was taken then the family and then the person of the family Josh 7. 16 17. and so likewise in Saul see 2 Sam. 10. 21 22. Thus we have the testimony of Solomon and yet behold a greater than Solomon doth witness the same for what more contingent than for a Sparrow to be taken in net or killed otherwise and yet saith Christ Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father Mat. 10. 29. Secondly If Contingents were without the bridle of Providence God should be some petty Lord not an Absolute and Universal Governour over the World yea remove Contingents and farewel to the Government of the World Let these be dumb Cyphers in the Table of Providence and the speaking Figures will become silent ones To judg by way of proportion let there be a survey taken of the Providence of God in the case of Joseph set by the Contingencies and what becomes of that Map or Landskip of Providence Certainly the Province of Contingents is of vast extent so much may be gathered from that passage whether of the wise man or the foolish man brought in by the Wise man yet speaking truth in regard of the extent of Contingencies Eccles 9. 11. Time and chance happeneth to all Thirdly Matters of considerable and great consequence hang on this nail of Contingencie As 1. The prevention of great dangers A contingent-dispensation doth set a guard to wonder Joseph his life was in an ordinary way if not somewhat extraordinary saved by the empty pit and the Merchants who did traffick with his brethren for such living Goods And so Moses his life did hang on the cord of Contingencies see Exod. 2. 5 6. 2. An in-let to great stirrs tumults and combustions is by virtue of a Contingency The coal of an intestine warr was blown by Sheba who happened as it is said to be there 2 Sam. 20. 1. see also Judg. 8 1 2 3. 3. Great advancements are brought about by Contingencies The Butler opens his mouth at Court for Joseph he was before silent ingratitude had set a Padlock on his lips as himself acknowledgeth Gen. 41. 9. Esther passed to her Royal Palace through several doors of Contingencies Mordecai likewise he finds Contingencies to be the golden stirrop to his Honours see Esth 2. 21 22 23. and chap. 6. 1 2 3. 4. The invention of Arts and things of considerable consequence have drawn their first breath by Contingency The invention of Guns that deadly instrument in warr which some think to be hinted in that of Rev. 9. Brightm In locum 17. is reported to be ushered into the world by a spark of fire falling into a Mortar of sulphureous matter and so gave an occasion for an essay what Powder would do in a more exact Engine Acosta relates how the Golden History of the Indies lib. 3. c. 6 Mines of the Mountain Potozi were found out by an Indian going to hunt for Venison in the pursuit of the Beast the Indian laboured to ascend a steep place and laying hold on certain Plants which yeilding he espied in the hole or root metal and so by this means that Golden Mountain was discovered 5. By Contingent-dispensations the Lord afflicteth the sons of men as he pleaseth The blustering wind of distress gets in at this hole Jonah's Wind Whale Gourd Worm were all Contingents Job in like sort drank deep of the Lord 's bitter cup Contingent Providence held forth the cup to that servant of the Lord. Thou breakest saith the Psalmist the ships of Tarshish with an east-wind Psal 48. 7. Lastly Notable exploits victories are hereby brought about That Egyptian by whose discoveries made David became so victorious 1 Sam. 30 might not have been so left by his Master or else have had some killing-potion of Soldier-like Physick administred to him to put him out of pain his not being knock't on the head proves the means for David's knocking down the Amalekites who as it happened were eating drinking and dancing when David falls foul on them 1 Sam. 30. 16 17. It is observable how in Naval-fights the Wind which is a Contingent at such a nick of time is of great consequence And not only at sea but at land doth Victory hang on Contingency The Prophet Isaiah gives a description of an happy concurrency of Contingencies in order to a triumphing-conquest and all this with subordination to Divine Providence And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from afar and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth and behold they shall come with speed swiftly none shall be weary nor stumble amongst them none shall slumber nor sleep neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed nor the latchet of their shooes be broken Isa 5. 26 27. Fourthly In the glass of Contingent-dispensations may be seen the Attributes of God in a glorious equipage As 1. The Power of God which is notably displayed in the Winds Seas c. Psal 147. 18. 2 Chron. 20. 37. 2. Mercy of God as in the preservation of Joseph Moses and David with others 3. The Justice of God as when the two Bears came out of the Wood and devour'd forty and two Children 2 King 2. 