Providence at the top thereof Behold the Lord stood above it Gen. 28. 13. He that was above had an eye on what was beneath I saw the Lord saith Micaiah sitting on his throne c. 1 King 22. 19 c. God's Providence is there Visioned-forth or set out to Micaiah In the first Chapter of Job there is a Providential scheme or draught of what was to take place in Job's case there Ezekiel's Vision of the Wheels is a confutation of the Wheel of Fortune They who know God have the Wheel of Providence to meditate and discourse of 2. From positive Assertions in Scripture The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men from the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth he fashioneth their hearts alike he considereth all their works Psal 33. 13 14 15. The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Are ye not better than they Mat. 26. See also Mat. 10. 29. 3. From Divine Assumptions and Appropriations of the work of Providence to God himself When the Lord answered Job out of the Whirl-wind how doth he challenge to himself a supream Agency in and over the Creatures Who saith he provideth for the Raven his food Job 38. 41. And in Isa 45. 7. I form the light and create darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things 4. From Expostulations Checks Comminations bottomed on the consideration of Divine Providence So Psal 50. These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver v. 21 22. And so likewise in Psal 94. Vnderstand O ye brutish amongst the people and ye fools when will ye be wise He that planted the ear shall he not hear He that formed the eye shall he not see He that chastiseth the heathen shall he not correct He that teacheth man knowledg shall he not know v. 8 9 10. 5. From the Religious forms of speech by which are implied the verity of God's Providence extending to affairs in the world Thus saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the Cities thereof when I shall being again their captivity The Lord bless thee O habitation of Justice and Mountain of Holiness Jer. 31. 23. For that ye ought to say If the Lord will we shall live and do this or that James 4. 15. I trust saith Paul to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit 1 Cor. 15. 7. 6. From Prayers made to God The Scripture hath no Altar for an unknown God We are not taught to pray to Fortune to our own Wills Saints or Angels None of these are the Father which is in Heaven whose is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory The Orthodox Prayers of Saints are demonstrations that they were not Heterodox in the point of Providence they acknowledged a Providence on earth who were ever and anon looking up in prayer to the God of Heaven See Ezra 8. 21 22 31. Neh. 2. 4 with 18. Rom. 1. 10. And thus I have shewed how there is a Providence This was an old Article of the Saints Creed I shall for further clearing up the point 1. Lay down other Arguments 2. Reply to some Objections 3. Draw some Consectaries or Inferences Of these in their order CHAP. I. 1. FRom God himself And so observe 1. That the appellations or titles given to Him are implications of the thing He is Jehovah who gives the Creatures their beeing and operation Acts 17. 28. He is the Judg of all the earth Gen. 18. 25. He is the King of all the earth Psal 47. 7. He is the First Cause I will hear the heavens and the heavens shall hear the earth c. Hos 2. 11. * Non sanè multum interesse utrum quis Deos esse neget an eos omni procuratione atque actione privet mihi enim qui nihil agit esse omninò non videtur Cicer. lib. 2. de nat Deor. To deny then his Providence is to take up the Bucklers against these no less glorious than true Appellations of his But 2. His glorious Attributes of Power Goodness Wisdom Justice are as so many demonstrations of his Providence for all these the World existing are not dormant These Attributes are richly interwoven in the works of Providence The Scripture saith unto Pharoah Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might shew my power in thee and that my Name might be declared throughout all the earth Rom. 8. 17. Thou art good and dost good Psal 119. 68. O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psal 104. 24. But God is the Judg he putteth down one and setteth up another Psal 75. 7. Lastly The Lord's creation of the World doth according to the Logick of the Scripture infer his Providence For 1. He is called the faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. The Lord leaves not the stately House of the World after he hath erected it 2. Considerations or Motives for supportation and consolation are couch'd in God's creation of the World so that they who have an interest in God may hope for a display of his Attributes in his government of the World so in Isa 40. Hast thou not known hast thou not heard That the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is he weary c. v. 28 29. 3. There is an indissoluble or firm knot knit betwixt the Lord's creating and governing the World for what is Providence but a kind of continued Creation and therefore that word is used to set forth Providence by in Scripture see Psal 51. 10. and 104. 30. Isa 43. 7. Again to acknowledg God the Creator and some other the Governour is to rob the Lord of his glory against which robbery he vehemently protesteth as in Isa 42. 8. Lastly observe in Isa 45. the same God there who made the Earth and created Man upon it in v. 12 raised up Cyrus and prospered him in v. 13. There is no reason then to break the band of amity or alliance betwixt Creation and Providence which the Lord so conjunctively owneth and appropriateth to himself see Jer. 27. 5 6. 2. From Providence it self There is an intrinsecal or inbred light in Providence by which it is seen But ask now the beasts and they shall teach thee and the fowls of the air and they shall tell thee or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee and the fishes of
to throw a strong Man to the ground and that by grappling with him hand to hand may well be interpreted miraculous there being no proportion of strength in the Child to that of a Mighty man And yet suppose the man is sitting according to a tottering posture in a Chair so that his body is in equal poâ—ze a small push of a child sends him head-long to the ground In like manner Providence by a wonderful conjunction of weak means in themselves and by opportune application of means brings forth a work very glorious See Judges 4. 21. and 7. 16 17 18. 2 Chron. 24. 23 24. Lastly Providenâ—e is distinguish't into immediate and mediate Immediate excludes the interposition or intervening of means instruments which God useth at other times as when the Lord himself preached to Adam Gen. 3. 9. Moses lives but not by the use of the creatures Exod. 34. 28. 2. Mediate when the Lord useth means 1. more common or general as the Angels for their ministry the Heavens and the Earth for Corn Wine and Oyl See Psal 148. and Hos 2. 21 22. 2. More peculiar and particularly destinated for such ends and purposes Isa 38. 21. Acts 10. 5 6. the Angel will not there take away Peter's work he willeth Cornelius to send for Simon Peter not Simon the Tanner for his Teacher Moreover Means in order to Effects and Consequents are 1. Necessary or definite which ordinarily work this way and no other as for the Sun to shine and give forth heat Psal 19. 4 5 6. 2. Contingent and indefinite whose effects before they exist might not so have been as considered with their next Causes though otherwise in respect of God his will to the contrary the said effects are necessary So the bones of Christ were not broken John 19. 31 32 33 with 36. CHAP. IV. PROVIDENCE in regard of the End Issues and Events hath its considerations 1. The End is ultimate or last and that is the Glory of God Rom. 11. 32 33 36. or intermediate which is the creatures serviceableness and usefulness according to its place or station in order to the former So the Heavens and the Earth are Caterers for Jezreel and that to the Lord's glory whose bounty and mercy are displayed in hearing the Heavens and the Earth for Jezreel Hos 2. ver 21 22. Again the Issues of Providence respecting matters are sometimes by way of furthering and succeeding things so that the ordinary particular End is attained so when God heareth the Heavens the Heavens the Earth the Earth the Corn and the Wine and Oyl and they hear Jezreel Hos 2. 21 22. Or secondly By way of dashing things notwithstanding a probability of such and such Ends though not of such Ends as Providence intendeth where and when the Lord crosseth disappointeth or thus dasheth in his Diâ—pensations See Isa 7. 5 6 7. Hag. 1. 6. 9 10 11. Lastly The Events of Providence are 1. Joyful which terminate in the good comfort happiness of the Creature Exod. 14. 30 31. Esth 9. 22. Or secondly Mournful or by way of smart distress tribulation as Exod. 14. 27 28. 2 Sam. 1. 12. Thus I have marshall'd up the several Distinctions or Considerations of Providence There are other subordinate Considerations of it yet reducible to some of the fore-mentioned Heads of Distinction or Consideration What those other Considerations are I may only point at Providence then may be considered as direct and collateral An instance for the former is the Lord 's stirring up Cyrus in order to the delivery of his people Ezra 1. An illustration for the later may be the Philistines invading the Land which at least in regard of any such thing intended by them was a by-blow for David's deliverance 1 Sam. 23. 26 27. Again Providence may be considered as more plain and obvious so that he who runs may read or more dark and intricate Moreover It may be considered as single or in part and as copulative as when the whole of a business is laid together Lastly It may be considered as concealing for a time or revealing bringing things to light These and the like Considerations being exemplified in the following pages I forbear enlargement here and so pass on to the Third Part of the Treatise PART III. THE Extent of Providence hath been touched by an enumeration of Creatures to which it extendeth as in the former Part of this Treatise hath been shewed To avoid then prolixity and repetition I shall here 1. Prove the extent of Providence to all the Creatures 2. Improve this Doctrine of General Extent by giving the Consectaries or Inferences from thence and under this later shall launch forth into some particular arms of this Sea where the passage may seem more difficult by reason of the noise of the Water-spouts the swelling of the waves and billows to the contrary And first then of the first CHAP. I. THE proof for the Extent of Providence appeareth divers ways as here briefly to be insisted on followeth 1. From express assertions in Scripture The assertions have their latitude they know no bounds of mans restriction so Neh. 9. 6. Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things therein and thou preservest them all and the host of heaven worshippeth thee say that godly company there on their solemn Day of Humiliation v. 1 4. In the Ark God not only took care of Noah but of the creatures It 's an observable expression which is in Gen. 8. 1. And God remembred Noah and every living thing and all the cattel that was with him in the Ark. To this addâ— what the Lord himself asserteth to this purpose in the 38 39 40 41 chapters of Job 2. From God without whose will and against whose will the will of Purpose nor of Precept discovered in his Law-giving Rules for man nothing comes to pass Are not two sparrows saith Christ sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father Mat. 10. 29. Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not Lam. 3. 37. 3. From the Creatures which because they are Creatures are not independent or exempted in point of dependency from the first Cause These saith the Psalmist wait all upon thee that thou mayst give them their meat in due season Psal 104. 27. See further other places of Scripture which are quoted upon other particular accounts though upon the general account of Providence they are repeated as Hos 2. 21 22. Acts 17. 28. 4. From the cognation or kinship of Providence with Creation Providence as was before intimated is a kind of continued Creation God not only gives the creatures their beds to lye on but bear with the phrase makes their beds As Creation therefore is extensive to the creatures without exception as Gen. 1. 25. so likewise is the Lord 's upholding them and governing them to
yet said Daniel to him Thou O king art king of kings for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom power and strength and glory Dan. 2. 37. All Nebuchadnezzar's Power waâ— but a Slip taken out of Heaven's Garden He was beholding to God who placed not only the Crown upon his Head but his Head also upon his Shoulders And not only the Power but the exercise of it also is mutatitious or borrowed So Christ to Pilate Thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above John 19. 10. But 2. The Power of God is seen as glorious in compare with Human Power in that the Lord can and doth when he pleaseth dethrone the greatest Potentates of the World How quickly is a Nebuchadnezzar hurried from the Palace to the Park Dan. 4. 32. God is Judg he putteth down the one and setteth up another Psal 75. 7. And hence Moses speaking of the two Kings Sihon and Og whom God had caused to fall before his people Deut. 3. 21. annexeth a pertinent description of the Lord's Power saying O Lord God thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness and thy mighty hand for what God is there in heaven or in earth that can do according thy works and according to thy might v. 24. Thirdly The Power of God is to be considered in regard of the manner of its display and that three ways 1. Immediately or without means If there be wanting means yet there is never wanting power to bring about matters where and when God pleaseth without means He that made the World without a Tool can act without an Instrument If there be not an human arm to crush a Laban yet there is not wanting an hand from Heaven to restrain him so he acknowledgeth saying It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight saying Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad Gen. 31. 29. 2. Mediately by means and these though weak and improbable God checkt Egyptian-insolency by Frogs and Lice The blowing of the Trumpets of Rams-horns is as effectual to level the Walls of Jericho as if a thousand barrels of Gun-powder had been mined in under them Josh 6. 20. Gideon with his Three hundred men routeth the Army of the Midianites as well as if his Army had consisted of Three hundred thousand Judg. 7. 19 c. The Apostles being delegated by Christ to the preaching of the Gospel what multitudes are drawn into Christ by them who were to confront the world in that work as it was then adjudged Acts 16. 21. 17 6. 24. 14. 3. Contrary to the nature of means is the Power of God displayed He made the fluid Waters to stand up as a solid Wall for his people to pass by Exod. 14. 22. Fire shall flame and not burn Dan. 3. 26. Lions shall be hungry and yet not devour a Daniel Dan. 6. 22 23. An harsh and cruel Jaylor to a Paul and Silas shall become all kindness Acts 16. 23 24 33. Fourthly The Power of God in regard of the extent of it hath its consideration Thou hast saith the Psalmist a mighty arm strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand Psal 89. 13. With God all things are possible Mar. 10. 27. For with God nothing shall be impossible Luke 1. 37. And not only in the general is the Power of God marvellous but likewise more particularly if we view it with respect to 1. Spirituals 2. Temporals 1. The former the Apostle speaks of in 1 Ephes 1. 19. the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power As the Power of God was richly displayed in making the Heavens and the Earth so likewise is it in creating the new Heavens and new Earth Isa 65. 17. Look we into the new World and observe what a golden thread of Power is drawn thorow these following Pearls 1. Conversion-work regeneration or the new-creature declareth the Power of God Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power Psal 110. 3. That the Wolf dwells with the Lamb and Leopard lies down with the Kid is from the Power of God Isa 11. 6. compared with Acts 9. 5. and 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. 2. The forgiving of sin and the mortification of it more and more do likewise hold forth the Encomiums and Praises of God's Power Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy he will turn again he will have compassion upon us he will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea Mic. 7. 18 19. But that ye may know saith Christ to the Scribes that the Son of Man hath power to forgive sin c. Mat. 9. 16. For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the law but under grace Rom. 6. 14. 3. The raising up of parties to a sense of God's love especially after a spiritual languishing falls slips conflicts with their darkness and cloudiness of spirit doth bespeak the Power of God in so doing Create in me a clean heart saith David and renew a right spirit within me restore unto me the joy of thy salvation Psal 51. 10 12. I create the fruit of the lips peace peace Isa 57. 19. 4. The vigorous sustentation of parties in the exercise of graces under sufferings doth proclaim the Power of God Be not thou writes Paul to Timothy therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me his prisoner but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God 2 Tim. 1. 8. See more Acts 4. 8 13. Rev. 2. 13. 5. The conflict of Saints with Satan doth witness the Power of God The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. The Devil is a roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5. 8. and yet he is not an irresistable Adversary for v. 9. it is said Whom resist stedfast in the fuith 6. Perseverance in grace even unto glory doth exhibit a large testimonial of the power of God so 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 2. In the next place The Power of God is seen in Temporals What is the World but an Hall hung with this Cloath of Arras We may behold the Power of God in the meanest or least of Creatures Amongst other things observe the sparklings of this Diamond in two things 1. In point of Provision for parties How did God feed so many thousand and for many years and in a Wilderness of old See Numb 11. 21. Deut. 8. 2 3 4. As the Power of God was then seen so it is seen in a larger Wilderness the whole World in feeding
