Vse 3. See a ground of his particu lar providence in the fimalleft things. He is prefent with all our affaires,and businesses: when wee are abfent, and know not how things goe,we are apt to be follicitous; but if we would confider, that hee is a great God, and that hee is every where, this should comfort us, and stay our hearts. And therefore thinke with thy felfe, that thou haft a large portion, because thou haft the Lord. And this is the fecond Vfe. Thirdly, If God be every where present, hence you may fee a ground for his particular providence. It feemes fomething ftrange to men, that every small thing fhould be difpofed of by him; wee thinke indeed that great things are, but for the least things, therein wee are apt to make a doubt,and can hardly beleeve it. But this point in hand is a great confirmation of our faith in this truth. Ifa Horfe ftumble by the way,wee thinke it a common accident; if a Fly fall into a mans eye, or ifa Tile fall off from the house, or an Axe head, wee looke upon them as common accidents; but if wee did confider that he is present there, it were then an eafie matter for us to beleeve, that God doth difpofe all these: when the Axe head falls off, it is in his hand,as before it was in the hand of the workman. Now if he be prefent with every small creature, with every Fly, with every Sparrow and Stone,with every motion of the creature, then all the actions that befall us, they are all his workes: In him wee live, move, and have our being; that is, hee is prefent with every creature: Therefore it is no difficultie to beleeve, that he guides the smallest thing. Ifan enemy How men are faid to be pre fent, enemy hurt us,wee are to thinke,that he is but as a ftaffe in Gods hand, as it is laid of Nebuchadnezzar. Every accident is but as a Cup, and as Chrift faith of the Cup that was brought to him, Shall not I drinke of the Cup which my Father gives me? fo wee may fay of every affliction. The tongues of men are but fcourges in his hand; and though Iames faith, None can tame and rule the tongue of man, yet he can rule them as he pleaseth: and fo wee should thinke of every other action. And indeed, the more wee thinke of his particular providence, the more wee conceive of his infiniteneffe: For why doe wee thinke men to bee prefent; but because they fee and heare; becaufe they doe fomething? If the body be there, and the foule, gone, wee fay that the man is abfent:it is the action that fhewes them prefent. Therefore the Schoolemen fay, that the Angels are faid to bee prefent here or there, because they worke there: In like manner, the more that we can fee Gods hand in every action, the more wee acknowledge his prefence. Hence wee fhould labour to be abundant in confidering the Omniprefence of God upon all occafions: as if a man bee out of the way, and one come and tells him that he is fo, we fhould be ready to fay, that God fent him. If wee are in a ftrait, and know not what to doe, and there come one, and helpe us; we hold fay that it comes from God. So did David, when Abigail came and met him; he faith, that the Lord fent her, & Sam; 25, 33. And this would sama5; 32, A 5. 1.Chron.5.26. Vse 4. meckeneffe, are offered. Phil. 4.5. eafily be beleeved, if wee would thinke that hee is prefent every where. There is no man that fpeakes for us, or against us, that doth us either hurt or good, but God is prefent with him, and ftirres him up to it, whatsoever it be. 1.Chron.5. 26. it is faid, And the God of Ifrael stirred up the fpirit of Pul, King of Affyria, &c. that is, he himfelfe was prefent with his fpirit, hee stirred him up: (for the thoughts of men have their rifing up, from their spirit stirring them to good or cvill.) So alfo for their fpeeches; when Shimei curfed David, David faith, that it was the Lord that bade him. So then the Lord is prefent with the creatures; it is he that acts in them, and fets them on worke, to doe us any good. And this is the next ufe that wee are to make of it. Fourthly, If God be prefent every where, it fhould teach us patience, and meekeneffe, and quietneffe of minde in all injuries and hard meafure which wee fuffer from men. This ufe you fhall fee made of it, Phil.4.5. Let your moderation be knowne unto all men, The Lord is at hand. Iams. 8,9. Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts; for the comming of the Lord draweth nigh, the Fudge ftands at the doore. Therefore, when any injurie is done you, when you are oppreffed by men that have power over you, yet be quiet; for Ged fees it,and knowes it, and hee takes care for you. A man will be readie to Tay; Shall I take this? fhall I be trampled under foot? as I fhall be, if I refift them not: Saith the Apoftle; You need not to feare, for the Lord is prefent. Wecufe to say, if the Magiftrate be not prefent, we may offend a nother, to defend our felves; but if the Magi ftrate be prefent, there is no excufe; fo here the Iudge ftands at the doore. Servants,if their Masters James. 5. 6. be abfent, will defend themfelves against their fellow-fervants; but if the Master be there, and looke on, they will let them alone, because hee hath power to punish,and knowes better how to revenge ther wrongs: So is it in this cafe; when we confider that God is prefent, and that hee fees what we fuffer, wee fhould be quiet, and patient, and not only be patient within, but let our patient mindes bee knowne unto all men; that is, carry our felves fo, that men may fee it, and take notice ofit. Object. Anfw. Why God doth notavenge his presently, And if you fay, that nothing is done, but hee abuseth mee more and more: I answer Confider,it is not because the Lord is weake, and cannot helpeus; or becaufe he is negligent, and will not doe it, no, hee is prefent and fees it all the while but you must confider, that the due time is not come, therefore you must be quier, and not tumultuous in your thoughts, and revengefull in your fpirits, because the Lord looks on, and will avenge you in due time. Therefore this is the thing added in Phil. 4. In nothing Phil 4. bee carefull: Becaufe when a man fuffers any thing from another man, then hee will be ready to bee follicitous, how to defend himfelfe, and what hee fhall doe hereafter; faith the Apostle, Be you in nothing carefull, &c. for the Lord is at hand: hand: that is, he doth not stand by a sa bare fpe&tator, and looker on,who meanes to do nothing on either fide, but fee the injuries done and fuffered, but he lookes on, as one that takes care for you. Therefore bee you in nothing carefull: but in every thing by prayer, and fupplication, with thankefgiving, let your requests be made knowne unto God. THE |