back pleads his insufficiency yea when that is answered by God he hath nothing else to say and that indeed was too unmannerly to be said Send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send Exod. 4. 10 11 12 13. 5. In not heeding and improving some foregoing Providence in order to a grapple with some future difficulty It is said of the Disciples They cried out and were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondred Mar. 6. 49 51. What was the ground of their disquiet Fear Was there no Antidote to have checkt their trouble Yea there was for Christ had done that before at land which might have quieted them at sea the Miracle of the Loaves might have fed their faith which would not then have been so sea-sick this seems to be intimated in v. 52. For they considered not of the loaves for their heart was hardned We see then that there is fault in crossing with the Methods of Providence and it hath been shewed particularly how persons do thus cross What remains but to be on our watch and that the rather considering these two things 1. Satan hath his Methods which are wily ones for so the Apostle Paul asserteth Eph. 6. 11. Satan's design is to pervert and subvert He will be busie to make a man unprofitable under the Methods of the Lord He labours to make men slight warnings storm under afflictions stifle convictions to be backward to any good work God calleth them unto and to be forgetful of special Providences which may have their future reference for support under Difficulties 2. It 's man's wisdom to comply with the Methods of the Lord. Ephraim is called an unwise son and why for he should not stay long in the place of breaking forth of children Hos 13. 13. To be stupid and blockish under the Lord's Dispensations not to eye God in them and to have a recourse to Him and to improve them for good is to be the unwise son with Ephraim OBSERVATION XIV Jesus Christ as Mediator is the Father's Vicegerent Plenipotentiary or Supream Moderator of things in the World CHAP. I. VVHAT foundation this hath in the Word may appear divers ways 1. There are types of this before Christ assumed the human nature This is he that was in the Church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai and with out fathers who received the lively oracles to give unto us to whom our fathers would not obey but thrust him from them so Stephen Acts 7. 38 39. To this add that in Dan. 10. 16. Zech. 1. 12. And as there are sacred Draughts or Pictures of this so Predictions of it Deut. 17. 15. with Acts 7. 37. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear Psal 110. 1. with Mat. 22. 44. The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool Daniel had a predictory Vision I saw saith he in the night visions and behold one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of days and they brought him near before him and there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7. 13 14. 2. There seems to be a notable praeludium or preface to this in Christ's sitting in the midst of the Doctors both hearing them and asking them questions and in his reply to Mary Wist ye not that I must be about my father's business Luke 2. 46 49. And before this in the Wise-men's coming from the East enquiring after him who was born King of the Jews and doing their homage to him as Mat. 2. 1 2 11. 3. The solemn voice from Heaven when Christ inaugurated or entred on his publick Ministerial work doth witness to this Mat. 3. 17. And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And so in Luke 9 35. There came a voice out of the cloud saying This is my beloved Son hear him 4. There are plain and positive Assertions on this wise Mat. 28. 18. All power is given unto me both in heaven and in earth Ephes 1. 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church Mat. 13. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels John 5. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of man Compare this with v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son This is saith Musculus as if so be we should speak of the Sun the Sun burns not any one but hath given all burning to his beams This kind of speech doth not exclude the Sun from a virtue or efficacy to burn or illuminate but ascribes the work of burning and enlightning to his beams in and by which the Sun doth burn and enlighten for what heat and splendor the beams have they have it from the Sun After this sort the Father is said to judg no out but to have committed all judgment to the Son when he judgeth all things in the Son CHAP. II. 1. SEE what ground there is for honouring Christ This inference Christ himself deducteth That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him John 5. 23. with 22. Honour Christ then in his Natures in his Offices as King Priest and Prophet in his Ordinances in his Gospel-day for worship in his Ministers and People Honour Him both in judgment and practice with due respect had to Him according to the fore-mentioned ways 2. What a bold Adventure is it for the sons of men to affront Christ or rage against Him This is an Evil cautioned against and the attempts of men as they will be fruitless so no less dangerous to themselves if they desist not What do sinners but take a great deal of pains to get a Stone of vast bigness up the hill and when it is nigh up back it returns and crusheth themselves The Psalmist is pertinent to this purpose Psal 2. there is a Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing v. 1. The interrogation hath its dehortative considerations No reason so to do And as it is horrid sin so no less folly in regard of the issue The Lord laughs at such foolish Children's play v. 4. Christ is on the holy hill of Zion v. 6. there is no beating him off that hill Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel v. 9. 3. Here is ground for support and consolation in the Wilderness of this World Christ
not meet with mire and dirt here What is so if any I must own what is not so Providence will own I must confess the Subject may call for a Quill pluck't from the wing of a Seraphim and though that be so yet that is no apology to have Padlocks on our Tongues or Pens for the Tongue ought to be the Pen of a ready writer and the Pen the Tongue of a ready speaker to publish the wonderful works of him who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honour and power everlasting Amen 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. PREFACE THE word Providence hath its various imports or significations sometimes it is taken in a bad sense and so notes an unhappy fore-cast or contrivance in order to men's gratifying some lust or other so Rom. 13. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Sinners are provident for their darling-corruptions They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledg Jer. 4. 22. 2. Other-while the word is taken in a good sense and so it is applied or accommodated 1. To men 2. To God 1. As it is applied to men it notes or points at a Moral Virtue a Political Endowment and a Spiritual Grace A prudent man in ordering his affairs is all one with the provident man Paulus Sergius is stil'd a prudent man Acts 13. 7. Tertullus in his Oration doth politically use if not through flattery abuse the term Providence Very worthy deeds are done unto this Nation by thy Providence saith he to Felix Acts 24. 2. The Apostle Paul doth call for the exercise of Pre-consideration Prudence or Providence as a Theological Virtue or Grace to be made conscience of by Christians Rom. 12. 17. Provide things honest in the sight of all men And in 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse than an Infidel And thus as the word is applied to men 2. The term is transferr'd to God and so it is 1. Decretal Original Ordinative and is nothing else but the eternal Platform of things the original Draught or Copy of them Isa 40. 12 13 14. Acts 2. 23. Acts 4. 28. 2. Actual or Executive which is the Counterpane or Copy of that Copy and notes more than a meer inspection or looking thorow the wood or bushes of Second Causes and Contingent Events Abraham's belief doth note more than a meer insight when he saith to Isaac God will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering Gen 22. 8. According therefore to this later acceptation of the word I may thus describe it as the description is founded on the Sacred Scriptures viz. Providence is a work of God whereby he sustains governs orders all the Creatures according to the good pleasure of his will to his own glory It is a work As there are the works of Creation so there are the works of Providence It is said Deut. 32. 4. His work is perfect And Psal 44. 1. We have heard with our ears our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their days in the times of old So Psal 77. 12. I will meditate also of all thy work and talk of thy doings And Isa 28. 21. That he may do his work his strange work and bring to pass his act his strange act My Father worketh saith Christ John 5. 17. Of God So it is said Psal 111. 3. His work is honourable and glorious No Person of the blessed Trinity is excluded My Father worketh hitherto and I work asserteth our Saviour in the place fore-mentioned John 5. 17. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters Gen. 1. 2. And â—… thus in the Creation there was an agency of the Spirit so in the works of Providence Isa 48. 16. and his Spirit hath sent me And Mat. 4. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit Whereby he sustains So Psal 50. 12. Uphold me with thy free Spirit And Psal 66. 9. Which holdeth our soul in life And Heb. 1. 3. Upholding all things by the Word of his Power Governs and orders So Job 25. 2. Dominion and fear are with him Psal 22. 28. For the kingdom is the Lord's and he is the Governour among the nations Isa 9. 7. Of the encrease of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to stablish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this Jude v. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power from henceforth for ever All the Creatures Unto me every knee shall bow Isa 45. 23. All the Creatures are his hosts who is the Lord of Saboath Jam. 5. 4. For of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 36. According to the good pleasure of his will He hath done whatsoever he pleased Psa 115. 3 I even I am the Lord Isa 43. 11. My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure Isa 46. 10. Who worketh all things after the counsel of his will Ephes 1. 11. To his own glory God's glory is nothing else but the irradiation or sparkling forth of his divine excellency He consults the glory of his Attributes in his work of Providence His work is honourable and glorious Psal 111. 3. As then God acteth from himself and from no other so for himself his own glory ultimately For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Rom. 11. 36. Having thus pointed at the Scriptures on which with the like others as a firm basis or bottom the Description standeth I shall now with my Coal draw out the lineaments of the ensuing Discourse which may be branch'd forth into Five Parts The First contains the Scripture-Arguments for the proof of what is here supposed namely That there is a Providence The Second takes in the various Considerations or Distinctions of Providence The Third treateth of the Object or Extent of Providence in regard of the several things it is conversant about The Fourth presents with Miscellaneous Aphorisms or Observations on the Providence of God The Last comprehends Directions for the better improvement of God's Providential Dispensations These are the Five general Parts and of these in their order according to that Providential phrase Heb. 6. 3. And this will we do if God permit A PROSPECT OF Divine Providence PART I. THAT there is a Providence 1. appears from those Sacred Hieroglyphicks Pictures or Representations thereof in Sacred Scripture He that shall climb Jacob's Ladder in his Meditations may behold the God of
