Providence at the top thereof Behold the Lord stood above it Gen. 28. 13. He that was above had an eye on what was beneath I saw the Lord saith Micaiah sitting on his throne c. 1 King 22. 19 c. God's Providence is there Visioned-forth or set out to Micaiah In the first Chapter of Job there is a Providential scheme or draught of what was to take place in Job's case there Ezekiel's Vision of the Wheels is a confutation of the Wheel of Fortune They who know God have the Wheel of Providence to meditate and discourse of 2. From positive Assertions in Scripture The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men from the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth he fashioneth their hearts alike he considereth all their works Psal 33. 13 14 15. The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. 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 better than they Mat. 26. See also Mat. 10. 29. 3. From Divine Assumptions and Appropriations of the work of Providence to God himself When the Lord answered Job out of the Whirl-wind how doth he challenge to himself a supream Agency in and over the Creatures Who saith he provideth for the Raven his food Job 38. 41. And in Isa 45. 7. I form the light and create darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things 4. From Expostulations Checks Comminations bottomed on the consideration of Divine Providence So Psal 50. These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver v. 21 22. And so likewise in Psal 94. Vnderstand O ye brutish amongst the people and ye fools when will ye be wise He that planted the ear shall he not hear He that formed the eye shall he not see He that chastiseth the heathen shall he not correct He that teacheth man knowledg shall he not know v. 8 9 10. 5. From the Religious forms of speech by which are implied the verity of God's Providence extending to affairs in the world Thus saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the Cities thereof when I shall being again their captivity The Lord bless thee O habitation of Justice and Mountain of Holiness Jer. 31. 23. For that ye ought to say If the Lord will we shall live and do this or that James 4. 15. I trust saith Paul to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit 1 Cor. 15. 7. 6. From Prayers made to God The Scripture hath no Altar for an unknown God We are not taught to pray to Fortune to our own Wills Saints or Angels None of these are the Father which is in Heaven whose is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory The Orthodox Prayers of Saints are demonstrations that they were not Heterodox in the point of Providence they acknowledged a Providence on earth who were ever and anon looking up in prayer to the God of Heaven See Ezra 8. 21 22 31. Neh. 2. 4 with 18. Rom. 1. 10. And thus I have shewed how there is a Providence This was an old Article of the Saints Creed I shall for further clearing up the point 1. Lay down other Arguments 2. Reply to some Objections 3. Draw some Consectaries or Inferences Of these in their order CHAP. I. 1. FRom God himself And so observe 1. That the appellations or titles given to Him are implications of the thing He is Jehovah who gives the Creatures their beeing and operation Acts 17. 28. He is the Judg of all the earth Gen. 18. 25. He is the King of all the earth Psal 47. 7. He is the First Cause I will hear the heavens and the heavens shall hear the earth c. Hos 2. 11. * Non sanè multum interesse utrum quis Deos esse neget an eos omni procuratione atque actione privet mihi enim qui nihil agit esse omninò non videtur Cicer. lib. 2. de nat Deor. To deny then his Providence is to take up the Bucklers against these no less glorious than true Appellations of his But 2. His glorious Attributes of Power Goodness Wisdom Justice are as so many demonstrations of his Providence for all these the World existing are not dormant These Attributes are richly interwoven in the works of Providence The Scripture saith unto Pharoah Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might shew my power in thee and that my Name might be declared throughout all the earth Rom. 8. 17. Thou art good and dost good Psal 119. 68. O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psal 104. 24. But God is the Judg he putteth down one and setteth up another Psal 75. 7. Lastly The Lord's creation of the World doth according to the Logick of the Scripture infer his Providence For 1. He is called the faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. The Lord leaves not the stately House of the World after he hath erected it 2. Considerations or Motives for supportation and consolation are couch'd in God's creation of the World so that they who have an interest in God may hope for a display of his Attributes in his government of the World so in Isa 40. Hast thou not known hast thou not heard That the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is he weary c. v. 28 29. 3. There is an indissoluble or firm knot knit betwixt the Lord's creating and governing the World for what is Providence but a kind of continued Creation and therefore that word is used to set forth Providence by in Scripture see Psal 51. 10. and 104. 30. Isa 43. 7. Again to acknowledg God the Creator and some other the Governour is to rob the Lord of his glory against which robbery he vehemently protesteth as in Isa 42. 8. Lastly observe in Isa 45. the same God there who made the Earth and created Man upon it in v. 12 raised up Cyrus and prospered him in v. 13. There is no reason then to break the band of amity or alliance betwixt Creation and Providence which the Lord so conjunctively owneth and appropriateth to himself see Jer. 27. 5 6. 2. From Providence it self There is an intrinsecal or inbred light in Providence by which it is seen But ask now the beasts and they shall teach thee and the fowls of the air and they shall tell thee or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee and the fishes of
of the Tabernacle there were Loops and Taches and these had their use and without these What would become of the Tabernacle So here Providence takes in a Loop a Tach as well as the Purple Blew and Scarlet of greater matters 3. To deny God's Providence in lesser matters Omnia gubernare est Deo gloriosum were to derogate from the glory of God 1. More generally seeing its glorious for God to have all at his check and controll 2. More particularly seeing his glory doth notably shine forth in and about smaller matters as was in the Miracle of the Lice that the Magicians cry out This is the finger of God Exod. 8. 19. No work indeed so little but if Nullum est tam minutum Dei opus quod non in se contineat aliquid miraculi ubi repuratur sicut decet Calv. in Zach. c. 8. v. 6. look't into bespeaks a great God Now from what hath been said I may briefly commend two things seeing more may be said of this nature in the following part of this Treatise 1. There is no reason to judg the care of meaner matters as without the circle of Divine Providence It 's enough that our Saviour Christ hath decided the controversie to an hair and the natural colour of an hair Mat. 10. 30. with Mat. 5. 36. if this satisfie not persons I know not how to satisfie them If they knew what it were to Providence it over the meanest of creatures but for one moment they would Si tamen aliquis existimet istiusmodi scilic parvarum gubernationem parum convenire Majestati Dei is faciat periculum in re abjectissimâ num forte possit illam it a regere ut ipsi sit ad nutum ab ipso pendeat in omnibus quae ad curam gubernationem creaturae pertinent Fatebitur ille profecto se in rei vilissimae gubernatione talia observare quae longe sint majora quam ut ab homine imo ab hominibus in unum conflatis praestari queant Alsled Theol. Cas c. 54 see reason sufficient to acknowledg the Creator in all and that as they cannot make a Fly so not providentially hold it up in its beeing and govern it 2. There is the more hand-fast for faith Non se subducit Deus ut cadas sed de ipsis capillis nostris securitatem nobis dedit quid times hominem homo in sinu Dei postitus jâ—cta in Deum curam tuam August Ser. 6. in Mat. to lay hold on God for greater matters seeing his Providence is versant about smaller Thus Christ teacheth Mat. 6. and so Mat. 10. 30 31. And so I have done with the Third Part of this Treatise The Fourth now is to be prosecuted PART IV. HAVING thus far launched into the Sea of Providence where the Christian may behold the wondrous works of God Come we now to give a recital of the Sacred Maxims or Observations which this Voyage will afford And here I shall 1. Prefix the Observation 2. Affix the Illustration or Confirmation together with the Accommodation or Improvement of the Observation illustrated or confirmed OBSERVATION I. The knowledg men have of the Providence of God is imperfectly apprehensive not comprehensive CHAP. I. THE truth of this appears 1. From positive assertions in Scripture Eccles 3. 11. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time also he hath set the world in their hearts so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end 2. From the Lord's posing parties about his Providence When he takes the matter in hand as in the case of Job How did the Lord argue him into a modest silence See chap. 38 39 40 41. with chap. 42. v. 1 2 3 4 5 6. 3. From errors and mistakes about God's Providence which have more or less seized on not only men but the best of men Job's Friends were no Atheists but good men yet saith the Lord unto Eliphaz the Temanite My wrath is kindled against thee and against thy two friends for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right as my servant Job hath Job 42. 7. 4. From the ingenuous confessions or bâ—moaning acknowledgments of godly ones Lo saith Job these are the paths of his ways but how little a portion is heard of him Job 26. 14. So foolish was I saith the Psalmist and ignorant I was as a beast before thee Psal 73. 22. Surely I am saith Agur more brutish than any man and have not the understanding of a man I neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledg of the Holy Who hath ascended up into heaven or descended Who hath gathered the wind in his fists Who hath bound the waters in a garment Who hath established all the ends of the earth What is his name Or what is his Son's name if thou canst tell Prov. 30. 2 3 4. Moreover the truth of this will further be evidenced if we consider 1. The Object viz. Providential dispensations 2. The Subject Man under this or that dispensation To begin with the first of these The Scripture doth inform how that the Lord is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working Isa 28. 19. and he only doth wondrous things Psal 72. 18. Look as what comes out of Heaven's shop bespeaks the skill of the great Workman of Heaven and Earth so there are some divine pieces of Workmanship if I may so speak after the manner of men which hold men at an amazing or astonishing-gaze More particularly Two things in Divine dispensations of Providence do notably gravel the sons of men 1. The unusualness of a Dispensation Rebeccah's Warr in her bowels makes her say If it be so why am I thus and she went to enquire of the Lord Gen. 25. 22. Job's afflictions in such sort and befalling such an one who keeps up communion with God yea prays for his Children lest in their regular solace of themselves together they should be irregular must in all likelihood startle himself and his friends who probably observing how God did then ordinarily bless the Tabernacle of the righteous in regard of outward prosperity were the sooner induced to pass wrong censure on that holy man of God But in the next place The intricacy of a Dispensation doth likewise contribute to the non-plussing or baffling of a party under the Dispensation We read in Ezek. 1. 16. of a wheel within a wheel Whether that be to be understood inclusively as one wheel within being out of ken and so there is a secret winding of matters which the eye of reason discerneth not or whether in a transverse sense and so it notes the thwart or cross-turnings of things when one while matters go this way and another while that way I determine not either of the interpretations give us the thing here contended for To this we may add some exemplifications of the intricacy of Providence That in Judg. 20. where the children of Israel had a
wise ordering of all things in all places and at all times for these eyes are never shut the Lord is not a sleepy Watchman Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep Psal 121. 4. My Father saith Christ to the Jews who were stumbled at the Miracle wrought on the Sabbath-day worketh hitherto and I work Joh. 5. 17. The sense is Though God rested the seventh day from his work of Creation yet he hath not been at rest ever since and perpetually worketh hitherto in his Providence and yet none of you durst entitle Him a violater of your Sabbath and why then am I adjudged a violater for a doing my Father's work This I conceive with others to be the intendment of that place of Scripture and it plainly giveth to understand that God's Providential care in and over the World is permanent The Lord withdraws not his manu-tenency He upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. 2. From exemplifications in Scripture For if we cast an eye on this or that special draught of Providence we may trace the foot-steeps of the Almighty even there where we cannot see Him so visibly walk for a time Draughts of Providence are of two sorts 1. Some respect persons singly as in Joseph's and Job's case 2. Others respect parties collectively or the Body of a people a Community of a people as the Church of God in Egypt and Babylon and in times of the New-Testament under persecution Whoso shall take a right view of the cases of Saints thus instanced in will find the result to be commensurate to the Truth asserted He who diggeth the foundation for an house the deeper he digs the less visible he is to those who cast an eye towards the place where the digging-work is managed and whilst this work is on foot Is nothing done or doing because the side-walls are not reared and tile-stones are not hung There is a manifold working-hand of Providence God doth ripen persons for mercies and mercies for persons There is not only a work of the Shoo-maker whereby a Shoo is made of this or that proportion but there is a work of the Physician whereby the swollen hydropical foot is reduced to its regular shape and is fitted for the shoo If God under some dispensations carry on a work upon us though he do not this or that work for us till he see fit he is still at work and the work he intends is in its Second-causes it is latent there and comes forth from between the Curtains of antecedent preparations when the Lord's time is come The Israelites are in Egypt's Furnace where they must be melted and the hotter the Furnace is the nearer Moses is with his Pails of water to extinguish the Egyptian fires though the Israelites know no such matter see Exod. 2. 23 24. with Exod. 3. v. 7 8 9 10. Job in like sort is put into Heaven's Mortar where he is pounded and beaten to the end the sweet fragor or smell of his graces might come forth and after God hath taught him many a good lesson a prosperous condition is on the hand-gallop towards him it had its foot in the stirrop before he had friends they were not impoverish't as Job was they had hands to help and have hearts to help or set up a broken man in his estate when the time for so doing is come Every man also gave him a piece of money and every one an earing of gold Job 42. 11. And we have not only exemplifications of Saints but likewise of Sinners and that both singly considered as well as in a Body or Community Sinners ripen for Judgments and Judgments ripen for Sinners They by their sinning are digging their own graves with their own nails The pit is a digging for them though it be not quite finisht there is an until the pit be digged for the wicked Psal 94. 13. What a Bogg or Quag-mire then do sinners dance on the surface or top-turf breaks and what becomes of them with their insultations projects designs Then she that is mine enemy saith the Church shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God Mine eyes shall behold her now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets Mic. 7. 10. CHAP. II. 1. KNOW how to understand those passages in Scripture as to the Lord 's forgetting his people Psal 13. 1. Psal 77. 9. and that in Psal 44. 23. Awake why sleepest thou O Lord These are not to be understood as to an universal and absolute forget-getting and sleep of Providence for God hath not his Vacation-time He still holds the reins of Government in his hand all the world over Neither do they infer an absolute cessation of Providence in reference to that object-matter which the Lord to our apprehension seems to forget and lies dormant for there is a promoting-work of Providence which we see not and are not so sensible of for the present as hath been shewed and may further be shewed in the next Observation Besides such forgetting and sleep of Providence as it is such bespeaks the beauty of Providence in the way of bringing things to pass It is so far from inferring an inter-regnum or letting fall the Scepter of Government as that it is a glorious demonstration that God orders matters and that wisely whilst he seems to forget and be as one asleep As the Night as night falls under the Providence of God as well as the Day for there are the Ordinances of Heaven for the Night-season Jer. 31. 35. so the dark Night when as to matters the Lord seems to sleep is reductive to His All-wise Model of Government The Seventy-years Captivity was a long Night of the Church's distress and yet thus it must be according to Ordinance of Providence Jer. 29. 10. 2. Let Saints be encouraged to work out their salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2. 12. To be always abounding in the work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. and that because in so doing they in a sort resemble their Heavenly Father who hath not his Vacation-time and works one way though not another in ordering and bringing matters about in the World A Christian should be spiritually industrious He should be sometimes in one Duty sometimes in another If it be not a ploughing season for work without-doors yet it may be a threshing-one for work within-doors If he cannot pray as he would yet if he seriously sigh and groan at a Throne of Grace read a verse of Scripture think on it talk of it here is work and good work too and leight gains this way will make an heavy Purse OBSERVATION X. God doth some thing yea much whilst He seems to do little or nothing and doth little or nothing whilst men are in expectation of great matters to be done CHAP. I. THAT Providence speaks whilst it is in a sort silent and works whilst the work intended is at
relgneth is good news to Zion's friends There are four props for sinking-spirits under black clouds 1. Jesus Christ hath his glorious Titles which are not empty ones His Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isa 9. 6. He is the Prince of the kings of the earth Rev. 1. 5. 2. The Holy Spirit as an Omnipotent Agent sweetly concenters in or joins issue with Christ in the ordering and management of matters see Zech. 4. 7. John 14. 26. and 16. 7 8. 3. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ 1 Cor. 1. 20. There is a promised presence of Christ with his people Mat. 28. 20. Rev. 1. 13 20. 4. Notwithstanding all the furies of men and devils the sad face of things Christ will gloriously discharge the Supream Office of governing the World and bring all to an issue every way glorious see 1 Cor. 15. 24. Rev. 19. 11 12 c. OBSERVATION XV. The Angels are capacious Wheels which move in the great Clock of the World or There is a subordinate Agency of Angels in bringing about Matters in the World CHAP. I. THAT the Angels have their influences appears 1. From Titles Appellations Descriptions given to and of them These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro thorow the earth Zech. 1. 10. Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1. 14 The Devil likewise with his Attendants are set forth as busie Peripateticks walkers to and fro the earth Job 1. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 8. 2. From the Effects or work done by them There is a transcendency of operation to be noted The Bed of ordinary Second Causes is shorter than that this or that Effect can stretch it self on it The Egyptians are witnesses for this for the Lord cast upon them the fierceness of his anger wrath and indignation and trouble by sending evil angels among them Psal 78. 49. An Angel of the Lord in a night smote in the Camp of the Assyrians an Hundred fourscore and five thousand 2 Kings 19. 35. 3. From Exemplifications and that in matters of publick concernment and also personal What an influence good Angels have on the publike Affairs of the world may be proved from Ezek. 1. Dan. 4. 23. and 10. 13. Mat. 1. 19. And that evil Angels have their influences yet not absolute arbitrary ones may be collected from 1 Kings 22. where the Prince of darkness is a lying spirit in the mouth of the false prophets and so the warr there goes on The Agency of Angels is extensive to persons singly considered Jacob sees Angels ascending and descending his Ladder Gen. 28. 12. These winged Coursers attend the meanest Saint The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Psal 34. 7. and well for Saints it is so for the evil Angels are for playing small games as well as greater ones We read of two men possessed of Devils Mat. 8 28. The woman of Canaan cries out Have mercy on me O Lord thou son of David my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil Mat. 15. 22. 4. From the particular work specified about which Angels are versant Intimations there are in Scripture both as to good and bad Angels they have each their shops where they may be found hard at work in this world First The good Angels may be consider'd with respect to good and bad ones in the world Their work is to do the Lord's work and that as it respecteth the Lord's people divers ways 1. Good Angels promote Gospel-work in order to persons being brought to the means of grace or the means of grace to them Cornelius was willed by an Angel to send for Peter Acts 10. 3 5. A Vision appeared to Paul in the night There stood a man of Macedonis and prayed him saying Come over into Macedonia and help us Acts 16. 9. The Angels know the state of the Countrey and have thâ—iâ— influence on the Gospel-Seeds-men for the casting of the Seed in this or that plat of ground Yea 2. The good Angels become truly Angelical Doctors in discovering or intimating the will of God about matters and comforting the troubled spirits of his servants Instances there are to this purpose 2 Kings 1. 3 15 Dan. 7. 16. Rev. 17. 7. Mat. 1. 20. Acts 27. 23 24. 3. Good Angels are Saints Guardians Defenders under God Lot had experience of this Gen. 19. 11 16. My God saith Daniel hath sent his Angel and hath shut the Lions mouths that they have not hurt me Dan. 6 22. Their preservation as the Lord pleaseth is a part of the Angels commission as it is asserted Psal 91. 11 12. This Satan knew and therefore urged it though in a majmed sense and to a bid end Mat. 4. 6. 4. Good Angels are encouragers and helpers on of God's Saints in that work unto which God calleth them So in Elisha his case 1 King 19. 5 6 7. So Paul encouraged to appear before Cesar Acts 27. 24. Abraham tells his fervant saying He shall send his angel before thee Gen. 24. 7. 5. Good Angels may sometimes be employ'd in afflicting God's professed people they as Heaven's Chirurgeons are taken up in launcing and cutting-cutting-work When thousands fell by the Pestilence an Angel of the Lord is seen with a drawn sword 1 Chron. 21. 14 15. An Angel threatens Zacharia saying Tbou shalt be dumb Luke 1. 20. It 's probable the Angel might smite him with dumbness as the Angels smote the Sodomites with blindness Lastly Whatever other work the good Angels do they are not wanting at death and after death Lazarus dies and is carried by the Angels into heaven Luke 16. 22. And whether their care be not versant about the carkass yea the dust of a believer is not to be denied A contention we read of about the body of Moses Jude v. 9. At the resurrection the Angels gather together the Elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to another Mat. 24. 31. In the next place The Ministry of good Angels respects bad or wicked ones in the world and that 1. By way of inhibition check or reproof The Angel of the Lord said unto Balaam Wherefore hast thou smitten thine asse these three times Numb 22. 32. 2. By way of compassion or doing some office of kindness There is a voice of distressed nature as well as the voice of grace which comes up before the Lord. Ismael hath a share in Angelical kindness when like to perish for want of water Gen. 21. 16 17 18 19 20. 3. By way of smart and punishment for defaults They are executioners of divine wrath The Sodomites were smitten with blindness Syrians destroyed by an Angel of the Lord And though human creatures shall be instruments to burn the Whore of Babylon yet that may include the Ministry of Angels they may prepare the â—ewel and blow
