inter montium angustias quod enim Deus decrevit non apparet sed est absconditum quasi lateret in altis montibus Tunc ergo incipimus agnoscere Dei consilium ubi ipsa experientia nos docet hoc vel alio modo fuisse decretum quod prius nos latebat a picture of the process of Providence Things before they come to pass are latent between these Mountains as Calvin interpreteth 2. Matters in Scripture are insisted on as having a reference to God's Decree or Will 1. Some things are referred to God by way of proper efficiency Paul speaks of vessels of mercy which the Lord had afore prepared unto glory Rom. 9. ver 23. What this preparing of the Lord is the same Apostle doth give to understand not only in that Chapter but elsewhere as Eph. 1. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of his will v. 4 5. and not only good supernatural as Vocation Justification and the like center in the Purpose or Will of God as the Apostle here sheweth but likewise good natural and moral for he hath made a decree for the rain Job 28. 26. The fire and hail snow and vapours stormy wind fulfil his word Psal 148. 8. Every good and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the father of lights James 1. 17. 2. Other matters have a reference to the Decree or Will of God by way of a wise righteous permission It may be observed how the Apostle speaks differently of the vessels of mercy and the vessels of wrath Rom. 9. the vessels of mercy the Lord is said to prepare unto glory v. 23. the vessels of wrath are said only to be fitted to destruction v. 22. God infuseth no evil into them and yet the evil of sin cannot be without his Will so permitting not by way of approbation but physical non-impedition There is indeed a curious and spotless artifice of the Holy One of Israel even in and about the sins of men He never acts deficiently from the Rule of his Eternal Righteousness and therefore the Lord 's Willing sin in a sense is not to be ignorantly jumbled together with man's not-hindering who is under a Law to hinder it I see no reason then to deny the reference that sin hath to the Will or Purpose of God The Necdubitandum est Deum facere bene etiam sinendo fieri quaecunque male non enim hoc nisi justo judicio sinit profecto bonum est omne quod justum est nam nisi hoc esset bonum ut essent mala nullo modo esse sinerentur ab Omnipotente Bono cui procul dubio quam facile est quod vult facere tan facile est quod non vult esse non finere August in Enchirid. cap. 96. hand of Providence writ the Copy of Eternal Love in Christ's Sufferings the Pen had its hair and that its blot a very great and black one and yet what saith Peter Acts 2. 23. Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledg of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Add to this that in Acts 4. 27 28. which seems to be a full and clear confession of the Church in this point 3. Matters are insisted on in Scripture not only by way of mâ—er Reference but also by way of Inference from the Purpose or Will of God as declared An instance full for this is the not breaking the legs of Christ John 19. 33 36. The Apostle Paul doth also inter calling c. from predestination Rom. 8. 30. yea he doth infer a patient bearing of afflictive dispensations on this wise saying that no man should be moved by these afflictions for your selves know that we are appointed thereunto 1 Thes 3. 3. 4. Instruments in their actings have a subserviency to the Purpose or Will of God In Ezekiel's vision the wheels are mov'd by the living creatures they go whither the Spirit was to go Ezek. 1. 12. And not only Instruments ministerial who act knowingly and regularly but others who intend no conformity to the Will or Purpose of God in matters brought to pass do yet pay a kind of tribute to the Lord's Will as in the selling of Joseph into Egypt and the crucifying of Christ Gen. 50. 20. Acts 4. 27 28. 5. If the Lord's Will be not the foundation of Dispensations then something else must take place and if men as the noblest of creatures here below shall have the Chair of State then to sacrifice to their own net and to burn incense unto their drag will be found good divinity which the Prophet censures as bad Hab. 1. 16. But Christians have not so learned Christ for he teacheth to resolve their mercies ultimately into the good pleasure of God Mat. 11. 25 26. 6. The Scripture doth plainly assert this truth Psal 115. 3. But our God is in the heavens he doth whatsoever he pleaseth Isa 46. 10. My counsel shall stand and I will fulfil all my pleasure Dan. 4. 29. This is the interpretation O King and this is the decree of the Most High which is come upon my Lord the King Mat. 10. 29. Are not two sparrows sâ—ld for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your father Eph. 1. 11. Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will CHAP. II. 1. BE the more confirmed in the truth of this Observation Look not on the Will or Purpose of God as a Plant of Time but as the Eternal Root of what comes to pass in Time And good reason is there so to do for 1. The Scripture carries the Purpose of God with respect to matters beyond their present existencies in the world Jer. 1. 5. Mat. 25. 34. Rom. 9. 11. 2. The glorious Attributes of God speak another language than so as if he were not resolved on the government of the world till things have their existencies for 1. He is Omniscient from all eternity He knows matters before they exist or have an actual beeing Psal 139. â— Thou understandest my thoughts afar off Acts 15. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning 2. He is Omnipotent nothing resisteth his will He spake and it was done Psal 33. 9. Power belongeth to him Psal 62. 10. 3. He is Independent in his operations He lacquies not after the Creatures none of the Creatures give to him so that a new Purpose hereupon is originally framed which was not before although not declared God is no such debtor to any of the Creatures Find out the Creature to whom God is such a debtor and the debt shall be well paid Rom. 11. 35. 4. He is Vnchangeable there is not the least change in Him He is not a yesterday God purposing and
Scripture why things are not is plain and positive if an eye be had to the Lord's Dominionship Thus in 2 Chron. 15. where it is said There was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in c. v. 5. And how so for God did vex them with all adversity v. 6. Like unto this is that in Jer. 47. 6 7. O thou sword of the Lord how long will it be ere thou be quiet put up thy self into thy scabbard rest and be still How can it be quiet seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon and the sea-shore there hath he appointed it The Lord could if he had pleased have given to the people existent in those black times better hearts and so they had had better times or might have vouchsafed fat times of prosperity and plenty and so they might be spiritually punisht with blindness of mind and hardness of heart That therefore there is no peace the sword is not still and quiet is from the Lord though sin doth intervene as the procuring-cause of such sad dispensations 3. The verity or faithfulness of God is concerned herein why things are not as well as why they are There are predictions which reach the denial of this or that to be All flesh shall not be cut off any more by the waters of a flood neither shall there any more be flood to destroy the earth spake the Lord to Noah Gen. 9. 11. No success for an Ahab at Ramoth-Gilead 1 King 21. 28. Shall he prosper shall he escape that doth such things or shall he break the Covenant and be delivered Ezek. 17. 15. So not a bone of Christ to be broken because the Scripture so fore-told John 19. 36. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9. 28. 4. There is a rich Treasure-house of Mercy in this seemingly empty house of Things not to be It 's not beyond infinite Power and affronted Justice and contriving Wisdom to elevate the most smarting troubles that are in the world above what they are The Lord knows how to find out new ones and to put more teeth and sharper ones into the old ones Yea the worm that dieth not and the fire that goeth not out can be made to bite deeper and burn fiercer Not only is there mercy in the non-constitution of new smarts or heightning old ones but in keeping off such smarts for the kind of them as others are made the subject of That Judgments which have an existence have not a respective existence to thee is from the Lord's mercy Moses notes this in his speech to the Israelites Deut. 7. 15. And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt which thou knowest upon thee but will lay them upon all that hate thee 5. The Prayers of Saints do objectively respect things which are not but to be and things which are but not to be So Daniel prays for the release from the captivity Now therefore O our God hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate feâ— the Lords sake Dan. 9. 17. see more Psal 51. 7 8 9 10 11 12. Rev. 6. 10. 6. If God hath not the Negative voice who hath Find him out truly that we may come and worship him But who is the that saith anâ— it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth iâ— not Lam. 3. 37. To deny the Lord's Prerogative in Negatives is to pull the Crown from his head or to make him a God of the Hills not of the Plains because victory is not in the Plains he hath nothing to do there he may get him gone to the Hills and there be positive in his actings But away with this Syrian language 1 King 20. 23. CHAP. II. 1. CHARGE not the Lord foolishly with want of power when things are not thus and thus brought to pass Thinkest thou saith Christ to Peter that I cannot now pray to my Father and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels but how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be Mat. 26. 53 54. 2. Look more to God and less to the Creatures when they give not down their Milk If there be a lock set upon their virtues forces operations remember in whose hand the key is If some who should be and sometimes have been Melchizedecks bringers forth of bread and wine for refreshment Gen. 14. 18. become Nabals hide-bound ones and insulting-ones 1 Sam. 25. 10 11 12. be not startled at it eye God in all their hearts are hardned to soften thine their ears are shut that so thy mouth may be the more opened to pour out thy prayer at a Throne of Grace to God who hath wise ends in such a Dispensation Be humbled then for sin before the Lord who hath all the Creatures at his beck and at whose girdle hang all the keys for unlocking any Creature whatsoever see Isa 59. 1 2. 3. Bless God for Negative Mercies If the Lord were not the cause why things are not what had been your case in regard of miseries All the temporal evils inflicted on others are Memorandums for thy thankfulness The Lord 's withholding Satan from falling in on thee with this or that temptation at such a nick of time doth call for thy acknowledgment There is besides a with-holding Providence a limiting one when Satan is let loose as in Job his case All this may lesson to say as David Bless the Lord O my soul Psal 104. 1. That Psalm is a Meditation on the Providence of God and the Psalmist there observeth the Providence of God in Negatives There are four observables there 1. Why things are and consequently are not in regard of their continued beeings for if God with-hold his influences the Creatures are a nigrum nihil an empty nothing this in v. 30. Thou sended forth thy spirit they are created and thou renewest the face of the earth 2. Why things are not in regard of their operations The Water is a fluid body and would quickly diffuse it self And why not Thou hast set a bound that they the Waters may not pass over that they turn not again to cover the earth v. 9. 3. Why things are not in such a conjunction The beasts of prey are not ordinarily abroad when man is this in v. 22 23. the Sun ariseth they gather themselves together and lay them down in their dens man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening 4. VVhy things are no longer in regard of duration or time for their existencies This we have in v. 29. Thou hidest thy face they are troubled thou takest away their breath they dye and return to their dust OBSERVATION IV. There is a wise Platform of things drawn forth by God or The administration of things in the World is according to the Draught of Divine
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