so is himself thrust on to his own ruin Exod. 14. 5. David his good service done for Israel hath an influence on the Elders of Israel to bring them to Hebron Also say they in time past when Saul was King over us thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel 2 Sam. 5. 3. There is an adaptation or connexion of Means in order to this or that which comes to pass And that as the Means are proper or suitable in order to the End intended as Noah's Ark is proper to prevent drowning by the Flood Gen. 6. 14. or as the Means are not so proper in order to the End intended by the Agent though proper and effectual to bring about what the Lord righteously had determined The Wisdom of God is seen in the follies of men Rehoboam in following the câ—unsel of young raw-headed Courtiers 〈◊〉 of clucking the Chickens under the Royal 〈◊〉 pecks them from him See 1 King 1â— 14 15. 4. There is an adaptation in regard of Opportunities for matters Abraham falls in opportunely on Chedorlaomer Gen. 14. 15. Saul looks after the Seer the Maidens said Behold he is before you make haste now c. 1 Sam 9. 12. David chargeth upon the Amalekites when behold they were spread upon all the earth eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines and out of the land of Judah 1 Sam. 30. 16. There was a wonderful concourse of circumstances in the slaying of Ishbosheth the Cut-throats took the season for their design it is said they went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth who lay on a bed at noon and they came thither into the midst of the house as though they would have fetched wheat and they smote him under the fifth rib 2 Sam. 4. 5 6. Occiditur Ishbosethus ab istis sicariis idque voluntate Dei ita enim solet malos punire per malos Non quod Deus suggerat hominibus peccata sed quod illis cum suâ sponte erumpant abutatur Pet. Mart. in locum Ad-haec Cogitare debemus quoties Deus vult aliquid fieri omnes occasiones statim ejus voluntati inservire Adsunt in tempore frumentarii omnium animi erant in eo solo negotio occupati rex deseritur solus in cubiculo Ibidem CHAP. II. 1. TAKE notice of an Argument to prove Providence from the adaptation or connexion of things The admirable adaption of matters may silence Atheistical cavils It is said of Galen That upon the view of the wonderful adaptation and connexion of the parts in a Body defected he was much affected yea pens a Tract in commendation of the Author of Nature What then may be observed in the little World MAN as he is termed by some may as well be observed in Item si nulla Providentia sit quomodo animalium corpora tam providenter ordinata sunt ut singula quaeque membra mirabili ratione disposita sua officia conservent Lact. Instit lib. 3. c. 17. the great World to the praise of God who wisely orders all in all The Psalmist takes notice of the wonderful disposition of things Psal 4. he begins and concludes with an O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name in all the earth 2. Learn what to judg of Contingencies or of this or that which happeneth in a business These are links in the Chain of Providence They are Scouts of Heaven's Army though we are apt to look on them as straglers In the History of Joseph it may be observed how the brethren took occasion from the dreams to malign him they had him now off from his Father's House and Joseph is a confined man in the Pit his Prison and whilst there the Midianites pass by and they Merchants who did not it seems scruple the bargain but gave Twenty pieces of silver for him Here is an adaptation of Agents Occasions Means Opportunity and all concurr to bring about what the Lord had wisely and righteously determined The Dreams were now on Horse-back in order to fulfilling when Joseph is posted away to Egypt All these Contingencies like the sheafs in the Dream do obeysance to Providence 3. Resolve by way of Moral practise on an adaptation or connexion of your duty according to Scripture with the good End propounded If you would go to Heaven turn not your backs upon the path which leads thither Holiness is the road-way to Happiness without it no man shall see the Lord Heb. 13. 14. He that believeth shall be saved Mar. 16. 16. The man will be found a foolish builder who builds on the sand not on a rock so teacheth our Saviour Mat. 7. 24 25 26 27. Moreover in reference to Civil Affairs a connexion is there to be observed An honest Calling is to be followed honestly A man must keep his shop if he would have his shop keep him The Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags Prov. 23. 21. 4. Meditate on the rich display of the Divine Attributes in the adaptation or connexion of things Here is a large field for an Isaac's walk Isaac who went out into the field to meditate might see and did after hear a story of a wonderful adaptation of matters in the Marriage-journey see Gen. 24. The adaptations or connexions of things here to be meditated on are not only personal which refer to the Lord 's ordering our particular concernments how he provides protects directs supports and the like but also publick There are National adaptations or connexions of things in which God's glory doth shine forth These the godly heretofore have noted as in Neh. 9. there is a large Catalogue there of such adaptations and connexions The Book of Esther presents us with a notable draught of such connexions What a wonderful over-ruling Providence was there in the marriage of the King with one of his honest Subjects in the treachery of Bignatha and Teresh intended against the King Mordecai's discovery of the Plot the King 's not sleeping c. God kept Court at the Court his Providence was waking whilst the King cannot sleep the Lord reads his Church a Lecture of Providence whilst the King hath the Book of Records of the Chronicles read before him and knows how and when to make use of the Hamans at Princes Courts to promote godly Mordecai's for the good and welfare of his Church or People OBSERVATION XII There is a liberty of God to salve up some other way what is wanting in regard of a visible and proportionable adaptation and connexion of things or There is an Extraordinary Walk of Providence in the World as well as an Ordinary one CHAP. I. THE Lord keeps not always within the pales of an ordinary and visible dispensation of things such a Walk is too narrow for an Infinite Soveraign and All-wise God Look we abroad into the
burnt up the sheep Job 1. 14 15 16 17. The Gadarens Swines Traditur utile non pro voluntate daemonum sed ut tali facto innotescat quomodo in homines saeviunt quomodo quaerunt mortes hominum qui sic porcos ut perderent quaesierunt Chrysologus Ser. 9. miss a good market when the Devils become their drivers and though the owners of the Swine had a loss yet had they improved the Lords taking off the bridle of restraint they had been gainers see Mat. 8. OBSERVATION XVI Not only Angels but likewise other Creatures are at the beck or controll of Divine Providence CHAP. I. THAT the Angels both good and bad are at the check of the Almighty hath been collaterally at least evidenced in the fore-going Observation What hath been said of their ministry is to be understood in way of subserviency to the Lord The evil Angels though they act evilly yet act not absolutely without the permission of the Holy One. The Lord hath them in the chain of Providence and though they are at times prisoners at large yet prisoners still see 1 King 22. 22. Job 1. 12. 2. 6. Mat. 8. 32. Luk. 22. 31 32. 2 Cor. 12. 7. Rev. 2. 10. And as for the good Angels they are the winged coursers of heaven ready to do the will of their Lord. Ezek. 1. 6 11 14. Dan. 10. 11. Luk. 1. 19. They have a connatural principle within confirmed by grace which renders them obsequious to Gods command and hence we are to propound them as patterns for ready compliance with the will of God as that passage Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven doth imply Mat. 6. 10. There is no need then in further dilating on this Now that other Creatures are at the powerful beck and controll of God is to be spoken to And this appears divers ways 1. From the appellation attributed to God in Scripture He is stiled Lord of Hosts and that some hundreds of times as some observe The often repetition of this Title may import the transcendent verity and the usefulness of this Meditation namely That all the Creatures are under His command to be lorded over by Him when and how he pleaseth 2. From the consideration of the Creatures as Creatures What are the Creatures in their Beeings and Operations but results ebbings and flowings of his Divine Will for he spake and it was done he commanded and it stood fast Psal 33. 9. The words of men are wind in comparison of what the Lord saith 'T was but a word and a world of old The same powerful speech of the Almighty is heard still in the world 3. From an exemplary induction for consider the Creatures as thus distinguisht 1. Some are without sense and yet these have the sense to obey the Lord for he saith to the snow Be thou on the earth likewise to the small rain and to the great rain of his strength Job 37. 6. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth and my right hand hath spanned the heavens when I call unto them they stand up together Isa 48. 13. See Psal 35. 7. Psal 147. 15. Mat. 8 27. 2 Other creatures of corporeal existence which have sense are at the beck of God and these may be distinguisht 1 into such which have sense only without the addition of a rational principle being swayed by natural instinct 2. Into such which together with sense have reason or understanding as man hath Now not only the creatures of the former rank or order whether they be flying-fowls after their kind or fishes moving in the waters after their kind or beasts cattel creeping things after their reâ—pective kind but also Man as the top and flower of the Creation are within the verge of Divine Providence The Psalmist doth not only observe the Providence of God with respect to Angels Psal 104. 4. but likewise with respect to creatures without sense v. 10 14 16 19. and the creatures which have sense only as the fowls of heaven v. 1â— 17. fishes or water-creatures v. 25 26. the beasts of the field v. 11 14 18 21. yea Man that noble piece of the Creation and Center to which the creatures in regard of their services as lines are directed to is there takeâ— notice of v. 14 15. And thus according to the Psalmist here the creatures are not without their bridles and these bridles are in the hanâ— of Divine Providence CHAP. II. 1. LEARN from hence what a God the Lord is He is such an One whose Dominion is extensive all the World over The greatest in the World are at his check or controll With him is strength and wisdom the deceived and deceiver are his he leadeth Counsellors away spoiled and maketh the Judges fools He looseth the bond of kings and girdeth their loins with a girdle He leadeth princes away spoiled and overthroweth the mighty He removeth away the speech of the trusty and taketh away the understanding of the aged He poureth contempt upon princes and weakneth the strength of the mighty Job 12. 16 c. 2. See the vanity of Idolaters Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain Or can the heavens give showers Art not thou he O Lord our God therefore we will wait upon thee for thou hast made all these things Jer. 14. 22. See 1 Cor. 8. ver 4 5 6. 3. Observe an Argument for the proof of Christ's Deity He lords it over the Creatures they give homage to Him The winds and sea obey him Mat. 8. 26 27. The fig-tree withereth at the blast of his lips Mat. 21. 19 20. The owner of the Colt straightway sends him if Christ hath a purpose to use him Mat. 11. 3 5 6. Jesus Christ is the spiritual Joseph to whose sheaf all the sheafs of the world bow or do obeysance See Phil. 2. 10. 4. Take notice whence it is that the worm Jacob is not crusht to pieces by the wild beasts of the world The Lord is he who curbs and restrainâ—â—s he pleaseth The Psalmist notes this saying When they were but few men in number yea very few and strangers in it the Land of Canaan when they went from one nation to another from one kingdom to another he suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm Psal 105. 12 c. 5. Despond not in spirit as touching the conversion of the vilest and most wretched ones whether they are Relations or others God can and in his due time will make them throw down their weapons if they do belong to the election of grace Barren sinners may become fruitful Saints The Lord can turn Lions into Lambs Matthew the Publican becomes an Apostle of Christ Luke 5. 27 28. Brutish Corinthians are washed sanctified justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 11. 6. Be
are not only the whites and blacks in regard of Temporals but also in regard of Spirituals Our Saviour tells the Jews saying The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof Mat. 21. 43. A wonderful change and that reciprocal or mutual as it respects different subjects there is this way according to that in Hos 1. 10. And it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said unto them Ye are not my people there it shall be said unto them Te are the sons of the living God Again these whites and blacks not only in respect of persons singly considered but in respect of a Community or Society of persons That passage that there be no complaining in our streets Psal 144. 14. doth imply the different state of a Nation in regard of Temporal Mercies We read in Acts 9. 31. Then had the Churches rest thorowout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria And we read likewise how the Rest there was not an everlasting one Acts 12. 1. 4. Long then for an Heaven or the Everlasting Rest There is no such Checker-table there Be willing however that this Sacred Game of Providence be at an end Beware of foolish passion and irregular desires of death Let God alone to time all The longest Game of Providence here in matters will have its end Meditate on that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 5. 4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened not that we would be uncloathed but cloathed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life OBSERVATION XXXV One and the same Providence hath sometimes its Blacks and Whites or There is both Honey and Gall wrapt up in a Dispensation considered as a mixt one CHAP. I. THIS Observation however it may seem a Paradox yet is such an one which may be cleared up as Orthodox and that if we consider 1. Exemplifications from Scripture 2. The various wise Ends which God hath in mix't Dispensations 1. There are many Exemplifications of this Verity Noah must change his habitation he shut up in the Ark as in a Prison There are beasts within for his fellow-Prisoners and sad desolations without amongst the Beasts and Men the worse Beasts in a moral sense all this is afflictive But yet his being in the Ark in order to his preservation was a signal favour for so the Lord gives him to understand Gen. 7. 1. with Gen. 6. 8. Lot is taken prisoner but not slain Gen. 14. 13. Joseph had a Prison-palace or a Palace-prison for the Lord was with him and shewed him mercy and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison Gen. 31. 21. Moses is cast as an Exile into the Land of Midian and there God provides for him Exod. 2. 21. God takes away David's Child by death who might have proved as an upbraiding Monument of David's shame so an occasion of Warr in the Kingdom 2 Sam. 12. Jonah is swallowed by a Whale Jon. 1. 17. the fish's belly is his house of prayer and Jonah's prayer is a prevailing-one he who had a providential ingress hath a glorious egress The Lord spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land Jon. 2. 10. Our Saviour tells his Disciples saying It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter shall not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you Joh. 16. 7. Paul must suffer shipwrack and yet none of their lives in the Ship are lost Acts 27. 44. The same Man of God hath a thorn in the flesh a Messenger of Satan to buffet him yet this thorn is to open a passage for whatever Imposthumed-pride was gathered to an head The Devil an unclean Spirit becomes providentially a sanctifying-one in a sense God knows how to make the Devil do a good choar for a Saint whilst the Devil intends his own work Paul was of this belief as he professeth 2 Cor. 12. 7. 2. There are various wise ends in such mix't Dispensations Amongst others we may cast an eye on these 1. Sometimes he makes a display of fatherly displeasure There is a Rod but it is a gentle one Thou shalt not dye but the child shall surely dye said Nathan to David 2 Sam. 12. 13 14. 2. God will hereby wisely exercise the graces of his people as their faith and patience by the bitter part of the Dispensation and their love to him admiration of him and thankfulness for favour by the sweeter part of the Dispensation Thus Epaphroditus sickness yet not death and Paul's danger of being devoured by the Roman Lion had their influences on their graces according to the interwoven mixture in these Dispensations Phil. 2. 27. 2 Tim. 4. 16 17. 3. Hereby the Lord wisely consults an Antidote and Remedy against two Evils namely Pride and Despondency Jacob is not to be dejected he is a Prevailer he is not to be elated for he halted upon his thigh Gen. 32. 28 31. God's Dispensations are like well-levell'd Cannons which beat upon Pride and Despondency and so make sweeping-work with each of these files at once 4. The Lord teacheth the correspondency of his Providence with his Word We are lesson'd not to slight Heaven's Rod which hath its smarting-blow and not to faint for its blow is from a Father not an implacable Enemy see Prov. 3. 11 12. 5. Hereby God will put a difference betwixt Earth and Heaven Paul will have no need of a Thorn in the flesh when he is taken Tenant to the Heavenly Inheritance The joys of Saints in Heaven will run like a Crystal River without mixture of mud or dirt God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 17. CHAP. II. 1. LEARN what a wise God the Christian hath for his God The great Physician of Heaven so attemperateth the Physick as that it shall bear upon various ill humours With one and the same Beesom Providence sweepeth the Saints house clean to the joy and rejoycing of the Saint The Ship is so managed as that it neither overturns for want of ballast nor sinks into the sea by reason of burthen God doth balance the hearts of men as well as balance the clouds over the heads of men as is said Job 37. 16. He is excellent in power and in judgment and in plenty of justice he will not afflict v. 23. And in Jer. 10. 24. O Lord correct me but with judgment not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing 2. Beware then of fixing an eye only on the more gastly part of a Dispensation View the bright side as well as the dark side of thy Cloud There are two things here considerable 1. It is very rational or equitable that a proportionable surveigh should be taken of a Dispensation Hezekiah after he had heard the Prophet's heavy tydings saith Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken for there shall be peace
