The Life of Faith in Times of Trial and Affliction, Consideration 21

The Life of Faith in Times of Trial and Affliction · Consideration 21

p. 364CONSIDERATION XXI. No man can make straight what God hath made crooked.

ECCLES. VII: V. 13.

Consider the Work of God; for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked?

IN a day, wherein the People of God are persecuted and afflicted for His sake and cause, it were a great help and advantage unto a christian and sutable carriage under that dispensation, to have right and sutable thoughts of God, and of His divine works. In such a day, we fancie and imagine many things amiss, in the Providential Workings of God, many things we think we see, that might be helped, and if we had the disposal of matters, in our hand, should be quickly redressed; and thus being led away with our own proud hearts, and insensibly carried down the strame, we fall a censureing of the holy Way of the Lord, and a quarrelling with Him, because He doth not rectifie p. 365matters, according to our mind, and doth not governe the world, or, at least, the Church, according to our wishings and wouldings. Now because this frame of spirit is so repugnant unto the Holy Will of God, so unsutable unto the Children of God, so hurtful unto the Soul, and such an Enemie unto the right deportment of Souls, in the day of Crosses and Affliction, it will be of use to to speak some thing (if the Lord will help) to rectifie our mistakes, and to cure us of these Distempers.

We think we see many crooked Passages, in God's Way and Dispensations with the Church, and with ourselves in particular; and we imagine also, we know wayes how to set all these crooks even; But this is really a clear demonstration of our follie: For the Wise man telleth us here, that no man can help any thing, that they suppose God hath made amisse; or make any thing straight, which God hath made crooked, who can (saith he) make that straight, which He hath made crooked?

Among several other wholsome Instructions, which Salomon giveth us, in this penetential discourse of his, this is one, That we would Consider the Work of God, that is, Take notice of what He is doing and working, ponder upon His works, Meditate p. 366upon them, and dwell on the thoughts thereof, and lay to heart His Providential disposal of all Things, Actions and Events; and His ordering and mannaging of them all to His own Glory, and according to His own mind and absolute will and pleasure: And that so, as to acquiesce in what He doth, to rest satisfied with it, and to comply heartily and cheerfully therewith, in all points, without Murmureing, Fretting, Repineing or Quarrelling. And He addeth a Reason; (which is that we are here mainely to speak to;) for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? This question is an emphatick negation of the thing; and is as much, as if he had said, it is absolutly Impossible, that any Creature, Man or Angel, can make straight, what God hath made crooked. They cannot Counter - work the Lord; they cannot undo what He hath done; they cannot amend what they suppose is made or done amisse.

This He had said before Chap 1: vers. 15. that which is crooked cannot be made straight. And here He maketh this Improvement of it, and as it were draweth this use from it; That we should consider the Works of the Lord; as if He had said, The Consideration of this, that no man can make any thing straight, that they suppose God p. 367hath made crooked, should move us to complye with, and contentedly acquiesce in whatsoever God doth under the Sun, by His mighty Power, and according to His unchangable Purpose and Counsel, and to the everlasting determinations of His holy will.

These words give ground to enquire

1. What are those crooked things, which God hath made?

2. How and why it is, that these crooked things cannot be made straight by one or other of the Creatures?

3. What way we should, upon this account, Consider the Works of God? or what Improvement we should make of this Impossibility of helping, what we suppose is amisse, in the Lord's Works of Providence?

As to the first, VVe may not suppose, that, to speak properly, any thing, that God doth, is crooked; but our corrupt unsatisfied mindes look upon many passages of God's All-ruling and All-disposing Providence, as crooked, and as such as we would faine have altered, if we had our wills. Some of which we can onelyonly mention, and these we may reduce to two Heads,

1. Touching some things, that are more controverted.

p. 3682. Touching some things, that are less controverted.

As to the more controverted, we shall mention only these following,

1. Not only do our hearts rise up against the Holy and Soveraigne Acts of Gods will, in choosing whom He would unto eternal Life, and in passing by o…hers; as we see Rom. 9. Corrupt Reason, that will not submit unto the Lord and His wayes, spurneth against that saying, that God hath mercy on whom He will; and Iacob have I loved &c. Vers. 13, 15. and responsateth against God, objecting, upon this account, unrighteousness unto the just and holy One of Israel V. 14. But also against His holy Executions of these His Holy and Soveraigne Decrees. Paul had concluded, that God had mercy on whom He would, and hardened whom He would Vers. 18. And corrupt Reason will againe carp, and say, If so, why doth He yet finde fault? For who hath resisted His will? Vers. 19. Unto which the Apostle must returne a sharp and silenceing answere, Vers. 20, 21, 22, 23. Nay, but O Man, who art thou, that repliest (or disputest) against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, why hast thou ma… me thus? Hath not the Potter power over the Clay, of the same lump; to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour. &c.

p. 3692. So in the matter of the Lord's dispensing the meanes of grace, and the Gospel, we wonder at the Lords Way, and cannot understand how it is, that He should hide this Mysterie from Ages and Generations Col. 1. vers. 26. Ephes 3: v. 9. should send the Gospel to one place, and not unto another; and why He should forbid the Apostles to goe preach the good newes of Salvation in Asia and in Bithinia Act. 16: vers. 6, 7, Why He should continue the Gospel long with one people, and remove it quickly from another, and Non-church them: And why one Nation and People should enjoy the meanes of grace for many ages; and others, for many ages, never once have a report of Salvation through Christ, but be left, from one generation to another, in blackness of darkness, in woful Idolatry and Ignorance. This piece of the Lord's work seemeth so crooked, and so unlike to, and incorrespondent with, or repugnant to the attributes of God, as to His Mercy, Loving Kindness and Goodness, unto some, that they, to make up this supposed gap, and set right this crook in the Lords way, feigne and imagine an Universal Objective Grace; or an Universal Gospel; that is, that God hath given to all Nations, how barbarous so ever, those meanes of Grace and Salvation, p. 370which, if they would improve aright, would prove saving; and so must imagine, that the Sun, Moon and Stars, Raines and fruitful Seasons, and other works of Creation and Providence, do preach out that Mysterie of Salvation through a crucified Christ, contrare to Scripture, and to all Sense and Reason; or that there is another way to Salvation, than by saith in a crucified Christ; which is also contrare to the Scripture Act. 4: vers, 12. Thus the Arminians, and Semi - Arminians and Quakers, think to make this crooked work of God straight; but in vaine. We should rather minde that, which Paul hath Rom. 11: 33. after he had spoken of the rejection of the Jewes, and the Lords taking-in the Gentiles, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his wayes past finding out! Vers. 34. For who hath known the minde of the Lord, or who hath been his Counsellour? Vers. 35. Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him againe? Vers. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, Amen. And minde the purpose of God here, Ephes. 1: v. 8, 9, 10. and 3: 9, 10, 11.