and two Children which mocked the Prophet of the Lord 2 Kings 2. 23 24. Those new Colonies placed by the King of Assyria in the Cities of Samaria feared not the Lord therefore the Lord sent Lions amongst them which slew some of them 2 Kings 17. 24. Deborah and Barak in their song of Victory descant on this wise They fought from heaven the starrs in their courses fought against Sisera the river of Kishon swept them away that ancient river the river of Kishon O my soul thou hast trodden down strength Judg. 5. 20 21. 2. Other Creatures wherein they are defective in regard of annoyance by virtue comparatively to other Creatures may notwithstanding in regard of co-incident circumstances prove very afflictive Balaam's Asse was none of the wildest for the Asse said unto Balaam Am not I thine asse upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day Was I ever wont to do so unto thee And he said Nay Numb 22. 30. We have here the appeal of the Asse and the acknowledgment of the Master both accord in the truth of the premises and yet we find an harsh conclusion for she crusht Balaam's foot against the wall v. 25. So calm a Creature as Balaam's Asse at such a place where a wall being on this side and a wall on that side together with the Angel of the Lord standing in the path of the Vineyards v. 24. becomes a scourge to the Rider CHAP. II. 1. FROM the Creatures being made friends to us 1. Forget not whence it is that the Creatures smile on thee and do not frown It 's from the pleasure of their Lord or Master that these servants in the general and those of them which are of rough temper in particular do bespeak you fairly and run to and fro willingly to do you service I will says the Psalmist both lay me down in peace and sleep for thou Lord only makest me to dwell in safety Psal 4. 8. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want Psal 23. 1. The Lord hears the heavens ere the corn wine and oyl hear Jezreel Hos 2. 21 22. 2. Labour to demean thy self in all godliness and honesty suitably to thy mercies There is good reason for such to serve God who have the Creatures as so many good servants to wait upon them There is an obligation on man to obey his God and the more his mercies are the stronger is the obligation He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Micah 6. 8. 2. From the Creatures being Corrosives or Scourges one way or other 1. Observe How the sweetest Wine may become the sharpest Vinegar and this 1. With respect to Things 2. With respect to Persons 1. With respect to Things The good things of this life may be matter of affliction Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things therefore shalt thou serâ—e thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and thirst and in nakedness and in the want of all things Deut. 28. 47 48. Hezekiah a good Prince yet what a thundering-message was sent him Behold the days come that all that is in thine house and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day shall be carried to Babylon nothing shall be left saith the Lord Isa 39. 6. 2. With respect to Persons as Magistrates Ecclesiastical Ministers Family-relations choice Friends or Acquaintants All these instead of Roses may become pricking-briers some way or other as may be instanced in 1. Magistrates who are the Ministers of God for good according to their institution Rom. 13. 4. these may be snatch't away by death to the grief of a People who sate under their refreshing-shadow Their deaths and burials become the resurrection of the Subjects sorrows Witness this in the case of good Josiah who dies and is buried and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him and Jeremiah lamented for him as is recorded 2 Chron. 35. 24 25. Or if they be not seized on by death they may prove the death or bane of a Nation by their follies Instances enough there are for this in Holy-Writ and History 2. Ecclesiastical Ministers become afflictive and that many ways When sins abound amongst a people pride barrenness under the means slighting Ministers and idolizing of them for these are sad extreams do with others sins provoke the Lord to afflict in and by Ministers Sometimes they are taken away by death John's Disciples had too high thoughts of their Master they began it seems to make a party against Christ himself John 3. 25 26. it 's observable ver 24. John was not yet cast into prison Afterward he was and beheaded too Sometimes though God continue them in the world yet he may make their tongues cleave to the root of their mouths They shall be dumb and not be reprovers as Ezek. 3. 26. The pipes shall be stopt and the Conduits in the Towns shall not run as formerly with that plenty of the Water of Life There is a time when the Prophets of the Lord are in their caves and not upon the house-top 1 King 18. 4. Again some may become afflictive by their slips falls apostacies Tertullian turn'd a Montanist and flies out against the Orthodox Scult Annal dec 1 p. 161. One Speicer in Germany was so powerful in preaching that Whores left the Stews and betook themselves to another course of living and yet after he return'd to the Tents of the Papists and miserably perisht Ibid. p. 269. It is said of Swenckfield who did beguile many with great swelling-words of illumination revelation deification of the inward and spiritual man that he had a well-meaning heart but a very irregular or erroneous head God is righteous as in the digging of a grave for some in the Vineyard and the binding of others hand and foot so in the permission of others to leap over the hedg of the Vinyard and to be be-wilder'd in wild and extravagant fancies and conceits See Acts 20. 30. 1 Cor. 3. with 2 Cor. 11. 13 14. 3. Family-relations become Gall and Wormwood 1. The Husband is sometimes a Nabal and folly is with him 1 Sam. 25. 25. or if he be otherwise his death gives life to the Wife's sorrows as 2 Kings 4. 1. Thy servant my husband said that Widow to Elisha is dead and thou knowest that thy servant did for the Lord and the Creditor is come to take to his my two sons for bond-men 2. The Wife if she be not more or less a chiding Zipporah Ezra 4. 25. a mocking-Michol 2 Sam. 6. 20. a sullen Vashti Esth 1. 12. or some otherway afflictive yet there was never a Marriage but there must be a Funeral and a vertuous beautiful Sarah must away out of an Abraham's sight Gen. 23. 4. 3.
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
had as it were her neck on the block the lifted-up hands hold up the lifted-up Ax from falling down Esth 4. 16. Prayer was made without ceasing for Peter Acts 12. 5. the Lord sends an Angel who procures a timely Gaol-delivery v. 7 8 9 10. As God doth call forth prayer in such extremities for our extremities call upon us to call upon God so his goodness is seen in the answer made unto prayer which may further be a Load-stone to this duty under the like extremities It is said in Psal 102. 17. He will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer O how oft have praying-ones had experience of God's regarding them when in respect of their extremities sense and reason might be ready to prompt as if the Lord had utterly rejected them I remember here a memorable story There happened to be a Famine in a Ship insomuch that the question was started about drawing lots who should be eaten one of note in the Ship and a pious man withal desired the rest That they might first seek to God by prayer before they resolved to enact so inhuman a Butchery and accordingly he made a prayer to God and whilst he was praying a Fish of some bigness was cast out of the sea upon the place where he was praying this Fish they divided and though it were but a short Commons for hungry ones yet it put a stop to a Flesh-dinner for that time but however the belly hath no ears hunger comes on and the old question about a bloody Flesh-meal is started The man who was their mouth to God in prayer wills them They might look up again to God having had experience of his gracious Providence in the Fish accordingly to prayer they go and whilst at prayer a Fowl of considerable bigness flies a-thwart the Ship-tackling and is entangled which they had and accordingly divided and before any further controversie did arise a Ship bears up towards them and their distressed case being communicated provision they had out of the Ship and that notwithstanding the Captain of the Ship had a particular grudg against the man of note in the other Ship and was resolved at first to play the Esau with this Jacob but yet did him no harm 5. To render His Wisdom and Power conspicuous and that not only to persons the immediate subjects of such relief but likewise to others in after-generations So for the Wisdom and Power of God there was more than a few drops of these at the Red-sea how often is that deliverance taken notice of and celebrated in the Sacred Scriptures The like may be said of the distress of the Lord's people in Esther's days What a glorious display was there of Power and Wisdom in that astonishing deliverance In Psal 102. we understand of the low and distressed case of persons there for the title of the Psalm is A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the Lord And passages in the Psalm do imply distresses We have there doleful complaints and a tragical description of distress express mention made of Zion's stones and dust and now notwithstanding the sore distress of the Lord's people the Lord is not wanting for it is said ver 16. When the Lord will build up Zion he will appear in his glory that is he will exalt the glory of his Attributes particularly of his Power and Wisdom he hath both Power and Skill to gather the stones and dust and make a glorious building glorious to the eyes of those who shall take a view of all for this shall be written for the generation to come and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord ver 18. 6. To check the pride insultation and malicious resolutions of wicked ones Come say the Babylonians sing us one of the songs of Zion Psal 137. 3. God can in time let the Babylonian know there are those whom he can make use of to make the Babylonians howl who now call for singing one of the Lord's songs How were Pharaoh Haman Senacherih check't at a nick of time And not only in former times hath Providence been seen in giving a check but also in later days There is a very remarkable story of Magdeburge the Citizens whereof in Charles the Fifth's time Emperor of Germany stood out heroically notwithstanding the Emperor had born down with force the Protestants in all Germany only Magdeburge is like the Pelican in the wilderness and the Owl of the desart and the Sparrow alone on the house-top and though so yet how in the nick of time was Prince Maurice who besieged them wheeled about to be their friend and so makes Articles of Peace with them and with his Army falls in upon the Emperor who flies before him and after forsakes the Imperial Crown betaking himself to a retired life and so the Protestant Interest which was sore depressed hath its resurrection to the baffling of Popish expectations Hither or under this head may be referred that of the witnesses in Rev. 11. I wave debates as to parties slain and the time when whether at several times in several generations That which makes for the matter in hand is the Lord 's raising them notwithstanding their being slain and that to the shame and terror of their adversaries for so in v. 11. After three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them which saw them That in Mie 7. 10. may here be accommodated as a good Comment on this place and pertinent to the matter in hand Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God Behold mine eyes shall behold her now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets Lastly To mention no more The Lord doth step in in the depth of misery to endear himself unto persons holpen and to engage their hearts the more unto him who doth exalt his mercy at such a season So in Exod. 15. 13. Thou in mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed And Psal 34 6. This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles And in Psal 116. The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell gat hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow then I called upon the name of the Lord O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul gracious is the Lord and righteous yea our God is merciful CHAP. II. 1. SEE folly and vanity 1. In regard of impatiency under evils 2. In regard of excursions or steppings aside from duty to the use of means for which men have no warrant There is folly both these ways The Israelites fell foul on Moses and Aaron because the door for egress out of Egypt was not opened at first knocking What though a double Lock seem to