of matters so in Jonah 4 8 9 10 11. 4. Forgetfulness who the Lord is and who man is that grumbles at his Maker Lam. 3 39. Rom. 9. 20. And as for the fruits they are none of the best but bad enough Men are ready to flag in duty yea to throâ— Ergo ne nobis forâ—e contingat impingere adversus Deum quasi cum ipso confligere discamus cohiberâ— nostram temeritatem id tempestivè antequam forociat siâ—… ergo atque nobis obrepunt cogitationes quae Deo aspergant aliquam notam ignominiae eas citissime compescamus quia si admittimus paulatim nos irretient donec nos pertrahant ad extremam hanc vesaniam ut nulla religio vel pudor nos teneat quin palam blateremus adversus Deum Calv. praelect in Ezek. c. 18. it off Psal 73. 13. Mal. 3. 14. yea in the way to blaspheme God see Job 2. 9. Mal. 3. 13. Rev. 16. â— OBSERVATION VII God's Soveraignty displayed in his Dispensations should be a golden Bitt to check man's corruption and a sacred Goad to quicken to the exercise of Grace CHAP. I. THE Soveraignty of God whereby as Absolute Lord he doth whatsoever he pleaseth Psal 115. 3. hath its latitude or extent it is like the Sun which is not confined to one part of the Zodiack but his going forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of the earth I shall therefore consider it largely as it is expresly or implicedly absolutely or respectively in some particulars displayed A view then we may take of it 1. In Spirituals 2. In Temporals In Spirituals and so 1. In Election of a person to life and glory by Jesus Christ Was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the Lord Mal. 1. 2. Yea it may be answered and his elder brother too and yet the children being not yet born neither having done good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of works but of him who calleth Jacob have I loved and Esan have I hated Neither is there unrighteousness with God in passing by the one and chusing the other for be saith unto Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion oâ— whom I will have compassion Rom. 9. 11 13 14 15. Thus the Apostle in that Divine Tract of Predestination asserteth Replies to Objections and wades farther on in the Controversie in the following Verses and speaks particularly of the Soveraignty of God in v. 20 21. On which Aquinas comments saying About the election of the good and the reprobation of the bad a two-fold question may be moved One in the general Why God will harden some and have compassion on others The other is special or particular Why he takes compassion on this and harden that man There may be a reason of the former assigned but not so of the later unless The meer will of God An illustration of which we have in human affairs for if any willing to build an house should have many stones alike and equal gathered together therâ— may some reason be assigned why he placetâ— some above some below from the End intended Because to the perfection of the Housâ— which he intendeth to build there is required a Foundation which hath stones below and likewise the top of the Wall which hath stones above the others but why he dotâ— place these stones above and these below hatâ— not any reason unless Because the Artificer â—… Mason will have it so Thus Aquin. 2. In the conveyance of the means of grace to some and not so to others He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgments they have not known them praise ye the Lord Psal 147. 19 20. And this is not only Old-Testament Doctrine but also New the Lord directs Paul and Timothy where and where not they are to preach the Gospel Now when they had gone thoroughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia after they were come to Mysia they assayed to go into Bythinia but the Spirit suffered them not and they passing by Mysia came down to Troas and a vision appeared to Paul in the night there stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying Come over into Macedonia and help us and after we had seen the vision immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them Acts 16. 6 c. 3. In conferring gifts and endowments on some and not on others All are not alike subjects of such and such qualifications Balaam prophesieth Numb 23. Ahitophel is a reputed Oracle for wisdom and counsel in Israel 2 Sam. 16. 23. Many will say to Christ in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name done many wonderful works Mat. 7. 22. The Apostle Paul supposeth That some like Lead may have a very specious stamp of some gifts and yet be Lead still 1 Cor. 13. 1 2. 4. In planting saving-grace in the hearts of some not so in the hearts of others It is given unto you saith Christ to the Disciples to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and to them it is not given Mat. 13. 11. Our Saviour speaks of two sorts of branches some fruit-bearing ones others not so John 15. 2. The Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews doth tacitly distinguish of professors when he saith But beloved we are perswaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation Heb. 6. 9. 5. In calling home by his grace some at one time of their life and in a different way in point of circumstances others not so Some their ship arriveth sooner at the Port of Grace and are brought in with gentle gales others after a long coursing up and down meet with rough winds and so are landed at last Josiah Jeremiah John the Baptist Timothy may serve as instances on the one part Manasseh Paul with others may be exemplifications on the other Some are sweetly won into the Vinyard others are driven and as it were hunted in and at different seasons for we read of the morning the third hour the sixth ninth and eleventh Mat. 20. 6. In giving larger measures of grace to some not so to others Some are smoaking flax and bruised reeds Mat. 12. 20. Others grow as the Lilly and cast forth their rootslike Lebanon their branches spread and their beauty is as the Olive-tree and their smell as Lebanon Hos 14. 6 7. John rangeth Christians into little children fathers and young-men 1 John 2. 12 13. Why they who are the children are not the young men the young men the fathers and why the fathers are not the young men and young men the children the one in one place the others in the other is supreamly
that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God 2. From God's doing nothing whilst men are in expectation of great matters to be done Learn 1. What reason there is for men to look to the ground of their Expectations To expect other-what other-when and otherwise than the Lord hath purposed or made some discovery of such a purpose is to build Castles in the air not in the Heavens and what hath not its foundation in Heaven as the Lord is the Founder of it will not have its superstruction on Earth For ever O Lord thy word is seated in heaven Psal 119. 89. Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not Lament 3. 37. 2. In the second place Learn from hence to view the folly of wicked men's purposes presumptions designs in their prosecution and persecution of the Saints of God O how often are they disappointed The greedy Dogs often catch not the morsel and when they do they vomit it up again They pay deer for their lust here or hereafter in Hell They have their gnashing of teeth in regard of disappointments before they gnash them in the other World Herod to please the Jews will murder Peter the Lamb is taken but not to be slain till after the Passover and not then for now I know saith Peter of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews Acts 12. 12. It is reported how Julian the Emperor Theod. lib. 3. c. 23. intending the Persians being conquered to fall in on Christians with his Army at his return and that one Libanius the Sophister spake to a Christian-School-master of Antioch saying What is the Son of the Carpenter now a doing To whom reply was made how the great Carpenter of the World was making a Coffin And not long after the slain body of Julian was brought to Antioch A good lesson for the Libaniusses and Julians of the World to ponder on OBSERVATION XI There is an admirable adaptation or connexion of things with things whereby this or that is Midwifed or Birthed into the world Or Providence hath its Chain the several Links whereof are set together by an Over-ruling Hand CHAP. I. THE truth of this may be evidenced divers ways 1. This is emblematically described in the Situ verò demonstratur harum conditio quod aliae in aliis dicuntur fuisse id est non solum cohaerentes sed etiam adunatae Providentia Dei adeo ut quemadmodum ex causa unâ inferiore procreantur effecta plurima sic contra ad effectum unum causae plurimae pertineant plurimum Junius word We have a most exquisite picture of this in Ezek. 1. the Wheels there are asserted to have a near neighbourhood v. 16. a wheel in the middle of a wheel to note their implication or connexion and the living creatures are coupled with the wheels in regard of influences for when the living creatures went the wheels went by them and when the living creatures were lift up from the earth the wheels were lifted up v. 19. 2. God doth expresly own such an adaptation Docemur etiam Creaturas omnes esse convenientissimo ordine collocatas ita ut una ab altero pendeat ex earum connexione constituatur sua vis illa concinna mundi harmonia frumentum ut nascatur opus habet terrâ terra pluriâ pluvia est à coelo omnia sunt à Deo qui solus independens rerum omnium concentum efficit moderatur Rivetus in locum or connexion of things with things So in Hos 2. 21 22. And it shall come to pass in that day I will hear saith the Lord I will hear the heavens and they shall bear the earth and the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oyl and they shall hear Jezreel 3. There are clear exemplifications of this adaptation or connexion 1. In Naturals so in the place mentioned Hos 2. 21 22. so Ps 104. 10 11 12 13 14. 2. In Civils Magistrates are to rule and people to be ruled Rom. 13. 1. And where it is not so there is an adaptation of things in way of punishment Judg. 17. 6. 3. In Sacreds There is a constituted order in the Church 1 Cor. 12. 18. Heb. 13. 17. And not only is there an adaptation this way but likewise in regard of the means of Grace and Grace by the means A connexion there is but yet arbitrary according to the good pleasure of God when and to whom Grace is conveyed by the Means The Apostle Paul asserts a connexion when he thus stateth the matter saying So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom. 10. 17. 4. This adaptation or connexion may be more particularly evidenced if we cast an eye 1. On Organs or Instruments 2. Occasions or Inducements 3. Means 4. Opportunities for the management of matters 1. There is an adaptation in regard of Instruments ministerial In the shop of Providence there are tools of all sorts and sizes If the Lord will punish the Nations he can find an Hammer to knock them down Thou art my battel-ax and weapons of warr for with thee will I break in pieces the nations c. Jer. 51. 20 c. If the day of visitation be come for an Ahab's Family and Baal's worshippers there is a Jehu a rough Captain-General who drives furiously 2 Kings 9. 20. If God will vouchsafe good days to a people he can raise up Political Shepherds such as David of whom it is said he fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands Psal 78. 72. And as there is an adaptation in regard of Political Instruments so likewise in regard of Ecclesiastical There is a zealous Elijah in times of apostacy and declining from God's Worship and a John the Baptist of whom the Angel saith He shall go before him i. e. Christ in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just to make ready a people prepared for the Lord Luke 1. 17. There is an admirable adaptation in the Church's having not only Elijahs John Baptists but likewise others whose endowments are useful to confute Adversaries as Apollos Acts 15. 28. and to comfort distressed and build up souls in practical way of converse with God See Job 33. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 4. 2. There is an adaptation or suiting of things in regard of occasions or kind of in lets into this or that Both the son's and father's discontents are inducements to Jacob to mind a removal from Laban Gen. 31. 1 2. A report sounds in Pharaoh's ears that Israel fled probably he conceived the Israelites to flye like Hares such who might easily be hunted back again to Egypt and
world and we cannot well over-look a display of Providence on this wise and that in regard of 1. Instruments 2. Occasions 3. Means 4. Opportunities in point of bringing about things First As for Instruments the Lord is not confined to these If Thieves do not break in on Nabal and so become Instruments of divine wrath the Lord smites him that he dies 1 Sam. 25. 38. And if unlikely Agents for this or that work be brought forth on the stage yet nothing hinders as God is pleased to concurr but the effect is proportionable to a likely and promising cause of such an effect This may be seen in Spirituals and Politicals God saith the Apostle hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise 1 Cor. 1. 27. A little Maid is an Hand-maid indeed whereby a Naaman may come to the knowledg of the true God 2 King 5. 2 3. It is written of Mr. Peacock how that under his agonies of conscience when some Ministers asked him Whether they should pray for him He replied By no means do not so dishonour God as to pray for such a reprobate as I am But his young Pupil standing by said with tears in his eyes Certainly a reprobate could never be so tender of God's dishonour Which he well weighing was thereby comforted and restored when neither he with his Learning nor any other sons of the Prophets could prove sons of consolation to him Again in Politicals The Sacred History informs of the noble acts of Solomon though young and tender 1 Chron. 29. 1. with 1 Kings 3. 28. And of Josiah who was but eight years old when he began to reign 1 King 22. 1. Each of their green years were well made up by the Ancient of days as the Lord is termed Dan. 7. 9. The Fathers of Trent gave History of the Council of Trent lib. 2. p. 260. thanks to God when Henry the eighth was dead saying That it was a miracle that he had left a Son behind him of but Nine years old that he might not be able to tread in the Father's steps Thus these good Fathers for their gravity if not some of them for their levity according to the probable issue of their Doctrine in forbidding Marriage did soon shoot their bolt they might have held their pop a while and so have learnt this lesson truâ—r than their Canons That Edward the Child is more than a Child when Providence by him shall confront the Man of Sin Secondly Occasions for matters have not sometimes that influence by way of birthing-fâ—…th what in likelihood might be The Ephramites quarrel with Gideon for not calling them forth when he fought with the Midianites their sharp chiding recorded Judg. 8. 