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 And for her spiritual laziness and drowsiness Christ had withdrawn himself and then she is the more secretly stirred up to seek after him Cant. 3 5 6 7 8.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
neque enim lutum figulo suo obstrepit atqui nos centuplo minus sumus quam lutum Calv. praelect in Ezek. c. 18. 3. What are parties like to get by contending but blows Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth c. Isa 45. 9. The same Soveraignty of God should be a sacred goad to quicken to the exercise of grace For 1. The influences that Soveraignty hath had on Saints in Scripture are recorded to this end and purpose That others should write after so good Copies It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam. 3. 18. I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it Psal 39. 9. 2. God's Soveraignty casts its particular aspects on the graces of Christians As there is Soveraign Justice so there is Soveraign Mercy and each bespeak the exercise of grace according to the nature of the dispensation More particularly there are these Graces on which as on the Christians Garden Soveraignty like the North-wind and South-wind may blow that the Spices thereof may come forth to allude to that in Cant. 4. 16. 1. A sweet submission of spirit in opposition to our own judgment or prescribing to God The will of the Lord be done said they Acts 21. 14. 2. Contentation in opposition to discontent at our own condition and envy at others who may have more gifts of the mind higher degrees of graces or more of the good things of this life than we have That is a remarkable passage Mat. 20. 15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own Is thine eye evil because mine is good 3. Hopefulness of spirit under the greatest distresses whether outward or inward May not God exalt Soveraign Mercy Are there dry bones yet may they not live Ezek 37. 12 13. Is the heart as low as Hell in regard of fears sorrows c yet will not he who dwelleth in the highest Heavens take up his habitation in the lowest heart Isa 57. 15 16. 4. Love and thankfulness and that 1. with respect to smiling-dispensations whether they respect soul or body Who am I Lord said David upon a view of his mercies and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto 1 Chron. 17. 16. See moreover Psal 116. 1 2 3. and 1 Tim. 1. 12 13. 2. With respect to frowning ones That there is any mitigation and sanctification of them is ground of love and thankfulness for God might have exalted Justice to its height in thy afflictive-dispensarions It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not Lam. 3. 22. CHAP. II. 1. LET the meditation of God's Soveraignty be a soveraign allay to the breakings forth of ingratitude pride discontent envy dejection under his Administrations Consider 1. Is there not a â—wo unto them that go in the way of Cain Jude v. 11. And what was that which led Cain on in his way if it were not the first part of his way Was it not discontent at the Lord's Dispensation But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect and Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell Gen. 4. 5. 2. Whose judgment shall take place in matters the Lord 's who is infallible righteous supream or man 's who is made up of wants and weaknesses I know saith Job it is so of a truth but how should man be just with God if he will contend with him he cannot answer him one of a thousand Job 9. 1 2. 2. Exercise graces proper to be exercised with respect to God's Soveraignty Let the holding up of the finger of Soveraignty hush all noise and quicken you to your Lesson Be silent O all flesh before the Lord Zech. 2 13. Consider here three things 1. Is there any rational ground for a contrary carriage Behold he taketh away who can hinder who will say unto him What dost thou Job 9. 12. 2. Go down to the potter's house Jer. 18. 2 3 4. And what may you learn there Is not the Clay ductile pliable obediential to the hand of the Potter And should not a Christian labour more and more to have his Will moulded or fashioned to the Will of his Maker in point of holy submissions Carry back saith David to Zadock the Ark of God into the City if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord he will bring me again and shew me both it and his habitation but if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good to him 2 Sam. 15. 25 26. 3. The way to have God to be gracious is to exercise grace with respect to the Lord's Soveraignty to be displayed as he pleaseth There is a way of order though not of merit a way of our Duty though God doth sometimes notably exalt Soveraign Mercy when duty is neglected The Israelites provoked God at the sea even at the red-sea nevertheless he saved them for his Name 's sake that he might make his mighty power to be known Psal 106. 7 8. And though this be so yet men have no ground to neglect their duty Job his captivity is turned and God exalteth kindness to a wonder yet Job is reasoned first into an holy silence and sense of his failings see Job 42. OBSERVATION VIII There is a glorious display of the Power of God in the management of matters in the World CHAP. I. THE Power of God may here be considered four ways 1. In regard of God Himself 2. In regard of Human Power 3. In regard of the manner of being displayed 4. In regard of its extent or the various objects about which it is conversant First In the first place The Power of God may be viewed in regard of God himself and that 1. As a glorious Attribute of God As God is said to be Love 1 John 4. 16 so He is Power infinite God hath spoken once twice haâ—e I heard this That power belongeth to God Psal â—2 11. Touching the Almighty we cannot find him 〈…〉 â—s excellent in power and in judgment Job 37. â—3 The Apostle Paul speaks of the exceeding greatness of his Power Ephes 1. 19. 2. As conjoined with Wisdom According to this Consideration in regard of our apprehension God's Power is glorious in bringing matters to pass He is mighty in strength and wisdom Job 36. 5. Wisdom and might are his Dan. 2. 20. It is said That in Warlike affairs Policy surpasseth Power What cannot then both infinite Power and Wisdom accomplish though the Wisdom of Myriads of Achitophels assay the contrary Secondly The Power of God in regard of Human Power will appear the more transcendent if it be considered 1. That Human Power is derivative or borrowed from Him who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords 1 Tim. 6. 15. Nebuchadnezzar was a great Monarch he had Kings subordinate to him
the more encouraged to mind such work as God calleth unto and that notwithstanding wants and exigencies which present themselves The Lord hath ways enough to help and provide meat for labourers in his vinyard He can prevent wants supply them sanctifie them When I sent you saith Christ to his Disciples without purse and scrip and shooes lacked ye any thing and they said Nothing Luk. 22. 35. 7. What ground is there for sinners to consider of their ways and to turn unto the Lord with all their heart How quickly can the Lord of Hosts draw forth a file of dextrous Marks-men who shall gall them with a slight of Arrows In Deut. 28. there is an Armory of Divine Vengeance All these curses it is said v. 15. shall come upon thee and overtake thee And if the sinner thinks he'â— flye from the curse and get into the City and so be safe there or into the Countrey and have all well there all this will not secure for cursed shalt thou be in the city and cursed shalt thou be in the field v. 16. God who is every where can find out sinners any where Lastly What foundation is there for support and consolation to all pious ones who keep close to God in ways of Faith Love and Obedience They have the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and earth for their Father Some reckon themselves happy to have the countenance of great ones who often prove like Job's Brook that passeth away Job 6. 15. They are the happy ones who have the benign aspect of the great God and therefore godly ones have ground to bear up cheerfully having an interest in a Kingly Friend or Friendly King Let Israel rejoice in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King Psal 149. 2. OBSERVATION XVII One and the same Creature may prove a Cordial or a Corrosive a Friend or Foe as God in his Providence ordereth CHAP. I. BEFORE hath been shewed how the Creatures are at the beck of God Here is a further illustration of that in the general but a more particular discovery how one and the same Creature is after a different sort at the beck of Providence The truth of this Observation appears 1. From assertions in Scripture So Job 37. Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud be scattereth his bright cloud and it is turned about by his counsels that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth He causeth it to come whether for correction or a rod or for his land or for mercy v. 11 12 13. And as this holds in things natural so also immoral agents so Prov. 16. 7. When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him An Enemy as the Lord when and where he pleaseth to exert his will becomes a Friend and a Friend an Enemy 2. From Exemplifications So the same waters which were Israel's Fortress are a Sepulcher or Grave for the Egyptians Psal 135. 13 14 15. The Egyptians deal with the Israelites at their going out of Egypt rather as with sons and daughters than as slaves they give them their portions The Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians so that they lent unto them such things as they required Exod. 12. 32. It is said of Nebuchadnezzar They shall drive thee from men Dan. 4. 32. Who were those Drivers but those that were his Restorers for so it is said v. 36. My Counsellors and my Lords sought unto me and I was established in my kingdom and excellent majesty was added to me Paul from a Persecutor of the Christians becomes a solid Preacher to them Acts 9. 20 21. 3. From particular Demonstrations and that from the Creatures proving 1. Friends 2. Foes First Whoso shall consider God as Almighty need not question the Creatures becoming Friends for 1. Though the Creatures have their noxious qualities yet God can and doth inhibit them from hurting when he sees good so to do A Lion slew the Prophet and not the Ass which stood by the Carkass 1 King 13. 24. The Lions devour not Daniel but they have the mastery of his accusers and break all their bones in pieces ere ever they came to the bottom of the Den Dan. 6. 24. A Viper fast'ned on Paul's hand and he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm Acts 28. 3 5. Daniel's Lions and Paul's Viper become negative friends for they hurt them not And positive friends occasionally inasmuch as these Creatures being served with a Divine Writ of Inhibition Both King Darius and the barbarous people are induced to shew kindness to these servants of God Dan. 6. 23 to the end and Acts 28. 6 7 8 9 10. 2. As God doth inhibit Creatures from being hurtful so he doth to a wonder render them helpful and useful They were the barbarous people that shewed no little kindness to Paul and that before the Viper-Providence happened Acts 28. 2. Elijah had a notable experiment of this I have saith the Lord commanded the ravens to feed thee 1 King 17. 3. The Ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening v. 6. one would have thought the Ravens were not fit Trustees for bread and flesh they would rather have eaten it than brought it to be eaten but what shall they not do if the great I of Heaven and Earth hath so appointed I could tell here a story from a very good hand How a good man was in very great distress for want of food and at the very nick of such a pinching want a strange Dog unknown to belong to any of his neighbours comes in to his house with a shoulder of Mutton which he fairly lays down and gets him away having discharged the office of a good Market man for those who could eat that Commons hunger being their best sawce 3. Suppose the Lord do not work according to the forementioned ways yet He according to his Infinite Power Wisdom and Mercy can and doth in his Providence render the Creatures as Friends another way We may distinguish Friends into intentional ones and eventual ones Joseph's Brethren acted as enemies and whilst they thus act they are eventually as the Lord over-ruleth his friends Gen. 45. 5. I make no question but divers can say How their greatest enemies have in some respect been their greatest friends whilst others have play'd the Turks with them they have become the better Christians Secondly The Creatures become enemies as the Lord shall make use of them for wise and righteous ends or purposes 1. Some Creatures have their natural defensive and offensive arms which they quickly make use of when the sign of battel is given by the Lord of Hosts David tells of the paw of the Lion and the paw of the Bear 1 Sam. 17. 37. We read of two she-bears which came forth out of the Wood and tare Forty
fit And in those times when Israel for a long season had been without the true God and without a teaching-Priest and without the Law there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countreys and nation was destroyed of nation and city of city for God did vex them with all adversity 2 Chron. 15. 3 5 6. Why said Zâ—chariah to the people transgress ye the commandments of the Lord that ye cannot prosper Because ye have forsaken the Lord he hath also forsaken you 2 Chron. 24. 20. They were in the Prophet Haggai's time for their Cieled Houses and neglected the House of the Lord and what saith the Prophet Ye have sown much and bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough ye drink but ye are not filled with drink ye clothe you but there is none warm and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes Hag. 1. 4 6. Scultetus reports a memorable Annal. Dec. 2. p. 393. passage of Ferdinand the Emperor who when battels were unhappily fought said being very sad to his Councellors I wonder how it comes to pass that all my designs fall out very unhappily To him one of Austria couragiously replies saying That which in all ages happens to Kings and Emperors the same O Emperor happens to thee Call to mind the History of the Kings of Israel and Judah and thou shalt find that for their spilling human blood and winking at sins grievous enemies by Divine Judgment were stirred up whom they were not able to resist If at any time they did purpose to fight the enemy they fought unhappily Neither therefore mayest thou expect any other fortune unless thou desist from thy purpose in oppugning Religion Thus he to Ferdinand And it would be well then when persons meet with clashing-excursions of Providence a series or chain of them they would think on that of Rebeccah If it be so why am I thus and she went and enquired of the Lord Gen. 25. 22. Or that of Jeremiah Let us search and try our ways and turn again unto the Lord Lam. 3 40. Fourthly There are the signal Sallies of Providence in regard of Marriages House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the Lord Prov. 19. 14. What is said of a prudent Wife doth by a rational proportion hold of a prudent Husband both are from the Lord by way of a signal Dispensation of Providence and are so comparatively before Riches and Inheritance Non quod domus c. simpliciter pure non sit etiam Dei donum deinde quod major quaedam oculatior sit Dei in Uxorum piarum consecutione Providentia quam in haereditatis consequendae ratione Cartw. More particularly there are four things here observable 1. The party or parties considered This man and not another notwithstanding it may be sometimes probabilities in regard of another and so this woman and not another and that though born and bred at a distance Ruth 1. 16. with Ruth 4 6. 10. 2. The occasion way or means how brought together Moses flies into the land of Midian and there he marries Zipporah see Exod. 2. 21. Ruth was drawn off from her own Countrey and in the way of pious and industrious poverty ascends from a Gleaner in the field to be the Mistris in the house see Ruth 2. There is a wonderful connexion of things by way of an introduction to marriage of parties to be observed sometimes 3. The time when some at least enter on this state of Matrimony Some who seem to pass the flower of their age meet with a good Match Delays of Providence are recompenced with the comfortable returns of Providence Isaac had a good Wife in Rebeccah and it is said of him he was forty years old when he took Rebeccah Though the like age be not now required in regard they were longer-liv'd in that age of the world yet it were well if persons would play the Isaacs be pious solid know the duties of a married estate before marriage No wonder if Christ be not at the Weddings of some when Mammon Pride Rashness Discontent of heart and the like lead the Bride to Church 4. The wonderful sympathy and consonancy Rari sunt quibus non obrepant fastidia uxorum Calv. of affection between parties and that though there are other men and other women which in regard of beauty parts and wealth may rather commend them The two are one flesh Gen 2. 24. not only in regard of the Lord's Institution but love and affection for the main kept up To these things may be added the signal displays of Providence in regard of Children the fruit of Marriage There is a remark display of Providence sometimes in not having them So Jer. 22. 30. This saith the Lord Write this man childless c. And there is on the other hand as remark a display in the having of them as in Sarah having an Isaac Gen. 18 14. Hannah a Samuâ—l 1 Sam. 1. 20. with ch 2. Elizabeth a John the Baptist Luke 1. 13. with 18. Fifthly There are the sallies of Providence in order to the conversion of parties to God or goodness Paul makes a narrative how the good Shepherd brought home the lost sheep Acts 26. He declares there what he was by nature and what he is by grace He who was the High-Priest's Blood-hound becomes a Lamb of Christ's Fold Free-grace was eminently displayed in his conversion for the very time of his rage and madness against the people of God was the time of God's dropping grace into his heart Christ then planted him on Zion's ground when he intended to root up Christians Here I might insist on 1. The occasion means remote and near 2. The time when 3. The manner how Providence is conversant about the calling home of parties But this might prove too large an Excursion in this place Sixthly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of mortification-work or progress in the ways of God The House of the Christian is not built as soon as the foundation is laid There is growth in grace and in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ required 2 Pet. 3. 18. How the Lord doth promote this work may in brief be touched in three things 1. By way of discovery of slips and sinful imprudencies even after conversion Even a David needs a Nathan to alarum him 2 Sam. 12. and though some do not fall so foully as David did in regard of heinous sins yet the sinful imprudencies after conversion are matter for humiliation The breakings forth of spiritual pride rashness censoriousness and such like evils unto which young Converts or weak Christians are incident have a day of reckoning in the Court of Providence The brighter and clearer the Sun breaks in at the Window the better is discerned a small object as a pin on the
have godly Protestants and that because the Lord hath his time to make inquisition for blood see Psal 9. 11 12. 3. By way of Diversion God doth sometimes in his Providence fill both the heads and hands of men full with work and so they are not at leisure to persecute his people Saul cannot follow his game in hunting David as a Partridg on the Mountains there was another hunting-match provided the Philistines had invaded the Land 1 Sam. 23. 27. with 1 Sam. 26. 20. Both ancient and modern Histories do furnish with exemplifications to the like purpose Providence hath thrown in a bone of contention and so there hath been a diversion and that without sometimes of an utter subversion of persons 4. By way of Conversion of parties or propagation of the truth in and by such motions stirrs or alterations as fall out in Kingdoms The Romans had the Jews under their yoak and that makes way for Christ's yoak to be put on the necks of some of the Soldiers for the Soldiers demanded of the Baptist saying And what shall we do Luke 3. 14. Cornelius was a Centurion of the band called the Italian band Acts 10. 1. In the Commotions of Germany some of the Spanish Soldiers became Gospellers as Lavater reports Ex Hispanis Militibus qui armis Germaniam religionis causa superioribus annis vexarunt non pauci ad fidem conversi quidem Martyres Christi facti sunt In lib. Prov. Sol. Com. c. 16. v. 17. 