be negligent you cannot be innocent And yet Be not so intent upon your particular Callings as to make them interfere with your general Calling Beware you lose not your God in the Crowd and hurry of Earthly business Mind that solemn warning 1 Tim. 6. 9. But they that will be rich fall into TemptatJon and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destructJon and perditJon The inhabitants of O Enoc a dry Island near Athens bestowed much labour to draw in a River to water it and make it fruitful but when the Sluces were opened the waters slowed so abundantly that it overflowed the Island and drowned the Inhabitants The application is obvious It was an excellent saying of Seneca rebus non me trado sed commodo I don't give but lend my self to business Remember alwayes the success of your Callings and earthly Imployments is by Divine blessing not humane diligence alone Deut. 8. 18. Thou shalt remember the Lord they God for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth The Devil himself was so far Orthodox as to acknowledge it Job 1. 10 Hast not Thou made an hedge about him and about his house and about all that he hath on every side Thou hast blessed the work of his hand c. Recommend therefore your affairs to God by prayer according to Psal. 37. 4 5. Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass And touch not with that which you cannot recommend to God by Prayer for a blessing Be well satisfied in that Station and Imployment in which Providence hath placed you and do not so much as wish your selves in another 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every man abide in the same Calling wherein he was called Providence is wiser than you and you may be confident hath suited all things better to your Eternal good than you could do had you been left to your own option The Sixth Performance of Providence VI. THus you see the care Providence hath had over you in your youth in respect of that Civil Imployment to which it guided us in those dayes We will in the next place consider it as our Guide and the Orderer of our RelatJons for us That Providence hath a special hand in this matter is evident both from Scripture assertions and the acknowledgements of holy men who in that great concernment of their lives have still owned and acknowledged the directing hand of Providence Take an instance of both The Scripture plainly asserts the dominion of Providence over this affair in Prov. 19. 14. A prudent Wife is from the Lord and Prov. 18. 22. Who 's findeth a Wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the Lord. So for Children see Psal. 127. 3. Lo Children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the Womb is his reward And it hath ever been the practice of holy men to seek the Lord for direction and counsel when they have been upon the change of their condition No doubt but Abraham's encouragement in that case was the fruit of prayer Gen. 24. 7. His pious servant also who was imployed in that affair did both earnestly seek counsel of God Gen 24. 12. and thankfully acknowledge his gracious Providence in guiding it Ver. 26 27. The same we may observe in Children the fruit of marriage 1 Sam. 1. 20. Luke 1. 13 14. Now the Providence of God may be divers wayes displayed for the engaging of our hearts in love to the God of our mercies 1. There is very much of Providence seen in appointing the Parties each for other In this the Lord goes oftentimes beyond our thoughts and projections yea and oftentimes crosses mens desires and designs to their great advantage Not what they fancy but what his infinite wisdom judges best and most beneficial for them takes place Hence it is that probabilities are so often dashed and things remote and utterly improbable are brought about in very strange and unaccountable methods of Providence 2. There is much of Providence seen in the harmony and agreeableness of tempers and dispositions from whence a very great part of the tranquillity and comforts of our lives results or at least though natural tempers and educations did not so much harmonize before yet they do so after they come under the Ordinance of God Gen. 2. 24. They two shall be one flesh not one only in respect of Gods institutJon but one in respect of love and affectJon that those who so lately were meer strangers to each other are now endeared to a degree beyond the nearest relations in blood Vbi supra For this cause shall a man leave Father and Mother and shall cleave to his Wife and they two shall be one flesh 3. But especially Providence is remarkable in making one instrumental to the eternal good of the other I Cor. 7. 16. How knowest thou O Wife but thou maist save thy Husband or how knowest thou O Man whether thou shalt save thy Wife Hence is that grave Exhortation to the Wives of unbelieving Husbands 1 Pet. 3. 1. to win them by their conversation which should be to them in stead of an ordinance Or if both be gracious then what singular assistance and mutual help is hereby gained to the furtherance of their Eternal good Whilst they live together as Heirs of the grace of life I Pet. 3. 7. O blessed Providence that directed such into so intimate relation on Earth who shall inherit together the common SalvatJon in Heaven 4. How much of Providence is seen in Children the fruit of MarrJage To have any Posterity in the Earth and not be left altogether as a dry tree To have comfort and joy in them is a special Providence importing a special mercy to us To have the breaches made upon our Families repaired is a Providence to be owned with a thankful heart When God shall say to a man as he speaks in another case to the Church Isa. 49. 20. The Children which thou shalt have after thou hast lost the other shall say again in thine ears the place is too strait for me c And these Providences will appear more affectingly sweet and lovely to you if you but compare its allotments to you with what it hath allotted to many others in the world For do but look abroad and you shall find 1. Multitudes unequally yoked to the imbittering of their lives whose Relations are clogs and hinderances both in Temporals and Spirituals Yea we find an account in Scripture of gracious persons a great part of whose comfort in this world hath been split upon this Rock Abigail was a discreet and vertuous Wâ—man but very unsuitably matched to a churlish Nabal see 1 Sam. 25. 25. What a temptation to the neglect of a known duty prevail'd upon the renowned Moses by the means of Zipporah his
this duty is to be performed by them Fifthly What singular benefits result to them from such observations And then apply the whole in such Uses as offer themselves from the Point The first General Head First I shall undertake the proof and defence of this great truth That the affairs of the Saints in this world are certainly conducted by the Wisdom and care of specJal Providence And herein I address my self with cheerfulness to perform as I am able a service for that Providence which hath throughout my life performed all things for me as the Text speaks There is a twofold consideration of Providence according to its twofold Object and manner of dispensation the one is general exercised about all creatures rational and irrational animate and inanimate the other specJal and peculiar Christ hath an universal Empire over all things Ephes. 1. 22. the head of the whole World by way of dominJon but an head to the Church by way of unJon and specJal influence John 17. 2. the SavJour of all men but especJally of them that belJeve 1 Tim. 4. 10. The Church is his specJal care and charge he rules the world for its good as an head consulting the welfare of the body Heathens generally denied Providence and no wonder since they denied a God for the same Arguments that prove one will prove the other Aristotle the Prince of Heathen Philosophers could not by the utmost search of reason find out the Worlds original and therefore concludes it was from Eternity The Epicureans did in a sort acknowledge a God but yet denied a Providence and wholly excluded him from any interest or concern in the affairs of the world as being inconsistent with the felicity and tranquillity of the Divine Being to be diverted and cumbered with the care and labour of government This assertion is so repugnant to reason that it is a wonder themselves blushâ— not at its absurdity but I guess at the design and one of them speaks it out in broad language Itaque imposuistis cervicibus nostris sempiternum dominum quem dJes noctes timeremus Quis enim non timeat omnJa providentem cogitantem animadvertentem omnJa ad se pertinere putantem curJosum plenum negotii Deum Vell. apud Cicer. de Natura Deorum They foresaw that the concession of a Providence would impose an eternal yoak upon their necks by making them accountable for all they did to an higher Tribunal and that they must necessarily pass the time of their sojourning here in fear whilst all their thoughts words and wayes were strictly noted and recorded in order to an account by an All-seeing and righteous God and therefore laboured to perswade themselves that was not which they had no mind should be But these Atheistical and foolish conceits fall flat before the undeniable evidence of this so great and clear a truth Now My business here is not so much to deal with professed Atheists who deny the existence of God and consequently deride all evidences brought from Scripture of the extraordinary events that fall out in favour of that people that are called His but rather to convince those that professedly own all this yet never having tasted Religion by experience suspect at least that all these things which we call specJal providences to the Saints are but natural events or meer contingencJes and thus whilst they profess to own a God and a Providence which profession is but the effect of their education they do in the mean time live like Atheists and both think and act as if there were no such things and really I doubt this is the case of the far greatest part of the men of this generation But if it were indeed so that the affairs of the World in general and more especially those of the Saints were not conducted by divine Providence but as they would perswade us by the steady course of natural causes beside which if at any time we observe any event to fall out it 's meerly casual and contingent or that which proceeds from some hidden and secret cause in nature If this indeed were so let them that are tempted to believe it rationally satisfie the following demands First Demand How comes it to pass that so many signal mercies and deliverances have befallen the people of God above the power and against the course of natural causes to make way for which there hath been a sensible suspension and stop put to the course of nature It is most evident that no natural effect can exceed the power of its natural cause Nothing can give to another more than it hath in it self And it is as clear that whatsoever acts naturally acts necessarily Fire burns adultimum sui posse to the uttermost of its power Waters overflow and drown all that they can Lions and other rapacious and cruel â—easts especially when hungry tear and devour their prey And for Arbitrary and rational Agents they also act according to the principles and Laws of their natures A wicked man when his heart is fully set in him and his will stands in a full bent of resolution will certainly if he have power in his hand and opportunity to execute his conceived mischief give it vent and perpetrate the wicked devices of his heart for having once conceived mischief and travailing in pain with it according to the course of nature he must bring it forth as it is Psal. 7. 14. But if any of these inanimate brutal or rational agents when there is no natural obstacle or remora have their power suspended and that when the effect is near the birth and the design at the very article of execution so that though they would yet cannot hurt to what think you is this to be assigned and referred Yet so it hath often been seen where Gods interest hath been immediately concerned in the danger and evil of the event The Sea divided it self in its own Channel and made a wall of water on each side to give Gods distressed Israel a safe passage and that not in a calm but when the Waves thereof roared * as it is Isa. 51. 15. The fire when blown up to the most intense and vehement flame had no power to singe one hair of Gods faithful Witnesses when at the same instant it had power to destroy their intended ExecutJoners at a greater distance Dan. 3. 22. Yea we find it hath some time been sufficient to consume but not to torment the body as in that known instance of blessed Baynchaâ— who told his Enemies The flames were to him as a bed of Roses The hungry Lions put off their natural fierceness and became gentle and harmless when DanJel was cast among them for a prey The like account the Church Sâ—ory gives us of Polycarpe and DJonysJus Areopagiâ—a whom the fire would not touch but stood aâ—ter the manner of a Ship-man's fail filled with the wind about them Are these things according to the course and