3, The way of the Lord, in this matter, seemeth so crooked to Pelagians, and their p. 371followers, Arminians, Socinians and Quakers' with Papists and Iesuites, that all this contrivance of an Vniversal Objective Grace, or an Universal Gospel, will not satisfie them, nor be enough, in their apprehensions, to set this crook even; but they must further assert an Vniversal Subjective Grace; that is, Grace and Power granted to every One, to hearken to the voice of God calling in Nature, and in the Gospel, to convert and turne themselves, to believe and repent, if, and whensoever they will; because they see not, how it is consistent with Gods Wisdom and Goodness, to require any duty of man, but what he giveth him full ability to performe, not regairding the stock of strength, that was once given to man, and was dilapidat by Adam. But, as to this, how crooked so ever we suppose it to be, we must rest here, that the Carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8: vers. 7. And that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2: v. 14. and that Faith is the gift of God. Ephes. 2: v. 8. And that it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do, according to his own good pleasure Phil. 2. vers. 13. And that Christ is a Prince exalted to give Repentance. p. 374Act. 5: v. 30 And that God is a free Dispenser of His grace, as being obliged to none, and shewing mercy to whom he will.

4. That work of the Lord's covenanting with Adam, as the Head, in the name of all mankinde; and his imputing his sin unto his posterity, who were in his loines, so that all become borne and conceived in sin, and obnoxious to the wrath of God, because of that transgression of Adam, according as the Apostle speaketh Rom 5 vers. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entr…d into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. And againe Vers. 14. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression. And Vers. 18. Therefore as by one mans offence (or by one offence) judgment came upon all men to condemnation. This Dispensation, I say, seemeth so crooked to some, such as Pelagians, Socinians, Arminians and Quakers; that they must absolutely deny it; and say, there is no such thing as original sin, though Paul sa…eth Ephes. 2: vers. 3.—that we were by nature (including himself) the Children of wrath; And David telleth us, in his humble Confession of sinnes to God Psal. 51 ver. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did p. 373my Mother conceive me. And Iob sayeth Chap. 14: v. 4. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one. And to the same purpose Bildad Iob. 25: v. 4.—How can he be clean that is borne of a Women?

5. For further setting even, what otherwayes men think crooked, in the way of the Lord, they imagine, assert and defend an Universal Redemption; saying, that Christ hath died for all; equally, say some; with some difference, say others: because it seemeth a crooked thing with them, and inconsistent with the Nature and Goodness of God, not to seek the Salvation of all, and not to prepare meanes of life for all, & so not to send Christ to die for all and every mothers son; though we be plainly enough and expresly told in Scripture, that the Father gave not all to the Son to redeem, but some; and that Christ laid down His life a ransome for those alone, who were given to him to save, and of whom he must give an account to the Father, as having undertaken to redeem them from Hell, Wrath, Satan and all their Enemies; and by His Power, and Grace to bring them saife home at length, as being their Head, their Husband, their Shepherd, their Cautioner, their Lord Ransomer, their Intercessour, and Advocat with the Father; and that p. 374these are an all; and called the …orld, to point out their natural Original, that Grace may the more appear to be grace; and to pointe out their being scattered through th… world, and taken out of all Kindreds, Tongues, Nations, People, Languages; especially now under the Gospel, in distinction from the dayes of the Old Testament, when the Iawes were only the peculiar people of the Lord, and in Iudah only was God known, and his name great in Israel.

6 Further to make God's supposed crooked wayes straight, the Enemies of the free G…ace of God imagine▪ that the will of Man must be left Free, to be Lord of all, and absolute disposer of the decrees and purposes of God of Redemption, and of Salvation; so that the Lord must not by an Irresistible Power draw any home to Christ, contrary to Ioh. 6: 44. Nor create in any a new heart, and take away the heart of stone, and give an heart of flesh, contrare to Ezech. 11. 19. and 36: 26, 27. Because they cannot see, how it can consist with Gods Love to mankinde, to preferre one to another; they imagine that God layeth the matter alike to all mens door, standing equally and knocking at every mans door; and so leaving it to them alike to choose or refuse, p. 375to become happy or miserable, as they please; and so they say, that when God hath done all He can or will do, to save people, their will is at perfect freedome to accept or reject the Grace of God, and that there is no special saving work of grace upon the heart of one, more then of another. O what real crooked work do foolish men make here! How do they darken, deforme and make crooked the glorious straight work of the free grace of God, wherein absolute Soveraignity, glorious Grace, and the free Mercy of God shineth forth with such a Soveraigne Lustre, Beauty and Glory? Paul had other thoughts of the matter, when he said Ephes. 1: vers. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Blessed be the God and Father of ou… Lord Iesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Celestials, in Christ: according as he hath chosen us, in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Iesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. To the praise of the Glory of his grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved &c.