therefore to stop the mouth from slandering the Observation take notice of what follows 1. Is the particular thing thou prayest for warranted for kind Pride and Passion make wild petitions for the kind of them see Luke 9. 54. Mat. 20. 21 22. 2. What is thy end in praying for things though warranted see James 4. 3. 3. Do you pray in Christ's Name and after a serious sort See John 14. 13. Luke 18. 13. James 5. 16. 4. Is not Prayer contradicted by an unworthy walking Some are like black clouds still black and that notwithstanding thunder and lightning breaks from them see Isa 1. 15. Isa 58. 4. 5. Do you not lye under some mistake about God's Providence in answer to prayer For hearing of prayer is not to be defined by God's doing all we wish for but what God sees best for us God answers when the thing may not be given in for kind Paul was heard when not heard 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. The denial of one thing is the way that Providence may take for granting another A man prays for Health and Mortification to the World God by the want of Health mortifies to the World 6. The question is Wâ—…ther Providence may not yet make a sure and full return of the goods you have left in the hand of Providence Wait then still on God let the Lord alone to answer when and how he pleaseth God hath answered some when it 's probable they gave off thinking that an answer in such sort would have been given in see Luke 1. 13. with 18. OBSERVATION XLIX When God takes down the Scaffold of this World the Sacred Play of Providence will be at an end CHAP. I. THAT an Income of Providence attends Prayer hath been shewed the full crop or harvest by way of return to prayer will be in another world as the Apostle intimates 2 Tim. 1. 18. with Mat. 25. 34 35. Here in this World there is a gracious display of Providence and when this World hath its period Providence as such consider it viis modis will have its period likewise and this appears 1. From the opposition of the day of God's judging the World to the day the long day of Providence which men had in the World There is a day for labouring in the Vineyard after comes the Even when the labourers are called Mat. 20. 8. The son of man saith Christ shall send forth his angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity and shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father Mat. 13. 41 42 43. And would we know when this shall be The 40 th verse resolves it In the end of this world Hence Paul inforceth the duty of not abusing the day of Providence but right improving of it from this consideration because God hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteousness Acts 17. 31. with 30. 2. From the Lord the Fountain of Providential Dispensations who hath purposed to send forth the streams another way This may be considered 1. In regard of the godly 2. In regard of the wicked 1. In regard of the godly They shall immediately and without interruption enjoy God in the Heavens so 1 Thes 5. 17. In this world the godly see the Lord as in a glass and that but darkly 1 Cor. 13. 12. There are two glasses in which the godly behold the Lord here 1. The glass of their Civil Affairs their food liberty relations and the publick concerns of temporal life This glass will be broken for as Christ saith In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the angels of God in heaven Mat. 22. 30. and as the Apostle saith Meats for the belly and the belly for meats but God shall destrâ—y both it and them 1 Cor. 6. 13. There will â—e no need of food and consequently of Provdence as a Caterer The Belly or Body remaineth in regard of substance though functions and offices of it as in this life are served with an Eternal Writ of Ease But 2. There is another glass and that is of Divine Ordinances or Sacred Institutions these are as the Galleries to the Presence-Chamber A change there will be as to these then cometh the end when he Christ as now he lets out himself though he abide for ever as Lord and Head shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father 1 Cor. 15. 24. 2. In regard of the wicked they are no longer now the Trustees of outward good things as formerly They who thrust from them the Providence of God wooing and woing them to repentance are now thrust into the prison and no coming from thence till the uttermost farthing be paid Mat. 5. 26. Abraham said to the impenitent rich man whether he were King Prince Duke Earl Lord Knight Esquire Gentleman Merchant it matters not to determine for all may be included none excluded if rich in the World's Goods and not in Faith he said Son remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented Luke 16. 25. CHAP. II. 1. LEARN who they are who submissively long after the change of changes or the great or last Change of Providence they are those who have had experience of a blessed change of Providence on their hearts here and who have profited by the various changes of Providence in this world So the Apostle While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4. 18. See also 2 Cor. 5. 1 2 3 4. Rev. 22. 20. 2. It 's wisdom then to work before the night cometh when no man can work as our Saviour Christ phraseth it John 9. 4. Two things are here considerable 1. Secure we Spiritual Riches whilest the Gospel-Mine is open Be not foolish Virgins who have their Bags and Cossers but no Treasure in them They had their Lamps of Profession but no Oyl in their Vessels they may justly be shut out of Heaven whose hearts were shut against the real admission of Christ by his grace on earth Mat. 25. 3 11 12. Oh! Eternity is no trifle Men should be in good earnest for it The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11. 12. And now is the season or never to look after the means of grace and grace by the means Abraham tells the rich man who would have a Preacher sent from Hell They have Moses and the prophets let them hear them Luke 16. 29. 2. Honour God with Temporal Riches as you have opportunity Are there no Ministers of the Gospel poor Scholars who may be
his own land Here was a prediction of death the kind of it and the place where and accordingly it was fulfilled as it is recorded in the 37 38 verses of the same Chapter 4. From the peculiar Prerogative of God as he is 1. the God of Mercies and so he hands Mercies to men 1. by their own deaths they are taken away from the evil to come God houseth them in Heaven before the black storms fall out on the earth See 2 King 22. 20. Isa 57. 1. 2. By the deaths of others who are thorns in the sides of his people the burning up of these thorns is a joyful bonfire So in 2 King 13. 22. Hazael oppressed Israel in ver 23. The Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them c. Now how the Lord shews himself thus gracious and compassionate we have in v. 24. So Hazael the King of Syria died Thus the Lord is a God of Mercies even in the deaths of men But then 2. as the God of Judgment and so not only wrath but great wrath comes forth on the stage of the World in timing the deaths of persons The glorious terribleness of Justice is here seen as 1. when Providence suddenly snatcheth a man from his fancied Paradise Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee c. Luke 12. 20. Death as Providence doth judicially time it hath a sting in its sting so in that Monarch who was slain in his Royal City by his own Sons and while at his devotions in the House of Nisâ—och his god Isa 37. 37 38. 2. When the deaths of many thousands are timed together The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth Psal 9. 16. We read of Seventy thousand men who dyed of the Plague in three days time 2 Sam. 24. 15. And in 1 King 20. 29. the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand foot-men in one day Now if there were not a Providence in the timing the deaths of persons the glory of Divine Justice would have its grave with the vast multitudes who fall by Famine Sword or Pestilence all which are the Lord's Arrows as the Prophet Gad informeth David in 2 Sam. 24 12 13. 5. From the success and non-success of means used in order to the proroguing or lengthning forth of life The preservatives of life are conservative of it no otherwise than as the Lord pleaseth This may be evidenc'd in three things 1. In the use of Medicinal means which sometimes very improbable to reason avail to the recovery of health and that though the person were mortally sick in the judgment of the most accurate Physicians There seemeth to be something of Providence by way of proportion to that Cure wrought on Hezekiah by the lump of Figs as Isa 38. 21. I acknowledg that Cure extraordinary and shall not dispute the question Whether the lump of Figs might not have something of natural tendency by way of cure This is that I contend for That Providence is very much seen if not in elevating improbable means in themselves considered in order to a cure yet in bringing to light such means which are improbable to mans reason though very proper for the recovery of the Patient who like Epaphroditus was sick nigh unto death but God had mercy on him Phil. 2. 27. And as the Lord's mercy and Providence is displayed in the raising of persons from the grave so no less may the hand of Providence be seen in rendering the means us'd for health succesless A Colledg of Physicians are Physicians of no value when and where the Lord the great Physician withdraws his manutenancy or succeeding hand of Providence witness this in Asa who had his Physicians but not his cure dye he must his disease lodgeth him in his grave 2 Chron. 16. 12 13. But 2 dly in the matter of Diet some Creatures have more of a restorative virtue than others and yet some are healthier fairer live longer with their Pults than others who eat their portion of the King's meat Dan. 1. 12 15. Whence is this the word doth plainly lesson Exod. 23. 25. He shall bless thy bread and thy water and I will take sickness away from thee And Mat. 4. 4. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Lastly In the greatest caution or circumspection men use to preserve themselves in dangers The King of Israel disguiseth himself and hath his Armour yet an Arrow finds its passage between the joynts of his Harness 1 King 22. On the other hand Jehosaphat who was in the same fight and in greater danger than King Abab is preserved It came to pass saith the Text when the Captains of the Charives saw Jehosaphat in his Royal Robes that they said It is the king of Israel therefore they compassed about him to fight but Jehosaphat cried out and the Lord helped him and God moved them to depart from him 2 Chron. 18. 31. 6 thly and lastly From the absurdity which would otherwise follow For if the timing of men's lives here in the world be not according to the bounds which the Lord sets then to whom shall the glory in point of preservation be attributed Shall men think themselves or acknowledg Fortune in contradistinction to Providence The Scripture otherwise teacheth Psal 31. 15. My times are in thy hand deliver me from the hand of mine enemies and from them that persecute me And Psal 68. 20. He that is our God is the God of salvation and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death In the next place it remains that some reply be made to the Objections which look and do but look the matter here asserted in the face and they are as followeth 1. Fifteen years are said to be added to the days of Hezekiah Isa 38. 5. Ans The addition there is no new Addition as it respects the Purpose of God it is rather a new Edition of the Purpose of God a discovery of what lay hid before and is now made manifest notwithstanding the contrary might be concluded in respect of the malignity of Hezekiah's disease To assert that there was a new Purpose of God because of the declaration of the Prophet there were to make a new God who is still the Ancient of days and with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning as the Scripture affirms Him to be Dan. 7. 9. James 1. 17. 2. It may be objected That in Psal 55. 23. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days Ans The days of men are considered according to the course of nature Psal 90. 10. The days of our years are threescore years and ten c. and according to the course of Divine Providence which holds an exact accord with the Purpose or Determination of God I know saith the Prophet to Amaziah that God hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this and hast not
good Cause and a Divine Warrant to fight Benjamin and yet they were worsted and put to the rout Jacob had warrant to return to his Countrey a promise that God would deal well with him in that return Gen. 32. 9. and yet behold a Providence which seemingly clashed with the Promise Is this might Reason be ready enough to prompt Jacob in the ear to be dealt well with What! to have thy throat cut by Esau's Ruffians Here is a returning to thy Kindred indeed by returning to thy dust And yet Jacob's black cloud blows over and the Promise and the Providence do more sweetly kiss each other than the two Brethren do In the next place consider consider the Subject and so man is not much unlike Seneca's Harpesten who complained the room was dark when she was blind The light of Providence is not so taken in partly by reason of darkness in the understanding for we know but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9. and partly by reason of turbulent passions which being crossed in this or that dispensation do raise a sog or mist which cloud the understanding How is David transported on the death of Absalom 2 Sam. 18. 33. How doth Jonah's pride and passion hinder him from subscribing to the Wisdom and Mercy of God in sparing Niniveh see Jonah chap. 4. Men had need therefore watch against charming lusts and passions which otherwise will joyn their additional issue with the intrinsick darkness of the understanding and so like the Earth interpose between them and the light of Providence CHAP. II. 1. NO ground to throw by the observation of the Lord's Dispensations because our knowledg of them is not a comprehensive knowledg It is a dangerous inference from that of Peter speaking of Paul's Epistles in which are some things hard to be understood 2 Pet. 3. 16. to reject therefore the reading of the Sacred Scriptures The like inference here from the things hard to be understood in the course of God's Providence is of dangerous consequence What is said of the Scriptures how it is a River wherein the Elephant may swim and yet the Lamb may wade the same by way of proportion may be said as touching the Lord's Providential Dispensations some of which gravel the profoundest others are understood by the meanest for their instruction Haman's Councellors and his Wise Zeresh learn't a cautionary lesson in the School of Providence they bid him beware how he engage against a Mordecai a Child of Providence Esth 6. 13. The Apostle Paul informeth how there is a common Catechism of Providence for the World Rom. 1. 20. Moreover it may be well remembred here That some Dispensations of Providence which are dark for a time may after become light to the industrious and waiting Christian on his God When I thought to know this it was too painful for me until I went into the Sanctuary of God then understood I their end Psal 73. 16 17. Lastly Such mysteries and riddles of Providence the depth whereof we are not able to fathom yet by the light of God's word we are taught to subscribe unto and to rest contented by way of admiration where we cannot reach by way of comprehension Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 26. 2. No reason for any mortal man to pride himself in his attainments Though a man be got up on the Mountain of Providence and others are in the Valley yet that man is far enough from touching the sky Two things may check pride upon the account of knowledg here 1. The Angels in Heaven may learn by the Providences of God on earth That Heavenly Academy admits of an addition of experimental knowledg see Eph. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 12. No man therefore knows so much but he may know more and to be lifted up with high apprehension of man's apprehensions is so far from being wise as an Angel of God as that the man lies open to the condemnation of the Devil as the Apostle teacheth 1 Tim. 3. 6. But 2 dly he who hath an high conceit about his knowledg in Divine Dispensations may quickly be mistaken in matters and pay deer for his mistake We find how a good Prophet by a pretended Providence of an Angel's appearing is prevail'd on to do otherwise than he should have done and that to the loss of his life 1 King 13. 18 24. Though a man therefore have made more progress in the search of Word and Providence than others yet let him remember his knowledg is rather a twilight-one than Meridian and let him according to that in Psal 2. 11. serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling 3. From this learn to bid an hearty welcome to such means helps furtherances as God vouchsafeth for the better understanding of his dispensations This inference is rational from the premised Theses or Positions The Cripple needs his Crutches and no reason to throw them away till he can go without them There are two moving Considerations here 1. It is dis-ingenuous to do otherwise Shall God offer thee Spectacles for thy weak sight and wilt thou throw them against the wall or trample them under thy feet It was the aggravating sin of the Gentiles That they did imprison the notions of Providence which God had sent as guests into their hearts They held the truth in unrighteousness saith Paul Rom. 1. 18. Pharaoh had Moses and Aaron together with Catechising-Plagues and yet he continues as block-headed a King as ever sate upon Egypt's Throne and just it was with God that such a Block should float on the waters where Israel saw the great work which the Lord did upon him and his Egyptians Exod. 14. 31. 2. Herein is a display of Wisdom To use kindly these Guests I mean Hâ—lps and Furtherances for the better taking in of the mind of God in his Dispensations Abraham was no loser by entertaing the Angels as his Guests He learnt that in their company which otherwise he had been ignorant of Gen. 18. 17. It 's wisdom then to set open the window-leaves for Heaven's light to come in on our Understandings Whoso is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them Hos 14. 9. OBSERVATION II. Gods Decree Will or Purpose is the original bottom or foundation of his Dispensations in the world CHAP. I. THE truth of this may be cleared on this wise 1. There are Allusions or Similitudes it Scripture which according to their proper scope and drift declare this In Psal 139. 16. In thy book all my members were written Jer. 18. 4. So he made it again another vessel a seemed good to the Potter to make it And it Zech. 6. 1. the Chariots there come out from between two Mountains This Text iâ— Et hic aptissime nobis pingitur consilium Dei quoniam antequam res in actum erumpant sunt quasi inclusae