Law of Nature To what secret natural cause can they be ascribed In like manner we find the vilest and â—iercest of wicked men have been withheld by an invisible hand of restraint from injuring the Lords people By what secret cause in nature was Jeroboam's hand dried up and made inflexible at the same instant it was stretched out against the Man of God 1. King 13. 4. No wild Beasts rend and devour their prey more greedily than wicked men would destroy the people of God that dwell among them were it not for this providential restraint upon them So the Psalmist expresses his case in the words following my Text My soul is among Lyons and I lye among them that are set on fire The Disciples were sent forth as Sheep into the midst of Wolves Mat. 10. 16. It will not avail in this case to object Those miraculous events depend only upon Scripture testimony which the Atheist is not concluded by for beside all that may be alledged for the Authority of that testimony which is needless to produce to men that own it what is it less that every eye sees or may see at this day Do we not behold a weak defenceless handful of men wonderfully and except this way unaccountably preserved from ruine in the midst of potent enraged and truculent enemies that fain would but cannot destroy them when as yet no natural impediment can be assigned why they cannot And if this pose us what shall we say when we see events produced in the world for the good of Gods chosen by those very hands and means which were intentionally imployed for their ruine These things are as much beside the intentions of their enemies as they are above their own expectations yet such things are no rarities in the world Was not the Envy of Joseph's brethren the cursed Plot of Haman the Decree procured by the â—nvy of the Princes against DanJel with many more of the like nature all turned by a secret and strange hand of providence to their greater advancement and benefit their Enemies lifted them up to all that honour and preferment they had Second Demand How is it if the Saints Concerns are not ordered by a special divine Providence that natural causes unite and assocJate themselves for their relJef and benefit in so strange a manner as they are found to do It is undeniably evident that there are marvellous coincidencies of Providence confederating and agreeing as it were to meet and unite themselves to bring about the good of Gods Chosen There is a like face of things shewing it self in divers places at that time when any work for the good of the Church is come upon the stage of the world As when the MessJah the capital mercy came to the Temple then Simeoâ— and Anna were brought thither by Providence as witnesses to it So in Reformation work when the Images were pulled down in Holland one and the same spirit of zeal possessed them in every City and Town that the work was done in a night He that heedfully reads the History of Joseph's advancement to be the Lord of Egypt may number in that story twelve remarkable acts or steps of Providence by which he ascended to that honour and authority if but one of them had failed in all likelihood the Event had done so too but every one sell in its order exactly keeping its own time and place So in the Churches deliverance â—rom the plot of Haman we find no less than seven acts of Providence concurring strangely to produce it as if they had all met by appointment and consent to break that snare for them one thing so aptly suiting with and making way for another that every heedful observer must needs conclude this cannot be the effect of casualty but wise counsel Even as in viewing the accurate structure of the body of a man the â—igure position and mutual respects of the several members and vessels hath convinced some and is sufficient to convince all that it was the effect of divine Wisdom and power in like manner if the admirable adaptation of the means and instruments employed for mercy to the people of God be heedfully considered who can but confâ—ss that as there are tools of all sorts and sizes in the shop of Providence so there is a most skilful hand that uses them and that they could no more produce such effects of themselves than the Ax Saw or Chisell can cut or carve a rude logg into a beautiful figure without the hand of a sâ—ilful Artificer We find by manifold instances that there certainly are strong combinations and predispositions of persons and things to bring about some issue and design for the benefit of the Church which themselves never thought of they hold no intelligence communicate not their counsels to each other yet meet together and work together as if they did which is as if ten men should all meet together at one place and in one hour about one and the same business and that without any fore-appointment betwixt themselves can any question but such a meeting of means and instruments is certainly though secretly over-ruled by some Wise invisible Agent Third Demand If the Concerns of Gods people be not governed by special Providence Whence is it that the most apt and powerful means imployed to destroy them are rendered ineffectual and weak contemptible means imployed for their defence and comfort crowned with success This could never be if things were wholly swayed by the course of nature If we judge by that rule we must conclude the more apt and powerful the means are the more successful and prosperous they must needs be and where they are inept weak and contemptible nothing can be expected from them thus reason layes it according to the rules of nature but Providence crosses its hands as Jacob did in blessing the Sons of Joseph and orders quite contrary issues and events Such was the mighty power and deep policy used by Pharaoh to destroy Gods Israel that to the eye of reason it was as impossible to survive it as for crackling thorns to abide unconsumed amidst devouring flames by which Emblem their miraculous preservation is expressed Exod. 3. 2. the bush was all in a flame but no consumption of it The Heathen Roman Emperours who made thâ— World tremble and subdued the Nations under them have employed all their power and policy against the poor naked defenceless Church to ruine it yet could not accomplish it Rev. 12. 3 4. O the Seas of blood that Heathen Rome shed in the ten persecutions yet the Church lives and when the Dragon gave his power to thâ— Beast Rev. 13. 2. i. e. the State of Rome became Antichristian O what slaughters have been made by the Beast in all his dominions so that the Holy Ghost represents him as drunken with the blood of the Saints Rev. 17. 6. And yet all will not do the gates i. e. the powers and policies of Hell cannot
plots against David and gives counsel like an Oracle how to procure his fall and that very counsel like a surcharged Gun recoils upon himself and procures his ruine for seeing his good counsel rejected good politically not morally it was now easie for him to guess at the issue and so at his own fate 2 Sam. 17. 23. Charles the Ninth most inhumanely made the very Canals of Paris to stream with Protestant blood and soon after he died miserably his blood streaming from all parts of his body Stephen Gardiner that burnt so many of Gods dear servants to ashes was himself so scorched up by a terrible inflammation that his very tongue was black and hung out of his mouth and in dreadful torments ended his wretched dayes Maximinus that cruel Emperour who set forth his ProclamatJon engraven in Brass for the utter abolishing of the Christian Religion was speedily smitten like Herod with a dreadful judgement swarms of Lice preying upon his Entrails and causing such a stench that his PhysicJans could not endure to come nigh him and for refusing it were slain Hundreds of like Instances might easily be produced to confirm this Observation And who can but see by these things that verily there is a God that judgeth in the Earth Yea so exact have been the retributJons of Providence to the Enemies of the Church that not only the same persons but the same members that have been the instruments of mischJef have been made the subjects of wrath The same Arm which Jeroboam stretched out to smite the Prophet God smites The Emperour AurelJan when he was ready to subscribe the Edict for the persecution of the ChristJans was suddenly crampt in his Knuckles that he could not write Mr. Greenhill in his Exposition upon Ezek. 11. 13. tells his Auditory that there was one then present in the Congregation who was an eye-witness of a Woman scossing at another for purity and holy walking who had her tongue stricken immediately wâ—th the Palsie and died thereof within two dayes Henry the Second of France in a great rage against a Protestant Counsellor committed him to the hands of one of his Nobles to be imprisoned and that with these words that he would see him burned with his own eyes but mark the righteous providence of God within a â—ew dayes after the same Noble man with a Lance put into his hands by the King did at a Tilting match run the said King into one of his eyes whereof he dyed Yea Providence hath made the very place of sinning the place of punishment 1 King 21. 19. In the place where Dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall Dogs lick thy blood and it was exactly fulfilled 2 Kings 9. 26. Thus Tophet is made a burying place for the Jews till there was no room to bury and that was the place where they had offered up their Sons to Molech Jer. 7. 31 32. The Story of Nightingale is generally known which Mr. Fox relates how he fâ—ll out of the Pulpit and brake his neck whilst he was abusing that Scripture 1 John 1. 10. And thus the Scriptures are made good by Providence whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein and he that rolleth a stone it shall return upon him Prov. 26. 27. and Matth. 7. 2. with what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again If any shall yet say These things may fall out casually That many thousands of the Churches Enemies have dyed in peace and their end been like other men We answer with Augustine If no sin were punished here no Providence would be believed and if every sin should be punished here no Judgement would be expected But that none may think these Events to be meerly casual and accidental we yet further demand Sixth Demand If these things be meerly casual How is it that they square and agree so exactly with the Scriptures in all particulars We read Amos 3. 3 Can two walk together except they be agreed If two men travel in one road it 's like they are agreed to go to the same place Providences and Scriptures go all one way and if they seem at any time to go diverse or contrary waies be sure they will meet at the journeys â—nd There is an agreement betwixt them so to do Doth God miraculously suspend the power of natural Causes as in the first Demand was opened Why this is no accidental thing but what harmonizeth with the word Isa. 4. 3. 2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the shame kindle upon thee Do natural Causes unite and associate themselves for the good of Gods people Why this is no more than what is contained in the Promises and is but the â—ulâ—illing of that Scripture 1 Cor. 3. 22. All is yours for ye are Christs i. e. the use benefit and service of all the Creatures is for you as your need shall require Are the most apt and powerful means employed for their ruine frustrated Who can but see the Scriptures fulfilled in and expounded by such Providences See Isa. 54. 15 16 17. and 8. 8 9 10. expounded by 2 Kings 18. 17. seq See you at any time a rub of Providence diverting the course of good men from falling into evil or wicked men from committing evil how loudly do such Providences proclaim the truth and certainty of the Scriptures which tell us That the way of man is not in himself neither is it in him that walks to direct his steps Jer. 10. 23. and that in Prov. 16. 9. A mans heart deviseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps Do you see adequate retributions made to those that injure or befriend the people of God Why when you see all the kindness and love they have shown the Saints returned with an Overplus into their bosoms how is it possible but you must see the accomplishment of these Scriptures in such Providences Isa. 32. 8. 2 Cor. 9. 6. The liberal soul deviseth liberal things and by liberal things he shall stand And when you see the evils men have done or intended to do to the Lords people recoiling upon themselves he is perfectly blind that sees not the harmony such Providences bear with these Scriptures Psal. 140. 11 12. Psal. 7. 14 15 16. Psal. 9. 16. O what exact proportions do Providences and Scriptures hold little do men take notice of it Why did Cyruâ— contrary to all rules of State policy freely dismiss the Captives but to fulfil that Scripture Isa. 45. 13. So that it was well observed by One That as God hath stretcht out the Expansum or Firmament over the natural so he hath stretcht out his Word over the rational World And as the Creatures on earth are influenced by those heavenly bodies so are all Creatures in the World influenced by the Word and do inâ—allibly fulfil it when
