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
good Cause and a Divine Warrant to fight Benjamin and yet they were worsted and put to the rout Jacob had warrant to return to his Countrey a promise that God would deal well with him in that return Gen. 32. 9. and yet behold a Providence which seemingly clashed with the Promise Is this might Reason be ready enough to prompt Jacob in the ear to be dealt well with What! to have thy throat cut by Esau's Ruffians Here is a returning to thy Kindred indeed by returning to thy dust And yet Jacob's black cloud blows over and the Promise and the Providence do more sweetly kiss each other than the two Brethren do In the next place consider consider the Subject and so man is not much unlike Seneca's Harpesten who complained the room was dark when she was blind The light of Providence is not so taken in partly by reason of darkness in the understanding for we know but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9. and partly by reason of turbulent passions which being crossed in this or that dispensation do raise a sog or mist which cloud the understanding How is David transported on the death of Absalom 2 Sam. 18. 33. How doth Jonah's pride and passion hinder him from subscribing to the Wisdom and Mercy of God in sparing Niniveh see Jonah chap. 4. Men had need therefore watch against charming lusts and passions which otherwise will joyn their additional issue with the intrinsick darkness of the understanding and so like the Earth interpose between them and the light of Providence CHAP. II. 1. NO ground to throw by the observation of the Lord's Dispensations because our knowledg of them is not a comprehensive knowledg It is a dangerous inference from that of Peter speaking of Paul's Epistles in which are some things hard to be understood 2 Pet. 3. 16. to reject therefore the reading of the Sacred Scriptures The like inference here from the things hard to be understood in the course of God's Providence is of dangerous consequence What is said of the Scriptures how it is a River wherein the Elephant may swim and yet the Lamb may wade the same by way of proportion may be said as touching the Lord's Providential Dispensations some of which gravel the profoundest others are understood by the meanest for their instruction Haman's Councellors and his Wise Zeresh learn't a cautionary lesson in the School of Providence they bid him beware how he engage against a Mordecai a Child of Providence Esth 6. 13. The Apostle Paul informeth how there is a common Catechism of Providence for the World Rom. 1. 20. Moreover it may be well remembred here That some Dispensations of Providence which are dark for a time may after become light to the industrious and waiting Christian on his God When I thought to know this it was too painful for me until I went into the Sanctuary of God then understood I their end Psal 73. 16 17. Lastly Such mysteries and riddles of Providence the depth whereof we are not able to fathom yet by the light of God's word we are taught to subscribe unto and to rest contented by way of admiration where we cannot reach by way of comprehension Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 26. 2. No reason for any mortal man to pride himself in his attainments Though a man be got up on the Mountain of Providence and others are in the Valley yet that man is far enough from touching the sky Two things may check pride upon the account of knowledg here 1. The Angels in Heaven may learn by the Providences of God on earth That Heavenly Academy admits of an addition of experimental knowledg see Eph. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 12. No man therefore knows so much but he may know more and to be lifted up with high apprehension of man's apprehensions is so far from being wise as an Angel of God as that the man lies open to the condemnation of the Devil as the Apostle teacheth 1 Tim. 3. 6. But 2 dly he who hath an high conceit about his knowledg in Divine Dispensations may quickly be mistaken in matters and pay deer for his mistake We find how a good Prophet by a pretended Providence of an Angel's appearing is prevail'd on to do otherwise than he should have done and that to the loss of his life 1 King 13. 18 24. Though a man therefore have made more progress in the search of Word and Providence than others yet let him remember his knowledg is rather a twilight-one than Meridian and let him according to that in Psal 2. 11. serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling 3. From this learn to bid an hearty welcome to such means helps furtherances as God vouchsafeth for the better understanding of his dispensations This inference is rational from the premised Theses or Positions The Cripple needs his Crutches and no reason to throw them away till he can go without them There are two moving Considerations here 1. It is dis-ingenuous to do otherwise Shall God offer thee Spectacles for thy weak sight and wilt thou throw them against the wall or trample them under thy feet It was the aggravating sin of the Gentiles That they did imprison the notions of Providence which God had sent as guests into their hearts They held the truth in unrighteousness saith Paul Rom. 1. 