7. To salve this same Diana of Free will, the same Persons do deny the Free and Absolute Decrees of God, touching any thing p. 378to be done by Man, whether good or evil; because they cannot see, how God's Absolute Decrees, concerning this or that, can consist with the free Actings of mans will, & not impose an absolute necessity on man to do, or not to do, according to what is decr…ed; as the stone must absolutely and naturally move down-ward, and the Sun shine, and all Natural causes act and work; therefore to make this supposed crook straight, they see no other way, but to deny all such Decrees, and Purposes in God; not knowing, that as God's decrees determine the event, so they determine the manner of the events …alling out; that Natural Causes shall produce such an event naturally and necessarily, and Free and Contingent Causes shall in…vitably produce such an effect, but freely and contingently, according to their Nature: as that the Iewes should kill Christ, and do what they did against him; but yet through no necessity of nature, but freely and of their owne accord, out of malice and enmity; as also that the souldiers should pierce Christ's side, and not break a bone of Him, and all that most freely, without any compulsion, or constraint upon their wils: Whereby we might …ee, if we were compliant with the holy Will & Workings of God, that the decrees p. 377of God are so far from everting & destroying the Liberty of the will of man, that, on the contrary, they establish, & confirme the same. But let men imagine it to be never so crooked, we must hold by this, That God did from all eternity freely & unchangably ordaine whatsoever comes to passe, even the most contingent things Act. 2: 23. & 4: 27, 28. Prov 16: 23.

8. So to make the wayes of God straight and even, which otherwise men imagine would be crooked, Some, as our Quakers, with others, imagine that People may be saved, that never heard of Christ, by yeelding Obedience to the law and light of Nature, or by following the guide of the works of Creation and Providence, or a Light within them, as they speak: But what their condition is, who are without Christ, the Scripture sufficiently sheweth Ephes. 2: 12.—they are strangers from the Covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. And that the light of Nature can only helpe to make Persons without excuse Rom. 1: 20.

But passing these and the like, which are mater of controversie, let us mentione some others of God's works, which men suppose to be crooked: As

1. When it is as Eccles. 8: 14. There be just p. 378men to w…om it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; and againe there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the righteous; that is, when as to the outward things in the world, It is just otherwise as we would think should be; the wicked prosper, and their eyes stand out with fatness, they increase in riches, and have more then they could wish, they are not in trouble, nor plagued as other men, and there are no bands in their death, as it is Psal. 37: 3, 4, 5, 12. And upon the other hand, the Godly man he is oppressed with Poverty and Affliction, plagued all the day, chastened every morning. This was such a rugged and uneven path, that the honest Man of God Asaph could not hold his feet in it; but was like to fall and break his neck, concluding that it was in vaine to minde piety; veri…y (said he vers. 13) I have cleansed my heart in vaine, and washed my hands in Innocency. And such a crook was this, that he could not get it set straight, till he went into the sanctuary of God vers. 17: This mistake made Iobs friends go so wilde, in their reasonings against him; and to conclude him an hypocrite, because he met with such hard outward dispensations at the hands of the Lord; for they could not see, how God should deal with a Godly man, as He dealt with Iob; that was so p. 379crooked a piece of work, that they thought God would never have made it. But Iob understood the matter otherwise, and told them Chap. 9: 22. This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked So Ch. 12: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. he enla…geth upon this theame.

2. When it is as Eccles. 4: 1. So I returned and considered all the oppressions, that are done under the Sun, an… …ehold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressours there was power, but they had no comforter. That is, when the innocent are oppressed in their Name, Goods, Rights, and Person, and made to cry out bitterly because of their oppression; and yet have none to take their part, or helpe them, or speak comfortably unto them; no… power to helpe and relieve themselves: but on the contrary, their oppressing enemies have power and might enough, to bear them more downe, & oppress them. This seemeth a crooked piece of work, and yet the Lord hath so ordered matters, that it is oft so with the innocent. We see what Iob was made to say Chap. 6; 14. To him that is Afflicted pity should …e she…ed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty, 1…. my Brethren have dea… dec…itfully as a brook, as the streams of brooks they passe away. And How p. 382Habbakuk looked upon this Chap. 1: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue, when the wicked devoureth the man, that is more righteous than he? And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them &c. This seemeth to many to be a very crooked passage of Providence, and they think, the judge of the whole earth should order matters otherwise, and not a few are stumbled hereat, and tempted to think, that God hath forsaken the earth.

3. When it is as Eccles. 7: 15.—there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness; and there is a wicked m…n, that prolongeth his life, in his wickedness. This seemeth also a crooked passage in the Lord's way & Work, to many, who look upon the Lord and his way and working with eyes of flesh. How oft hath it thus fallen out? Honest Naboth, experienced this 1 King. 21. So did Ioh Baptist, when he was so basely and unworthily cut off, and that in his righteousness. So also the Martyres of the Lord, in all ages. Honest Ier miah thought this a secret, that he could not be satisfied in, and a ground whereupon he would go plead with God Chap. 12.

p. 3814. Yea, when it is but as Eccles. 9: v, 2, 3. it seemeth crooked to many, who would have a visible difference in external things, alwayes put betwixt the Righteous and the Wicked. And yet we see the Wise Mans Observation was, that no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All things (saith he) come alike to all; there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: As the good, so the sinner; he that sweareth as he that feareth an Oath. This is an evil among all things, that are done under the Sun, that there is one event unto all. Our carnal Reason would think, that God should so rule and governe the world, as that all might be in case to observe a palpable difference betwixt the Godly, and the Wicked, even in external things: But we will not get made straight, what God hath thus made crooked.

5. So it seemeth crooked to some, that it is oft times with men, as was observed by Salomon, Eccles. 9: v. 11. The race is not to the swift, nor the battel to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth them all: But things fall out quite otherwise, than men would p. 382have expected, or hoped: And though herein appeareth a beautiful over ruling hand of Providence, controlling mens Projects, Designes and Forecastings, and disappointing them of their hopes, and of what they promised themselves, and made account to be sure of; because of their wise contrivance and managment of their work unto that end, yet our carnal Reason would think, it should be otherwayes, and that our paines labour and wise Contrivances should not be in vaine; that David, when he had made such preparation; for building of the House of God, should not misse of his great desire and wish. But our seeing of crooks in this straight All-ruling and All-disposing providence, doth but proclame our blindness.