they design to cross it Seventh Demand If these things be contingent How is it that they fall out in such remarkable nicks and junctures of time which makes them so greatly observable to all that consider them We find a multitude of Providences so timed to a minute that had they fallen out never so little sooner or later they had signified but little what now they do Certainly it cannot be casualty but counsel that so exactly nicks the opportunity Contingenâ—â—â— keep to no Rules How remarkable to this purpose was the tidings brought to Saul that the Philistines had invaded the Land 1 Sam. 23. 27. just as he was ready to grasp the prey The Angel calls to Abraham and shews him another Sacrifice just when his hand was giving the â—atal stroke to Isaac Gen. 22. 10 11. A Well of water is discovered to Hagar just when she had leâ—t the Child as not able to see its death Gen. 21. 16 19. Rabshakâ—h meets with a blasting Providence hears a rumour that frustrated his design just when ready to give the shock against Jerusalem Isa. 27. 7 8. So when Haman's plot against the Jews was ripe and all things ready for execution On that night could not the King sleep Esth. 6. 1. When the horns are ready to gore Judah immediately Carpenters are prepared to â—ray them away Zech. 1. 18 19 20 21. How remarkable was the relief of Rochell by a Shoal of Fish that came into the Harbour when they were ready to perish with famine such as they never observed before nor after that time Mr. Dod could not go to bed one night but hath a strong impulse to visit though unseasonably a neighbour Gentleman and just as he came he meets him at his door with an halter in his pocket just going to hang himself Dr. Tate and his Wife in the Irish RebellJon flying through the Woods with a Sucking-Child which was just ready to expire the Mother going to rest it upon a Rock puts her hand upon a bottle of warm Milk by which it was preserved A good Woman from whose mouth I received it being driven to a great extremity all supplies failing was exceedingly plunged into unbelieving doubts and fears not seeing whence supplies should come when lo in the nick of time turning some things in a Chest unexpectedly lights upon a piece of Gold which supplied her present wants till God opened another door of supply If these things fall out casually how is it they observe the very nick of time so exactly as that it is become proverbial in Scripture Gen. 22. 14. In the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen Eighth Demand Lastly Were these things casual and contingent how can it be that they should fall out so immediately upon and consonantly to the prayers of the Saints So that in many Providences they are able to discern a very clear answer to their prayers and are sure they have the petitions they asked of him 1 John 5. 15. Thus when the Sea divided it self just upon Israels cry to Heaven Exod. 14. 10. When so signal a victory is given to Asa immediately upon that pathetical cry to Heaven Help us O Lord our God 2 Chron. 14. 11 12. When Ahitophel shall go and hang himself just upon that prayer of distressed David 2 Sam. 15. 31. When Haman shall fall and his plot be broken just upon the Fast kept by Mordecai and Hester Esth. 4. 16. Our own Speed in his History of Britain tells us that Richard the First besieged a Castle with his Army they offered to surrender if he would save their lives he refuses and threatens to hang them all upon this an Arbalaster charged his Bow with a square Arrow making first his prayer to God that he would direct the shot and deliver the Innocent from oppression it struck the King himself whereof he dyed and they were delivered Abraham's servant prayed for success and see how it was answered Gen. 24. 45. Peter was cast into prison and prayer was made for him by the Church and see the event Acts 12. 5 6 7 12. I could easily add to these the wonderful examples of the return of prayers which was observed in Luther and Dr. Winter in Ireland and many more but I judge it needless because most Christians have a stock of experience of their own and are well assured that many of the Providences that befal them are and can be no other than the return of their prayers And now who can be dissatisfied in this point that wisely considers these things Must we not conclude as it is Job 36. 7. He withdraweth not his eye from the Righteous and as 2 Chron. 16. 9. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to shew himself strong in tho behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him His providences proclaim him to be a God hearing prayers The Second General Head HAving proved That the Concernments of the Saints in this World are certainly conducted by the wisdom and care of special Providence my next work is to shew you In what Affairs and Concerns of theirs the Providence of God doth more especJally appear or what are the most remarkable performances of Providence for them in this world And here I am not led directly by my Text to speak of the most internal and spiritual performances of Providence immediately relating to the souls of his people though they all relate to their souls mediately and eventually but of the more visible and external performances of Providence for them and it is not to be supposed I should touch all these neither they are more than the sands but that which I aim at is to discourse to you some more special and more observable performances of Providence for you And we shall begin at the beginning The first Performance of Providence I. ANd First Let us consider how well Providence hath performed the first work that ever it did for us in our formatJon and protectJon in the womb Certainly this is a very glorious and admirable performance it 's that the Psalmist admires Psal. 139. 15. My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curJously wrought in the lower parts of the earth The Womb is so called upon this account because as curious Artists when they have some choice piece in hand perfect it in private and then bring it into the light for all to gaze at so it was here And there are two things admirable in this performance of Providence for us The rare structure and excellent composition of the body I am wonderfully made that word Ruâ—hampti is very full The Vulgar renders it painted as with a needle i. e. richly embroidered with nerves and veins Oh the curious workmanship that is in that one part the eye How hath it forced some to acknowledge a God upon the examination of it Providence when it went about this work had its model or
parents were of the higher or lower Class and rank among men yet if they were such as feared God and wrought righteousness if they took any care to educate you religiously and trained you up in the nurture and admonitJon of the Lord you are bound to reckon it among your chief mercies that you sprung from the loins of such parents for from this Spring a double stream of mercy rises to you 1. Temporal and external mercies to your outward man You cannot but know that as Godliness entails a blessing so wickedness and unrighteousness a curse upon posterity An instance of the former you have in Gen. 17. 18 20. On the contrary you have the threatning Zech. 5. 4. and both together Prov. 3. 33. The Curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked but he Blesseth the habitatJon of the just True it is that both these imply the Childrens treading in the steps of their Parents according to Ezek. 18. but how frequently is it seen that wicked men breed their children vainly and wickedly so that as it 's said of Abijam 1 Kings 15. 3. He walked in all the sins of his father which he had done before him and so the curse is entail'd from generation to generation To escape this Curse is a choice Providence 2. But especially take notice what a stream of spiritual blessings and mercies â—lows from this Providence to the Inner man O it 's no common mercy to descend from pious Parents Some of us do not only owe our natural life to them as Instruments of our Beings but our Spiritual and Eternal life also It was no small mercy to Timothy to be descended from such Progenitors 2 Tâ—m 1. 5. nor to Augustine that he had such a Mother as Monica who planted in his mind the precepts of life with her Words watered them with her Tears and nourished them with her Example We will a little more particularly inspect this mercy and in so doing we shall find manifold mercies contained in it 1. What a Mercy was it to us to have Parents that prayed for us before they had us as well as in our Infancy when we could not pray for our selves Thus did Abraham Gen. 15. 2. and Hannah 1 Sam. 1. 10 11. and some here likely are the fruits and returns of their Parents Prayers This was that holy course they continued all their dayes for you carrying all your concerns especially your Eternal ones before the Lord with their own and pouring out their souls to God so affectionately for you when their eye-strings and heart-strings were breaking Oh put a value upon such Mercies for they are precious It 's a greater Mercy to descend from praying Parents than from the loyns of Nobles See Job's pious practice Job 1. 5. 2. What a special Mercy was it to us to have the excrescencies of corruption nipt in the bud by their pious and careful discipline We now understand what a critical and dangerous season Youth is the wonderful proclivity of that Age to every thing that is evil Why else are they called Youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. When David asketh Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way it's plainly enough implyed in the very Question that the way he takes lieth through the pollutions of the world in his youth Psal. 119. 9. When you find a David praying that God would not remember the sins of his youth Psal. 25. 7. and a Job bitterly complaining that God made him to possess the sins of his youth Job 13. 26. Sure you cannot but reflect with a very thankful heart upon those happy means by which the corruption of your nature was happily prevented or restrained in your Youth 3. And how great a Mercy was it that we had Parents who carefully instilled the good knowledge of God into our souls in our tender years How careful was Abraham of this duty Gen. 18. 19. and David 1 Chron. 28. 9. We have some of us had Parents who might say to us as the Apostle Gal. 4. 19. My little Children of whom I travail again in birth till Christ be formed in you As they longed for us before they had us and rejoyced in us when they had us so they could not endure to think that when they could have us no more the Devil should As they thought no pains care or cost too much for our bodies to feed them cloath and heal them so did they think no prayers counsels or tears too much for our souls that they might be saved They knew a parting time would come betwixt them and us and did strive to make it as easie and comfortable to them as they could by leaving us in Christ and within the blessed bond of his Covenant They were not glad that we had Health and indifferent whether we had Grace They as sensibly felt the miseries of our souls as of our bodies and nothing was more desirable to them than that they might say in the great day Lord here am I and the Children which thou hast given me 4. And was it not a special Favour to us to have Parents that went before us as Patterns of Holiness and beat the path to Heaven for us by their Examples Who could say to us as Phil. 4. 9. What things ye have heard and seen in me that do and as 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of us as we are of Christ. The Parents life is the Childs copy O 't is no common mercy to have a fair copy set before us especially in the moulding age we saw what they did as well as heard what they said It was Abraham's commendation that he commanded his Children and his houshold after him to keep the way of the Lord. And such mercies some of us have had also Ah my friends let me beg you that you will set special remarques upon this Providence which so graciously wrought for you and that your hearts may be more throughly warmed in the sense of it compare your condition with others and seriously bethink your selves 1. How many Children there be among us that are drawn headlong to Hell by their cruel and ungodly Parents who teach them to curse and swear assoon as they can speak Many families there are wherein little other language is heard but what is the Dialect of Hell These like the old logs and small spray are preparing for the fire of Hell where they must burn together Of such Children that Scripture Psal. 49. 19. will one day be verified except they repent They shall go to the generatJon of their fathers where they shall not see light 2. And how many families are there though not so prophane who yet breed up their Children vainly and sensually as Job 21. 11 c. take no care what becomes of their souls so they can but provide for their bodies If they can but teach them to carry their bodies no matter if the Devil act their souls If they can but leave them Lands or Moneys
friends as Paul did among the CorinthJans and all this to keep down the swelling of their spirits at the sense of those excellencies that are in them The design of these Providences being nothing else but to hide pride from man Yea it deserves a special remarque that when some good men have been engaged in a publick and eminent work and have therein it may be too much sought their own applause God hath withheld usual assistance at such times from them and caused them to salter so in their work that they have come off with shame and pity at such times how ready and presential soever they have been at other times It were easie to give divers remarkable examples to confirm this Observation But I pass on 5. The corruption of the heart shews it self in raising up great expectations to our selves from the Creature and projecting abundance of felicity and contentment from some promising and hopeful enjoyments we have in the world This we find to have been the case of holy Job in the dayes of his prosperity Job 28. 19. Then I said I shall dye in my nest I shall multiply my dayes as the sand But how soon were all these expectaâ—ions dasht by a gloomy Providence that benighted him in the Noon-tide of his prosperity and all this for his good to take off his heart more fully from creature expectations We often find the best men to over-reckon themselves in worldly things and over-act their confidences about them They that have great and well-grounded expectations from Heaven may have too great and ungrounded expectations from the Earth But when it is so it 's very usual for Providence to undermine their Earthly hopes and convince them by experience how vain they are Thus Haggai 1. 9. the peoples hearts were intently set upon prosperous Providences full Harvests and great Increase whilst in the mean while no regard was had to the Worship of God and the things of his House therefore Providence blasts their hopes and brings them to little 6. Corruption discovers it self in dependance upon Creature comforts and sensible props Oh how apt are the best men to lean upon these things and stay themselves upon them Thus did Israel stay themselves upon Egypt as a feeble man would lean upon his staff but God suffered it both to fail them and wound them Ezek. 29. 6 7 8. So for single persons how apt are they to depend upon their sensible supports Thus we lean on our Relations and the inward thoughts of our hearts are that they shall be to us so many springs of comfort to refresh us throughout our lives but God will shew us by his Providence our mistake and error in these things Thus an Husband is smitten to draw the soul of a Wife nearer to God in dependence upon him 1 Tim. 5. 5. So for Children we are apt to say of this or that Child as Lamech of Noah Gen. 5 29. This same shall comfort us but the wind passes over these slowers and they are withered to teach us that our happiness is not bound up in these enjoyments So for our Estates when the world smiles upon us and we have got a warm nest how do we prophesie of rest and peace in those acquisitions minding with good Baruch great things for our selves but Providence by a particular or general calamity over-turns our projects as Jer. 45. 4 5. and all this to reduce our hearts from the Creature to God our only rest 7. Corruption discovers its strength in good men by their adherence to things below and lothness to go hence This often proceeds from the engaging enjoyments and pleasant fruitions we have here below Providence mortiâ—ies this inclination in the Saints 1. By killing those ensnaring comforts before-hand making all or most of our pleasant things to dye before us 2. By imbittering this world to us by the troubles of it 3. By making life undesirable through the pains and infirmities we feel in the body and so loosing our root in order to our more easie fall by the fatal stroke And thus I have finished the Second General Head but before I pass from this I cannot but make a pause and desire you with me to stand in an holy amazement and wonder at the dealings of God with such poor worms as we are Surely God deals familiarly with men his condescensions to his own clay are astonishing All that I shall note at present about it shall be under these three heads wherein I find the matter of my present meditations summed up by the Psalmist Psal. 144. 3. Lord what is man that thou tâ—kest knowledge of him or the son of man that thou makest account of him And in this Scripture you have represented The immense and transcendent goodness of God who is infinitely above us and all our thoughts Job 11. 7 8 9. Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection It is as high as Heaven what canst thou do deeper than Hell what canst thou know The measure thereof is longer than the Earth and broader than the Sea 2 Chron. 2. 6. The Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him Exod. 15. 11. He is glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders When the Scripture speaks of him comparatively see how it expresses his greatness Isa. 40. 15 16 17. Behold the Nations are as the drop of a bucket and are counted as the small dust of the balance behold he taketh up the Isles as a very little thing And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn nor the Beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering All Nations before him are as nothing and they are accounted to him less than nothing and vanity When the holJest men have addrest themselves to him see with what humility and deep adoratJon they have spoken of him and to him Isa. 6. 5. Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts Nay what aspects the very Angels of Heaven have of that glorJous Majesty you may see Ver. 2 3. Each one had six wings with twain â—e covered his face and with twain he covered his feet and with twain be did fly And one cryed unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole Earth is full of his glory The baseness vileness and utter unworthiness of Man yea the holiest and best of men before God Psal. 39. 5. Verily every man at his best estate is altogether vanity Every man take where you will and every man in his best estate or standing in his freshest glory is not only vanity but altogether vanity Col Adam col Hebel every man â—s every vanity For do but consider the best of men in their ExtractJon in their ConstitutJon and in their outward ConditJon 1. In their ExtractJon Eph. 2. 3. By nature Children of wrath
even as others The blood that â—uns in our veins is as much tainted as theirs in Hell 2. Consider them in their ConstitutJon and â—atural temper and it is no better yea in many a worse temper than in Reprobates and though grace depose sin in them from the Throne yet Oh what offensive and God provoking corruptions daily break out of the best hearts 3. Consider them in their outward ConditJon â—nd they are inferiour for the most part to â—thers 1 Cor. 1. 26 27 28 c. and Matth. 1. 25. I thank thee O Father saith Christ that â—ou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent â—nd hast revealed them unto Babes And now let us consider and admire that ever his great and blessed God should be so much â—â—ncerned as you have heard he is in all his Proâ—â—dences about such vile despicable Worms as â—â—e are He needs us not but is perfectly blessed â—nd happy in himself without us We can add â—othing to him Job 22. 2. Can a man be profitable God No the holiest of men add nothing to him yet see how great account he makes of us For Doth not his eternal electing love bespeak the dear account he made of us Eph. 1. 4 5. How ancient how free and how astonishing is this act of grace This is that design which all Providences are in pursuit of and will not rest till they have executed Doth not the gift of his only Son out of his bosome speak this truth That God makes great account of this vile thing Man Never was man so magnified before If David could say Psal. 8. â— When I consider the Heavens the work of thy hands the Moon and Stars which thou hast ordained Lord what is man How much more may we say when we consider thy Son that lay in thy bosome his infinite excellency and unspeakable dearness to thee Lord what is man that such a Christ should be delivered to death for him for him and not for fallen Angels Heb. 2. 16. for him when in a state of enmity with God! Rom. 5. 8. Doth not the assiduity of his Providential care for us speak his esteem of us Isa. 27. 3. 〈◊〉 any hurt it I will keep it night and day Hâ— withdraweth not his eye from the righteous Job 36. 7. no not a moment all their dayes for did he so a thousand mischiefs in that moment woulâ— rush in upon him and ruine him Doth not the tenderness of his Providencâ— speak his esteem of us Isa. 66. 13. as one whom his Mother comforteth so will I comfort you He comforts his viz. by refreshing Providences aâ— an indulgent Mother her tender Child So Isa 31. 5. As birds flying viz. to their nests when their young are in danger so he defends his No 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tenderness in the Creature can shadow forth the tender bowels of the Creator Doth not the variety of the fruits of his Providence speak it Lam. 3. 23. Our mercJes are new every morning See Psal. 40. 5. It is a fountain from which do stream forth spiritual and temporal ordinary and extraordinary publick and personal mercies mercies without number Doth not the ministration of Angels in the Providential Kingdom speak it Heb. 1. ult Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth c. Doth not the Providence which this day calls us to celebrate the memory of bespeak the great account God hath for his people O if not so why had we not been given up as a prey to their teeth See Psal. 124. If the Lord had not been on our side then wicked men there compar'd to fire water wild beasts had devoured us O blessed be God for that teeming Providence that hath already brought forth more than seventy years liberty and peace to the Church of God I shall move in behalf of this Providence that you would do by it as the Jows by their Purim Esth. 9. 