moth and to the house of Judah rottenness Both the Moth and Worm do by degrees consume the Garment and Tree whose corroding Tenants they are In Rev. 16. the Angels there have the vials of the wrath of God these vials are poured forth not all at once but gradually and each vial may have its degrees too for so the form of a vial imports What is contained in a vial is not poured forth as water out of a Pail or Bucket the brim whereof in regard of its latitude is commensurate with its bottom 2. From Exemplifications Before Israel was carri'd away captive by Salmaneser 2 King 17. they had not only warnings by the Prophets of the Lord v. 13. but also knocks before the killing-blow by Salmeneser We read of their intestine broils and forreign ones too 2 Kings 15. That of Jeremiah is full Israel is a seattered sheep the lions have driven him away first the king of Assyria hath devoured him and last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones Jer. 50. 17. And not only so of old but in the Calamity fore-told by Christ Luke 21. there were doleful harbingers and fore-runners of the destruction of the Jewish people Josephus a Jew hath written a Commentary on Christ's Prophecy Gamaliel tells of two by-blows and they bloody ones which happened to their State Acts 5. 36 37. 3. From the various wise ends of God as 1. To testifie the patience and long-suffering of God towards men God doth not by and by fall in he bears and forbears There are Rods before Scorpions O Israel thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah Hos 10. 9. How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee O Israel How shall I make thee as Admah How shall I set thee as Zeboim Hos 11. 8. The long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the Ark was a preparing as is said 1 Pet. 3. 20. 2. To render men without excuse who notwithstanding preambulatory Dispensations of Providence are still vile and impenitent The people turneth not unto him that smiteth them neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail branch and rush in one day Isa 9. 13 14. See further Luke 13. 7. Rev. 16. 9 10. In the next place There is a gradual process of Providence in Mercies And this appears three ways 1. From Promises which do imply so much Thus Moses tells the Israelites saying The Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little Deut. 7. 22. And so in Hos 2. 15. I will give her vineyards from thence and the valley of Achor for a door of hope 2. From Instances and that in Temporals and Spirituals 1. In matters referring to this life there is first the blade then the ear after that the full corn in the ear to allude to that in Mark 4. 28. Riches are oftentimes given in gradually It is said of Jacob The man encreased exceedingly and had much cattel and maid-servants and men-servants and camels and asses Gen. 30. 43. Joseph had two petty exaltations before the great one God did let him understand that he who could exalt him in Potiphar's Family and in the Prison could when he pleased give him favour in the sight of others It is noted how David waxed stronger and stronger and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker 2 Sam. 3. 1. Abraham had first a promise of a child after Ismael is born after an Isaac after a posterity like the Starrs for number Hezekiah was sick unto death Isa 38. 1. a promise he hath for health v. 5. direction for the means v. 21. and the means prove succesful 2. In Spirituals The kingdom of heaven saith Christ is like to a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field which indeed is the least of all seeds but when it is grown up it is the greatest amongst herbs and becometh a tree so that the birds of the air come and lodg in the branches thereof Mat. 13. 31 32. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed Acts 19. 20. I might here more particularly shew the gradual process of Providence in Spirituals it shall suffice to point out the way rather than travel on it We may observe the extent of this Observation 1. In the conversion of man from the state of nature to a state of grace There is a gradual procedure in nature though not in time distinguishable for as in the creation Let there be light and there was light Gen. 3. so in the spiritual creation God sets up light in the understanding see Acts 2. 37. Acts 26. 18. Eph. 5. 8. Moreover before the reception of grace in the heart there is much of Providence in providing the Spiritual Seeds-man in the disposal of persons here and there in order to their acquaintance with God in rouzing some by afflictive dispensations and the like precursory dealings of Providence But 2. In the mortification of sin The Apostle sets forth this by Crucifixion a lingring death Rom. 6. 6. We are willed by the same Apostle to mortifie the members which are upon earth Col. 3. 5. 3. In growth of grace The very term doth imply the thing An Acorn is not by and by an Oak The Mustard-seed becomes a tree in time and the smoaking Flax a flame We read of children young men and fathers 1 John 2. 13. The Trees are not all of equal height and bigness in the Lord 's Lebanon 4 In Victory over Satan So in that last Scripture mentioned that is said there of young men Ye have overcome the wicked one which is not at least in like degree applied to children and they who are the young men in grace are not so well vers'd in Satan's methods as the wise and sage fathers in grace are We are not ignorant of his devices saith Paul 2 Cor. 2. 11. The same Apostle speaks of bruising or treading Satan under the Romans feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. 5. And lastly In a perception sense or spiritual feeling of the love of God and this may be considered with respect to two sorts of persons 1. The new Convert who lately of a slave to Satan is made a free subject to Christ The dust of sin raised by 〈◊〉 convictions do cover the copy of grace 〈◊〉 on his heart by the hand of his Spirit so that it is not by and by legible A sense of the party 's own vileness makes him or her hang the head till Christ revive by some passage or other as he did that poor Woman saying to her Thy faith hath saved thee go in peace Luke 7. 50. with 44. 2. The old Saint but now in a desert Christ for wise ends stands aloof from the Saint's dores The Lord is a chastizing-Father or trying-One and no wonder if the Child be not quiet till the Father smile Thus David who had defiled his Conscience by sin
rashly or wickedly the works of Providence It 's no less dangerous than foolish to shoot arrows against the Heavens God's works call for man's veneration not blasphemous aspersion It was well spoken by Elibu on God's behalf Behold God exalteth by his power who teacheth like him Who hath enjoined him his way Or who can say Thou hast wrought iniquity Remember that thou magnifie his work which men behold Job 36. 22 23 24. Now more particularly take heed of censuring 1. The work of God's long-suffering towards the Sons of Violence and Fraudulence There are who break in pieces the Lord's people afflict his heritage slay the widow and the stranger and murder the fatherless Psal 94. 5 6 7. and yet no reason to attaque Providence as they in Mal. 3. 15. And now we call the proud happy yea they that work wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered 2. The work of God's distinguishing-distinguishing-Mercy towards some let not this be branded as Injustice Partiality or Respect of persons The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal 145. 17. That clause Friend I do thee no wrong Mat. 20. 13. will be fully unridled one day 3. The remarkable irradiations or beamings forth of Providence in matters Providence did notably own Nehemiah in that good work he was about yet Samballat Tobiah and Geshem saith he laughed us to scorn and despised us and said What is this thing that ye do Will ye rebel against the king Neh. 2. 19. How was Christ affronted by the Pharisees He casteth out say they devils through the prince of the devils Mat. 9. 34. Thus when the Apostles were full of the gifts of the Holy Ghost some mocked saying These men are full of new wine Acts 2. 13. Men would do well therefore to remember that prohibition Exod. 20. 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour If not against thy neighbour then not against the God of thy neighbour SECT X. LAstly Beware of extreams about Providence Extreams are of two sorts 1. In Opinion 2. In Practise 1. In Opinion and so some deny the concourse of the first Cause with second Causes And others on the other hand affirm the first Cause alone to work at the presence of second Causes Both these Extreams are oppugned and expugned by those learned men who write polemically of Providence It 's not my purpose to be controversal Beware then of Extreams in practise Some come not up to duty referring to this or that Dispensation of Providence Others run beyong their duty Men keep not the King of Heaven's high-way but go aside on the right hand or on the left and so Providence hath not their company A Providence very eminent there was in the return of those sent to spy out the Land of Canaan but how are the people affected One while Let us make us a Captain and let us return into Egypt said they one to another Numb 14 4. Another while say they Lo we be here and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised v. 40. God in his Providence sets up Saul to be King some despised him and brought him no Presents 1 Sam. 10. 27. Others were too hot and furious and would have the King's robe dipt in blood Bring the men say they that we may put them to death 1 Sam. 11. 12. Peter saith Thou shalt never wash my feet Joh. 13. 7 8. and after Lord not my feet only but also my hands and my head v. 9. Men have ground therefore to be watchful against extreams in matters for lame feet in not going after a Providence and Hind's feet in out-running a Providence become not judicious Christians Having spoken to the Directions cautionary I come in the next place to give a draught or summary of the Directions positive And here without a large Preamble take them as following in their several SECTIONS for the clearer understanding of them SECT I. 1. RESOLVE to take a serious view of the Lord 's Providential Dispensations A well biassed Resolution is the Spring of Action To the end therefore thou mayest be in good earnest consider of the Incentives or Motives which are as followeth 1. To note and observe the Works of God's Providence is a commanded duty Men are not left to a luke-warm indifferency whether they will observe or no. God hath otherwise discovered himself in his word Jer. 7. 12. But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh where I did set my name at the first and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel Here are two things 1. What God did do 2. What they are to do The Lord he works and they are not to be idle but to take a view of His work by taking a journey in their Meditations to Shiloh In Rev. 6. when the Book there of the Lord's Secrets is to be opened in a way of Providential Dispensation there is a Come and see a sight indeed not to be flâ—ghted for observe the Come and see is more than trebled v. 1 3 4 7. Râ—petitions of things in Scripture as they may intimate our dulness so the weight or importance of things thus repeated But 2. As it is commanded-work to observe the Lord's out-goings in his Providence so it 's commended and that three ways 1 By the variety of terms used to express this duty There seems to be a depth when so many fathom of Cordage go to the sounding of this duty An heap of words there are to set forth the excellency and emphatical importance of it Thus in Isa 41. 10. That they may see and know and consider and understand together 2. It is commended to us from the Author whose works we are to take a view of Come and see the works of God saith the Psalmist Psal 66. 5. What more in the World than the curious artifice of the Divine Attributes should court the eyes of men to dwell on And lastly It 's commended from the Practise of God's Saints It is commendable to do not as the most do but as the best do By faith the elders obtained a good report Heb. 11. 2. That faith there is comprehensive of Providence for its object as the Exemplifications given in the Chapter do give us to understand It 's recorded to the commendation of Mary That she had an observant eye on the Providence of God Luke 2. 19. 3. In the third place The singular advantages which attend the due observation of Divine Providence do invite to this duty If a man will consult his own good here is the way and this is the dore For 1. By a wise observing God's Providence a man is the more furthered in the knowledg of God Manasseh in the School of Providence is taught what he learnt not before Providence fetters him and kicks him as a Ball as far as Babylon and there he is catechised so as it is said 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
his own glory See Psal 89. 12 13 c. CHAP. II. FIRST then from the Doctrine of the Universal extent of God's Providence it may be evinced That vain and false is the conceit of those who though they allow a Providence yet narrow it in regard of the Object as if so be Providence reached to some of the more noble of the creatures and not to others Whatever the Philosophy or rather the extravagancy of Philosophy dictates true Divinity lessoneth otherwise Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in the heaven and in the earth in the seas and in all deep places Psal 135. 6. Nam ex creatione colligit Deum actualiter moderari quicquid in coelo terrâ agitur quia absurdum esset coelos à Deo creatos fortuitò nunc volvi res vel hominum arbitrio vel temere casu misceri in terrâ quia proprium Dei est tueri gubernare quicquid condidit Ne cum profanis hominibus imaginemur pulcherrimi hujus theatri conspectu otiosum frui Calv. ad locum In the second place then Here is a large field for contemplation of and meditation on the Providence of God Providence which reacheth to all things teacheth man to eye God in every thing and to beware of slighting him in any thing There are five tracks or paths of Providence which here I shall point out at and so encourage the Christian to set foot in them for his good and benefit The first is the path which Providence beats out through the heads and hearts of men in Civils as well as Sacreds 2. The cleanly way of Providence through the dirt and mire of men's sins 3. The straight road of Providence notwithstanding the many lanes windings and turnings of contingencies 4. The Church-yard-way or the sable walk of Providence to Golgotha or the place of skulls 5. That lesser trivial and scarce a way of Providence to carnal reason in matters of smaller moment All these I may well call the beaten paths of Providence I see no reason why we should not eye the Almighty in these paths Be not therefore O Christian at a stand here as they were at the place where Asahel fell down 2 Sam. 2. 23. Here is no bloody Asahel I mean no such black and bloody notions in asserting the walk of the Lord in these paths SECT 1. That the Providence of God reacheth to the Wills of men is questioned by some but truly asserted by others and that according to the sacred Scriptures For 1. They who seem to be most arbitrary in the world are yet asserted to be in subjection to Providence the Great-ones of the World owe homage to the Great Lord of the World though they are Lords of men yet not of Providence Solomon who saith of a King He doth whatsoever pleaseth him Eccles 8. 3. saith also The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever he will Prov. 21. 