1 2. did not end in a bloody battel as it did at another time when the like contending had its closure in the death of Forty and two thousand of the swaggering Ephramites See Judg. 12. 1 6. Thirdly The Means for help are sometimes invisible unlikely and casual Ye shall not saith Elisha to the distressed Kings for lack of water see wind neither shall ye see rain yet that valley shall be filled with water that ye may drink both ye and your cattel and your beasts 2 Kings 3. 17. Or if the Means do appear yet they promise nothing to sense and reason Are not Abana and Pharphar rivers of Damâ—scus better than all the waters of Israel saith Nâ—…man may I not wash in them and be clean 2 King 5. 12. yet Jordans waters cleanse the Leper God works by what means he pleaseth Parties see a Jordan before them and sometimes see neither wind nor rain and yet have water a help a supply As that Woman reported of in the late Irish Rebellion who being driven into the Mountains her Milk was gone and her Child like to perish and then is found a Suck-bottle full of Milk by the good Providence of God Which teacheth us by such Experiments not to consine God to wind or rain or to warm breast-milk God can provide for his Children without these And little helps through gracious Providence become great ones Fourthly Opportunities for action take not accordingly as God in his Providence doth inhibit David in the night enters Saul's Camp finds Saul asleep he slays him not but brings away the Spear and the Cruse of water as testimonies of his loyalty 1 Sam. 27. 1. Ishbosheth's sleep cost him his head as was before exemplified There are like opportunities for action and yet not like consequent actions That of Christ is pertinent Mat. 26. 55. In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me I sate daily with you teaching in the Temple and ye laid no hold on me CHAP. II. 1. BEWARE of slighting ordinary dispensations of Providence There is a foolish gaping after extraordinary ones God â—…a enim â—…mpositi 〈◊〉 ut 〈◊〉 quoâ—… 〈…〉 quaeâ—… reâ—… si 〈◊〉 litae â—…dieâ—iâ—t speâ—taculum dulcâ— fiat Hic itaq coetus astrorum quibus immensi corporis pulchrituâ—… distinguitur populum non convocat at cum aliquid ex moâ—… mutatum est omnium vultus in coelo est Sol spectatorem niâ— cum desicit non habet nemo observat Lunam nisi laborantem Soneca in lib. 7. quaest natur may justly suffer such to starve who list not to feed on the ordinary bread of Providence but are for the fine Manchet of Miraculous Displays The chief Priests Scribes and Elders said He saved others himself he cannot save if he be the King of Israel let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him Mat. 27. 42. Here is a flying to an extraordinary Providence or else no Faith no Christ and no Heaven Beware then of this Jewish leaven highly value what food God serves in on the ordinary Board-cloath of Providence as well as what is laid forth on a rich Diaper-one 2. There is little ground for the enemies â—… the Church to be confident and wickedly secure in their ways and designs against the Church What though there be not four Carpenters for the four Horns which have scattered Judah Israel and Jerusalem to allude to that in Zech. 1. 18 20. yet God knows how to â—…ay and to cast them out by the Carpenter's Boy A Jael with an Hammer and a Nâ—il shall fasten Lord-general Sisera so to the ground as that at her feet he bowed he fell he lay dâ—wn at her feet he bowed he fell where he bowed there he fell down dead Judg. 5. 26 27. 3. Bear up against unbelief or distrust of God under great distresses Say not O my case and the Church's case is sad indeed behold the ground is not a leight mold but thick heavy stubborn clay and withal very dry how shall it be broken up Where are the Oxen strong for the labour Say not so in way of unbelief The great God can moisten the earth provide the
Children are often the sluces of sorrow Dinah was ravish't Gen. 34. â— Simeon and Levi make their Father Jacob to stink among the Inhabitants of the Land Gen. 34. 30. Reuben lay with his Father's Concubine Gen. 35. 22. Joseph is hated of his brethren and pack't away into Egypt to the grief of the old man who taking it for a concession that Joseph was dead refused to be comforted Gen. 37. 35. 4. Servants prove vile and abominable Good Mephibosheth's servant was a false accuser of his Master and hook't away half of his Lord's Estate 2 Sam. 16. 3 4. with 2 Sam. 19. 24 to 30. 5. Superiors as Parents and Masters with Mistresses are sometimes curst-creatures Jonathan is called by his Father Son of a perverse rebellious woman yea a Javelin is cast at him from the hand of a Father 1 Sam. 20. 30 31. Nabal a Master of servants and a slave to frowardness 1 Sam. 25. 17. Sarai though a good woman yet had a pang of frowardness Gen. 16. 5 6. 4. Choice Friends bring up the rear of sorrows Death cuts the knot of Friendship I am distressed for thee my brother Jonathan said David 2 Sam. 1. 26. If the Worm feed not on them in the grave yet some Ear-wig doth hurt A Whisperer separateth chief friends Prov. 16. 28. yea there is some unmortified lust by reason whereof the friend is metamorphosed into a bloody enemy so Psal 41. 9. Yea mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted which did eat of my bread hath lift up his heel against me Secondly As it concerns to observe when the Creatures become Corrosives so to improve this corroding-Dispensation Let it be a means to eat out the proud-flesh of some sin or other which is the procuring-cause of all The Creatures frown but doth not God frown on some sin in their frowning It would better become persons who cry out of Superiors to consider how the taking cold in the feet is often the cause of disorder in the head The sins of people Wives Children Servants are the cold Vapours which cause a Distemper The head-ake of some above others becomes an heart-ake to and from those below others Eye then sin so as more to be abased for it and creatures less in way of disquiet So doth the Prophet teach Lam. 3. 40. The overtaking of sin with Hue-and-Cry is the best Remedy under such Maladies OBSERVATION XVIII The great God is greatly to be seen in the meanest or least of His Creatures CHAP. I. 1. THE meanest or least of the Creatures set off more the beauty of the Universe A Giant is the more conspicuous when a Dwarf is brought forth on the stage with him Behemoth or the Elephant is said to be the chief of the ways of God Job 40. 19. the vast extensions of the Elephant are the more illustrious when compared with the small dimensions of a Worm or Flye 2. The very smalness or littleness of the Sicut enim artifices illi peritissimi ingeniosissimi habentur qui in arctissimo spatio plurimum artis ostendunt ut qui sub muscae umbra currum equos repraesentavit sic Deus si non tantam in minutis animaleulis potentiam quantam in majoribus ostendir at sapientiae certe majus specimen edidit Cartwright in Prov. p. 1466. Creatures doth set forth the Wisdom of God The curious workmanship about a Watch or some lesser piece of Artifice doth commend the skill of the Artificer Creeping things and Birds flying as well as Beasts and Cattel do bear a part in the Quire to sound forth the praises of their Maker and Preserver Psal 148. 10. with v. 7. 3. The Creatures by reason of their meanness did not hold back the sentence of approbation at their creation or when they were first ushered into the world The History of the Creation comprehends little fishes birds and creeping things God saw what was then created that it was good Gen. 1. 20 21 25. 4. The meanest Creatures have their ordinary use for which they serve They are not dumb Cyphers in the World's Arithmetick The Herb is said to be for the service of man Psal 104. 14. Even Serpents and Vermin are serviceable in attracting to themselves that Venom which otherwise might be of dangerous consequence to man Worms and Flyes are baits for Fishes and food for Birds 5. What is wanting in the meanest of Creatures one way is salved up another There be four things which are but little upon the earth but they are exceeding wise The Ants are a people not strong yet they prepare their meat in the summer the Conies are but feeble folks yet make they their houses in the rocks the Locusts have no king yet go they forth all of them by bands the Spider taketh hold with her hands and is in the kings palaces Prov. 30. 24 c. 6. There is a display of the glorious Attributes of God in and about the meanest of Creatures and that in a more than ordinary way as He is pleased to make use of them We may behold as in a glass 1. The Goodness or Mercy of God 2. Wisdom 3. Power 4. Justice or Severity 1. The Goodness or Mercy of God is seen as when he useth them for the help of man The Ravens in a time of famine bring Elijah bread and flesh 1 Kings 17. 6. The stories are known how Moulin at the time of the Parisian-Massacre was cherished for a fortnight by a Hen which came constantly and laid her Eggs there where he lay hid And at Cales how an English-man who crept into an hole under a pair of Stairs was there preserved by means of a Spider which had woven its Web over the hole and so the Soldiers slighted the search there There are other stories which I have mâ—t withall as that of Aristomenes who being thrown into a ditch for dead with others found out his way for egress by means of a Fox which came thither and pointed a passage The Lord Mountjoy coming from Ireland had likely perisht with his company in the ship had not Providence befriended them to a wonder and that by means of certain Sea-birds The story thus Fynes Morryson Itinerary Part 2. p. 296. The sky being overcast with a thick fog and we bearing all sails we fell suddenly upon the Skirvies an hideous great black Rock where after so many dangers escaped in the Warrs it pleased God miraculously to deliver us from becast away as it were in the very Haven for certain Birds called Gulls seeing our ship ready to rush upon them and their desart-habitation with full sails rose crying and fluttering round about us whereat the Governour of the Pinace being amazed looked out and beholding that terrible spectacle cried to the Steer-man Aloof for life which fearful voice might have daunted him as it did most in the ship but he stoutly did his work answering Helm a board which done the ship by force of the stern and
be said to be ordinary when difficult and pinching-cases do occurr Others beside the Widow of Sarepta can tell stories by way of some kind of equivalent proportion as touching the Meal in the Barrel and the Oyl in the Cruse not wasting and failing 1 King 17. 14. they have been holpen along in their particular Wilderness their little hath gone a great way with them the little Buttery hath been instead of a large Larder and Cellar 3. If due consideration were had to the World one may say That it is a large Wilderness or Desart where the footsteps of the old Wilderness-Dispensation in Moses dayes and the feeding of the multitude in the Desart by Christ may be traced I verily believe saith Luther Non desunt viri docti prudentes qui putant plures homines in orbe terrarum vivere quà m quotannis manipuli frugum crescant numerentur in agris Neque hoc vero est absimile Maxime si inspiciantur urbes maritimae quae quidem sunt populosissimae interdum ne minimum quidem agri possident ex quo frumenta sumaut Unde verò hi homines omnes aluntur ut comedant supersit juxta verbum Domini 2 Reg. 4. 44 ex hac benedictione filii Dei quae facit ut non tantum sem in a in agris sed etiam frumentum in horreis in granariis quin farina in vasculo panis in furno in mensa in ore ventriculo manducantium mirabiliter invisibiliter crescat augeatur Lib. 4. Harm Evang. c. 76. that there do not grow so many sheaves of Corn as there are people in the world and yet we are all fed To this accords the judgment of Leiser who withall relates this story Frederick the third the Emperor at an Assembly of people at Colen when a vast multitude out of many Nations were there met and he doubting provision would come far short for the relief of such a multitude commanded both Men and Loaves to be numbred and when the number of the Men was found far to exceed he feared many would perish with famine but it was otherwise for no one perisht ' they had food to the full and great plenty did remain And thus in answer to the Objection and consequently for the evidencing the wonderful Providence of God in feeding the sons of men CHAP. II. 1. SEE the unbelief and atheism of those who can see no other way than a bloody one for a Nation 's subsistence In the History of the Civil-warrs of France it is recorded that when complaints were made of barbarous and cut-throat out-rages the Duke of Guise answered There is no remedy we have too much people in France I will deal so as victuals may be good-cheap This Man-of-blood little considered of God's Providence which is the Store-house of Provision Had he cast an eye back on Providence towards Canaan a lesser Countrey than France he might have replied O pray pray that the sword may be turned in the plough share and the spear into a pruning-hook Let Atheistical Politicians talk then of their bloody way let Christians remember the milky-one of obedience to God So Deut. 28. 1. And it shall come to pass if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe and to do all his commandments c. the Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure the heaven to give thee rain unto thy land in his season and to bless all the work of thine hand v. 12. 