27 28. and the rather because we seem now to be as near danger by the same Enemy as ever since that time and if such a mercy as this be forgotten God may say as Judges 10. 13. I will deliver you no more The Third General Head HAving proved the Concernments of the people of God to be conducted by the care of special Providence and given Instances in the ten last named Heads what influence Providence hath upon those Interests and concerns of theirs among the rest we come in the next place to prove it to be the duty of the people of God to reflect upon these performances of Providence for them at all times but especially in times of straits and troubles This I will evidence to be your unquestionable duty by the following particulars This is our duty because God hath expresly commanded it and called his people to make the most serious reflections and animadversions upon his works whether of mercy or judgement So when that dreadfullest of all Judgements was executed upon his professing people for their Apostasie from God and God had removed the Symbols of his presence from among them the rest are bid to go i.e. by their meditations to send at least their thoughts to Shiloh and see what God did to it Jer. 7. 12. So for mercies God calls us to consider and review them Micah 6. 5. Remember O my people from Shittim unto Gilgal that ye may know the faithfulness of the Lord q. d. if you reflect not upon that signal Providence my faithfulness will be covered and your unfaithfulness discovered So for Gods works of Providence about the Creatures we are called to consider them that we may prop up our faith by those considerations for our own supplies Matth. 6. 28. consider the Fowls and Lillies It 's plain that this is our duty because the neglect of it is every where in Scripture condemned as a sin To be of an heedless inobservant temper is very displeasing to God and so much appears by that Scripture Isa. 26. 11. Lord when thy hand is lifted up they will not see Nay it is a sin which God threatens and denounces woe against in his Word Psal. 28. 4 5. and Isa. 5. 12 13. Yea God not only threatens but smites men with visible Judgements for this sin Job 34. 26 27. And for this end and purpose it is that the Holy Ghost hath affixed those notes of attention to the narratives of the works of Providence in Scripture all which do invite and call men to a due and deep observation of them So in that great and celebrated work of Providence in delivering Israel out of EgyptJan bondage you find a note of attentJon twice affixed to it Exod. 3. 2 9. So when that daring Enemy Rabsheka that put HezekJah and all the people into such a consternation was defeated by Providence there is a note of attentJon prefixt to that Providence 2 Kings 19. â— Behold I will send a blast upon him c. So when God glorifies his wisdom and power in delivering his
people from their Enemies and ensnaring them in the works of their own hands a double note of attentJon is affixed to that double work of Providence Psal. 9. 16. higgaJon sâ—lah So at the opening of every seal which contains a remarkable series or branch of Providence how particularly is attention commanded to every one of them Rev. 6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Come and see come and see All these are very useless and superâ—luous additions in Scripture if no such duty lyes upon us See Psal. 66. 5. Without due observation of the work of Providence no praise can be rendered to God for any of them Praise and thanksgiving for mercies depend upon this act of observation of them and cannot be performed without it Psalm 107. is spont in narratives of Gods Providential care of men To his people in straits Ver. 4 5 6. To prisoners in their bonds Ver. 10 11 12. To men that lye languishing upon beds of sickness Ver. 17 18 19. To Seamen upon the stormy Ocean Ver. 23 c. To men in times of famine Ver. 33. to Ver. 40. Yea his Providence is displayed in all those changes that fall out in the world deâ—asing the high and exalting the low Ver. 40 41. and at every paragraph men are still called upon to praise God for each of these Providences but Ver. ult shews you what a necessary ingredient to that duty observation is Whosâ— it wiâ—e and will observe these things even they shall understandâ— the loving kindness of the Lord. So that of necessity God must be defraudedâ— of his praise if this duty be neglected Without this we lose the usefulness and beâ—neâ—it of all the works of God for us or others which would be an unspeakable loss indeed to us This is the food our â—aith lives upon in dayes of distress Psal. 74. 14. Thou â—rakest the heads of LevJathan in pJeces and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the Wilderness i.e. food to their â—aith From Providences past Saints use to argue to fresh and new ones to come So David 1 Sam. 17. 37. The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistin So Paul 2 Cor. 1. 10. Who hath delivered and in whom also we trust that he will yet deliver If these be forgotten oâ— not considered the hands of â—aith hang down See Matth. 16. 9. How is it that ye do not remember neither consider This is a Topick from which the Saints have used to draw their Arguments in prayer for new mercies As Moses Numb 14. 19. when he prayes for continued or new pardonâ— for the people he argues from what was past As thou hast forgiven them from Egypt until now So the Church Isa. 51. 9 10. argues for new Providences upon the same ground Moses pleaded for new pardons It is a vile slighting of God not to observe what of himself he manifests in his Providences For in all Providences especially in some he comes nigh to us He doth so in his Judgements Mal. 3. 5. I will come nigh to you in judgement He comes nigh in mercies also Psal. 145. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him c. Yea he is said to visit us by his Providence when he corrects Hosea 9. 7. and when he saves and delivers Psal. 106. 4. These visitations of God preserve our spirits Job 10. 12. And it is a wonderful condescension in the great God to visit us so oâ—ten Job 7. 18. every morning and every moment But not to take notice of it is a vile and bruitish contempt of God Iâ—a 1. 3. Zeph. 3. 2. You would not do so by a man for whom you have any respect It 's the character of the wicked not to regard Gods favours Isa. 26. 10. or frowns Jer. 5. 3. In a word men can never order their addresses to God in prayer suitable to their conditions without due observatJon of his Providences Your prayers are to be suitable to your conditions sometimes we are called to praise sometimes to humiliation In the way of his Judgements you are to wait for him Isa. 26. 8. to prepare to meet him Zeph. 2. 1 2. Amos 4. 12. Now your business is to turn away his anger which you see approaching And sometimes you are called to praise him for mercies received Isa. 12. 1 2. but then you must first observe them Thus you find the matter of David's Psalms still varied according to the Providences that befell him but an inobservant heedless spirit can never do it And thus you have the grounds of the Duty briefly represented we pass on to The Fourth General Head LEt us next according to our method proposed proceed to shew in what manner we are to reflect upon the performances of Providence for us And certainly it is not every slight and transient glance nor every cold historical unaffecting rehearsal or recognition of his Providences towards you that will pass with God for a discharge of this great duty No no it is another manner of business than the most of men understand it to be O that we were but acquainted with this heavenly spiritual exercise how sweet would it make our lives how light would it make our burdens Ah Sirs you live estranged from the pleasure of the Christian life while you live in the ignorance or neglect of this duty Now to lead you up to this heavenly sweet and profitable exercise I will beg your attention to the following Directions The First Direction LAbour to get as full and through recognitJons of the Providences of God about you from first to last as you are able O sill your hearts with the thoughts of him and his wayes If a single act of Providence be so ravishing and transporting what would many such be if they were presented together to the view of the soul If one Star be so beautiful to behold what is a ConstellatJon Let your reflections therefore upon the acts and workings of Providence for you be full extensively and intensively 1. Let them be as extensively full as may be Search backward into all the performances of Providence throughout your lives So did Asaph in Psal. 77. 11 12. I will remember the works of the Lord surely I will remember thy wonders of old I will meditate of all thy works and talk of thy doings He laboured to recover and revive the ancient Providences of God mercies many years past and suck a fresh sweetness out of them by new reviews of them Ah Sirs let me tell you there is not such a pleasant History for you to read in all the world as the History of your own lives if you would but sit down and record to your selves from the beginning hitherto what God hath been to you and done for you what signal manifestations and out-breakings of his mercy faithfulness and love there have been in all
the conditions you have past through if your hearts do not melt before you have gone half through that History they are hard hearts indeed My father the guide of my youth 2. Let them be as intensively full as may be Let not your thoughts swim like feathers upon the surface of the waters but sink like lead to the bottom The works of the Lord are great sought out of them that have pleasurâ— therein Psal. 111. 2. Not that I think it feasible to sound the depth of Providence by our short line Psal. 77. 19. Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters and thy footsteps are not known but it 's our duty to dive as far as we can and to admire the depth when we cannot touch the bottom It is in our viewing Providences as it was with Elijah's servant when he looked out for rain 1 Kings 18. 44. he went out once and viewed the Heavens and saw nothing but theâ— Prophet bids him go again and again â—and look upon the face of Heaven seven times and when he had done so what now saith the Prophet O now saith he I see a cloud rising like a mans hand and then keeping his eye upon it intent he sees the whole face of Heaven covered with clouds So you may look upon some Providences once and again and see little or nothing in them but look seven times i. e. meditate often upon it and you shall see its increasing glory like that increasing cloud There are divers things to be distinctly pondered and valued in one single Providence before you can judge the amount and worth of it as 1. The seasonableness of mercy may give it a very great value When it shall be timed so opportunely and â—all out in such a nick as may make it a thousand fold more considerable to you than the same mercy would have been at another time Thus when our wants are suffered to grow to an extremity and all visible hopes â—ail then to have relief given in wonderfully enhances the price of such a mercy Isa. 41. 17 18. 2. The peculJar care and kindness of Providence to us is a consideration which exceedingly heightens the mercy in it self and endears it to us So when in general calamities upon the world wâ— are exempted by the favour of Providence covered under its wings when God shall call to us in evil dayes Come my people enter thou into thy chambers as it is in Isa. 26. 20 21. When such Promises shall be fulfilled to us in times of want and famine as Psal. 33. 18 19. When others are abandoned and exposed to misery who have every way as much it may be much more visible security against it and yet they delivered up and we saved Oh how endearing are such Providences Psal. 91. 7 8. 