have godly Protestants and that because the Lord hath his time to make inquisition for blood see Psal 9. 11 12. 3. By way of Diversion God doth sometimes in his Providence fill both the heads and hands of men full with work and so they are not at leisure to persecute his people Saul cannot follow his game in hunting David as a Partridg on the Mountains there was another hunting-match provided the Philistines had invaded the Land 1 Sam. 23. 27. with 1 Sam. 26. 20. Both ancient and modern Histories do furnish with exemplifications to the like purpose Providence hath thrown in a bone of contention and so there hath been a diversion and that without sometimes of an utter subversion of persons 4. By way of Conversion of parties or propagation of the truth in and by such motions stirrs or alterations as fall out in Kingdoms The Romans had the Jews under their yoak and that makes way for Christ's yoak to be put on the necks of some of the Soldiers for the Soldiers demanded of the Baptist saying And what shall we do Luke 3. 14. Cornelius was a Centurion of the band called the Italian band Acts 10. 1. In the Commotions of Germany some of the Spanish Soldiers became Gospellers as Lavater reports Ex Hispanis Militibus qui armis Germaniam religionis causa superioribus annis vexarunt non pauci ad fidem conversi quidem Martyres Christi facti sunt In lib. Prov. Sol. Com. c. 16. v. 17. 2. By way of purgation from sin and higher measures of sanctification God knows how to carry on his work whilst other kind of work is carri'd on by men They who are good become better by the sanctified evils of smart which befall them By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sin Isa 27. 9. The motions in the Babylonian State and after in the Persian as they were the Lord's Hammer to knock down the Babylonians who held captive the Lord's people had this tendency namely the cautioning of the Jews against sin and that because the Lord had frowned on them in the Babylolonian and smiled on them in the Persian So intimates Ezra saying And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great trespass seeing that our God hath punished us less than our iniquities deserve and hast given us such deliverance as this should we again break thy commandments c. Ezra 9. 13. 14. CHAP. II. 1. TAKE notice of the care and love of God towards his people God forgets not the good of his people in the motions and commotions that are in the World Saints under their black clouds see not this and are ready to say otherwise But Zion said The Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath forgotten me Isa 49. 24. But what saith God Can a woman forget her sucking-child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee v. 25. 2. Learn how Divinity will see beyond State-Policy A right view of matters taken as to the Church is a prognostick how things may probably go in the general as to the State As there are different motions in the Affairs of State so these different motions have their correspondency with the different temper of a people professing godliness If hypocrisie instead of serious piety and other sins spread as a Gangrene no wonder if there are frowning-aspects one way or other Isa 10. 6. If serious prayer to God together with humiliation and reformation are made conscience of then hopes there are that he who hath torn will heal and he who hath smitten will bind up Hos 6. 7. 3. Give not way to inordinate fears unbeliefs and despondencies of heart in the midst of all the tossings and tumblings of affairs of the world Let persons mind their duty and let God alone to govern the world There are these quieting considerations 1. All the Affairs of the World are subjected to Christ who is the Head of the Church Eph. 1. 22. Now if Christ be thus the Head he is not without eyes he sees yea foresees what is to be done and he is not without sense sensible he is what is done in way of affront to his Members Whilst Saul was a persecuting he saith Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Acts 9. 4. Suppose a man's head did reach up so high as the Heavens he would feel the injury offered not only to a limb but to the least of his toes Though Christ the Head in regard of his bodily-presence be above the Clouds yet he hath a sense and feeling of what is done to the least of his Saints 2. The Christian hath a very large Charter or Grant of all things to work for good Rom. 8. 28 The Church hath a very large Joynture not only the pleasant Vineyards but the wild Copses of the World bring in a very rich Income to her All is hers for good 1 Cor 3. 22. and God thinks nothing too good for her I am the Lord thy God the Holy One of Israel thy Saviour I gave Egypt for thy ransom Ethiopia and Sheba for thee since thou was precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life Isa 43. 3 4. 3. God hath made that which is a Saint's Priviledg namely an holy quietness of heart under the stirs of the World to be a Saint's Duty in Psal 112. 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Compare this with Luke 21. 9. But when ye shall hear of warrs and commotions be not terrified And that in John 14. 1. Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe â—… God believe also in me See further Phil. 4. 6. OBSERVATION XXVI PROVIDENCE outwits the Church's Enemies in their Policies or Contrivances against the Church CHAP. I. HOW God's Care is over his people in the Motions and Commotions that are in the World hath been touched Here it will not be impertinent to make an inquisition into an outwitting work of Providence as it respects the Adversaries of the Lord's people And the truth of the present Observation will appear three ways First From Comparisons in Scripture the scope of which are to set forth the Providence of God as baffling and be-fooling men's Policies and Devices against his people So Psal 124. 7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler the snare is broken and â—e are escaped And in Psal 7 Behold he travelleth with iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth falshood he made a pit and iâ— fallen into the ditch which he made his mischief shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own paâ—… v. 14 15 16. 2. From Exemplifications of such whose sinful Policy hath
be set on the door of the great working-house yet no reason to quarrel the Lord knows how and when to open the door or break it open as he did in his own time to his own glory It was Saul's fault that he would sacrifice before Samuel came and he smarted for it 1 Sam. 13. 8 9. Let men learn from Saul's folly to be wise let them not force themselves to this or that as a means for help under straits which God approveth not remembring withal how a Samuel may be a coming with help from the Lord when they are going from the Lord. 2. Watch against anxious and perplexing disquiet of heart under straits There is no ground for a Christian to distract his heart in the want of visible means or to distrust his God in the midst of visible dangers Remember who bids to take no thought that is not to be anxious distrustful disquieted under difficulties and withal what he saith further it shall be given you in that same hour Matth. 10. 19. Not only Years Months Weeks Days but even Hours for Heaven's help are contained in the Calendar of Providence 3. Treasure up the Experiences of Divine Help under Needs and Difficulties David had a signal appearance of Providence for his relief when Saul is on the one side of the Mountain and David on the other and this David forgets not for it is vertually contained in his deliverance out of the hand of Saul which deliverance he celebrates 2 Sam. 22. If thou hast a Mountain-Providence with David forget not the God of thy Mountain-Dispensation Remember two things 1. The more eminent thy Mercy the more reason to value it The depth of a Misery may well call for the admiration of the height of Divine Mercy see an instance Psal 116. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. 2 The laying up of such an Experience will be of great use for after-times Thou mayest be in regard of temporals or spirituals as is said Acts 27. 20. Now when neither Sun nor Starrs in many days appeared c. To look back on Providence in a sad Voyage before will be of use when the case is sad for the present The Meditation on former Experience may be a prop to the tottering-house of a weak faith see Psal 77. 5 10 11. OBSERVATION XXXIX At or nigh the same time there is a like face of Providence shewing it self in Places CHAP. I. HOW the Providence of God is displayed both as to Time and Place and particularly as to the so timing of Help under Extremities hath been insisted on The present Observation which hath some reference both to Time and Place is now to be spoken unto And here in the first place shall be shewed how the like work of Providence in Places may be consideredi and that three ways 1. In regard of Premonition or discovery of what is to take place in the world Thus when the Lord would take up Elijah into Heaven not only Elisha hath a discovery of what the Lord is about to do but the sons of the Prophets that were at Bethel 2 King 2. 3. and not only they but also the sons of the Prophets that were at Jericho v. 5. of the same chapter And so the hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel in the evening afore one that had escaped from Jerusalem brought tydings that the City was smitten Ezek. 33. 21 22. Peter at Joppa hath a Vision which holds correspondence with a work of Providence referring to the Gentiles particularly Cornelius at Cesarea who was bid to send to Joppa and call for one Simon whose fir-name was Peter Acts 10. 2. In regard of antecedent preparation disposition or qualification for what is to come forth on the stage of the World The Jews were awakened to prayer-prayer-work when the Seventy years were or nigh accomplished at Babylon Jer. 29. 12. Moses is to go on the Lord's Embassie to Egypt he wants a Spokesman and God brings one to his hand Exod. 4. 10 14 15 16 27. When Christ was brought to the Temple what a wonderful Providence was there in Simeon's coming thither at that time when Mary came thither and so in Anna's coming in that instant as it is said Luke 2. 27 38 Both Simeon and Anna were Witnesses to and for Christ they came seasonably to the Temple there to testifie of Him who was Lord of the Temple Ver. 29 to the 39. 3. In regard of the work it self which is the same or a like for kind And here we may consider it 1. As a Work of Mercy in it self considered 2. As a Work of Wrath. 1. As a Work of Mercy The Gospel of Grace was communicated to the Gentiles and the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on them Acts 10. 45. They at Corinth were enriched in utterance and knowledg as well as they at Jerusalem 1 Cor. 1. 5. In the times of the Reformation of Religion Zuinglius at the same time opposeth the Pope's Indulgences amongst the Helvetians at which Luther did amongst the Germans how did then Cities Towns Parishes fall off from Popery as leaves from the Trees in Autumn And so it is observed how Learning at one and the same time began to hold up its head and that in divers places as Scultetus hath it And as for Learning so for Peace and Tranquillity the Providence of God may be noted It is said Acts 9. 31. Then had the Churches rest thorowout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria A time there is when Countreys have their worldly Jubilee All the earth sitteth still and is at rest is the report made Zech. 1. 11. Docebat hoc tempore in Tiguri Helvetiis Ulricus Zuinglius c. Sleid. com lib. 1 sub finem Et quod mireris uno codem tempore in diversis mundi regionibus intermortua pridem studia in Vitam revocabant Leo 10. Pontifex Romae apud Hispanos Cardinalis Toleranus apud Anglos Rex Henricus ejus nominis octavus apud Belgas Rex Catholicus Carolus apud Gallos Rex Franciscus Annal. dec 1. p. 3. 2. As a Work of Wrath or Severity and so there may be noted how a like face of things there is in places at or nigh the same time A time there was when the Lord suffered all Nations to walk in their own ways Acts 14. 16. A time there was when ignorance and lack of learning did prevail to an astonishment at the stupidity of those in that time And as Ignorance had its time so Sophistry and unprofitable Subtilty instead of sound and savoury Divinity did abound in the Thirteenth Century It is observed how both Mahumetism and Papism did put forth themselves at or about the same time And as for external calamities they have been timed in divers places The Wine-cup of the Lord's fury hath passed from Nation to Nation as Jer. 25. 15. and not only so in the times before Christ but after that Rev. 6. tells a sad story of Red Black
as it were an house and by and by pulls it down If the bringing forth of some things is like the shooting up of Mushrooms quickly up and quickly down yet sure the Providence of God reacheth to these Mushrooms as well as to the Cedars of Lebanon There is no reason for â—oolish man to find fault with an All-wise God though he presents that on the stage of the World which hath not its imagined issue God hath wise Ends subordinate to his Glory in Dispensations of this nature 1. To let men know how the Lord he is God for things go according to his thoughts and not as men surmise and imagine according to the outward appearance of things O Lord saith the Psalmist how great are thy works and thy thoughts very deep A brutish man knoweth not neither doth a fool understand this when the wicked spring as gross and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish it is that they shall be destroyed for ever Psal 92. 5 6 7. For â—…y thoughts are not as your thoughts neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isa 15. 8 9. 2. To display his Soveraignty more or less as he pleaseth What if the Lord shall dash vessels made shake off the fruit ere it be ripe as in abortive Infants Is He therefore to be quarrelled with May not he break the vessels as Jer. 18. 6 O house of Israel cannot I do with you as this potter saith the Lord and say to the Fig-tree Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever Mat. 21. 19. 3. To bring to light the sins of men by a probable face of things Shimei discovers his rooted venom in the fruits of it when David was made at by Absolom Achitophel and their followers 2 Sam. 16. If there be a likelihood of this or that Error to have favour and profit annexed to it though it be a very gross or palpable one yea though a heap of them what villany doth appear on the deck which before lay close under the hatches of the ship What coining of Distinctions which the great Master of the Mint will censure as false and felonious to the Crown of Heaven The Lord then is wise in setting up such Pumps which being ply'd throw forth black and slimy waters 4. To exercise the graces of persons for the graces of Saints may be both proved and improved by a probable face of things So it was in Abraham's offering up of Isaac his faith fear obedience were displayed Gen. 22. 12. with Heb. 11. 17 18 19. 5. To punish men for their sins Probabilities in matters make way for vindictive Certainties Pharaoh from a Probability is intangled into the Lord's Net in the Red-sea Exod. 14. 3. The red waters become bloody ones to the Moabites whose wrong conclusion from probable Premises proved a bloody one 2 King 3. 22 23 24. 6. To teach men constant dependance on God Men point and God disappoints They propose but God disposeth The wind of Providence is variable and therefore men had need eye God in the voyage It is not so soon done as said We will go into such a City and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain See James 4. 13 14 15. Lastly To lesson thankfulness for a display of Mercy in dashing-things likely to take place A Copy of Conveyance is cut in pieces and a fresh one is drawn by the hand of Providence for the good of the party Ruth's marriage with the Kinsman was dash't and well for her whom Providence had intended for a more ingenuous and pious man What is dash't holds in many cases for the best God hath regard to his when he seemeth to have none He dams up a Well and opens a better Spring for them Their business best succeeds when it is sometimes quite dash't As there are blessed disappointments so there is ground to bless God for such disappointments which come from the Heart as well as the hand of gracious Providence OBSERVATION XLI There is an over-ruling Conduct of Providence in bringing matters to their journey's end and that notwithstanding letts in the way and the length of the way CHAP. I. AS there is a dashing-dashing-work of Providence as hath before been shewed so there is an accomplishing-Accomplishing-work in regard of what the Lord wills or willingly suffers to be in the world What the Lord will have take place must notwithstanding impediments and delays for a time And this appears to be so if we consider 1. The Power of God 2. The Wisdom of God 1. Nothing is too hard for Infinite Power to bring about The greatest blocks in the way like a feather are blown away with the breath of Providence All letts like the thin film of Ice shall be dissolved by the warm Sun-beams of Providential Influences The Israelites had lien long in the Egyptian Fornace it was too hot a work for Moses and Aaron to pluck them thence by the hand of violence that was not the Lord's way of delivering them and yet the Lord saved the people out of the Land of Egypt Jude ver 5. The Jews met with opposers in the Temple-work it is said how upon an Order from Artaxerxes Rehum and Shimshai with their companions made them to cease by force and power Ezra 4. 23. and yet this work which lay dormant for some years was finish't at last see Ezra 4. 24. with Ezra 6. 15. John 2. 20. 2. God according to his Infinite Wisdom hath ways to bring about matters in his own time notwithstanding hindrances and delays for a time In 1 Sam. 6. 5. the Philistins took the Ark of God they have it but must not hold it it must be had home again and how shall this be Let the Lord alone who can find out a way for its conveyance though it be in the Countrey of the Philistins seven months as it is related 1 Sam. 6. 1. Suppose those Fifty thousand three-score and ten men who were slain upon the return of the Ark 1 Sam. 6. 19. had been slain in battel in order to the rescue of the Ark yet the same way God took to bring it home would have availed though the difficulty of having it home had been greater in the eyes of the men of Israel who in this case had fought to no purpose And what is said in this case of the Ark holds in other matters Our Cock-shell Capacity is not receptive of the Ocean of Divine Wisdom Let this Sun arise and it scatters the clouds and mists that are in our eye A thousand ways infinite Wisdom hath to effect matters though we see never an one CHAP. II. 1. SEE the reason why there is dejection and despondency Men have both their eyes fixed on Hindrances and Delays and not half an one open to the Providence of God Whilst David pores on Saul's Power Subtilty and
Isagoge ad Dei Providentiam OR A PROSPECT OF DIVINE Providence By T. C. M. A. Come and see the works of God Psal 66. 5. That they may see and know and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done this and the Holy One of Israel hath created it Isa 41. 20. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard as it were the noise of thunder one of the four beasts saying Come and see Rev. 6. 1. LONDON Printed by A. Maxwell for Edward Brewster at the sign of the Crane in St. Paul's Church-yard 1672. To the READER BEFORE thou enter into the Parlour give me leave to salute thee with a few words in this Porch There are two Books which deservedly call for the serious perusal both of Ministers and People Teachers and those who are taught Those Books are the Two Volumes of the Sacred Scriptures and Divine Providence And these are Comments on or Expositions of each other I grant the former to be determinative and yet the later I adjudg to be inductive to and so harmoniously illustrative of the former The Moon hath its light for the use of man though the light thereof be borrowed from the Sun in part as say the Learned Divine Providence is a Torch set up in the World and is lighted at the same fire viz. The Will of God with the Scriptures A difference there is and yet not such but that both Scripture and Providence do concenter in the glory of God the use of man and the mutual elucidation of each other I have in the following Treatise laboured to present thee with a Draught or Picture of Divine Providence and have cast my weak eye on the Sacred Scriptures in drawing this Picture I look on the holy Scriptures as the living and lively Face and whoso neglects them will do the work by halves as it is vulgarly phrased More particularly in the prosecution of this Subject I have or at least-wise would have consulted three things 1. A pertinent Variety for the Matter and this as founded on the Scriptures and amplified from some intermix't Histories some whereof are found on record in Authors others are rehearsed by me and though I have not so particularly set them down for Time Place and Persons yet they are no Fictions but Realities commended to me from those who would not tell a lye for Providence Far be it from me to affect lying-Legends and as far be it from me because of lying-Legends in the World to bury the Works of God in the grave of a contemptuous Oblivion Extreams in matters are of dangerous consequence An holy Prudence teacheth to beware lest whilst we essay to run from sin we do not run into sin And thus for the first thing here consulted 2. A Clearness for Method That Method pleaseth me which may be most useful for the common Reader whose good is intended in the Subject to be treated of I like not that humour of some who will not travel the easiest and plainest Road because of the company of such who indeed are honest and plain men and will commit no robbery unless it be on the lusts of men by a facil access to their souls in the way of Teaching and let such honest Robbers be forgiven this wrong Here if I mistake not I have kept pace with that Method which not only the common Reader 's capacity may admit of but the Subject here handled doth in a sort resolve it self into It matters not by what appellation this Method is termed so it be suitable to the nature of the subject and the Reader 's capacity If any list to be contentious I say no more but That we have no such custom in our Countrey to cavil about the colour of a Cow which gives down her Milk with ease and that too good for such who scorn it because of the mixt colour of the Beast And thus for the Method here 3. An ordinary Plainness for the Phrase or Language I affect not high and long lines but rather short Sayings and plain Similitudes The one best suits with a weak memory and the other with a low understanding Similitudes or popular Allusions have a further advantage for as they are borrowed from things in and about which Providence doth work so they bring to remembrance the Works of Providence The Water of Life may be called to mind at a Jacob's Well If the phrase then here used run not smoothly remember I study Things not Words A Diamond though not polish't is not to be thrown by as a peeble-stone If in the reading thou object 1. That some places of Scripute are more than once mentioned 2. That the same matter is in some places of this Treatise repeated I must crave thy patience to hear before thou condem And to the first of these take the Reply as followeth 1. The same places of Scripture may be quoted and yet the same Scriptures not needlesly repeated One and the same place of Scripture hath divers things wrapt up in it There are more Jewels than one in the Casket If one be taken out at one time another at another season thou must blame thine own eyes in looking meerly on the Casket and not on the distinct Jewel 2. Though the same Scriptures may be repeated yet thou may'st find them perhaps so repeated as may wipe off the calumny of a vain repetition It is well observed by one in reference to Solomon's Proverbs That though the same Proverb be here and there scatter'd yet we have it with interest To the second Objection consider the following Reply 1. Distinguish between the material and formal or precise consideration of a thing An old Truth may be found a new one new in regard of the Principle from which it is deducted and old for that the same for the matter was before intimated The Doctrine of the Resurrection is a Truth known from divers places of Scripture but this as rationally infer'd by our Saviour from Exod. 3. 6. may well be-speak the funerals of foolish cavils and the resurrection of an holy admiration But 2. if this suffice not remember the Writer may be forgetful as well as others I could mention worthy Authors in whose Writings some things occur once and again I attribute this not to their barrenness but forgetfulness and loathness to dissever the Links of the Chain being joined in a friendly neighbourhood Have charity then in this case if not for others yet for thy self for it may be the same thing that may occur is willing to confer a-fresh with thy soul being not so fully understood or practically improved by thee as it should be To write the same things to you to me indeed is not grievous but for you it is safe saith the Apostle to the Philippians chap. 3. 1. Having thus far been thy Guide lest thou may'st lose thy way it 's time now to leave thee to thy journey I hope thou wilt
