and be wise which having no guide overseer ruler provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest Prov. 6. 6 7 c. To consider the Ant and play the Earth-worm is not to consider and be wise but to consider her industry the timing of her work yea her manner as some observe in following her work as she dries her grain in Praecipuus igitur creaturum usus in eo versatur ut in investigatione naturae earum proficiamus ad pietatem tum ut Dei virtutes in illis scintillantes tum nostras ipsorum corruptelas cum praedicandis illarum ingeniis comparatas discamus Cartw. Hic enim finis est inter alios propter quos conâ—ita sunt animalia ut ex iis varia discamus defendunt multi idola Simulachra in templis hoc nomine quod sint velut libri laicorum quodque ex iis multa discamus sed profectò in Formicis aliis animalculis plura multo habemus quae discamus ut miremur quà m in omnibus sculptis fictis susis pictisve simulachris Lavat in locum the Sun and breaketh them so as to prevent the growth of the grain gathered for otherwise she would starve in a long Winter-siege if her Provision should not be thus hoarded up To consider the Ant in a wise management of our own affairs to God's glory and our own good is to consider and be wise 2. Dependance upon God both for provision for a mortal life and protection as God shall be pleased to vouchsafe one or the other This Lesson Christ teacheth Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Are ye not much better than they Mat. 6. 26. And Fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your father But the very hairs of your head are all numbred Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows Mat. 10. 28 29 30 31. OBSERVATION XIX Wonderful is the Providence of God in making provision for the large Family of the World or Providence is the great Steward of and for the Houshold of this World CHAP. I. BEFORE hath been shewed the Lordship of God as it respecteth the Creatures how they are at his beck in different manner the meanest of them not excluded Now it may fall in the next place To shew what provision the Lord maketh for the sustentation of the Creatures that stand in need of Providence as a Caterer for them especially of Mankind for other Creatures lose their lives as means to preserve or maintain the life of Man And here the Providence of God is wonderful considering the vast extents of the Family of this world and this appears so two ways First There is plain assertion or positive concession of this in Scripture The Word is not silent in commending to us the Goodness Wisdom Power of God in providing for the Creatures which are different for Kind and many for number of each Kind So in Psal 104. 27 28. These wait all upon thee that thou mayest give them their meat in due season that thou givest them they gather Thou openest thy hand they are filled with good And so in Psal 148. 15 16. The eyes of all wait upon thee and thou givest them their meat in due season thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing Secondly There are particular demonstrations of this grounded on experience of God's Providence more or less wonderfully displayed as to his way of providing for multitudes of persons The Israelites in the Wilderness for forty years are there provided for Their number the place where and the time of their being there do all bespeak the glorious display of Providence as Moses doth intimate in pressing the remembrance thereof Deut. 8. 2 3 16. Our Saviour Christ in feeding the multitude in a desert-place and that with five loaves and two fishes gives a tast of God's Providence in feeding vast multitudes in the world Mat. 14. 15 to 22. If it be said here That these Experiments be more than ordinary It may be answered 1. These instances however as taking place in the world in their respective times fall in as a part or parcel of the stewardship of Providence and so are not only as Gold-lace on the Garment of Providence then but a skirt which as the Lord used it did cover the body of those multitudes 2. Providence is notwithstanding wonderful at other times when bread is provided and that enough for so vast an Houshold If Christ had put forth his Power in visible proportion of bread and fish for the multitude whether by creation or by an inclination of the hearts of persons to have brought in provision at a nick of time when to be used there had been a glorious display of Providence these ways though the bread and fish did not encrease in the breaking distribution and eating as it did probably in Christ's way of feeding the multitude That the World is provided for is wonderful though the manner how be different as the Lord pleaseth 3. Whether the Providence of God do not hold some kind of correspondence with those instances of the Israelites and the multitude fed by Christ may more safely be affirmed than denied There are reasons which may turn the scale for 1. If there be a display of Providence in a Canaan's becoming a Wilderness why not of a Wilderness becoming a Canaan as the Lord shall exalt the glory of his Attributes both as to the one and to the other If God withdraw his blessing the full Barns become empty ones There are ways how food is made foodless So Hag. 1. 6. Ye eat but ye have not enough ye drink but ye are not filled with drink ye clothe you but there is none warm and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes It is wonderful to observe how some have penury in their plenty as others have a kind of plenty in their penury That which is the ground of this wonderful variety is the Providence of God Job tells of the secret of God upon his Tabernacle Job 29. 4. There is a secret blessing and a secret curse which may be noted in the Lord's Dispensations 2. What God hath done heretofore may be a pledg of what he will do though not after the like sort in all particulars God fed the Israelites in the Wilderness with Manna he provided for them then that way if others have their Wilderness his Providence may wonderfully be seen in taking care of them Thus under more than ordinary difficulties there may be more than an ordinary display of Providence and this extraordinary display may