to day a God not purposing and to morrow a God purposing or on the contrary a yesterday not purposing and to day purposing and to morrow not purposing no no He is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11. 19. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart to all generations Psal 33. 11. 2. Look not on man's I will so as to forget that God's Will or Purpose must take place How many live as if Men were God and God but Scito autem homo nullum tibi adversari potuisse nisi Deus potestatem dedisset nec potestatem habuisset in te adversarius nisi permitteret Deus Universa quae accidunt tibi absque Dei non veniunt voluntate Iniquorum potestas super te ex Dei datur licentiâ qui tibi adversantur Dei faciunt consilium Isidor Hispal lib. 1. Soliloq Man The Lord takes notice of this and rebukes for it in Isa 50. 12. I even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid of man that shall dye and the son of man which shall be made as grass and forgettest the Lord thy Maker c. There are two things worthy of the Christian's meditation here 1. That man's I will without God's I will is but a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal It makes a noise in the ear of sense and reason and it 's but a noise Men's Decrees prove often smoak and bubbles The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword mine band shall destroy them Exod. 15. 9. Here is earth's I will upon I will But what is Heaven's I will That we have in the next verse Thou didst blow with thy wind the sea covered them they sank as lead in the mighty waters 2. That though man's I will may be co-incident in part with God's I will in regard of afflicting the Lord's people yet God intends otherwise than man who is his rod and is after thrown into the fire A full place for this is that in Isa 10. 5 6 7. 3. Rush not into sin nor plead for it upon a pretence of the Divine Will or Decree Shall Adam plead thus with the Lord If thou hadst not decreed to make the woman and accordingly to give her to me to wise I had not had forbidden fruit from her 't was the woman thou gavest to be with me she gave me of the tree and I did eat Gen. 3. 1◠Adam might blame himself the Lord had forbidden him to eat that Law of Prohibition was a Rule according to that in Deut. 29. 29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever that we may do all the words of this law Look then to what God lays forth before thee by way of duty say not as the Heathen Servant to his Master in excuse of his fact That the gods had decreed be should do so To whom the Master replied That the gods had likewise decreed he should be beaten for so doing 4. Learn from hence thou whose Bucket hath gone down into Well of God's Eternal Love in Christ 1. To view thy spiritual mercies in the Spring-head of them so doth Paul Gal. 1. 16. But when it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace to reveal his son in me Christ teacheth to eye the Father 's good pleasure in giving a kingdom Luke 12. 32. 2. To rejoyce in the Lord seeing his Purpose as declared bodes good to godly ones according to that of the Apostle Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Observe here it is not said To them who are purposed as they are called as if the Election did lacquy after a Calling which may vanish after and that sort of Election with it such a gloss is to make Paul's Cordial here to become a venomous Potion 3. To be watchful against sin For God hath chosen us saith the Apostle in him that we should be holy Eph. 1. 4. And where sin is indulged there smart will be ushered in Who knows what black dispensations of affliction are wrapt up in the Lord's Purpose for Children who play the wanton Though the Lambs are not thrown into the mouth of the roaring Lion of Hell yet there are Dogs that may not only bark but bite them Eli David Hezekiah are lamentable instances for this See chap. 3 4 of the first Book of Samuel and 2 Sam. 12. and Isa 39. 4. To calm and quiet the heart from the Quin si viderimus fractum ruere orbem cum omnibus elementis imminere cervicib us nostris tamen diceremus etiam ruendo non rues nisi Deus velit etsi capiti incumberet nihil nocebis nec opprimes me diceremus aut si sic visum est Deo ut obruar mole tuâ fiat sane quod bonum est in oculis Domini Luth. meditation of the Purpose of God besides which or contrary to which men and devils can do nothing Hence is that glorious triumphancy of the Apostle Rom. 8. 38 39. OBSERVATION III. The Lord's Will is not only the ground why things are but why they are not CHAP. I. THE truth of this appears For 1. There is a sufficiency of Power to bring about what is not and may never be and what is not and yet may be when the Lord shall see it good to be and after this or that sort to be The Lord is described in Scripture as the great Potter of the world Isa 45 9. Rom. 9. 21. and so he hath a liberty for possible vessels not to be and for such vessels as are intentionally to be not to be of this fashion or shape of such a bigness and not to be at such a time but when he pleaseth The Apostle Paul hath well stated this point Why all flesh is not the same flesh Why one Starr hath not the like glory for degree that another hath Why the grain sown thrives and so consequently why when it thrives not He resolves all into the good will of God as that passage of his imports but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him 1 Cor. 15. 38. The Baptist tells the Pharisees and Sadduces That God is able of the stones present before their eyes to raise up children unto Abraham Mat. 3. 5. Why the stones are not multiplied into children unto Abraham is from the Lord's will the Israelites they had Manna in the wilderness which neither they nor their fathers knew before as Moses saith Deut. 8. 3. and whence is this but from the Lord's will not to give it in Egypt 2. The reason rendred in
from the Soveraign Will of God who could have wrought otherwise 7. In carrying on some in their journey heavenward without such falls by the way as others have had David Jonah Peter did splinter their bones though they brake not their necks they fell into the mire though they wallowed not in it as swine of the Devils Herd We do not find that Paul with others had such plunges after their primitive or first acquaintance with Jesus Christ I know saith Paul nothing by my self yet am I not hereby justified 1 Cor. 4. 4. 8. In landing some at the Port of Heaven as it were with top and top-gallant pennents streaming and flags flying They go out of the world triumphantly they are in Heaven before they are in Heaven a sight they have of the Beatifical Vision on earth Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into beaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God Acts 7. 55 56. Others though they may have as much of inherent grace yea sometimes more yet go out of the world in a cloud though not in a stinking snuff Christ himself upon the Deity 's suspension of his operation goes off the stage of the world with a My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27. 46. 2. In Temporals or matters referring to this life the Lord 's Soveraign Will is displayed 1. In giving such a beeing for kind That the Efficiency of God was not otherwise employed in regard of the object at such a season or in some other way as Adam was made out of the dust of the earth Eve not so immediately but out of a rib of Adam is from the Lord who acts as he pleaseth It was replied by the weeping Shepherd to the two Cardinals going to the Council of Constance and demanding of the Shepherd why he was so pathetical I admire saith he the Lord that I was not made as yonder Toad Job takes notice of the Lord's Providence in his beeing and the mode of it saying Hast thou not poured me out like milk and crudled me as cheese thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh and hast fenced me with bones and sinews thou hast granted me life and favour and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit Job 10. 10 11 12. 2. In bestowing all the integral parts of the body in regard of their respective functions offices and operations Thine eyes saith David did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them Psal 139. 16. That thou wast not a Creeple from the womb or blind as thâ—… man John 9. 6. is from God's Soveraign good pleasure 3. In being birthed into the world at such or such a time The time might have been such when the women did eat their fruit and children of a span long Lam. 2. 20. Our Saviour speaks of some black days when he saith Wo unto them which are with child and to them that give suck in those days Mat. 24. 19. see moreover there v. 21 22. 4. In portioning forth the places of habitation There is a wise soveraign lot of Providence in God's disposal of parties to their respective places of abode God saith Paul hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Acts 17. 26. Some in regard of places for accommodation whether for the outward man or inward or both may say The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly heritage Psal 16. 6. 5. In calling some to one employment others to another Bezaleel is a skilful Artificer Exod. 31. beginning of the Chapter He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep-folds from following the ews great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance Psal 78. 70 71. Jeremiah was ordained a Prophet Jer. 1. 5. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord saith Paul who enabled me for that he counted me faithful putting me into the ministry 1 Tim. 1. 12. 6. In giving to some such and such Relations When Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children Who are these with thee saith he to Jacob and he said The children which God hath graciously given thy servant Gen. 33. 5. Job was bereft of his children God gives him posterity again for he had seven sons and three daughters Job 42. 13. These living-goods came out of God's Treasure-house That reply of Jacob to Rachel saying Give me children or else I dye doth attest the soveraign will of God Am I said Jacob in God's stead who hath with-held from thee the fruit of the womb Gen. 30. 2. 7. In giving and continuing to some as long as he pleaseth Land Wealth Health Friends Liberty to others not so He maketh peace in thy borders and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat Psal 147. 14. Others cut up Mallows by the bushes and Juniper-roots for their meat Job 30. 4. The rich man feasteth and hath his Purple and fine Linnen Lazarus is laid at his gate full of sores Luke 16. 19 20. Pharoah hath his liberty to gallop up and down Egypt Joseph was sold for a servant whose feet they hurt with fetters he was laid in irons Psal 105. 17 18. 8. In taking some out of the world in the morning of their age others at mid-day others in the evening Many Candles are puft out ere they burn out to the socket of old age yea some no sooner lighted but are extinguisht and many with one breath are blown out together as in a Plague-time and season of Warr. Shall any saith Job teach God knowledg seeing he judgeth those that are high One dieth in his full strength being wholly at ease and at quiet his breasts are full of milk and his bones are moistned with marrow and another dieth in the bitterness of his soul and never eateth with pleasure they shall lye down alike in the dust and the worms shall cover them Job 21. 22 c. A young Abijah in whom is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel dies when wicked ones survive him see 1 Kings 14. 12 13. Now that the Soveraignty of God displayed should be a golden bitt to check man's corruption appeareth 1. If due respect ought to be had to Superiors much more ought it to be yielded to God who is absolute Lord. Elihu harps on this string Job 34. 17 18 19. Nebuchadnezzar is taught this lesson Dan. 4. 34 35. 2. Otherwise what is it but to exalt Clay to the Pottership He that quarrelleth with God's Dispensations doth so far forget that confession of saith Isa 64. 8. But now O Lord thou art our Father we are the clay and thou our Potter and we all are the work of thy hands Si reputarent homines sibi negotium esse cum Deo puderet ipsos contra suum opificem insurgere
the sons of men as shall after be spoken unto and the same Power of God is seen as it respects persons families in their particular Wilderness But 2. In point of Protection notwithstanding dangers It would fill a Volume to rehearse the many remarkable preservations which some have had whilst the Lord had wise Ends subordinate to his glory for their existence here in the world It may suffice that Christ points out the Power of God in preserving when he saith to his Disciples Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves Mat. 10. 16. What a notable draught have we of the Power of God in the rescue of Peter one of the Church's Bell-weathers from the Paw of that Lion Herod Acts 12. Neither Quaternions of Soldiers nor Chains nor Iron-gate shall hold him whom God will set free It is a truth God's Peters are immortal till their work be done CHAP. II. 1. THERE is no ground to be despondent or dejected in and under troubles Despondency of spirit is an evil of sin which steals in on parties under their evil of smart David said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul 1 Sam. 27. 1. and yet Saul's day of death was then nearer and David lived to see the day for a confutation of his black imaginations for so is it recorded 2 Sam. 22. 1. And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hand of Saul Let not the Christian then be sinking under his Saul like difficulties but ask his soul this question Can I find out an Omnipotent Distress If my Religion say nay and tell me there is but one Omnipotent in the World Why doth my dejected practice say yea or tacitly proclaim the contrary 2. Distrust not the truth of God's word as if the Lord could not be as good as his word for defect of Power 'T was Zachariah's fault that he look't too much to Second-causes and did not consider as he should the Power of God which had Nature though decayed at his beck Luke 18. 19 20. If therefore there be as great an unlikelihood of things spoken of in Scripture in point of being fulfilled as there was that Zachariah and Elizabeth being old should have a son yet give no way to cavilling-unbelief but take a view of matters in conjunction with the Power of God and so indeed we are taught in Scripture as in the case of the Jews who have lien in a forlorn estate for so many Centuries of years Rom. 11. 23. God is able to graff them in again And so likewise in the case of Antichrist Rev. 18. 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord who judgeth her And so in any other difficult case let that be remembred Gen. 18. 14. Is there any thing too hard for the Lord 3. Be encouraged to go on in such work as God calleth you unto in his Providence He that hath a God of Power to set him on work and pay him wages may take the more encouragement to follow his work If God be with Moses as he promiseth saying Certainly I will be with thee Exod. 3. 12. Moses may take heart notwithstanding all blocks in the way Heaven's Warrant will bear God's Moseses out notwithstanding all the fury of the sons of the earth and the sons of hell too See Josh 1. 6 7. Jer. 1. 17 18 19. Mat. 28. 19 20. Acts 18. 9 10. 4. Resolve on the exercise of faith more and more on the Power of God Let not so glorious a Jewel lye by without taking frequent views of it by the eye of Faith Consider two things 1. Hereby you glorifie God in giving him a due estimate of his Power A clear and full exemplification for this we have in Abraham who being not weak in faith considered not his own body now dead when he was about an hundred years old neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God and being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform Rom. 4. 19 20 21. 2. Hereby you consult your own good and quiet Had men more of Faith they would have less of disquiet Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me was a word spoken in season by Christ for the calming of the hearts of his Disciples John 14. 1. If it be said here I question not the Power of God It may be replied 1. It is well if you do not as good as you have had their reflections on the Power of God Moses questions how Six hundred thousand foot-men should be provided for flesh for a Month in the Wilderness Numb 11. 21 22. God tells him saying Is the Lord's hand waxed short thou shalt see now whether my words shall come to pass unto thee or no v. 23. 2. Is there not a deceit of heart here God's Will is pretended but is not the Power of God questioned A reason to evidence this is thus Because when the distress is greater the party is the more disquieted Disquiet riseth with the difficulty The Israelites at the Red-sea were made up of unbelief Exod. 14 11 12. They might have considered that the Power of God which had made a passage through Pharaoh his stony heart for their egress from Egypt could make a passage for them through the Red-sea Martha is questioning the resurrection of her brother though Christ had said the word for the encouragement of faith and what is that which staggereth her faith it is because Lazarus had been dead four days see John 11. 39 40. 3. In reference to the Will of God about matters that there shall be no defect on God's part What he promiseth absolutely shall be made good what conditionally is made good likewise yea not only when the Condition is performed on our part but sometimes when failing on our part as in Martha her case Christ had told her If she believed she should see the glory of God displayed John 11. 40. yet she questioneth as v. 39. and Lazarus is raised v. 44. True then is that Heb. 10. 23. Faithful is he who hath promised OBSERVATION IX God never hath his Vacation-time though he may seem to do little or nothing sometimes in His administration of matters in the World CHAP. I. THAT Providence is not idle though it Deus nunquam feriatur Calv. seems to sit still will be evidenced 1. From positive assertions in Scripture So Prov. 15. 3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Eyes here are attributed to God to note not only his knowledg of or inspection into the affairs of the World but his