23 24. 4. The Verity or Truth of God Samuel anoints Saul Captain over the Lord's Inheritance 1 Sam. 10. 1. After this the Lot findeth out Saul though he hid himself amongst the stuff v. 20 21 22. The Land of Canaan was divided by lot and the division holdeth correspondence with the Prophecy of Jacob before as may be instanced in Zebulun Gen. 49. 13. with Isa 9. 1. Josh 9. 10 11. 5. The Wisdom of God By unthought-of Contingencies matters are brought to pass in God's time In Joseph's case all the Contingents were the Bridg of Providence for the Dreams to pass over into the Land of Egypt for their real accomplishment Having thus given the proof for the extent of Providence to contingent matters there are these Lessons or Instructions which are of use 1. There is no reason to slight Contingent-dispensations The same Will of God is the foundation of Contingents which is of Necessaries or things which are not so in themselves considered as Contingent A Sparrow hath not the like principle of life as an Angel or Man and yet the Sparrow falls not to the ground without the will of the Father Mat. 10. 29. Moreover as hath been intimated God doth notably display his glory by a confederation or concatenation of Contingents Make not leight then of the least link of the Chain Remember who couples all together and how he useth it 2. Here is a check for the proud and insulting Adversaries of the Church How easily can God by a Contingent-dispensation present them with such a snarled knot which shall be too hard for mortal fingers to unty Haman was wonderfully baffled in his Projects and that by a juncture of Contingencies The proudest Child of Haman
the sea shall declare unto thee Who knoweth not in all these the hand of the Lord hath wrought this Job 12. 7 8 9. There are four things observable the first whereof is general the other three more special but all of them corroborate or confirm the testimony of Providence That which is general is the admirable and wise disposition of things The Creatures know their ranks and files so in Psal 74. The day is thine the night also is thine thou hast prepared the light and the sun thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made summer and winter v. 16 17. Simul etiam à facili argumentatur Cum talia praestes quotidie quanto facilius potes nos liberare Molleras in loc Note here how the words do not only declare an exact and constituted order in naturals but do likewise imply a rich display of Wisdom in the vicissitudes and successions of distresses and deliverances which are wisely timed by the Providence of God for his people And to this purpose tends the scope of the Psalmist here The things special in the Providence of God are 1. The transcendency or extraordinary visibility of it in some matters Providence oftentimes mounts aloft above the reason of second Causes Thus the Centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus when they saw the Earthquake and what was done they feared greatly saying Truly this was the Son of God Mat. 27. 54. 2. The wonderful adaequateness and proportion of a dispensation An instance for this is that in Judg. 1. 6 7. As I have done saith Adonibezek there so God hath requited me 3. The correspondency or accord of a dispâ—nsation with Divine Predictions and Comminations So the raising up of Cyrus Ezek. 1. 1 2 3 4. compared with Isa 44. 28. and 45. 13. And so likewise the Jews under their calamities might behold the convincing-hand of Providence when their language is Like as the Lord of Hosts thought to do unto us according to our ways and according to our doings so hath he dealt with us Zech. 1. 6. And not only the crushing-dispensations by the Babylonian considered in conjunction with the threatnings of the Prophets carry the more of a convâ—ncing-light in them but likewise those by the Romans fore-told by Daniel and more nearly intimated by our Saviour Mat. 24. 15 16. Luke 23. 28 29 30. I shall here annex what Josephus a Jew hath as pertinent to the matter in hand Antiq. lib 10. c. 11. and so pass to the next Argument At the same time Daniel wrote as touching the Empire of the Romans how it should destroy our Nation and hath left all these things in writing according as God declared unto him so that they who read and consider those things that have happened admire Daniel for the honour God hath dignified him with and find thereby that Epicures err who drive all Providence from human life and affirm That God governeth not the affairs of the World or that the World is administred by an happy and incorruptible essence which causeth all things to continue in their beeing but say that the World is managed by it self by Casualty without any Conductor or such an one as hath care thereof for if it were so and that it were destitute of a Soveraign Governour as we see Ships destitute of their Pilots to be drowned by the Winds