hard for the Lord And should it be too hard for our Faith Remember we Abraham of whom it is said That being not weak in faith he considered not his own body now dead when he was about an hundred years old neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God Rom. 4. 19 20. 2. Beware of an irregular anger and discontent of heart when some hindrance in matters steps in If persons had more of patience they might be sensible how what falls in falls out for good The hindrance may be furtherance 1. In regard of the thing individually considered That matter in particular may take place In God's time Joseph hath such an advancement as the dreams did foretel and that notwithstanding all essays to the contrary by the discontented brethren Moses must be the man by whom God delivers Israel though Pharaoh sought to slay him Exod. 2. 15. 2. In regard of the thing under that kind considered The marriage of Ruth with the Kinsman is dash't yet that makes way for a better marriage 3. In regard of the thing more generally considered Equivalently if not superahundantly an hindrance becomes a furtherance of good another way The hindrance in Temporass may prove a furtherance in Spirituals or the hindrance in lesser matters of temporal concernment may be a furtherance in what is of greater consequence namely as to Life it self I find an illustration for this in Moryson's Itinerary Part 1. Book 1. Chap. 5. and persons may do well to accommodate the story in other cases The story as that ingenious Gentleman relates it is thus viz. That at what time a fair wind arising all the Ships gladly weighed Anchor the Anchor of our Ship brake so as our Consorts seven other little Ships went on but our Master according to the Naval Discipline not to put to Sea with one Anchor returned back to the Harbour of the Fly there to buy a new Anchor all of us cursing foolishly our Fortune and the Starrs On Tuesday morning while we sadly walked on the shore we might see our Consorts coming back with torn sails and dead men and quarters of men lying on the Hatches for they had met with two Dunkirkers who had taken them and spoiled their Ships c. Hereupon he saith thus As we had just cause to praise the Almighty who had thus delivered us out of the jaws of death so had we much more cause to bewail our rashness yea and our wickedness that we had striven yea and repined against his Divine Providence which with humble and hearty sorrow I confess to the glory of his Sacred Name 3. Take a view of the rich display of the Divine Attributes in the exchange of Hindrances into Furtherances More particularly Observe 1. The Power of God A potent Hindrance stoops to Him who is Omnipotent Pharaoh was a very great block in the Israelites way or passage out of Egypt yet the Lord with one blow struck at the first-born opens a passage for Israel Exod. 12. 31. 2. The Wisdom of God which is seen sometimes in the quality of the Hindrance which doth well accord with the Waggoners spanning the Wheel whereby the steep descent is check't from being injurious Again The Wisdom of God is seen in the exact timing of an Hindrance David was disallowed by the Lords of the Philistines discharged by Achish and all this at such a point of time as that David might behold the finger of God As in bringing him off from going with Aâ—bish to battel So in returning him to Ziglag where a case a sad one called for David's haste see 1 Sam. 29 with 30. Lastly The Wisdom of God is seen in a notable adaptation of what is an Hindrance in it self with other matters and so it becomes eventually a very glorious Furtherance Daniel with his Religion is made at by the aspiring and envious Courtiers of Darius he is accused condemned thrown into the Lions Den preserved there delivered thence honoured by the King and a Decree made That men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel There is then a notable Chain of Providence and though the first link be a formal Hindrance in it self considered yet in conjunction with other links it becomes a material Furtherance And this may teach us to admire the Infinite Wisdom of God displayed OBSERVATION XLIV As Hindrances become Furtherances in Matters so Furtherances become Hindrances when and where the Lord so pleaseth CHAP. I. FURTHERANCES are considered here in their latitude or extent as whether such which are so really and properly in themselves considered or such as intended by the Agents though the means used are not proper for the end at least as they fall under a moral consideration and yet the end is in some sort at some times attained but it vanisheth in the issue as when men by wicked ways attempt the accomplishment of their designs but the Lord curseth all at last Now that Furtherances according to a general latitude become Hindrances appears 1. In Spirituals 2. In Temporals First In Spirituals and so to instance in the Preaching of the Word and rousing Dispensations of Providence which as they are a means to soften the hearts of men do accidently harden them oftentimes Pharaoh's heart is hardened notwithstanding the Ministry of Moses and Aaron together with the Plagues inflicted from the Lord. The Vineyard in Isaiah's time notwithstanding it was fenced the stones gathered out planted with the choicest Vine brought forth wild grapes Isa 5. Jesus Christ the best Preacher met with the worst of Hearers they became worse who had means to be better though Christ had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him John 8. 37. Again The consolations and supports of the Gospel become matter of terror to some under their distress of Conscience There is not only a stiff recusancy in point of comfort as in Psal 72. 2 My soul refused to be comforted but also a door is thrown open for scaring-apprehensions Peter cries out Depart from me for I am a sinful man O Lord Luke 5. 8. It is no Pâ—radox if I say that the Cordial becomes corroding Vinegar and that a kind of Hell comes forth of the Gospel-Heaven It is said of Mr. Bill That he under distress of Conscience could see Hell in every Promise because he did see that good he should be deprived of When one brought the Book to read of the Passion of Christ to Spira for his comfort Spira replies What you read is the consolation of God's chosen ones they by good right may rejoyce in so good tidings but to me a wretch râ—jected by God the things read cannot be for comfort but rather for grief and torment because I have rejected Christ the Sacrifice his sufferings whilst I denied him which when he had said he roared like a Lion and tossed himself on his bed beseeching
