Two Treatises, Treatise 1 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
Contains a Third Argument drawn from God's Providences.
A Third Argument ſhall be drawn Arg 3 from divine Providences.from divine Providences. God's Providences fulfil his Promiſes. As God promiſeth help, ſupplies, and ſuccours unto his People: ſo by his good Hand of Providence, he performs what he hath Promiſed. God Promiſed great things to Abraham, Gen. 17. 1, 2. And when Abraham was Ninety Years Old and Nine; the Lord appeared to Abraham, and ſaid unto him, I am the Almighty God, Walk before Me, and be thou Perfect. And I will make my Covenant between me and thee, and will Multiply thee exceedingly. And God made his Word good to a tittle to him: For God gave him Riches in abundance, and a numerous Poſterity, and in him were all the Families of the Earth bleſſed. At God's Command, Abraham Heb. 11. 8.left the Land of his Nativity; he diſputedValde commendat Abrahamum credulitas promiſſionis, quoniam immediate credidit Deo, relinquendo preſentia dulci… & chara; ut obediret Deo propter abſentia quae non videbat. Tena. not the Command, but yeilded Obedience thereunto. And where ever he went, he had abundant experience of God's gracious Providence. He and his Wife, though expoſed to great Temptations, were ſafely preſerved in the Court of Abimelech. As ſoon as he wentGen. 12. 10. into Canaan, there was a Famine in the Land; yet God made Proviſion for him, and Preſerved him, whither ever he went, and he obtained Favour, both in the Eyes of God and Man.
Not to multiply many more Inſtances. In Joſeph, there was a Concatenation of ſeveral ſignal Acts of Providence. Although he was envyed by his Brethren, caſt into the Pit, ſold to the Iſhmaelites, and by them to Potiphar; Yet God was with him. And whenAct. 7. 9. through the falſe accuſations of his Miſtreſs, he was caſt into Priſon; yet God Gen. 39. 29.was with him in Priſon, and gave him favour in the Eyes of the Keeper of the Priſon. It's very probable, that there were ſeveral Priſons in Egypt; but Joſeph was caſt into that very Priſon, where the King's Servants, the chief Butler, and Baker were Priſoners. And it came to paſs, that each of the King's Servants Dreamed; and Joſeph Interpreted their Dreams, and the Interpretation accordingly was Fulfilled; for the chief Butler was reſtored unto his Place, and theGen. 40. 21, 22. chief Baker was Hanged. Joſeph might hope, that he had now purchaſed a good Friend at Court; he reckoned upon the chief Butlers Friendſhip; but he, as ſoon as reſtored to his Place, forgot Joſeph: Gen. 40. 23.He ungratefully paſt an act of oblivion of his Ingagements to Joſeph. But God's time is not yet come, for Joſeph's Deliverance: Wherefore Pharaoh himſelf Dreams, and then the chief Butler remembers his faults, and becomes a Remembrancer of Joſeph's Skill in Interpreting Dreams. Hereupon Joſeph is ſent for, and Interpreteth Pharaoh's Dreams, and for his great Wiſdom and Underſtanding, is preferred by Pharaoh to be Ruler over all the Land of Egypt. And here's a further Remark of Providence, that Joſeph hath a Price put into his Hand, to be not only (under God) a Saviour of all Egypt; but likewiſe of his Father and Brethren: For when the Famine was in Egypt, Cannan, and other Places, Joſeph ſupplyed their Wants, and through God's Bleſſing upon his wife and provident care, preſerved multitudes of Families from Periſhing. Joſeph himſelf acknowledgedAct. 7. 9. Non eſ… ſine ex…mplo, quod Deus benefacit iis, quibus vos nocetis maxime. Grot. God's Hand in all things. And St. Stephen making an Hiſtorical Narration, of the ſeveral ſignal Providences exerciſed towards Joſeph, aſcribes all to the Hand of God remarkable in Joſeph's Preſervation, notwithſtanding the envy, hatred, and malice of his Brethren.