2. Observe the Providence of God in his wise-ordering the affairs of the great House of the World It is said that when the Queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom and the House that he had built and the meat of his Table and the sitting of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel and his Cup-bearers and his ascent by which he went up unto the House of the Lord there was no more spirit in her 1 King 10. 4 5. There is indeed greater ground for admiration and astonishment in beholding the order and provision of the great House of the World for Solomon's wisdom by which he managed the affairs of his house was but a derived drop of that Providence by which God governs the World 3. Secure a special interest in the great Steward of the World I mean the Providence of God It is said of pious Mr. Hieron that when his Wife was making her moan to him by reason of a large Family of Children whom now he was about to leave to the wide world the time of his dissolution drawing near that then no less graciously than wittily he replied saying God who provideth for the young Ravens will provide for the young Herons Thus said that Man of God and his Family had experience of God's gracious Providence towards them It well becometh Christians then to be acting faith on God's Providence for them and theirs This is a point that our Saviour insists on Mat. 6. 26 c. There are two general Arguments by which this duty is backt The one is from the lesser to the greater If God take care for the fowls of the air which sow not neither do reap nor gather into barns will he not feed the children The other is drawn from the greater to the less If God be a heavenly Father gives a Kingdom spares not his own Son will he not take care for lesser matters so far as they are needful here in this state of pilgrimage This later Argument we have implied there and more express in Luke 12. 32. to which add that of the Apostle in Rom. 8. 32. If it be objected here That many of God's children have their hardships yea some have been starved in prisons and therefore what doth it avail to secure an interest in God's Providence or to act faith thereon A. 1. A Truth is not to be thrown by as a Pebble because of some exception It is a good rule given for the understanding of Solomon's Proverbs how divers of them are to be understood as often or frequently thus The ordinary way of having Corn is by plowing and sowing shall men throw aside all because they have not a good-year of Corn at times David acknowledgeth God's Providence towards him from the womb and from the breast Psal 22. 9 10. yea he had experience of God's bounty in preparing a Table for him Psal 23. 5. yet a time of straits he had when he sent to Nabal for provision 1 Sam. 25. 2. Providence is a wise Steward It is the order of the great House that some be put out of Commons or kept short at least for a time My wants saith one kill my wantonness It 's a hard matter not to have the heart swell when the bags swell The fat pastures make way for exalted hearts and forgetting of God Hos 13. 6. And though this be not the case of others yet God hath wise ends in their debasements
There is a way of inhibition which I may term excentrical or extraordinary And that there is an inhibition is clear but how is as dark to be understood He who formeth the spirit of man within him Zech. 12. 1. can and doth byass it as he pleaseth The Lord hath secret and immediate accesses to the hearts of men 2. There is a way which is more ordinary as in some measure apprehended or understood by men And this way whereby God doth often inhibit sin is by some impressions or other which are made on the spirits of men And here it may be observed 1. An impression is made by the light of Nature being blown up into a flame at such an instant by some common work of God The Heathens having not a law were a law to themselves Rom. 2. 14. They were Heathens who shewed no little kindness Acts 28. 2. they did not knock the shipwrack't persons in the head but their compassion was drawn forth towards them 2. An impression is sometimes made by means of a conviction of a party's honesty or innocency against whom fury was armed David gives Saul to understand that he was no such Male-content and enemy to him as he was traduced by a pack of Claw-backs and Sycophants about Saul he lets him know as a demonstration of his good affection to Saul That he had opportunity to have killed his Majesty but far was it from him to do so though near enough to have done so far in a moral sense near in a local sense And hereupon saith Saul I have sinned return my son David for I will no more do thee harm because my soul was precious in thine eyes behold I have played the fool and have erred exceedingly 1 Sam. 26. 21. 3. An impression is made by reason of fear and that 1. From the Laws or Constitutions of the Countrey where persons live The Gallows more than Conscience is a Lion in the sinner's way Good Laws in a Nation are the hedg and fence which keep off many a wild beast from making a prey on others they who are lions couchant would be Lions rampant otherwise Take heed what thou dost said the Centurion to the chief Captain of Paul for this man is a Roman Acts 22. 26. 2. From the displeasure of friends and relations Some would keep up a greater friendship with some sins were it not that their friends smiles would be turned into frowns Micah continues not on his theft but makes peace with his Mother whom he had wronged and whose curse he feared Judg. 17. 1 2 3. 3. From remarkable instances or examples of Divine severity God in his Providence singles out some in a way of punishment and so they become a terror to others Ananias and Saphira are struck dead great fear came upon all the Church and upon as many as heard these things Acts 5. 11. In some places where people have not had such means of illumination by the full and clear opening of the Scriptures yet there is a standing at a distance from some sins even to a wonder And what is the bridle but remarkable punishments which have befallen Adulterers Murderers and Perjured persons and the like There is much of a Catechizing-Providence to be observed this way 4 From what may after be repaid home by parties themselves or their friends in case persons take not wit in their anger against such David wills Saul's Courtiers to leave off their lying insinuations as is probable in Psal 4. 2. the wind might set at another point and then what becomes of them Gideon tells Zebah and Zalmunna They who were slain by them at Tabor were my brethren even the sons of my mother as the Lord liveth if ye had saved them alive I would not slay you Judg. 8. 18 19. Some are awed this way as Gideon's speech may imply though others are not Abuer had a sense of this in that speech of his to Asahel Turn thee aside said he from following me wherefore should I smite thee to the ground how then should I hold up my face to Joah thy brother 2 Sam. 2. 22. Fifthly Providence bears down sin by way of limitation The Lord sets bounds unto the raging-sea of corruption An arm of it flows in and it is but an arm righteously so permitted and yet wisely limited by the hand of God Achitophel's counsel takes effect in Absolom's defiling his father's Concubines 2 Sam. 6. 21. Providence herein makes good the truth of the word spoken 2 Sam. 12. 11. Howbeit Achitophel's counsel takes not in pursuing after David 2 Sam. 17. 14. Shimei had malice enough in his heart to have stain'd his hands with the blood of a good King by way of assassination but he only rails and throws stones at David and his servants 2 Sam. 16 6 7. Sixthly By way of detection which puts a stop sometimes in some cases Esau hated Jacob and said The days of mourning for my father are at hand then will I slay my brother Jacob and these words of Esau her elder son were told Rebeccah Gen. 27. 41 42. Jacob hereupon is sent away from his father's house v. 43 44 45. but more of this in the next Observation Seventhly By way of regulation or converting even the sins of men to a good use As there is a mystery of iniquity so there is a mystery of Providence in and about sin Physicians know how to make use of a Viper for the good of their Patients The All-wise God knows how to make use of the Vipers of the world with their venom Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee saith the Psalmist Psal 76. 10. Eighthly By way of destruction 1. Of the Power of men 2. Of Men in power It may be observed how the ability to hurt is broken absolutely or comparatively Shebna the Treasurer is to be discarded Isa 22. 19. Arise O Lord saith the Psalmist for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly Psal 3. 7. Providence hands them a shaming-blow for that seems to be meant by smiting on the cheek They are box't and kick't to their disgrace Their teeth are broken and no need to fear their teethless jaws Or if they are not formally or properly so broken yet equivalently Suppose they have Power Wealth with Malice enough yet all avails not for they are check't by a greater Power Thus the Decree of Darius for building the Temple silenceth whatever prejudices and hatred might be amongst the under-officers of the King Ezra 6. 6 7 8 9 10 11. Hither may be referred inflicted diseases as hereby men are more or less disabled or incapacitated for the commission of sin Gen. 20. 6 17. Again As Providence destroys the Power of men so Men in power When men become monstrous in sinning no wonder if God become prodigious in punishing Providence consults the good of Societies of men in making those to breathe their last who have made others to
from starving Remember that Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have for he hath said I â—ill never leave thee nor forsake thee OBSERVATION XXIII There are the signal Sallies remarkable Excursions or Displays of Providence as they respect the sons of men in the course of life CHAP. I. BEFORE was shewed how Providence runs hand in hand as it were with man from the Cradle to the Crutch of old age a Race there is from the birth even to death Here now something offers it self to be spoken unto as remarkable in this Race and this is termed forth under the notions of signal Sallies remarkable Excursions or Displays of Providence And that there are such Sallies Excursions c. appears 1. From God's manner of appearing to and for the Patriarchs of old There were some certain and eminent seasons for such appearances So Noah had a discovery to make an Ark when the Flood was to be brought Gen. 6. 13 14. Abraham experienceth solemn visits of Providence Gen. 12. 1 7. Gen. 13. 14. Gen. 14. 13. with Isa 41. 2. Gen. 15. 1. Gen. 17. 1. Gen. 18. 1. Gen. 21. 12. Gen. 22. As God did appear to him so for him and that wonderfully according as his case was so Gen. 20. 3. Psal 105. 14. Others as Jacob Joseph Moses might be instanced in whose lives are recorded in the Scriptures and passages to this purpose in their lives are obvious and may be touched in the following discourse and therefore I forbear further amplification 2. From Promises which do seminally contain such signal Sallies Excursions or Displays of Providence Such as the Tree such the fruit If there be a promise to Abraham That God will give his posterity a visit in Egypt as Gen. 15. 14. what follows but as is said Psal 80. 8. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt Are there Promises referring to Spirituals and Temporals Accordingly will be the Disphyâ— of Providence as shall make most for God's glory and the good of parties who are concerned in such promises 3. From the Attributes of God the glory whereof in an eminent manner the Lord consults at some seasons All the Israelites nights were not nights of observation in comparison of that night when the starrs of God's Attributes did so gloriously shine in their going forth from Egypt Exod. 12. 41 42. So in Psal 102 16. When the Lord shall build up Zion be shall appear in his glory There are seasons for the Lord's Attributes to have on their Festival Robes 4. From the object-matter of such Sallies Excursions or Displays of Providence The object may be considered in regard of temporals and spirituals The Providence of God like a glorious Sun casts its beam on each of these We may here consider the Sallies of Providence according to the subsequent miscellaneous order First There are the Nativity-Cradle-Minority-Dispensations Thou are he that took me out of the womb saith the Psalmist Psal 22. 9. He doth not say the Midwife though she might be the ministring-Instrument Benjamin is born and his Mother dyes when he comes into the world his Mother goes out Gen. 35. 18 19. Moses is born when a bloody-Statute was on foot against the Males of the Israelites there was an Ark of Providence as well as an Ark of Bull-rushes for his preservation A conjunction there was of many gracious acts of Providence as well as an artificial conjunction of the Bull-rushes as the story declares Exod. 2. Our Saviour Christ in his minority as man had an hedg of Providence set about him to keep off a pushing and goring-Herod Mat. 2. 13. That eminent servant of God Peter Du Moulin was Utque mirabili Dei Providentiâ quando puer ad necem quaerebaris inhorrenda clade Bartholomaeâ servatus ancillae maximè industria fuisti Doct. Hornbeck Sum. Controv. Epist Dedic ad Moliâ— wonderfully preserved being a little one in the time of the Parisian Massacre The murthering Papists shall not stop the breath of him who must live to serve God with his Tongue and cut the throat of the Popish Cause with his Pen. Secondly There are some signal Sallies of Providence with respect to the Calling or Employment of parties So in Joseph who is a None-such for wisdom and trust in Pharaoh's eye Gen. 41. 