6. Our carnal heart would oft times think, that it is a wonderful crook in the Providence of God, that he should suffer sin to be in the world, which doth so much di honoure him, and causeth so much trouble and evil, unto all, when he may and can well hinder it. We oft wonder, why the Lord should have suffered Adam to fall, and bring himself and all his posterity into such a sea of misery, yea and the whole creation almost; seing he might have keeped him, as he did the confirmed Angels: And we p. 383are ready to think, that it had been better, if sin had not entered into the world; and thus account this passage of the Lords Providence to be a crooked thing. And we are ready to wonder that the Lord suffers wicked persons to live so long to dishonoure Him, and commit more wickedness, and that He doth not presently cut them off, or at least restraine them, as He might do, a thousand wayes. As also that he should judicially harden their hearts; as he did the heart of Pharaoh, that so they may commit more sin, and beleeve a lye, as 2 Thes 2: vers. 11, 12. and not obey the voice of the Lord, as Esai 6: v. 9, 10. Rom. 11. v. 8 Act. 28: 26. Mat. 13: v. 14. Mark. 4: v. 12: Luk. 8: 10. Ioh. 12: v 40. But if our eyes were opened, and if we were spiritual, we would see a beautiful straightness, where now we think there is a crook.

7. The Dispensations of the Lord, in and about His Church, do oft times seem crooked to us, when we consult with carnal Reason. As

(1.) It seemeth not straight to us, that His Dispensations should so contradict (1.) His Promises, (2.) The Hopes and Expectations of His People. And (3.) Their Prayers, Desires and Wrestlings. We oft think it should be otherwayes; and so p. 384allaige that there is a crook and a palpable unevenness in the Way of the Lord.

(2.) It seemeth crooked to us, that His Church should be so keeped under, and oppressed by wicked men; and persecuted for His sake, and for the truths sake, and should be still, as a bush all in fire: For we would think, that God should keep His own peculiar Kingdom, and his own Flock free from the Oppression & Tyranny of Oppressing Enemies: Hence we finde, that His People have put up many times a complaint concerning this. See Psal. 44: vers. 12. and 60: vers. 3. and 94: v. 5 Dan. 9. vers. 16.

(3.) And that this trouble should not be for a short time, like a Summer showr, that soon bloweth over; but almost her constant lot from her youth Psal. 129: vers. 1, 2. so that her lucide intervals, and sun-blainks are but short, and she is hardly well out of one tryal, while she is in the midst of another.

(4.) So it seemeth crooked, that this trouble should not be light, but very sad and sharpe; the Enemies should make long their furrowes Psal. 129: v. 3.

(5.) That she should not have one enemy to deal with, but many, both together and successively. The Tabernacles of Edom and p. 385the Ismaelites, of Moab and the Hagarens, Gebal and Ammon and Amaleck, the Philistines, with the Inhabitants of Tyre and Assure Psal 83: 6, 7, 8.

(6.) That the Lord should not hear or regard the Prayers & Cryes of His people; but should rather be angry at their Prayer. Psal. 80: 4.

(7.) That the Lord should seem so inexorable, that he would not grant the suits of his special favourites, and such as have prevailed with Him at other occasions, interceeding in their behalfe, such as Moses and Samuel Ier. 15: 1. and Noah, Daniel and Iob Ezech. 14: 14, 20.

(8.) That the Lord should suffer these wicked enemies to overturne all His own work; break downe the carved work … pluck up the vine, which His own right hand hath planted. As Psal. 80: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. to burne up all the Synagogues of God in the Land; cast fire into the sanctuary &c. Psal. 74: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7. Yea and blaspheme His own name vers. 10. See Psal. 44.

8. There are also several things, in the Lord's Dispensations with His own people in particular, that seem to us many times crooked: As

p. 386(1.) We think that He should never hide his face from his owne faithful ones; and that they should never be made to cry out with Iob Chap 13: 24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy? and as David Psalm 10. vers 1. and 30. vers 7.

(2.) Or if He contend against them, He should shew them wherefore, and not put them to complaine of this, as Iob was, who said Iob 10: 2.—Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

(3.) We think it strange and uncouth, that the Lord should shew himself terrible unto them, as to Heman Psal. 88. who was distracted with the terrour of God, and to Iob. Chap. 7: vers 13, 14, 15. & 9: 34. & 6: 4.

(4) We are ready to think, that such should never be under Cloudes, Fears, Darkness, sad Apprehensions, & Doubts concerning their state and condition, Esai. 50: 10. But that alwayes they should enjoy light, and see their happy condition.

(5.) We think that the work of grace in His people should never meet with a stop, far less with any decay; but that they should be still flourishing like the palme p. 387tree, and growing like a Cedar in Lebanon.

(6.) So we think, that they should be free, all their dayes, of the trouble or at least of the prevailing power of corruption; we think, that enemy should never assault us any more, or molest our quarters: We think it strange, that these servants should ever come to ride upon horses, in our souls; and that His people should be made to cry out with Paul Rom. 7: 24. Woe is me miserable man, who shall deliver me from the body of this death.

(7.) We think it also strange, that they should have so little rest from Satan, and from his inward hellish Injections, tending to Atheisme. Infidelity, Blasphemy and all Profanity: Seemeth not that dispensation somewhat crooked, that Paul met with, after he was taken up to the third heaven 2 Cor. 12: 7?

(8.) It seemeth many times uncouth to us, that His people have so many sad and bitter houres; & that they are so far from enjoying Comfort, Joy and Delight, & from that life of rejoyceing in the Lord continually, which is allowed to them, and they are called to; that their life is nothing almost but a continual complaint; p. 388sometimes compleaining of the Hardness of their heart, Blindness, Weakness, Impotency, Treachery, &c. sometimes of the weight of Duties, and of their Failings and Shortcomings; sometimes of the prevailing of Corruption and of the power of Temptation &c.

These and the like dispensations of the Lord, in and about his Saints, seem to themselves & to others sometimes crooked, and very unstraight: and as they wish it were otherwayes; so they suppose it would be more glorious and honourable to the Lord, if it were otherwise.