To this Hiſtory of Joſeph, we may add a ſeries of divine Providences faſtned together, concerning the deliverance of the Jews from the bloody Deſigns of Haman. Although Haman was highly advanced by Ahaſſuerus, and obtained the King's Seal, and Pur was caſt, even a day deſign'd by Lot, for a barbarous Maſſacre; yet Eſther, by a wonderful Providence (though ſhe was a Jew) was advanced to be Queen inſtead of Vaſthi. She certified the King of Mordecai's faithfulneſs, in diſcovering a Treaſon, and Mordecai's Loyalty was Chronicled In perpetuam rei memoriam. Eſther Invited the King to a Banquet, and Haman was Invited likewiſe: She then interceded for the People of the Jews, and Haman's intended Miſchief was ſeaſonably prevented, and his horrid Deſign'd Wickedneſs fell upon his own Pate. The Table proved a ſnare, and the Banquet a forerunner of Hamans Deſtruction. Mordecai was a Loyal, and true hearted Subject to the King; but Haman hated him, for not doing |Non ſolum conſuetudo, ſed etiam lex domeſtica Iudaeorum diſerte vetat honorem deo debitum, ulli mortalium exhibere. Drus. in Eſt. 3. 2.that reverence, which he expected from him. Some are of Opinion, that Haman expected more then civil Reverence: Others think, that Haman being a Perſian, had the Sun pictured on his Breaſt, and therefore Mordecai would not bow the Knee (becauſe the Perſians Worſhiped the riſing Sun.) Others (and I conceive their Opinion is moſt probable) ſuppoſe, that Mordecai would not do Reverence to Haman, becauſe he was an Agagite (i. e.) of the Family of Agag King of the Amalekites, and the Lord had a Controverſy with that wicked Nation, Exod. 17. 14. And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Write this for a memorial in a Book, and Rehearſe it in the Ears of Joſhua: I will utterly put out the Remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven. However Mordecai would neither bow, nor bend to prophane proud Haman, an inveterate, and a curſed Enemy; Yet notwithſtanding, there's a ſignal Teſtimony upon Record of the Loyalty of Mordecai Eſth. 2. 22, 23. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Eſther the Queen; and Eſther certified the King thereof, in Mordecai's name. And when Inquiſition was made of the Matter, it was found out; therefore they were both Hanged on a Tree: and it was Written in the Book of the Chronicles before the King. But Haman was reſolved to leave no means unattempted, to Revenge himſelf on Mordecai; wherefore he built a Gallows, and went on purpoſe to Petition for the King's Conſent, to Hang Mordecai thereon.
But obſerve Eſt. 6. 1. On that Night could not the King ſleep, and he commanded to bring the Book of Records of the Chronicles; and they were Read before the King. Even that ſelf-ſame Night before Haman came to beg Mordecai for the Gallows, the King could not Sleep: And upon inquiſition made after Mordecai's fidelity, the King put exceeding great Honour upon Mordecai, and imployed Haman, his implacable Adverſary, to ſee all that Grandeur done. AndLex non eſt juſto ulla. … Quam necis artifices arte perire ſuâ. Eſth. 7. 10. Mat. 7. 2. Prover …ium eſt apud Hebr…os: Menſura pro menſur…, & apud lati…s: par pari referre. Beza. what became of Haman at laſt, but that he was Puniſhed, by way of Retaliation, and caught in the ſame Pit, which he made for another; for he was Hanged on the ſame Gallows, which he had prepared for Mordecai: He was paid in his own Coyn, and ſerv'd as Adonibezek was, even Puniſhed by way of Retaliation, Judg. 1. 6. I cannot paſs by Two or Three more Inſtances of a ſpecial Remark and Obſervation. When the Prophet Elijah, was preſerved from the bloody Intentions of Jezabel, and conſtrained to fly for his Life; he had Angels for his Purveyors, a Brook to quench his Thriſt, Ravens to bring him Fleſh, a Widdow Woman in a Famine, to make him Cakes: When by reaſon of Jezabels Perſecution, many Prophets were put to Death: God raiſed Obadiah to be a Friend to thoſe that Surviv'd; he hid them by Fifty in a Cave, and fed them with Bread and Water. When Jeremy was caſt into a Dungeon, and his feet ſtuck faſt in the Mire, then Ebedmelech the Ethiopian became the Prophets Advocate, and he ſpake a ſeaſonable and effectual Word, for the Prophets inlargement.
And if there were any need, to light a Candle to the Sun; variety of Examples might be produced, diſcovering wonderful Providences, for the Preſervation of the People of God. To mention a few inſtead of many. When that horrible deviliſh Maſſacre of the Proteſtants in France, was acted on Bartholomew day, being the Sabbath day, and the Lord Admiral Gaſper Collinius was barbarouſly Butchered (notwithſtandingSee Mr. Clarks Martyrology. many fair flattering Words promiſed unto him) Thouſands of Proteſtants were Murthered, inſomuch that the▪ Channel in the Streets ran down with Blood; yet then ſome were miraculouſly Preſerved. Dr. Peter De-Moulin that eminent Light in the Church, was preſerved from the Murtherers, being hid under a Kneading Trough. Merlin was preſerved for a Week or more in a Hay-Mough, where an Hen came every day, and laid an Egg, by the Nouriſhment whereof, he was kept alive. Another for Shelter, hid himſelf in a Coal-Houſe, which being without a Door, was the more unlikely for a place of Security: But (as God ordered it for the beſt,) a Spider came thither, and wove a Web over the place where he entered in; ſo that, the Murtherers went away, ſaying, there could be none there. At the Siege of Rochel, there was a potent Enemy Fighting without, and a ſharper Enemy Conflicting within, viz. a dreadful Famine. And the City was almoſt famiſht when the Lord wonderfully relieved them, by cauſing the Tyde to bring to the Shore, abundance of Shell-Fiſh, the like whereof, never came there before, nor ſince, by which means, many Thouſands were preſerved Alive.
