Of Provision, or that part of Justice which is due from Superiors to Inferiors.

As God hath imprinted his authority in several parts upon several estates of men, as princes, parents, spiritual guides; so he hath also delegated and committed parts of his care and providence unto them, that they may be instrumental in the conveying such blessings which God knows we need, and which he intends should be the effects of government. For since God governs all the world as a king, provides for us a father, and is the great guide and conductor of our spirits as the head of the church, and the great shepherd and the bishop of our souls, they who have portions of these dignities have also their share of the administration: the sum of all which is usually signified in these two words, governing and feeding, and is particularly recited in these following rules: