Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 3 · Sermon 3
GODS PROVIDENCE COMMON AND SPECIALL SET FORTH.
From 2 Chron. 16. verſ. 9. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to ſhew himſelfe ſtrong in the behalfe of thoſe whoſe heart is perfect towards him.
THE beſt of men in the Church Militant, have Sermon 3. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. Oct. 12. 1658. Deut. 32. 5. 2 Chr. 15. 12. verſ. 16.their failings: There's no gold but hath ſome ore, and droſſe in it, no wheate without ſome chaffe, none of Gods children but have ſome ſpots.
We need go no further then the Inſtance of my Text. Aſa King of Juda a zealous Reformer, one that entred into a ſolemne Covenant with the Lord, one ſo full of courage as to depoſe his Mother Maachah for her Idolatry, and cut down her Idoll: a…d of this King the Holy Ghoſt gives verſ. 17.this finall judgment—Nevertheleſſe the heart of Aſa was perfect all his daies. Yet notwithſtanding here are upon Record; ſeverall 2 Chr. 16. 10.faults of King Aſa, viz. putting the Seer into Priſon unjuſtly for pronouncing a full and ſeaſonable reproofe, from the mouth of the Lord, for oppreſſing ſome of the People, and in his diſeaſe not ſeeking the Lord, but the Phyſitians. Hence the Apoſtles aſſertion Jam. 3. 2.is evidently proved, That in many things we offend all: The Apoſtles exhortation ſhould be to every one of us, inſtead of a particular Application, Be not high minded but feare: Let him that Rom. 11. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 12.thinks he ſtandeth, take heed leaſt he fall. The ſinnes of Saints ſhould be our warning peece, and hence we ſhould learne caution, vigilancy, and heart-Inquiſition. We are men of the like paſſions, and therefore ought to commiſerate our Brethren, and likewiſe entertain a holy jealouſy over our own hearts, conſidering that we alſo may be tempted.
To come to the Text: Theſe words were ſpoken by Hanani the Seer to Aſa King of Judah. And although they met with no better entertainment then a Priſon, yet are no whit leſſe to be valued. Plain faithfull dealing is highly to be priſed, notwithſtanding it meets with courſe uſage almoſt every where. It was Aſaes great fault to rely on the King of Syria, and not on God verſ. 7. Likewiſe he ſinnes againſt the experience of a ſignall deliverance from the Ethiopians and Lubims verſ. 8. But what are the beſt of men if left to themſelves? Hezekiah a rare King, fail'd in the buſineſſe of the Ambaſſadors of the Princes of Babylon: We read God left him to try 2 Chr. 32. 31.him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
This plain-dealing Prophet having charged home, and thoroughly aggravated the Kings faul…s, layes downe in my Text a ſtrong Reaſon, or Ingagement for him to relye on the Lord For the eyes &c. Wherein are obſerveable a deſcription of Providence, of Gods Diviſ.Omni-preſence, and the ſpeciall manifeſtation & exhibition thereof.
1. Here is a deſcri…tion of Providence, by the eyes of the Lord. 1. A deſcription of Prov… dence.The eye of the Lord is cleare, and ten thouſand times brighter then the Sun: The eye of God ſearcheth, and penetrates the moſt ſecret things: It ſeeth any thing, obſerves, diſcovers, pierceth, converts, foreign. Hom.revengeth. All things are naked, Diaphanous unto God: With him the very inſide is outſide, ſecret or open, dark or light, night or day are all one with the great All-ſeeing God. God at once perfi…ly ſeeth & knowes all things, by one cleare act of Intuition, unico actu ſimplicis Intelligentiae, (as Schoolmen ſay) he univerſally, ſuddenly knowes every thing. Creatures know ſucceſſively per prius & poſterius: But the Creator knowes all at once. Yet we muſt interpoſe a Caution that wh…n we read of Gods eyes, hands, feet, &c. We muſt not underſtand them litt…rally and properly, but figuratively and improperly, or rather foreign, Herein God condeſcends to our capaci…y and apprehenſion, and ſpeaks after the manner of men. And the Rule in Divinity is to be eſpecially obſerved, Q…ae dicuntur foreign intelligenda ſunt foreign. The like paſſage we have in Zechary, They are the eyes of the Lord, (i. e.) his Providence, Zech. 4. 10.which obſerves all that is done every where.
2. Here is a deſcription of Gods Omni-preſence from theſe 2. A deſcription of Gods Omni preſence. Deus eſt ſphaera cujus centrum eſt ubique & circumferenti… nuſquam.words—Run to and fro throughout the whole earth. Angells are ſaid to be definitive in loco: Bodies circumſcriptivè, but God is in loco repletive: His Center is every where, and his Circumference no where. *Chryſoſt. in Col. 2. Homil. 5. Deus totus in coelo eſt, totus in terra non alternis temporibus, ſed utrumque ſimul: Aug. de Civ. Dei l. 22. c. 29.Chryſoſtome obſerves that God is every where (i. e.) becauſe he fills all places, and yet no where (i. e.) confind to no place. Auguſtine goeth further and ſaith, That God is wholly in Heaven, and wholly in earth, not by viciſſitudes but all at once: This is moſt fully confeſt by David, Pſal. 139. 7, 8, &c. Whither ſhall I go from thy ſpirit? or whither ſhall I flee from thy preſence? If I aſcend up into heaven, thou art there &c. The ſcope of the Pſalmiſt is to ſhew (as judicious †Non eſt aliquis locus uſpium, in quo poſſim à faciè tuâ abſcondi. Muſculus.Muſculus obſerves) There is not any place, any where, in which I may be hidden from thy ſight.
3. Heres a Manifeſtation of ſpeciall Providence to the children 3. Gods ſpeciall Providence is toward the upright.of God, thus deſcribed—Whoſe heart is perfect toward him, (i. e.) ſincere. A perfection of parts may and muſt be attained in this life. A perfection of degrees is reſerved for another world. Now as the generall and common Providence of God, extends it ſelfe towards all the creatures, ſo there is a ſpeciall diſtinguiſhing Providence, which exerts it ſelfe, and acts vigorouſly for the Proviſion, Protection, and Conſolation of thoſe that feare God, and walke uprightly before him. God puts forth his power to help them, ſo ‖Ʋt firmum ſe exhibeat (verto,) ut robuſtum ſe exhibeat erga illos ut robuſtam potentiam ſuam exerat in opitulando ipſos: Piſcat. in loc.Piſcator tranſlates the words. So then the ſenſe of the words I conceive to amount to this effect, that all things come to paſſe by Providence, nothing by chance in reſpect of God: For he ſeeth all things, and knowes all things; All the affaires and tranſaction in the Univerſe, are manifeſt to Gods all ſeeing eye, the hidden deeds of darkneſſe, the ſecreteſt reſervations of the mind and thoughts of the heart are all known to him. Further there is no creature, whether vegetive, ſenſitive, or rationall, but is ordered and diſpoſed by this Omnipotent, and overruling Providence. The Providence in generall, ad rerum uſque minima perting it. Every creature how mean ſo ever, is under a Providence: But in a more eſpeciall and peculiar manner, the ſonnes and daughters of God by grace, and Adoption: the Family of the firſt born, which as in the Text are deſcribed to be thoſe, Whoſe hearts are uprigh before God: theſe I ſay are under a choice diſtinguiſhing Providence.
From the word… thus divided and expounded, I collect two points of Doctrine: the firſt whereof I propound thus.
That there is a Providence of God, which extends it ſelfe to the Doct. 1 ordering, and governing of all the creatures throughout the whole world.
The other Doctrine (which chiefly I ſhall inſiſt on) is this.
That there is a ſpeciall diſtinguiſhing Providence, which in a Doct. 2 peculiar manner manifeſts it ſelfe for the benefit of the upright, even all the children of God.
I reſume the Inlargement of the firſt Doctrine, and will diſpoſe of my method of handling it on this wiſe.Method of handling the Doctrine.
1. By proving the truth of the point.
2. By making inquiry into the Nature of Providence, what it is, and how it diſcovers it ſelfe in it's various operations.
In the 3. place, I ſhall make ſome profitable improvement of the Doctrine of Providence, as reducible unto poynt of practice.
Now firſt I am to prove that there is a Providence. I purpoſely 1. That there is a Providence.wave all Heatheniſh names of Fortune, Fatall neceſſity, Augurium, Lucky ſtarres, Lucky Birds &c. Which are ſo far to be deteſted, as not once to be named amongſt Chriſtians, *foreign. Hom. Il. foreign.Homer doubtleſſe implyed a Providence, by a golden chaine hanging down from heaven. †Quicquid patimur mor…ale geni…, Quicquid fa…mus venit ex alto. Sen. Trag. O…dip. 1. Proved by Scripture.Seneca acknowledgeth more plainely a Providence, in that he ſaith What ever we do or ſuffer comes from above. But I know no Neceſſity of going to the Philiſtines to whet my ſword or ſpeare. I ſhall according to Naomies counſell to Ruth, (though in another caſe) not be found gleaning in another field, but that of Scripture, and Reaſon: by help whereof I ſhall endeavour the proofe of what I have aſſerted from the Text.
1. I repaire unto Scripture Teſtimony, and that is inſtar omnium. And becauſe the heape is ſo great, I ſhall gather ſparingly, ſome only amongſt many, which are the moſt pregnant, and appoſite Proofes, viz. From the teſtimony of Job, David, Solomon, Chriſt and the Apoſtle Paul: and in the mouth of two or three witneſſes, the truth will be eſtabliſhed.
Lets conſider the Teſtimony of Joh, His eyes (ſaith he (are Job. 24. 21. Job. 10. 12.upon the waies of man, and he ſeeth all his goings. Thy viſitation (ſaith he) hath preſerved my Spirit.
And to the Teſtimony of Job, wee'l adde David, who plainly ſets forth Divine Providence, when he ſaith that the Lord Covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth raine for the earth, which Pſal. 147. 8, 9.maketh graſſe to grow upon the mountaines. He giveth to the Beaſt his food, and to the young Ravens which cry. To the ſame purpoſe he ſpeaks in another Pſalme, wherein he extolls the righteouſneſſe of God: Thy righteouſneſſe (ſaith he) is like the great Mountaines: Pſal. 36. 6.thy Judgments are a great depth, O Lord thou preſerveſt Man and Beaſt. Which ſcripture compared with *Diſcamus hoc exemplo recumbere in Dei providentiam, &c. Cal. in Gen. 8. 1.Gen. 8. 1. it will appeare, how the mercy of God was extended to Man and Beaſt, and likewiſe Jonah 4. 11. The multitude of Cattle were objects of Gods compaſſion towards Niniveh. Further lets take notice what atteſtation Solomon gives to the truth delivered: The wiſe man aſſures us, that the waies of man are before the eyes Prov. 5. 21.of the Lord, and he pon…ereth all his goings. And more fully he ſpeaks Prov. 15. 3.of Providence, both towards good and bad, that the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evill and the good. This plainly declares that nothing can eſcape Gods Providence, as an Excellent †Summa eſt, nihil eſſe omnium quae in mundo fiant, quod Providentiae divinae ambitu non comprehendatur. Carthw. in Locum.Commentator obſerves. Above all Teſtimonies Chriſt the truth and the life, fully declares the government of Divine Providence. He inſtanceth in Lillies, the graſſe of the field, Mat. 6. 28. verſ. 30. In the Sparrowes, the heires of our head, Mat. 10. 29, 30. And Chriſt drawes an Argument à minore ad majus: wherefore if God ſo cloath the graſſe of the field, which to daie is and to morrow is caſt into the oven: ſhall he not much more cloath you, O yee of little faith? And the Apoſtles of Chriſt confirme the truth of him, their Maſter. For Paul preaching at Athens plainly prooves, that God gives Mat. 6. 30.to all li…e and breath and all things. And he quotes Aratus the Poet, Act. 17. 22.For in him we live and moove and have our being? Follow the ſame Apoſtle in his Epiſtle to the Romans, For of him and through him, verſ. 8. foreign. Aratus. Rom. 11. 36. Eph. 4. 11. Heb. 1. 3. 1. Cor. 12. 6,and to him are all things. Likewiſe in the Epheſians, we read, that God worketh all things after the counſell of his own will: and to the Hebrewes, he declares that all things were upheld by the word of hi… power, (i. e.) the power of Chriſt. It is God that mo…eth all in all.
Having thus by ſeverall Scripture Teſtimonies given abundant proofe of the Doctrine, I now come to the Confirmation of the Doctrine, by evidence of Reaſon. Amongſt many that might be alleadged, Il'e fix upon ſix Reaſons, which are as ſo many Demonſtrative Arguments drawn à fortiori for the further clearing the truth of our aſſertion delivered.
2. Confirmed by evidence of Reaſon.
1. The firſt reaſon ſhall be drawn from the order and harmony R. 1. Drawn from the Order and Harmony amongſt creatures.amongſt creatures. In the Nature of things there's an order, diſpoſition, ſucceſſion, conſervation, and propagation of each ſpecies. Fire and water would conſume each other, if they were not hindred by Providence. God is a God of order, and preſerves all things in order. He made all things in order, number and meaſure He ſets bounds to the Sea: Hitherto ſhalt thou go and no further. Were it not for a ſupreame overruling Providence, the Sea would break out and drown the whole world. Now this order muſt proceed from an ordaining cauſe which ordereth and diſpoſeth of all things, and this is God: He telleth the number of the ſtarres, &c.Pſal: 147. 4.
2. We proove a Providence from the Proviſion that God makes R. 2. Drawn from Gods Proviſion of each creature. Mat: 6. 26. Pſal: 104. 11, 21.for all the creatures. God feeds the fowles of the aire: Behold (ſaith our Saviour) the fowles of the aire: for they ſow not, neither do they reape, nor gather into barnes: yet your heavsnly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better then they? He cloathes the graſſe of the field. He takes care for the beaſts of the field: He ſendeth the ſprings into the valleys, they give drink to every beaſt of the field, the wild Aſſes quench their thirſt. The young Lyons roare after their prey, and ſeek their meat from God. God knows how many Ravens are in every neſt, and ſends them food. God feedes the wormes, and provides for all creatures. The Providence of God extends it ſelf to the leaſt of creatures, and in a more plentifull manner to mankind. All ſorts of men taſt of Gods Providence: For his eyes are upon the waies of man, and he ſeeth all his goings. Hence Chriſt commands doing of good, That Job 34. 21. Mat: 5. 45.ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: ſor he maketh his Sun to riſe on the evill and on the good, and ſendeth raine on the juſt and on the unjuſt. But eſpecially Gods children have experience of Gods gracious Providence toward them. It's a choice Promiſe mentioned by the Prophet Iſaiah, But now thus ſaith the Lord Iſ: 43. 1, 2, 3.that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee O Iſrael, fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou paſſeſt through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers they ſhall not overflow thee: when thou walkeſt through the fire, thou ſhalt not be burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee. R. 3. Drawn from the vertue accompanying the meanes for Gods childrens Preſervation.For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Iſrael, thy Savi…ur: I gave Egypt for thy ranſom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
3. We proove a Providence from that vertue that goeth along with thoſe means which God hath ordained ſor our preſervation meat, drink, and cloathing: … have neither heate, life, ſtrength, nor comfort in themſelves. They neither can give, nor continue heat, or help: were it not for a ſpeciall providence which gives vertue unto them. It's God that makes the meate to nouriſh us: It's God that makes the cloathes we weare, to warme us. The whole vertue and benefit which we receive from them, comes from the Providence of God: This in *Talis igitur mens mundi quum ſit, ob eam…; cauſam vel Prudentia, vel Providentia appellari recte poſſit. Cic. L. 2. de Nat. Deorum.Ciceroes language, is called Prudence, or Providence: And in †Nullam terras deſpicere Providentiam teſtor. Quinctil. in Proem. L. 6.Q…inctilians it's put for God himſelfe.
4. We proove a Providence from various events, diſtinctions, R. 4. Drawn from various events. Prov. 8, 15.appointments of affaires here below. God ſets up one, pulls down another: By me Kings raigne (ſaith Wiſdome) and Princes decree juſtice. And in Daniel we read of the Watcher, He cryed aloud, and ſaid thus; hew down the tree and cut off his branches, ſhake Dan. 4. 14, 25off his leaves and ſcatter his fruit, let the beaſts get away from under it, and the fowles from his branches: They ſhall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling ſhall be with the beaſts of the field, and they ſhall make thee to eat graſſe as Oxen, and they ſhall wet thee with the d…w of heaven, and ſeaven times ſhall paſſe over thee, til… thou know that the moſt high ruleth in the Kingdome of men, and giveth it to whomſoever he will. One is rich, another is poore: one honourable, another contemptible: one a King, another a ſubject. All theſe ſeverall ſtations in the world, come to paſſe by an overruling Providence: (for even ‖Mundus divina Providentiâ conſtitutus Cic. Deorum Providentiâ mundum adminiſtrare Cic L. 1. de Divin.Cicero himſelfe conſeſſeth, that the world is govern'd by Providence) That there is any government in the world is a Providence: for the wicked are farre the greateſt number, and they hate the righteous with a perfect hatred: were it in their power and they might have their will, there would be no rule, no government at all…: their loſt and humour would be all the Rule they would go by. But there is a Providence that curbes theſe men, to keep them in awe, and ſtrikes in them a ſeare of God and of men, who are in Authority, who although they hate them, yet ſtand in awe and feare of them.
5. We proove a Providence from Gods pr…ſervation of his R. 5. Drawn from Gods Preſervation of his Church.Church, from the rage of the Devill and his Inſtruments, in ſomuch that the gates of Hell neither can nor ſhall prevaile again…t it. Though there be Legions of Devills and wicked men, and they unite their forces, and combinations, with all▪ their might and main, and the Church is but a little flock: yet God graciouſly preſerveth it. That one promiſe, Lo I am with you alway, …nto the Mat: 28. 20.end of the world: makes more for the Church, then all the malice of men and Devills can make againſt them. The Serpents ſeed alwaies perſecutes the promiſed ſeed, and if Satan and his Inſtruments could obtaine their will, they would (as that monſter of Rome wiſht of the Senatours necks) deſtroy the whole Church at one blow. But ſtill the Church is preſerved, notwithſtanding all the inveterate malice, and oppoſition of men and Devills: Maugre all their violent oppoſitions, God will keep this vineyard of red wine (i. e.) his Church: ſo he promiſeth I the Lord do keep it, Iſa: 27. 2, 3.I will water it every moment leaſt any hurt it &c.
6. From the horrors of Conſcience, and dreadfull puniſhments R. 6. From the horrors o… Conſcience. Rom: 1. 18.that befall the wicked, for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven againſt all ungodlineſſe and unrighteouſneſſe of men, who hold the truth in unrighteouſneſſe. So that a man ſhall ſay, verily, there is a Pſal: 58. 11reward for the righteous, verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. When ſuch puni…hments befall men, many are apt to bewaile their hard fortune, (that's their heatheniſh language) whereas they ought to conſider of a Providence diſpoſing, ordering, and appointing all. We read concerning Chriſts ſufferings on this wiſe, Him, being delivered by the determinate counſell and fore knowledge Acts: 2. 23.of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and ſ…ain. There was an Act of malice in the Jewes, and even the height of wickedneſſe but an Act of Providence in God, by whoſe p…rmiſſion and free appointment this came to paſſe.