To all theſe, let's each one in particular, take a Survey of particular providences and make a Catalogue of Gods gracious Acts of Providences, and acknowledge thus in particular. Such a time I knew A pinching Famine, wherein I was in great ſtraits and perplexities; and I knew not where to have Bread, to put into my Mouth; then God fed me, and kept me alive. Such a time, I was in great danger of Fire and Waters; then God preſerved me from the violence of both. Such a time, I was beſet with Thieves and Robbers, then God delivered me. Such a time, I was Sick of a long and dangerous Diſeaſe, and was even at the brink of the Grave, ready to fall into it; yet then, the Lord raiſed me up, and added more days to my Life. Such a time, Enemies made long furrows on my Back, and bereft me of my Goods, and diſpoſſeſt me of my Freehold, and depriv'd me of my viſible Livelyhood; yet maugre all the malice and fury of the worſt of Enemies, God hath kept me alive amidſt theſe Sufferings, and made ſupplies, and dayly Proviſions for me. Thus then I argue, What God hath done, he can do. He is one and the ſame Omnipotent, and All-Sufficient Lord God. I'le therefore hold the Concluſion unalterable, viz. That God is able to relieve me now, as formerly: His Hand is not ſhortned, that it cannot help, his Ear is not heavy, that it cannot hear; What God promiſeth, his providences perform to the utmoſt. From all theſe inſtances, we have ſtrong ground, for conviction and confidence in the truth of our Aſſertion, That God is All-Sufficient. I appeal to the Experiences of believing and obſerving Chriſtians, who when they were invironed with Troubles and Difficulties, and even almoſt at their Wits end, not knowing which way to wind out themſelves, being deſtitute, or altogether fruſtrated of all outward viſible Relief; yet, then they have retir'd themſelves, ſhut themſelves in their Cloſets, and faln upon their Knees, and have been earneſt and importunate Solicitors, at the Throne of Grace, and ſo have received a gracious Anſwer of their Prayers.
There is a remarkable Story or two, wherewith I have been much affected, and I ſhould be glad to Affect others accordingly. There was a poor Schollar, in the Univerſity of Oxford, who was very Learned, and Well-deſerving; but for want of Means, was like to have been put by his Degree; the loſs whereof would have been much prejudicial to his Preferment in that Colledge where he Lived: Being much perplexed, he repairs to his Study, and falls upon his Knees, praying and begging Help from Heaven; before he had done Praying▪ one knockt at his Study-Door, and told him, that the Vice-Chancellor ſent to ſpeak with him: He went to him preſently, and he gave him a conſiderable Sum of Money, whereby his Wants were ſupplyed. |Dr. Barnaby Potter, Provoſt of Queens Colledge, and afterward Biſhop of Carlile.This Man, afterwards became the Head of that Colledge, and from thence, was prefer'd to greater Promotion: This Story, he told to a perſon of good Credit, from whom I had it; And he ſpoke it in a way of Thankfulneſs, Communicating his Experience, for the Incouragement of others. ToDr. Prideaux Rector of Exeter-Colledge, and Biſhop of Worceſter. this I'le add another Story, concerning an Eminent Learned Profeſſor of the ſame Univerſity, who would in an humble, and thankful way, frequently make mention of his low Condition, when he came to the Univerſity: Much I my ſelf have heard him ſpeak to this purpoſe. And after he became Head of a Colledge, and Regius Profeſſor, he would keep in his Study, his skin Breeches, which he brought with him to the Univerſity, as a Remembrancer of his former Poverty. One Story more I'leDr. Chadderton Maſter of Emanuel-Colledge. tell of a Learned, and Eminently Godly Doctor of the Univerſity of Cambridge: He was Converted to be a ſound Proteſtant in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths Days; which when his Father (being a Papiſt) heard thereof, he ſent him a Groat, and withal a Meſſage, that he ſhould never have any more from him, unleſs he would change his Religion. This Meſſage did not alter his Reſolution; but he followed his Studies, and God raiſed him Friends; inſomuch, though he lived, after his Father ſo threatned him, above Eighty Years; yet he never wanted Supplies elſewhere, though he received not a Penny from his Father. He proved ſo Eminent for his Parts and Piety, that he was Choſen the firſt Maſter of Emanuel-Colledge. When that Preferment was firſt offered him, he made a modeſt refuſal, being Conſcious to himſelf of his own unworthineſs (For the beſt Men think meanlieſt of themſelves). But the Founder had ſuch a great Eſteem of him, inſomuch as he told him, if he would be no Maſter,Sir Walter Mildmay. he would be no Founder of that Colledge. How wonderfully did the Lord Provide for this good Man! Hereunto, we may apply that of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 27. 10. When my Father and Mother forſake me, then the Lord will take me up. This gracious Man found this truth experimentally made good to him, in particular: It's further reported, that he kept that very Groat, which his Father ſent him, till his dying day. He lived long, even till above an Hundred Years Old, and ſo Dyed in a good Old Age; He Lived deſired, and Dyed Lamented.