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
Oxen do all in a moment Remember that great man in whom unbelief was regent 2 Kings 7. He talks of Windows in Heaven and yet the Shop windows on earth were open the next day according to the Prophet's words v. 16. the great man saw the Market but it was no fair one to him for he was trodden to death v. 20. Remember his example not by way of imitation but caution 4. Treasure up more than ordinary dispensations of Providence in which thou hast had a share Hath thy Barrel of Meal wasted not nor thy Cruse of Oyl fail'd not according to that 1 Kings 17. 16. O forget not that hand of Providence which by that time that thou hadst taken out one handful and spent it did cast in another handful Hath God at any time check't a Laban calm'd an Esau crush't an Herod intending mischief O let such displays be written on the heart with a Pen of Iron and point of a Diamond OBSERVATION XIII As there is a general Order or Connexion of things so there 's a more special or signal Method of Providence in and about some Matters CHAP. I. THIS special Method may be considered 1. In regard of God's afflicting men for sin Men have their Method in sinning God hath his in punishing The blushing sinner at first after hath a brow of brass The walking in the counsel of the ungodly makes way for standing in the way of sinners and so for sitting in the seat of the scornful Psal 1. 1. Sin is progressive fresh-men or Novices in the Devil's School quickly aspire after the Doctor 's Chair And as the sinner hath thus his walk of vanity so the Lord doth ordinarily warn before he strikes There is a fiting of the Beacons before the Host or Army of Judgments is landed Sâ—e Gen. 6. 3. Luke 13. 34. 2. In regard of exalting parties and so there is an humbling and abasing work upon their hearts which is preambulatory or goes before As pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. so the fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom and before honour is humility Prov. 15. 33. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up James 4. 10. The humbling-dispensations which did betide Joseph David with others did lead the dance to exalting-ones 3. In regard of conversion from a state of nature to a state of grace and so there is conviction-work which like the needle enters the cloath Men leap not out of the warm bed of their Lusts into the lap of Evangelical Comforts The Israelites were stung with fiery Serpents ere there was a looking to the brazen Serpent Numb 21. 8. They who are not sensible of the bitings of sin will not regard a Saviour The pricking at the heart awakens men to consideration-work Acts 3. 37. 4. In regard of some more than ordinary service unto which God calleth persons whether for Church or State God is pleased to vouchsafe more than ordinary encouragement when he calleth persons to more than ordinary employment God was at the cost and charges of Miracle after Miracle when he sends Moses to bring his people out of Egypt Exod. 4. Joshua is told by God As I was with Moses so I will be with thee I will not fail thee nor forsake thee Josh 1. 5. Isaiah had an hard Chapter to read unto a stubborn people he was sensible of his own pollution difficulties there were not meerly in fancy's brow the Lord helpeth and encourageth him Isa 6. 5 to the end Paul had an hard task but the Lord sweetens all See Acts 9. 15 16. Acts 26. 15 16 17 18. 5. In regard of some afflictions with which by way of trial God may exercise some and so there 's a previous or preparatory work of Providence God is before-hand with some Cordial against some fainting-fit He strengthens the back before he lays on the burden Christ is transfigured on the high Mountain before Peter James and John Mat. 17. initio and this to corroborate them when he shall shortly be crucified and transfixed with a Spear on Mount Calvary they needed this display of Providence as bladders to bear up when they were like to be plunged even to a questioning whether Christ were the Messiah for so we read Luke 24. 21. but we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel In 2 Cor. 12. 4. mention is made how Paul was caught up into Paradise and in v. 7. there is a relation of one no good one who did catch at Paul's Comforts 'T was well for Paul that he was feasted in the Lord's Dining-room before he was had down into Satan's Dungeon of Temptations Had not the Coat of Mail been first put him on him the thorn in the flesh would have pierced and sorely grieved him To conclude this the Christian's Sun doth shine very gloriously before some notable Eclipse at hand CHAP. II. 1. SEE from whence it is that some judicious Christians do give a notable guess at the issues of matters They live nigh in point of communion to the great Landlord of the World and so know some of his ordinary walks hither and thither one while he useth to walk up the hill another while down into the valley this they know and take notice of Besides the great God is pleased sometimes to tell them whither he is a going Gen. 18. 17 And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do And Amos 3. 7. Surely the Lord will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets It is said of Luther That he had a foresight of the Calamities to come on Germany The Reverend Vsher foretold the time of the late Tragedy in Ireland The Sermons of some pious Ministers have been better understood by their Hearers some years after They who seemed to talk in the Clouds have been acknowledged to speak from Heaven as to what hath fallen out on Earth 2. Beware of crossing and thwarting with such special Methods of Providence and that these ways 1. In not heeding warnings which is the too common sin of men who are as the deaf Adder as the Psalmist describeth Psal 58. 4. 2. In not being abased under humbling-dispensations Some are humbled but not humble Pharaoh had a proud heart notwithstanding all the Plagues Too much of Pharaoh-like heart is to be found where the Rod of God hath lighted For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart Isa 57. 17. 3. In not improving Convictions Some break Prison from them they with Cain build Cities or with Saul are for Musick few with Paul are wrestling at a Throne of Grace under them Acts 9. 11. Behold he prayeth 4. In a backwardness to set upon such particular work as God calleth unto Moses had encouragement to a miracle yet he draws
relgneth is good news to Zion's friends There are four props for sinking-spirits under black clouds 1. Jesus Christ hath his glorious Titles which are not empty ones His Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isa 9. 6. He is the Prince of the kings of the earth Rev. 1. 5. 2. The Holy Spirit as an Omnipotent Agent sweetly concenters in or joins issue with Christ in the ordering and management of matters see Zech. 4. 7. John 14. 26. and 16. 7 8. 3. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ 1 Cor. 1. 20. There is a promised presence of Christ with his people Mat. 28. 20. Rev. 1. 13 20. 4. Notwithstanding all the furies of men and devils the sad face of things Christ will gloriously discharge the Supream Office of governing the World and bring all to an issue every way glorious see 1 Cor. 15. 24. Rev. 19. 11 12 c. OBSERVATION XV. The Angels are capacious Wheels which move in the great Clock of the World or There is a subordinate Agency of Angels in bringing about Matters in the World CHAP. I. THAT the Angels have their influences appears 1. From Titles Appellations Descriptions given to and of them These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro thorow the earth Zech. 1. 10. Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1. 14 The Devil likewise with his Attendants are set forth as busie Peripateticks walkers to and fro the earth Job 1. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 8. 2. From the Effects or work done by them There is a transcendency of operation to be noted The Bed of ordinary Second Causes is shorter than that this or that Effect can stretch it self on it The Egyptians are witnesses for this for the Lord cast upon them the fierceness of his anger wrath and indignation and trouble by sending evil angels among them Psal 78. 49. An Angel of the Lord in a night smote in the Camp of the Assyrians an Hundred fourscore and five thousand 2 Kings 19. 35. 3. From Exemplifications and that in matters of publick concernment and also personal What an influence good Angels have on the publike Affairs of the world may be proved from Ezek. 1. Dan. 4. 23. and 10. 13. Mat. 1. 19. And that evil Angels have their influences yet not absolute arbitrary ones may be collected from 1 Kings 22. where the Prince of darkness is a lying spirit in the mouth of the false prophets and so the warr there goes on The Agency of Angels is extensive to persons singly considered Jacob sees Angels ascending and descending his Ladder Gen. 28. 12. These winged Coursers attend the meanest Saint The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Psal 34. 7. and well for Saints it is so for the evil Angels are for playing small games as well as greater ones We read of two men possessed of Devils Mat. 8 28. The woman of Canaan cries out Have mercy on me O Lord thou son of David my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil Mat. 15. 22. 4. From the particular work specified about which Angels are versant Intimations there are in Scripture both as to good and bad Angels they have each their shops where they may be found hard at work in this world First The good Angels may be consider'd with respect to good and bad ones in the world Their work is to do the Lord's work and that as it respecteth the Lord's people divers ways 1. Good Angels promote Gospel-work in order to persons being brought to the means of grace or the means of grace to them Cornelius was willed by an Angel to send for Peter Acts 10. 3 5. A Vision appeared to Paul in the night There stood a man of Macedonis and prayed him saying Come over into Macedonia and help us Acts 16. 9. The Angels know the state of the Countrey and have thâ—iâ— influence on the Gospel-Seeds-men for the casting of the Seed in this or that plat of ground Yea 2. The good Angels become truly Angelical Doctors in discovering or intimating the will of God about matters and comforting the troubled spirits of his servants Instances there are to this purpose 2 Kings 1. 3 15 Dan. 7. 16. Rev. 17. 7. Mat. 1. 20. Acts 27. 23 24. 3. Good Angels are Saints Guardians Defenders under God Lot had experience of this Gen. 19. 11 16. My God saith Daniel hath sent his Angel and hath shut the Lions mouths that they have not hurt me Dan. 6 22. Their preservation as the Lord pleaseth is a part of the Angels commission as it is asserted Psal 91. 11 12. This Satan knew and therefore urged it though in a majmed sense and to a bid end Mat. 4. 6. 4. Good Angels are encouragers and helpers on of God's Saints in that work unto which God calleth them So in Elisha his case 1 King 19. 5 6 7. So Paul encouraged to appear before Cesar Acts 27. 24. Abraham tells his fervant saying He shall send his angel before thee Gen. 24. 7. 5. Good Angels may sometimes be employ'd in afflicting God's professed people they as Heaven's Chirurgeons are taken up in launcing and cutting-work When thousands fell by the Pestilence an Angel of the Lord is seen with a drawn sword 1 Chron. 21. 14 15. An Angel threatens Zacharia saying Tbou shalt be dumb Luke 1. 20. It 's probable the Angel might smite him with dumbness as the Angels smote the Sodomites with blindness Lastly Whatever other work the good Angels do they are not wanting at death and after death Lazarus dies and is carried by the Angels into heaven Luke 16. 22. And whether their care be not versant about the carkass yea the dust of a believer is not to be denied A contention we read of about the body of Moses Jude v. 9. At the resurrection the Angels gather together the Elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to another Mat. 24. 31. In the next place The Ministry of good Angels respects bad or wicked ones in the world and that 1. By way of inhibition check or reproof The Angel of the Lord said unto Balaam Wherefore hast thou smitten thine asse these three times Numb 22. 32. 2. By way of compassion or doing some office of kindness There is a voice of distressed nature as well as the voice of grace which comes up before the Lord. Ismael hath a share in Angelical kindness when like to perish for want of water Gen. 21. 16 17 18 19 20. 3. By way of smart and punishment for defaults They are executioners of divine wrath The Sodomites were smitten with blindness Syrians destroyed by an Angel of the Lord And though human creatures shall be instruments to burn the Whore of Babylon yet that may include the Ministry of Angels they may prepare the â—ewel and blow
the counsels of the hearts and then shall every man have praise of God To this of the Apostle add what Solomon hath as pertinent for a period here and oh that it might put a period to further deeds of darkness Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil Eccles 12. 13 14. OBSERVATION XXII PROVIDENCE runs parallel with the line of man's life Or Providence reacheth from the Grave of the Womb to the Womb of the Grave CHAP. I. AS there is a general inspection of God over all the Creatures as hath been before shewed so there is a more special over Man the Flower of the Creation next to Angels And this more special Inspection Care or Providence is co-extensive to the life of man which may be evidenced from the Scripture as followeth 1. It is plainly and positively asserted The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men from the place of his habitation He fashioneth their hearts alike he considereth all their works Psal 33. 13 14 15. To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven a time to be born and a time to dye c. Eccles 3. 1. See Mat. 10. 29 30 31. Coelum non est otiosum palatium sed Dei regia e quâ Imperium suum per omnes mundi partes cum summâ ratione sapientiâ exercet Mollerus 2. It 's acknowledged by the Lord's people in their addresses to him But thou art he that took me out of the womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breast I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mothers belly Psal 22. 9 10. O God thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works now also when I am old and gray-headed O God forsake me not Psal 71. 17 18. 3. Otherwise that Principle of undoubted Verity In him we live and move and have our being Acts 17. 28. would expire before man breathe out his last If there be not a constant motion of Providence from life to death the sense must be In him we live not move not and have not our being 4. The Scripture descends particularly 1. To the Actions of man 2. To what befalls man and that by way of reference to the Providence of God First The Actions of man fall under a threefold consideration 1. As Natural as eating drinking walking talking sleeping these are subjected to the Providence of God They are like to make but a poor meal who have both mouths and meat if they find not grace in the eyes of the Lord. While the flesh was yet between the teeth of the Israelites yer it was chewed the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people Numb 11. 33. O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Jer. 10. 23. But I will come shortly to you if the Lord will 1 Cor. 4. 19. The answer of the tongue is from the Lord Prov. 16. 1. On that night could not the King sleep Esth 6. 1. For so he giveth his beloved sleep Psal 137. 2. 2. As Civil or Political such are ploughing buying selling It is said of the Husbandman his God doth instruct him to discretion and doth teach him Isa 28. 26. The Apostle James reads to buyers and sellers a good and savoury lecture he willeth them to eye Providence for though they are Masters of their own Trade yet not Masters of their own Lives and what becomes of the intentional bargains then in a moment yea of what they have gotten through succeeding Providence when they are swept away by death which proves at times the death of their Wealth their Estates and Affairs lying raw and undigested and being left in the hands of Fools or Knaves See James 4. 13 14 15. 3. As Moral and that whether good or bad As for actions good no man unless he he forget himself to be a man will appropriate that to himself as a Fountain of which he is but a Cistern for who maketh thee to differ from another and what hast thou that thou didst not receive now if thou didst receive it why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it 1 Cor. 4. 7. See James 1. 17. And as for actions bad which are vulgarly so termed though Providence be not an author of them yet it is a spotless actor in and about them the foul acts in a man's lame-foot and yet lameness is not chargeable on the soul God is an holy God notwithstanding the displays of Providence in and about the Sins of men as hath elsewhere been discovered Secondly What befalls man is reducible to the Providence of God Not only the Honey but the Gall of man's life hath its being from Him I form the light and create darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Isa 45. 7. Job in that Doxology of his acknowledgeth this The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away Job 1. 21. CHAP. II. 1. LOOK back how Providence hath dealt with thee in time past Jacob did so as is left on record Gen. 48. Moses the Man of God in the book of Deuteronomy which may may be termed the book of Moses Farewel-Sermons preach't a Month before his death as some observe doth commend to the Israelites a survey of God's Providence towards them he willeth them particularly to take a view both of Mercies and Afflictions Thy raiment saith he waxed not old upon thee neither did thy foot swell these forty years thou shalt also consider in thine heart that as a man chasteneth his son so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee Deut. 8. 4 5. 2. Take encouragement for time to come to trust in God Some are miserably baffled with temptations for futurity How shall they do What may befall them and the like here is both an Antidote and a Remedy against this Disease Providence runs parallel with the line of life and this may quiet and compose the spirit if well thought on and improved But more particularly consider here three things 1. Providence is not tired It is a mighty Giant not wearied with half-racing Hast thou not known hast thou not heard that the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is weary Isa 40. 28. 2. The experience of an hitherto-Providence may sweetly invite to wait on God for futurity So David reasoneth Thou art my Lamp O Lord and the Lord will lighten my darkness for by thee I have run thorow a troop by my God have I leaped over a wall 2 Sam. 22. 29 30. So Paul too 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. 3. The Promises are not empty breasts There is enough in them to keep faith
towards Heaven Twelfthly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of some glorious Discovery of God to the Soul by way of consolation Every day is not in this sense a Christian's gaudee-day Jacob had a golden dream indeed when in it Behold I am with thee and will keep thee saith the Lord to him Gen. 28. 15. That passage of signal Providence was never to be forgotten by Jacob it was of use to him thorow his whole life it was not an every-day's Providence though he had experience of God's Providence every day In 1 Kings 12. 9. God's appearing twice to Solomon is there taken notice of Paul was caught up into the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. I make no question but divers Saints of God have had somewhat like experience of God's out-goings towards their souls There are some high-days of Providence if I may so term them and oh that such high-days where and when they are may not puff up persons Lastly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of Death and that as they respect 1. The fore-running warning preparatory-intimations of Death Moses and Joshua sang sweetly like Swans before their death Christ observes that Providence in the woman's anointing his feet with ointment of Spikenard Let her alone said he to grumbling Judas against the day of my burying hath she kept this Joh. 12. 7. Memorable service of English-Generals under Sir John Norrice p. 46. It is recorded of Sir Anthony Wingfield slain at Brest in Britain in the year 1594 That at his last going into Britain he so disposed of his Estate as if he were never to return and the same day or day before his death took such order for his debts as if he had a presage of his end Some have fore-told the day of their death others have dropt such passages at times when no visible signs of death then as after have been better understood by their sorrowful Friends 2. These Death-sallies respect the kind of death The Lord takes some out of the world in way of Martyrdom as Stephen Acts 7. 59. James Acts 12. 2. Others dye a natural death and that notwithstanding all the attempts of men to the contrary This was Luther's case who dies in his bed do Emperor and Pope what they can to the contrary 3. These Death-fallies respect assistance against Satan then The Devil is busie then I have always saith a pious Divine observed Mr. John Barlow in his Ser. on Psal 73. 24. pag. 50. that when Satan most tempteth the truly religious they seldom recover that sickness he hath great skill to discover how nature is weakned and therefore taketh the fittest time for the purpose It 's reported of Mr. Pemble how the Tempter assaulted him by way of syllogism on his death-bed as was understood by Pemble's denying sometimes the Major other-whiles the Minor-Proposition Our Saviour Christ when the time of his Passion drew nigh said to his Apprehenders This is your hour and power of darkness Luke 22. 53. And what darts Satan shot at him in the bows of People Soldiers the Malefactor may be understood Luke 23. 34 to 40. As the temptations may be more than ordinary then so are the sallies of Providence in a way of assistance It is said in reference to Christ when the bitter Cup was in his hand there appeared an Angel from Heaven strengthning him Luke 22. 43. The Lord helps his people in shooting this gulph They will be out of gun-shot in a little time and Death will be the death of temptations The Sheep shall not be pluck't out of Christ's hand though Satan catch at them John 10. 28. 4. And lastly These Death-sallies respect Comforts at death which are dispenced after a more than ordinary sort to some as in Stephen's case Acts 7. 55. The learned and pious Rivet in his last hours seems to have had a turf of the Heavenly Inheritance a first-haâ—sel of Heaven a dawning of the joyful day of Eternity And thus far of the Sallies of Providence in regard of Death and other matters as hath been insisted on The Improvement of such Sallies follows CHAP. II. 1. OBSERVE and note well the Sallies of Providence If Gold-filings are with care paper'd up much more are the Wedges of Gold to be choicely laid up under Lock and Key It is observable how there is a note of attention or observation prefixt to the Narratives of the Sallies of Providence in the Sacred Scripture see Gen. 28. 12. Gen. 37. 15. 1 King 14. 10. 2 King 19. 7. Psal 78. 20. Acts 10. 19. 2. Be thankful to God for what share you have had in the signal Sallies of Providence on your behalf Hath Providence stept in for thy help holp up thy Cart when it was overturn'd or suddenly suppli'd thee with a firm Wheel for a broken one What remains now but the celebrating the Name of God with Halelujahs The Israelites had their Song for that Sally at the Red-sea Exod. 15. 1. We read of the Writing of Hezekiah King of Judah when he had been sick and was recovered of his sickness Isa 38. 9. Paul is affected with the Lord 's delivering him out of the mouth of the Lion 2 Tim. 4. 17. 3. Learn from the meditation of the Sallies of Providence to trust God both for thy self and Relations God's Saints have so done their faith in running backward hath fetch'd a leap forward So David in 1 Sam. 17. 37. So Paul 2 Tim. 4. 18. Abraham had an eye to the Sallies of Providence for his Son's marriage Gen. 24. 6 7. he useth the means sends his servant on a Nuptial-Embassie and so acquiesceth in God's Providence The Sallies of Providence on the behalf of Children are the best portion They who can leave little or nothing to Children yet if they leave them an interest in the Sallies of Divine Providence do leave them enough what is wanting one way these Sallies of Providence make up another way Oh that Parents therefore would take less care by taking more care less care for the Earth and more for Heaven The way to have things go well is for Parents and Children to have God for their God or to be reallly godly But of this in the next Meditation Nititur ergo Abraham promissione docet omnia gerenda esse in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fidei sive magnum sive exile appareat Sic nos quoque discamus Deo reddenda committenda esse omnia sive singularia sive usitata summa infima ut laetemur fortes simus in Domino omnem solicitudinem in eum projicientes Videtur res sordidâ— obscoena propemodum apparare filio nuptias sed in quanto pretio honore est in oculis Abrahae adeo ut non dubitet de Angelorum praesentia cura praesidio Lutâ— ad locum OBSERVATION XXIV PROVIDENCE hath its Courts in which the sons of men have their different stations CHAP. I. AS in the Temple of
ut infatuet consilium Achitophelis Martyr man into a fool 2. There is a notable description of out-witting Providence in regard of the devices of men against the Church He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision Psal 2. 4. This laughter here after the manner of men is attributed to God It may point at three things 1. Sedateness or Tranquillity God is not affected in the least by way of perturbation with the devices and politick contrivances of men An Army of expert Soldiers is not moved to behold a company of Children making towards them with Reeds in their hands They therefore who have composed spirits when wicked ones are busie in their Cobweb-work do the more resemble Him who sits in the Heavens and thus laughs 2. Ability or Facility to dash their designs A wise man who laughs at the project of an Adversary seeth the vanity of the project He needeth not enter into a deep contemplation how to counterwork so shallow an Invention 3. Perspicacity or insight into the case of the Snarers snared by the very course they take A wise man who sees in some measure the end of business at the beginning of it well may laugh when the Adversary shall make a rod for his own back The Lord gives sinners line and so they are entangled to their own sorrow Thus he that sitteth in the Heavens laughs no reason for them who have the Lord of Heaven for theirs to weep unless it be for sinning against their Lord. OBSERVATION XXVII Whilst men go on their own Errands they do God's Business or Men in pursuing their own Ends bring about the Ends of Providence CHAP. I. THE truth of this appears 1. From God's threatning and punishing of men for such matters the doing whereof though not the so doing in regard of the Agents had its warrant from the Lord. Jehu was the Sithe-man of Providence to mow down the House of Ahab Thou said the Prophet to him shalt smite the house of Ahab 2 Kings 9. 7. Jehu hath a bloody-commission yet righteous in regard of God but sinfully executed by Jehu whose end was selfish and therefore the Lord threatens saying I wil◠avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu Hos 1. 4. 2. From Exemplifications and that 1. In Civils Men have their Aims Ends the Lord hath his Saul seeks the lost living goods of his Father and in seeking is brought to Samuel according as God had before spoken to the Prophet saying To morrow about this time I wil◠send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin 1 Sam. 9. 16. Cyrus is a ravenous bird yet what is said of him see Isa 46. 1. calling a ravenous bird from the east the man that executeth my counsel from a far countrey 2. In Sacreds God hath his end and men have theirs the Action is one and the same the End different Some prophesie in Christ's name and yet are rejected at the great day Christ distinguisheth between gold and dross prophesying in his name and for their own names doing good and working iniquity whilst they do that which is materially good see Mat. 7. 22 23. Again Exemplifications there are of this wherein we may behold the work of Providence carried on sometimes more immediately sometimes more remotely There is work managed at first-hand and at second and third-hand The Philistins have their End in invading the Land they intended not the relief of David at that nick of time neither the making way for David to the Throne in the slaughter of Saul at another time see 1 Sam. 23. 26 27. 1 Sam. 31. with 2 Sam. 2. Lastly Exemplifications there are 1. Of Utitur ergo Deus in salutem suorum irrationabili item insensibili creatura tanquam jumento vel instrumento quae jam expleto opere nusquam erunt Utitur creatura rationali sed malevolâ quasi disciplinae virgâ quam correcto filio in ignem projiciet tanquam farmentum inutile Utitur angelis hominibus bonae voluntatis tanquam commilitonibus coadjutoribus suis quos peractâ victoria amplissime munerabit Bernardus de gratia libero arbitrio such who mind no such thing as the Lord's work in what they do They think on what lies before them A Lust and not a God or rather a Lust which is their God dictates to them The Assyrian meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so but it is in his heart to destroy and out off nations not a few Isa 10. 7. 2. Of such who mind directly the dashing of what is to take place according to God's will Joseph's brethren whilst they endeavour the crossing of the divine dream do cross their crossing Gen. 37. 19 20. CHAP. II. 1. OBSERVE hence how men act freely without compulsion and yet infallibly as the work to be done holds correspondence with the purpose of God whether secret or declared We may say truly in this case as the High-Priest in another What further need have we of witnesses Mat. 26. 65. behold their own confessions and acknowledgments do witness their spontaneous actings Who talks more of his liberty and what he doth and will do than the Assyrian Isa 10. 8 to 15 And yet what is said of tho Assyrian Soveraign Monarch There is the Lords I will send him against an hypocritical nation v. 10. yea this great Axe and Saw is but an Ax and Saw and in the hand of the great God v. 15. 2. Despond not how this or that shall be brought about which shall make for God's glory and his distressed people's good Providence can find tools enough in the world to do the work of Providence Many a man works blindfold in the Shop of Providence and whilst they strike aside the Anvil they shall hit right stroaks on it It may be observed how men's interests are so interwoven as that they shall do that or forward that which otherwise would not be done In Charles the fifth's days Emperor of Germany the case of the Protestants was very low the grave was made there only seemed nothing else but the tolling the Bell for the Funerals Maurice on a sudden like a great Bell is raised and the thundering-noise hereof frights Charles the fifth out of Germany See Fynes Moryson Itinerary part 3. p. 184. And if we would know what hands were at the Bell-rope even the hands of Ferdinand the Emperor his own brother who being chosen King of the Romans that is the ordinary Successor of the Emperor and like to be forced to resign the same to Philip the Son of Charles is said to have encouraged Maurice in that attempts whereby Charles the fifth was conquered after all hi◠Conquests the Protestants relieved and Ferdinand promoted to the Empire his Brother Charles resigning to him and be taking himself to a Monastry 3. Observe how God can and doth out-wit men in their Policies by their Policies Providence knows how to