1. Christ averreth to Pilate's face saying Thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above John 19. 11. 2. The reason why men take this or that course is in some respect attributed to the Providence of God as over-ruling Sampson is for a Timnah-Damosel his Parents knew that it was of the Lord that he sought an occasion against the Philistines Judg. 14. 4. Saul went home to Gilead and there went with him a band of men whose hearts God had touched 1 Sam. 10. 26. See more 1 Sam. 11. 5 6. Mat. 21. 2 3. 3. The Prayers of Saints do imply the truth of this assertion God Almighty give you mercy before the man that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin saith Jacob to his sons who were now setting forward to Egypt Gen. 43. 14. See also Neh. 2. 4. with the following verses which give to understand Nehemiah's belief in this point and so likewise that of the Apostle 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 4. There are clear instances of God's inclining winding and turning the hearts of men and that contrary to their natural byass and probable inducements which might sway them another way Laban lays not violent hands on Jacob though covetousness and fury might edg him on so to do See Gen. 31. 7. 29. Esau had an inveterate hatred against Jacob and howbeit he is kind and complemental Gen. 33. 4. The Lord gave the Israelites favour in the sight of the Egyptians Exod. 12. 36. Cyrus let go the captives without price and reward Isa 45. 13. 5. The Providence of God is conversant about the senses of men The hearing-ear and the seeing-eye the Lord hath made even both of them Prov. 20. 12. Notable instances there are of the marvellous extent of Providence to the eyes and ears of men Witness the Sodomites blindness or want of discerning Lot's dore Gen. 19. 11. The Syrians were led in a dance by the Prophet to Samaria 2 Kings 6. 18. In like sort the Lord is said to make the Host of the Syrians to hear a noise of Chariots and a noise of Horses even the noise of a great Host 2 Kings 7. 6. Now Providence which thus walketh in the Porch of men's senses walks from thence into the Parlour of the nobler faculties of men's Understandings Wills Affections There is a natural intercourse betwixt this lower and upper house of man Reason not only takes a true but even a false alarum of the Senses as in the place last mentioned The King of Israel said the Syrians one unto another hath hired against us the Kings of the Hittites and the Kings of the Egyptians to come upon us wherefore they arose and fled 2 Kings 7. 6 7. 6. The considerable revolutions changes issues of matters in the World turn in and turn out at the doors of men's hearts What is stated and accorded at this Council-board hath a considerable influx on the affairs of Nations and Kingdoms Ahasuerus his heart is towards Esther chap. 5. 3. and 7. 3 4. and what a change follows both in Court and Countrey after the following History declares Let a Darius be partially won to own Daniel's God and what a change is there in his Dominions Dan. 6. 26 27. Augustus Caesar is resolved on a Tax and what an influence hath that throughout the Roman Empire Luke 2. 1. Lastly The Objections to the contrary namely That Providence doth not thus reach unto the hearts of men have no weight in them First It 's objected Where is then man's liberty Ans Where is on the other hand the Lord 's Prerogative-Royal over all men and all of men Is not the Lord King of kings and Lord of lords Hath not he the supream Agency in and over the hearts of men Do not men think advise determine thus and thus and yet the answer of the tongue is from the Lord see Prov. 16. 1. 2. Let the Objectors reconcile man's liberty with the fore-knowledg of God
which is not denied and the like reconciliation may be found with the Will and Providence of God Look at what door the fore-knowledg of God goes out at without a justle at the wills of men at the same door the Will and Providence of the All-wise God can and do go forth 3. The Scripture hath plain and full instances of accord betwixt man's liberty and Divine Providence Saul acted freely in seeking his Father's Asses and yet the Lord had told Samuel before I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin 1 Sam. 9. 16. The King of Babylon resolveth and that freely having used his divination to go against Jerusalem and this holds correspondence with the threatnings of God by the Prophet against the Inhabitants of Jerusalem Ezek. 21. 18. 4. Man therefore acts freely because God hath constituted in him a freedom from coaction and brutish determination The Lord hath embellisht the foul of man with the noble faculties of Reason and Election so as that he differs from a Beast and hath a liberty in acting though not a liberty of absolute independency He who learns to swim puts forth his hands and feet freely though another hold and guide his head And this may serve by way of reply to that first Objection 2. It may be asked by some Would not this Doctrine make God the Author of sin Ans 1. Would not a denial of God's Providence about the Wills of men make them the Authors of Grace Surely such Doctrine which robbeth the Lord of his glory in working on changing and renewing the hearts of men is not of God Isa 26. 12. Phil. 2. 13. 1 Cor. 4. 7. 2. It may be replied then to the Objection with that of the Apostle to the like God forbid for then how shall God judg the world Rom. 3. 6. The holy God who made the house of man's soul and the several rooms thereof knows all the nasty corners of the sinner and can go in and out in his Providence without defiling the garment of his Holiness The Sun shines on the Dunghill and is not therefore a Dunghill-light Whatever the Assyrian was and his design was all bad enough yet God himself distinguisheth betwixt his own work and the Assyrians barbarous Villanies Isa 10. 12. We are not then to make a confusion where the Lord maketh a distinction What is proper to sinful and sinning man let man have what is proper to a Wise Just Powerful God let God have He that holds a stone and a piece of Cork under water is not because he withdraws his hand the proper intrinsecal cause of the one its sinking and the others its swimming for both stone and cork do equally participate in the hand the stone doth not therefore sink because the hand is withdrawn for then the cork should sink too and the cork doth not therefore swim for then the stone should swim too This may a little illustrate the matter to weaker capacities It 's a mystery and hath its knots yet it 's unreasonable therefore still to dispute and not to believe The Scripture doth plainly lay before us how God Men and the Devil had a concurrence in Job's case a work of Providence there was though not for the like end and in the like manner with a malicious Devil and plundering Sabcans and Chaldeans Providence knoweth how to do cleanly work by the foul hands of sinners Caiaphas was the Trumpet of a glorious Prophecy He is like a servant who broacheth a barrel in a drunken humour the Master of the house may well punish the servant for his lust and yet wisely order the vessel to be drawn forth for the use of the family It 's wonderful indeed to consider how the Lord's arrows are shot in men's bows and how he throws a Jewel in their Slings But so it is as it appears notably from that instance of Caiaphas See John 11. 50 51. with 47 48 49 53. The Consectaries from the Doctrine of Providence as here respecting the hearts of men are these 1. Absurd then is the conceit of those who would have men exempted from the influx and conflux of Providence The Creatures of a lower form are under the Law of Providence and that too in reference to man Psal 104. 14. And are not men much better than they as Christ argueth Mat. 6. 26. There is little reason and less divinity to deny the subjection of the greatest of men to the controlling Providence of God Daniel preached no such Doctrine at Court he asserts before Belshazzar saying The God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified Dan. 5. 23. 2. There is reason to eye God's Providence even then when men's hearts are hardned and filled with fury towards persons True it is God instilleth no venom of sin into their hearts but yet there is a wise and righteous hand of Providence in this case He turned their heart to hate his people to deal subtilly with his servants Psal 105. 25. Men would do well therefore not only to look upward to God but also inward on their souls and backward on their lives and may they not cry out then Men have done us wrong but God hath done us right The sons of Belial are injurious but the hand of Providence is righteous righteous righteous 3. It is a pious and prudent course to begin with God when we have to do with men especially in matters of greater consequence So did Esther she fasts and her Maidens the Ladies of Honour fast and the Jews in Shushan the Metropolitan City fast before she maketh her address to Ahasuerus Esth 4. 16. and surely there is encouragement so to do for the Lord can work more ways than we can imagine on the hearts of men sometimes he knocks out sparks of pity from flinty hearts Psal 106. 46. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives At other times he awes startles and doth bring to pass great things by fears which take hold on men's souls with their tenter-hooks See Josh 2. 11. Act. 22. 29. 4. Know to whom the tribute of praise and thankfulness is due for what of Providence is displayed in the conveyance of mercies by a touch from Heaven this and that way on the hearts of men on earth David hath a song for God's delivering him out of the hand of Saul 2 Sam. 22. chap. Now one way of David's delivery was by an access of Providence to Saul's heart 1 Sam. 26. 25 c. with chap. 27. v. 4. The same man of God hath left records of God's Providence in his deliverance from Achish who look't on David as a mad-man and so slighted him without trial made or making sure work with him who though he had been under a phrensie for the present might after become a sober Captain to lead an Army against the uncircumcised see Psal 34. with 1 Sam. 21. 14 15. Austin relates how by
hath no reason to boast of to morrow for the morrow may bring forth the death of the Plot and the burial of the Plotter There are Contingencies which to man's apprehension at the first seem no otherwise than so many loose straws but with these straws artificially twisted together by the hand of Providence a Rope is made no less strong to bind than Chains and Fetters of Iron 3. There is great encouragement to live in dependance on God for provision and protection Contingent-dispensations are oftentimes the Saints Exchequer and Life-guard If one had ask'd a godly Israelite in the Wilderness saying Where is your food He must have answered Above in the Clouds a very high Cupboard out of the Children's reach but on the morrow it will be had out from thence Again if it had been said What if an Enemy shall fall on you It might have been replied That such a blow happened to the Egyptians behind as no need to fear them for one Forty years and such fears had fallen in upon the hearts of the Canaanites before them so that there 's little ground to be dismayed Thus through Providence the Egyptians Frenzy at the Red-sea and the Canaanites Palsey was the means of the Israelites safety 4. Take notice of Mercies conveyed on the wings of Contingent-dispensations In this Treasure-house are Mercies of all sorts The woman of Samaria happened to come in a good time to Jacob's Well where the Fountain of Life was open for her Joh. 4. 6 7. Ruth goes a gleaning and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz as it is said Ruth 2 3. and from a Gleaner she becomes a Mistress in Boaz his Family to whom she married and at marriage hath the prayers of the good people in Bethlehem which prayers of her neighbours had a glorious issue no less than Grandfather to a King is born to the joy of Naomi Boaz Ruth and the rest of the people of Bethelehem See Ruth 4. 11. to the end SECT 4. That the Providence of God extendeth to the deaths of men may be illustrated 1. More generally 2. Particularly First In the general It appears from these and the like Arguments 1. God giveth life and no longer than he upholds life doth it last Thou saith Moses carriest them away as with a flood Psal 90. 5. The Jews went about to kill Paul yet their design was ineffectual as Paul giveth the reason saying Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day Acts 26. 21 22. 2. If the Providence of God stoops to a Sparrow's falling on the ground why not to the grave of a Man and yet Sparrows are not long-liv'd birds as Naturalists observe they are birds of little value too To deny then the inference from Sparrows to Men is to asperse our Saviour's Logick for so is the scope of the Argument urged Mat. 10. 29. with 31. 3. Death is an Evil of smart and shall there be any evil in the City and the Lord hath not done it Amos 3. 6. 4. On the death of some persons the adversity of a whole Nation is ushered in that is a significant place of Scripture for this purpose in Lam. 4. 20. The breath of our nostrils the anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits of whom we said Vnder his shadow we shall live among the heathen And thus briefly in the general Secondly In the next place more particularly Consider the extent of Providence 1. To the Kinds of death 2. To the Timing of death First As for the Kinds of death they may be distinguisht thus 1. Natural as being affixt to nature since the fall of our first Parents Gen. 3. 19. By natural death here is understood the dissolution of man from Principles of Mortality within though there should not be any violence from without Thus some according to the Providential disposition of the Almighty come to the grave in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in his season Job 5. 26. see for this Deut. 34. 5. Psal 90. 10. 2. Violent when the candle of life burns not out but is puft out and that by the hot breath of a raging Enemy or the sentencing-mouth of the Magistrate Job's servants were slain by the Chaldeans and Sabeans but not without the Providence of God as Job acknowledgeth chap. 1 15 17 21. Achan is stoned to death and yet glory is due to the Lord whom Achan had offended Josh 7. 19 25 26. 3. Casual which though it may be violent yet is here considered as not intended by men as Agents or Instruments God's Providence reacheth to Chance-medly The slaying of man accidentally is said to be God's delivering a man into the hand of the slayer see Exod. 21. 13. Deut. 19. 5. Secondly The timing of the deaths of men hath its reference to the Providence of God for as he sets bounds to the sea Job 38. 8. and hath determined the bounds of mens habitations Acts 17. 26. so he hath not left the lives of men boundless The truth of this will appear 1. From plain places of Scripture affirming so Job 7. 1. Is there not an appointed time to man upon the earth Are not his days like the days of an hireling Job 15. 5. Seeing his days are determined the number of his months are with thee thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass Eccles 1. 1 2. To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven a time to be born and a time to dye According here to Solomon's Divinity time or season for things fall under the Providence of God and particularly birth and death are in the front of the catalogue of the instances there which we are as one observeth to understand only according to the event what things fall out after God's appointment not the lawfulness or unlawfulness of them what things should be by God's commandment 2. From the reason rendered in Scripture why some are not sooner removed out of the world by the hands of violence notwithstanding promissory or rather comminatory probabilities John 7. 30. Then they sought to take him but no man laid hands on him because his hour was not yet come The same reason is repeated John 8. 20. Christ backs the same reason as solid and true when he said to his apprehenders When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretched forth no hands against me but this is your hour and power of darkness Luk. 22. 53. 3. From the verity of God in timing the deaths of persons according to particular predictions So in Isa 7. 16. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and chuse the good the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings Pekah the son of Remaliah was one of those Kings and his death is recorded 2 King 15. 30. It is said of the Assyrian Isa 37. 7. I will cause him to fall by the sword in
8. c. Achan's transgressing the Covenant is found out Josh 7. 11 17 18 19 20. Judas his Hypocrisie ends in notorious Apostasie Mat. 26. 14. 15. Ananias and Saphira's Sacriledg hath the Curtain drawn from before it by the hand of Peter Acts 5. Simon Magâ—s his Sorceries and painted Atheism are unmasked Acts 8. 2. Examples of the later sort there are likewise The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother the ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young eagles shall eat it Prov. 30. 17. Cain's murdering his brother Abel is found out by the Lord Gen. 4. 8 9 10. Judah's Uncleanness hath a Signet and Bracelet and Staff to discover it Gen. 38. 16 24 25. Joseph was stoln out of the Land of the Hebrews as it is said Gen. 40. 15. the Plagiarism or Theft of the Brethren is laid open The wicked forgery and perjury in the case of Naboth is left on record 1 King 21. These instances of both sorts may suffice It were easie to enlarge here from History I pass to the accommodation or improvement CHAP. II. 1. OBSERVE an Argument to prove Providence from the wonderful discoveries which are made of the deeds of darkness Though all deeds of darkness do not come to light in this world yet this may suffice Divers do some are discovered to prove a Providence others reserved from a discovery to intimate a day of general Judgment There are several Observables which if they are seriously considered do abundantly commend to us the Providence of God in matters of this nature 1. The small and various threads on which a discovery doth sometimes hang. Unless the hand of Providence did fasten these together and keep them from being broken the sinner had not been drawn out of his Dungeon by them How many windings and turnings were there of Providence ere the horrid fact of Joseph's brethren comes to their father's knowledg 2. The long distance of time sometimes between the perpetration of some fact and the discovery of it One would think such or such a deed of darkness were dead buried and never like to rise again in this world There were divers years past ere Joseph's brethren were taken to task by Providence in order to a discovery I could instance in a woman who liv'd thirty years after a Murder committed and the House where she liv'd being after to be altered in regard it was not convenient for the making of Gunpowder being twice blown up in digging bones were found and the Woman who had changed her habitation was apprehended and convicted out of her own confession 3. The notable sagacity and quick-sightedness of some who are concerned to search into matters There is sometimes much of Providence to be noted Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water but a man of understanding will draw it out Prov. 20. 5. In the controversie of the Harlots about the living-child Solomon's Judgment was more sharp than his Sword 1 King 3. 16 to the end 4. Angelical Ministry which Providence doth often use in order to discoveries Joseph is warnned by an Angel of the Lord how Herod had a design to murder Christ Mat. 2. 13. I make no question but the Angels who cover their faces before the Almighty do invisibly uncover many a deed of darkness They are the Intelligencers in matters of this nature And though they do not appear in places of Judicature yet they may assist there and promote invisibly Discoveries I have heard of one who had an Apparition which willed him to accuse a certain party of Murder committed and withal bid the man ask certain questions and in case the proof did not take the Spirit would appear in the place of Judicature On the rumour of this a great concourse there is of people to behold the Apparition and out of the Croud Witnesses are found to evince the murderous fact for the questions referring to the Murder as going through such an hedg washing his shooes at such a place being denied some there did on the contrary attest being thus providentially drawn together with others and so the Judg condemns the man not because of the Apparition but upon proof made secundum allegata probata 5. The variety of ways which Providence hath to lay open the deeds of darkness Providence doth sometimes blow off the paint by the warm breath of the guilty parties themselves Their own consciences words carriages witness the evils committed Many came and confessed and shewed their deeds Acts 19. 18 19. Again sometimes by the breath of others who if they were not Associates yet were some way or other privy to such deeds A Jehu tells stories of Ahab's Court and what past before 2 King 9. 25 26. Moreover Providence doth make good the charge against the guilty sometimes by some one single demonstrative or passage Tamar sends a greeting to her father saying By the man whose these are am I with child Gen. 38. 25. Again sometime by a concurrency of matters A bundle of sticks is not broken though taken apart they are easily snapt asunder Providence is wonderful in bringing forth the several links of the Chain which pull the Guilty out of their close Coverts to their blush and confusion of face 2. Give not way to Abominations upon presumption of secrecy It is folly and a delusion of Satan to consent to temptations because of secrecy 1. Suppose the guilts of some escape the eye of men in this world Art thou sure that thine shall The Lord seeth all and may give others to see what thou dost And I will come near to you to judgment and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against false swearers and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages the widow and the fatherless and that turn aside the stranger from his right and fear not me saith the Lord of Hosts Mal 3. 5. And Psal 44. 21. Shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the heart 2. There is an heavy judgment on parties in their uncontrollable liberty which they take in the Vaults of darkness The hand of Providence lies heavy on them in a judiciary way whilst the finger of Providence doth not point out to the world their sins for which they might take an holy shame and amend 'T was a mercy to David that Nathan was sent to him 2 Sam. 12. with Psal 51. On the other hand Providence doth punish when it doth not punish Hos 4. 14. To go on in the broad-broad-way to destruction without check is the suburbs of damnation 3. A day will come when all will out before Angels and Men. In Rom. 2. 16. In the day when God shall judg the secrets of men according to my Gospel And 1 Cor. 4. 5. Therefore judg nothing before the time until the Lord come who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest
fancy Gen. 37. 11. 2. The not heeding of Providence in its Proemial displays or presages may in some cases prove to be of dangerous consequence John the Baptist was the Elias to come he was the fore-runner of the Messiah for so said he Luke chap. 1. v. 17. He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias The Jews did not heed the Providence of God in the Baptist Mat. 17. 12. But I say unto you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they listed Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them Thus the King's Harbinger being not regarded no wonder if the King himself be not welcom'd He came unto his own and his own received him not John 1. 11. OBSERVATION XXXI Past and present Passages of Providence lay foundation more or less for future matters or What falls out after is the result or issue of Providence before as effecting or righteously permitting CHAP. I. THIS Observation being akin to the former the less may be said yet if the more be said each of these like two Glasses may reflect on each other and things reflected in them will the better be taken cognizance of Before we considered Providence rather as an eye looking forward here we may look on it as an hand throwing up the earth and laying in stones for superstruction-work to go on There are three Generals to be spoken to here 1. The various Mode or Manner how past or present passages of Providence lay a foundation 2. The interval of time between the Foundation and after-Superstruction 3. The Latitude or Extent of this with respect to Matters First To begin then with the first and so past and present things in order to what follows may be considered 1. According to their intrinsecal and proper nature their usual manner of working qualification for what is the ordinary result as Providence is conversant about them Thus it is said that the heaven was black with clouds and wind and there was a great rain 1 King 18. 44. And so Eccles 7. 7. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad and a gift destroyeth the heart that is impatiency and vexation of mind as one saith Cartwright in locum is a kind of madness which oppression with its force and nature bringeth unless a man well principled with piety flie unto God for shelter and refuge and after the like sort bribery blinds the eyes of a wise man Again things may be considered according to a supernatural causality attending them in regard of their issues and here the said things may be considered as over-ruled by Providence three ways 1. As indifferent in their own nature for the production of this or that effect The Ax cuts the wood and cuts a man's leg the same Ax which fells the tree down for fewel or some other use kills a man at another time as Deut. 19. 5. 2. As having some tendency inclination or propensity for this or that effect but not proportionable in it self considered for the product thereof Gideon's Three hundred men rout a vast Army and so lay a foundation for their Countrey 's quier and respit from the Midianitish fury Judg. 7. 3. As averse and contrariant in all likelihood to what follows Thus Joseph's brethren rid their Father's house of Joseph which act of theirs by an over-ruling Providence contributes for the preservation of the Family afterwards as is asserted by Joseph Gen. 45. 9 10 11. There is another consideration of things past and present in order to futurity and that is 1. By way of natural causality as things according to their very natures physically considered work thus as for fire to burn the houses of Ziglag being applied to them 1 Sam. 30. 3. 2. By way of moral causality or order which the Lord hath set Thus the Corinthiant did prophane the Lord's Supper and this lays a moral foundation for a future House of Correction to be erected amongst them For this cause faith the Apostle many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep 1 Cor. 11. 30. On the other hand when the Temple work was minded by them in the Prophet Haggai's time the laying of the foundation of the Temple was through grace the laying of a foundation of future Mercies as is plainly declared in Hag. 2. 18 19. 3. By way both of natural and moral causality Both these streams meet in one channel sometimes The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags Prov. 23. 21. These sins have not only a moral provocation in them by reason whereof God doth righteously punish the sinners but likewise according to a natural tendency are an in-let to poverty Drunkenness as one saith turns man his family yea his house too out at the Wicket Some sins are costly and are Moths to men's Estates Men do not only fight against God with their Mercies but also against their own Estates Peace and Comfort They take the link-stock fire the Cannons and have no ground to quarrel with Providence if the Chain-shot or Wedg heated red-hot in the fire of their lusts light on their own houses to the burning of them And thus for the first general propounded Secondly The interval or space of time betwixt Causes Effects and Consequents comes next to be insisted on And here as there is a Winter-grain and Spring-seed as Oats Barley which are earthed after the former so some things come to pass after which were founded in their Causes before There is a Treasure-house of Providence Mercies and Judgments are laid up in this Treasure-house The opening of this Treasure-house belongs to God He times the opening of it 1. Sometimes there is but a little distance between the issues of Matters and their Causes The House is soon up and covered whether it be an House of Feasting or Mourning A word and good word there is for Jehosaphat with the people when they are fasting and praying upon the account of that great Multitude which came against them 2 Chron. 20. 17. To morrow go out against them for the Lord will be with you Elijah sends word to Ahab after a long drought saying Prepare thy Chariot and get thee down that the rain stop thee not and it came to pass that in the mean while that the heaven was black with clouds c. 1 King 18. 44 45. Boast not thy self of to morrow thou knowest not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27. 1. 2. Otherwhile the distance is wider Causes and Effects do not shake hands by and by Joseph's brethren made a Rod for their backs which hung up by the wall of Providence for some years ere they were lash't by in it Egypt and Joseph's being sent into Egypt had a reference to the future good of his Father's Family The Tree was transplanted long before Jacob with his sons eat of the fruit thereof for Joseph was seventeen years when sold
and truth in my days Isa 39. 8. 2. As there is a robbing of the Lord in respect of his goodness and mercy in eying only the bitter part as bitter in Dispensation so a person in so doing stands in the light of his own support and comfort He that can read Love Mercy Wisdom in the Characters of Providence though written with the intermixture of Gall in their black Ink will not tear in pieces the Letter sent from Heaven The Prophet Jeremiah gives a large description of Miseries Lam. 3. from v. 1. to 21. and in v. 22. what saith he It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not Here is a sense of Mercies as well as before a sense of Miseries and a good use is made of this in v. 26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. OBSERVATION XXXVI There is a Retaliating-work or work of rendring like for like observable in God's dealing with the sons of men CHAP. I. THIS Retaliating-work of Providence may be considered both by way of frown and smile or as grievous in a way of smart and gracious in a way of favour Each of these have a correspondence with what is foregoing either by way of proportion literal if I may so term it there is a Copy or Counterpane of the former Deed or as is vulgarly said the same bread which men break to others is broken to them again or by way of proportion equivalent or in value God doth sometimes pay persons in the like coyn sometimes the payment is made in Bullion which though it have not the like Image or Superscription on it yet it comes out of the same Mine though not the same Mint There is a general accord with what did precede and that as was said by way of frown and smile For the further clearing up of this Meditation or Observation the following Heads of Discourse offer themselves to consideration First There are Assertions in Scripture on this wise These Assertions are 1. General 2. Particular 1. The Assertions general which do point at this are to be spoken to And here not to be large hear what He asserteth whose word may well be taken Christ himself Judg not that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judg ye shall be judged and with what measure ye mete it shall be measur'd to you again Mat. 7. 1 2. Compare this Scripture with Luke 5. 37 38. and we have the Text or Subject-matter enlarged for thus it is said Judg not and ye shall not be judged condemn not and ye shall not be condemned forgive and ye shall be forgiven give and it shall be given unto you good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosome for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again 2. There are Assertions in particular and that as they point at frowning-Dispensations and smiling-ones The first sort of Assertions in particular as they respect wrath we have scattered up and down in Scripture So Isa 33. 1. Wo to thee that spoilest and thou wast not spoiled and dealest treacherously and they dealt not treacherously with thee when thou shalt cease to spoil thou shalt be spoiled and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously they shall deal treacherously with thee Rev. 13. 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword The later sort of Assertions in particular we have likewise on Sacred Record So Psal 41. Blessed is he that considereth the poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he shall be blessed upon the earth and thou wilt not deliver him to the will of his enemies the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing thou wilt make his bed in sickness v. 1 2 3. To this add one Scripture more Psal 18. 25. With the merciful thou wilt shew thy self merciful with the upright thou wilt shew thy self upright And that in Mat. 5. 7. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy Secondly The Prayers that are in Scripture recorded do imply a Retaliating-work of Providence There are Sacred or Divinely-inspired reflections on the evil and good deeds of persons and these reflections have reached Heaven for an answer so in Psal 137. 7. Remember O Lord the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said Raze it raze it even to the foundation thereof So likewise Lam. 1. 22. Let all their wickedness come before thee and do unto them as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions for my sighs are many and my heart faint And Rev. 6. 7. And they cryed with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judg and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Again there are passages in Prayer of another aspect or reflection Boaz answered and said to Ruth It hath fully been shewed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother and the land of thy nativity and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore The Lord recompense thy work and a full reward be given to thee of the Lord God of Israel under whose wings thou art come to trust Ruth 2. 11 12. The Lord said Paul give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain 2 Tim. 1. 18. Thirdly There are Exemplifications of a Retaliating-work and that 1. By way of Wrath or Judgment or Severity 2. By way of Mercy 1. To begin with the first sort The first-born of Egypt were slain and that very righteously if consideration be had to the bloody Edict for the destroying the male-children of the Israelites and look as Orders were issued out to drown the children of the Israelites in Egypt's River so Pharoah with his Host are drowned in the Red-sea Exod. 1. 16. and v. 22. with Exod 12. 29. and Exod. 14. 30. Samuel tells Agag As thy sword hath made women childless so shall thy mother be childless among women and Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal 1 Sam. 15. 23. Vengeance is for Edom and why Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance Ezek. 25. 12 13 14. O Jerusalem said Christ which killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee behold now your house is left unto you desolate Luke 13. 34 35. It is said Rev. 16. 6. for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy And in Rev. 18. 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works
That is a notable caution given Exod. 22. Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry and my wrath shall wax hot and I will kill you with the sword and your wives shall be widows and your children fatherless verse 22 23 24. II. In reference to Smiling-Retaliations of Providence remember the following Instructions 1. The less ground there is of dejection under straits by how much the more parties have been helpful to others under their straits For God saith the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his name in that ye have ministred to the saints and do minister Heb. 6 10. Job was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame a father to the poor the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him Job 29. He hath experience after his sharp Winter-season of Retaliating-Smiling-Providence his Brethren Sisters and all that had been of his acquaintance afford him heart and hand for his supportation and consolation Job 42. 11. 2. Take notice how God hath been a gracious Pay-Master to you one way or other The debts of kindness are paid off in money or as good if not better than money Old Barzillai who had a loyal heart and a bountiful hand towards David in his flight from Absolom experienceth the King's favour to him and his see 2 Sam. 17. 27 28 29. 2 Sam. 19. 38 39. 3. Take encouragement then to put on bowels of mercy kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering as is said Col. 3. 2. How many are there of whom it may be said They have guts but no bowels of compassion towards others afflicted Forget not more especially to have a respect to God's servants whether strictly or generally so termed It 's an encouraging meditation we have in 2 Kings 8. 4 5 6. compared with 2 Kings 4. 8 9 10. the good Prophet though dead is yet a virtual spokesman to the King for that woman who had been hospitable in entertaing him at her house her sparing the Prophet a little room is richly requited with the King 's restoring her the whole House Lands Profits or Issues thence arising from the time of her absence to the time of her address made to the King there Remember then that of Christ Mat. 10. 41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophets reward and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward OBSERVATION XXXVII The Circumstances of Time and Place afford substantial Documents or weighty Instructions to the Observers of Providence CHAP. I. TIME and Place put weight into the Scale of Moral Actions Virtue and Vice have an aggravation according to the consideration of Time and Place And as Time and Place have their consideration in Moralities so in the Displays of Providence God who is the Author of Time and Place doth wisely govern Matters with respect to Time and Place To begin then with the first of these and so it will not be lost time to take a view of Providence about the timing of things And here three Positions offer themselves First It belongs to God as his Prerogative-Royal to Time Matters In Isa 60. 22. I the Lord will hasten it in his time And in Acts 1. 7. And he said unto them It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Secondly The Lord who is wise doth wisely Time matters This appears if it be considered 1. That the Scripture not only speaks of Time but of a fulness of Time which notes the mature exact or fit bringing-forth of matters on the stage of this world Our Saviour Christ came in the fulness of time as we read it asserted once and again Gal. 4. 4. and Eph. 1. 10. 2. There is no solid reason for man to object against the Lord's Timing of Matters For 1. Hereby folly is exalted Eccles 7. 10. Say not thou What is the cause that the former days were better than these for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this 2. Men have smarted for their folly when they will have other times or things timed according to their discontented humours The Israelites must have flesh-days they shall have them and enough of them see Numb 11. 32 33. 3. As there is reason so it 's man's wisdom to be calm and not foolishly stumbled at this or that about Times There are two ways how times may be said to be evil 1. In regard of the evils of Sin 2. In regard of the evils of Smart As for evil times in regard of Sin though it be our duty to groan yet not to grudg or mutter against the Lord because such times are Times are bad and by an undue discontent they are not made better but worse There is a wise and good Providence of God when Times are thus bad Divers things might here be insisted on I shall only point at one and that is The truth of his Word which hath foretold of such times and this if considered may not only break the force of temptation as if God did not govern the world at such times but likewise confirm us in the faith In the time of Pope Clement the fifth Frederick King of Sicily was so far offended at the ill government of the Church that he called into question the truth of the Christian Religion till he was better resolved and setled in the point by Arnoldus de Villa nova who evidenced to him That it was long since foretold of such days of defection and abomination when iniquity should abound 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 c. In the next place as for bad times in regard of the evil of Smart there is less ground for disquiet if sin be considered of as ordinarily preceding such evils of Smart The Scarlet and Crimson Sins make way for Garments rolled and dyed in blood It was a pious confession in Ezra 9. 23. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly And where the days are black and bloody ones notwithstanding they who are killed burned massacred keep their garments undefiled being persecuted for righteousness sake yet God is good in such bad times as these Much might be said in way of an apology for Providence here It may suffice That they who do suffer are sweetly satisfied as to what is their lot and portion in this kind In Rev. 13. 7. It was given to him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them Mr. Mede interprets this place as having reference to the times of the Albigenses and quotes an observable reply of some of them to the Argument drawn from the success of the Popish