38 39 40. Amos relates the story of God's Providence in his call to the Lord's work and that after a signal sort Amos 7. 14 15. Wonderful is the Providence of God sometimes in a strong byassing of a Parent 's spirit to intend such or such a Child for the Sacred Ministry otherwhiles the Providence of God is wonderful in so wheeling matters as that a Child otherwise intended is like the Flower-de-luce in the Mariners Card in motion till it settle towards the North-pole The Lord will find a way or make one to the Pulpit or Professors chairs of Divinity Junius was designed for Court-life his Father was willing his Son should be godly but not a Preacher of godliness but yet he is both for so it fell out that before a supplicatory Letter sent from the Son in order to his abiding longer at Geneva comes to the hands of the Father his Father was slain by the hands of the Popish-party in a tumult as that eminent servant of the Lord doth declare in the History of his own Life Thirdly There are remarkable Displays of Providence with respect to some particular Affairs and Negotiations of persons and that 1. By way of prospering them Thus Abraham's servant in that clause of his prayer O Lord God of my master Abraham if now thou dâ— prosper my way which I go intimates Gen. 24. 42. The Lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man and he was in the house of his Master the Egyptian and his Master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did prosper in his hand Gen. 39. 2 3. David behaved himself wisely and the Lord was with him 1 Sam. 18. 14. The seventy Disciples returned again with joy saying Lord even Devils are subject unto us through thy name Luke 10. 17. The hand of the Lord was with them who were scattered by reason of persecution and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord Acts 11. 21. For I saith Paul will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God so that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15. 18 19. Ita mihi omnibus in rebus omnibusque modis adfuit Christus ut etiamsi maxime velim tamen dicere non possim quod per me non effecerit ut gentes Evangelio obedirent Beza ad locum 2. By way of crossing them and cursing too as the Lord sees
ground At first when the Christian's Sun did not shine so clear he discerned grosser evils but now he comes to behold more inward and spiritual evils 2. By exercising them with variety of conditions These Soldiers know what it is to be in garison and what it is to be in the field They have had both calms and storms on the Sea of this World Witnesses hereof are Abraham Jacob Moses David Job Paul with others These had their divers temptations or trials as is said James 1. 2. 3. By quickning them to the use of means in order to progress As new born babes desire ye the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby said Peter 1 Pet. 2 2. The Spouse seeketh him whom her soul loveth Cant. 3. 1 2. And for her spiritual laziness and drowsiness Christ had withdrawn himself and then she is the more secretly stirred up to seek after him Cant. 3 5 6 7 8. Pertinent to this is that of Jude's direction for progress But ye beloved building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life Jude v. 20 21. Seventhly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of Temptations which befall persons There are certain buffeting seasons when Satan is let loose and that not without a wise and righteous hand of God Thus in David's numbring the people 2 Sam. 24. 1. with 1 Chron. 21. 1. It is said Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil Mat. 4. 1. And as there is a buffeting-season so there is a relieving sally of Providence more than ordinary when the temptation is so The Lord said unto Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22. 31 32. Though Peter fell and that foully yet as he fell by his rising too high in his own confidence v. 33. so he rises from his falling v. 62. and by his falling for he becomes a more humble Christian afterwards Joh. 21. 15 16 17. To this instance of Peter add that of Paul 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. Eighthly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of Calamities These are not the birth of Heathenish Fortune or Chance See now saith God that I even I am be and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand Deut. 31. 39. The black Horse and the red Horse and the pale Horse Rev. 6. were if I may so phrase it sadled in the Stable of Providence ere Providence rid circuit in way of Judgment on them Divine Providence may be stiled the Master of these Horses for upon the opening of the seals away gallop these Horses that is wrathful Dispensations to take place in the World according to the Contents of the sealed Book there Ninthly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of external Mercies of which persons are in an eminent way made the subjects of There is a plain stamp on this Coin the image or superscription of Providence is very legible Abimilech and Pichol the chief Captain of his Army come to Isaac and said We saw certainly that the Lord is with thee c. Gen. 26. 28 29. It is said of David He went on and grew great and the Lord God of Hosts was with him Hiram King of Tyrus sends messengers to him yea he perceived that the Lord had established him King over Israel and that he had exalted his Kingdom for his people Israel's sake 2 Sam. 5. 10 11 12. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion we were like them that dream then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing then said they among the heathen The Lord hath done great things for them Psal 126. 1 2. Tenthly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of Habitation Now the Lord had said unto Abraham Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and from thy father's house unto a land that I will shew thee Gen. 12. 1. Jacob hath a call to leave Laban to be gone from him whose countenance was not toward him as before Gen. 31. 2 3. Moses must no longer keep the Flock of his Father Jethro he must look after another Flock the Lord's people Exod. 3. 10. Then spake Elisha to the woman whose son he had restored to life saying Arise and go thou and thy houshold and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn for the Lord hath called for a famine and it shall also come upon the land seven years 2 King 8. 1. The Angel of the Lord apppeareth to Joseph in a dream saying Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt and he thou there until I bring thee word for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him Mat. 2. 13. Thus there is a display of Providence in the change of Habitation and they who change their places according as there is a warrant or rational ground so to do have experience that though they change their places yet not their God Jacob though he left his Father's Family yet met with his Father's God elsewhere Gen. 28. 16. Eleventhly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of Journeys This is of some kin to the former and yet a difference there is The Bee goes abroad yet keeps to the old Hive Some are not so coop'd up at their accusiomed homes but there are occasions and rational inducements to be abroad Now Providence is on its journey whilst they are on theirs A wonderful Providence there was in the journey of Jacob's sons into Egypt Gen. 42. 1 2. â—hey go down into Egypt for Corn and so the Sheaf-dream is fulfilled and they are there threshed from their chaff v. 9 and 21. Joseph by a good Providence is found by a man when behold he was wandring in the field Gen. 37. 15 16 17. Moses in his journey to Egypt meets with a startling Providence Exod. 4. 24. Elisha in his journey at Shunem meets with courteous entertainment 2 Kings 4. 8 9 10. Ezra's journey of Prayer proves a journey of Providence Ezra 8. 21 23. It is said of Christ he must go thorow Samaria John 4. 4. As there might be reason for his going thorow Samaria in regard of the scituation of Samaria that being the way to the place intended so there might be another reason namely his will for the conversion of the woman there together with her neighbours v. 39. Thus from these and the like Scriptures it may be evidenced how there is much of Providence in journeys and that both as to Temporals and Spirituals Afflictions and Mercies It 's wisdom to take God along with one in journeys on earth and to mind the great journey
fancy Gen. 37. 11. 2. The not heeding of Providence in its Proemial displays or presages may in some cases prove to be of dangerous consequence John the Baptist was the Elias to come he was the fore-runner of the Messiah for so said he Luke chap. 1. v. 17. He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias The Jews did not heed the Providence of God in the Baptist Mat. 17. 12. But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they listed Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them Thus the King's Harbinger being not regarded no wonder if the King himself be not welcom'd He came unto his own and his own received him not John 1. 11. OBSERVATION XXXI Past and present Passages of Providence lay foundation more or less for future matters or What falls out after is the result or issue of Providence before as effecting or righteously permitting CHAP. I. THIS Observation being akin to the former the less may be said yet if the more be said each of these like two Glasses may reflect on each other and things reflected in them will the better be taken cognizance of Before we considered Providence rather as an eye looking forward here we may look on it as an hand throwing up the earth and laying in stones for superstruction-work to go on There are three Generals to be spoken to here 1. The various Mode or Manner how past or present passages of Providence lay a foundation 2. The interval of time between the Foundation and after-Superstruction 3. The Latitude or Extent of this with respect to Matters First To begin then with the first and so past and present things in order to what follows may be considered 1. According to their intrinsecal and proper nature their usual manner of working qualification for what is the ordinary result as Providence is conversant about them Thus it is said that the heaven was black with clouds and wind and there was a great rain 1 King 18. 44. And so Eccles 7. 7. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad and a gift destroyeth the heart that is impatiency and vexation of mind as one saith Cartwright in locum is a kind of madness which oppression with its force and nature bringeth unless a man well principled with piety flie unto God for shelter and refuge and after the like sort bribery blinds the eyes of a wise man Again things may be considered according to a supernatural causality attending them in regard of their issues and here the said things may be considered as over-ruled by Providence three ways 1. As indifferent in their own nature for the production of this or that effect The Ax cuts the wood and cuts a man's leg the same Ax which fells the tree down for fewel or some other use kills a man at another time as Deut. 19. 5. 2. As having some tendency inclination or propensity for this or that effect but not proportionable in it self considered for the product thereof Gideon's Three hundred men rout a vast Army and so lay a foundation for their Countrey 's quier and respit from the Midianitish fury Judg. 7. 3. As averse and contrariant in all likelihood to what follows Thus Joseph's brethren rid their Father's house of Joseph which act of theirs by an over-ruling Providence contributes for the preservation of the Family afterwards as is asserted by Joseph Gen. 45. 9 10 11. There is another consideration of things past and present in order to futurity and that is 1. By way of natural causality as things according to their very natures physically considered work thus as for fire to burn the houses of Ziglag being applied to them 1 Sam. 30. 3. 2. By way of moral causality or order which the Lord hath set Thus the Corinthiant did prophane the Lord's Supper and this lays a moral foundation for a future House of Correction to be erected amongst them For this cause faith the Apostle many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep 1 Cor. 11. 30. On the other hand when the Temple work was minded by them in the Prophet Haggai's time the laying of the foundation of the Temple was through grace the laying of a foundation of future Mercies as is plainly declared in Hag. 2. 18 19. 3. By way both of natural and moral causality Both these streams meet in one channel sometimes The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags Prov. 23. 21. These sins have not only a moral provocation in them by reason whereof God doth righteously punish the sinners but likewise according to a natural tendency are an in-let to poverty Drunkenness as one saith turns man his family yea his house too out at the Wicket Some sins are costly and are Moths to men's Estates Men do not only fight against God with their Mercies but also against their own Estates Peace and Comfort They take the link-stock fire the Cannons and have no ground to quarrel with Providence if the Chain-shot or Wedg heated red-hot in the fire of their lusts light on their own houses to the burning of them And thus for the first general propounded Secondly The interval or space of time betwixt Causes Effects and Consequents comes next to be insisted on And here as there is a Winter-grain and Spring-seed as Oats Barley which are earthed after the former so some things come to pass after which were founded in their Causes before There is a Treasure-house of Providence Mercies and Judgments are laid up in this Treasure-house The opening of this Treasure-house belongs to God He times the opening of it 1. Sometimes there is but a little distance between the issues of Matters and their Causes The House is soon up and covered whether it be an House of Feasting or Mourning A word and good word there is for Jehosaphat with the people when they are fasting and praying upon the account of that great Multitude which came against them 2 Chron. 20. 17. To morrow go out against them for the Lord will be with you Elijah sends word to Ahab after a long drought saying Prepare thy Chariot and get thee down that the rain stop thee not and it came to pass that in the mean while that the heaven was black with clouds c. 1 King 18. 44 45. Boast not thy self of to morrow thou knowest not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27. 1. 2. Otherwhile the distance is wider Causes and Effects do not shake hands by and by Joseph's brethren made a Rod for their backs which hung up by the wall of Providence for some years ere they were lash't by in it Egypt and Joseph's being sent into Egypt had a reference to the future good of his Father's Family The Tree was transplanted long before Jacob with his sons eat of the fruit thereof for Joseph was seventeen years when sold