on it It may be observed how Providence passeth not by this or that as inconsiderable in the word In Isa 34. there is mention made of the Cormorant Bittern Owl Raven Vultures and all these as symptoms or tokens of desolation v. 11 12 13 14 15. Now observe what follows in v. 16. Seek ye out the book of the Lord and read no one of these shall fail none shall want her mate for my mouth it hath commanded and his Spirit it hath gathered them Now more particularly The Word may be considered 1. By way of prediction or fore-telling matters so strictly or prâ—cisely 2. By way of positive assertion there are such and such propositions in which this and that are predicated of the subject as instances frequently do occur in the Proverbs of Solomon referring to the righteous and the wicked 3. By way of Commination or Threatning 4. By way of Promise According to all these Considerations Providence doth harmonize Let the Word according to the fore-mentioned ways be understood a-right and Providence will not be found a-wrong The Word and Providence are like two sticks in the water which seem crooked by reason of the Medium or the waters in motion and yet neither of them are really so There is a misapprehension on man's part too often both in reference to the Word and Providence These do accord witness those passages in the word That it might be fulfilled which was spoken Ezra 1. 1. That he might perform his saying which the Lord spake 1 King 12. 15. and the like There must needs indeed be an accord between the Word and Providence seeing Infinite Power Wisdom Truth Justice do make up the match God will not be wanting in his Providence to maintain the reputation of his Word yea the harmony of Providence is sometimes so audible that a Pagan ear can discern it The Captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said unto him The Lord thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place now the Lord hath brought it and done according as he hath said Jer. 40. 2 3. See Deut. 29. 24 25. Thirdly There is an Harmony of Providence with the Prayers of Saints So 1 Joh. 5. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him That if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us There are many Exemplifications for this both in the Old and New Testament Mention may after be made of Exemplifications and likewise somewhat be spoken concerning the answer to prayers in a distinct following Observation Here it may suffice that the accord of Providence with Prayer may be distinguish't 1. Into a Negative one and yet without a contradiction Foundation for this we have in Amos 7. the Prophet there hath a Vision of Grashoppers and hereupon he prays O Lord forgive I beseech thee by whom shall Jacob arise for he is small The reply to this prayer we have v. 3. The Lord repented for this it shall not be saith the Lord. 2. There is a positive accord of Providence with Prayer not only what shall not be but what shall be hath its accord with Prayer Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months and he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit Jam. 5. 17 18. Fourthly There is an Harmony of Providence with it self Providence for the main is the same in all Ages A man's head and face are still the same though his hair be cut and his beard be shaven and his apparel or garb different There is a substantial Harmony of Providence with Providence If the Harmony be not a literal one or for kind the same yet there is an Harmony in regard of the general nature as it is either frowning or smiling Otherwise To what end are the Dispensations of God in former Ages commended to the serious meditation of others in after-ages Now these things saith Paul were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted neither be ye idolaters as were some of them as it is written The people sate down to eat and to drink and rose up to play Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents Neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10. 6 7 8 9 10. Moreover here let it be weighed how Providential Dispensations are streams issuing from the Word whether considered as unwritten before Moses his days or written as after Smiling Dispensations and frowning ones are the births of Promises and Threatnings If then the Word of God be Heaven's standing-rule for man's use and that as it hath both Promises and Threats annexed Psal 19. 7 8. 2 Tim. 3. 16. the Providence of God then must have its standing-harmony with Providence Some difference there may be as the state of man is considered before the fall of our first Parents and as God of old did prescribe some Rules to the Jews with which his Providence did keep pace and likewise in respect of the Lord 's more immediate owning and ruling that people A difference there is in these and such like respects but yet not such as doth overturn the Harmony of Providence with Providence Providence now hath its Harmony formal in some things equivalent in other things with Providence in times of the Old Testament CHAP. II. 1. VVHAT a vanity and folly is it then for persons to busie themselves about other pretended Harmonies If there be such bread in the Father's House what have the Children to do with husks There are a sort of bastard-Harmonies cry'd up and doted on which want a Scripture-legitimation These like Worms eat away the kernel of men's thoughts and affections from better things and so leave an empty shell which though it do not break the teeth in cracking yet defiles the mouth by the putrifi'd stuff in it 1. There is the pretended Harmony of things with Judicial Astrological Predictions Porrò Astrologi quicunque alii divinatores qui quasi simiae Dei videri volunt omnino deridendi sunt Nec enim fieri potest ut de rebus futuris contingentibus ac praesertim liberis vera praedicent nisi forte aliquando casu veritatem attingant nam cum omnibus causis necessariis contingentibus liberis voluntas Dei praesideat prae-emineat poffit causas inferiores quando libuerit impedire nemo vera praedicere potest nisi cui Deus voluntatem suam manifestare voluerit ut saepe prophetis suis manifestavit Bellar. in opusc de ascensione mentis ad Deum qu. 12. which are not
a Divine Constitution of Heaven for wise Ends why this is so and shall be so Solomon tells of a day of Prosperity and a day of Adversity and moreover affixeth this saying God also hath set the one over against the other to the end that man should find nothing after him Eccles 7. 14. Adversity saith one is set opposite to Prosperity Mr. Pemble a Vale against a Hill in a continual vicissitude and succession and this is done to the end or in such order and manner that man should or shall find nothing after him viz. of those things that may come upon him in the course of his life and after-times he cannot by wit fore-see nor by policy prevent ensuing changes and therefore it is a great part of his wisdom to arm himself with patience for all adventures In this Constitution of Heaven for an intermixture Si tristia semper acciderent quis fustineret si semper prospera quis non contemneret sed rerum tanta gubernatrix sapientia horum pernecessariâ vicissitudine eo moderamine electi suis cursum vitae temporalis alternat ut nec adversa frangant nec laeta dissolvant cum potius ista ex illis gratiora illa ex his tolerabiliora reddantur Bern. in Epistola ad Peâ—… Popiensem of Dispensations three things are observable 1. Here is a display of the Divine Attributes intended Not only is Wisdom seen in the allay of Prosperity by Adversity and of Adversity by Prosperity but likewise Goodness Power Justice have their glorious Manifesto's or Displays according to particular concernments of persons whose day is a black-cloudy or a bright Sun-shine one Not only the Word but Providence and that in Dispensations of this nature do witness that the Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy forgiving iniquity and transgression and by no means clearing the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation Numb 14. 18. In the next place The Lord by this intermixture of Whites and Blacks in the course of his Providence will make trial of persons They shall have change of pastures One while the grass is very low another while a fresh leeze is broken up for them The Israelites in the Wilderness are suffer'd to hunger and yet are fed with Manna and all this to prove them Deut. 8 2 3. Lastly God will hereby put a distinction between Earth and Heaven This World rings Changes Heaven's Serenity is never overcast with a black Cloud The Apostle Paul is admirable in the antithesis or opposition he makes on this wise here affliction there an exceeding and eternal weight of glory Here an earthly house of this tabernacle there a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 4. 17. and chap. 5. v. 1. Yea wicked men will find a difference between their state here and their state hereafter so Luke 16. 25. But Abraham said Soâ— remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented CHAP. II. 1. BE not secure because of a present Nos verò sic laetari debemus ut non immergamur sed servemus partem cordis Deo quâ etiam ferre possimus diem malum sic fiet ut mala praevisa minus discrucient nos Luth. in Eccles cap. 7. Sed nos immergimur penitus vel laetis vel adversis pii verò ubi boni mali vicissifudinem patiuntur dicunt Hic Dei ordo sive mos est neque frangantur Ibid. Tranquillity or Sun-shine of Providence in matters The Horse goes well over the Plain a rough way is at hand where it may stumble and dismount the Rider yea it may happen the Horse may trip on the Plain some little hillock or loose stone in the way may occasion a fall And in my prosperity I said but God said not so though David said so I shall never be moved Lord by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled Psal 30. 6 7. 2. Give not way to a despondency under Adversity Though the man stand in the Black he may by-and-by be in the White Note here four things 1. There is an evil of Despondency under evils of Smart 2 Good persons yea eminently good are incident to some grumblings or touches at least of this Disease 3. Parties notwithstanding their black Conclusions from the Position of their Affairs may experience God's kindness 4. Persons may even then be nearest Mercy or Mercy nearest them when they deem it furthest off So 1 Sam. 27. 1. And David said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul Observe here 1. Who said David a Saint and an eminent one too 2. What did he say I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul Did this one day ever come No for David lived to see the day of Saul's death 3. When was it that David said as he did Even then when Saul's glass was nigh done a few sands to run so that he who did conclude his life would be concluded by Saul's violence he that talks of falling by the hand of Saul hears tidings of Saul's falling by the hand of the Philistins 1 Sam. 30. with 2 Sam. 1. chap. 3. Take a view of the Checker-Table of Providence observe the revolutions that are in the world let not the Whites and Blacks be passed over without a good improvement It is said Deut. 8. 2. And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness Note here how it 's the Israelites duty to call to remembrance or keep up in memory the way and all the ways of God's Dispensations towards them they in their Wilderness-journey had ups and downs Mercies and Judgments were attendants and they are not to forget what might profitably be learn't in the company of such attendants on them in the Wilderness There are moreover two inducements why persons should take a view of this Checker-Table 1. It 's plain or obvious to men's eyes The Whites and Blacks of the Lord's Dispensations are the more visible The walk of Providence from one point to a diametrically opposite point or from the Hill to the Vale and from the Vale to the Hill be speaks men to be sand-blind or pur-blind if it be not noted Thus it 's implied in Luke 1. He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree he hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away v. 52 and 53. They then are very deaf or have an injudicious ear who hear not the loud Bell of Providence in such changes which befal themselves or others 2. As this Checker-table is plain or obvious to the eye so is it a large one There are many whites and blacks There
time to be strengthned in the faith of the Mâ—ssiah Go and shew John saith Christ those things which ye do hear and see Mat. 11. 5 6. Christ knew when to fill Peter's net with fish after they had toiled all night and caught nothing Luke 5. 5 6. Isaac hath a comfortable yoke-fellow after his Mother's death and was comforted Gen. 24. 67. 2. From God's Providence in reference to Places 1. Let men be afraid of sinning against God in places In the very places God can alarum them and punish them The King with his Carowsing-Courtiers are appaled with the fingers of a man's hand which came forth and wrote upon the plaister of the wall yea it is said In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain Dan. 5. 5 6 7 30. 2. Observe Place-Providences Let afflictions and mercies in respective places have one place more and that is the heart to think upon them and improve them Jacob was bid to mind Bethel a mercy of old there and a duty incumbent on him upon the account of mercy vouchsafed Gen. 35. 1. The same Jacob takes notice of his Wife Rachel's death where she dyed and tells Joseph of it Gen. 48. 7. Paul forgat not his Asian-trouble and mercy withal which whether it were a violent fit of sickness or hot persecution and deliverance from the one or other it matters not he observed the Providence of God there and improveth it see 2 Cor. 1. 8 9 10 11. the same Apostle hath brief observations on what happened in divers places of his Apostolical-pilgrimage 2 Cor. 11. 23 to the end OBSERVATION XXXVIII Man's Extremity is Heaven's Time and Opportunity for Help CHAP. I. IT hath been discussed How God's Providence is seen in Timing of matters Now amongst other things not only the timing but so timing in regard of opportune help is to be touched And because the Providence of God is wonderfully displayed on this wise so that His actings of this nature are molded into a religious Aphorism or Sentence as Gen. 22. 14. In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen It will be very pertinent to insist on the seasonable display of Providence under Distress or Difficulty That passage in the Scripture quoted may be stiled A Providential Proverb for so the words as it is said unto this day in the Text there do imply The occasion of this Sacred form of speech was the Lord's stepping in for Abraham's help There are three things to be noted 1. That distress befalleth a person or a people For so it was here with Abraham Take now thy son thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest and get thee into the land of Moriah and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of 2. That a distress proves an abiding-one so long as God pleaseth Abraham travelleth on the first and second day no release and on the third day he lifts up his eyes and saw the place afar off v. 4. The sight of the place must needs affect his heart this Golgotha or place of Skull might make him hang down his head with sorrow his head might well have aked on both sides had he not had a hand of faith to hold it and this he had as the Author to the Hebrews doth affirm ch 11. 17 18 19. 3. That Providence doth opportunely appear for distressed ones by way of release from troubles Abraham must have the sacrificing-knife in his hand to slay his son ere the Angel of the Lord call unto him saying Lay not thy hand on the lad neither do thou any thing unto him c. What here was Abraham's case is by way of proportion the cases of others who have their extremities as God hath his opportunities for help and that Providence hath thus its opportunities for help will appear if we consider 1. Promises which imply so much 2. Divine Performances or Exemplifications of this Truth 3. The variety of Ends which God hath in matters of this nature First Promises formally and properly so termed we have in Scripture Gen. 15. 13. compared with Exod. 3. 7. and Exod. 5. 7 8. doth give us to understand That God's Promise of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt was not the further off from fulfilling though the Israelites had been long under the Egyptian yoke and their yoke was made heavier a little before the Lord brake it to pieces The Promise stood still irreversible and in its full strength when the Israelites were weakest help was then nearest when they might think it furthest off in regard of the bricks doubled In Deut. 32. 36. For the Lord shall judg his people and repent himself for his servants when he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left This is extensive to persons or people under heavy pressures and difficulties the more persons evidence themselves to be God's people the more they may find in the accomplishment of what is here promised Psal 9. 18. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten the expectation of the poor shall not pâ—rish for ever Psal 12. 5. For the oppression of the poor for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him Psal 72. 12 13. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth the poor also and him that hath no helper He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy be shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence and precious shall their blood be in his sight Zech. 14. 7. It shall come to pass that at evening it shall be light that is Mercy then shall break forth when little expected they shall have a Morning of Mercy in their Evening of Difficulties That of Paul in 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. may be look't on as at least a virtual promise We had saith he the sentencâ— of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selvee but in God which raiseth the dead who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver 2. Come we next to Performances or the Experiences of persons God remembred Noah after he had been shut up in the Ark Gen 8. 1. Lot is rescued timely by Abraham Gen. 14. 13. Sarah was taken into house Gen. 20. 2. and it is said God came to Abimilech in a dream and said Behold thou art but a dead man for the women which thou hast taken for she is a man's wife ver 3. Providence was seasonable for the preservation of Sarah's chastity The Israelites are at the Red-sea and the Egyptians at their backs they could neither drink up the one nor eat up the other no ordinary way of escape and yet then the Lord opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters Exod. 14. 21 22. Israel was sore distressed Judg. 10. 9. then the Spirit of
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