3. The Introductiveness of a Providence is of special regard and consideration and by no means to be neglected by us There are leading Providences which how slight and trivial soever they may seem in themselves yet in this respect justly challenge the first rank among Providential favours to us because they usher in a multitude of other mercies and draw a blessed train of happy consequences after them Such a Providence was that of Jesse's sending David with provisions to his Brethren that lay encamped in the Army 1 Sam. 17. 17. And thus every Christian may furnish himself out of his own stock of Experience if he will but reflect and consider the Place where he is the Relations that he hath and the Way by which he was led into them 4. The Instruments imployed by Providence for you are of special consideration And the finger of God is clearly seen by us when we pursue â—hat meditation For Sometimes great mercies shall be conveyed to us by very improbable means and more probable ones laid aside A stranger shall be stirred up to do that for you which your near relations in nature had no power or will to do for you Jonathan a meer stranger to David clave closer to him and was more friendly and useful to him than his own Brethren who despised and slighted him Ministers have found more kindness and respect from strangers than their own people that are more obliged to them Mark 6. 4. A Prophet saith Christ is not without honour save in his own Countrey and among his own Kin and in his own House Sometimes by the hands of EnemJes as well as Strangers Rev. 12. 16. The Earth helped the Woman God hath bowed the hearts of many wicked men to shew great kindness to his people Acts 28. 2. Sometimes God makes use of Instruments for good to his people who designed nothing but evil and mischief to them Thus Joseph's Brethren were instrumental to his advancement in that very thing wherein they designed his ruine Gen. 50. 20. 5. The design and scope of Providence must not eâ—â—ape our through consideration what the aim and level of Providence is And truly this of all others is the most warming and melting consideration You have the general account of the aim of all Providences in Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God A thousand friendly hands are at work for them to promote and bring about their happiness O this is enough to sweeten the bitterest Providence to us that we know it shall turn to our salvation Phil. 1. 19. 6. The respect and relatJon Providence bears to our prayers is of singular consideration and a most taking and sweet meditation Prayer honours Providence and Providence honours Prayer Great notice is taken of this in Scripture Gen. 24. 45. Dan. 9. 20. Acts 12. 12. You have had the very PetitJons you asked of him Providences have born the very signatures of your Prayers upon them O how affectingly sweet are such mercies The Second Direction IN all your Observations of Providence have a special respect to that Word of God which is fulfilled and made good to you thereby This is a clear truth that all Providences have relation to the written Word Thus Solomon in his prayer acknowledges that the Promises and Providences of God went along step by step with his Father David all his dayes and that his hand put there for his Providence had fulfilled whatever his mouth had spoken â— Kings 8. 24. So Joshuah in like manner acknowledges that not one good thing had failed of all the good things which the Lord had spoken Jos. 23. 14. He had carefully observed what relation the Works of God had to his Word He compared them together and found an exact harmony And so may you too if you will compare them as he did This I shall the more insist upon because it is by some Interpreters supposed to be the very Scope of the Text. For as was noted in the Explication they supply and fill the sense with quae promisit the things which he hath promised and so read the Text thus
I will cry unto God most high to God who performeth the things he hath promised for me Now though I see no reason to limit the sense so narrowly yet it cannot be denyed but this is an especial part of its intendment Let us therefore in all our reviews of Providence consider what word of God whether it be of threatning caution counsel or promise is at any time made good to us by his Providences And hereby a twofold excellent advantage will result to us 1. This will greatly confirm to us the truth of the Scripture when we shall see its truth so manifest in the events Certainly had Scripture no other seal or attestation this alone would be an unanswerable Argument of its divinity When men shall find in all ages the works of God wrought so exactly according to this model that we may say As we have read or heard so have we seen O how great a conâ—irmation is here before our eyes 2. This will abundantly direct and instruct us in our present duties under all Providences We shall know hereby what we have to do and how to carry our selves under all changes of conditions You can learn the voice and â—rrand of the rod only from the Word Psal. 94. 12. The Word interprets the works of God Providences in themselves are not a perfect guide They often puzzle and entangle our thoughts but bring them to the Word and your duty will be quickly manifested as Psal. 73. 16 17. Vntil I went into the Sanctuary then I understood their end and not only their end but his own duty to be quiet in an afflicted condition and not envy their prosperity Well then bring those Providences you have past through or are now under to the Word and you will find your selves surrounded with a marvellous light and see the verification of the Scriptures in them I shall therefore here appeal to your consciences whether you have not found these Events of Providence falling out agreeably in all respects with the Word The Word tells you that it is your Wisdom and Interest to keep close to its rules and the duties it prescribes that the way of holiness and obedience is the wisest way Deut. 4. 5 6. This is your wisdom Now let the events of Providence speak whether this be true or not Certainly it will appear to be so whether we respect our present comfort or future happiness both which we may see daily exposed by departure from duty and secured by keeping close to it Let the question be asked of the Drunkard Adulterer or prophane Swearer when by sin they have ruined body soul estate and name whether it be their wisdom to walk in those forbidden paths after their own lusts Whether they had not better consulted their own interest and comfort in keeping within the bounds and limits of Gods commands and they cannot but confess that this their way is their folly What fruit saith the Apostle had ye in those things whereof you are now ashamed for the end of those things is death Rom. 6. 21. Doth not the Providence of God verifie upon them those threatnings that are written in the experience of all ages Prov. 23. 29. Prov. 23. 21. Prov. 5. 9. Job 31. 12. Prov. 5. 10. all which woes and miseries they escape that walk in Gods Statutes Look upon the ruined estates and bodies you may every where see and behold the truth of the Scriptures evidently made good in those sad Providences The Word tells you that your departure from the way of integrity and simplicity to make use of sinful policies shall never profit you 1 Sam. 12. 21. Prov. 3. 5. Let the Events of Providence speak to this also ask your own experience and you shall have a full confirmation of this truth Did you ever leave the way of simplicity and integrity and use sinful shifts to bring about your own designs and prosper in that way Certainly God hath cursed all the wayes of sin and whoever finds them to thrive with them his people shall not Israel would not rely upon the Lord but trust in the shadow of Egypt and what advantage had they by this sinful policy See Isa. 30. 1 2 3 4 5. David used a great deal of sinful policy to cover his wicked fact but did it prosper See 2 Sam. 12. 12. It is an excellent note of Livy ConsilJa callida primâ specJe lâ—ta tractata dura eventu tristJa Sinful policies in their first appearances are pleasant and promising in their management difficult in their event sad Some by sinful wayes have gotten wealth but that Scripture hath been verified in their experience Prov. 10. 2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing Either God hath blown upon it by a secret curse that it hath done them no good or given them such disquietness in their consciences that they have been forced to vomit it up e're they could find peace Job 11. 13 14 15. That which David gave in charge to Solomon hath been found experimentally true by thousands 1 Chron. 22. 12 13. That the true way to prosperity is to keep close to the rule of the Word And that the true reason why men cannot prosper is their forsaking that rule 2 Chron. 24. 20. It 's true if God have a purpose to destroy a man he may for a time suffer him to succeed and prosper in his sin for his greater hardening Job 12. 6. But it is not so with those whom the Lord loves their sinful shiâ—ts shall never thrive with them The World prohibits your trust and conâ—idencâ— in the Creature even the greatest and most powerful among Creatures Psal. 14 6. 3. It tells us that 't is better to trust in the Lord than in thâ—m Psal. 118. 8. It forbids our conâ—idence in those Creatures that are most nearly ally'd and related in the bonds of nature to us Micah 7. 5. It curseth the man that gives that relyance to the Creature which is due to God Jer. 17. 5. Consult the Events of Providence in this case and see whether the Word be not verified therein Did you ever lean upon an EgyptJan reed and it did not break under you and pierce as well as deceive you O how often hath this been evident in our experience Whatsoever we have over-loved idolized and leaned upon God hath from time to time broken it and made us to see the vanity of it so that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately or immoderately upon them for our God is a jealous God and will not part with his glory to another The World is full of examples of persons deprived of their comforts Husbands Wives Children Estates c. upon this account and by this means If Jonah be over-joyed in his Gourd a Worm is presently prepared to smite it Hence it is that so many graves are opened for the burying of our Idols out of our sight If David say My mountain shall
Babylonish captivity and the sweet effect thereof wherein the truth and righteousness of God in the promises did as it were kiss and embrace the mercy and peace that was contained in the performance of them after they had seemed for seventy years to be at a great distance from each other For it is an allusion to the usual demonstrations of joy and gladness that two dear friends are wont to give and receive after a long absence and separation from each other they no sooner meet but they smile embrace and kiss each other Even thus it is here The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be and by some is rendered have met us and that also is true for when ever these blessed Promises and Performances meet and kiss each other they are also joyfully embraced and killed by believing souls There is I doubt not a mediate reference of this Scripture to the MessJah also and our redemption by him In him it is that these divine Attributes which before seemed to clash and contradict one another in the business of our salvation have a sweet agreement and accomplishment Truth and Righteousness do in him meet with Mercy and Peace in a blessed agreement What a lovely sight is this and how pleasant to behold O if with Habbakuk chap. 2. v. 3. we would but stand upon our Watch-Tower to take due observations of Providence what rare prospects might we have Iâ—uther understands it of the Word of God q. d. I will look into the Word and observe there how God accomplisheth all things and brings them to pass and how his works are the fulfilling of his Word Others as Calvin understand it of a mans own retiring thoughts and meditations wherein a man carefully observes what purposes and designs God hath upon the World in general or upon himself in particular and how the Truth and Righteousness of God in the Word work themselves through all difficulties and impediments and meet in the mercy peace and happiness of the Saints at last Every Believer take it in which sense you will hath his Watch-Tower as well as Hâ—bbâ—kuk and give me leave to say it 's an Angelical employment to stand upon it and behold the consent of Gods Attributes the accomplishment of his Ends and our own happiness in the works of Providence For this is the very joy of the Angels and Saints in Heaven to see Gods Ends wrought out and his Attributes glorified in the mercy and peace of the Church Rev. 14. 