What ſhall I ſay further for the illuſtration of the Doctrine of my Text? Time would fail me ſooner than matter of Hiſtory, or experimental Narratives of God's gracious proviſions for his Children. Doth not God take care for Sparrows and Ravens, and take notice how many Young Ones are in every Neſt? Doth not God provide for Worms, and the meaneſt creeping Creatures? And will not God take much more care for his own Children? If a Maſter of a Family take care for his Horſe, he willMr. Samuel Hieron Miniſter of Modbury in the County of Devon. take much more care for his Child. Mr. Hieron that excellent Divine (whoſe Works praiſe him in the Gate): When he was Dying, he uttered theſe Words, God (ſaid he) that takes care for young Ravens, will take care for the young Hierons. And ſo it came to paſs, for after his Death, ſome noble Perſons ſent for his Children, and Maintained them very comfortably. I was well acquainted with two Precious Miniſters, lately gone to Heaven: One on his death Bed, ſaid,Mr. John Feniby of▪ Thoydon-Garnon in Eſſex. Mr. Giffor… of Geyton in Northamptonſhire. He would leave to his Wife and Children, a gracious God and his Promiſes. Another ſaid concerning his Children, That he was aſſured that his Children, if they feared God, they ſhould not want, and if they did not fear God, he wiſht, that they might want, till they did fear him. Luther on his death Bed, ſaid, That Lands and Riches he had none; but he commendeth his Relations to the Providence of his gracious Father, who taketh care of his Children. Suppoſe the extremity be ſo great, as outward Proviſions may be took away; yet God's All-Sufficiency, Wiſdom, and Mercifulneſs, may not in the leaſt be called into queſtion: For what ſaid the Martyr, when ſhe was threatned to be Famiſhed: If (ſaid ſhe) they take away my Meat, God will take away my Stomach. But all theſe things muſt be underſtood with Caution. Here is not in the leaſt a Door open to Idleneſs, and Slothfulneſs, in the particular Callings and Stations wherein God hath placed us, whilſt we live upon Earth: For any one upon preſumption of God's All-Sufficiency, to lye in a Ditch, and cry God help me: For any one to neglect his Calling, and Eat the Bread of Idleneſs; this is in an high manner to tempt God, and to abuſe Divine Providence. Wherefore let's be all earneſtly Exhorted, to be faithful and induſtrious in the particular callings and capacities, wherein God hath ſet us in this preſent World. The Labourer, not the Loyterer is worthy of his Hire. The Hand of the Diligent Prov. 10. 4.maketh Rich. The diligent and induſtrious Man is moſt capable, and deſerving of Preferment, Prov. 22. 29. Seeſt thou a Man diligent in his Buſineſs? He ſhall ſtand before Kings he ſhall not ſtand before mean Men. There are two Rocks like thoſe of Scylla and Charybdis, which muſt be carefully avoided; One is a diſtruſtful, carking, immoderate care; The other is a Supine careleſsneſs and ſlothfulneſs of Spirit: There's a middle way to Sail ſafely betwixt theſe two Rocks, and ſo to eſcape Splitting, Medio tutiſſimus ibis. 'Tis true, we ought not to be careleſs, nor immoderately careful; We muſt uſe theſe outward things with moderation, and ſo regard them, as they may be ſubſervient, and ſubordinate unto Heavenly. The Body muſt be a ſervant to the Soul: it ſhould be a helper and furtherer, not a hinderer. The things of this World muſt be made uſe of in Subordination, to thoſe great things of Eternity; Wherefore Chriſt's Order muſt be obſerved, Mat. 6. 33. But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you. An foreign is abominable. Let's then bottom all our Strength, Supports, and Comforts, upon God's All-Sufficiency; let's continue watching and praying, relying on God's Word, and ſtaying our Hearts upon his Promiſes; let's be diligent and conſcientious in the diſcharge of the duties of our calling, and queſtionleſs, God will provide, and ſupply, and ſuſtain us, by his gracious Providence; let's do our duty, and leave all ſucceſſes unto God.