not meet with mire and dirt here What is so if any I must own what is not so Providence will own I must confess the Subject may call for a Quill pluck't from the wing of a Seraphim and though that be so yet that is no apology to have Padlocks on our Tongues or Pens for the Tongue ought to be the Pen of a ready writer and the Pen the Tongue of a ready speaker to publish the wonderful works of him who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honour and power everlasting Amen 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. PREFACE THE word Providence hath its various imports or significations sometimes it is taken in a bad sense and so notes an unhappy fore-cast or contrivance in order to men's gratifying some lust or other so Rom. 13. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Sinners are provident for their darling-corruptions They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledg Jer. 4. 22. 2. Other-while the word is taken in a good sense and so it is applied or accommodated 1. To men 2. To God 1. As it is applied to men it notes or points at a Moral Virtue a Political Endowment and a Spiritual Grace A prudent man in ordering his affairs is all one with the provident man Paulus Sergius is stil'd a prudent man Acts 13. 7. Tertullus in his Oration doth politically use if not through flattery abuse the term Providence Very worthy deeds are done unto this Nation by thy Providence saith he to Felix Acts 24. 2. The Apostle Paul doth call for the exercise of Pre-consideration Prudence or Providence as a Theological Virtue or Grace to be made conscience of by Christians Rom. 12. 17. Provide things honest in the sight of all men And in 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse than an Infidel And thus as the word is applied to men 2. The term is transferr'd to God and so it is 1. Decretal Original Ordinative and is nothing else but the eternal Platform of things the original Draught or Copy of them Isa 40. 12 13 14. Acts 2. 23. Acts 4. 28. 2. Actual or Executive which is the Counterpane or Copy of that Copy and notes more than a meer inspection or looking thorow the wood or bushes of Second Causes and Contingent Events Abraham's belief doth note more than a meer insight when he saith to Isaac God will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering Gen 22. 8. According therefore to this later acceptation of the word I may thus describe it as the description is founded on the Sacred Scriptures viz. Providence is a work of God whereby he sustains governs orders all the Creatures according to the good pleasure of his will to his own glory It is a work As there are the works of Creation so there are the works of Providence It is said Deut. 32. 4. His work is perfect And Psal 44. 1. We have heard with our ears our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their days in the times of old So Psal 77. 12. I will meditate also of all thy work and talk of thy doings And Isa 28. 21. That he may do his work his strange work and bring to pass his act his strange act My Father worketh saith Christ John 5. 17. Of God So it is said Psal 111. 3. His work is honourable and glorious No Person of the blessed Trinity is excluded My Father worketh hitherto and I work asserteth our Saviour in the place fore-mentioned John 5. 17. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters Gen. 1. 2. And â—… thus in the Creation there was an agency of the Spirit so in the works of Providence Isa 48. 16. and his Spirit hath sent me And Mat. 4. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit Whereby he sustains So Psal 50. 12. Uphold me with thy free Spirit And Psal 66. 9. Which holdeth our soul in life And Heb. 1. 3. Upholding all things by the Word of his Power Governs and orders So Job 25. 2. Dominion and fear are with him Psal 22. 28. For the kingdom is the Lord's and he is the Governour among the nations Isa 9. 7. Of the encrease of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to stablish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this Jude v. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power from henceforth for ever All the Creatures Unto me every knee shall bow Isa 45. 23. All the Creatures are his hosts who is the Lord of Saboath Jam. 5. 4. For of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 36. According to the good pleasure of his will He hath done whatsoever he pleased Psa 115. 3 I even I am the Lord Isa 43. 11. My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure Isa 46. 10. Who worketh all things after the counsel of his will Ephes 1. 11. To his own glory God's glory is nothing else but the irradiation or sparkling forth of his divine excellency He consults the glory of his Attributes in his work of Providence His work is honourable and glorious Psal 111. 3. As then God acteth from himself and from no other so for himself his own glory ultimately For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Rom. 11. 36. Having thus pointed at the Scriptures on which with the like others as a firm basis or bottom the Description standeth I shall now with my Coal draw out the lineaments of the ensuing Discourse which may be branch'd forth into Five Parts The First contains the Scripture-Arguments for the proof of what is here supposed namely That there is a Providence The Second takes in the various Considerations or Distinctions of Providence The Third treateth of the Object or Extent of Providence in regard of the several things it is conversant about The Fourth presents with Miscellaneous Aphorisms or Observations on the Providence of God The Last comprehends Directions for the better improvement of God's Providential Dispensations These are the Five general Parts and of these in their order according to that Providential phrase Heb. 6. 3. And this will we do if God permit A PROSPECT OF Divine Providence PART I. THAT there is a Providence 1. appears from those Sacred Hieroglyphicks Pictures or Representations thereof in Sacred Scripture He that shall climb Jacob's Ladder in his Meditations may behold the God of
to throw a strong Man to the ground and that by grappling with him hand to hand may well be interpreted miraculous there being no proportion of strength in the Child to that of a Mighty man And yet suppose the man is sitting according to a tottering posture in a Chair so that his body is in equal poâ—ze a small push of a child sends him head-long to the ground In like manner Providence by a wonderful conjunction of weak means in themselves and by opportune application of means brings forth a work very glorious See Judges 4. 21. and 7. 16 17 18. 2 Chron. 24. 23 24. Lastly Providenâ—e is distinguish't into immediate and mediate Immediate excludes the interposition or intervening of means instruments which God useth at other times as when the Lord himself preached to Adam Gen. 3. 9. Moses lives but not by the use of the creatures Exod. 34. 28. 2. Mediate when the Lord useth means 1. more common or general as the Angels for their ministry the Heavens and the Earth for Corn Wine and Oyl See Psal 148. and Hos 2. 21 22. 2. More peculiar and particularly destinated for such ends and purposes Isa 38. 21. Acts 10. 5 6. the Angel will not there take away Peter's work he willeth Cornelius to send for Simon Peter not Simon the Tanner for his Teacher Moreover Means in order to Effects and Consequents are 1. Necessary or definite which ordinarily work this way and no other as for the Sun to shine and give forth heat Psal 19. 4 5 6. 2. Contingent and indefinite whose effects before they exist might not so have been as considered with their next Causes though otherwise in respect of God his will to the contrary the said effects are necessary So the bones of Christ were not broken John 19. 31 32 33 with 36. CHAP. IV. PROVIDENCE in regard of the End Issues and Events hath its considerations 1. The End is ultimate or last and that is the Glory of God Rom. 11. 32 33 36. or intermediate which is the creatures serviceableness and usefulness according to its place or station in order to the former So the Heavens and the Earth are Caterers for Jezreel and that to the Lord's glory whose bounty and mercy are displayed in hearing the Heavens and the Earth for Jezreel Hos 2. ver 21 22. Again the Issues of Providence respecting matters are sometimes by way of furthering and succeeding things so that the ordinary particular End is attained so when God heareth the Heavens the Heavens the Earth the Earth the Corn and the Wine and Oyl and they hear Jezreel Hos 2. 21 22. Or secondly By way of dashing things notwithstanding a probability of such and such Ends though not of such Ends as Providence intendeth where and when the Lord crosseth disappointeth or thus dasheth in his Diâ—pensations See Isa 7. 5 6 7. Hag. 1. 6. 9 10 11. Lastly The Events of Providence are 1. Joyful which terminate in the good comfort happiness of the Creature Exod. 14. 30 31. Esth 9. 22. Or secondly Mournful or by way of smart distress tribulation as Exod. 14. 27 28. 2 Sam. 1. 12. Thus I have marshall'd up the several Distinctions or Considerations of Providence There are other subordinate Considerations of it yet reducible to some of the fore-mentioned Heads of Distinction or Consideration What those other Considerations are I may only point at Providence then may be considered as direct and collateral An instance for the former is the Lord 's stirring up Cyrus in order to the delivery of his people Ezra 1. An illustration for the later may be the Philistines invading the Land which at least in regard of any such thing intended by them was a by-blow for David's deliverance 1 Sam. 23. 26 27. Again Providence may be considered as more plain and obvious so that he who runs may read or more dark and intricate Moreover It may be considered as single or in part and as copulative as when the whole of a business is laid together Lastly It may be considered as concealing for a time or revealing bringing things to light These and the like Considerations being exemplified in the following pages I forbear enlargement here and so pass on to the Third Part of the Treatise PART III. THE Extent of Providence hath been touched by an enumeration of Creatures to which it extendeth as in the former Part of this Treatise hath been shewed To avoid then prolixity and repetition I shall here 1. Prove the extent of Providence to all the Creatures 2. Improve this Doctrine of General Extent by giving the Consectaries or Inferences from thence and under this later shall launch forth into some particular arms of this Sea where the passage may seem more difficult by reason of the noise of the Water-spouts the swelling of the waves and billows to the contrary And first then of the first CHAP. I. THE proof for the Extent of Providence appeareth divers ways as here briefly to be insisted on followeth 1. From express assertions in Scripture The assertions have their latitude they know no bounds of mans restriction so Neh. 9. 6. Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things therein and thou preservest them all and the host of heaven worshippeth thee say that godly company there on their solemn Day of Humiliation v. 1 4. In the Ark God not only took care of Noah but of the creatures It 's an observable expression which is in Gen. 8. 1. And God remembred Noah and every living thing and all the cattel that was with him in the Ark. To this addâ— what the Lord himself asserteth to this purpose in the 38 39 40 41 chapters of Job 2. From God without whose will and against whose will the will of Purpose nor of Precept discovered in his Law-giving Rules for man nothing comes to pass Are not two sparrows saith Christ sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father Mat. 10. 29. Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commandeth it not Lam. 3. 37. 3. From the Creatures which because they are Creatures are not independent or exempted in point of dependency from the first Cause These saith the Psalmist wait all upon thee that thou mayst give them their meat in due season Psal 104. 27. See further other places of Scripture which are quoted upon other particular accounts though upon the general account of Providence they are repeated as Hos 2. 21 22. Acts 17. 28. 4. From the cognation or kinship of Providence with Creation Providence as was before intimated is a kind of continued Creation God not only gives the creatures their beds to lye on but bear with the phrase makes their beds As Creation therefore is extensive to the creatures without exception as Gen. 1. 25. so likewise is the Lord 's upholding them and governing them to
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
Euchirid the loss of his way he found his safety in escaping the bloody Donatists who had way-laid him There was a good man who travelling on the road and intending for a certain place meets with one party and asketh the way to another place for which he intended not and which place he very well knew The man sets forward and meets with another party and demandeth alike from him and puts forwards to the place he intended for but not the place he so asked for A while after an Officer unknown to him was following him on the scent and meeting with the first party describes the man whom he hunted for asking whether the party saw such an one who replies Yea and he asked the way to such a place The like answer was given him by the next party who met him And so upon this light given the man groped in the dark and the poor Minister escaped the snare having had a kind of Providential Comment with Austin on that Text Prov. 20. 24. Man's goings are of the Lord. SECT 2. That the Providence of God reacheth to the sins of men yet so that it cannot truly be impeach't with pollution for as wicked men participate not in the righteousness of God though he useth them their lusts in a righteous way for his glory so Providence participates not in men's unrighteousness though they are the righteous instruments of Providence as Jehu and the Aslyrian King hath ber fore occasionally been intimated the less here may therefore be spoken and that the rather seeing more will be in another Part of this Trâ—atise I shall then lay down some Argument in the general for the proving of it and then adjoin some proper instructions from thence The Arguments from Scripture are as following 1. The punishing of sin with sin or sin as a righteous judgment of God is ascribed to God and owned by Him Thus Ezek. 14. 9. And if the prophet be dâ—ceived when he hath spoken a thing I the Lord have deceived that prophet and I will stretch out my hand upon him and will destroy him from my people Israel Rom. 1. 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves 2 Thes 2. 11. And for this cause he shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye Causa igitur obdurationis est voluntas avertens haec initiat voluntas resistens haec continuat Culpa promerens haec confirmat Deus gratiam non dans haec non liberat Deus juste puniens haec ordinat Gerson in 2da parte Operum p. 349. 2. The handing good in and through the sins of men is the work of Providence The good handed is 1. Spiritual So the death of Christ with the inestimable benefits flowing from thence is set forward by the sin of the Jews Him being delivered saith Peter by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledg of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Act. 2. 23. The conversion of souls and the exercise of converted ones graces are set forward by the furies of men through an over-ruling Providence see Act. 8. 5 6 7 8. Phil. 1. 12 13 14. 2. Good temporal or as it referreth to the outward man is brought about this way Joseph acknowledgeth so Gen. 45. 7 8 9. We read in 1 Sam. 30. 13 14 15. how the barbarous cruelty of an Amalekite towards his sick servant was an introduction to the recovery of captives and goods which the Enemy there had carried away from Ziklag I have read how the Protestants of Beziers in France were wonderfully preserved on this wise A drunken Drummer going to his Quarters in the mid-night rings out the larum-bell of the Town and at that very instant the Enemies were at the Wall seeking and â—ssaying for a surprisal of the Town 3. If God's Providence be knock't off from sinners his Government will be little or no Government for the greatest part of men in the world are such in whose hearts sin hath its regency see 1 John 5. 19. Ephes 2. 2. this then were to narrow the supream regency of Christ Scriptura ostendit non solum bonas renatorum voluntates quas ipse facit ex malis verum etiam illas quae conservant saeculi creaturam ita esse in Dei potestate ut eas quò voluerit quando volueri faciat inclinari vel ad beneficia quibusdam praestanda vel ad poena quibusdam ingerendas sicut ipse judicat occultissimo quidem judicio sed sine dubitatione just issimo August de grat lib. arbit cap. 20. who rules in the midst of enemies according to that in Psal 110. 2. 4. God hath his various ways of access to mens sinful and sinning dispositions judgments Manisestum est operari Deum in cordibus hominum ad inclinandas eorum voluntates quocunque voluerit siâ—e ad bona pro misericordiâ sive ad mala pro meritis eorum indicio utique sno aliquando aperto aliquando occulto semper autem justo August de grat lib. arbit c. 21. and affections some of these ways are explicable others inexplicable yet all righteous We may safely wade in these waters having the Scripture for a guide Three ways amongst others as explicable in comparison of other foot-steps of Providence without foot-steps to be seen and traced by the weak eye of mortal man the Scripture points out as 1. That way of Providence in the denial and substraction of such help assistance prosperous influence which the Lord is not obliged to give or continue Thus the Lord in times past suffered all Nations to walk in their own ways Acts 14. 16. and so the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and no wonder then if the spirit in regard of political influences breathes not as formerly that both Family and Kingdom go down the wind See 1 Sam. 16. 14. 1 Chron. 10. 13 14. Moreover another way how Providence is concerned here is by letting loose Satan this and that way to work Satan is a skilful Engineer to go through with the black work which by a Divine permission and commission he undertakes so it s said There came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord and said I will perswade him and the Lord said unto him Wherewith and he said I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets and he said Thou shalt perswade him and prevail also go forth and do so 1 King 22. 21 22. Lastly There are occasions offered whereby wicked ones yet through their own lusts are ensnared The waters of the Sanctuary are pure and good men's lusts like lime are inflamed when these waters are providentially cast on them Amaziah is causlesly offended with wholsome counsel The bridle to check sin becomes a spurr to edg him on in the road-way of sin where he meets with
a break-neck fall at last 2 Chron. 25. 15 16. Pertinent for this purpose is that in Isa 6. 10. Make the heart of this people fat make their ears heavy c. and that in Isa 28. 13. The word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept precept upon precept line upon line line upon line here a little and there a little that they might go and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken And thus for the Arguments the Instructions follow 1. Take no encouragement to sin because God's Providence is righteously versant about sin Some there were in Paul's days who did fly-blow his Doctrine and pretend absurdities from thence Rom. 3. 8. On what hindg their corrupt reasoning did hang is intimated v. 5. The Apostle doth reply there as one well observeth Dr. Sclater 1. by way of caution I speak after or according to man that is not in mine own person as if I either approved or devised such a deduction 2. By way of detestation Gâ—… forbid that shews his abhorrency 3. By way of confutation else how shall God judg the world The manner of answer may in Logick seem absurd but is in Christianity the best that can bâ— shaped to deniers of Principles neither was it want of skill that made the Apostle deny the conclusion but wisdom rather to direct God's children how to carry themselves towards such as question undoubted Principles still hold evident truths yea though thou know not how to assayl doubts raised by men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth The direct answer is not here expressed by the Apostle partly for the cavil is so odious that it required rather detestation than answer partly because the answer was so obvious that any man might frame it See what it is the answer is on this manner That it followeth not because the illustration of God's glory flows not from our sins either by the nature of them or by the intention of the committer but by accident rather 2. Make not apologies and defences for sin comitted by way of reflection on the Providence of God There is an evil this way Adam saith The woman whom thou gavest me to be with me she gave me of the tree and I did eat Gen. 3. 12. Aaron doth little less than glance at Providence in giving a form to the Calf I said unto them saith he to Moses whosoever hath any gold let him break it off so they gave it me then I cast it into the fire and there came out this Calf Exod. 32. 24. 3. Eye the Providence of God in and about sin so as to admire love and thank him who is wonderfully gracious even when men are monstrously vicious Joseph did look through the villanies of his brethren to the All-wise Providence of God Gen. 50. 20. Peter who arraigns the Jews of Murder in Acts 2. 23. breaks forth into Doxology or large Encomion of the free-grace of God displayed in the death and resurrection of Christ whom the Jews had so barbarously murdered See 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. SECT 3. What is meant by Contingents here may be demanded by some of a weaker understanding I shall therefore premise a few things before I close in with the proof of the extent of Providence to these Contingents then in the general are such which according to their proper nature in themselves considered have an hability propensity or inclination to act this way or that and to fall out this way or that and may here be considered three ways 1. Contingents are considered 1. in equal balance so that the effect and consequent before it is is not determinable more one way than another 2. As having a propendulous and approaching propensity to one way more than another 2. Contingents are considered 1. in regard of natural things these may for distinction sake be termed Casual 2. In regard of voluntary Agents Thus the acts of the Will are accounted Contingent in respect of the different objects about which they are taken up and also in respect of one and the same object but as differently versant about it whether as willing or nilling 3. Contingents are considered as single or implicated so that there is a combination or conjunction of them as casual or voluntary or both An exemplification hereof is in Joseph his case there was an heap of Contingencies if we consider his Father 's sending him to his brethren or not sending him his brethren's so acting as they did or not so acting the Ismaelites passing by at that time or not passing by their buying him or not buying of him moreover it is said Joseph was cast into the pit and the pit was empty there was no water in it Gen. 37. 24. that there was a pit there nigh at hand and that this pit which was receptive of water and probably destinated for that end was now without water is all contingent Here we have a Chain of Contingencies some links whereof will contribute to the proof of the matter in hand in what now followeth both by way of argument and instruction First then the Scripture plainly asserts the extent of Providence to contingent matters Solomon who had made a deep search both into the works of Creation and Providence attesteth this and that 1. with respect to voluntary Contingents Prov. 16. 1. The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Men think to bring forth this and that dish on the table and in this or that order but there is a wise controlling Providence Saepe apud se constituunt homines politici quid in confessu judicum ad milites ad populum apud principes dicturi sint sed responsionem linguae Deus pro sua Providentia temperat Exempla extant oratorum qui in magna frequentiâ hominum turpiter obmutuerunt Concionatores saepe rem aliquam diligenter meditantur postquam vero suggestum conscendunt omnium oculos in se conversos vident trepidant quae diligenter meditati sunt quemadmodum optarent proferre non possunt Mala etiam sibi dicendi homines proponunt sed nisi Deus justo judicio eos loqui permittat quod volunt nequaquam possunt Exemplo res crit manifesta Balaam ariolus corruptus pecuniâ regis Ammonitici devovere Israelitas statuerat sed velit nolit bona imprecari eis cogitur Quod de sermone dicitur multo magis de sactis est intelligendum Lavat Com. in locum such and such dishes come not on the table the Council-table or not in that order are they placed as was intended Again 2. with respect to Contingents natural or casual and so in the same Chapter it is said The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord v. 33. What is more contingent in it self than a Lot yet here is the disposing-hand of Providence seen Exemplifications there are for this in Achan the tribe of Judah