and Chariots that have no Drivers to conduct them to beat one against another even so should it ruinate it self By these things therefore that Daniel hath foretold I judg that they are far estranged from the truth that affirm That God hath no care of human affairs for it we see that all things happen casually then happen they not according to this Prophecy 3. From the Absurdities on the contrary 1. The World in regard of the comely oeconomy or administration of it which takes place would not be a World whilst it is a World for if there are evil Angels and these so malicious and mischievous as the word of God affirmeth these would marr the beauty of all and turn all into heaps of confusion were there not a curbing-Providence as is fully declared from Job chap. 1 and 2. and Mat. 8. 31 32. In both which places men may behold Beelzebub with his Companions in the Chains of Providence 2. The Checks of conscience and fears on the spirits of men would be but a false fire and groundless fancy if there were not a Providence and this is contrary to that of the Apostle in Rom. 2. 15. where he speaks of an accusing and terrifying Conscience in the Heathens who stood in some awe of a Deity or a Providence controlling them and punishing them for their mis-deeds The barbarous people of Melita had an observation of Vengeance pursuing Murder as may be collected from Acts 28. 24. 3. A gap to Atheism Brutality and all manner of prophaness would be opened by a Si providentia Dei non praesideat rebus humanis nihil est amplius de religione satagendum August Si autem homo eò devenit ut secum cogitet nullam esse providentiam Deum nostra nihil curare patefecit jam sibi januam ad omnem nequitiam audet quid vis tam dicere tam facere nec ullum repriprimit affectum quaere diabolus ejus rei non ignarus contendit omnibus viribus hominem eo inducere ut divinam providentiam neget Lavat in Job c. 22. denial of God's Providence If this deep be broken up no wonder if a deluge or flood of ungodliness follow What the Apostle doth infer from the denial of the resurrection will be the first use of such a wicked doctrine 1 Cor. 15. 32. Let us eat and drink for to morrow we dye but surely Humanity much more Christianity dictates otherwise CHAP. II. THough the Doctrine of Providence be written with a Sun-beam yet there are some mists and fogs by reason whereof some are at a puzzle and ready to question the truth of God's Providence The great and common Objection is The seeming confusion in the World by reason of the fury and tyranny of some wicked ones who prosper in their attempts on others better than themselves and not only Heathens of the wild Common of the World but others of the enclosed Garden of the Lord have hereupon been staggered as Psal 73. v. 2 3. I shall not here fall in with a large discourse by way of reply to this Objection In short then let it be considered 1. Whatever there is of proper ataxie disorder or confusion is not to be charged on the Lord who is not the author of confusion 1 Cor. 14 33. 2. There is a wise and righteous method of God in all the disorders and confusions of men Providence is in the head of the Creatures observing a goodly order when the Creatures to our apprehension keep neither rank nor file A serious search then being made into the
ut infatuet consilium Achitophelis Martyr man into a fool 2. There is a notable description of out-witting Providence in regard of the devices of men against the Church He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision Psal 2. 4. This laughter here after the manner of men is attributed to God It may point at three things 1. Sedateness or Tranquillity God is not affected in the least by way of perturbation with the devices and politick contrivances of men An Army of expert Soldiers is not moved to behold a company of Children making towards them with Reeds in their hands They therefore who have composed spirits when wicked ones are busie in their Cobweb-work do the more resemble Him who sits in the Heavens and thus laughs 2. Ability or Facility to dash their designs A wise man who laughs at the project of an Adversary seeth the vanity of the project He needeth not enter into a deep contemplation how to counterwork so shallow an Invention 3. Perspicacity or insight into the case of the Snarers snared by the very course they take A wise man who sees in some measure the end of business at the beginning of it well may laugh when the Adversary shall make a rod for his own back The Lord gives sinners line and so they are entangled to their own sorrow Thus he that sitteth in the Heavens laughs no reason for them who have the Lord of Heaven for theirs to weep unless it be for sinning against their Lord. OBSERVATION XXVII Whilst men go on their own Errands they do God's Business or Men in pursuing their own Ends bring about the Ends of Providence CHAP. I. THE truth of this appears 1. From God's threatning and punishing of men for such matters the doing whereof though not the so doing in regard of the Agents had its warrant from the Lord. Jehu was the Sithe-man of Providence to mow down the House of Ahab Thou said the Prophet to him shalt smite the house of Ahab 2 Kings 9. 