18. Pharaoh had Moses and Aaron together with catechising-Catechising-Plagues and yet he continues as block-headed a King as ever sate upon Egypt's Throne and just it was with God that such a Block should float on the waters where Israel saw the great work which the Lord did upon him and his Egyptians Exod. 14. 31. 2. Herein is a display of Wisdom To use kindly these Guests I mean Hâ—lps and Furtherances for the better taking in of the mind of God in his Dispensations Abraham was no loser by entertaing the Angels as his Guests He learnt that in their company which otherwise he had been ignorant of Gen. 18. 17. It 's wisdom then to set open the window-leaves for Heaven's light to come in on our Understandings Whoso is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them Hos 14. 9. OBSERVATION II. Gods Decree Will or Purpose is the original bottom or foundation of his Dispensations in the world CHAP. I. THE truth of this may be cleared on this wise 1. There are Allusions or Similitudes it Scripture which according to their proper scope and drift declare this In Psal 139. 16. In thy book all my members were written Jer. 18. 4. So he made it again another vessel a seemed good to the Potter to make it And it Zech. 6. 1. the Chariots there come out from between two Mountains This Text iâ— Et hic aptissime nobis pingitur consilium Dei quoniam antequam res in actum erumpant sunt quasi inclusae
which is not denied and the like reconciliation may be found with the Will and Providence of God Look at what door the fore-knowledg of God goes out at without a justle at the wills of men at the same door the Will and Providence of the All-wise God can and do go forth 3. The Scripture hath plain and full instances of accord betwixt man's liberty and Divine Providence Saul acted freely in seeking his Father's Asses and yet the Lord had told Samuel before I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin 1 Sam. 9. 16. The King of Babylon resolveth and that freely having used his divination to go against Jerusalem and this holds correspondence with the threatnings of God by the Prophet against the Inhabitants of Jerusalem Ezek. 21. 18. 4. Man therefore acts freely because God hath constituted in him a freedom from coaction and brutish determination The Lord hath embellisht the foul of man with the noble faculties of Reason and Election so as that he differs from a Beast and hath a liberty in acting though not a liberty of absolute independency He who learns to swim puts forth his hands and feet freely though another hold and guide his head And this may serve by way of reply to that first Objection 2. It may be asked by some Would not this Doctrine make God the Author of sin Ans 1. Would not a denial of God's Providence about the Wills of men make them the Authors of Grace Surely such Doctrine which robbeth the Lord of his glory in working on changing and renewing the hearts of men is not of God Isa 26. 12. Phil. 2. 13. 1 Cor. 4. 7. 2. It may be replied then to the Objection with that of the Apostle to the like God forbid for then how shall God judg the world Rom. 3. 6. The holy God who made the house of man's soul and the several rooms thereof knows all the nasty corners of the sinner and can go in and out in his Providence without defiling the garment of his Holiness The Sun shines on the Dunghill and is not therefore a Dunghill-light Whatever the Assyrian was and his design was all bad enough yet God himself distinguisheth betwixt his own work and the Assyrians barbarous Villanies Isa 10. 12. We are not then to make a confusion where the Lord maketh a distinction What is proper to sinful and sinning man let man have what is proper to a Wise Just Powerful God let God have He that holds a stone and a piece of Cork under water is not because he withdraws his hand the proper intrinsecal cause of the one its sinking and the others its swimming for both stone and cork do equally participate in the hand the stone doth not therefore sink because the hand is withdrawn for then the cork should sink too and the cork doth not therefore swim for then the stone should swim too This may a little illustrate the matter to weaker capacities It 's a mystery and hath its knots yet it 's unreasonable therefore still to dispute and not to believe The Scripture doth plainly lay before us how God Men and the Devil had a concurrence in Job's case a work of Providence there was though not for the like end and in the like manner with a malicious Devil and plundering Sabcans and Chaldeans Providence knoweth how to do cleanly work by the foul hands of sinners Caiaphas was the Trumpet of a glorious Prophecy He is like a servant who broacheth a barrel in a drunken humour the Master of the house may well punish the servant for his lust and yet wisely order the vessel to be drawn forth for the use of the family It 's wonderful indeed to consider how the Lord's arrows are shot in men's bows and how he throws a Jewel in their Slings But so it is as it appears notably from that instance of Caiaphas See John 11. 