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-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
esse dicitur quem colorem insigne fuisse regni veteres Historiae sacrae prophanae docent 3 Quod capillus ejus similis dicitur fuisse lanae purae i. e. ab omni parte purissimus simplicissimus adeò ut ne in ea quidem parte quae in homine a natura vacare sordibus non potest vel minimum vitiùm aut vestigium ejus deprehendi potuerit of the Lord as righteous according to Daniel's Vision there are not wanting plain assertions in Scripture that in Dan. 32. 4. He is the rock his work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he And that in Psal 105. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Moreover let it be considered here 1. That some of God's Saints who have been stumbled at some passages of Providence have had satisfaction when the Lord hath let forth his light into their judgments or understandings they have seen their folly and given him the glory of his Dispensations So Job 42. 2 3. So that Prophet Psal 73. 16 17 22. 2. That considering who the Lord is He whose Will as declared to man is for a Rule and who borrows not a rectitude from the Creature it is wisdom to hold to this That his ways though they are above our Reason yet never against Right We find this to be the path wherein we are to walk when objections to the contrary offer themselves by way of diversion from the said path So Jer. 12. 1. Righteous art thou O Lord yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments c. So Paul What shall we say then Is there unrighteousness with God God forbid Rom. 9. 14. Nequaquam autem injustum possumus dicere in quo divinum esse judicium non possumus denegare quia summa justitia est voluntas Dei Neque enim id eò non justum est quod Divinitas agit quia capere vim divinae justitiae homo non valet Salv. de guber Dei lib. 1. p. 23. CHAP. II. 1. FROM the Lord 's having his Secrets or Depths learn 1. To reverence so high and glorious a God Shall the reputed Oracles Si scire vis quid tenendum sit habes literas Sacras perfecta ratio est hoc tenere Quâ causâ autem Deus haec de quibus loquimur ita faciat nolo à me requiras Homo sum non intelligo secreta Dei investigare non audeo ideo etiam attentare formido quia hoc ipsum genus quasi sacrilegae temeritatis est si plus scire cupias quam sinaris sufficiat tibi quod Deus à se agi ac dispensari cuncta testatur Salv. de guber Dei lib. 3. p. 64. for Wisdom be cry'd up in the world and shall not the God of Infinite Wisdom be acknowledged Paul was high in knowledg and caught up into Paradise 2 Cor. 12. 4. and yet hath ground enough to admire the Lord's wisdom whose judgments are unsearchable and his ways past finding out Rom. 11. 33. 2. To be thankful for the Lord 's discovering himself in and about such a Dispensation which otherwise for want of light antecedent or consequent might by reason of the darkness of the understanding have had a black improvement It was a condescention of the Lord to Abraham in that what he was about to do to Sodom was not hid from Abraham who hath a debate with the Lord concerning the process of Providence against Sodom see Gen. 18. 17 c. There is something by way of proportion to the Lord's discoveries to Abraham in God's intimations preparations as they respect a future dispensation as some Christians have experienced in some matters And not only is thankfulness due to God for an antecedent light about matters but also for consequent discovery when this or that dispensation hath its actuall existence Joshua was startled at the â—i Providence God satisfied him abundantly see Josh 7. Let it then be remembred That if the Lord discover himself to any as unto friends the greater obligation is on them by way of a thankful deportment considering they are but servants as Christ teacheth John 15. 15. 2. From the Lord as righteous in all his ways learn 1. To reject or cast out the bill of black complaints against the Lord's dealings Providence is not a Ship loaden with injustice theâ—e are no such wares in this bottom however some passengers in the Ship of Fools say the contrary It was an old slander or blasphemy rather The way of the Lord is not equal Ezek. 18. 25. The confutation of this is annexed there 1. more generally and that 1. by way of contra-position or implied assertion Hear now O Israel is not my way equal That interrogation is a strong affirmation 2. By way of retortion the Lord turns the Cannon about and fires it on themselves saying Are not your ways unequal that is they are And this is the reply in the general 2. There is a reply more particularly in the following verses where we have the Lord's condescending-apology or defence about his sparing some and punishing others in his Providence But not to enlarge on that in the next place it follows 2. Hold to this That the Lord is righteous Veruntamen de hac altitudine discretionis Dei non conturbabitur cor nostrum si firma stabili side omne judicâ—um Dei Justum esse credamus nec appetamus habere cognitum quod voluit esse secretum ut ubi investigari non potest quare ita judicet sufficiat scire quis judicet Ambros lib. 2. de vocat Gent. Let not only the tongue but the heart and sweetly-silent conversation keep up a correspondence with this truth And to this end consider 1. Have Princes their Reason of State Generalissimo's their Designs in warr allow'd them according to a charitable construction as in Gideon's case whose stratagem in falling upon the Midianites with Trumpets earthen Pitchers and the Lamps in them is not rejected by the Soldiers as a merry or mad frolick of their Leader Judg. 7. And shall not the All-wise God who abuseth not Reason of State as a covert for wickedness as men do sometimes be owned as Wise Just Holy in his Administrations though we see not for the present the bottom of his designs 2. Is it not to be observed how they were discontented spirits unclean ones who did mutter against Christ saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God an thou come hither to torment us before the time Mat. 8. 29. The Devils here have their plea anâ— would fasten injustice on Christ 3. Is not a cavilling spirit at the Lord's dispensations bad both in its roots and fruits What are the roots of it but 1. Ignorance Psal 73. 22. 2. Pride this lifteth up Hâ—… 2. 3 4. 3. Impatiency or want of waiting on God to see issues
from the Soveraign Will of God who could have wrought otherwise 7. In carrying on some in their journey heavenward without such falls by the way as others have had David Jonah Peter did splinter their bones though they brake not their necks they fell into the mire though they wallowed not in it as swine of the Devils Herd We do not find that Paul with others had such plunges after their primitive or first acquaintance with Jesus Christ I know saith Paul nothing by my self yet am I not hereby justified 1 Cor. 4. 4. 8. In landing some at the Port of Heaven as it were with top and top-gallant pennents streaming and flags flying They go out of the world triumphantly they are in Heaven before they are in Heaven a sight they have of the Beatifical Vision on earth Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into beaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God Acts 7. 55 56. Others though they may have as much of inherent grace yea sometimes more yet go out of the world in a cloud though not in a stinking snuff Christ himself upon the Deity 's suspension of his operation goes off the stage of the world with a My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27. 46. 2. In Temporals or matters referring to this life the Lord 's Soveraign Will is displayed 1. In giving such a beeing for kind That the Efficiency of God was not otherwise employed in regard of the object at such a season or in some other way as Adam was made out of the dust of the earth Eve not so immediately but out of a rib of Adam is from the Lord who acts as he pleaseth It was replied by the weeping Shepherd to the two Cardinals going to the Council of Constance and demanding of the Shepherd why he was so pathetical I admire saith he the Lord that I was not made as yonder Toad Job takes notice of the Lord's Providence in his beeing and the mode of it saying Hast thou not poured me out like milk and crudled me as cheese thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh and hast fenced me with bones and sinews thou hast granted me life and favour and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit Job 10. 10 11 12. 2. In bestowing all the integral parts of the body in regard of their respective functions offices and operations Thine eyes saith David did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them Psal 139. 16. That thou wast not a Creeple from the womb or blind as thâ—… man John 9. 6. is from God's Soveraign good pleasure 3. In being birthed into the world at such or such a time The time might have been such when the women did eat their fruit and children of a span long Lam. 2. 20. Our Saviour speaks of some black days when he saith Wo unto them which are with child and to them that give suck in those days Mat. 24. 19. see moreover there v. 21 22. 4. In portioning forth the places of habitation There is a wise soveraign lot of Providence in God's disposal of parties to their respective places of abode God saith Paul hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Acts 17. 26. Some in regard of places for accommodation whether for the outward man or inward or both may say The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly heritage Psal 16. 6. 5. In calling some to one employment others to another Bezaleel is a skilful Artificer Exod. 31. beginning of the Chapter He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep-folds from following the ews great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance Psal 78. 70 71. Jeremiah was ordained a Prophet Jer. 1. 5. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord saith Paul who enabled me for that he counted me faithful putting me into the ministry 1 Tim. 1. 12. 6. In giving to some such and such Relations When Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children Who are these with thee saith he to Jacob and he said The children which God hath graciously given thy servant Gen. 33. 5. Job was bereft of his children God gives him posterity again for he had seven sons and three daughters Job 42. 13. These living-goods came out of God's Treasure-house That reply of Jacob to Rachel saying Give me children or else I dye doth attest the soveraign will of God Am I said Jacob in God's stead who hath with-held from thee the fruit of the womb Gen. 30. 2. 7. In giving and continuing to some as long as he pleaseth Land Wealth Health Friends Liberty to others not so He maketh peace in thy borders and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat Psal 147. 14. Others cut up Mallows by the bushes and Juniper-roots for their meat Job 30. 4. The rich man feasteth and hath his Purple and fine Linnen Lazarus is laid at his gate full of sores Luke 16. 19 20. Pharoah hath his liberty to gallop up and down Egypt Joseph was sold for a servant whose feet they hurt with fetters he was laid in irons Psal 105. 17 18. 8. In taking some out of the world in the morning of their age others at mid-day others in the evening Many Candles are puft out ere they burn out to the socket of old age yea some no sooner lighted but are extinguisht and many with one breath are blown out together as in a Plague-time and season of Warr. Shall any saith Job teach God knowledg seeing he judgeth those that are high One dieth in his full strength being wholly at ease and at quiet his breasts are full of milk and his bones are moistned with marrow and another dieth in the bitterness of his soul and never eateth with pleasure they shall lye down alike in the dust and the worms shall cover them Job 21. 22 c. A young Abijah in whom is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel dies when wicked ones survive him see 1 Kings 14. 12 13. Now that the Soveraignty of God displayed should be a golden bitt to check man's corruption appeareth 1. If due respect ought to be had to Superiors much more ought it to be yielded to God who is absolute Lord. Elihu harps on this string Job 34. 17 18 19. Nebuchadnezzar is taught this lesson Dan. 4. 34 35. 2. Otherwise what is it but to exalt Clay to the Pottership He that quarrelleth with God's Dispensations doth so far forget that confession of saith Isa 64. 8. But now O Lord thou art our Father we are the clay and thou our Potter and we all are the work of thy hands Si reputarent homines sibi negotium esse cum Deo puderet ipsos contra suum opificem insurgere
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
back pleads his insufficiency yea when that is answered by God he hath nothing else to say and that indeed was too unmannerly to be said Send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send Exod. 4. 10 11 12 13. 5. In not heeding and improving some foregoing Providence in order to a grapple with some future difficulty It is said of the Disciples They cried out and were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondred Mar. 6. 49 51. What was the ground of their disquiet Fear Was there no Antidote to have checkt their trouble Yea there was for Christ had done that before at land which might have quieted them at sea the Miracle of the Loaves might have fed their faith which would not then have been so sea-sick this seems to be intimated in v. 52. For they considered not of the loaves for their heart was hardned We see then that there is fault in crossing with the Methods of Providence and it hath been shewed particularly how persons do thus cross What remains but to be on our watch and that the rather considering these two things 1. Satan hath his Methods which are wily ones for so the Apostle Paul asserteth Eph. 6. 11. Satan's design is to pervert and subvert He will be busie to make a man unprofitable under the Methods of the Lord He labours to make men slight warnings storm under afflictions stifle convictions to be backward to any good work God calleth them unto and to be forgetful of special Providences which may have their future reference for support under Difficulties 2. It 's man's wisdom to comply with the Methods of the Lord. Ephraim is called an unwise son and why for he should not stay long in the place of breaking forth of children Hos 13. 13. To be stupid and blockish under the Lord's Dispensations not to eye God in them and to have a recourse to Him and to improve them for good is to be the unwise son with Ephraim OBSERVATION XIV Jesus Christ as Mediator is the Father's Vicegerent Plenipotentiary or Supream Moderator of things in the World CHAP. I. VVHAT foundation this hath in the Word may appear divers ways 1. There are types of this before Christ assumed the human nature This is he that was in the Church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai and with out fathers who received the lively oracles to give unto us to whom our fathers would not obey but thrust him from them so Stephen Acts 7. 38 39. To this add that in Dan. 10. 16. Zech. 1. 12. And as there are sacred Draughts or Pictures of this so Predictions of it Deut. 17. 15. with Acts 7. 37. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear Psal 110. 1. with Mat. 22. 44. The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool Daniel had a predictory Vision I saw saith he in the night visions and behold one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of days and they brought him near before him and there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7. 13 14. 2. There seems to be a notable praeludium or preface to this in Christ's sitting in the midst of the Doctors both hearing them and asking them questions and in his reply to Mary Wist ye not that I must be about my father's business Luke 2. 46 49. And before this in the Wise-men's coming from the East enquiring after him who was born King of the Jews and doing their homage to him as Mat. 2. 1 2 11. 3. The solemn voice from Heaven when Christ inaugurated or entred on his publick Ministerial work doth witness to this Mat. 3. 17. And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And so in Luke 9 35. There came a voice out of the cloud saying This is my beloved Son hear him 4. There are plain and positive Assertions on this wise Mat. 28. 18. All power is given unto me both in heaven and in earth Ephes 1. 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church Mat. 13. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels John 5. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of man Compare this with v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son This is saith Musculus as if so be we should speak of the Sun the Sun burns not any one but hath given all burning to his beams This kind of speech doth not exclude the Sun from a virtue or efficacy to burn or illuminate but ascribes the work of burning and enlightning to his beams in and by which the Sun doth burn and enlighten for what heat and splendor the beams have they have it from the Sun After this sort the Father is said to judg no out but to have committed all judgment to the Son when he judgeth all things in the Son CHAP. II. 1. SEE what ground there is for honouring Christ This inference Christ himself deducteth That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him John 5. 23. with 22. Honour Christ then in his Natures in his Offices as King Priest and Prophet in his Ordinances in his Gospel-day for worship in his Ministers and People Honour Him both in judgment and practice with due respect had to Him according to the fore-mentioned ways 2. What a bold Adventure is it for the sons of men to affront Christ or rage against Him This is an Evil cautioned against and the attempts of men as they will be fruitless so no less dangerous to themselves if they desist not What do sinners but take a great deal of pains to get a Stone of vast bigness up the hill and when it is nigh up back it returns and crusheth themselves The Psalmist is pertinent to this purpose Psal 2. there is a Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing v. 1. The interrogation hath its dehortative considerations No reason so to do And as it is horrid sin so no less folly in regard of the issue The Lord laughs at such foolish Children's play v. 4. Christ is on the holy hill of Zion v. 6. there is no beating him off that hill Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel v. 9. 3. Here is ground for support and consolation in the Wilderness of this World Christ
the more encouraged to mind such work as God calleth unto and that notwithstanding wants and exigencies which present themselves The Lord hath ways enough to help and provide meat for labourers in his vinyard He can prevent wants supply them sanctifie them When I sent you saith Christ to his Disciples without purse and scrip and shooes lacked ye any thing and they said Nothing Luk. 22. 35. 7. What ground is there for sinners to consider of their ways and to turn unto the Lord with all their heart How quickly can the Lord of Hosts draw forth a file of dextrous Marks-men who shall gall them with a slight of Arrows In Deut. 28. there is an Armory of Divine Vengeance All these curses it is said v. 15. shall come upon thee and overtake thee And if the sinner thinks he'â— flye from the curse and get into the City and so be safe there or into the Countrey and have all well there all this will not secure for cursed shalt thou be in the city and cursed shalt thou be in the field v. 16. God who is every where can find out sinners any where Lastly What foundation is there for support and consolation to all pious ones who keep close to God in ways of Faith Love and Obedience They have the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and earth for their Father Some reckon themselves happy to have the countenance of great ones who often prove like Job's Brook that passeth away Job 6. 15. They are the happy ones who have the benign aspect of the great God and therefore godly ones have ground to bear up cheerfully having an interest in a Kingly Friend or Friendly King Let Israel rejoice in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King Psal 149. 2. OBSERVATION XVII One and the same Creature may prove a Cordial or a Corrosive a Friend or Foe as God in his Providence ordereth CHAP. I. BEFORE hath been shewed how the Creatures are at the beck of God Here is a further illustration of that in the general but a more particular discovery how one and the same Creature is after a different sort at the beck of Providence The truth of this Observation appears 1. From assertions in Scripture So Job 37. Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud be scattereth his bright cloud and it is turned about by his counsels that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth He causeth it to come whether for correction or a rod or for his land or for mercy v. 11 12 13. And as this holds in things natural so also immoral agents so Prov. 16. 7. When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him An Enemy as the Lord when and where he pleaseth to exert his will becomes a Friend and a Friend an Enemy 2. From Exemplifications So the same waters which were Israel's Fortress are a Sepulcher or Grave for the Egyptians Psal 135. 13 14 15. The Egyptians deal with the Israelites at their going out of Egypt rather as with sons and daughters than as slaves they give them their portions The Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians so that they lent unto them such things as they required Exod. 12. 32. It is said of Nebuchadnezzar They shall drive thee from men Dan. 4. 32. Who were those Drivers but those that were his Restorers for so it is said v. 36. My Counsellors and my Lords sought unto me and I was established in my kingdom and excellent majesty was added to me Paul from a Persecutor of the Christians becomes a solid Preacher to them Acts 9. 20 21. 3. From particular Demonstrations and that from the Creatures proving 1. Friends 2. Foes First Whoso shall consider God as Almighty need not question the Creatures becoming Friends for 1. Though the Creatures have their noxious qualities yet God can and doth inhibit them from hurting when he sees good so to do A Lion slew the Prophet and not the Ass which stood by the Carkass 1 King 13. 24. The Lions devour not Daniel but they have the mastery of his accusers and break all their bones in pieces ere ever they came to the bottom of the Den Dan. 6. 24. A Viper fast'ned on Paul's hand and he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm Acts 28. 3 5. Daniel's Lions and Paul's Viper become negative friends for they hurt them not And positive friends occasionally inasmuch as these Creatures being served with a Divine Writ of Inhibition Both King Darius and the barbarous people are induced to shew kindness to these servants of God Dan. 6. 23 to the end and Acts 28. 6 7 8 9 10. 2. As God doth inhibit Creatures from being hurtful so he doth to a wonder render them helpful and useful They were the barbarous people that shewed no little kindness to Paul and that before the Viper-Providence happened Acts 28. 2. Elijah had a notable experiment of this I have saith the Lord commanded the ravens to feed thee 1 King 17. 3. The Ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening v. 6. one would have thought the Ravens were not fit Trustees for bread and flesh they would rather have eaten it than brought it to be eaten but what shall they not do if the great I of Heaven and Earth hath so appointed I could tell here a story from a very good hand How a good man was in very great distress for want of food and at the very nick of such a pinching want a strange Dog unknown to belong to any of his neighbours comes in to his house with a shoulder of Mutton which he fairly lays down and gets him away having discharged the office of a good Market man for those who could eat that Commons hunger being their best sawce 3. Suppose the Lord do not work according to the forementioned ways yet He according to his Infinite Power Wisdom and Mercy can and doth in his Providence render the Creatures as Friends another way We may distinguish Friends into intentional ones and eventual ones Joseph's Brethren acted as enemies and whilst they thus act they are eventually as the Lord over-ruleth his friends Gen. 45. 5. I make no question but divers can say How their greatest enemies have in some respect been their greatest friends whilst others have play'd the Turks with them they have become the better Christians Secondly The Creatures become enemies as the Lord shall make use of them for wise and righteous ends or purposes 1. Some Creatures have their natural defensive and offensive arms which they quickly make use of when the sign of battel is given by the Lord of Hosts David tells of the paw of the Lion and the paw of the Bear 1 Sam. 17. 37. We read of two she-bears which came forth out of the Wood and tare Forty