Thus it appeareth, how many things God hath made crooked, to our apprehensions: But now, who shall, who can make these crooked things straight? This is the Second Particular, in the words, That what God hath made crooked no man can make straight, with all his Wisdome, or Power, or by all the meanes he can use or devise; for that which is crooked cannot be made straight Eccles. 1: 15. I know (said the wise man Eccles. 3: 14.) that whatsoever God doth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it. When He giveth quietness (said Elihu Iob 34: 29.) who then can make trouble; & p. 389when He hideth his face, who then can behold him? Whether against a Nation, or a Man only?

And the reason is manifest, because

1. He is Unchangeable, and hath fixed all upon Eternal, and Immutable Purposes. He is the Lord, he changeth not Mal. 3… v. 6. With him is no variablness, nor shadow of turning Iam. 1: 17. He doth all things after the Counsel of His owne will Ephes. 1. 11. taking Counsel of none Rom. 11▪ v. 34. Esai. 40: 13, 14. His Counsel hath an immutability Heb. 6: 17.

2. He is Almighty; and who can justle with Him, and put Him to take new Resolutions? He is in one minde (said Iob Ch. 23. 13. and who can turn Him? And what His Soul desireth, that doth He. So Psal 115: v. 6. He hath done whatsoever he pleased. I know (said the Psalmist Psal. 135: 5, 6.) that Iehovah is great, and that our Iehovah is above all Gods, whatsoever the Lord pleaseth that did He, in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. So Iob tels us Chap 9. 4. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength, who hath hardened himself against him, & hath prospered? So vers. 12. Behold he taketh away, who can hinder him, Who will say unto him, what dost thou?

3. He is Absolute and Soveraigne, to p. 390do what he will, as the Potter is absolute over the clay Ier. 18: 6. Rom. 9: 10. Esai. 45: 9. And he is uncontrollable: Who can call him to an account? Who can say unto him, what dost thou? Iob. 9: 12. He giveth not account of any of his matters Iob. 33: vers 13. For he is greater then man vers. 12.

4. All his wayes are done in Wisdom, and all his works Psal. 104: 24. & 136: 5. And there is no wisdome against the Lord Prov. 21: 30. He hath established the world by His wisdom Ier. 10: 12. & 51: v. 15. He is mighty in strength and wisdom Iob 36: 5. And what then can foolish man, that is like a wilde asses colt, do? With the Ancient is wisdom (said Iob Chap. 12: 12, 13, 14. &c. and in length of dayes understanding: With him is wisdom and strength: he hath Counsel & understanding: and thence inferreth, Behold he breaketh down, and it cannot be built againe; he shuteth up a man, & there can be no opening &c. See further to the end of that Chap.

5. All his works are perfect Psal. 18: vers 30. And then, what can be added to them, or taken from them to amende them? What is perfect cannot be made better, or amended, one way, or other. What we then think and account to be crooked, is Perfect, Straight and Even, and contributeth p. 391to make up this compleat perfection of the whole.

6. There are Depths and unseen Mysteries in the work and wayes of the Lord, that we cannot search, and ignorance of which causeth the sinstruous Apprehensions, that we have of them: And how shall we think to amende that, which we do not understand? His works are great, sought out of all them, that have pleasure therein His works are honourable, glorious, & wonderful Psal. 111: 2, 3, 4. Then I beheld (said the wise man, Eccles. 8: ver. 17.) all the work of God, that a man cannot finde out the work that is done under the sun: Because though a man labour to seek it out; yea further, though a wise man seek to know it, yet shall he not be able to finde it. And againe Chap. 11: v. 5. As thou knowest not, what is the way of the Spirit, nor how the bones do grow, in the womb of her, that is with childe; even so thou knowest not the works of God, who maketh all.

The consideration of which should first cause us sorrow, and mourne before the Lord, for our seeking to amend God's work, as if we could make straight, what God hath made crooked, and set all things in a righter posture, than God hath done. Concerning which, we would 1. Take notice p. 392of some of these wayes, whereby we are attempting this vaine work. And 2. Take notice of the evil of this sin.

As to the First. We are seeking to make straight what God hath made crooked, when

1. We are in a quarrelling humore Disputing with God, and Condemning him in our minds, for what he is doing; and Justifying ourselves in our Anger and Displeasure against the Dispensations, and Wayes of the Lord, as did Ionah; who was displeased exceedingly & very angry, that the Lord spared Ninive Chap. 3: v. 10. with 4: v. 1. And when the Lord said unto him Chap. 4: vers 4. Doest thou well to be angry? was not for all that satisfied: and againe vers 9. when the gourd was withered, and the East winde blew, and the sun beat upon his head, he fell againe in this distemper; and when the Lord said unto him, the second time, doest thou well to be angry? he answered, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

2. When our vaine Ratiocinations are engaged against the wayes of the Lord, in one particular or other; and we have this or that, to object against that course, which the Lord taketh; as if we would p. 393impute iniquity unto our Maker; and accuse Him of unrighteous dealing: As those whom Paul bringeth-in reasoning against the truth of God, and saying Rom 9: 19.—Why doth he yet finde fault? For who hath resisted his will? To whom he answereth Vers. 20, 21. Nay, but o man, who art thou…, that (answerest againe, or disputest against God, or) repliest against God, &c. As if he had said, Hath not the Lord Power and Soveraignity, in that matter, to do what he will; as well as a Potter hath over a bit clay? May not God dispose of His Clay, which he made Himself, as well as the Potter may do of the Clay, which he made not, and is not the Creator of, but was created to his hand, by the same God, that created himself? Why then dost thou quarrel with Him, or disputest against Him? Canst thou help the matter? Canst thou make that straighter, than it is?

3. When we corrupt the truthes of God, and abuse them, perverting them to our corrupt and licentious Ends, like that saying Rom. 6: vers. 1. Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? And againe Vers. 15. Shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under grace? And Chap. 7: p. 394v. 7. Is the Law sin? So Chap. 3: v. 31. Do we then make void the Law through faith? These and the like Objections, which Paul, in his Epistles, preoccupieth, shew what the corrupt heart and reasonings of men are set upon; and how prone they are to turne the Grace of God into lasciviousness, and to pervert the right Wayes of the Lord. Whereby they clearly demonstrate, how displeased they are at the holy Truths and Wayes of God, and how ready to thraw and pervert them, that they may become more straight, then they seem to them at present to be.