50 51. with 47 48 49 53. The Consectaries from the Doctrine of Providence as here respecting the hearts of men are these 1. Absurd then is the conceit of those who would have men exempted from the influx and conflux of Providence The Creatures of a lower form are under the Law of Providence and that too in reference to man Psal 104. 14. And are not men much better than they as Christ argueth Mat. 6. 26. There is little reason and less divinity to deny the subjection of the greatest of men to the controlling Providence of God Daniel preached no such Doctrine at Court he asserts before Belshazzar saying The God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified Dan. 5. 23. 2. There is reason to eye God's Providence even then when men's hearts are hardned and filled with fury towards persons True it is God instilleth no venom of sin into their hearts but yet there is a wise and righteous hand of Providence in this case He turned their heart to hate his people to deal subtilly with his servants Psal 105. 25. Men would do well therefore not only to look upward to God but also inward on their souls and backward on their lives and may they not cry out then Men have done us wrong but God hath done us right The sons of Belial are injurious but the hand of Providence is righteous righteous righteous 3. It is a pious and prudent course to begin with God when we have to do with men especially in matters of greater consequence So did Esther she fasts and her Maidens the Ladies of Honour fast and the Jews in Shushan the Metropolitan City fast before she maketh her address to Ahasuerus Esth 4. 16. and surely there is encouragement so to do for the Lord can work more ways than we can imagine on the hearts of men sometimes he knocks out sparks of pity from flinty hearts Psal 106. 46. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives At other times he awes startles and doth bring to pass great things by fears which take hold on men's souls with their tenter-hooks See Josh 2. 11. Act. 22. 29. 4. Know to whom the tribute of praise and thankfulness is due for what of Providence is displayed in the conveyance of mercies by a touch from Heaven this and that way on the hearts of men on earth David hath a song for God's delivering him out of the hand of Saul 2 Sam. 22. chap. Now one way of David's delivery was by an access of Providence to Saul's heart 1 Sam. 26. 25 c. with chap. 27. v. 4. The same man of God hath left records of God's Providence in his deliverance from Achish who look't on David as a mad-man and so slighted him without trial made or making sure work with him who though he had been under a phrensie for the present might after become a sober Captain to lead an Army against the uncircumcised see Psal 34. with 1 Sam. 21. 14 15. Austin relates how by
Oxen do all in a moment Remember that great man in whom unbelief was regent 2 Kings 7. He talks of Windows in Heaven and yet the Shop windows on earth were open the next day according to the Prophet's words v. 16. the great man saw the Market but it was no fair one to him for he was trodden to death v. 20. Remember his example not by way of imitation but caution 4. Treasure up more than ordinary dispensations of Providence in which thou hast had a share Hath thy Barrel of Meal wasted not nor thy Cruse of Oyl fail'd not according to that 1 Kings 17. 16. O forget not that hand of Providence which by that time that thou hadst taken out one handful and spent it did cast in another handful Hath God at any time check't a Laban calm'd an Esau crush't an Herod intending mischief O let such displays be written on the heart with a Pen of Iron and point of a Diamond OBSERVATION XIII As there is a general Order or Connexion of things so there 's a more special or signal Method of Providence in and about some Matters CHAP. I. THIS special Method may be considered 1. In regard of God's afflicting men for sin Men have their Method in sinning God hath his in punishing The blushing sinner at first after hath a brow of brass The walking in the counsel of the ungodly makes way for standing in the way of sinners and so for sitting in the seat of the scornful Psal 1. 1. Sin is progressive fresh-men or Novices in the Devil's School quickly aspire after the Doctor 's Chair And as the sinner hath thus his walk of vanity so the Lord doth ordinarily warn before he strikes There is a fiting of the Beacons before the Host or Army of Judgments is landed Sâ—e Gen. 6. 3. Luke 13. 34. 2. In regard of exalting parties and so there is an humbling and abasing work upon their hearts which is preambulatory or goes before As pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. so the fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom and before honour is humility Prov. 15. 33. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up James 4. 10. The humbling-dispensations which did betide Joseph David with others did lead the dance to exalting-ones 3. In regard of conversion from a state of nature to a state of grace and so there is conviction-work which like the needle enters the cloath Men leap not out of the warm bed of their Lusts into the lap of Evangelical Comforts The Israelites were stung with fiery Serpents ere there was a looking to the brazen Serpent Numb 21. 