it shall be opened unto you for what man is there of you whom if his son ask bread will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish will he give him a serpent If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him Mat. 7. 7 c. Thirdly From the Experience of God's people Prayer may well be termed the Royal Exchange in a spiritual sense Here is a bartering for choise Commodities as Gold tried in the fire white Rayment Eye-salve Rev. 3. 18. Esther with the Jews did labour hard at this Sacred Pump of Prayer and their labour was not in vain for their hands lifted up to Heaven did knock down Haman with his Complices Esth 4. 16. with chap. 9. v. 25. Peter was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Acts 12. 5. Though Peter be in prison yet the Spirit of Prayer was at liberty and sets Peter at liberty for the prison which like a Jonas his Whale had swallowed him gives up the prisoner at the prayers of the Church To this testimony of the Saints Experiences add the testimony of God himself Isa 45. 19. I said not unto the seed of Jacob Seek ye me in vain 4. From the signal appearance of Providence at or nigh the very time that prayer is made There seems to be something in God's owning persons whilst they are at their work Abraham's servant observes this saying Before I had done speaking in my heart behold Rebeccah came forth with her pitcher c. Gen 24. 45. In Abijah's time they cried unto the Lord and the priests sounded with trumpets then the men of Judah gave a shout and as the men of Judah shouted it came to pass that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah 2 Chron. 13. 14 15. And whiles saith Daniel I was speaking and praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God yea whiles I was a speaking in prayer even the man Gabriel whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning being caused to flye swiftly touched me about the time of the evening-oblation c. Dan. 9 20 21. So in Acts 4. 31. When they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost And so lastly to mention no more instances That of Peter is pertinent he was a prisoner the people of God then knock at Heaven's door and behold Peter knocks at the door of the house where many were gathered together praying Acts 12. 12. CHAP. II. 1. LEARN who are the men and women of gracious Providence they are such who make conscience of serious prayer to God They who go down into this Deep see the wondrous works of God Noah Daniel Job are the men who can do much with Providence if any thing be to be done as is intimated Ezek. 14. 14. And the effectual servent prayer of a righteous man availeth much James 5. 16. 2. How sad is the state of those who instead of laying up a stock of Prayers lay up a treasure of Guilts They curse blaspheme revile lye oppress persecute those who wish well to them and pray for them These continuing the old trade of sin cannot expect that Providence should look from Mount Gerrizzim to bless them but from Mount Ebal to curse them An heavy hand of Providence will meet with such who make light of Prayer and trample like Swine this Pearl with other Pearls under their feet See Job 21. 14 15. with 17 18 19 20 30. Rom. 2. 4 5 6 7 8 9. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 3. Observe one ground amongst others why pious ones are so taken up in prayer to God They well know their own Trade A Merchant who often sends his Ship to one and the same Port hath reason for it A Child is ever and anon in a room and there is an Honey-comb God's Children find it good for them to draw near to God Psal 73. 28. 4. Know who are the best provident Parents for Children they are such who by their prayers to God engage Providence to be a Portion and Joynture for their Children A little with a blessing left to some will out-last Farms Mannors yea Kingdoms left to others with a curse Pious Parents in being praying Parents are provident Parents they pray not in vain God may hear prayer for posterity one way or other See Gen. 17. 20. 5. Wicked men then are fools in their Rages and subtil Contrivances against pious praying-ones How quickly may God hear the groans of his people and so sweep away the Bodies of wicked men to their Graves and their Souls to Hell There was a prayer made for Peter and the design against him was broken and a prodigious death is the lot of an Herod who had designed the death of Peter Acts 12. 23. 6. There is no reason to lay aside Prayer no not whilst in the world We shall still stand in need of the Providence of God Daily Providence calls for daily-Prayer It 's pride to an height of it to think that Prayer is below a grown Christian When persons stand not in need of Providence to help and continue its help they may not so stand in need of prayer But alas where are the men or rather monsters who owe no debt to Providence The holy Scriptures do sufficiently confute this fancy see Job 1. 5. Mat. 6. 11. Luke 11. 1. Col. 4. 2. 7. See whence it is that the Devil makes opposition against prayer He is a cunning Pirate and knows that serious prayer is the Christian's Plate-Fleet He is sensible of the knocks and bruises which prayer gives his Serpent's head He hath been an observer of what great things God hath done on the prayers of his people No wonder then if he throw dirt and stones into this Well jogs the Christian when he is ready to fire at the mark and shakes his hand when he is about to write down his humble petition to God see Zech. 3. 1. Acts 16. 16 17 18. 8. Look not on those as enemies who call on you to call on God with your Families Shall a Physician be thanked for the Body a Lawyer for the Estate And is the Body Estate Soul and all of no regard as the concerns of all lye at stake in another way and that the best way too Surely they are Friends who antidote you against the curse of God see Jer. 10. 25. Prov. 3. 33. Lastly Observe the incomes of Providence by way of return unto prayer If it be said here I have prayed and prayed and yet no such returns are made as the Meditation or Observation on Providence imports I might at large reply but that would be a digression In a few things