou boldly, as Paul, say in the text; My God shall supply all my wants: Yea the same God that makes any promise will give to thee lying under the serious consideration of that promise, assurance through that promise, that he will perform it; and make thee wait till thine eyes see it done. In waiting with hope upon God, a soul oft times hath much communion with God. And in this communion, God doth make admirable impressions on Saints spirits, touching assurance, Psal. 130.5, 6, 7. So that if all the world should persuade them it were in vain to wait, they could not be taken off. Yea some Saints waiting upon God unto, and in great sufferings, have little less than an impression of Prophecy made upon their spirits. Hus a Bohemian, signifying a Goose in his language, said, that if they costed him in the fire, within an hundred years should rise a Swan that should carry the cause on for which he suffered. And accordingly, Luther, (signifying a Swan) risen up, and did so most successfully. The Martyr that last was burnt in Smithfield, told the people they should be of a good comfort, for he was persuaded he was the last that should suffer under Queen Mary; And so he was. The world doth not consider this of secret impressions. And therefore they plot sometimes great plots, thinking to have the people to side with them: But God makes contrary impressions, and so all falls to nothing.  
Quest. When will God supply?  
Answ. When his time is come; As he will not stay a minuit longer then the fittest time; so nor will he act a minuit afore the time. But just at his time to a minuit he will do it; joh. 2. There wanted wine; His mother tells him of it. He answers, his hour was not yet come. And there were but a very few sands to run. Those being out, he turns water into wine; which was presently after his mother spoke to him. See Christ will be punctual at the instant of the fittest season to do us good.  
Object. There are many great men and means to hinder those supplies we want.  
Answ. What are mountains before Zerubbabel (saith Zechary) what can let God to make his way plain, yea who can resist God when he will make impressions on great men's hearts, that they shall not hurt, nor hinder? Both Laban and Esau came out in fury against Jacob, but God made impressions on their hearts that they should not hurt him, and they became as tame and gentle as lambs. Plots have been against us, as we said afore, by great ones, but God made impressions on the Commonalty, that they could not act, nor execute any thing.  
Object. But I am full of unworthiness.  
Answ. So thou art in thyself, but seeing it, and acknowledging it, is the way to remove that, that it be not an impediment. Especially if thou lookest from thyself to God's free mercy through Christ, Psal. 130.4. And the text gives thee a full answer. God will supply all thy need according to his riches in glory BY CHRIST JESUS.  
Though thou art unworthy, believe in, and hope on Christ, who is worthy. He accepts of us in him the BELOVED, Eph. 1. O therefore that men would not take up Religion in the outside, or in the Gallantry of wit, parts, repute, and favour of great men, but in the kernel, faith, hope, communion with God. By these to lie in God's bosom will quiet, when all helps are suspended.  
Object. I am in such a state, and condition, as of afflictions, imprisonments, etc. as are quite contrary, to any probability of supplies of my wants.  
Answ. God to show his wisdom, and power, and to exercise our faith, doth oft times take contrary courses to supply us. As in the Creation, being about to make a beautiful lightsome world, he first created a Chaos lying in darkness; so in his providence, he works oft by contraries. Israel must go out of Canaan into Egypt to be preserved for Canaan. And when at first he sent Moses and Aaron to treat with Pharaoh to let them go, things went worse with them. God doth of purpose sometimes cast us into afflictions, and seem to hid himself, that we might pray, and believe, and hope, till he return and help, Hos. 5. la. And for the particular of being in prison: As touching thy inward condition, The Heathen could say, Solus sapiens est liber. That is, A wise man is the only freeman; freer in prison, than a fool at large, most gloriously true spiritually. If Christ hath made us free, we are free indeed. It's a brave freedom to go to prison to be free in conscience. As touching thy outward condition of imprisonment, joseph must through a prison be advanced. The Lord will carry down Jeremiah to the Potter's house, and there teach him the lesson he is to learn of free grace, that God will have mercy, because he will. Once a prisoner in this place spoke a glorious sentence, when condemned to have his head taken off. He spoke it on the scaffold. If there had been (saith he) an easier way for me to heaven then this, I should have found it: But God would lead me this way rather than no way, thither.  
Object. You have given many fair words, but they seem to be but notions.  
Answ. Thus our migraine giddy heads think substances to be but shadows. I say to you, as Paul once to the Corinthians, God or his Gospel-ministers are not straightened, but ye are straightened in your own bowels. Else we might come to that as other Saints attain to: as a woman of late of mean estate said, I want nothing, I have all things in Christ. Are these only notions, which hold forth to us, that which is the result of all. viz. contentment, For God in Christ is the only contentment, which evidently appears by comparing a poor believer and a rich unbeliever together: The one hath much contentment, the other hath none. Is this a mere notion? If he spared not his own Son, how shall he not WITH him freely give us all things, Rom. 8. And Psal. 37. I have been young and now am old, yet I never saw the righteous forsaken, etc. Is God's taking care of crows, sparrows and ravens, notions? From thence our Saviour argues, how much more will God take care of men that trust in him? Are those notions, that prove most real in event? A woman in these hard times having lost her estate and yearning over her children, wanting clothes, fell down before the Lord in prayer, mourning thus, Lord such a child wants a coat, and such a child wants such a garment, what shall I do, my eyes and hopes are upon, and to thee to help. And suddenly the Lord strangely provided for them. Two other being in distress, the one in torment of pain, the other greatly afflicted with compassion. Come said the husband to the wife, if it be the will of God, that thus this extremity must lie upon us, we will even hire more help to attend, and settle to the affliction. And behold presently the Lord took away the affliction. I have known a stock of prayer driven for divers years for a mercy; and oft the deliverance came to the birth, and was not brought forth. At last it was given in as in a dream. The thing done, when scarce any means used.  
Therefore I conclude, Believe, pray, hope, and wait on God, and he shall (according to the infallible truth of this text) supply all your need according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus. Amen.  
FINIS.