Here note two things.

(1.) That this was most eminently made good in the Old Testament: Where under that dark Difpenfation of Spiritual Truths, and Bleffings, the promises ran most upon externals. The only wife God, faw it beft of all fo to encourage his then Infant Church as I may call it) to their duty. We read in Deut. 28. that after God had engaged himself upon serious minding their Soul profperity, in this, and that, and other particulars. In verf. 8. he engageth for all whatever in that kind, could be defired; affuring them, that he would command a bleffing upon them, in all their, Store-houses, and in all that they should put their hand unto; and accordingly, this was made good. Whilft Solomon kept the charge of the Lord, all things went well with him. 2 Chron. 7. 11. It is faid, whatever he took in hand, he profperously effected. Thus God always dealt with that Nation, while Religion flourifhed; and Soul-work profpered, then all things. profpered. Hag. 2. 19. God calls upon them there, to obferve,that their outward prosperity fhould bear date, from that day forward, that they began to mind the good of their Souls. In the Second of Jeremy, God challengeth them to produce one instance, at any time, to the contrary; but it was more, then they could do. There in H 3

verf.

[102]

[ 102

verf. 31. of that Chapter, thus the Lord. fpeaks unto them: generation!—have Į been a barren wildernefs unto you? O gener ration! Of what? Nay, that is not expreffed, but a void fpace is left, that any thing might be written of them, that was naught. O generation of Vipers, of Monsters, that might have profpered, and would not. Well then, thus far it is clear, that Soul-profperity, had the promises of outward profperity, and under that Difpenfation, eminently made good,

4.

(2.) As it was eminently fo, then, it is really fo, now; even at this day. All they whofe Souls do profper, as they are Heirs of all those ancient promifes, fo they have promifes fuperadded of a later date, 1 Tim. 8.-Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promife of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Matth. 6. 32,33, Tour Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But feek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his Righteoufnefs, and all thefe things fhall be added unto you. And fometimes as, Prov. 28. 10,-the upright fhall have good things in poffeffion. A full fhare of outward bleflings is given unto them, fuitable to perfons of their condition, beyond what, once, they could have expect ed, or, it may be, did defire; fo that they haye juft caufe thankfully to acknowledge,

as

as David did, that their Cup runs over. (3.) When the only wife God, fees it good, either to preferve their Souls in, or to bring them into a more profperous frame, then they are; to exercise them with fome ftraights, and to keep them fhort, yet even then they may fay that which David faith, Pfal. 23.6. (even then when their Cup is low) That the loving kindness of God follows them, fo far, that what they have not, they want not, having learned to want; being fatisfied with that which they have of their own, within, Prov. 14. 14,-A good Man fhall be fatisfied from himfelf: Experiencing the workings of the heart of God toward them, in his Fatherly care for them, remembring them in their low eftate: and the workings of their own hearts toward God, in that, through grace, they are enabled to reckon upon it, That God's allowance is beft for them; and that by faith, they can live upon him for their livelihood, when they have little in fight, to live upon. So that they can fubfcribe to what the ApoΙ 1 Tim.

ftle faith. 6. as a true faying, and

worthy of all. acceptation) That godliness, with contentment, is great gain. They have the clear gain of a quiet, and well-compofed fpirit; fo that their Souls dwell at ease, as Pfal.25.13. And is not this real profperity? Verily it is fo. Are not these profpeH 4

rous

rous perfons? Surely they are fo.

Thus, we fee, the first branch of the first reafon is confirmed: That the prosperity of Mens outward condition, in the general, depends upon Soul-profperity.

2. The other branch will be as clearly made good, That the health, and well-fare of the Body, ftands upon the fame bottom. No Man therein, ever did or ever fhall tru ly, and really profper, but in conjunction with Soul-profperity. This may feem at the first mentioning, as great a Paradox, as the former. But it is a juft, and measured truth, and cannot but be acknowledged to be fo, if we confider the ftate of, the Body, either in reference to this World, or the World to come.

(1.) In reference to this World. Though it be true, that many whofe Souls are deathftruck, finfully fick unto death, the fecond death, eternal death; in respect of their bodily health, live to a great old age,in great health, fcarce knowing, for a long while together, what a days fickness means: As Job obferved in his time, Job 21.23, One dyeth in his full strength, being wholly at ease, and quiet; yet Bodily health as a bleffing is certainly annexed to Soul profperity, Prov. 3. 7,8, fear the Lord, and depart from evil. The Soul profpers that doth fo, and while it doth fo. And what then? It shall be health

to

to thy Navel, and marrow to thy Bones. Now, i according to the ftore of marrow, which moistens, and feeds the Bones; fo is the strength of the Body. And then, it fhall be health to thy Navel. This is expreffed, becaufe (as Phyficians fay) Bodily health, in a natural way, depends chiefly on the vital parts, and entrails; which are comprehended under the Navel, because there, they are knitt up, and fastened. The meaning then is this: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil, and thy Body fhall be ftrong, and healthy. This fhall be health to all thy flesh, as Prou. 4.22, For they are life unto thofe that find them, and health to all their flesh. Thus it is, and will be, till fickness and weakness be better for the well fare of the Soul; as it was to Gaius, in the Text, whofe Soul profpered the better, under his Bodily weakness. And when fickness and weakness grow upon us, the gracious workings of a healthy, and profperous Soul, are, in fome fenfe, the best Phyfick, and the moft cherishing Cordials, to a weak, and languishing Body. When the Soul can fay, as Pfal. 73. 26, My heart, and my flesh faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Ifa. 38. 2, 3, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, and faid: Remember now, O Lord, I befeech thee, how I have walked in truth before thee, and with a perfect heart,

and