2. In the ſecond place we will inquire into the Nature of this 2. Concerning the Nature of Providence.Providence. Waving impertinent queſtions amongſt *Inter Stoicos & Epicuri ſectam ſecutos pugna perpetua eſt regaturne Providentia mundus? Quinctil: L. 5. C. 7.Epicures and Stoicks, and likewiſe avoyding their Phraſes, I ſhall accord with Orthodox Divines, who give this Definition of Providence, viz. It Definition of Providence.is a temporary action of God, whereby he moveth and directeth all things after the counſell of his own will to their proper ends.
1. I call it an Action, to diſtinguiſh it from the Attributes of 1. Its an Act.God.
2. I call it temporary to diſtinguiſh it from the eternall decree.2. A Temporary Act.
3. I ſay that by this Providence, God moveth and directeth 3. Its Operative.all things, to ſhew that God is not idle in heaven, as Epicures ignoran…ly and fooliſhly dreame: this Providence is operative, this Job. 38. 41.Providence goeth through the whole world. It feedeth the Ravens in the neſt, when the damme forſakes them. By this Providence Job. 39. 15, 16.the O…triches egges are hatcht when they are forſaken, and left to the wild beaſt, by the unnaturall damme.
4. By Providence God acts after the counſell of his own will. 4 God acts by Providence.This ſheweth that God doth nothing unadviſedly and raſhly, but uſeth his owne knowledge whereby he perfectly underſtands all things, and his wiſdome whereby he doth diſpoſe all things being known. And this God doth of his owne will. He is a moſt free agent, and he is not in the leaſt compell'd, and he needeth not the Mr Pemble of Magd: Hall Oxon.advice of any other: For (as a Judicious Divine obſerves) God directs both to the mediate ends, & to the laſt ends of all after a ſet and determinate manner, according to the moſt free decree and counſell of his own will, that himſelfe in all things may be glorified.
5. God doth direct all things to their proper ends, to ſhew that 5. God doth direct all things to their proper ends. …God doth not only govern things generally, by ordering and diſpoſing of all the creatures, but every thing particularly, taking care of every worme, every ſparrow, even the meaneſt of all the creatures. Now then, by what I have ſaid will evidently appear that there are theſe eminent▪ properties in divine Providence.
1. It's permiſſive of all ſorts of Actions. God permits not only 1. There is a Permiſſive Providence.the Act; but the obliquity of it: He ſuffers and beares with the Iniquities of the Amorites: And yet God is not author ſed ultor peccati. God hardned Pharaohs heart: He may withdraw his grace being not bound to give it.
2. This Providence is only effective of and approoves what is 2. Gods Providence approoves only what is good.good. The Providence of God allowes no mans w…ckedneſſe: God is good and doth good, and nothing can come from God, but goodneſſe: As for ſin it's a ſaying no more common then true, malum non habet cauſam efficientem ſed deficientem.
3, This Providence is Omniſcient. All qualities, properties, motions 3. Gods Prov…dence is Omniſcient. Act. 15. 18.and Deſignes, are all known to God with all their circumſtances: ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, Known unto God are all his workes fr…m the beginning of the world.
4. This Providence is moſt wiſe. If we ſpeak of wiſdome, God 4. This is a wiſe Providence.is wiſe: With God is ſtrength and wiſdome. The Apoſtle admireth the depth of his wiſdome.
5. This Providence is diſtinct & particular to every worme, to 5. This Providence is diſtinct.every ſparrow, to all the creeping things, to every herbe, to every pile of graſſe: They all grow by Providence.
6. This is alwaies a working, alwaies protecting, providing, careing. 6. This Providence is alwaies working.Epicures deny a Providence: Stoicks acknowledge a fatall neceſſity. Peripateticks deny a government of the world: But chriſtians fully believe the power and Providence of God, in the government of the world. This then being ſo.
1. Here's matter of confutation of Epicures, who denied all Providence, Ʋſe 1. For Confutation.& Stoicks, who maintained a fatall neceſſity. And of Peripateticks, who denied the ruling and governing power of God. Theſe V. Dr. Hackwills Apollogy.opinions, the Scriptures fore recited confutes, and I may ſay the leſs becauſe ſuch excellent paines hath been taken on this Argument by a Learned Dr. of our Univerſity.
2. This yeelds matter of reproofe unto two ſorts.Of Reproofe.
1. Such as obſerve no Providence, heedleſſe, careleſſe perſons, of Gallioe's indifferent temper: ſo they fare well themſelves, they care not how it is with others.
2. Such as abuſe Providence, who run on in mad wicked waies and then father their Actions upon Providence. Solomon ſaith, The Prov. 19. 3.fooliſhneſſe of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth againſt the Lord.
3. Here's matter of Inſtruction. Let us hence learne our duties.Ʋſe 3. For Inſtruction.
1. Take eſpeciall notice of Providences…: ſtudy theſe wheeles of Providence. Theſe are wheeles in the middle of wheeles, and theſe require our ſpeciall inquiry and obſervation.
2. Be inquiſitive and obſerve how Providences fulfill Promiſes, how God is in every particular as good as his word.
3. Be thankfull for all paſſages of Providence, for proſperity Job. 2. 10.and adverſity, ſhall we not (ſaith Job) receive good at the hand of God, and ſhall we not receive all.
4. Learne by all Providences to be more holy, and more circumſpect in thy life. He makes beſt uſe of Providences, who learnes more holyneſſe, humility, and conformity to the will of God.
5. Serve Gods Providence in the lawfull uſe of meanes. Men may not lye in a ditch and cry, Lord help us: God that appoints the end, appoints the meanes. We may not make a ſeparation between them.
6. In all ſtraits and di…ficulties, comfort thy ſelfe with the conſideration of Gods Providence. O do not diſtruſt Providence, It's the Apoſtles exhortation: Caſt thy care upon him, for he careth for 1 Pet. 5. 7. Mat. 6. 31.thee. And our Saviours exhortation is, take no thought, ſaying, what ſhall we eat, or what ſhall we drinke, or wherewithall ſhall we be cloathed?
As there is a generall Providence towards all: So there is a ſpeciall Doct. 2 di…tinguiſhing Providence tow…rds all Gods Children. This is the ſecond doctrine. That the ſpeciall Providence of God is extended Method.towards the Protection of Gods Children, will f…lly appeare by Scripture examples, and Scripture Reaſons, which when we have prooved, we ſhall reduce all unto point of practice, by ſome uſefull Application.
1. For Scripture examples, amongſt many theſe are moſt eminent. 1. For Scripture examples. Gen. 22. 12.A Providence in an eſpeciall manner delivered Iſaac, between the Knife and the Altar. The Angell calls out of heaven ſaying, Lay not thine hand upon the Lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: We …hould conſider (as *Noſtrum eſt intent is mentibus conſiderare quam mirabiliter in ipſo Articulo Deus Iſaac revocaver … à morte in vitam, Calv. Gen 33. 4.Calvin obſerves) how God helpt in the very Article of time, and delivered him from death to life. What preſervations and ſpeciall Providences did Jacob mee… withall, being delivered from Eſau's rage, when bloody intentions were turned into embraces. Jacob feared leaſt he would …lay the Mother and Children, yet by ſpeciall Providence Eſau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kiſſed him and they wept.
In Joſeph there is a Series of Providences, a conca…enation of preſervations. His brethren hated him and threw him into a pit: And in that pit there was no water. He was bought and ſold by the Iſhmaelites and Po…ipher: caſt in Priſon, and in the ſame Priſon where were the Kings priſoners. The chiefe Bu…ler and Baker, were in the ſame priſon. They dreamed, Joſeph gave the Interpretation: But yet Gods time of deliverance was not come. Pharaoh dreames, Joſeph interprets his dreame, and is advanced and made Ruler over all the Land of Egypt. A f…mine f…ll out, Joſeph's brethren came to buy corne, Joſeph ſupplies them. Stephen recites the Hiſtory, and acknowledgeth a ſpeciall hand of Providence: The Patriarchs mooved with envy, ſold Joſeph into Egypt, Gen. 50. 20, 21. Acts 7. 9.but God was with him.
The Hiſtory of Eliah, is remarkable: ſometimes a Brook, ſometimes a Widdow woman, ſometimes the Angells themſelves were his P…rveyors: and the very Ravens, thoſe greedy Birds of prey brought him meate.
The Hiſtory of the Jewes delivered from Haman is eſpecially remarkable. Haman utterly plotted their ruine: He had the royall aſſent granted, the day ſet, Haman on purpoſe went to beg Mordecai for the Gallowes, but ſee what intervened by the ſpeciall hand of Providence, On that night the King could not ſleep, and Eſth. 6. 1.he commanded to bring the book of records of the Chronicles, and they were read before the King: after reading whereof the King advanced Mordecai, and made Haman his deſperate Enemy to make the Proclama…ion. And Eſther being entertained Q…eene in the roome of Vaſthi, ſhee ſupplicated for her own life, and the life of her people. And the miſchievous devices of Haman were turned …pon his own pate: and as he meated to others, the ſame meaſure he received, the Text expreſly ſhewes: So they hanged Haman upon the Gallowes Eſth. 7. 10.that he had prepared for Mordecai: Then was the Kings wrath pacified.
The three Children in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the Lions den, Peter out of Priſon were all miraculouſly delivered by the Miniſtery of Angells. The Apoſtle Paul delivered, when above forty had bound themſelves with an oath in a conſpiracy againſt him. And Acts 21. 30, 31.eſpecially Acts 21. 30, 31. We read of a wonderfull deliverance (as we ſay) between the cup and the lip, And all the Citie was moved, and the people ran together, and they took Paul, and drew him out of the Temple, and forthwith the dores were ſhut, and as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chiefe captaine of the Band, that all Jeruſalem was in an …proare. By this Diverſion the Lord wrought a ſignall deliverance for his ſervant Paul. What deliverances had David at Keilah & En-gedi, even when Saul had hēm'd him in, and (as I may ſay) had him in a Pound, not likely to eſcape, yet then by way of diverſion he was delivered: and Saul went 1 Sam. 23. 26, 27.on this ſide of the mountaine, and David and his men on that ſide of the mountaine, and David made haſt to get away for feare of Saul: for Saul and his men compaſſed David and his men round about to take them: But there came a meſſenger unto Saul, ſaying, haſt thee and come: for the Philiſtines have invaded the Land. In that needfull Inſtant the Lord made a plain way for his ſervants eſcape.
I might Inſtance in many remarkable paſſages of Providence rerecorded in humane Authors. The tide brought in ſhel-fiſh for the beſieged Rochellers. There was one Merlin, who at the Pariſian Maſſacre hid himſelfe in a Hay Mow, and every day a Hen laid an egge there, by which he was kept alive. Another was hid in a cloſe hole, and a ſpider weaved a web at the dore, ſo the Perſecutors went away. But there is no neceſſity of lighting a candle to the Sun that went before. No example may be compared to thoſe which are recorded in the Word of God. To Scripture examples, I'le adde Scripture reaſons, why doth God extend ſuch ſpeciall Providences towards his own people.
1. Let us conſider the high eſtimate and value God puts upon R. 1. The high Value God puts upon his Children. Mal. 3. 17. Iſ. 28. 5. Exod. 19. 5. Zech. 2. 8.them. They are his Jewells: They ſhall be mine, ſaith the Lord of hoſts, in that day, when I make up my Jewells, and I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his Son that ſerveth him. They are a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty. They are a peculiar treaſure, they are as deare unto him as the Apple of his eye.
2. Conſider the relations between God and the godly.R. 2. Drawn from the Relation… between God and the godly.
They are his Children, he their Father. They are his adopted ſons and daughters. Now it is the duty of a Father to take ſpeciall care for the preſervation of his children. They are his ſpouſe, and he their Husband: For ſo the Lord profeſſeth, Turne, O backſliding children (ſaith the Lord,) for I am married unto you, and Jer. 3. 14.I will take you, one of a Cittie and two of a family and will bring you to Zion.
3. All the promiſes of God are made unto the godly. For R. 3. All the Promiſes belong to the godly Iſa: 43. 1, 2.(ſaith the Apoſtle) all the promiſes of God are in Chriſt yea and Amen unto the glory of God by us. Promiſes of Protection belong to Gods children: Thus ſaith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Iſrael: feare not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy Name, thou art mine. When thou paſſeſt through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they ſhall not overflow thee: when thou walkeſt through the fire, thou ſhalt not be burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee. Promiſes of direction are made to Gods children, Thou ſhalt guide me with Pſal: 73. 24.thy counſell and afterward receive me to glory.
4. All the Attributs of God put forth themſelves for the good R. 4. All Gods Attributes belong to the godly. Iſa: 51. 14.of Gods people, viz. His mercy to pardon them, his wiſdome to counſell them, his power to defend them: (as the Prophet Iſaiah ſaith) Feare not thou worme Jacob and yee men of Iſrael: I will help thee, ſaith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the holy one of Iſrael.
5. The miniſtery of Angells is imployed for their defence. The R. 5. The Miniſtery of Angells is imployed for the defence of the godly. Heb. 1. 14.Angell of the Lord encampeth round about them that feare him, and delivereth them. Are they not all Miniſtring Spirits, ſent forth to Miniſter for them, who ſhall be heires of Salvation? And for the offence of their enemies, as in the caſe of Senacherib and Herod, who fell by the Angell of the Lord.
6. The Saints experiences are abundant proofe hereof: Pa…l V. Pſ. 18. t…tle. R. 6. Drawn from Saints Experiences.ſpeaks how God delivered him out of the hand of the Lion. He ſpake of Nero, that cruell Perſecutor of the Church. What Protections, deliverances have Gods people met withall? What Providences to ſupply their wants in the moſt needfull inſtant? What deliverances from Fire, Water, Robbers, Murtherers? Great things can many of Gods children ſpeak in this particular: Time would faile me to produce thoſe Inſtances, which Saints experiences have abundantly afforded in this Particular.
This then being ſo, this Doctrine may be ſerviceable for theſe uſes.
1. To reprove the madneſſe and folly of wicked men, who Ʋſe 1. For Reproofe. Pſ. 37. 32, 33.ſet themſelves in oppoſition againſt Gods children. They labour to root out their memory, and plot their utter ruine and deſtruction: but, though the wicked watcheth the righteous, and ſeeketh to ſ…ay him, the Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemne him, when he is judged. Wicked men are limitted, and can go not a jot further then God will permit them.
2. Here's matter of Inſtruction to the children of God. Doth Ʋſe 2. For Inſtruction.God take the care of them, Let them be ſure to keep in Gods waies, and walke according to the rule of his Word. Let none neglect meanes appointed by God, under any preſumptions of Providence, that would be a tempting of God. You know how the Devill tempted Chriſt to leap down the Pinacle, when as there was a paire of ſtaires, an ordinary way to go up and down. Let none upon pretence of ſecret impulſes of their owne ſpirits, act any irregular thing upon Pretence of Providence. Gods Providences do not contradict the rule of the word. Let none diſtruſt Providence in their greateſt ſtraits and difficulties. God hath ſupplyed, and is able ſtill to ſupply: He hath delivered and is able ſtill to deliver. Read two experiences one of David againſt the Lion and Beare. Thy ſervant (ſaith David to Saul) ſlew both the Lion and the Beare, and this uncircumciſed Philiſtine 1 Sam. 17. 36ſhall be as one of them. Another deliverance we read, is of the children of Iſrael againſt Pharaoh: Thou didſt (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) divide the Sea by thy ſtrength, thou breakeſt the heads of the Dragons in Pſal. 74. 14.the waters: Thou breake…t the heads of Leviathan in peices and gaveſt him to be meat for the people, inhabiting the wilderneſſe, This was ſpoken of Pharaoh and his hoſt. Theſe examples drawn from experience, and former mercyes ſhould be as ſo many Ingagements to truſt God for the time to come.
Here's one Uſe more, and that is for conſolation unto Gods Ʋſe 3. For Conſolation.children. They are in Covenant, and under the wings of ſpeciall Providence: As an Eagle ſtirreth up her neſt, fluttereth over her young, Deut. 32. 11.ſpreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no ſtrange God with him. He promiſeth to be their Rereward: Then ſhall thy light Iſa. 58. 8.breake forth as the morning, and thine health ſhall ſpring forth ſpeedily, and thy righteouſneſſe ſhall go before thee, the glory of the Lord ſhall be thy Rereward. This is an alluſion to Gods carrying his children out of Egypt: And the Lord went before them by day, in a Exo. 13. 21.pillar of a cloude to lead them the way: and by night, in a pillar of fire to give them light, to go by day and night. Now againſt all deſpondencies, feares, doubts, dangers, let Gods children comfort themſelves, with the conſideration of Gods ſpeciall Providence: God takes care and makes ſpeciall Proviſion for them, wherefore let them do their duty, and leave all iſſues to God.
The duties are theſe,
1. To ſtudy the Word, and be well acquainted with it. The Scripture is the ſure Word of Propheſy, certaine, infallible: we muſt truſt and venture all upon it.
2. To live by faith: when ſence failes, let not faith faile: Believe God is as good as his word. Believe, though ſence and reaſon be non-pluſd. So did Abraham in the caſe of Sarah, and ſo in the caſe of Iſaac. No life to that mentioned by the Apoſtle to live by the faith of the Son of God.Gal. 2. 20.
3. To ſet the Spirit of prayer a working. Pray for thy daily bread, and for daily Protection: So that thou maieſt feele all coming in as an Anſwer of Prayer. And a Samuel a child of prayer is the moſt welcome mercy.
4. Beware of murmuring and repining when thou art delayed. Eligat opportunitatem, qui libere dat miſeric…rdiam Aug.Learne to wait Gods time: His convenient time is the beſt. He helpes in the moſt needfull time. Let him (ſaith Auguſtine) chuſe the opportunity who ſo freely gives the mercy.
5. What ever thou wanteſt, be ſure to be more thankfull then Efficaciſſimū pro Candid ato regandi genus eſt gratias agere. Plin. Pan. Trajano dictus.ever, ſor what thou haſt received before. Thankfulneſſe is a cunning way of begging: Put thy ſelfe in other mens caſes, and conſider how thou aboundeſt in compariſon of them. Look into Priſons, Poore mens cupboards, and how oughſt thou to pitty them in their wants, and be thankfull for what thou enjoyeſt.
6. Sixtly and laſtly, be ſtill renewing thy title and clearing up thine evidences for heaven: for the more thou ſecureſt that, the more ſecure thou mayeſt be of this ſpeciall diſtinguiſhing Providence. For though I believe not (but abhorre that opinion) that Dominium temporale fundatur in gratiâ, and I am farre from the Anabaptiſticall opinion of thinking wicked men uſurpers, as having no right of Creatures to outward things: yet I am fully aſſured, that only the Godly have outward things ſanctified through Chriſt. With Chriſt they have all things: And having Chriſt, is that which makes a mercy to be a mercy indeed: All Rom. 8. 32. 1 Cor. 3. 20, 21.things are Yours (ſaith the Apoſtle.) The wicked of the world have outward things ex largitate, by common Povidence and bounty, the godly have all ex promiſſo by Promiſe and Covenant. Wherefore here lyes the great duty to get aſſurance, that what ever we have, we injoy as a Covenant mercy, ſtreaming to us through the blood of Jeſus Chriſt: for it is Chriſt alone that ſweetens what ever we injoy, without him all is bitter: with him every thing is ſweet.