as was before intimated in the woman of Samaria's coming to the Well So when the Jaylor was troubled about his Prisoners then was the Lord's time to let him see what a slave he was to Satan Acts 16. 27 28 29. 3. Sometimes the observing of a Providence in way of conviction may lead on to further matters as in Nicodemus his case John 3. 2 c. 4. Sometimes some strong impulse upon the heart sways So likely it was in the Shunamite-woman go she must to the Prophet who raiseth her son for her from the dead 2 King 4. 22 23. It is said of Mr. Dod how he could not be quiet but must at night away to a man's house where coming the man was about to destroy himself and so a stop was put to the Tragedy Thirdly In regard of the Issue which respects 1. What is seen 2. What is not seen till afterwards Now the issue of what is seen may be considered 1. As succesless Saul sought the Countrey for the Asses but found them not 1 Sam. 9. 4. after he was told of them by Samuel but he goes home without them They who came to apprehend Christ were led to a conviction but apprehend him not John 7. 45 46. 2. As succesful and that in regard of what was intended Naaman comes for a cure and hath it his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child and he was clean 2 Kings 5. 14. In the next place The issue of what is not seen may be considered 1. Purely 2. Mixtly If we consider it purely or singly and so smart or punishment is the issue of some undertakings though men imagine no such matter The Philistins are for keeping holy-day to their Dagon Sampson is called for to make them sport and their House of Mirth becomes the House of Mourning Judg. 16. Again Favour or Mercy may be the issue So Naaman he went home wiser for Heaven than he came Matthew was sitting at the Receit of Custom and there Christ calls him Luke 5. 27. Who would have thought that the Publican going to the Custom-house or some standing in the Market should be called to be one of the Cash-keepers of Heaven's Treasure or a Pay-master of better Riches abroad in the World The issue in a way of mercy was wonderful And as the issue is singly considered by way of frown or smile so sometimes it is Mixt. There is both Vinegar and Honey in it Joseph his brethren were both afflicted and comforted in their Egypt journey for Corn for their Families Providence hands Gold out of the Mine and withal some scaring-gushes of Water may affright them who labour in the Mine of this or that business of concernment CHAP. II. 1. OBSERVE the wonderful display of Providence in these leadings Luther fell soul at first on the filthy lucre of those of the Church of Rome in the matter of Indulgences after like Ezekiel he saw greater abominations Ezek. 8. 6. It is in this case as with a stone glided along upon the waters one Circle is Dei enim Providentia causas effecta convertit quae alioqui naturâ sunt disjunctissima neque quicquam est quod oculos Dei quibus omnia subjiciuntur ordinantur possit fallere Pet. Mart. introductory to another Man acts but the Lord makes Connexions and they are wonderful in the issue 2. Learn how God is holy and righteous in the ordering of things notwithstanding the intervention of men's sins before things are brought about Whilst men mind their own work they forward Heaven's design Joseph can behold a holy wise good God in his Chain albeit some of the links thereof were very crooked and had a great deal of rust adhering to them Gen. 50. 20. 3. See how the Enemies of the Church are outwitted in their designs against the Church they are led by what they do see and mis-led to their ruin They whet the knife which cuts their own throat they are gathered together against Zion and yet the Lord gathers them as sheaves to be threshed in the floor they know their own projects but know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his counsel see Mic. 4. 11 12 13. 4. Take notice what a prop here is for Faith from the consideration of a side-wind-influence of Providence The Lord can provide for and protect in such a way as a person doth not imagine There is a Joseph in Egypt that furnisheth the brethren with Corn in time of Famine There are ways God hath whereby wicked men shall be shields to Saints against the thrusts of their own swords O how admirable are the leadings of God by what is seen to what is not seen How do Saints sometimes stumble and so see the Jewel which there lies before them OBSERVATION XLIII Hindrances in matters through Providence when and where the Lord so pleaseth become Furtherances CHAP. I. THE verity of this Assertion is seen 1. In Spirituals 2. In Temporals In Spirituals and that 1. In matters of Personal Concernment 2. In matters of Publick referring to God's Church 1. In matters of Personal Concernment Thus a man 's own sins and yet no thank to sin are a foundation for his humility and ground for an holy watchfulness A Christian riseth by his fall Peter after his denial of his Master is modest in his profession of his love to Christ see John 21. 15. with Mat. 26. 33 35. And as sin is an hindrance to spiritual good and yet the Lord orders all for good so Satan means no good to a child of God The Devil is the great Blood-sucker yet is Heaven's Leech Providence knows how to use him to the glory of Providence That Foe of the Christian shall become in a sort the Christian's Friend thus professeth the Apostle Paul saying And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations there was given to me a thorn in the flesh a messenger of Satan to buffet me c. 2 Cor. 12. 7. Sic infatuatus Satan dum obesse molitur magis etiam prodest quod impedire conatur expeditum potius reddit quam impeditum Gloria haec est Sapientiae Providentiae Doi Musculus in locum 2. In matters referring to the Church of God There are not wanting obstructions to the Church's peace and comfort What through Oppositions Errors Apostacies God's people are not a little distressed and yet their case though sad is not desperate for 1. The Mountains of Opposition become Plains according to that in Zech. 4. 7. The Persian Power and Authority there intended shall no longer mountain it against the Church but countenance the afflicted A Prohibition is given from hindring Temple-work and a positive Act is drawn up for the furthering of it as is recorded Ezra 6. 6 7 c. And though some who do furiously oppose do not depose their fury yet the wrath of man shall praise the Lord Psal 76. 10 It is to
hard for the Lord And should it be too hard for our Faith Remember we Abraham of whom it is said That being not weak in faith he considered not his own body now dead when he was about an hundred years old neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God Rom. 4. 19 20. 2. Beware of an irregular anger and discontent of heart when some hindrance in matters steps in If persons had more of patience they might be sensible how what falls in falls out for good The hindrance may be furtherance 1. In regard of the thing individually considered That matter in particular may take place In God's time Joseph hath such an advancement as the dreams did foretel and that notwithstanding all essays to the contrary by the discontented brethren Moses must be the man by whom God delivers Israel though Pharaoh sought to slay him Exod. 2. 15. 2. In regard of the thing under that kind considered The marriage of Ruth with the Kinsman is dash't yet that makes way for a better marriage 3. In regard of the thing more generally considered Equivalently if not superahundantly an hindrance becomes a furtherance of good another way The hindrance in Temporass may prove a furtherance in Spirituals or the hindrance in lesser matters of temporal concernment may be a furtherance in what is of greater consequence namely as to Life it self I find an illustration for this in Moryson's Itinerary Part 1. Book 1. Chap. 5. and persons may do well to accommodate the story in other cases The story as that ingenious Gentleman relates it is thus viz. That at what time a fair wind arising all the Ships gladly weighed Anchor the Anchor of our Ship brake so as our Consorts seven other little Ships went on but our Master according to the Naval Discipline not to put to Sea with one Anchor returned back to the Harbour of the Fly there to buy a new Anchor all of us cursing foolishly our Fortune and the Starrs On Tuesday morning while we sadly walked on the shore we might see our Consorts coming back with torn sails and dead men and quarters of men lying on the Hatches for they had met with two Dunkirkers who had taken them and spoiled their Ships c. Hereupon he saith thus As we had just cause to praise the Almighty who had thus delivered us out of the jaws of death so had we much more cause to bewail our rashness yea and our wickedness that we had striven yea and repined against his Divine Providence which with humble and hearty sorrow I confess to the glory of his Sacred Name 3. Take a view of the rich display of the Divine Attributes in the exchange of Hindrances into Furtherances More particularly Observe 1. The Power of God A potent Hindrance stoops to Him who is Omnipotent Pharaoh was a very great block in the Israelites way or passage out of Egypt yet the Lord with one blow struck at the first-born opens a passage for Israel Exod. 12. 31. 2. The Wisdom of God which is seen sometimes in the quality of the Hindrance which doth well accord with the Waggoners spanning the Wheel whereby the steep descent is check't from being injurious Again The Wisdom of God is seen in the exact timing of an Hindrance David was disallowed by the Lords of the Philistines discharged by Achish and all this at such a point of time as that David might behold the finger of God As in bringing him off from going with Aâ—bish to battel So in returning him to Ziglag where a case a sad one called for David's haste see 1 Sam. 29 with 30. Lastly The Wisdom of God is seen in a notable adaptation of what is an Hindrance in it self with other matters and so it becomes eventually a very glorious Furtherance Daniel with his Religion is made at by the aspiring and envious Courtiers of Darius he is accused condemned thrown into the Lions Den preserved there delivered thence honoured by the King and a Decree made That men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel There is then a notable Chain of Providence and though the first link be a formal Hindrance in it self considered yet in conjunction with other links it becomes a material Furtherance And this may teach us to admire the Infinite Wisdom of God displayed OBSERVATION XLIV As Hindrances become Furtherances in Matters so Furtherances become Hindrances when and where the Lord so pleaseth CHAP. I. FURTHERANCES are considered here in their latitude or extent as whether such which are so really and properly in themselves considered or such as intended by the Agents though the means used are not proper for the end at least as they fall under a moral consideration and yet the end is in some sort at some times attained but it vanisheth in the issue as when men by wicked ways attempt the accomplishment of their designs but the Lord curseth all at last Now that Furtherances according to a general latitude become Hindrances appears 1. In Spirituals 2. In Temporals First In Spirituals and so to instance in the Preaching of the Word and rousing Dispensations of Providence which as they are a means to soften the hearts of men do accidently harden them oftentimes Pharaoh's heart is hardened notwithstanding the Ministry of Moses and Aaron together with the Plagues inflicted from the Lord. The Vineyard in Isaiah's time notwithstanding it was fenced the stones gathered out planted with the choicest Vine brought forth wild grapes Isa 5. Jesus Christ the best Preacher met with the worst of Hearers they became worse who had means to be better though Christ had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him John 8. 37. Again The consolations and supports of the Gospel become matter of terror to some under their distress of Conscience There is not only a stiff recusancy in point of comfort as in Psal 72. 2 My soul refused to be comforted but also a door is thrown open for scaring-apprehensions Peter cries out Depart from me for I am a sinful man O Lord Luke 5. 8. It is no Pâ—radox if I say that the Cordial becomes corroding Vinegar and that a kind of Hell comes forth of the gospel-Gospel-Heaven It is said of Mr. Bill That he under distress of Conscience could see Hell in every Promise because he did see that good he should be deprived of When one brought the Book to read of the Passion of Christ to Spira for his comfort Spira replies What you read is the consolation of God's chosen ones they by good right may rejoyce in so good tidings but to me a wretch râ—jected by God the things read cannot be for comfort but rather for grief and torment because I have rejected Christ the Sacrifice his sufferings whilst I denied him which when he had said he roared like a Lion and tossed himself on his bed beseeching
7. 7. the travel of a woman with child whose pangs are sudden as well as sure 1 Thes 5. 3. 2. From Instances and Exemplifications The old World had a new face though a sad and weeping one and that in the space of forty days Gen. 7. 17. The Sun was risen upon the Earth when Lot entred Zoar then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven as it is Gen. 19 23. 24. There are seven years of Famine after seven years of Plenty in Egypt Gen. 41 29 30. The house of the Lord and the King's house and all the houses of Jerusalem and all the houses of the great men are burnt with fire Jer. 52. 13. In a morning shall the king of Israel be cut off Hos 10. 15. For in an hour so great riches is come to nought Rev. 18 17. 2. There is a sudden change in the face of things in regard of a pleasant and smiling-face of things to take place And this will appear 1. From Predictions and Intimations on this wise in Scripture So in Isa 66. 8. Who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day or shall a nation be bork at once For as soon as Zion travelled she brought forth her children This may refer to the Jews release from the captivity and Psal 126. may be a comment on it If it shall be extended further that phrase of the Apostle in Rom. 11. 15. doth give us to understand what a sudden and glorious change the Lord can make in the World by way of addition to his Church And as God can and will encrease the number of his people so likewise decrease the number of their adversaries so in Rev. 18 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire Again 2. From Instances or Exemplifications Joseph becomes an embellish't Jewel who a little before lay neglected in the Prison-rubbish Gen. 41. 14. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon The Israelites are no longer Scavengers and Drudges in Egypt when the Lord's time is come for their delivery a sudden change there is for their delivery after some delays the Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might send them out of the Land in haste for they said We be all dead men Exod. 12. 33. The Month in Eâ—ther's time was turned unto them from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a good day Esth 9. 22. The truly good people of God at Damascus have no little joy when their intended Persecutor becomes on a sudden a good and Orthodox Preacher Acts 9. 20. A sudden change there was in Peter's case they saw him and were astonishâ—d Acts 12. 16. CHAP. II. VVHAT little reason have sinners to be bold and confident in their ways How soon may all their Pomp Policy Strength like a stately Ship be blown up when Providence shall send its fire-ball into the Gun-room Remarkable are passages in Scripture to this Nam malic qui adhuc adversus justos in aliis terrarum partibus saeviunt quanto serius tanto vehementius idem omnipotens mercedem sceleris exsolvit quia ut est erga pios indulgentissimus pater sic adversus impios rectissimus judex Lact. lib. 1. Inst c. 1. purpose Hos 5. 7. Now shall a month devour them with their portions Psal 64. 7. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded Psal 73. 18 19. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castedst them down into destruction how are they brought into desolation as in a moment they are utterly consumed with terrors 2. As sinners have no reason to be bold and wanton having Providence for such an Enemy So Saints have no reason to be hopeless and heartless having Providence for such a Friend What though there be loss of Children plunderings by Chaldeans and Sabeans a body smitten with sore boils a state of elongation or alienation from friends in regard of love and friendship yea the terrors of God too within in the conscience as 't was Job his case yet it is but the turn of the hand of Providence and all is made up The Lord turned the captivity of Job ch 42. v. 10. And not only in personal cases is the Aphorism or Observation here useful but in the publick case of the Church of Christ So in Psal 46. 5 God is in the midst of her she shall not be moveâ— God shall help her and that right early And so in Rev. 11. the Witnesses are slain yet to the affrighting of the slayers they revive again the spirit of life from God entred into them ver 11. Let noâ— Christians then be despondent under their black Clouds the glorious Sun of Providence may quickly throw off its sable mantle and dart forth its Meridian beams to the admiration of those who have been without Sun-shine for many days OBSERVATION XLVII The Vse of means in matters is man's work the Issue or success of means is God's work CHAP. I. VVHAT hath been before said as touching the Lord's bringing about of matters his way or manner in working both gradually and on a sudden is not to be understood as if therefore the use of means were in vain on man's part the present Observation is a check to such a wrong Inference And whereas here it is said The use of means is man's work this is not so to be conceived as to deny a work of Providence in the very use of the means for there is a work of Providence in directing to the means and abilitating to use them The meaning then is nothing else but to point out man's duty and so to leave the result of matters to Providence And that the use of means is thus incumbent on man appeareth 1. Man will otherwise be found a violater of the Lord's Command Make thee an ark of Gopher-wood said God to Noah Gen. 6. â—4 Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him so did he v. 22. Noah had been a transgressor had he neglected Ark-work and expected preservation without the use of means to be made conscience of by him The use of means is commanded both for the outward and inward man in respect of temporals as well as spirituals so teacheth the Apostle 1 Thes 4. 11. And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands as we commanded you And in Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 2. It 's an ill requital of the Lord's kindness that when he honours man to be instrumental in matters this condescention of God is abused slighted and not esteemed as it ought to be The great God needeth not the choisest Tool for any work It is of his goodness that as he works
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
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