in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double Many instances are there in Civil and Ecclesiastical History which do abundantly witness this It may be observed how the sins of Fraud Perjury Oppression Blood are written in Capital Characters on the foreheads of after-punishments The next sort of Exemplifications come to be spoken to The Midwives who did not set their hands to pull down the props of the Israelitish houses I mean the Male-children have houses made for them Exod. 1. 21. God's making of them houses there may be understood in regard of propagation or encrease of posterity their Vines spread who did not destroy the young Plants or in regard of Honour their Houses or Families are made illustrious They who honoured God and his people too in an afflicted condition are honoured by God Or lastly in regard of wealth or prosperous estate they are blest with a confluence of good things who would not be instrumental to rob the Israelites of their best living goods Lot shews kindness to Angels in the shape of men and he who would defend his Guests is defended by them Gen. 19. 1 c. David shews kindness to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake having received kindness from the Father he makes conscience of paying of the debt of kindness to the Son 2 Sam. 9. 7. There are Exemplifications of this verity in History That relation Mr. Fox makes of Freseobalt a Merchant of Florence is pertinent here He was very bountiful to Cromwel after Lord Chancellor of England and found the counterpain of his bounty in Florence at London for coming thither to get in some moneys due to him in England he being now in a low estate finds one high enough namely the said Lord for his help and relief By the assistance of the Chancellor his debts due are paid and the money which this Merchant gave or rather lent to the other being in a mean and distressed condition is refunded with noble Interest viz. Eight hundred Duckats for about Fifty disbursed in order to Cromwel's return to England In the Life of that famous Preacher in his Age Lavater there is a memorable story of Providence in retaliating kindness for kindness to Lavater his Father He being a Military-man had compassion on a common Soldier labouring under great extremity by reason of thirst at a very hot season though he were an Officer of note yet he took cognizance of a distressed Soldier and liberally refresh't him with a draught of Wine which he had by him in some vessel at that time It happens about eight years after that Lavater in a certain fight falls into a Ditch or Trench where many had perished neither was there any hope that he should get out from thence but behold that very Soldier put forth his hand in the very sight of the Enemies with great danger of his life and plucks Lavater from the jaws of death who is now delivered and after returns home to his Command and enquires who it was that so hazzarded himself for him wills the man to come before him asks him what was the reason he so jeoparded his life The Soldier replies Because thou some years heretofore when I was likely to perish by reason of thirst in Italy didst relieve me in my extremity In the Life of learned and pious Junius it is mentioned how being at a great distance from his friends and Warr breaking forth in France so that he could not have moneys sent him he was in very great want so that he was resolved to dig for a Livelihood in the City-trench of Geneva and so relieve himself that way taking what time he could otherwhile to follow his Book Being thus distressed one William Burdo who was a Taylor there having been out in the Civil-Warrs of France and lately escaped with his life takes notice of Junius going from a Sermon and doubtful whether it were Junius who was now in a poor condition as to sight asks him who was asham'd to discover himself and so finds him to be his Countrey man hath him to his Lodging telling him he would work to get enough for a subsistence knowing he should be paid again from Junius his friends and so he did and was induced so to do considering what kindness his Mother being a Widow-woman and having many Children had received from Junius his Mother who was a religious and bountiful Matron and did daily send relief to the Widow-woman and her Children living near her house One of her Children was this William who now is an helper to him whose Mother had been an helper Who knows to whom he may be beholding to one time or other Good acts of Charity are Bills of Exchange when no money is in the Purse He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Prov. 19. 17. CHAP. II. I. IN reference then to Frowning-Retaliations of Providence observe these following Documents 1. There is ground to repent for Injuries done to others There may be a sad reckoning of Providence behind They who imbitter others lives may have their lives imbittered by others The King of Nineveb with his Nobles act wisely when it is thus enacted Yea let them turn every one from his evil way and from the violence that is in their hands Jonah 3. 8. The success of humbling and reforming-work is made mention in the tenth verse 2. Acknowledg God's righteous hand when the evil of our sins are written thus on the fore-heads of our Smarts An Adonibezeck feels the righteous hand of Providence in his thumbs cut off and the trampling foot of Providence in treading on yea off his great toes As I have done so God hath requited me saith he Judg. 1. 6 7. 3. There is hope of the Lord's helping persons under the furies of men from the consideration of Retaliating-Providence So Psal 137. 8. O daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us Obad. v. 15. For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen as thou hast done it shall be done unto thee thy reward shall return upon thine own head See also Rev. 18. 20 with 24. 4. Beware of unrighteous acts towards others whether Magistrates Ministers Parents Husbands Wives Widows Fatherless It is storied of an aged man who being barbarously dragged by the hair of the head desired his son who abused him he would not drag him beyond such a place of the house for that he did not so to his Father It 's said how some second Husbands pay home the first Husbands scores and so of Wives too often it is experienced The people of Israel refused to obey the voice of Samuel their Governour and they smarted for it 1 Sam. 8 19. They who slight good Ministers may be punish't with bad ones There may be Watch-men which may smite some for their smiting and wound for their wounding Cant. 5. 7.
Fury no wonder if David be not David in point of the exercise of Faith Patience Hope but say I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul Christians in cases of this nature are like the man who looks on the wheel turning but not on the Flye on the Wheel creeping in a contrary motion to the Wheel The Flye of Providence is on its motion whilst the Wheel of Second Causes have their contrary motion as may be shewed in another distinct following Observation As in a ship sailing directly forward a man walks from the Fore-castle or Stem of the ship towards the Stern yet he that shall conclude the motion of the ship to be the same will conclude amiss The ship of Providence is setting forward towards its Haven though Second-Causes are walking in a contrary motion on the Deck Let Providence then alone to play the Pilot and do thou in the interim pray for a good voyage 2. There is good reason to bear up though the burden be heavy and have lien long on the shoulder and none to take it off 1. Is the Plea That the burden is heavy Consider you may have experience of God's kindness and the sooner have it by how much more it becomes heavy The more weary you are the more God may strengthen in the way and bring you to your journey's end with joy Remember Paul's case 2 Cor. 1. 8 9 10. 2. Is the Plea That the burden hath lien long on the Conscience Credit State Body c. Consider 1. This is no new case Joseph David with others of God's Saints can tell stories of difficulties and long-spun forth ones 2. The question is Who is more a Waiter you that you may have a Mercy or God that you may be fitted for a Mercy The Lord waits that he may be gracious Isa 30. 18. 3. The Hand of the Clock hath its motion in the dark night though a man see it not There was a Ram instead of Isaac in yonder bush when Abraham might not see it at its first instant being caught there 4. Though the burden continue longer yet wait longer for so it becometh to do as others have done and thou art taught to do Isa 26. 8. with 3 4. 3. Is the Plea That there is none to help Means Instruments fail Consider 1. Though the Arm of flesh wither yet the Hand of Providence still flourisheth God is God without Means and Instruments as well as with them His Arm can then bring salvation when there is none to help Isa 63. 5. 2. Help by Means Instruments fails in order to help The way to have help is to be mortified to Creature-helps God will lead men to see that in himself which after he may communicate by ordinary Means Eye then God more and Men less and thou mayst find how Providence is then on its March when the Drums sound nothing but a Retreat to Sense and Reason OBSERVATION XLII Things are set forward in the World by a Collateral Influence or stroak by the by of Providence Or God leads men by what they do see to that which is not seen till afterwards CHAP. I. THAT the great Pilot of Heaven and Earth can make use of not only a side-wind as here but likewise of a contrarywind as shall be shewed in the next Observation and all to bring the Ship to its Port or Haven is to be insisted on Sic disponuntur res humauae divino plerunque consilio ut occasione corum quae facienda proponimus incidamus in ea de quibus antea nihil cogitavimus Musculus com in Evang. Joh. p. 475. The leadings of Providence by what is seen to that which is not seen are wonderful These leadings may be considered three ways 1. In regard of the Object 2. In regard of the Medium or Inducement 3. In regard of the Issue First In regard of the Object and so these side wind Influences or leadings of Providence respect both Temporals and Spirituals Men whilst they mind one matter in their Civil concernments fall in upon another as he who diggeth his garden-plot findeth a Treasure Saul seeketh his father's Asses and findeth a Kingdom 1 Sam. 9. David is sent by his father to the Camp with provision for his brethren and there killeth Goliah and so foundation was laid for after-matters 1 Sam. 17. And as in Temporals this may be noted so in matters of Soul-concernment Whilst men mind Earth they meet with Heaven Some go abroad to seek a service and are by the Providence of God cast there where they come to be-think themselves of another kind of service namely the Service of the great God whom before they look't not after It 's probable that some of those many Nations Acts 2. 9 10 11. be-took themselves to Jerusalem upon a Secular account However they were by an occasion offered drawn to be hearers of the Apostles v 6. Whatever their End were in hearing God's Providence was wonderful in the Apostle's speaking for there was added to the Church about three thousand souls v. 41. Peter and Andrew were casting their Net into the Sea and Christ saith then and there to them Follow me and I will make you fishers of men Mat. 4. 18 19. James and John were mending their nets and Christ in like sort meets with them when his walk was by the sea of Galilee ver 18 21 22. The Woman of Samaria cometh to Jacob's Well to draw water She minded water to set over the pot or wash her dishes or the like little thought she of another kind of water which Christ the Fountain of life did there discourse of and hand to her John 4. Secondly In regard of the Inducement by which men are moved and this may be considered 1. As started in their own breasts 2. As suggested by others with whom they have to do for so we find how Saul was influenced on by his Father's servant to go to Samuel 1 Sam. 9. 6. Naaman hears of the Prophet who bid him wash and be clean from the little Captive-maid in his Family 2 King 5. 2 3. Nathaniel is induced by Philip to come to Christ who tells him a story of the Fig-tree which he little thought to have heard of John 1. 45 46 47 48. Now what may induce or draw on a man to what he doth not so experiment as after may be further considered 1. Sometimes a lust by an over-ruling Providence shall contribute to what is subsequent Onesimus runs away from his Master gets to Rome a populous City where in probability he might lie hid Paul is there who by Providence lights on him and sends him home a Convert to his Master Philemon Paul before his conversion in a mad fit rambles as far as Damascus where was an Ananias for him with a Cordial Christ having met with Paul by the way and let out the mad blood which filled every vein before 2. Sometimes men's civil business or affairs is an inlet to other matters