4. When we Fret, Repine, Grumble and Grudge in our minde, against any of the Lords Dispensations in and about us, or our concernments. This was the great sin of Israel, they murmured against the Lord, and against Moses, Exod. 15: and 16, and 17. Numb. 14, and 16, and 17. 1 Cor. 10: 10. They were dissatisfied in their mindes, and repined and murmured against the Lord; and hereby they said, they would have the wayes and dispensations of the Lord altered towards them: they were crooked, and they would have them made more straight.

5. When our hearts do not sweetly p. 795comply with the Wayes and Dispensations of the Lord, or we learne not, nor study Christian Submission. We should submit ourselves unto the Lord, I am. 4: vers. 7. and humble ourselves under his mighty hand 1 Pet. 5: v. 6. We should be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits. Heb. 12. vers. 9. even when he Crosseth, Chastneth and Afflicteth us But when we forget this Christian Duty, we declare our displeasure, at Gods wayes and dealings with us; and say, that we would have his work amended, and that made straight, which He hath made crooked.

6. When we are Impatient, and cannot waite God's leasure, but take sinful courses to deliver ourselves; or sit down discontented, and sinfully longe for an outgate; then we declare our dissatisfaction with God's way, and would have his dispensations altered, and matters running in another channel: As when the labouring man would have the day of harvest the next week after the seed is cast into the ground, he is displeased with Gods Order and Appointment of some Moneths interveening: Whileas we should have Patience, and waite Gods time with Patience, p. 396I am. 5: 7, 8. Luk. 8: 15. 2 Pet. 1: v. 6. I am. 1; 4. Rom. 12: 12.

7. When we are discontented with our own lot, and grudge at others, as having a better lot, than we have: an evil, which Iames condemneth Iam. 5: vers. 9. and which plainly sayeth, we would amend Gods work, and set straight what He hath made crooked. As that wicked King was displeased, when he heard the message of the Lord 1 Kings 20: 42, 43.

8. When we are excessively Anxious and Disquieted in our minde, as to any passage of Providence, that we meet with, or as to any crosse that befalleth us. David checketh his own soul, as to this Ps. 42: vers. 5, 11. and 43: 5. saying Why art thou disquieted within me? We are discharged to be careful thus with a sinful anxiety for any thing Phil. 4: v. 6. 1 Cor. 7: 32. But When we are thoughtful, we clearly say, that we would faine make straight, what God hath made crooked, though Christ hath told us, Matth. 6: 27. that by taking thought, we cannot adde one cubite to our stature.

9. When, though we dar not speak against God, in sending a crosse upon us; yet we are not satisfied with the Manner, p. 397or Measure, or Season, or Duration and Continuance, or the Instrument of our crosse; but say, we would choose any other crosse but this: we would be satisfied, if it were not so Bitter, and so Heavy and so Insupportable: we would have taken it well, had it come upon us at any other time, than now: we would most chearfully have borne it, if it had been of shorter Continuance: and had any other person been the Instrument thereof, we would have laid our hand upon our mouth: all which and the like, though they seem to insinuate some sort of Submission; yet are plaine Declarations, that we think the way of the Lord crooked, and that we would have matters better ordered, and all things made more straight and even, than they are.

10. When in our prayers, there is not that submission unto the holy and soveraigne Will of the Lord, that ought to be; but rather a limiteing of the holy One of Israel: and a sinful unwarrantable Importunity, as to things not necessary, in themselves, nor for us, without submission of soul unto the holy Will of the Lord, as to the Manner, Time and Measure of the Lords granting of our suites: p. 398When our Prayers are not commensurate unto the Promises, as to their Substance; nor put up with Submission to God's Will and Soveraignity, as to the Manner, Measure, Season, Way, and the like circumstances, which the great God hath keeped in His own hand.

By these and the like wayes, we declare our dissatisfaction with the wayes and works of God, and account them crooked, and think and endeavoure (though in vaine) to make straight, what God hath made crooked: An evil at which God is highly displeased. Wo unto him (saith the Prophet Esai. 45: vers 9, 10.) that striveth with his maker: Let the Potsheards strive with the Potsheards of the Earth: shall the Clay say to him, that fashioneth it, what makest thou? Or thy work, he hath no hands? Wo unto him that saith to his Father, what begettest thou? Or to the woman, what hast thou brought forth? And the great sinfulness of this sin appeareth in these Particulars,

1. It is a striveing against the Lord, in the place now cited: the word in the Original signifieth a Contending in judgment, as Lam. 3: vers 58. Leading a processe against one, Judging or Sentenceing in judgment; so also a Chideing, Contending withfighting p. 399as Gen. 26: vers 20, 22. So that this sin is a calling of the most High to an account, and a bringing of Him before our judgment-seat, as Iob 33: 13. Where the the same verbe is used Why dost thou strive against him? (Or why dost thou call Him before thy tribunal, summond Him to compear before thee, or contend with Him in judgment, or plead against Him) He answereth not, he giveth no account of his mat…s to any.

2. It is a rebelling against the Lord. When the People of Israel murmured against the Lord, and against Moses and Aaron Numb. 14: v. 1, 2, 3. Moses said unto them Vers. 9. Only rebel not ye against the Lord. So it is said Psal. 78: vers 40. How oft did they rebel against him, in the wilderness? in the margine. See Vers. 8.

3. It is a manifest calling his Wisdom in question; and a saying, that He is not wise enough, to order and dispose matters, aright. As if He were not mighty in wisdom Iob 36: vers 5. Our Wisdom were to cease from our own Wisdom Prov. 23: vers 4. and to beleeve, though we should not see, that in wisdom, he hath made the heavens and all Psal. 104: vers. 34. and 136: vers. 5. and hath established the world p. 400in wisdom Ier. 10: vers 1…. and 51: v. 15. And not think to give Him Counsel and Advice, how He should rule the world, for there are Depths of Wisdom, and of Knowledge in Him Rom. 11. 33. that we should think upon with Admiration; for if in our wisdom, we think to correct His wayes, and quarrel against them, and not comply with them, he will destroy the Wisdom of the wise, 1 Cor. 1: 19, 20. O what a guilt must this be to proclame ourselves wiser, than He is; and better able to order all things aright, at least, what concerneth ourselves! The very hauk will not flie by our wisdom Iob: 39: 26. and shall we think to prescribe Rules to God?