fit And in those times when Israel for a long season had been without the true God and without a teaching-Priest and without the Law there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countreys and nation was destroyed of nation and city of city for God did vex them with all adversity 2 Chron. 15. 3 5 6. Why said Zâ—chariah to the people transgress ye the commandments of the Lord that ye cannot prosper Because ye have forsaken the Lord he hath also forsaken you 2 Chron. 24. 20. They were in the Prophet Haggai's time for their Cieled Houses and neglected the House of the Lord and what saith the Prophet Ye have sown much and bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough ye drink but ye are not filled with drink ye clothe you but there is none warm and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes Hag. 1. 4 6. Scultetus reports a memorable Annal. Dec. 2. p. 393. passage of Ferdinand the Emperor who when battels were unhappily fought said being very sad to his Councellors I wonder how it comes to pass that all my designs fall out very unhappily To him one of Austria couragiously replies saying That which in all ages happens to Kings and Emperors the same O Emperor happens to thee Call to mind the History of the Kings of Israel and Judah and thou shalt find that for their spilling human blood and winking at sins grievous enemies by Divine Judgment were stirred up whom they were not able to resist If at any time they did purpose to fight the enemy they fought unhappily Neither therefore mayest thou expect any other fortune unless thou desist from thy purpose in oppugning Religion Thus he to Ferdinand And it would be well then when persons meet with clashing-excursions of Providence a series or chain of them they would think on that of Rebeccah If it be so why am I thus and she went and enquired of the Lord Gen. 25. 22. Or that of Jeremiah Let us search and try our ways and turn again unto the Lord Lam. 3 40. Fourthly There are the signal Sallies of Providence in regard of Marriages House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the Lord Prov. 19. 14. What is said of a prudent Wife doth by a rational proportion hold of a prudent Husband both are from the Lord by way of a signal Dispensation of Providence and are so comparatively before Riches and Inheritance Non quod domus c. simpliciter pure non sit etiam Dei donum deinde quod major quaedam oculatior sit Dei in Uxorum piarum consecutione Providentia quam in haereditatis consequendae ratione Cartw. More particularly there are four things here observable 1. The party or parties considered This man and not another notwithstanding it may be sometimes probabilities in regard of another and so this woman and not another and that though born and bred at a distance Ruth 1. 16. with Ruth 4 6. 10. 2. The occasion way or means how brought together Moses flies into the land of Midian and there he marries Zipporah see Exod. 2. 21. Ruth was drawn off from her own Countrey and in the way of pious and industrious poverty ascends from a Gleaner in the field to be the Mistris in the house see Ruth 2. There is a wonderful connexion of things by way of an introduction to marriage of parties to be observed sometimes 3. The time when some at least enter on this state of Matrimony Some who seem to pass the flower of their age meet with a good Match Delays of Providence are recompenced with the comfortable returns of Providence Isaac had a good Wife in Rebeccah and it is said of him he was forty years old when he took Rebeccah Though the like age be not now required in regard they were longer-liv'd in that age of the world yet it were well if persons would play the Isaacs be pious solid know the duties of a married estate before marriage No wonder if Christ be not at the Weddings of some when Mammon Pride Rashness Discontent of heart and the like lead the Bride to Church 4. The wonderful sympathy and consonancy Rari sunt quibus non obrepant fastidia uxorum Calv. of affection between parties and that though there are other men and other women which in regard of beauty parts and wealth may rather commend them The two are one flesh Gen 2. 24. not only in regard of the Lord's Institution but love and affection for the main kept up To these things may be added the signal displays of Providence in regard of Children the fruit of Marriage There is a remark display of Providence sometimes in not having them So Jer. 22. 30. This saith the Lord Write this man childless c. And there is on the other hand as remark a display in the having of them as in Sarah having an Isaac Gen. 18 14. Hannah a Samuâ—l 1 Sam. 1. 20. with ch 2. Elizabeth a John the Baptist Luke 1. 13. with 18. Fifthly There are the sallies of Providence in order to the conversion of parties to God or goodness Paul makes a narrative how the good Shepherd brought home the lost sheep Acts 26. He declares there what he was by nature and what he is by grace He who was the High-Priest's Blood-hound becomes a Lamb of Christ's Fold Free-grace was eminently displayed in his conversion for the very time of his rage and madness against the people of God was the time of God's dropping grace into his heart Christ then planted him on Zion's ground when he intended to root up Christians Here I might insist on 1. The occasion means remote and near 2. The time when 3. The manner how Providence is conversant about the calling home of parties But this might prove too large an Excursion in this place Sixthly There are the sallies of Providence in regard of mortification-mortification-work or progress in the ways of God The House of the Christian is not built as soon as the foundation is laid There is growth in grace and in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ required 2 Pet. 3. 18. How the Lord doth promote this work may in brief be touched in three things 1. By way of discovery of slips and sinful imprudencies even after conversion Even a David needs a Nathan to alarum him 2 Sam. 12. and though some do not fall so foully as David did in regard of heinous sins yet the sinful imprudencies after conversion are matter for humiliation The breakings forth of spiritual pride rashness censoriousness and such like evils unto which young Converts or weak Christians are incident have a day of reckoning in the Court of Providence The brighter and clearer the Sun breaks in at the Window the better is discerned a small object as a pin on the
putaret longè in posterum prospexisse atque remedia comparâsse illud unum duntaxat se praeteriisse quod scilicet nunquam putaret sub ejus morte sibi etiam cum morte esse confligendum Nichol. Machiav Prin. c. 7. how to manage all to his own interest on his Father's death little thought of his own sickness at that very time whereby all his other politick provision made did avail nothing It 's worthy of observation how there is a check given at the nick of the intended application of Means and that sometimes by some single emergency of one thing or other and sometimes by a throng of contingents and occurrencies God will be known to be supream man points and the Lord disappoints Providence hath many ways to overturn the Politicians Cart. Little doth the Driver imagine what may happen by the way notwithstanding he may pretend great skill in driving an Asse with her long ears or some other object may fright his Team of Horses and all the tackling is rent to pieces yea it may be a Cart-wheel goes over our Politick Drivers and what then becomes of all Political Skill or Skilful Policy 7. Suppose the application of Means are not thus check't yet how is all over-ruled and hath another issue than was meerly intended The Bowl hits the Jack yet lies at such distance from it that it wins not the Cast Here we consider the issue of the application of the Means two ways 1. In respect of Saints 2. In respect of Sinners or The Designed and the Designers 1. In respect of the Designed or those who are made at by wicked ones The worst that wicked men can do is ordered for the best The dirt and dung of the World shall contribute to the goodly Field of the Lord. Shimei his lying and reproaches yea the drunken drâ—…lery of others in David's days shall do a David good 2 Sam. 16. and Psal 79. 12 13. There was a Court-Project to cast Daniel into the Den of Lions the King was circumvented in that business no help for a Daniel but from God the Plot which took was broken by its success Had not Daniel been thrown in what had been become of those signal Dispensations of Providence towards Daniel as consequents thereon see Dan. 6. 26 27 28. Suppose the Plot of these Courtiers as for the utmost end of it the ruin of Daniel had taken yet Daniel had been no loser to dye for his God they had no thank to their pride envy murder been instruments for the promoting of Daniel in an higher Court than that of Darius For blessed are they which dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14. 13. 2. In respect of the Designers and so what they have done is a foundation for checking what they after attempt to do another way As it is said of Mithridates that he had so inured his body to counter-poysons to prevent poyson that when he would poyson himself then it was the more difficult to effect it And as it happens to the Carpenter he wimbles an hole and a piece of the Wimble is left behind which obstructs the pin so that it hath not firm footing Some who are deluded by Jesuits and intended to be Instruments to check the progress of the Gospel after may become sturdy resistants of Jesuitical Designs another way being taken to obstruct the Gospel And thus the Hedg of Thorns may become through an over-ruling Providence a good fence to the bed of Roses God is wise who makes the earth even that which brings forth briers and thorns to help his people to allude to that in Rev. 12. 16. Again What men after do lays foundation for confusion and vexation in reference to what they have done They may be said to dance in a net for the more they are entangled The chief Priests and Pharises come to Pilate desire the Sepulcher be made sure lâ—…t Christ's Disciples come by night steal him away and say unto the people He is risen from the dead and so the last error should be worse than the first Mat. 27. 62 63 64. Here we have their Petition and in v. 65 66 Pilate's Concession Indulgence or Grant But what is the issue of all Christ riseth to the terror of the Keepers shame of the Priests and Pharises and the consolation of the Disciples see Mat. 28. Lastly What men do to ruin God's people ends often in the ruin of them and theirs That day in which the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them was turned to the contrary so that the Jews had rule over them that hated them Esth 9. 1. Haman and his ten sons perish v. 10. They who accused Daniel they their children wives are cast into the Den of Lions Dan. 6. 24. The bloody Massacre at Paris was paid home with blood for blood for as is related Cossin the Field-Marshal with Twenty-thousand is slain at the Rochel siege Charles the ninth wallowed in his own blood which issued out of all parts of his body The Duke of Guise murdered in the King 's own Chamber the Duke of Anjou who succeeded his Brother Charles the Ninth was stabbed by a Monk and the Queen-Mother with grief broke her heart Men have little encouragement to play the Achitophels or Doegs against the Lord's Davids let them remember the Halter of the one and Curse denounced against the other Psal 52. 5. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever he shall take thee away and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place and root thee out of the land of the living Selah CHAP. II. 1. LEARN what folly it is for men to set their Wits on work against the Lord's people Surely there is no inchantmeâ—… against Jacob neither is there any divination agâ—…st Israel said Balaam of old Numb 23. 23 It were well then if they who go in the way of Balaam the thick-clay-way of worldly Interest would seriously consider Jude v. 11. Wo unto them for they have gone in the way of Câ—in and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward and perished in the gain-saying of Core 2. There is no reason for those who truly fear God to be disquieted though sinners set their heads together and dig as deep as Hell for their plots against the Church of Christ Two things here are worthy of consideration 1. A Saint shall do more by his plain prayer to God than a Sinner by his intricate policy shall do against a Child of God O Lord I pray thee said David turn the counsel of Achitophel into foolishness 2 Sam. 17. 31. David by a short and pathetical petition to God prays a wise Multos Achitopheles hodie Antichristus habet secum quod intelligimus ex illis quae astutè agit abundat Papatus copiis Principum armis sed astuta consiliâ— magis timenda sunt Imitemur ergo Davidem oremus Deum
into Egypt Gen. 37. 2. and he was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh King of Egypt Gen. 41 16. and he tells his brethren after they find him Lord-Treasurer in Egypt how that two years hath the Famine been in the land Gen. 45. 6. yea moreover Joseph's going down into Egypt laid foundation for the Israelites going up out of Egypt to Canaan according to the prophecy Gen. 15. 13 14. Thirdly The latitude or extent of a foundation for future matters is next to be spoken unto and may be considered two ways 1. In respect of Things 2. In respect more immediately of Persons 1. In respect of things and so there is a large harvest of Temporals and Spirituals from seed before sown Not to be large here seeing Instances which may serve have been mentioned materially and may easily here formally be insisted on Thus Joseph is the man sent before when the Lord called for a Famine upon the Land and brake the whole staff of bread as is said Psal 105. 16 17. Wise-men from the East bring gifts Gold Frankincense and Myrrhe Mat. 2. 11. This their Present is of great use for the Egypt-Journey at hand for Joseph and Mary being low in the world are now the better provided-for in a strange Countrey The Eye of Providence fore-sees future Exigencies and the Hand of Providence is sometimes before-hand by way of provision for the children of Providence Other things might here be instanced in as in Marriage Health Liberty but I pass to things of spiritual concernment and so to avoid repetition of what elsewhere is here reducible I shall only touch on two things 1. Conversion to the Faith 2. Confirmation in the Faith There are passages of Providence which pave a way to each God in his Providence raiseth up Instruments whom he sends and blesseth in their Ministry so that faith comes by hearing as the Apostle doth declare Rom. 10. 15 17. Words spoken at one time lay a foundation for confirmation at another So John 2. 22. When therefore he was risen from the dead his disciples remembred that he had said this unto them and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said 2. In respect of Persons And here we may take a view of the All-wise-founding-Providence as it respects persons Political and Ecclesiastical or Magistrates and Ministers in God's holy Ordinances 1. There are passages which refer to persons under a Political consideration and these may be distinguish't 1. As they respect the advancement promotion exaltation of persons to places of Power and Dignity 2. As they respect the dejection of persons the clipping their Power and Dignity That there are matters which may lay some foundation more or less both as to the one and the other is apparent out of the History to go no further of Paul and David What these matters in particular are is subject-matter for a Treatise of Providence referring to Politicals 2. There are passages of Providence which respect Ecclesiastical persons whom God takes near to himself in his service as was said of the Tribe of Levi Numb 3. 6. These may be distinguish't into such which are 1. More remote 2. More near To instance in the first God's preserving of them in the foregoing part of their life is observable Musculus when a little one had the Plague he dies not God having work for him to do he is plague-proof till the work be done Moses the Lord's Prophet in the Old-Testament Christ in the New are exemplifications of this Neither Pharoah the bloody Wolf nor Herod the old Fox choak these Lambs in their Infancy as hath elsewhere been noted upon another Observation Again there are passages of Providence more near as preparation or fitting for the work and actual calling and disposing them according as God in his Providence seeth best Timothy was nurtured in the knowledg of the Scriptures from a Child 2 Tim 3. 15. To be well verst in the Scriptures is a good preparative for Divinity He is after solemnly set apart for publick work of the Ministry 1 Tim. 4. 14. The Disciples of Christ were Hearers of Him before they were Speakers They had an extraordinary Call as Apostles and this their receiving the Lord's Press-mony had a respect to future Service More might be said here as it refers to Persons Ecclesiastical who as they are Officers in the Church so may they be spoken of in a Treatise of Providence referring to God's Church or People CHAP. II. 1. SEE ground for Saints hopes and Sinners fears There is a Seed-plot both for the Afflictiones Ecclesiae veluti sationes quaedam sunt quae tandem dulcem justitiae gratiae favoris Dei gustum proferunt dum videlicet tyrannos reprimit suos à servitute liberat Moll Quemadmodum semen telluri insinuatum abditum suo tempore prodit terrâ non obtegitur amplius sed revelatur sic sanguis innoxius in terram effusus corpora piorum occisa ac tellure adoperta semen sunt tempore Domini visitationis ad judicium condemnationem impiorum proditura Musculus ad locum Isai one and the other They that sow in tears shall reap in joy He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Psal 126. 5 6. Even as I saith Eliphaz the Temanite have seen They that plow iniquity and sow wickedness reap the same by the blast of God they perish and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed Job 4. 8 9. The Prophet Isaiah comprehendeth both Seed-plots Isa 26. 20. 21 21. Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment till the indignation be over-past for behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity the earth also shall discover her blood and shall no more cover her slain 2. Observe Foundation-Dispensations of Providence The way to profit more by after-Dispensations of Providence is to take notice of previous or foregoing ones The reading of the Preface to the Book will conduce to the better understanding of the Book One skilful in Architecture will the better judg of the Superstruction by taking a view how the Foundation of the House is laid We too often pass by the work of God as a heap of rubbish at a distance little considering what the Lord is doing till afterward we find an House built there where nothing but an heap of earth lay It 's our wisdom then to observe the display of God's Attributes in bringing water from this and that Spring-head by many windings over many Hills and through divers Vales and that to refresh some and drown others see Psal 46. 4. with Isa 8. 7. OBSERVATION XXXII PROVIDENCE singly considered with respect to Matters is an hard Chapter to be understood but conjunctively is a good Commentary or a
are not only the whites and blacks in regard of Temporals but also in regard of Spirituals Our Saviour tells the Jews saying The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof Mat. 21. 43. A wonderful change and that reciprocal or mutual as it respects different subjects there is this way according to that in Hos 1. 10. And it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said unto them Ye are not my people there it shall be said unto them Te are the sons of the living God Again these whites and blacks not only in respect of persons singly considered but in respect of a Community or Society of persons That passage that there be no complaining in our streets Psal 144. 14. doth imply the different state of a Nation in regard of Temporal Mercies We read in Acts 9. 31. Then had the Churches rest thorowout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria And we read likewise how the Rest there was not an everlasting one Acts 12. 1. 4. Long then for an Heaven or the Everlasting Rest There is no such Checker-table there Be willing however that this Sacred Game of Providence be at an end Beware of foolish passion and irregular desires of death Let God alone to time all The longest Game of Providence here in matters will have its end Meditate on that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 5. 4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened not that we would be uncloathed but cloathed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life OBSERVATION XXXV One and the same Providence hath sometimes its Blacks and Whites or There is both Honey and Gall wrapt up in a Dispensation considered as a mixt one CHAP. I. THIS Observation however it may seem a Paradox yet is such an one which may be cleared up as Orthodox and that if we consider 1. Exemplifications from Scripture 2. The various wise Ends which God hath in mix't Dispensations 1. There are many Exemplifications of this Verity Noah must change his habitation he shut up in the Ark as in a Prison There are beasts within for his fellow-Prisoners and sad desolations without amongst the Beasts and Men the worse Beasts in a moral sense all this is afflictive But yet his being in the Ark in order to his preservation was a signal favour for so the Lord gives him to understand Gen. 7. 1. with Gen. 6. 8. Lot is taken prisoner but not slain Gen. 14. 13. Joseph had a Prison-palace or a Palace-prison for the Lord was with him and shewed him mercy and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison Gen. 31. 21. Moses is cast as an Exile into the Land of Midian and there God provides for him Exod. 2. 21. God takes away David's Child by death who might have proved as an upbraiding Monument of David's shame so an occasion of Warr in the Kingdom 2 Sam. 12. Jonah is swallowed by a Whale Jon. 1. 17. the fish's belly is his house of prayer and Jonah's prayer is a prevailing-one he who had a providential ingress hath a glorious egress The Lord spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land Jon. 2. 10. Our Saviour tells his Disciples saying It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter shall not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you Joh. 16. 7. Paul must suffer shipwrack and yet none of their lives in the Ship are lost Acts 27. 44. The same Man of God hath a thorn in the flesh a Messenger of Satan to buffet him yet this thorn is to open a passage for whatever Imposthumed-pride was gathered to an head The Devil an unclean Spirit becomes providentially a sanctifying-one in a sense God knows how to make the Devil do a good choar for a Saint whilst the Devil intends his own work Paul was of this belief as he professeth 2 Cor. 12. 7. 2. There are various wise ends in such mix't Dispensations Amongst others we may cast an eye on these 1. Sometimes he makes a display of fatherly displeasure There is a Rod but it is a gentle one Thou shalt not dye but the child shall surely dye said Nathan to David 2 Sam. 12. 13 14. 2. God will hereby wisely exercise the graces of his people as their faith and patience by the bitter part of the Dispensation and their love to him admiration of him and thankfulness for favour by the sweeter part of the Dispensation Thus Epaphroditus sickness yet not death and Paul's danger of being devoured by the Roman Lion had their influences on their graces according to the interwoven mixture in these Dispensations Phil. 2. 27. 2 Tim. 4. 16 17. 3. Hereby the Lord wisely consults an Antidote and Remedy against two Evils namely Pride and Despondency Jacob is not to be dejected he is a Prevailer he is not to be elated for he halted upon his thigh Gen. 32. 28 31. God's Dispensations are like well-levell'd Cannons which beat upon Pride and Despondency and so make sweeping-sweeping-work with each of these files at once 4. The Lord teacheth the correspondency of his Providence with his Word We are lesson'd not to slight Heaven's Rod which hath its smarting-blow and not to faint for its blow is from a Father not an implacable Enemy see Prov. 3. 11 12. 5. Hereby God will put a difference betwixt Earth and Heaven Paul will have no need of a Thorn in the flesh when he is taken Tenant to the Heavenly Inheritance The joys of Saints in Heaven will run like a Crystal River without mixture of mud or dirt God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 17. CHAP. II. 1. LEARN what a wise God the Christian hath for his God The great Physician of Heaven so attemperateth the Physick as that it shall bear upon various ill humours With one and the same Beesom Providence sweepeth the Saints house clean to the joy and rejoycing of the Saint The Ship is so managed as that it neither overturns for want of ballast nor sinks into the sea by reason of burthen God doth balance the hearts of men as well as balance the clouds over the heads of men as is said Job 37. 16. He is excellent in power and in judgment and in plenty of justice he will not afflict v. 23. And in Jer. 10. 24. O Lord correct me but with judgment not in thine anger lest thou bring me to nothing 2. Beware then of fixing an eye only on the more gastly part of a Dispensation View the bright side as well as the dark side of thy Cloud There are two things here considerable 1. It is very rational or equitable that a proportionable surveigh should be taken of a Dispensation Hezekiah after he had heard the Prophet's heavy tydings saith Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken for there shall be peace