7. Jehu hath a bloody-commission yet righteous in regard of God but sinfully executed by Jehu whose end was selfish and therefore the Lord threatens saying I wil◠avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu Hos 1. 4. 2. From Exemplifications and that 1. In Civils Men have their Aims Ends the Lord hath his Saul seeks the lost living goods of his Father and in seeking is brought to Samuel according as God had before spoken to the Prophet saying To morrow about this time I wil◠send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin 1 Sam. 9. 16. Cyrus is a ravenous bird yet what is said of him see Isa 46. 1. calling a ravenous bird from the east the man that executeth my counsel from a far countrey 2. In Sacreds God hath his end and men have theirs the Action is one and the same the End different Some prophesie in Christ's name and yet are rejected at the great day Christ distinguisheth between gold and dross prophesying in his name and for their own names doing good and working iniquity whilst they do that which is materially good see Mat. 7. 22 23. Again Exemplifications there are of this wherein we may behold the work of Providence carried on sometimes more immediately sometimes more remotely There is work managed at first-hand and at second and third-hand The Philistins have their End in invading the Land they intended not the relief of David at that nick of time neither the making way for David to the Throne in the slaughter of Saul at another time see 1 Sam. 23. 26 27. 1 Sam. 31. with 2 Sam. 2. Lastly Exemplifications there are 1. Of Utitur ergo Deus in salutem suorum irrationabili item insensibili creatura tanquam jumento vel instrumento quae jam expleto opere nusquam erunt Utitur creatura rationali sed malevolâ quasi disciplinae virgâ quam correcto filio in ignem projiciet tanquam farmentum inutile Utitur angelis hominibus bonae voluntatis tanquam commilitonibus coadjutoribus suis quos peractâ victoria amplissime munerabit Bernardus de gratia libero arbitrio such who mind no such thing as the Lord's work in what they do They think on what lies before them A Lust and not a God or rather a Lust which is their God dictates to them The Assyrian meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so but it is in his heart to destroy and out off nations not a few Isa 10. 7. 2. Of such who mind directly the dashing of what is to take place according to God's will Joseph's brethren whilst they endeavour the crossing of the divine dream do cross their crossing Gen. 37. 19 20. CHAP. II. 1. OBSERVE hence how men act freely without compulsion and yet infallibly as the work to be done holds correspondence with the purpose of God whether secret or declared We may say truly in this case as the High-Priest in another What further need have we of witnesses Mat. 26. 65. behold their own confessions and acknowledgments do witness their spontaneous actings Who talks more of his liberty and what he doth and will do than the Assyrian Isa 10. 8 to 15 And yet what is said of tho Assyrian Soveraign Monarch There is the Lords I will send him against an hypocritical nation v. 10. yea this great Axe and Saw is but an Ax and Saw and in the hand of the great God v. 15. 2. Despond not how this or that shall be brought about which shall make for God's glory and his distressed people's good Providence can find tools enough in the world to do the work of Providence Many a man works blindfold in the Shop of Providence and whilst they strike aside the Anvil they shall hit right stroaks on it It may be observed how men's interests are so interwoven as that they shall do that or forward that which otherwise would not be done In Charles the fifth's days Emperor of Germany the case of the Protestants was very low the grave was made there only seemed nothing else but the tolling the Bell for the Funerals Maurice on a sudden like a great Bell is raised and the thundering-noise hereof frights Charles the fifth out of Germany See Fynes Moryson Itinerary part 3. p. 184. And if we would know what hands were at the Bell-rope even the hands of Ferdinand the Emperor his own brother who being chosen King of the Romans that is the ordinary Successor of the Emperor and like to be forced to resign the same to Philip the Son of Charles is said to have encouraged Maurice in that attempts whereby Charles the fifth was conquered after all hi◠Conquests the Protestants relieved and Ferdinand promoted to the Empire his Brother Charles resigning to him and be taking himself to a Monastry 3. Observe how God can and doth out-wit men in their Policies by their Policies Providence knows how to