8. They who are not sensible of the bitings of sin will not regard a Saviour The pricking at the heart awakens men to consideration-work Acts 3. 37. 4. In regard of some more than ordinary service unto which God calleth persons whether for Church or State God is pleased to vouchsafe more than ordinary encouragement when he calleth persons to more than ordinary employment God was at the cost and charges of Miracle after Miracle when he sends Moses to bring his people out of Egypt Exod. 4. Joshua is told by God As I was with Moses so I will be with thee I will not fail thee nor forsake thee Josh 1. 5. Isaiah had an hard Chapter to read unto a stubborn people he was sensible of his own pollution difficulties there were not meerly in fancy's brow the Lord helpeth and encourageth him Isa 6. 5 to the end Paul had an hard task but the Lord sweetens all See Acts 9. 15 16. Acts 26. 15 16 17 18. 5. In regard of some afflictions with which by way of trial God may exercise some and so there 's a previous or preparatory work of Providence God is before-hand with some Cordial against some fainting-fit He strengthens the back before he lays on the burden Christ is transfigured on the high Mountain before Peter James and John Mat. 17. initio and this to corroborate them when he shall shortly be crucified and transfixed with a Spear on Mount Calvary they needed this display of Providence as bladders to bear up when they were like to be plunged even to a questioning whether Christ were the Messiah for so we read Luke 24. 21. but we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel In 2 Cor. 12. 4. mention is made how Paul was caught up into Paradise and in v. 7. there is a relation of one no good one who did catch at Paul's Comforts 'T was well for Paul that he was feasted in the Lord's Dining-room before he was had down into Satan's Dungeon of Temptations Had not the Coat of Mail been first put him on him the thorn in the flesh would have pierced and sorely grieved him To conclude this the Christian's Sun doth shine very gloriously before some notable Eclipse at hand CHAP. II. 1. SEE from whence it is that some judicious Christians do give a notable guess at the issues of matters They live nigh in point of communion to the great Landlord of the World and so know some of his ordinary walks hither and thither one while he useth to walk up the hill another while down into the valley this they know and take notice of Besides the great God is pleased sometimes to tell them whither he is a going Gen. 18. 17 And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do And Amos 3. 7. Surely the Lord will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets It is said of Luther That he had a foresight of the Calamities to come on Germany The Reverend Vsher foretold the time of the late Tragedy in Ireland The Sermons of some pious Ministers have been better understood by their Hearers some years after They who seemed to talk in the Clouds have been acknowledged to speak from Heaven as to what hath fallen out on Earth 2. Beware of crossing and thwarting with such special Methods of Providence and that these ways 1. In not heeding warnings which is the too common sin of men who are as the deaf Adder as the Psalmist describeth Psal 58. 4. 2. In not being abased under humbling-dispensations Some are humbled but not humble Pharaoh had a proud heart notwithstanding all the Plagues Too much of Pharaoh-like heart is to be found where the Rod of God hath lighted For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart Isa 57. 17. 3. In not improving Convictions Some break Prison from them they with Cain build Cities or with Saul are for Musick few with Paul are wrestling at a Throne of Grace under them Acts 9. 11. Behold he prayeth 4. In a backwardness to set upon such particular work as God calleth unto Moses had encouragement to a miracle yet he draws
Toreys and Oppugners of Providence Jesurum had a confluence of good things and yet waxed fat and kicked Deut. 32. 14 15. Saul was advanced to a Kingship he who was Farmer-Kish his son is Lord of all the Farms in Israel and he forgets to do homage to the Lord of Lords who had promoted him 1 Sam. 15. 11. And as there are Exemplifications of such who resist Providence smiling so there are likewise of such who oppugn Providence frowning Pharaoh's heart is hardned and that notwithstanding the several plagues inflicted Ahaz in the time of his distress did trespass yet more against the Lord 2 Chron. 28. 22. When the fourth Angel poured forth his vial men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God which hath power over these plagues and they repented not to give him glory Rev. 16. 9. These Instances may suffice Others of both sorts of Resisters who wage warr against Heaven might be added Let it be our care to depart from the Tents of these men as Moses spake of Dathan and Abiram who were Rebels against Providence Numb 16. 