party against them namely That they were the conquered people of Christ The Scripture had foretold of what should be and so what might make against them makes for them They were overcom'd and yet did overcome by their faith and patience The Wild-Boar of the Forest did chase them to their Father's House A time comes when Christ plays the mighty Huntsman and so slays the slayer to the glory of His Vindictive Justice Nam cum Episcopus Tolosanus stragi intercedens eos qui adhuc residui intentoriis forte manserant misso quodam religioso ut tanto quasi Dei irati contra eos pronunciantis flagello convicti jam tandem feritate depositâ ad fidem quam vocant Catholicam converterentur illi verò se populum Christi victum retorquentes hoc quasi clypeo tentationis impetum frustrati sunt atque ad unum omnes à recurrentium Militum manu intersecti fortiter occubuerunt Thirdly There is a glorious dissplay of Providence in timing both Mercies and Judgments Mercies are timed and so timed as that they are oftentimes inhanced from the season for them God did remember Joseph in the Butler's forgetting of him for Joseph is reserved till he be more fitted for release and till Pharaoh be at a loss about his dreams for the Magicians could not interpret them unto Pharaoh Gen. 41. 8. The like may be observed in Daniel's case between whose intended slaughter and advancement there was but a little time Dan. 2. 13. with following verses Moreover the time of Mercy doth sometimes lead to or point at some duty which the Lord graciously recompenceth at such time The day of setting upon Temple-work is a day of God's blessing them from thence Hag. 2. 18 19. It is observed how the English had victory given Fox Acts and Mon. in the History of Edward the sixth unto them on that very day and hour Images were burnt at London And as for Judgments the Lord times them The Assyrians goes not against an hypocritical Nation till God sends them Isa 10. 6. God knows how to make a Calamity a double one in regard of the timing of it That passage in Mat. 24. 20. doth plainly attest so much Moreover the day of Calamity may point out at sin committed on the day that Calamity is inflicted While the word a proud one was in the king's mouth there fell a voice from heaven c. Dan. 4. 31. Time is sometimes a Glass to behold the sin committed then or before at such a time which hath its recourse when the Judgment is inflicted The day week month of Smart may point to the day week month of Sin before The Second Branch of the Observation refers to Places And here three Propositions likewise offer themselves to consideration First Some Places are Monuments of Providence in regard of what falls out there Surely saith Jacob the Lord is in this place and I knew it not he set up a pillar and called the name of the place Bethel Gen 28. 16 17 18 19. See moreover for this purpose Numb 21. 3. 1 Sam. 7. 12. 1 Chron. 22. 1. Secondly There is much of Providence in going to Places and in absence of parties from Places A Levite lodgeth at Gibeah Judg. 19. 14. and what falls out there is the desolation of Benjamin no less than the lives of Twenty and five thousand Benjamites pay the shot or discharge that Levite's Quarters Judg. 20. 46. In 2 Sam. 20. 1. there happened to be there a man of Belial whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri a Benjamite and he blew the Trumpet of Sedition Nathan Sadock Benaiah Solomon are not at that Seditious Feast of Adonijah Abiathar Joab are and they had better fasted than thus feasted as the sequel of the story doth declare 1 King 1. There was much of Providence in Saul's coming to Jabesh-Gilead for their help 1. Sam. 11. 11. Thirdly Both Mercy and Wrath may be read in legible Characters on Places and at Places The Providence of God is seen in way of Mercy as it respects the place it self in blessing of it as he did the land of Canaan to the Israelites And the same Providence is displayed in way of mercy at places and that in doing good to the souls of men and to the outward man too Many of the Jews which came to Mary at Bethany and had seen the things which Jesus did believed on him John 11. 45. The blind man is in the way nigh Jericho and Christ there passeth by and healeth him Luke 18. 35. And as Mercy is thus displayed so Wrath likewise The Lord turneth rivers into a wilderness and the water-springs into dry grounds a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein Psal 107. 33 34. The Brethren of Ahaziah are on their progress to visit Ahab's children at Samaria they are met with by Jehu and slain at the pit of the shearing-house even two and forty men 2 Kings 10. 13 14. King Joram is providentially drawn forth from Jezreel and met Jehu in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite 2 Kings 9. 21. he is slain by Jehu and his body is thrown on that very plat according to the word of the Lord as Jehu makes the observation v. 25 26 of the same chapter CHAP. II. 1. FROM the Lord 's timing of matters learn 1. What ground there is for wicked ones to consider of their ways God not only times Punishment but so times it as that it may become double punishment God hath turned the Glass of his Long-suffering in Heaven how many sands are run out and how many are to run out they know not this let them know That God will come in way of punishing if they come not in way of repenting he will come even to a sand When the iniquity of the Amorites is full vengeance steps in Gen. 15. 16. There is a MENE God hath numbred thy kingdom and finished it for a Belshazzar Dan. 5. 25. And as the Lord timeth Wrath so there is a stinging timing of it Wicked ones have a spring-tide of Wrath when they expected it not so it was foretold of Babylon Isa 47. 9. But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day the loss of children and widowhood they shall come upon thee in their perfection c. And in v 11. Therefore shall evil come upon thee thou shalt not know from whence it ariseth and mischief shall fall upon thee thou shalt not be able to put it off and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly which thou shalt not know 2. What ground is there for godly ones to wait on God in this Providence for mercy God hath his timing of mercy and so timing of it as may the more commend the mercy There is a blessed season to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Isa 57. 15. John's Disciples came to Christ in a seasonable
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
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
they would read no farther So it is related in the first lesser Narrative inserted amongst Grynaeus Theological Theorems 2. In Temporals and here a Furtherance becomes an Hindrance as it respects 1. The being of life 2. The well-being 1. As for life it self the way taken to preserve it puts a period to it Physicians sometimes through an oversight and sometimes through the folly of the Patient or those about the Patient see the end of the Disease in the end of the Party It is observed how some who denied the Faith to save their lives have been killed notwithstanding In Sir John Temple in the History of the Irish Rebellion p. 109. the late Irish Rebellion divers of the Parish of Ganalley were drawn to a reconciliation with the Church of Rome and after the Priest told them they were in a good Faith and for fear they should fall from it and turn Hereticks he and the rest that were with him cut all their throats Henry the fourth of France is assâ—ssinated notwithstanding what course he took in tolerating the Jesuits for fear and in deserting the Reformed Religion Queen Elizabeth of England on the contrary outlives the treachery of Papists That passage of Christ Mat. 16. 25. is made good often to the letter of it and if not yet it contains encouragement enough to lose life for him who can pay the debt with interest 2. As for the well-being of life as Wealth Honour and the like the means used for these are successess oftentimes The Father of Constantine the Great disregarded the Weather-cock Courtiers who did manifest their will to leave their Religion to keep their Places of Honour The way some take to be rich is to become poor A fire consumeth the Tabernacles of Bribery Job 15. 34. Yea not only the well-being of life intended is disappointed but death it self is the issue of means used The way taken to rise is to fall and so to fall as never rise again till the Resurrection-day The Amalekite who expected reward lost his life 2 Sam. 1. 15. See further 2 Sam. 4. 9 10 11 12. CHAP. II. 1 BEWARE of irregular or undue Furtherances in matters Nothing more common in the World than for men to forget their duty towards God whilst they mind their own Worldly Interest So men get to their journeys end it matters not with them to mount the Horse of the Devil 's providing Lying Pâ—rjury Cruelty Theft Apostacy from Religion are the Shooing horns for men's designs and how the Building is like to be finish't where such stones are in the foundation and side-walls will be seen in time That in Hab. 2 12 13 14. may lesson men how the way taken to set the nest on high is in the issue to consult shame to the house in bringing it low and poor Spira cryed out saying I began to know the Divine Scriptures I knew the business of Justification and yet I set forward to deny all to the end I might save my life harmless from evils and leave what little fortunes I had to my children wherefore God hath chastised me and doth so heavily afflict and torment me my life my soul so as that no one ever felt greater torments and the Lord knows what will become of my children I believe my house will grow worse and worse every day and will so fall as that one stone shall not be left on another Thus the Author in the second Epistle writeth of him And it may lesson to beware of sin which quickly may become a Moth to the Estate a Consumption to the Body and gnawing Worm to Conscience 2. The less ground there is to fear the enemies of Religion who lay aside all modesty honesty and piety in their attempts against Religion These Spiders may be wrapt up in their own webs The way they take to further their Interest hinders it The train laid to blow up others doth at first or second hand mischief themselves Scultetus relates How the Command Nempe Deus omnipotens adversariorum consiliis operâ decretum opus suum mirabiliter peragebat In Annal. dec 2. p. 440. of the Bishop's Deputy at Geneva for the burning of the Bibles both of the French and German Translation the reproaches cast on those of Bearn being Gospellers and confederate with Geneva by Furbitus a Popish Doctor the Murther committed by Porterius the Bishop's Secretary who being seized on his Coffers brought to light deeds of darkness for suppressing the liberty of the City the detection in a nick of time of a Plot to deliver up the City so that many of the Popish party being conscious of their crimes left the City These with the like passages had an influence to shake quite off the Popish yoak there Thus the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands Higgaion Selah Psal 9. 16. 3. What need is there for men to acknowledg God in all their ways For Furtherances pitched on though free from obliquity yet prove Hindrances sometimes Whilst in an honest and prudent sort some labour to manage affairs with others instead of pleasing they do displease Luther found his mild Sleid. Com. lib. 6. p. 24. writing rather to exasperate than mitigate the spirits of Henry the Eighth of England Cardinal Cajetan George Duke of Saxony Erasmus of Roterdam There is an over-ruling Providence of God in turning the stream into what Channel he pleaseth It is recorded how one Oltacus having a Murderous Design would by all means speak with Lucullus who then was asleep at mid-day One Menedemus tells Oltacus That nothing was more to be regarded than the welfare of Lucullus and therefore he was not to be awakened Oltacus being jealous his treachery might be discovered fled and so Lucullus his mid-day-nap was preservative of his life Ishbosheth's laying himself down on his bed at noon was no such preservative but rather an inductive to his murder 2 Sam. 4. 5 6 7. Learn we then to be confident in nothing and to eye God dependently in every thing for he is the Soveraign Lord to whom belongs the issues of Furtherances according to His Infinite Wisdom OBSERVATION XLV There is a gradual process of Providence in bringing about of matters Or Providence works things by degrees CHAP. I. HOW the Lord brings about matters notwithstanding letts and turns Hindrances into Furtherances and Furtherances into Hindrances hath been shewed A further Observation as to the manner of God's working is here to be considered and that with respect 1. To Calamities or wrathful Dispensations 2. Mercies or smiling Dispensations And in each of these a gradual process is observable First To begin then with the first and that may be illustrated three ways 1. From Metaphorical and Allusive terms in Scriptures Metaphors are contract Similitudes and Scripture-Similitudes in regard of their proper scope do point out the truth of the thing whilst they paint it out In Hâ—s 5. 12. Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a