and truth in my days Isa 39. 8. 2. As there is a robbing of the Lord in respect of his goodness and mercy in eying only the bitter part as bitter in Dispensation so a person in so doing stands in the light of his own support and comfort He that can read Love Mercy Wisdom in the Characters of Providence though written with the intermixture of Gall in their black Ink will not tear in pieces the Letter sent from Heaven The Prophet Jeremiah gives a large description of Miseries Lam. 3. from v. 1. to 21. and in v. 22. what saith he It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not Here is a sense of Mercies as well as before a sense of Miseries and a good use is made of this in v. 26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. OBSERVATION XXXVI There is a Retaliating-work or work of rendring like for like observable in God's dealing with the sons of men CHAP. I. THIS Retaliating-work of Providence may be considered both by way of frown and smile or as grievous in a way of smart and gracious in a way of favour Each of these have a correspondence with what is foregoing either by way of proportion literal if I may so term it there is a Copy or Counterpane of the former Deed or as is vulgarly said the same bread which men break to others is broken to them again or by way of proportion equivalent or in value God doth sometimes pay persons in the like coyn sometimes the payment is made in Bullion which though it have not the like Image or Superscription on it yet it comes out of the same Mine though not the same Mint There is a general accord with what did precede and that as was said by way of frown and smile For the further clearing up of this Meditation or Observation the following Heads of Discourse offer themselves to consideration First There are Assertions in Scripture on this wise These Assertions are 1. General 2. Particular 1. The Assertions general which do point at this are to be spoken to And here not to be large hear what He asserteth whose word may well be taken Christ himself Judg not that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judg ye shall be judged and with what measure ye mete it shall be measur'd to you again Mat. 7. 1 2. Compare this Scripture with Luke 5. 37 38. and we have the Text or Subject-matter enlarged for thus it is said Judg not and ye shall not be judged condemn not and ye shall not be condemned forgive and ye shall be forgiven give and it shall be given unto you good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosome for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again 2. There are Assertions in particular and that as they point at frowning-Dispensations and smiling-ones The first sort of Assertions in particular as they respect wrath we have scattered up and down in Scripture So Isa 33. 1. Wo to thee that spoilest and thou wast not spoiled and dealest treacherously and they dealt not treacherously with thee when thou shalt cease to spoil thou shalt be spoiled and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously they shall deal treacherously with thee Rev. 13. 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword The later sort of Assertions in particular we have likewise on Sacred Record So Psal 41. Blessed is he that considereth the poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he shall be blessed upon the earth and thou wilt not deliver him to the will of his enemies the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing thou wilt make his bed in sickness v. 1 2 3. To this add one Scripture more Psal 18. 25. With the merciful thou wilt shew thy self merciful with the upright thou wilt shew thy self upright And that in Mat. 5. 7. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy Secondly The Prayers that are in Scripture recorded do imply a retaliating-Retaliating-work of Providence There are Sacred or Divinely-inspired reflections on the evil and good deeds of persons and these reflections have reached Heaven for an answer so in Psal 137. 7. Remember O Lord the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said Raze it raze it even to the foundation thereof So likewise Lam. 1. 22. Let all their wickedness come before thee and do unto them as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions for my sighs are many and my heart faint And Rev. 6. 7. And they cryed with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judg and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Again there are passages in Prayer of another aspect or reflection Boaz answered and said to Ruth It hath fully been shewed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother and the land of thy nativity and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore The Lord recompense thy work and a full reward be given to thee of the Lord God of Israel under whose wings thou art come to trust Ruth 2. 11 12. The Lord said Paul give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain 2 Tim. 1. 18. Thirdly There are Exemplifications of a Retaliating-work and that 1. By way of Wrath or Judgment or Severity 2. By way of Mercy 1. To begin with the first sort The first-born of Egypt were slain and that very righteously if consideration be had to the bloody Edict for the destroying the male-children of the Israelites and look as Orders were issued out to drown the children of the Israelites in Egypt's River so Pharoah with his Host are drowned in the Red-sea Exod. 1. 16. and v. 22. with Exod 12. 29. and Exod. 14. 30. Samuel tells Agag As thy sword hath made women childless so shall thy mother be childless among women and Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal 1 Sam. 15. 23. Vengeance is for Edom and why Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance Ezek. 25. 12 13 14. O Jerusalem said Christ which killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee behold now your house is left unto you desolate Luke 13. 34 35. It is said Rev. 16. 6. for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy And in Rev. 18. 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works
as was before intimated in the woman of Samaria's coming to the Well So when the Jaylor was troubled about his Prisoners then was the Lord's time to let him see what a slave he was to Satan Acts 16. 27 28 29. 3. Sometimes the observing of a Providence in way of conviction may lead on to further matters as in Nicodemus his case John 3. 2 c. 4. Sometimes some strong impulse upon the heart sways So likely it was in the Shunamite-woman go she must to the Prophet who raiseth her son for her from the dead 2 King 4. 22 23. It is said of Mr. Dod how he could not be quiet but must at night away to a man's house where coming the man was about to destroy himself and so a stop was put to the Tragedy Thirdly In regard of the Issue which respects 1. What is seen 2. What is not seen till afterwards Now the issue of what is seen may be considered 1. As succesless Saul sought the Countrey for the Asses but found them not 1 Sam. 9. 4. after he was told of them by Samuel but he goes home without them They who came to apprehend Christ were led to a conviction but apprehend him not John 7. 45 46. 2. As succesful and that in regard of what was intended Naaman comes for a cure and hath it his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child and he was clean 2 Kings 5. 14. In the next place The issue of what is not seen may be considered 1. Purely 2. Mixtly If we consider it purely or singly and so smart or punishment is the issue of some undertakings though men imagine no such matter The Philistins are for keeping holy-day to their Dagon Sampson is called for to make them sport and their House of Mirth becomes the House of Mourning Judg. 16. Again Favour or Mercy may be the issue So Naaman he went home wiser for Heaven than he came Matthew was sitting at the Receit of Custom and there Christ calls him Luke 5. 27. Who would have thought that the Publican going to the Custom-house or some standing in the Market should be called to be one of the Cash-keepers of Heaven's Treasure or a Pay-master of better Riches abroad in the World The issue in a way of mercy was wonderful And as the issue is singly considered by way of frown or smile so sometimes it is Mixt. There is both Vinegar and Honey in it Joseph his brethren were both afflicted and comforted in their Egypt journey for Corn for their Families Providence hands Gold out of the Mine and withal some scaring-gushes of Water may affright them who labour in the Mine of this or that business of concernment CHAP. II. 1. OBSERVE the wonderful display of Providence in these leadings Luther fell soul at first on the filthy lucre of those of the Church of Rome in the matter of Indulgences after like Ezekiel he saw greater abominations Ezek. 8. 6. It is in this case as with a stone glided along upon the waters one Circle is Dei enim Providentia causas effecta convertit quae alioqui naturâ sunt disjunctissima neque quicquam est quod oculos Dei quibus omnia subjiciuntur ordinantur possit fallere Pet. Mart. introductory to another Man acts but the Lord makes Connexions and they are wonderful in the issue 2. Learn how God is holy and righteous in the ordering of things notwithstanding the intervention of men's sins before things are brought about Whilst men mind their own work they forward Heaven's design Joseph can behold a holy wise good God in his Chain albeit some of the links thereof were very crooked and had a great deal of rust adhering to them Gen. 50. 20. 3. See how the Enemies of the Church are outwitted in their designs against the Church they are led by what they do see and mis-led to their ruin They whet the knife which cuts their own throat they are gathered together against Zion and yet the Lord gathers them as sheaves to be threshed in the floor they know their own projects but know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his counsel see Mic. 4. 11 12 13. 4. Take notice what a prop here is for Faith from the consideration of a side-wind-influence of Providence The Lord can provide for and protect in such a way as a person doth not imagine There is a Joseph in Egypt that furnisheth the brethren with Corn in time of Famine There are ways God hath whereby wicked men shall be shields to Saints against the thrusts of their own swords O how admirable are the leadings of God by what is seen to what is not seen How do Saints sometimes stumble and so see the Jewel which there lies before them OBSERVATION XLIII Hindrances in matters through Providence when and where the Lord so pleaseth become Furtherances CHAP. I. THE verity of this Assertion is seen 1. In Spirituals 2. In Temporals In Spirituals and that 1. In matters of Personal Concernment 2. In matters of Publick referring to God's Church 1. In matters of Personal Concernment Thus a man 's own sins and yet no thank to sin are a foundation for his humility and ground for an holy watchfulness A Christian riseth by his fall Peter after his denial of his Master is modest in his profession of his love to Christ see John 21. 15. with Mat. 26. 33 35. And as sin is an hindrance to spiritual good and yet the Lord orders all for good so Satan means no good to a child of God The Devil is the great Blood-sucker yet is Heaven's Leech Providence knows how to use him to the glory of Providence That Foe of the Christian shall become in a sort the Christian's Friend thus professeth the Apostle Paul saying And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations there was given to me a thorn in the flesh a messenger of Satan to buffet me c. 2 Cor. 12. 7. Sic infatuatus Satan dum obesse molitur magis etiam prodest quod impedire conatur expeditum potius reddit quam impeditum Gloria haec est Sapientiae Providentiae Doi Musculus in locum 2. In matters referring to the Church of God There are not wanting obstructions to the Church's peace and comfort What through Oppositions Errors Apostacies God's people are not a little distressed and yet their case though sad is not desperate for 1. The Mountains of Opposition become Plains according to that in Zech. 4. 7. The Persian Power and Authority there intended shall no longer mountain it against the Church but countenance the afflicted A Prohibition is given from hindring temple-Temple-work and a positive Act is drawn up for the furthering of it as is recorded Ezra 6. 6 7 c. And though some who do furiously oppose do not depose their fury yet the wrath of man shall praise the Lord Psal 76. 10 It is to
7. 7. the travel of a woman with child whose pangs are sudden as well as sure 1 Thes 5. 3. 2. From Instances and Exemplifications The old World had a new face though a sad and weeping one and that in the space of forty days Gen. 7. 17. The Sun was risen upon the Earth when Lot entred Zoar then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven as it is Gen. 19 23. 24. There are seven years of Famine after seven years of Plenty in Egypt Gen. 41 29 30. The house of the Lord and the King's house and all the houses of Jerusalem and all the houses of the great men are burnt with fire Jer. 52. 13. In a morning shall the king of Israel be cut off Hos 10. 15. For in an hour so great riches is come to nought Rev. 18 17. 2. There is a sudden change in the face of things in regard of a pleasant and smiling-face of things to take place And this will appear 1. From Predictions and Intimations on this wise in Scripture So in Isa 66. 8. Who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day or shall a nation be bork at once For as soon as Zion travelled she brought forth her children This may refer to the Jews release from the captivity and Psal 126. may be a comment on it If it shall be extended further that phrase of the Apostle in Rom. 11. 15. doth give us to understand what a sudden and glorious change the Lord can make in the World by way of addition to his Church And as God can and will encrease the number of his people so likewise decrease the number of their adversaries so in Rev. 18 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire Again 2. From Instances or Exemplifications Joseph becomes an embellish't Jewel who a little before lay neglected in the Prison-rubbish Gen. 41. 14. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon The Israelites are no longer Scavengers and Drudges in Egypt when the Lord's time is come for their delivery a sudden change there is for their delivery after some delays the Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might send them out of the Land in haste for they said We be all dead men Exod. 12. 33. The Month in Eâ—ther's time was turned unto them from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a good day Esth 9. 22. The truly good people of God at Damascus have no little joy when their intended Persecutor becomes on a sudden a good and Orthodox Preacher Acts 9. 20. A sudden change there was in Peter's case they saw him and were astonishâ—d Acts 12. 16. CHAP. II. VVHAT little reason have sinners to be bold and confident in their ways How soon may all their Pomp Policy Strength like a stately Ship be blown up when Providence shall send its fire-ball into the Gun-room Remarkable are passages in Scripture to this Nam malic qui adhuc adversus justos in aliis terrarum partibus saeviunt quanto serius tanto vehementius idem omnipotens mercedem sceleris exsolvit quia ut est erga pios indulgentissimus pater sic adversus impios rectissimus judex Lact. lib. 1. Inst c. 1. purpose Hos 5. 7. Now shall a month devour them with their portions Psal 64. 7. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded Psal 73. 18 19. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castedst them down into destruction how are they brought into desolation as in a moment they are utterly consumed with terrors 2. As sinners have no reason to be bold and wanton having Providence for such an Enemy So Saints have no reason to be hopeless and heartless having Providence for such a Friend What though there be loss of Children plunderings by Chaldeans and Sabeans a body smitten with sore boils a state of elongation or alienation from friends in regard of love and friendship yea the terrors of God too within in the conscience as 't was Job his case yet it is but the turn of the hand of Providence and all is made up The Lord turned the captivity of Job ch 42. v. 10. And not only in personal cases is the Aphorism or Observation here useful but in the publick case of the Church of Christ So in Psal 46. 5 God is in the midst of her she shall not be moveâ— God shall help her and that right early And so in Rev. 11. the Witnesses are slain yet to the affrighting of the slayers they revive again the spirit of life from God entred into them ver 11. Let noâ— Christians then be despondent under their black Clouds the glorious Sun of Providence may quickly throw off its sable mantle and dart forth its Meridian beams to the admiration of those who have been without Sun-shine for many days OBSERVATION XLVII The Vse of means in matters is man's work the Issue or success of means is God's work CHAP. I. VVHAT hath been before said as touching the Lord's bringing about of matters his way or manner in working both gradually and on a sudden is not to be understood as if therefore the use of means were in vain on man's part the present Observation is a check to such a wrong Inference And whereas here it is said The use of means is man's work this is not so to be conceived as to deny a work of Providence in the very use of the means for there is a work of Providence in directing to the means and abilitating to use them The meaning then is nothing else but to point out man's duty and so to leave the result of matters to Providence And that the use of means is thus incumbent on man appeareth 1. Man will otherwise be found a violater of the Lord's Command Make thee an ark of Gopher-wood said God to Noah Gen. 6. â—4 Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him so did he v. 22. Noah had been a transgressor had he neglected Ark-work and expected preservation without the use of means to be made conscience of by him The use of means is commanded both for the outward and inward man in respect of temporals as well as spirituals so teacheth the Apostle 1 Thes 4. 11. And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands as we commanded you And in Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 2. It 's an ill requital of the Lord's kindness that when he honours man to be instrumental in matters this condescention of God is abused slighted and not esteemed as it ought to be The great God needeth not the choisest Tool for any work It is of his goodness that as he works
in his Providence for man so by man as an under-agent or instrument for we are labourers together with God saith Paul 1 Cor. 3. 9. Instruments and Means are so far honoured as God is pleased in and by them to make a conveyance of good to persons 3. A man hath the more of quietness of heart in using the means albeit God work some other way for help Hezekiah had the greater ground for calmness of spirit having done his endeavour to check the Assyrian insolency he took counsel with his Princes and mighty men to stop the waters of the Fountains which were without the City and they did help him 2 Chron 32. 3. The Assyrians are not forced it seems to leave their siege by reason of this stratagem of Warr God helps another way the Lord sent an angel which out off all the mighty men of valour and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria so he returned with shame of face into his own land and when he was come into the house of his god they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword v. 21. 4. It 's a tempting of God to throw-by the use of what means are to be used God promiseth the Israelites the Land of Canaan and they do not fling away their Swords for then they might be said to fight against God in not fighting the Enemy And when they had Canaan for their possession they were to look after Corn and not expect Manna for Manna ceased and the old Corn of the Land supplies them the first year Josh 5. 12. When the Devil said to Christ Cast thy self down Mat. 4. 6. Jesus said unto him It is written again Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God v. 7. It is Hell's Divinity not what is taught in Christ's School To run to Miracles when Means are to be used In the next place The issue of means is God's work Four things are considerable 1. It belongs to God as his Prerogative-Royal to issue matters as he sees fit Vnto God the Lord belong the issues from death Psal 68. 20. The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord Prov. 16. 1. The horse is prepared against the day of battel but safety is of the Lord Prov. 21. 31. 2. Probable means take not and improbable ones attain the End intended as the Lord is pleased Asa his Colledg of Physicians cure him not 2 Chron. 16. 12. Some have by inconsiderable means been recovered of sickness when others notwithstanding vast expences have slipt into their graves It is observable how an handful of men do sometimes beat a vast Army the Army of the Syrians came with a small company of men and the Lord delivered a very great Host into their hand 2 Chron. 24. 24. 3. Means used for matters lye dormant and take not till God be pleased effectually to undertake in his Providence Joseph was not so fool-hardy as not to use means for his liberty But think on me said he to Pharaoh's Butler when it shall be well with thee and shew kindness I pray thee unto me and make mention of me unto Pharaoh and bring me out of this house Gen. 40. 14. Joseph here doth his duty yet did not the chief Butler remember Joseph but forgat him v. 23. And though the Butler forgat Joseph yet God remembers Joseph sends a dream into the King's head a great noise there is at Court hereupon and this noise awakens the Butler from his sleepy forgetfulness I remember saith he my faults this day Gen. 41. 9. and so the old key which lay a rusting is now scouâ—'d up and opens the Plisondoors for Joseph 4. Means used have sometime a quite contrary issue to what they are intended or might in probability usher in Christ's innocency his reply to the charge about King-ship John 18. 36. the distwasive by Pilate's Wife Mat. 27. 19. the testimony of Pilate's conscience Mat. 27. 24. all these center not in the absolving of Christ but he must suffer That means have a quite contrary issue hath before been demonstrated in distinct Observations how Furtherances become Hindrances and Hindrances Furtherances and there ore it may suffice here to touch on this as proof of the second branch of the Aphorism here The accommodation of the Whole follows CHAP. II. 1. SEE the error of those who more or less cast off the use of means There is a temptation this way and a folly in closure with the temptation The demonstration of the folly may here be insisted on and that two ways besides what hath been said and may be in next Head 1. How repugnant is this to the dictates of common Reason Reason dictates for the use and the proportionable use of means in matters The common Proverbs do evidence so much as we must not lie in the ditch and cry God help There is no sailing over the sea in an Egg-shell To set the Fox to keep the Geese is a wild course There are the sparklings of Reason in these Adagies and if there be not light enough from these sparklings go we to Solomon's Proverbs and we mâ—y learn there how Drunkenness Gluttony Drowsiness are to be abandoned and the Virtues contrary to these to be followed in order to comfortable livelihood in the world Prov. 23. 20 21. And in Prov. 22. 3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished According then to the dictate of a wise Solomon the use of means to prevent evils is according to the Rules of Prudence 2. How contradictory is this course oftentimes to the parties own practises There was one who had taken up a conceit That if God would save him he should be saved and if not the use of all means were in vain The party falls sick sends for a Physician who knowing the disease of the Patient's Mind as well as the Disease of the Body replies That if God have a purpose to recover you you shall be recovered and if not all my labour will be lost And so in this Glass gave the party a view of the ugly error he had taken up in regard of the disuse of means for the Soul Virel rehearseth Relig. Christ Compend lib. 2. c. 2. a story of a certain Noble-man who was on his march with a well-accoutred Army and it hapned that he led his Army by the house of a faithful Pastor well known before to this Noble-man This honest man willeth him to look up to and rely on God to favour his warlike Expeditions he by and by enters his plea about Divine Providence as if he had said God had decreed all Events and therefore the Decree of God could not be altered by his prayers That good Pastor replies I would advise you therefore That you lay aside the Horses and Arms as unprofitable for as much as the ssue of Warr hangs on the Providence of God
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
rashly or wickedly the works of Providence It 's no less dangerous than foolish to shoot arrows against the Heavens God's works call for man's veneration not blasphemous aspersion It was well spoken by Elibu on God's behalf Behold God exalteth by his power who teacheth like him Who hath enjoined him his way Or who can say Thou hast wrought iniquity Remember that thou magnifie his work which men behold Job 36. 22 23 24. Now more particularly take heed of censuring 1. The work of God's long-suffering towards the Sons of Violence and Fraudulence There are who break in pieces the Lord's people afflict his heritage slay the widow and the stranger and murder the fatherless Psal 94. 5 6 7. and yet no reason to attaque Providence as they in Mal. 3. 15. And now we call the proud happy yea they that work wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered 2. The work of God's distinguishing-Mercy towards some let not this be branded as Injustice Partiality or Respect of persons The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal 145. 17. That clause Friend I do thee no wrong Mat. 20. 13. will be fully unridled one day 3. The remarkable irradiations or beamings forth of Providence in matters Providence did notably own Nehemiah in that good work he was about yet Samballat Tobiah and Geshem saith he laughed us to scorn and despised us and said What is this thing that ye do Will ye rebel against the king Neh. 2. 19. How was Christ affronted by the Pharisees He casteth out say they devils through the prince of the devils Mat. 9. 34. Thus when the Apostles were full of the gifts of the Holy Ghost some mocked saying These men are full of new wine Acts 2. 13. Men would do well therefore to remember that prohibition Exod. 20. 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour If not against thy neighbour then not against the God of thy neighbour SECT X. LAstly Beware of extreams about Providence Extreams are of two sorts 1. In Opinion 2. In Practise 1. In Opinion and so some deny the concourse of the first Cause with second Causes And others on the other hand affirm the first Cause alone to work at the presence of second Causes Both these Extreams are oppugned and expugned by those learned men who write polemically of Providence It 's not my purpose to be controversal Beware then of Extreams in practise Some come not up to duty referring to this or that Dispensation of Providence Others run beyong their duty Men keep not the King of Heaven's high-way but go aside on the right hand or on the left and so Providence hath not their company A Providence very eminent there was in the return of those sent to spy out the Land of Canaan but how are the people affected One while Let us make us a Captain and let us return into Egypt said they one to another Numb 14 4. Another while say they Lo we be here and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised v. 40. God in his Providence sets up Saul to be King some despised him and brought him no Presents 1 Sam. 10. 27. Others were too hot and furious and would have the King's robe dipt in blood Bring the men say they that we may put them to death 1 Sam. 11. 12. Peter saith Thou shalt never wash my feet Joh. 13. 7 8. and after Lord not my feet only but also my hands and my head v. 9. Men have ground therefore to be watchful against extreams in matters for lame feet in not going after a Providence and Hind's feet in out-running a Providence become not judicious Christians Having spoken to the Directions cautionary I come in the next place to give a draught or summary of the Directions positive And here without a large Preamble take them as following in their several SECTIONS for the clearer understanding of them SECT I. 1. RESOLVE to take a serious view of the Lord 's Providential Dispensations A well biassed Resolution is the Spring of Action To the end therefore thou mayest be in good earnest consider of the Incentives or Motives which are as followeth 1. To note and observe the Works of God's Providence is a commanded duty Men are not left to a luke-warm indifferency whether they will observe or no. God hath otherwise discovered himself in his word Jer. 7. 12. But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh where I did set my name at the first and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel Here are two things 1. What God did do 2. What they are to do The Lord he works and they are not to be idle but to take a view of His work by taking a journey in their Meditations to Shiloh In Rev. 6. when the Book there of the Lord's Secrets is to be opened in a way of Providential Dispensation there is a Come and see a sight indeed not to be flâ—ghted for observe the Come and see is more than trebled v. 1 3 4 7. Râ—petitions of things in Scripture as they may intimate our dulness so the weight or importance of things thus repeated But 2. As it is commanded-commanded-work to observe the Lord's out-goings in his Providence so it 's commended and that three ways 1 By the variety of terms used to express this duty There seems to be a depth when so many fathom of Cordage go to the sounding of this duty An heap of words there are to set forth the excellency and emphatical importance of it Thus in Isa 41. 10. That they may see and know and consider and understand together 2. It is commended to us from the Author whose works we are to take a view of Come and see the works of God saith the Psalmist Psal 66. 5. What more in the World than the curious artifice of the Divine Attributes should court the eyes of men to dwell on And lastly It 's commended from the Practise of God's Saints It is commendable to do not as the most do but as the best do By faith the elders obtained a good report Heb. 11. 2. That faith there is comprehensive of Providence for its object as the Exemplifications given in the Chapter do give us to understand It 's recorded to the commendation of Mary That she had an observant eye on the Providence of God Luke 2. 19. 3. In the third place The singular advantages which attend the due observation of Divine Providence do invite to this duty If a man will consult his own good here is the way and this is the dore For 1. By a wise observing God's Providence a man is the more furthered in the knowledg of God Manasseh in the School of Providence is taught what he learnt not before Providence fetters him and kicks him as a Ball as far as Babylon and there he is catechised so as it is said of
him Then Manasseh knew that the Lord be was God 2 Chron. 33. 11 12 13. Holy Job though a knowing-man hath his knowledg elevated He learnt that on the Dung-hill which he did not in his Mannor-house I have heard saith he to God by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee Job 42. 5. 2. Hereby a man is the better armed against sin Providence in a way of mercy is a good Rhetorician to disswade from sin Did not thy father it 's spoken to Shallum eat and drink and do judgment and justice and then it was well with him Jer. 22. 15. And Providence in way of wrath may serve as a counter-poyson against sin He may well be afraid of the black coal of sin knowing how Providence hath made it a burning-coal to the sinner as to Sodom of old see 2 Pet. 2. 6. see also Neh. 13. 25 26. 1 Cor. 10. 7 8 9 10. Moreover the observing of Providence doth antidote against sin as a man deserts not sinfully his appointed station knowing that there is a Providence of God watching over his people Should such a man as I flee saith Nehemiah ch 6. v. 11 This good man's heart was not in his heels for his eyes were fix't on God's Providence see v. 9 and 14. A like instance we have in Luke 13. 31 32. But lastly A man learns not to venture on sin for release from troubles and for the obtaining of good things knowing the variety of ways that Providence hath to help without a man's sin Thus David will not kill a King for a Kingdom the knowledg of the variety of ways which Providence had to send Saul out of the world is a pull-back to David The Lord saith he shall smite him or his day shall come to dye or he shall descend into battel and perish 1 Sam. 26. 10. 3. A third Advantage by observing Providence is Calmness and quietness of spirit in the midst of an unquiet world As he who can swim well is in the midst of curled waves he is in them but they are not in him so he who hath an holy dexterity in swimming in the sea of Providence the better bears out and bears up he is in trouble but trouble is not comparatively in him as in others He may sometimes take in a mouth-full of brinish-water but not a belly-full In Psal 46. we have a description of the Churches troubles the heathen raged the kingdoms were moved v. 6. yet we will not fear v. 2. And what is the ground of this fearlesness or composedness of spirit That we have in v. 7 and 8. The Lord of Hosts in with us the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah Come behold the works of the Lord c. It 's said of David when the people talk't of stoning him he encouraged himself in the Lord his God 1 Sam. 30. 6. The fiery furnace of the zealous King for his Image sets not the spirits of Shadrach Mesech and Abednego into a combustion they have a cool spirit though warm towards God and cast themselves on the Providence of God being perswaded that God would one way or other period the controversie Dan. 3. 16 17 18. Lastly Hereby the way of going out of the world is rendred the more easie and pleasant by observing the gracious out-goings of Providence towards a man in the world He may cheerfully go through death's dark Entry who hath had experience before of the Lord's company with him in the vale and shadow of death Good Jacob on his death bed looks back on the series or chain of God's Providence towards him and looks forward by faith to Providence as the Trustee for his posterity He blessed Joseph and said God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk the God which fed me all my life long unto this day the Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the lads c. Gen. 48. 15 16. David being likewise to leave the world hath an eye on what God had done for him and on what he would do for his Family so in 2 Sam. 23. there is a recognition or account taken of what God had done for David v. 1. and in v. 5. David casts an eye on the Lord's Promise a fruitful Seed plot of gracious Dispensations Although saith he my house he not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure although he make it not to grow And thus the way to dye comfortably as well as to live holily is to observe God's Providence judiciously SECT II. 2. SECURE an interest or propriety in the God of Providence as reconciled to the soul in and through Jesus Christ What the marrow of divine blessing is Peter gives us to understand in that Sermon of his made to the Jews Acts 3. 26. Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities All outward blessings as they are commonly termed are but dry bones if this marrow of pardoning-grace be wanting Luther calls all the Turkish Magnificence Wealth Power but a crumb cast to a dog Varnish they say is no colour yet it sets off colours puts a beauty on them a propriety in God that varnisheth all the outward blessings of God This draws a golden thred through all thy Creature-comforts Thy food thy health thy rayment thy relations become double blessings this way yea thy wants thy sickness thy reproaches have lost their stings for if God be thine these are thine for thy good The Covenant of Grace hath made an happy conversion of troubles into Medicines and Providence hath undertaken the Cure a Physician able enough to perform what is so undertaken To sum up all then Good reason is there to look after this interest in God as reconciled for 1. Christless ones have no solid ground of any comfortable hopes in God Ephes 2. 12. 2. They who have God for their God have a filial right to the Promises which have gracious Providential dispensations in the belly of them they can go to God the Fountain of Providence and have their bottles filled I will saith David cry unto God most high unto God that performeth all things for me He shall send from heaven and save me c. Psal 57. 2 3. yea they have a pledg given them That their very stripes inflicted by Providence shall be healing ones so much doth that intimate in Psal 89. 30 31 32. SECT III. 3. GET more and more acquaintance with the holy Scriptures in order to proficiency in the School of Divine Providence Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom is Paul's Doctrine Col. 3. 16. If God's Word be received as our Inmate we shall not be such strangers to Providence as others are and that 1. Because the Scripture hath a finger to unty the hard knots of Providence A parallel or like Exemplification or something by
way of implication is contained in the Scriptures which gives light to a dark dispensation and so gives ground to say in this sense as is said Eccles 1. 10. Is there any thing whereof it may be said See this is new It hath been of old time c. 2. The reason why some are so baffled and troubled about some Dispensations is from not understanding the Word of God aright He that shall mistake a Promise will be upon a temptation to quarrel at a Providence The promise to David's seed had its primary reference to the Messiah the Son of David and for lack of so considering of it no wonder if trouble rise high in an Israelite's breast when David's Family in regard of external magnificence falls low see Psal 89. 35. with the following verses The Prophet there or Pen-man of that Psalm makes a sad complaint whilst an eye is had upon desolations there spoken of not that he doth accuse the Almighty of inconstancy but makes his moan to God by reason of a seeming clashing of Providence with the Promise Sense and Reason do sometimes raise a dust but Faith allays all and the Prophet's storm ends in a calm v. 52. Blessed be the Lord for evermore Amen and Amen 3. For want of a sound and savoury acquaintance with the Word a Providence is little improved yea misimproved That Dispensation that should open the eyes shuts them Ahab chargeth the troubles of Israel on Elijah but by the light from the Word he might have gone into Obadiah's hiding-hole and seen there the ejected Prophets and then concluded who did trouble Israel The Heathen in the Si Tiberis ascendit ad moenia fi Nilus non ascendit in arva si coelum stetit si terra movet si fames si lues statim Christianos ad leones Tert. in Apolog. primitive times attributed the calamities which befel the Empire to the Christians and to the neglect of the worshipping their Idols which the Christian Religion did forbid and so in a manner sacrific'd their Heathenish Sacrifices In Queen Mary's days the Hereticks as they were termed were cry'd out on as the cause why the Queen's Affairs did not prosper I have read somewhere how the Princes in Germany at an Assembly imputed the cause of their calamities t◠the not decking of their Churches and setting up of Images in them for excitements to devotion A poor improvement of their calamities as if the finger of Providence pointed at nothing but at Besoms Pencils and carving-tools I may well therefore commend to men that of Solomon Prov. 19. 2. Also that the soul be without knowledg it is not good And that of David in Psal 19. 8. The commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes See then thy thoughts be regulated by the holy Scriptures for as the silvedg to the cloath keeps it from ravelling out so instruction from the Word will be a sacred silvedg to man's imaginations as they respect the Providence of God it will prevent the ravelling forth into vanity error emptiness SECT IV. 4. HAVE a ready ear to hear the good warming-stories of Providence from experienced Saints Come saith the Psalmist all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my soul Psal 66. 16. When it was a stumbling-season with some at the Dispensations of Providence then they who feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and who thought upon his name Mal. 3. 16. Here is a book of remembrance for such who study the book of Divine Providence 'T were well if they who profess to fear God would more think on God his Word Providences that so their tongues might be as choice silver and their lips feed many as Solomon hath it Prov. 10. 20 21. Away we then to the rich Mine of Divine Providence there is Gold-Ore there take it thence and use it to the honour and glory of the Lord of the Mine SECT V. 5. ENQUIRE into the Ends Uses or meanings of Providential Dispensations It is said of Rebeccah when the children strugled together within her that she went to enquire of the Lord Gen. 25. 22. Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me saith that good man under the Hammer of Providence Job 10. 2. The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Psal 111. 2. Now if it be asked here What may be the ends or uses which Providence intends I may reply That as there are variety of Dispensations so of Ends and Uses attending such yea there may be various ends in one and the same Providence understand the word Ends as vulgarly used and in a subordinate sense to God's glory the great and last End This of the various Aspects of Providence hath been before treated of Here it must be remembred that whatever be said of the Ends or Uses of Providence is not by way of opposition to the Word Providence doth co-witness with the Word To fix a meaning on a Providence which the holy Scriptures do article against is to falsifie or be-lye a Providence God's Providential Dispensations then may be considered as they may serve divers ways 1. By way of Confutation of some erroneous conceit taken up Providence is inductive this way Junius was startled out of his Atheism by a great Hîc O sapientiam Dei ad mirabilem optimam scholam Christianitatis Dominus mihi paraverat Rogat Rusticus c. In vita Junii p. 10. terror being in danger of his life and so in his flight to preserve himself lighted on an honest plain man who did further a convincing-work as he declareth in the story of his life Some who would not believe the existency of Witches have been lash't into another belief when God in a wise and righteous Dispensation hath let loose such Dogs on them To hold a wrong conceit as that a godly man dyes not of the Plague what is it but to reproach Providence as if it abetted a Tertullus censure of God's servants That they who so dyed were pestilent fellows It may be observed how men have been so driven at a pinch by a wise Providence as that their conceits about some matters have fallen to the ground as rotten-ripe fruit from the Tree When there were several contending for the Popedom-ship what becomes then of an infallible Supremacy Who shall determine the case now What is now a General-Council in point of Jurisdiction Gerson steps forth and asserts the Vicar-ship to be removable authoritatively and juridically as he phraseth it in his Book written De auferibilitate Papae ab Ecclesiâ 2. By way of Information and Confirmation John is informed and confirmed That Jesus the Son of Mary is the Christ and that by a Providence in the Spirit 's descending and remaining on Christ John 1. 33. John's Disciples are more fully informed and
confirmed by what they see and hear Mat. 11. 4 5. That Providence referring to Cornelius with those at his house the way of Peter's coming to them and the gifts of the Holy Spirit poured forth on them might well lesson the Gentiles admission to Gospel-priviledges with the Jews see Acts 10. 47. Acts 11. 18. The doctrine of man's inability to self-conversion hath its confirmation in the School of Providence Let men state conversion-Conversion-work aright wherein it consisteth observe the hardness of men's hearts notwithstanding softning-means which are so when and where the Lord blesseth the means let them hear the savoury and experimental Narratives of sound Converts and they may well be induced to give more line than some will allow to that of Christ in Joh. 6. 44. No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him 3. By way of Conviction of or rousing Excitation from some sin or other in point of Practise Though it be not the glass as the Word yet it may as an hand hold up the glass before the face of the guilty Joseph his brethren met with an awakening-Providence in Egypt Gen. 42. 21. That in Job 36. is very pertinent here And if they be bound in fetters and be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded he openeth also their ear to discipline and commandeth that they return from iniquity v 8 9 10. Providence then hath a way for access to the consciences of men and that not only by general alarums but by more particular and remarkable insinuations or windings if I may so phrase it An instance we have in God's Providential dealing with Jonah Thou hast had pity saith the Lord to froward Jonah on the guord for the which thou hast not laboured neither madest it grow which came up in a night and perished in a night and should not I spare Nineveh c. Jon. 4. 10. 11. God doth usher in a conviction of Jonah's unreasonable passion even from the guord in and about which there was a remarkable display of Providence both as to its growth and withering To this of Jonah I shall add a story out of Luther's Postills We read saith he of a certain Father who by reason of impatience and discontent at the provocations which did occur in the place of his abode did purpose to get him gone and alone in peace live to God in a Wilderness Where when he lived solitary it hapned once that his earthen drinking-cup did overturn which he by and by set up again this cup in like sort falls again which he sets up right again and whenas it fell the third time he being all in a feud or passion dashâ—th it on the ground and it broke into small pieces but by and by be thinking himself Alas saith he I cannot have peace with my self I see I have sinned and forthwith betook himself to the place of his former abode notwithstanding temptations there and so made it his work to watch against evil desires by exercising self-denial and not by deserting his place and station 4. By Exemplary Caution The wrathful Dispensations of Providence are Warning-monitions The Lord is terrible in his doings to the end he may not be further terrible We have the doctrine asserted once and again God is terrible in his works or doings towards the children of men Psal 66. 3 5. We have also the use of this doctrine v. 7. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves Selah Remember Lot's Wife saith Christ Luke 17 32. God spared not saith Peter the old world but saved Noah the eighth person a preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly and turning the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow making them examples unto those that should after live ungodly 2 Pet. 2. 5 6. 5. By way of Prohibition There is a moral prohibition from the word Gen. 2 17. and there is a physical or natural one when there is an impediment more or less in the way as Cherubims which forbid an access to the Tree of Life Gen. 3. 24. There is a prohibition which is mixt partly moral and partly otherwise So Balaam his way was perverse and withal the Angel opposed in the way of his journey Num. 22. 32. Now here it must be remembred That every seeming-prohibition of Providence doth not by and by bespeak the evil of a man's way Jacob met with an Esau coming forth armed against him he was not prohibited from but warranted a returning into his Countrey Gen. 32. 5. However where a man meets with Providence as checking a man's courses especially if a signal check or series and chain of checks there is great reason to consider of a man's ways to desist from what appears to be sinful and to give God the glory of such a checking-dispensation which hath its double consideration 1. As it looks with a stern and full countenance on the substance matter or nature of the thing about which a man is conversant so in Jonah's case when he play'd the part of a Runagate from his God that Tarshish-voyage the very Heavens frown on and leave not frowing till the Ship is unloaded of its living burden Jon. 1. 3 4 15. 2. As it looks on the circumstances attending the action An instance for this in David's good intention to bring again the Ark the work was good and laudable yet a checking-Providence there is in the Lord 's smiting Vzzah and that checking-Providence respects the omission of a weighty circumstance or an innovation in bringing up the Ark for so it 's said to the chief of the fathers of the Levites For because ye did it not at the first the Lord our God made a breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due order 1 Chron. 15. 13. Thus whether Providence be prohibitive absolutely as to the matter or limitedly as to some circumstance or other it concerns man under such frowning-aspects of Providence to take a survey and accordingly to demean himself 6. By way of Encouragement There are encouraging Providences to duty These may respect 1. Doing-work which may be more common or special When God calls to more than ordinary work he vouchsafeth more than ordinary encouragement So it was with Moses Exod. 4. 2 to 9 Joshua had an encouraging Vision by Jericho Josh 5. 13. So the Apostles went forth and preached every where the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following Mark 16. 20. 2. Suffering-work Much of God's Providence there is by way of preparation and corroboration to be observed so in Rev. 2. 10. there is fore-warning given and consequently a fore-arming 7. By way of Supportation and Consolation under Difficulties Distresses Afflictions There are supporting-consolations or consolatory-supportations This bread is broken to the sons and daughters of sorrows The Supports and Consolations are of two sorts if