1 2 3. 8. 2. And as it 's a pleasant sight to see the harmony of Gods Attributes so it is exceeding pleasant to behold the resurrection of our own prayers and hopes as from the dead Why this you may often see if you will duly observe the works of Providence towards you We hope and pray for such and such mercies to the Church or to our selves but God delayes the accomplishment of our hopes suspends the answer of our prayers and seems to speak to us as Hab. 2. 3. For the visJon is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lye though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry but we have no patience to wait the time of the Promise our hopes languish and dye in the interim and we say with the despondent Church Lam. 3. 18. Our hope is perished from the Lord but Oh how sweet and comfortable is it to see these prayers fulfilled after we have given up all expectation of them May we not say of them as the Scripture speaks of the restoration of the Jews it is even life from the dead This was David's case Psal. 31. 22. he gave up his hopes and prayers for lost yet lived to see the comfortable and unexpected returns of them And this was the case of Job chap. 6. 11. he had given up all expectation of better dayes and yet this man lived to see a resurrection of all his lost comforts with an advantage Think how that change and unexpected turn of Providence affected his soul it is with our hopes and prayers as with our Alms Cast thy bread on the waters for thou shalt find it after many dayes Eccles. 11. 1. or as it was with Jacob who had given ovâ—r all hopes of ever seeing his beloved Joseph again but when a strange and unexpected Providence had restored that hopeless mercy to him again Oh how ravishing and transporting was it Gen. 46. 29 30. 3. What a transporting pleasure is it to behold great blessings and advantages to us wrought by Providence out of those very things that seemed to threaten our ruine or misery and yet by due observing the wayes of Providence you may to your singular comfort find it so Little did Joseph think his transportation into Egypt had been in order to his advancement there yet he lived with joy to see it and with a thankful heart to acknowledge it Gen. 45. 5. Wait and observe and you shall assuredly find that Promise Rom. 8. 28. working out its way through all Providences How many times have you been made to say as David Psal. 119. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted O what a difference have we seen betwixt our afflictions at our first meeting with them and our parting from them We have entertained them with sighs and tears but parted from them with joy blessing God for them as the happy Instruments of our good Thus our fears and sorrows are turned into praises and songs of thanksgiving 4. What unspeakable comfort is it for a poor soul that sees nothing but sin and vileness in it self at the same time to see what an high esteem and value the great God hath for him This may be discerned by a due attendance to Providence for there a man sees goodness and mercy following him through all his dayes as it is Psal. 23. 6. Other men prosecute good and it flyes from them they can never overtake it but goodness and mercy follow the people of God and they cannot avoid or escape it it gives them chase day by day and finds them out even when they sometimes put themselves by sin out of the way of it In all the Providences that befall them goodness and mercy pursues them O with what a melâ—ing heart do they sometimes reflect upon these things and will not the goodness of God be discouraged from following me notwithstanding all my vile aâ—â—ronts and abuses of it in former mercJes Lord what am I that mercy should thus pursue me when vengeance and wrath pursue others as good by nature as I am It certainly argues the great esteem God hath of a man when he thus follows him with sanctified Providences whether they be comforts or crosses for his good And so much is plain from Job 7. 18. Lord what is man that thou shouldst visit him every morning and try him every moment Certainly Gods people are his treasure and by
us we may warrantably conclude they are blessings to us and come from the love of God when They come in a proper season when we have need of them either to prevent some sin we are falling into or recover us out of a remiss â—upine and careless frame of spirit into which we are already fallen 1 Pet. 1. 6. if need be ye are in heaviness Certainly it is a good sign that God designs your good by those troubles which are so fitted and wisely order'd to niâ—k the opportunity If you see the Husbandman lopping a tree in the proper Season it argues he aims at the fruitfulness and flourishing of it but to do the same thing at Midsummer speaks no regard to it yea his design to destroy it When they are fitted both for quality and degree to work properly upon our most predominant corruptions then they look like sanctified strokes The Wisdom of God is much seen in the choice of his rods It is not any kind of trouble that will work upon and purge every sin but when God chuses for us such afflictions as like Physick are appropriated to the disease the soul labours under this speaks divine care and love Thus we may observe it 's usual with God to smite us in those very comforts which stole away too much of the love and delight of our souls from God to cross us in those things from which we raised up too great expectatioâ—s of comfort These Providences speak the jealousie of God over us and his care to prevent far worse evils by these sad but needful strokes And so for the degrees of our troubles sanctified strokes are ordinarily fitted by the wisdome of God to the strength and ability of our inherent grace Isa. 17. 8. in measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind It is an AllusJon to a PhysicJan who exactly weighs and measures all the ingredients which he mingles in a potion for his sick patient that it may be proportionate to his strength and no more and so much the next words intimate by this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged It is a good sign our troubles are sanctiâ—ied to us when they turn our hearts against sin and not against God There be few great afflictions which befall men but they make them quarrelsome and discontented Wicked men quarrel with God and are filled with discontent against him So the Scripture describes them Rev. 16. 9. They were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God which hath power over these plagues But Godly men to whom afflictions are sanctified they justifie God and fall out with sin they condemn themselves and give glory to God Dan. 9. 7. O Lord righteousness belongeth unto thee but unto us confusJon of faces c. And Lam. 3. 39. â—Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Happy afflictions which make the Soul fall out and quarrel only with sin It is a sure sign afflicting Providences are sanctified when they purge the heart from sin and leave both heart and life more pure heavenly mortified and humble than they found them Sanctified afflictions are cleansers they pull down the pride refine the earthliness and purge out the vanity of the Spirit So you read Dan. 11. 35. it purifies and makes their Souls white Hence it 's compar'd to a furnace which separates the dross from the pure metal Isa. 48. 10. Behold I have refined thee but not with Silver I have chosen thee in the furnace of afflictJon But for wicked men let them be never so long in the Furnace they lose no dross Ezek. 24. 6. How many Christians can bear witness to this truth After some sharp affliction hath been upon them how is the earthliness of their hearts purged they see no beauty taste no more relish in the world than in the white of an Egg. Oh how serious humble and heavenly are they till the impressions made upon them by afflictions be worn off and their deceitful lusts have again entangled them And this is the reason why we are so often under the discipline of the rod. Let a Christian saith a late writer be but two or three years without an affliction and he is almost good for nothing he cannot pray nor meditate nor discourse at that rate he was wont to do but when a new affliction comes now he can find his tongue and come to his knees again and live at another rate It is a good sign afflictive Providences are sanctified to us when we draw near to God under them and turn to him that smites us A wicked man under affliction revolts more and more Isa. 1. 5. turns not to him that smites him Isa. 9. 13. but grows worse than before formality is turned into stupidity and dedolency But if God afflict his own people with a sanctified rod it awakens them to a more earnest seeking of God it makes them pray more frequently spiritually and fervently than ever When Paul was buffeted by Satan he besought the Lord thrice 2 Cor. 12. 8. We may conclude our afflictions to be sanâ—tified and to come from the love of God to us when they do not alienate our hearts from God but inflame our love to him This is a sure rule Whatever ends in the increase of our love to God proceeds from the love of God to us A wicked man finds his heart rising against God when he smites him but a gracious heart cleaves the closer to him he can love as well as justifie an afflicting God All this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant our heart is not turned back neither have our steps declined from thy way though thou hast sore broken us in the place of Dragons and covered us with the shadow of Death Psal. 44. 17 18 19. Here you have a true account of the temper and frame of a gracious soul under greatest afflictions To be broken in the place of Dragons and covered with the shadow of death imports the most dismal state of affliction yet even then a gracious heart turns not back i. e. doth not for all this abate one drachm of love to God God is as good and dear to him in afflictions as ever Lastly We may call our afflictions sanctified when divine teachings accompany them to our souls Psal. 94. 12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him out of thy law Sanctified afflictions are eye-salve they teach us sensibly and effectually when the Spirit accompanies them the evil of sin the vanity of the creature the necessity of securing things that cannot be shaken Never doth a Christian take a truer measure both of his corruptions and graces than under the rod. Now a man sees that â—ilthiness that hath been long contracting in prosperity what interest the Creature hath in the heart