was not by and by setled The holy Dove builds not the Nest of Comfort amongst Thorns and Nettles these must down ere Consolations come from above David cries out of broken bones Psal 51. 8. he is an humble supplicant for the light of God's countenance and the joy of salvation v. 8 9 10 11. and no wonder for broken bones are not by and by healed and the nigh-shipwrack't vessel by and by rigg'd Job's quiet and comfort was handed in by degrees God answereth him out of a Whirlwind chap. 38. and after vindicates him from the calumnies of his friends accepts his performances and turns his captivity as it is declared in chap. 42. 3. From the wise Ends of God in the gradual process of Mercies What these are may be touched 1. To correct for sin The Chariot of Providence moves no faster because men throw the logs of sin in the way There is no reason for men to complain that God is slow in delivering when they are swift in sinning The hand of the Lord is not shortned that it cannot save c. but your sins have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you Isa 59. 1 2. The Israelites Wilderness-sins made the Wilderness-journey forty years which might have been performed in forty days 2. To exercise faith prayer patience by this gradual process Jacob is a Wrestler before he is a Prevailer Hannah prays believes and waits ere she hath a Samuel There is a connexion of Duties with Mercies though not a connexion of Merit on our part If Providence give in Mercies before seeking of them there is ground to adore Soveraign Mercy no reason to neglect Duty for time to come 3. To fit for Mercies The Scabbard must be fitted for the Sword otherwise the Sword though it have a golden Hilt will cut the Scabbard or fall out of it to the danger of him who girds it on There is the strong Wine of Mercies which weak heads are not able to bear It 's hard for a man to go over the high golden Bridg of Mercies and not be giddy-headed The Israelites were not by and by fitted for Canaan nor Joseph for Egypt's Dignity nor David for the Royal Diadem noâ— a Novice for â—…e Ministry lest being lifted up with pride be fall into the condemnation of the devil as the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 3. 6. 4. To teach the lesson of thankfulness For 1. The gradual process of Providence in Mercies doth lay forth the Mercy by piece-meal before the eye God could have created the World in one day but he took six to the end men might take the fuller view of the glorious work of Creation The same method in the work of Providence serves to the like end Moses when the Israelites are to take possession of Canaan doth rehearse the several stages of their journey Numb 33. A Mercy indeed is better viewed in its walk than in its leap 2. God's bestowing things gradually doth inure to the exercise of the grace of Thankfulness Every little of mercy doth deservedly call forth the Lord's praises The slaying of Sihon King of the Amorites and Og King of Bashan was a preamble for further thankfulness to the Israelites Deut. 3. 1 2. 3. The very laying of the foundation of the Temple was ground for the Priests and Levites praising and giving thanks unto the Lord as is recorded Ezra 3. 10 11. 3. Hâ—reby Parties are taught how to value the full crop of Mercy The Husbandman's joy in the Harvest transcends his joy for pleasant showers before the Harvest His waiting makes way for his prizing what he waits for Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth James 5. 7. Canaan after a long Wilderness-journey is the more valued by the Israelites CHAP. II. 1. FROM the gradual process of Providence in Judgments behold the folly and stupidity of sinners They are secure though Judgments have had their real as well as verbal Preface God hath shewed the Rod and smitten with it and yet they promise themselves Golden Mountains when they are ascending desolate ones like Agag who said Surely the bitterness of death is past 1 Sam. 15. 33. It was said of Ephraim Strangers have devoured his strength and he knoweth it not yea gray-hairs are here and there upon him yet he knoweth it not Hos 7. 9. Oh how sad is the case of stupid sinners who consider not how lesser Judgments are but par-boilings for greater ones 2. From the gradual process of Providence in Mercies learn 1. To observe the first foot-steps of Mercy Men should be as forward in their observation as Providence is in operation The way to see the great things of Providence is not to despise the day of small things Zech. 4. 10. 2. To watch against Pride and Impatiency if a Mercy come not by and by Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by his faith Hab. 2. 4. It 's wisdom for persons to crush that which may crush the Mercy An head swollen with pride and vanity will not be receptive of the Crown of Mercy 3. To improve the first-fruits of Mercy He that improves the dawnings of Mercy may behold the glorious day of Mercy Jesus answered and said unto Nathaniel Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the fig-tree believest thou Thou shalt see greater things John 1. 50. OBSERVATION XLVI PROVIDENCE doth make a sudden change of the face of things or There is a Leap as well as a soft and gentle Walk of Providence in matters CHAP. I. VVHAT hath been before said of the gradual process of Providence is not so to be understood as contradictory to the Liberty and Royal Prerogative of the Lord in sudden alterations Moreover the gradual Caeterum si respicimus ad Dei consilium nunquam motam facit novit enim omnes temporum articulos in ipsâ tarditate semper accelerat utcunque non apprehendat hoc caro Calv. in Hab. c. 2. v. 23. workings of Providence are consistent with sudden alterations made by Providence A strong wind unexpected comes and the Trees full of ripe fruit have their thin and lean face in a moment Now that there are such sudden alterations both as to Judgments and Mercies may be evidenced as followeth 1. There is a sudden change of the face of things in regard of a black and ruful face of things to take place and this will appear 1. From the full and elegant similitudes by which this sudden change is painted forth in its genuine and proper colours So in Isa 30. 13. Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall swelling out in a high wall whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant Other full and pregnant allusions there are as to the withering of the grass when the spirit of the Lord bloweth on it Isa 40. 7. the cutting off like the foam on the waters Hos
him Then Manasseh knew that the Lord be was God 2 Chron. 33. 11 12 13. Holy Job though a knowing-man hath his knowledg elevated He learnt that on the Dung-hill which he did not in his Mannor-house I have heard saith he to God by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee Job 42. 5. 2. Hereby a man is the better armed against sin Providence in a way of mercy is a good Rhetorician to disswade from sin Did not thy father it 's spoken to Shallum eat and drink and do judgment and justice and then it was well with him Jer. 22. 15. And Providence in way of wrath may serve as a counter-poyson against sin He may well be afraid of the black coal of sin knowing how Providence hath made it a burning-coal to the sinner as to Sodom of old see 2 Pet. 2. 6. see also Neh. 13. 25 26. 1 Cor. 10. 7 8 9 10. Moreover the observing of Providence doth antidote against sin as a man deserts not sinfully his appointed station knowing that there is a Providence of God watching over his people Should such a man as I flee saith Nehemiah ch 6. v. 11 This good man's heart was not in his heels for his eyes were fix't on God's Providence see v. 9 and 14. A like instance we have in Luke 13. 31 32. But lastly A man learns not to venture on sin for release from troubles and for the obtaining of good things knowing the variety of ways that Providence hath to help without a man's sin Thus David will not kill a King for a Kingdom the knowledg of the variety of ways which Providence had to send Saul out of the world is a pull-back to David The Lord saith he shall smite him or his day shall come to dye or he shall descend into battel and perish 1 Sam. 26. 10. 3. A third Advantage by observing Providence is Calmness and quietness of spirit in the midst of an unquiet world As he who can swim well is in the midst of curled waves he is in them but they are not in him so he who hath an holy dexterity in swimming in the sea of Providence the better bears out and bears up he is in trouble but trouble is not comparatively in him as in others He may sometimes take in a mouth-full of brinish-water but not a belly-full In Psal 46. we have a description of the Churches troubles the heathen raged the kingdoms were moved v. 6. yet we will not fear v. 2. And what is the ground of this fearlesness or composedness of spirit That we have in v. 7 and 8. The Lord of Hosts in with us the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah Come behold the works of the Lord c. It 's said of David when the people talk't of stoning him he encouraged himself in the Lord his God 1 Sam. 30. 6. The fiery furnace of the zealous King for his Image sets not the spirits of Shadrach Mesech and Abednego into a combustion they have a cool spirit though warm towards God and cast themselves on the Providence of God being perswaded that God would one way or other period the controversie Dan. 3. 16 17 18. Lastly Hereby the way of going out of the world is rendred the more easie and pleasant by observing the gracious out-goings of Providence towards a man in the world He may cheerfully go through death's dark Entry who hath had experience before of the Lord's company with him in the vale and shadow of death Good Jacob on his death bed looks back on the series or chain of God's Providence towards him and looks forward by faith to Providence as the Trustee for his posterity He blessed Joseph and said God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk the God which fed me all my life long unto this day the Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the lads c. Gen. 48. 15 16. David being likewise to leave the world hath an eye on what God had done for him and on what he would do for his Family so in 2 Sam. 23. there is a recognition or account taken of what God had done for David v. 1. and in v. 5. David casts an eye on the Lord's Promise a fruitful Seed plot of gracious Dispensations Although saith he my house he not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure although he make it not to grow And thus the way to dye comfortably as well as to live holily is to observe God's Providence judiciously SECT II. 2. SECURE an interest or propriety in the God of Providence as reconciled to the soul in and through Jesus Christ What the marrow of divine blessing is Peter gives us to understand in that Sermon of his made to the Jews Acts 3. 26. Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities All outward blessings as they are commonly termed are but dry bones if this marrow of pardoning-grace be wanting Luther calls all the Turkish Magnificence Wealth Power but a crumb cast to a dog Varnish they say is no colour yet it sets off colours puts a beauty on them a propriety in God that varnisheth all the outward blessings of God This draws a golden thred through all thy Creature-comforts Thy food thy health thy rayment thy relations become double blessings this way yea thy wants thy sickness thy reproaches have lost their stings for if God be thine these are thine for thy good The Covenant of Grace hath made an happy conversion of troubles into Medicines and Providence hath undertaken the Cure a Physician able enough to perform what is so undertaken To sum up all then Good reason is there to look after this interest in God as reconciled for 1. Christless ones have no solid ground of any comfortable hopes in God Ephes 2. 12. 2. They who have God for their God have a filial right to the Promises which have gracious Providential dispensations in the belly of them they can go to God the Fountain of Providence and have their bottles filled I will saith David cry unto God most high unto God that performeth all things for me He shall send from heaven and save me c. Psal 57. 2 3. yea they have a pledg given them That their very stripes inflicted by Providence shall be healing ones so much doth that intimate in Psal 89. 30 31 32. SECT III. 3. GET more and more acquaintance with the holy Scriptures in order to proficiency in the School of Divine Providence Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom is Paul's Doctrine Col. 3. 16. If God's Word be received as our Inmate we shall not be such strangers to Providence as others are and that 1. Because the Scripture hath a finger to unty the hard knots of Providence A parallel or like Exemplification or something by
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