I may so distinguish them 1. Internal The Lord feasts his children whilst wicked ones would starve them ruin them The Father of Spirits makes out Himself to their spirits Christ hath his Banqueting-house for those of His who are without a certain habitation Cant. 2. 4. with 2 Cor. 4. 11. When men frown God smiles A joy there is and no one taketh it from them John 16. 22. It is reported of Philip the Landsgrave who was confined by the Emperor Charles the fifth That being asked What supported him and cheered him in that condition He answered saying I feel the divine comforts of the Martyrs But 2. There are Supports and Comforts External as when the Lord in his Providence doth issue matters comfortably for them So in the case of enemies when God works and so works even to the amazement of wicked ones so as they may be ready to say to Providence as the Devils to Christ Art thou come to torment us before the time Mat. 8. 29. and this is that which is implied in David's prayer Psal 86. 17. Shew a token for good that they which hate me may see it and be ashamed because thou Lord hast holpen me and comforted me 8. By way of Direction There are the leadings of Providence but these are subordinate to the Word not repugnant to it The Word is the Rule ruling Providence as a Directory is the Rule ruled As therefore the Rule of the Word is partly through the weakness of some on the one hand and partly through the perversness of others on the other hand too much neglected and disregarded so in like sort the light of Providence partly through the weak apprehension of some and the perverse perception of others is little heeded as it ought to be We do not find that the chief Priests and Scribes did make enquiry after Christ though they were alarumed by the Wise-men's coming to Jerusalem so to have done they being consulted by Herod point out the way to Bethlehem to the Wise-men who as they were awakened by the Starr they saw in the East so they are led by a Providence to Jerusalem there they have light from the Sacred Oracle where Christ was to be born and after going to Bethlehem they have a sight of the Starr again which they saw in the East The leading of them by the Starr had its amicable aspect to and with the Sacred Oracle resolving where Christ should be born And though the Lord do not now-a-days provide Starrs to guide men in their ordinary Affairs yet there are the becks indigitations the twinkling-rays of Providence in matters to be heeded for direction I could enlarge here on this Head but because this Treatise swells it may suffice to have pointed at the pointings of Providence as holding a correspondence with the Word which is the Christian-man's Directory for his Affairs and Concernments SECT VI. 6. KEEP up an holy Communion with God in his Dispensations If Providence have a tongue to speak and that divers ways as hath been shewed in the fore-going Section then men should have an ear to hear So had Cornelius as he declares to Peter Acts 10. 33. It 's the highest piece of incivility to slight the Visits and Letters of Providence As it is man's wisdom to enquire into the ends of God's Dispensations so it is his folly to go no farther than enquiry An holy conformity should be the result or issue of enquiry To know this or that to be the End of God in a Dispensation and yet to stand a-loof from a conformity to or compliance with such an End is double iniquity Let it be thy care then O man whoever thou art seriously to consider what Errand or Message this or that Dispensation hath to thy soul hear it awfully and obey it fully so shall God have the glory of his Providence and thy Soul the comfort of thy so-performed a duty SECT VII 7. LOOK after encrease of Grace in order to the better bearing of Providential Dispensations The Apostle Paul calleth on the Ephesians and in them on others To be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6. 10. And good reason is there to mind this for weak Bottles are not fit for the new and strong Wine of Divine Dispensations A painted man bears not a real Burden and a real Man-child can better hold a Rattle in his hand than carry a Faggot on his back Eminency as well as reality of Grace is the Christian's concernment and this appears if an eye be had 1. To the eminency or height of a Divine Dispensation There is sometimes an Isaac-trial and a man had need of an Abraham's faith A Goliah difficulty calls for the courage and spirit of a David Consumptive-lungs have an hard task to follow a Providence up the hill 2. To the variety of Dispensations Prosperity and Adversity do often take their turns It 's no easie matter to manage wisely variety of conditions Job speaks of the secret of God on his tabernacle Job 29. 4. and again He God hath loosed my cord and afflicted me Job 30. 11. He hath need of a Job's graces who may take a Job by the hand in point of various dispensations 3. To the suddenness or unexpectedness of a Dispensation Weak bodies are not so capacitated to bear sudden changes in Diet Air Apparel as those that be strong and vigorous A sudden Affliction may press a man too low and an unexpected Mercy may lâ—…t a man too high He had need of good eyes and strong brains who is taken out of a dark Dungeon and set on the top of a Pyramid or high Tower Jonah had an unexpected guord and that which came up in a night perished in a night Jonah 4. 10. How is he transported beyond sobriety under the guord-dispensation He who was exceeding glad was exceeding angry his excessive joy is attended with inordinate sorrow and discontent of heart Let then the consideration of the height variety suddenness of Providential Dispensations be an excitement to look after an encrease of grace the exercise of grace encreased and a further encrease of grace exercised SECT VIII 8. KEEP a good Conscience in following the work of the place or station wherein Providence hath set thee It is said of Jacob that he set pilled rods before the flocks and the flocks conceived before the rods and brought forth cattel ring straked speckled and spotted Gen. 30. 38 39. The application of this is easie Set before thine eyes the good examples of such who have minded the work of their places and imitate them Above all examples forget not that of Christ John 17. 4. I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do There is a work which every one is to make conscience of and so to glorifie God in minding that work Magistrates are to be just ruling in the fear of the Lord 2 Sam. 23. 3 They who are Gods
in regard of their Places are not to be Devils in regard of their Administrations Nehemiah did not as others before him because of the fear of the Lord Neh. 5. 15. Again Church-men are to mind their work Paul had his conversation in simplicity and godly sincerity 2 Cor. 1. 12. He was laborious in the Lord's vinyard 1 Cor. 15 10. He writ as well as preach't though a prisoner yet his pen is at liberty for the service of the Church Gal. 6. 11. he gives not off driving the Gospel-Nail one way when there was no driving of it another Lastly This concerns Parents Mâ—sters Children Servants to consider how they move in the Ark or Sphâ—re of their respective stations No place so mean but a person may glorifie God in it Obedience to God in the place where Providence hath fixed a person is better than Sacrifice out of it Luther hath in his Postils what illustrates the matter in hand with which I conclude this Section A certain Housholder hath a Wife Daughter Son Maid servant and Man-servant He commands his Man to harness the horses to bring home wood to plough and such like work He wills his Maid-servant to milk the Cows make Butter and such like To his Wife he commits the care of the Family and the ordering of provision To his daughter the distaff and the making of beds All these are the injunctions of one and the same Master But now if the Maid leaving her office and task required shall harness the horses and fetch home wood from the Copses and on the other hand the servant shall busie himself about the Cows and Milk-pails which is not his work and the Daughter leaving her Whorle instead of a Spinster shall become a Carter the Wife or Mother shall make the beds and handle the Distaff and forget her Cookery for the Family and moreover should they all say The Master hath commanded these things to be done this is the will of him who is lord of all May not this Housholder now and that deservedly too take a Cudgel and beat them all and from thence reply unto them Though this be my command yet I gave it not to every one to be so done but assigned every one his work which should have been followed SECT IX 9. HUSBAND well the signal Opportunities which Providence puts into thy hand for being serviceable for the Church of Christ Joseph by the Providence of God is advanced in the Corn-Countrey and he takes care then in time of Famine for his Father and Relations the Church then in Jacob his Family Gen. 45. 9 10 11. Nehemiah was no selfish Courtier he is affected with the sad case of his Countrey-men and prudently petitions the Persian-Monarch on the behalf of them Neh. 2. 5 6 7 8. Mordecai is plain with his Cousin Esther though now Queen Think not saith he with thy self that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews for if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place but thou and thy fathers house shall be destroyed and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this Esth 4. 12 13. Onesiphorus lets not slip the opportunity of owning a Paul then when others were frighted with the noise of the Apostle's Chain He oft saith Paul refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain but when he was in Rome he sought me out very diligently and found me 2 Tim. 1. 16 17. Let it be our care then judiciously to observe and accordingly to improve the remarkable opportunities for doing good Nothing saith a Mr. Vines in Serm. 2 Sam. 3. 20. worthy man of our Israel more sads and dulls the heart when one comes to dye than his neglect of such opportunities which God's Providence or his own Place have put into his hand of receiving or doing good nor is there a sharper corrosive than the reflection upon those days and times that have passed over him malè aliud nihil agentem SECT X. LASTLY Live holily and thankfully the Providential Dispensations which have concentred or met in thy Person Family or Relations To this end consider the following Incentives 1. With what patheticalness or holy earnestness is the living of Providences pressed in Scripture See Deut 8. 6. with the precedent verses Josh 24. 14. 1 Sam. 12. 24. Ephes 2. 11 12 13. 2. The Law of Ingenuity requireth holiness and thankfulness for what God hath done in his Providence for men Thou saith David to God hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living Psal 116. 8 9. See Luke 1. 74 75. 3. Sin otherwise is greatly aggravated The Lord may say for neglect of a responsable carriage towards his Dispensations as David of Nabal Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness 1 Sam. 25. 21. It is made an aggravation of Hezekiah's sin that he rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up 2 Chron. 32. 25. 4. The thankful and holy living of Providences may invite the God of Providence to do more for persons If that had been too little for thee saith God by Nathan to David I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things 2 Sam. 12. 8. God hath a rich treasure of kindness he will not be a barren Wilderness to those who are a Carmel for holy fruitfulness I conclude all with that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 58. Therefore my beloved brethren be ye stedfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. FINIS
the Lord came upon Jephthah and he becomes their deliverer Judg. 11. 29. So it is said The Lord saw the affliction of Israel that it was very bitter for there was not any shut up nor any left nor any help for Israel and the Lord said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash 2 King 14. 26 27. Joseph was in the briars a knotty case offers it self and while he thought on these things the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him Mat. 1. 20. The Disciples of Christ were in the Ship there arose a great tempest in the sea insomuch that the Ship was covered with the waves they come to Christ awake him saying Lord save us we perish then he arose after this storm and check given to them for the tempest of unbelief in their souls and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm Mat. 8. 24 25 26. Again when the disciples cry'd out for fear straightway Jesus spake unto them saying Be of good cheer it is I be not afraid Mat. 14. 26 27. Christ appears timely to the Emmaus-disciples under their heaviness Luke 24. 17. And as the Jews went about to kill Paul tidings came to the chief Captain of the Band That all Jerusalem was in an uproar who immediately took Soldiers and Centurions and so rescued Paul Acts 21. 31 32. Paul's Sister 's son heard of the Jews lying in wait to kill Paul and so there was a seasonable prevention of the murderous design Acts 23. 16. Epaphroditus was sick unto the death but the Lord had mercy on him Phil 2. 27. Thus all these are instances of seasonable help from Heaven under extremities Thirdly The variety of Ends which the Lord hath in the swelling of a distress ere he apply the remedy is the next thing to be insisted on These Ends subordinate to his will and pleasure may be reckoned up as follows 1. To chasten for sin Great sins call for grievous distresses As men were swift in transgressing so Providence may justly be slow in delivering God will let men see by the evils of smart how provoking their evils of lin have been Joseph's brethren envy him Gen. 37. 11. had resolution to slay him v. 20. commit Plagiary in selling their brother to the Ismaelites for he was not theirs to sell v. 28. with 40. Gen. 15. They are after distressed in Egypt and Conscience then rings them a peal being so distressed Gen. 42. 21. Their distress riseth higher and higher for behold their money is in their Sacks-mouth and hereupon their hearts failed them and they were afraid saying one to another What is this that God hath done unto us Gen. 42. 28. Neither is this all but a hard task they have to get Benjamin from their Father in order to the purgation of themselves from being Spies and no going again to Egypt without him and if they go not they must go down to their graves for the famine was sore in the Land Gen. 43. 1 2. At length Jacob is prevailed with to let Benjamin go and then their distress evades a superlative one the killing-part of the Tragedy is acted the Cup is found in Benjamin's Sack and according to their verdict Benjamin was to dye and they to be bond-men Gen. 44. 9. Now is the spring-tide of distress which overflows all the banks as appears from the pathetical Oration of Judah who vents his sorrows saying What shall we say unto my Lord What shall we speak or how shall we clear our selves God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants we are my Lord's bondmen and he also with whom the cup is found Gen. 44. 16. Now when their distress mounts to the clouds help comes down from the Heavens I am Joseph saith Joseph I am Joseph your brother whom ye sold into Egypt Gen. 45. 3 4. To this instance add another God did threaten the people by Isaiah with the Assyrian flood which was to overflow go over and reach even to the neck Isa 8. 6. Accordingly it was accomplished for the Assyrians like a deluge of water did overflow even to the head-City Jerusalem which like a man stood up to the neck in these waters the body of the nation being cover'd with them and then the Lord who sets bounds causeth the waters to return as we have the story in Isa 37. 36 37 38. the then there in the Text hath reference to the Jews doleful case when within the City God hath then his Angel for their deliverance when the Assyrian in his pride is highest and resolved in an utter riddance of the Lord's people 2. To dis-engage or take off the heart from creature-dependency and to call forth the faith for exercise on God The greater the distresses are and no way visible for help the more is there a place for faith on God Providence narrows or straitens the conditions of parties that so there may be more room or enlargement for the exercise of faith All Creature-twigs being lopt off there is nothing left but to hang the more on the Creator Faith will find somewhat to take hold on when Sense seeth nothing I looked saith the Psalmist on my right hand and behold but there was no man that would know me refuge failed me no man cared for my soul I cried unto thee O Lord I said Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living Psal 142. 4 5. the like was Paul's case 2 Cor. 1. 8 9. 3. To let men know That the Lord he is God and can help notwithstanding there is a visible face of things to the contrary The Israelites shall out of Egypt and over the Red-sea let Task-masters Horses Chariots the mighty Waters say the contrary Now I know saith Jethro that the Lord is greater than all gods for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them Exod. 18. 11. That is notable in Hezekiah's days when the case was sad at Jerusalem as that in Isa 37. 3. This day is a day of trouble and of rebuke and of blasphemy for the children are come to the birth and there is not strength to bring forth And yet though thus saith Hezekiah yet thus saith the Lord concerning the King of Assyria He shall not come into this City nor shoot an arrow there nor come before it with shields nor cast a bank against it by the way that he came by the same shall he return and shall not come into this City saith the Lord v. 33 34. God is the great Arbiter or Controller of things He will be known amongst the Mighties of the World and one season when he thus will be known is when distressed ones know not what to do but to sigh and pray to him who is great and greatly to be praised and feared above all gods Psal 96. 4. 4. To encourage praying-praying-work The Church of God in Esther's time
had as it were her neck on the block the lifted-up hands hold up the lifted-up Ax from falling down Esth 4. 16. Prayer was made without ceasing for Peter Acts 12. 5. the Lord sends an Angel who procures a timely Gaol-delivery v. 7 8 9 10. As God doth call forth prayer in such extremities for our extremities call upon us to call upon God so his goodness is seen in the answer made unto prayer which may further be a Load-stone to this duty under the like extremities It is said in Psal 102. 17. He will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer O how oft have praying-ones had experience of God's regarding them when in respect of their extremities sense and reason might be ready to prompt as if the Lord had utterly rejected them I remember here a memorable story There happened to be a Famine in a Ship insomuch that the question was started about drawing lots who should be eaten one of note in the Ship and a pious man withal desired the rest That they might first seek to God by prayer before they resolved to enact so inhuman a Butchery and accordingly he made a prayer to God and whilst he was praying a Fish of some bigness was cast out of the sea upon the place where he was praying this Fish they divided and though it were but a short Commons for hungry ones yet it put a stop to a Flesh-dinner for that time but however the belly hath no ears hunger comes on and the old question about a bloody Flesh-meal is started The man who was their mouth to God in prayer wills them They might look up again to God having had experience of his gracious Providence in the Fish accordingly to prayer they go and whilst at prayer a Fowl of considerable bigness flies a-thwart the Ship-tackling and is entangled which they had and accordingly divided and before any further controversie did arise a Ship bears up towards them and their distressed case being communicated provision they had out of the Ship and that notwithstanding the Captain of the Ship had a particular grudg against the man of note in the other Ship and was resolved at first to play the Esau with this Jacob but yet did him no harm 5. To render His Wisdom and Power conspicuous and that not only to persons the immediate subjects of such relief but likewise to others in after-generations So for the Wisdom and Power of God there was more than a few drops of these at the Red-sea how often is that deliverance taken notice of and celebrated in the Sacred Scriptures The like may be said of the distress of the Lord's people in Esther's days What a glorious display was there of Power and Wisdom in that astonishing deliverance In Psal 102. we understand of the low and distressed case of persons there for the title of the Psalm is A prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the Lord And passages in the Psalm do imply distresses We have there doleful complaints and a tragical description of distress express mention made of Zion's stones and dust and now notwithstanding the sore distress of the Lord's people the Lord is not wanting for it is said ver 16. When the Lord will build up Zion he will appear in his glory that is he will exalt the glory of his Attributes particularly of his Power and Wisdom he hath both Power and Skill to gather the stones and dust and make a glorious building glorious to the eyes of those who shall take a view of all for this shall be written for the generation to come and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord ver 18. 6. To check the pride insultation and malicious resolutions of wicked ones Come say the Babylonians sing us one of the songs of Zion Psal 137. 3. God can in time let the Babylonian know there are those whom he can make use of to make the Babylonians howl who now call for singing one of the Lord's songs How were Pharaoh Haman Senacherih check't at a nick of time And not only in former times hath Providence been seen in giving a check but also in later days There is a very remarkable story of Magdeburge the Citizens whereof in Charles the Fifth's time Emperor of Germany stood out heroically notwithstanding the Emperor had born down with force the Protestants in all Germany only Magdeburge is like the Pelican in the wilderness and the Owl of the desart and the Sparrow alone on the house-top and though so yet how in the nick of time was Prince Maurice who besieged them wheeled about to be their friend and so makes Articles of Peace with them and with his Army falls in upon the Emperor who flies before him and after forsakes the Imperial Crown betaking himself to a retired life and so the Protestant Interest which was sore depressed hath its resurrection to the baffling of Popish expectations Hither or under this head may be referred that of the witnesses in Rev. 11. I wave debates as to parties slain and the time when whether at several times in several generations That which makes for the matter in hand is the Lord 's raising them notwithstanding their being slain and that to the shame and terror of their adversaries for so in v. 11. After three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them which saw them That in Mie 7. 10. may here be accommodated as a good Comment on this place and pertinent to the matter in hand Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God Behold mine eyes shall behold her now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets Lastly To mention no more The Lord doth step in in the depth of misery to endear himself unto persons holpen and to engage their hearts the more unto him who doth exalt his mercy at such a season So in Exod. 15. 13. Thou in mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed And Psal 34 6. This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles And in Psal 116. The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell gat hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow then I called upon the name of the Lord O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul gracious is the Lord and righteous yea our God is merciful CHAP. II. 1. SEE folly and vanity 1. In regard of impatiency under evils 2. In regard of excursions or steppings aside from duty to the use of means for which men have no warrant There is folly both these ways The Israelites fell foul on Moses and Aaron because the door for egress out of Egypt was not opened at first knocking What though a double Lock seem to