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Let that support your hearts under all your sufferings Quest. 3. LAstly Let us consider what may be useful to support and quiet our hearts under doubtful Providences when our dear concernments hang in a doubtful suspence before us and we know not which way the Providence of God will cast and determine them Now the best hearts are apt to grow solicitous and pensive distracted with thoughtfulness about the event and issue To relieve and settle us in this case the following Considerations are very useful First Consideration First Let us consider the vanity and inutility of such a solicitude Matth. 6. 27. Which of you saith our Lord by taking thought can add one Cubit We may break our peace and waste our Spirits but not alter the Case We cannot turn God out of his way Job 23. 13. He is in one mind We may by strugling against God increase but not avoid or lighten our troubles Second Consideration How often do we afflict and torment our selves by our own unquiet thoughts when there is no real cause or ground for so doing Isa. 51. 13. And hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the oppressor O what abundance of disquiet and trouble might we prevent by waiting quietly till we see the issues of Providence and not bringing as we do the evils of the morrow upon the day Third Consideration How great a ground of quietness is it that the whole dispose and management of all our affairs and concerns is in the hand of our own God and Father No Creature can touch us without his commission or permission I know saith Christ thou couldst have no power against me except it were given thee from above John 19. 11. Neither Men nor Devils can act any thing without Gods leave and be sure he will sign no order to your prejudice Fourth Consideration How great satisfaction must it be to all that believe the Divine Authority of the Scripture that the faithâ—ulness of God stands engaged for every line and syllable found therein And how many blessed lines in the Bible may we mark that respect even our outward concerns and the happy issue of them all Upon these two grounds viz. that our outward concerns with their steddy direction to a blessed end is â—ound in the Word and this Word being of Divine Authority the faithfulness and honour of God stands good for every Title that is found there I say these are grounds of such stability that our minds may repose with greatest security and confidence upon them even in the cloudiest day of trouble Not only your eternal salvation but your temporal Interests are there secured Be quieted therefore in the confidence of a blessed issue Fifth Consideration How great and sure an expedient have the Saints ever found it to their own peace to commit all doubtful issues of Providence to the Lord and devolve all their cares upon him Prov. 16. 3. Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established By Works he means any doubtful intricate perplexing business about which our thoughts are rackt and tortur'd Roll all these upon the Lord by faith leave them with him and the present immediate benefit you shall have by it besides the comfort in the last issue shall be tranquillity and peace in your thoughts And who is there of any standing or Experience in Religion that hath not found it so The Fifth Case HOw may a Christian work his heart into a resigning frame unto the will of God when sad Providences approach him and presage great troubles and afflictions coming on towards him For the right stating and resolving of this important case it will be needful to shew 1. What is not included and intended in the Question 2. What it doth suppose and include in it and lastly what helps and directions are necessary for the due performance of this great and difficult duty First Negatively As to the first It must be premised that the Question doth not suppose the heart or will of a Christian to be at his own command and dispose in this matter we cannot resign it and subject it to the will of God whenever we desire so to do the duty indeed is ours but the power by which alone we perform it is Gods We act as we are acted by the Spirit It is with our hearts as with meâ—eors hanging in the air by the influence of the Sun while that continues they abide above but when it fails they fall to the earth We can do this and all things else be they never so difficult through Christ that strengthens us Phil. 4. 13. But without him we can do nothing John 15. 5. he doth not say without me ye can do but little or without me ye can do nothing but with great difficulty or without me ye can do nothing perfectly but without me ye can do nothing at all And every Christian hath a witness in his own breast to attest this truth for there are cases frequently occurring in the methods of Providence in which notwithstanding all their prayers and desires all their reasonings and strivings they cannot quiet their hearts fully in the dispose and will of God but on the contrary do find all their endeavours in this matter to be but as the rolling of a returning stone against the Hill till God say to the heart be still and to the will give up nothing can be done Secondly Affirmatively Next Let us consider what this case doth suppose and include in it and we shall find That it supposeth the people of God to have a foresight of troubles and distresses approaching and drawing near to them I confess 't is not always so for many of our afflictions as well as comforts come by way of surprizals upon us but oft times we have forewarnings of troubleâ— both publick and personal before we feel them as the weather may be discerned by the â—ace of the Sky when we see a morning Sky red and lowring this is a natural sign of a foul and rainy day Matth. 16. 3. and there are as certain signs of the times whereby we may discern when trouble is near even at the door And these forewarnings are given by the Lord to awaken us to our duties by which they may either be prevented Zeph. 2. 1 2. or sanctified and sweetned to us when they come These signs and notices of approaching troubles are gathered partly from the observatJon and collation of parallel Scripture cases and examples God generally holding one tenour and steddy course in the administrations of his Providences in all ages 1 Cor. 10. 6. partly from the ReflectJons Christians make upon the frames and tempers of their own hearts which greatly need awakening humbling and purging Providences For let a Christian be but a few years or months without
and if destitute of other helps but add those that have fallen out in their own time and experience O what a precious Treasure would these make How would it antidote their souls against the spreading Atheism of these dayes and satisfie them beyond what many other Arguments can do that The Lord he is God the Lord he is God Whilst this Work was under my hand I was both delighted and assisted by a Pious and Useful Essay of an unknown Author who hath to very good purpose improved many Scriptural passages of Providence which seem to lye out of the road of common observation Some passages I have noted out of it which have been sweet to me And O that Christians would every where set themselves to such work Providence carries our lives liberties and concernments in its hand every moment Your bread is in its Cupboard your money in its Purse your safety in its enfolding Arms and sure it is the least part of what you owe to record the favours you receive at its hands More partiâ—ularly 1. Trust not your slippery memories with such a multitude of remarkable passages of Providence as you have and shall meet with in your way to Heaven It 's true things that greatly affect us are not easily forgotten by us and yet how ordinary is it for new impressions to raâ—e out former ones It was a saying of that Worthy man Dr. Hâ—rris My memory said he never failed me in all my life for indeed I durst never trust it Written memorials secure us against that hazard and besides makes them useful to others when we are gone So that you carry not away all your treasure to heaven with you but leave these choice Legacies to your surviving friends Certainly it were not so great a loss to lose your Silver your Goods and Chattels as it is to lose your Experienâ—es which God hath this way given you in this world 2. Take heed of clasping up those rich treasures in a Book and thinking it enough to have noted them there but have frequent recourse to them as oft as new wants â—ears or difficulties arise and assault you Now it 's seasonable to consider and reâ—lect Was I never so distressâ—â— before Is this the first plunge that ever befell me Let me consider the dayes of old the years of aâ—cJent times as Asaph did Psal. 77. 5. 3. Lastly Beware of slighting former straits and dâ—ngers in comparison with present â—nes That which is next us alwayes appears greatest to us and as time removes us farther and farther from our former mercies or dangers so they lessen in our eyes just as the Land from which they sail doth to Sea-men Know that your dangers have been as great and your fears no less formerly than now Make it as much your business to preserve the sense and value as the memory of former Providences and the fruit will be sweet to you FINIS THE TABLE A. ABuse of Scripture punished by Providence Pag. 28 Abuse of Providence cautioned 95 96 AfflictJons preventive of sin 99 AfflictJons restraints from sin 110 AfflictJons how they purge Corruption 112 Adherence to creatures checked 117 AffectJons must suit Providence 148 Afflictive Providences when sanctiâ—ied 23â— Ambrose his providential relief 9â— Andreas how called to the Ministry 80 AnticipatJons by Religion advantageous 47 Assiduity of providential care 91 Aspects of Providence contrary 247 AssocJatJon of natural causes 18 19 Atheism checked by Providence 174 Augustin's strange deliverance 24 Augustin's converting a Manichee 63 B. BArbarous Nations their sad state 40 41 Bible providentially mistaken 63 Body its Elegant structure 35 36 Bolâ—on's Conversion 61 Brethren their different tempers 10â— Bruens happy Marriage 62 C. CAllings ordered by Providence 77 7â— Callings sinful in themselves 7â— Callings poor some mens advantage 82 CautJons about Civil Callings 83 84 Care of God to be eyed in Providence 143 Christ hath his hand six wayes in Providence 187 Children setled providentially in Callings 79 Childrens duties pressed 56 57 CommunJon with God in Providences Rules for it and the sweetness of it 163 Committing to God quieting to us 142 Complaints of painful Callings answered 81 Comparing Providences how melting 194 CondescensJons of God admirable 119 120 212 ConversJon two wayes 58 59 ConversJon endears places and instruments 57 ConversJon how great a mercy 74 75 Content under all Providences 153 Crying to God what it imports 4 Craft sinful providentially defeated 135 CurJosity in prying into Providence 160 161 D. DAngers in extremity 3 Dangers of death providentially prevented 102 Dependance on Creatures checked by Providence 116 Delayes of Providence relieved 156 157 Delayes sink our hearts 226 227 Devil busie with dying Christians 206 DJana's shrines what they were 78 Distrust not God in new difficulties 213 Dod's strange impulse 98 Duty to advert Providence 122 Dying hour sweetned by Providence 205 E. EAvenness of spirit how attained 247 Embryoes their condition 38 Encouragements to wait on God 228 229 Englands Encomium 41 46 47 Epicureans why they denyed Providence 14 ExpectatJon from creatures dashed 115 116 Eye how guarded by nature 102 F. FAcultJes sound a choice Providence 3â— Faithfulness of God eyed in Providence 14â— Faith two signal acts of it 207 FamilJes providentially assigned us 49 Foresight of troubles how taken 25â— Fox his wonderful relief 9â— G. GOd leaves not his in straits 13â— God to be owned in all Providences 21â— Good mens affections over-heated 11â— Greatness of God discovered 11â— H. HArmony of conjugal affections providential 8â— Harmony of Gods attributes 16â— Heavenly-mindedness in all providences 15â— Heart how melted by Providence 192 19â— Heart ballanced under prosperity 25â— Heart cheered under sad Providences 25â— Heart quieted in doubtful Providences 25â— Heart not under our Command 25â— Henry the Second punished by Providence 2â— Holiness improved by eying Providence 20â— I. IDJots the design of Providence in them 37 3â— Idle life a sinful life 7â— Jewel's strange preservation 10â— â—nterpositJons of Providence seasonable 98 â—nobservance of providence sinful 125 â—ntroductive Providences remarkable 130 â—nstruments of Providence to be noted 131 â—mmutability of God in changeable Providences 147 â—oy in God under all Providences 149 â—nterest how best secured 142 â—unJus his Conversion how effected 61 K. KEepers converted by their prisoners 164 L. LIberality the best frugality 141 M. MArrJages the appointments of Providence 86 Ministers removes ordered by Providence 66 6â— MortificatJon promoted by Providence 108 109 N. NAtural causes suspended by providence 15 16 Naaman's change how effected 60 Nativity its place providentially ordered 40 41 Neighbourly Visits improved by Providence 63 Notes of attention why affixt to Providence 123 O. OBjectJons of Vnbelief solv'd by Providence 181 ObservatJons of Providence matter of praise 124 ObservatJons of Providence endear Christ 187 Oâ—colampadJus designed for a Merchant 80 ObligatJons to duty from Providence 212 P. PArents godly what a mercy 50 51 Papists their doom 43 44 Parents advantages opened 52 Parents