2. By way of purgation from sin and higher measures of sanctification God knows how to carry on his work whilst other kind of work is carri'd on by men They who are good become better by the sanctified evils of smart which befall them By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sin Isa 27. 9. The motions in the Babylonian State and after in the Persian as they were the Lord's Hammer to knock down the Babylonians who held captive the Lord's people had this tendency namely the cautioning of the Jews against sin and that because the Lord had frowned on them in the Babylolonian and smiled on them in the Persian So intimates Ezra saying And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great trespass seeing that our God hath punished us less than our iniquities deserve and hast given us such deliverance as this should we again break thy commandments c. Ezra 9. 13. 14. CHAP. II. 1. TAKE notice of the care and love of God towards his people God forgets not the good of his people in the motions and commotions that are in the World Saints under their black clouds see not this and are ready to say otherwise But Zion said The Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath forgotten me Isa 49. 24. But what saith God Can a woman forget her sucking-child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee v. 25. 2. Learn how Divinity will see beyond State-Policy A right view of matters taken as to the Church is a prognostick how things may probably go in the general as to the State As there are different motions in the Affairs of State so these different motions have their correspondency with the different temper of a people professing godliness If hypocrisie instead of serious piety and other sins spread as a Gangrene no wonder if there are frowning-aspects one way or other Isa 10. 6. If serious prayer to God together with humiliation and reformation are made conscience of then hopes there are that he who hath torn will heal and he who hath smitten will bind up Hos 6. 7. 3. Give not way to inordinate fears unbeliefs and despondencies of heart in the midst of all the tossings and tumblings of affairs of the world Let persons mind their duty and let God alone to govern the world There are these quieting considerations 1. All the Affairs of the World are subjected to Christ who is the Head of the Church Eph. 1. 22. Now if Christ be thus the Head he is not without eyes he sees yea foresees what is to be done and he is not without sense sensible he is what is done in way of affront to his Members Whilst Saul was a persecuting he saith Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Acts 9. 4. Suppose a man's head did reach up so high as the Heavens he would feel the injury offered not only to a limb but to the least of his toes Though Christ the Head in regard of his bodily-presence be above the Clouds yet he hath a sense and feeling of what is done to the least of his Saints 2. The Christian hath a very large Charter or Grant of all things to work for good Rom. 8. 28 The Church hath a very large Joynture not only the pleasant Vineyards but the wild Copses of the World bring in a very rich Income to her All is hers for good 1 Cor 3. 22. and God thinks nothing too good for her I am the Lord thy God the Holy One of Israel thy Saviour I gave Egypt for thy ransom Ethiopia and Sheba for thee since thou was precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life Isa 43. 3 4. 3. God hath made that which is a Saint's Priviledg namely an holy quietness of heart under the stirs of the World to be a Saint's Duty in Psal 112. 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Compare this with Luke 21. 9. But when ye shall hear of warrs and commotions be not terrified And that in John 14. 1. Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe â—… God believe also in me See further Phil. 4. 6. OBSERVATION XXVI PROVIDENCE outwits the Church's Enemies in their Policies or Contrivances against the Church CHAP. I. HOW God's Care is over his people in the Motions and Commotions that are in the World hath been touched Here it will not be impertinent to make an inquisition into an outwitting work of Providence as it respects the Adversaries of the Lord's people And the truth of the present Observation will appear three ways First From Comparisons in Scripture the scope of which are to set forth the Providence of God as baffling and be-fooling men's Policies and Devices against his people So Psal 124. 7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler the snare is broken and â—e are escaped And in Psal 7 Behold he travelleth with iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth falshood he made a pit and iâ— fallen into the ditch which he made his mischief shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own paâ—… v. 14 15 16. 2. From Exemplifications of such whose sinful Policy hath
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
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
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