for such uses SECT III. 3. TAKE heed of imposing on or tempting of Providence There is a difference between a modest proposal with a submission to God's disposal and an imposal or tempting of the Lord The former hath an Apology for it self as in Gideon's case Judg. 6. 36 to the end of the chapter The later springs from another root as namely distrust of God or presumption on his Providence or some other inordinate lust The Israelites lothe Manna and flesh forsooth they must have they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted God in the desert Psal 106. 14. How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness and grieve him in the desert yea they turned back and tempted God and limited the holy one of Israel Psal 78. 40 41. It was Satan's design to have drawn our Saviour to impose on Providence by a miraculous conversion of stones into bread when he was an hungred and to tempt Providence for preservation by throwing himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple Mat. 4 3 Qualis via haec de pinnaculo Templi mittere se deorsum Non est via haec sed ruina si via tua est non illius Frustra in tentationem capitls intorsisti quod scriptum est ad corporis consolationem Bern. in Psal Qui habitat Ser. 15. 6 7. It 's not becoming Christians to try needless conclusions with the Providence of God That way of purgation from infamous reports called by the name of Ordel when the party was blind-folded and glowing hot irons were laid in the way where the party suspected was to go bare-footed and the escapal of the hot irons was a testimony of innocency may justly be reprehended as a tempting of Providence They may do well therefore to consider how they gratifie the Devil who neglect the due use of means or venture beyond warrant from God and so are more bold than welcome to the house of Providence be the issue whatsoever it may be An instance we have of the Israelites who presumed to go up to the top of the hill and there had a bloody repulse Numb 14. 44 45. I have read of Franciscus who offered the Sultan of Babylon to try the truth of the Christian Religion in opposition to false Religion by venturing himself in the fire and though the Sultan wav'd the experiment yet that was no ground for the Monk to wave repentance for his rashness Let care then be had men tempt not or impose on Providence in regard 1. of what shall be done Man is not to prescribe but subscribe to Providence Man's Wit and Will must stoop to the Wisdom and Pleasure of God For as the Lord saith my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure Isa 46. 10. 2. In regard how and when this or that shall be done Jacob is a prevailer yet he is not a curious enquirer much less a peremptory prescriber how God shall deliver him from the fury of his brother Esau And as Jacob now more aged and so wise did act regularly herein so was he faulty in being too hasty with his Mother for the blessing to be given him for though the Father lay on his death-bed yet he was not speechless and if so yet God could have open'd the Father's mouth to pronounce the blessing without the Son 's opening his mouth to tell a lye SECT IV. 4. VVATCH against discontents at or reflexive replies on the Providence of God The former evil of imposing on Providence doth make way for undue replies against Providence Jonah would impose on Providence the destruction of Nineveh and having not his humour gratified how saucy and malepert is he Take heed then of a Jonah-like pettishness and frowardness under the Providences of God This reflexive frowardness puts forth it self 1. In the heart the forge of the natural spirits and morally evil ones too The Devil put it into the heart of Judas to betray Christ and so in effect to bid Providence to take back its kindness in vouchsafing such a Master Joh. 13. 2. It was an heart-evil that David was guilty of and it was an interpretative reply against Providence in not checking Saul from David's imaginary falling by the hand of Saul 1 Sam. 27. 1. 2. In Speech or Language Eliphaz charges Job with this evil saying Why doth thine heart carry thee away And what do thine eyes wink that thou turnest thy spirit against God and lettest such words go out of thy mouth Job 15. 12 13. The Lord tells them by the Prophet Malachy that their words had been stout against him and what words they were reflexive ones on the Providence of God as is exprest Mal. 2. 13 14 15. 3. In Gesture Conversation or otherwise Cain's discontent at the Providence of God in having respect unto Abel and his Offering appears in his outward deportment Gen. 4. 6. Why art thou wroth and why is thy countenance fallen It may go for no contradiction here Men speak aloud against Providence whilst they are sullenly silent or testifie their discontent some other way Some pretend more manners than directly to flye out against God and yet the stone which they dare not throw against Heaven they are ready to throw at his servants on Earth Thus dealt the Israelites of old with Moses saying Because there were no graves in Egypt hast thou taken us away to dye in the wilderness Exod. 14. 11. Good Job was of another frame and temper he did not pour forth a flood of curses on the plunderers neither did he fall into a smoaking-passion with the servants who escaped blaming them for want of fore-light in regard of the enemies approach no he eyes God in all and so chargeth not God foolishly Job 1. 20 21 22. Let it be our work then to watch the heart universally against reflexive replies on the Providence of God We are not to be hot and fiery against Providence though there be a Providence when iniquity doth abound and love of many waxeth cold as it is fore-told Mat. 24. 12. It was Jeremiah's fault in being transported beyond the bounds of Religion when men were so irreligious Jer. 20. 14 to the end To be discontented in way of sin though for sin is to add to the common heap of sins The Lord keep every good Christian from so doing SECT V. 5. RESIST not Providence To reply upon Providence from unsound principles is in a sort a resisting of Providence According to this latitude I take not the word resist here but for a daring contradiction to Providence or a bold venturing on in sin notwithstanding the vertual-wooings and warning-knocks of Providence to the contrary Providence may be considered as having Corn and Wine and Oyl in the one hand and a smarting Rod in the other and all to little purpose when men are head-strong in their ways Instances in Scripture there are of such who resist Providence and sad experience gives us to understand of troops of such
into Egypt Gen. 37. 2. and he was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh King of Egypt Gen. 41 16. and he tells his brethren after they find him Lord-Treasurer in Egypt how that two years hath the Famine been in the land Gen. 45. 6. yea moreover Joseph's going down into Egypt laid foundation for the Israelites going up out of Egypt to Canaan according to the prophecy Gen. 15. 13 14. Thirdly The latitude or extent of a foundation for future matters is next to be spoken unto and may be considered two ways 1. In respect of Things 2. In respect more immediately of Persons 1. In respect of things and so there is a large harvest of Temporals and Spirituals from seed before sown Not to be large here seeing Instances which may serve have been mentioned materially and may easily here formally be insisted on Thus Joseph is the man sent before when the Lord called for a Famine upon the Land and brake the whole staff of bread as is said Psal 105. 16 17. Wise-men from the East bring gifts Gold Frankincense and Myrrhe Mat. 2. 11. This their Present is of great use for the Egypt-Journey at hand for Joseph and Mary being low in the world are now the better provided-for in a strange Countrey The Eye of Providence fore-sees future Exigencies and the Hand of Providence is sometimes before-hand by way of provision for the children of Providence Other things might here be instanced in as in Marriage Health Liberty but I pass to things of spiritual concernment and so to avoid repetition of what elsewhere is here reducible I shall only touch on two things 1. Conversion to the Faith 2. Confirmation in the Faith There are passages of Providence which pave a way to each God in his Providence raiseth up Instruments whom he sends and blesseth in their Ministry so that faith comes by hearing as the Apostle doth declare Rom. 10. 15 17. Words spoken at one time lay a foundation for confirmation at another So John 2. 22. When therefore he was risen from the dead his disciples remembred that he had said this unto them and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said 2. In respect of Persons And here we may take a view of the All-wise-founding-Providence as it respects persons Political and Ecclesiastical or Magistrates and Ministers in God's holy Ordinances 1. There are passages which refer to persons under a Political consideration and these may be distinguish't 1. As they respect the advancement promotion exaltation of persons to places of Power and Dignity 2. As they respect the dejection of persons the clipping their Power and Dignity That there are matters which may lay some foundation more or less both as to the one and the other is apparent out of the History to go no further of Paul and David What these matters in particular are is subject-matter for a Treatise of Providence referring to Politicals 2. There are passages of Providence which respect Ecclesiastical persons whom God takes near to himself in his service as was said of the Tribe of Levi Numb 3. 6. These may be distinguish't into such which are 1. More remote 2. More near To instance in the first God's preserving of them in the foregoing part of their life is observable Musculus when a little one had the Plague he dies not God having work for him to do he is plague-proof till the work be done Moses the Lord's Prophet in the Old-Testament Christ in the New are exemplifications of this Neither Pharoah the bloody Wolf nor Herod the old Fox choak these Lambs in their Infancy as hath elsewhere been noted upon another Observation Again there are passages of Providence more near as preparation or fitting for the work and actual calling and disposing them according as God in his Providence seeth best Timothy was nurtured in the knowledg of the Scriptures from a Child 2 Tim 3. 15. To be well verst in the Scriptures is a good preparative for Divinity He is after solemnly set apart for publick work of the Ministry 1 Tim. 4. 14. The Disciples of Christ were Hearers of Him before they were Speakers They had an extraordinary Call as Apostles and this their receiving the Lord's Press-mony had a respect to future Service More might be said here as it refers to Persons Ecclesiastical who as they are Officers in the Church so may they be spoken of in a Treatise of Providence referring to God's Church or People CHAP. II. 1. SEE ground for Saints hopes and Sinners fears There is a Seed-plot both for the Afflictiones Ecclesiae veluti sationes quaedam sunt quae tandem dulcem justitiae gratiae favoris Dei gustum proferunt dum videlicet tyrannos reprimit suos à servitute liberat Moll Quemadmodum semen telluri insinuatum abditum suo tempore prodit terrâ non obtegitur amplius sed revelatur sic sanguis innoxius in terram effusus corpora piorum occisa ac tellure adoperta semen sunt tempore Domini visitationis ad judicium condemnationem impiorum proditura Musculus ad locum Isai one and the other They that sow in tears shall reap in joy He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Psal 126. 5 6. Even as I saith Eliphaz the Temanite have seen They that plow iniquity and sow wickedness reap the same by the blast of God they perish and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed Job 4. 8 9. The Prophet Isaiah comprehendeth both Seed-plots Isa 26. 20. 21 21. Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment till the indignation be over-past for behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity the earth also shall discover her blood and shall no more cover her slain 2. Observe Foundation-Dispensations of Providence The way to profit more by after-Dispensations of Providence is to take notice of previous or foregoing ones The reading of the Preface to the Book will conduce to the better understanding of the Book One skilful in Architecture will the better judg of the Superstruction by taking a view how the Foundation of the House is laid We too often pass by the work of God as a heap of rubbish at a distance little considering what the Lord is doing till afterward we find an House built there where nothing but an heap of earth lay It 's our wisdom then to observe the display of God's Attributes in bringing water from this and that Spring-head by many windings over many Hills and through divers Vales and that to refresh some and drown others see Psal 46. 4. with Isa 8. 7. OBSERVATION XXXII PROVIDENCE singly considered with respect to Matters is an hard Chapter to be understood but conjunctively is a good Commentary or a