26. And to the end we make no stay but stye the Tents of such fighters against God remember we two things 1. Other sins make men Beasts this sin makes men Devils The Drunkard and Glutton fill their paunches with the Creatures but oppugners of Providence do more notoriously violate the Law of the Creator Ye are saith Christ to the stubborn Jews for whom God had done much in giving them the Land of Canaan and against whom Gods had lifted up his hand for now they had the Roman yoak on their necks of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do Joh. 8. 44. 2. What do men get by their resisting of Providence Balaam was very near destruction in his perverse way as the Angel declares unto him Numb 22. 32 33. And though Providence do not by and by appear in its garment dipt in blood yet it 's folly for men to promise themselves victory over Providence for they may sooner sink with Elder-guns an Armado of strong-built Ships and batter down Rocks of Adamant with Snow-balls than be too hard for Providence God is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardned himself against him and prospered Job 9. 4. SECT VI. 6. VVATCH against an unmortified itch after excentrical or extraordinary Dispensations of Providence As there is an itch after novelties in regard of Teachers 2 Tim. 4 3 so there is an itch after this and that transcendent appearance of Providence Providence is not welcome if it come not with a gold ring in goodly apparel as James speaks in another case James 2. 2. The Jews saith Paul require a sign 1 Cor. 1. 22. And saith Christ to the Jews Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe John 4. 48. Some there are not unlike the Jews they regard not Providence in the plain garment they would have it in such a robe or else it 's no guest for them Luther was of another mind The Devil saith he hath often tempted me as he did Austin who deprecated lest an Angel should appear to him that I should request some sign from God but far be it from me that I should assent to this temptation The Martyrs without the apparition of Angels being confirmed by the Word of God alone dyed for the Name of Christ and why should not we acquiesce A clear enough and glorious apparition is Baptism the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper the power of the Keys the Ministry of the Word all which do not only equal but exceed all apparitions of Angels Thus Luther And he likewise observeth how the Devil hath greatly deluded parties who have been gaping after Visions and I know not what discoveries Gregory the Great was a man too credulous to fancies and apparitions as the same Author observeth Gregorius ut videre est in ejus Dialogis credidit simpliciter omnibus apparitionibus Sicut inter reliqua de festo S. Michaeliâ— multa commonti sunt In monte Gargoro Michaelem templum consecrâsse bovem confodisse qui eo die festo araverat Ego dixissem quid tibi cum monte Gargoro cujus Dominus est Rex Apuliae tu non es Michael sed Diabolus I find in a Spanish Writer one Torreblanca Villalpandus a story of one Magdalene de la Cruz who would break Vessels and set them together again bring forth Roses in the Winter and Snow in the Summer yea and that which is more to be admired whilst the Body of the Lord meaning the outward Elements used by them or rather abused after the Popish manner was carried about in the streets she would cleave into two parts the Walls of the Monastry that she might worship the Host and then again would make them unite And this saith he further dilating of the disjunction of the Monastry might be done not only by a meer delusion or a deceit but also by local motion for the Devil could open the Walls whilst the Body of the Lord did pass by and for that time sustain the pile lest the stones should fall out and after with the same celerity and dexterity return them into their place again Thus Villalpandus in his second Book that of Operative Magick chap. 10. He was Doctor of Law and Advocate for the King of Spain in one of his Courts and hath written four Books of the invocation of the Devil the second of which hath this Narrative To conclude then this sixth Caution Let men beware of making leight of God's ordinary Dispensations of Providence Saul who neglects a living Samuel is punished with a deadly one The Jews who would have Providence go out of its road in Christ's coming down from the Cross are justly denied so that their itch after an extraordinary Providence prov'd a Plague-sâ—…e to themselves It was the fault of Thomas who said Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe Joh. 20. 25. Let that tacit-check of Christ given to him be thought upon by us v. 29. Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed SECT VII 7 TAKE heed of inferring an interest in the special favour of God because of some remarkable preservations and deliverances I deny not but external preservations to some are argumentative of God's love By this I know saith David thou favourest me because mine enemy doth not triumph over me Psal 41. 11. I dare not assert David to be out in the conclusion when I consider the premises for he was a man after Gods own heart and had an interest in the Lord's Promises general and particular made to himself The waters therefore passing through such a channel are of another tang than other waters which flow into the cisterns of