4. It is a calling in question of His Absolute Power and Soveraignity: As if He might not do what he pleased; but were obnoxious to us, and bound to give an account of his wayes to us, or could do injustice, or wrong to any. As if he had not that Power over His Creatures, to whom he hath given being and all they have, that the Potter hath over the lump of Clay; or we have over our beasts, which are our fellow-creatures, and hold not their being of us. And must not this be a great sin?

p. 4015. When we are sinfully anxious and disquieted with his Dispensations towards his Church; We call into question His Faithfulness and Care of, and also his Love to his Church; as if he had forgotten to be gracious, and would be merciful no more, and cared not that she perished; as Christs Disciples said Mark. 4: 38. contrare to 1 Pet. 5: 7. And this, sure, must be no small sin.

6. We hereby proclame Him to be an imperfect Worker; and say, that He is not God; for his works, who is God, cannot but be perfect; and his Way also, Deut. 32: 4. 2 Sam. 22: 31.

7. We profess ourselves hereby able to finde out the depths of His wayes, and to search Him out unto Perfection, as was said to Iob Chap. 11: v. 7. Why else will we think to reprove Him, and amend what He hath done, as if it were amisse?

8. When we are dissatisfied with His Dispensations towards us, we really accuse the Most Holy of Injustice; as if indeed He had wronged us, and we had deserved better at His hands; though all His wayes are Judgment, and though He be a God of Truth and without Iniquity, and just and right Deut. 42: vers. 4. Eliphaz said p. 402to Iob, after he heard his complaints Chap. 3. Iob 4: vers 17. Shall mortal man be more just, than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker? Elihu said well Iob 34: vers 17. Shall we condemne him, that is most just? What a sin must it be, to lay such an Imputation on Him, who hath justice and judgment for the habitation of his throne Ps. 89: vers 14: and who is excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of Iustice, Iob 37: vers 23?

Next, The Consideration of this should cause us watch against this evil, and labour for another frame of heart, that will be more complying with the Wayes and Works of the Lord. And for this cause, we should take another look of the Works. of the Lord, and consider them in another manner, than we usually do: and this bringeth me to the Third thing in the Text, which will also lead us to a further improvment of this impossibility of helping what we suppose is amisse, in the Works and Dispensations of the Lord.

Thirdly, Therefore let us see, what way we should consider the Works of the Lord, to the end, we may have a suteable frame of spirit, complying sweetly with all the crooks that are, or we suppose to be, in p. 403Gods Way and Works, for in reference to this only, shall we speak of considering the Works of the Lord.

We should then consider the Works of the Lord, whether of Creation, or of Providence.

1. So as that thereby we may become rooted and more setled in the Faith of this, that He alone is Iehovah above all Gods; and this would do much to quiet and calme our spirits: For our murmuring at, or displeasure with what He doth, floweth from the want of the clear sight and apprehension of the hand of the only Supream and Soveraigne God therein; Hence, to the end, that people may set Him above all imagined, false and supposed God's, he readeth a lecture to them of His great works Esai. 40. from vers 12. and forward; and inferreth once and againe vers 18, 25. to whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare with him? So he setteth forth several remarkable works, that He would do for his Church, that they may see, and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and that the holy One of Israel hath created this, Esai. 41: vers 20. And when we consider His Works so, as to see Him alone p. 404to be Jehovah, the Absolute and Soveraigne King, Creator, Conservator and Disposer of all Things, according to His own will and pleasure, then our hearts will bow more, and submit unto His holy Determination, and we will learne to say, with good old Eli, 1 Sam. 3: 18.—It is the Lord Jehovah, let him do what seemeth him good.

2. We should consider the works of the Lord, till we finde thereby, that He alone is the wise Governour of the World, and that there is a beauty of Divine Wisdom to be seen and observed on all, even on that, which we account most crooked, in our blinde and byassed judgments. Thus did holy Iob Chap. 12. contemplate the most crooked like works of the Lord, such as, His breaking down, shutting up of a man, sending-out waters to overturne the earth, leading Counsellours away spoiled, making the judges fools, removing the speach of the trusty, taking away the understanding of the aged, pouring contempt upon Princes, weakening the strength of the mighty, destroying and straitning the nations; taking away the heart of the chiefe of the People of the earth, causing them to wander in a Wilderness, p. 405wherein is no way, to grope in the dark without light, and making them to stagger as a drunken man: and he saw in the midst of all this vers. 12, 13, 16. that with the ancient is wisdom, even wisdom and strength; and that he had counsel and understanding. Such a sight, as this, of the great and wonderful works of God, would cause us put our mouth in the dust, and adore the Depths of the Counsel of God; and be far from quarrelling with Him, for any thing he doth: and when any thing appeareth crooked to us, to suspect our own folly and ignorance, as not seeing in to the profound Projects, wise and unsearchable Contrivances of the only wise God; rather than impute folly and ignorance to the only wise God. It were best that we saw, that we ourselves were beasts Ec…les. …: 18.

3. It were our wisdom to consider the works of the Lord, so as to finde out, see and observe his Loving Kindness. After a long rehearsal of the mighty and considerable works of God, both of Creation and Providence; and that both as to the whole world, and more especially as to the Church Psal. 104, and 105, and 106, and 107. in end the Psalmist Psal. 107: 43. p. 406saith, VVho so is wise and will observe those things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. There is a loving kindness ingraven upon all the works and wayes of the Lord, a sight of which would teach us to acquiesce more heartily in all He doth, and submit more sweetly unto the most sowr and rugged of His Dispensations: The faith and the sight of this would make all the works of the Lord appear most straight and lovely to us: and therefore, that our hearts may comply mo…e heartsomely and christianly with the works and dispensations of God, and that we may be keeped from so much as desireing to have his wayes and dispensations other then they are, let us study and meditate upon the works that He doth, till we discover therein this mystery of loving kindness, that is wrapped up in all, and brought about by all, that this great God doth in the world, about and for His Church.