so that nothing can happen besides what is decreed by God The Noble-man answereth That Arms could not without rashness be laid aside by those who betake themselves to Warr inasmuch as they are the Instruments by which God is wont to give victory to whom he sees fit to give it The same saith that Pastor I can affirm of Prayer by which God is wont to bestow on us such things as are necessary both for the use of this life and for eternal salvation and therefore it is no less rashness to neglect that under pretence of Divine Providence whenas it is so often commended by God with innumerable Promises propounded to those who frequently exercise themselves therein and the Son of God himself hath given us an example herein from whom likewise it is commanded that we pray without ceasing With this answer that Noble-man was not a little edified 2. Be encouraged to the use of means in matters Jacob had his Presents for Esau and there was an honest policy in the manner of ordering the Presents sent Gen. 32. 13 to v. 2â— Jeremiah was earnest with the King saying Let my supplication I pray thee be accepted before thee that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the Scribe lest I dye there Jer. 37. 20. Besides the common practise of God's people in the use of means there are two things observable That they have used means notwithstanding the promise of God for the effecting of matters and also notwithstanding remarkable Providences displayed in their precedent preservation Jacob was under a particular promise as to the Lord's care over him in his return to his Countrey Gen. 32. 9 12. and yet he useth the means as before intimated Paul had a promise for the lives of all in the Ship with him Acts 27. 24. and yet they that could swim cast themselves first into the sea and gat to land and the rest some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship and so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land v. 44. yea a passage there is v. 31. Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved It seems then there is a cannot where means are not used or so used notwithstanding the Purpose and Promise of God which are so to be understood as taking in the means to be used And as for the other thing intimated we have instances Daniel had a good Cause and good God who did miraculously shut the Lions mouths yet he is not puft up to the slighting of the King's courtesie in his being taken up out of the Lions Den Dan. 6. 21 22 23. Peter had a miraculous delivery out of the Prison and yet withdraws for a season he departed and went into another place Acts 12. 17. To conclude this let two things be remembred 1. See the means be regular or right means Means are regular 1. In regard of natural causality or tendency to the end He that will plow his land must not beat his Pâ—ow-share into a Sword and he that will go to battel must not beat his Sword into a Pruning-hook If Jeremiah must be had up out of the Dungeon he is not drawn up with a twine-thred but with cords and not only cords but cast-clouts and rags are to be put under his arm-holes Jer. 38. 11 12 13. 2. In regard of a moral or instituted causality Men must not under difficulties and distresses with Saul away to an Endor-woman 1 Sam. 28. 7 8. To fall in with sin is to fall out with God his Word which warrants no such means to be used Not only piety but an holy Prudence must guide in the use of means The circumstances of a case may have very much influence on determination what and how to be done as in Ezra 8. 21 22. 2. Eye God dependently and submissively in the use of means Jacob did mind prayer to God as well as the Presents sent There was a conjunction of Piety and Policy He was a wrestler with God Gen. 32 With many the Means is the speaking-Figure and God the dumb Cypher in a business but with Jacob it was not so Let Jacob's God be thy God in the use of the means if thou wilt have him be thy God in the good success of the means Eye him therefore in all and say as David Let him do to me as seemeth him good 2 Sam. 15. 26. OBSERVATION XLVIII A stock or store of Prayers makes way for a rich Income of Providence Or Gracious Prayers usher in Glorious changes of Providence CHAP. I. PRAYER being an universal means to make use of in matters a means to be coupled with other means and a means when no other means can be used it may very well here fall under consideration and that as it hath reference to Divine Providence for help Now that it hath a befriending-influence for the good of persons not only in Temporals but in Spirituals may be evidenced four ways First From the Institution of the Lord. Prayer is an instituted means by God It is a Noah's Dove which returns with an Olive-branch in her mouth If it be asked When and where Prayer was instituted by the Lord I may bid the party so demanding to go to Paradise for though Adam in the state of innocency had no sin to confess yet he had a God to acknowledg A Directory for Devotion was engraven on his heart There was an Arbour for Adam's Closet as well as a Walk for his meditation in the Garden of Eden He might not only be a thanksgiver for favours but also a petitioner for the continuance of them It may suffice then That the Directory for Devotion was first publish't in Paradise though it hath had various editions since with such additions as the Lord hath made in his holy word And seeing then the Lord hath instituted this means for gracious ends it 's wisdom to make use of this Bottom or Vessel for the transporting Commodities this Receit for a Cure this Shooing-horn to draw on the Velvet-shoo of Mercy See 2 Chron. 7. 14. Psal 50 15. Jer. 29. 12. Phil. 4. 6. Secondly From the nature or at least property of Prayer Prayer honours Providence in an address made to a Throne of Grace When Mercies are begged Providence is acknowledged 'T was good Divinity though from a bad hand 2 King 6. 27. If the Lord do not help thee whence shall I help thee said well that King the son of a Murderer as the Prophet calls him v. 32. And as Prayer doth honour God in acknowledging his Providence so Providence hath honoured Prayer yea the shadow of it witness Ahab's devotion 1 King 21. 29. God's bounty not Ahab's desert was the source or rise of Ahab's mercy If God do then cast crumbs to Dogs who thus lye prostrate before him what encouragement have the children of the Kingdom to go to their Father Ask and it shall be given unto you seek and ye shall find knock and
it shall be opened unto you for what man is there of you whom if his son ask bread will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish will he give him a serpent If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him Mat. 7. 7 c. Thirdly From the Experience of God's people Prayer may well be termed the Royal Exchange in a spiritual sense Here is a bartering for choise Commodities as Gold tried in the fire white Rayment Eye-salve Rev. 3. 18. Esther with the Jews did labour hard at this Sacred Pump of Prayer and their labour was not in vain for their hands lifted up to Heaven did knock down Haman with his Complices Esth 4. 16. with chap. 9. v. 25. Peter was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Acts 12. 5. Though Peter be in prison yet the Spirit of Prayer was at liberty and sets Peter at liberty for the prison which like a Jonas his Whale had swallowed him gives up the prisoner at the prayers of the Church To this testimony of the Saints Experiences add the testimony of God himself Isa 45. 19. I said not unto the seed of Jacob Seek ye me in vain 4. From the signal appearance of Providence at or nigh the very time that prayer is made There seems to be something in God's owning persons whilst they are at their work Abraham's servant observes this saying Before I had done speaking in my heart behold Rebeccah came forth with her pitcher c. Gen 24. 45. In Abijah's time they cried unto the Lord and the priests sounded with trumpets then the men of Judah gave a shout and as the men of Judah shouted it came to pass that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah 2 Chron. 13. 14 15. And whiles saith Daniel I was speaking and praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God yea whiles I was a speaking in prayer even the man Gabriel whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning being caused to flye swiftly touched me about the time of the evening-oblation c. Dan. 9 20 21. So in Acts 4. 31. When they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost And so lastly to mention no more instances That of Peter is pertinent he was a prisoner the people of God then knock at Heaven's door and behold Peter knocks at the door of the house where many were gathered together praying Acts 12. 12. CHAP. II. 1. LEARN who are the men and women of gracious Providence they are such who make conscience of serious prayer to God They who go down into this Deep see the wondrous works of God Noah Daniel Job are the men who can do much with Providence if any thing be to be done as is intimated Ezek. 14. 14. And the effectual servent prayer of a righteous man availeth much James 5. 16. 2. How sad is the state of those who instead of laying up a stock of Prayers lay up a treasure of Guilts They curse blaspheme revile lye oppress persecute those who wish well to them and pray for them These continuing the old trade of sin cannot expect that Providence should look from Mount Gerrizzim to bless them but from Mount Ebal to curse them An heavy hand of Providence will meet with such who make light of Prayer and trample like Swine this Pearl with other Pearls under their feet See Job 21. 14 15. with 17 18 19 20 30. Rom. 2. 4 5 6 7 8 9. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 3. Observe one ground amongst others why pious ones are so taken up in prayer to God They well know their own Trade A Merchant who often sends his Ship to one and the same Port hath reason for it A Child is ever and anon in a room and there is an Honey-comb God's Children find it good for them to draw near to God Psal 73. 28. 4. Know who are the best provident Parents for Children they are such who by their prayers to God engage Providence to be a Portion and Joynture for their Children A little with a blessing left to some will out-last Farms Mannors yea Kingdoms left to others with a curse Pious Parents in being praying Parents are provident Parents they pray not in vain God may hear prayer for posterity one way or other See Gen. 17. 20. 5. Wicked men then are fools in their Rages and subtil Contrivances against pious praying-ones How quickly may God hear the groans of his people and so sweep away the Bodies of wicked men to their Graves and their Souls to Hell There was a prayer made for Peter and the design against him was broken and a prodigious death is the lot of an Herod who had designed the death of Peter Acts 12. 23. 6. There is no reason to lay aside Prayer no not whilst in the world We shall still stand in need of the Providence of God Daily Providence calls for daily-Prayer It 's pride to an height of it to think that Prayer is below a grown Christian When persons stand not in need of Providence to help and continue its help they may not so stand in need of prayer But alas where are the men or rather monsters who owe no debt to Providence The holy Scriptures do sufficiently confute this fancy see Job 1. 5. Mat. 6. 11. Luke 11. 1. Col. 4. 2. 7. See whence it is that the Devil makes opposition against prayer He is a cunning Pirate and knows that serious prayer is the Christian's Plate-Fleet He is sensible of the knocks and bruises which prayer gives his Serpent's head He hath been an observer of what great things God hath done on the prayers of his people No wonder then if he throw dirt and stones into this Well jogs the Christian when he is ready to fire at the mark and shakes his hand when he is about to write down his humble petition to God see Zech. 3. 1. Acts 16. 16 17 18. 8. Look not on those as enemies who call on you to call on God with your Families Shall a Physician be thanked for the Body a Lawyer for the Estate And is the Body Estate Soul and all of no regard as the concerns of all lye at stake in another way and that the best way too Surely they are Friends who antidote you against the curse of God see Jer. 10. 25. Prov. 3. 33. Lastly Observe the incomes of Providence by way of return unto prayer If it be said here I have prayed and prayed and yet no such returns are made as the Meditation or Observation on Providence imports I might at large reply but that would be a digression In a few things