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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A25209 A sermon upon the wonderful deliverance by His Majesty from assassination, the nation from invasion by Vin. Alsop. Alsop, Vincent, 1629 or 30-1703. 1696 (1696) Wing A2911; ESTC R23666 37,849 39

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in this dark matter or whither to consult the Scripture or advise with the Priests but when he came then he was abundantly satisfied and begins his Psalm v. 1. with this Recognition Truly God is good to Israel even to them that are of a clean heart 2. 'T is a most wise Providence Especially in the case before us he makes his greatest enemies to serve his friends and knows how to rule the malice of the Devil to produce the effects of his own love Could we behold the beautiful scenes of Providence in a true light with a clear eye nothing could be more ravishing To observe how he makes fire and water sweetly to agree in the same mixed bodies when in their distinct forms they are implacable enemies might lead our thoughts to a higher speculation how he over rules the opposition of irreconcileable interests to contribute to a general Peace this was the admiration of holy David Psal. 104.24 O how wonderful are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all He conducts ignorant agents to an end which they think not of and stubborn creatures to fulfil those designs of his which they professedly oppose he maintains his own order in the midst of all our confusions and can easily bring forth light out of all that darkness which at present involves the face of things he can command the storm which threatens to sink the Vessel to blow it into safe Harbor and out of these bloody Wars can speak to the Nations a firm and happy Peace and of all these and many more instances of the divine wisdom we need no other proof than what lies fair before our eyes our enemies thought to have broken us by dividing us wise Providence has united and Associated us they design'd to overturn the foundations of our government wise Providence has more strongly settled it they plotted against the life of our King wise Providence took the hint and has declared him both Lawful and Rightful King 'T is a most powerful Providence Nothing so high so strong as to be above his power nothing so mean so weak as to be below his care Luke 1. 50. He hath shewed strength with his arm he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts he hath put down the mighty from their seat and exalted them of low degree 'T is the peculiar glory of Providence to break the hardest heart and then to bind up what he has broken to humble the stoutest spirit and then to exalt it when truly humbled Let us now gather up these particulars and they will give us a demonstration of the greatness of the privilege that Israel has a most holy most wise and most powerful Providence to watch over her to superintend all her concerns against all the subtle and malicious designs of all her enemies § 2. We must now distinguish of Providence and that will give us yet a further and fuller prospect into the greatness of this privilege Providence is either Common or Special 1. Common Providence is that whereby he governs cares and provides for all his creatures as such for Providence is as wide and large as creation Not like the Ostrich Job 39. 14 15. which leaveth her Eggs in the earth and warmeth them in the dust and forgetteth that the foot may crush them or that the wild beast may break them she is hardned against her young ones as tho they were not hers her labour is in vain without fear but the good God hates nothing neglects nothing that he has made Mat. 5. 45. He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust The sun is his great servant to communicate light and heat and the influences of life vigor and fruitfulness to this lower world and some have shamefully mistaken the servant for the Master and worshipt the second cause when they should have referred all their mercies to be first and the sun seems to be unwilling to rise and shine and lend his beams to a company of wretched Idolaters but God makes him rise and shine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he compels him to discharge his office to the whole creation so faithful to and careful of the works of his hands is the great Creator Psal. 147.9 He giveth to the beast his food and to the young ravens which cry The young ravens have a language which Providence understands and God feeds them as well as the innocent Doves nay the young Lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God Lions that might be supposed their own Ca●erers and Carvers that would never ask leave of the Shepherd to borrow a Lamb from his Fold or Flock yet even these in their Dialect seek their meat from God as the Lion roars for his prey the Lamb bleats for his food and tender Providence understands and gives what they crave and want and to a good God the want of his creature is its prayer This Providence of God tho it be called common is yet particular and reaches the minutes of the creation not only caring for the works of his hands in the gross and lump but extending its regards to the motions actions and concerns that seem most inconsiderable it reaches not only the head but the hairs of the head and does not only dispose of and provide for the stately lion but the chirping sparrow and because in the motions of that little bird nothing seems more contingent than its lighting upon the ground whether to seek its food or divert it self yet even these come under the notice of providence Math. 10. 29 30. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing A small creature a small price And one of them whose price can be but half a farthing shall not fall on the ground an inconsiderable action of an inconsiderable creature without your father But the very hairs of your head are all numbred Wonder not then that God tells the number of the stars of Heaven Psal. 147.4 when he counts the number of the hairs of your head and let this consideration lead our thoughts from admiration of to dependance on that providence which if it cares for the hair will not fail to secure the head This providence is yet more to be admired in that concern it has about the horrid wickednesses of a debauched world that it can like the Sun shine upon a dunghil and yet never defile its beams with those steams which rise from thence that sin which he wisely permits he powerfully over-rules and by a priviledge peculiar to himself brings the greatest good out of the greatest evil 2. There is yet a special and peculiar Providence whereby he is concerned to Provide for and Protect his own Israel his Church and our Saviour the Interest of his own Name and glory is wrapt up in As his Relation is nearer so his Love is dearer and his care greater for Israel Psal. 148.14 The Children of Israel a