4. We should also consider and contemplate the works of the Lord for this end, and until we did remark, in some measure, the Purity, Unspotted Holiness, Righteousness and Integrity of this great Worker, Hos. 14: 9. Who is wise, and he shall understand p. 407these things? Prudent and he shall know them? For the wayes of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them, but the transgressours shall fall therein. There is, in all the wayes of the Lord, whether we see it, or not, a divine and singular Righteousness; and it is the want of the sight of this, that makes us quarrel. Ieremiah knew that God was righteous, yet he did not see it so clearly, as was necessary, in the Dispensations of the Lord; and therefore he sayeth Chap. 12: 1, 2. as desireous to reason the case with God, VVherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? VVherefore are all they happy, that deal very treacherously? Thou hast planted them, yea they have taken root, they grow, yea they bring forth fruit &c. So Hab. 1: 2, 3. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear, cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save? VVhy dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me, and there are that raise up strife and contention. And againe vers. 13.—VVherefore lookest thou upon them, that deal treacherously, and holdest th… tongue, when the wicked devoureth the man, that is more righteous than …e? &c▪ Therefore it would be our wisdom, so to consider the works of p. 408the Lord, as to be confirmed in the faith of this, that the Lord is Just and Righteous in all He doth; and so as to finde new and fresh demonstrations thereof; and then our hearts will be more calme under all, & more ready to submit to & acquiesce in all that the Lord doth.

5. We would study, dwell upon the thoughts of, and consider the works of the Lord, till we see and observe in them something of the Stateliness, Excellency and Majesty of God; for in His works, which are honourable and glorious, wonderful and powerful Psal. 111: 2, 3, 4, 6. there are discoveries to be had of His excellent Majesty: yea a Spiritual eye can discerne this, in the most common, obvious and ordinary of his works: Elihu saw this, in the bright light which is in the clouds, in windes cleansing of them, in faire weather coming out of the North, for after this, he addeth Iob. 37: 21.—With God is terrible Majesty. God is indeed terrible in his doing to the Children of men. Ps. 66: 5. and this we will be convinced of, if we will come and see, and rightly consider His works. If we were thus studying the excellent works of the Lord, we durst not censure, or condemne Him, or His p. 409works. But would rather fear; as it is Ps. 64: 9. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God, for they shall wisely consider of his doing. And this would be our wisdom: wherefore after much said of the commendation of the works of the Lord, the Psalmist closeth the Psal. 111. with this vers. 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord, taught and learned by the works of the Lord, would prove our wisdom. This is one special use that we should make of His stately doings. I know (said the wise man Eccles. 3: 14.) that whatso…ver God doth it shall be for ever, nothing can be put to it, no… any thing taken from it: And God doth it, that men should fear before Him. See also Iob. 37. vers 22, 23, 24. and vers. 14, 15, 16.

6. It were good to be so considering and meditating on the works of the Lord, until we came to have low and abasing thoughts of ourselves: thus did the Psalmist Ps. 8. contemplate the work of God ver. 1, 2, 3. And then addeth vers. 4. What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the Son of man, that thou vis…test him? And this would stop our mouth, when we were beginning to quarrel, at any thing He doth, and we would soon see cause of silence before p. 410Him, because we would see, that we were but beasts.

7. We would so contemplate the works of the Lord, as to see and observe, how wisely, steadily, & irresistibly He Ordereth & Carrieth on His works, for throughing and bringing about His designed Ends. It is our ignorance of the ends and designes of God, that causeth us to complean and quarrel, and wish that His works were otherwise ordered and marshalled; for saw we these, and con…idered how pertinent and s…teable all the passages of His way, and all the circumstances of His work, were unto the end designed, we would be forced to say, Behold He doth all things well. When Elihu had been considering Iob 37. the Lords thunder and the great & small raine, the whirle wind & the frost, and observed how the Lord did weary the thick cloud, and turne it about hither and thither; he did not satisfie himself with that, till he also gote a look of the special ends, wherefore the Lord did so; that so he might see the beauty, and splendour, that was therein: therefore he addeth ver. 12, 13. And it is turned round about by his Counsels, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them, upon the face of the p. 411world, in the earth. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, orforhis land, or for mercy. And thereupon vers. 14. exhorteth Iob to hearken unto this, to stand still and consider the wondrous works of God: And of Him, who (vers. 16.) is perfect in knowledg. And such a sight as this of the works of the Lord would put us far from intertaining such thoughts of God, and of his wayes, as we too ordinarily have. If we saw Him, in these His works, acting as a wise Governour, carrying on His noble and excellent Designes and Purposes, we would see a necessity for all that He doth; and that no Circumstance might be wanting; otherwise His work should not be perfect, as it must be. And the faith of His being a God of wisdom, doing all for wise and holy ends, should quiet us, even though we should not see the Particular end, which the Lord Intendeth in this or that Particular work.

8. We would consider also the work of the Lord, and see how thereby He executeth many a time His judgments on the wicked, and how He is pouring out His red wine, that is full of mixture, and causing the wicked of the earth drinkout the very dregs; as it is Psal. 75: 8. And p. 412thereby making it appear, that verily there is a God, that judgeth in the earth Ps. 85. 11. Yea, even when He seemeth most to be favouring the wicked, and His dispensations smile most upon them, He is but heaping wrath the more upon them, and fitting them for the day of slaughter. Asaph, that could not see this, when he was under the Water, saw it clearly, when he went into the Sanctuary; then he understood their end, and saw that the Lord had set them in slippery places, and they were brought into desolation, as in a moment Psal. 73: 17, 18, 19. It was an heartestablishing sight, which the Psalmist had of the great works of the Lord Psal. 92: 4, 5. when he saw vers. 6, 7. that a brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand this, when the wicked spring as the grasse, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they shall be destroyed for ever.