The Mystery of Providence

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory, verses 2 and 3. Secondly, you have the baseness, vileness, and utter unworthiness of man. Yea, the holiest and best of men before God. Verily every man and his best state is altogether vanity, Psalm 39.5. Every man, take where you will, and every man in his best state, or standing in his freshest glory, is not only vanity, but altogether vanity. Literally every man is very vanity. For do but consider the best of men in their extraction, by nature the children of wrath, even as others, Ephesians 2.3. The blood that runs in our veins is as much tainted as theirs in hell. Consider them in their constitution a natural disposition, and it is no better, yea, in many there is worse disposition than in reprobate. And though grace depose sin in them from the throne, yet oh what offensive and God-provoking corruptions daily break out of the best of hearts. Consider them in their outward condition, and they are inferior for the most part to others. I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11.25. See also 1 Corinthians 1.26-28. And now let us consider and marvel that ever this great and blessed God should be so much concerned, as you have heard he is in all his providences, about such vile, despicable worms as we are. He does not need us, but is perfectly blessed and happy in himself without us. We can add nothing to him. Can a man be profitable unto God? Job 22.2. No, the holiest of men add nothing to him, yet see how great account he makes of us. For does not his eternal electing love show the dear account he made of us? Ephesians 1.4-5. How ancient, how free, and how astonishing is this act of grace. This is that design which all providences are in pursuit of, and will not rest till they have executed. Does not the gift of his only Son out of his bosom show this, that God makes great account of this vile thing, man? Never was man so magnified before. If David could say, When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon, and the stars, which thou hast ordained, what is man? Psalm 8.3-4. How much more may we say, when we consider thy Son, that lay in thy bosom, his infinite excellence and unspeakable dearness to thee, Lord, what is man, that such a Christ should be delivered to death for him, for him, and not for fallen angels. Hebrews 2.16. For him, when in a state of enmity with God. Romans 5.8. Does not the assiduity of his providential care for us show his esteem of us? Lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Isaiah 27.30. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous. Job 36.7. No, not a moment all their days, for if he did, a thousand mischiefs in that moment would rush in upon them and ruin them. Does not the tenderness of his providence show his esteem to us? As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66.13. He comforts his own by refreshing providences as an indulgent mother her tender child. As birds flying, Isaiah 31.5, that is to their nests when their young are in danger, so he defends his. No parental tenderness in the creature can shadow forth the tender affection of the Creator. Does not the variety of the fruits of his providence show it? Our mercies are new every morning. See Psalm 40.5 and Lamentations 3 verse 23. It is a fountain from which do stream forth spiritual and temporal, ordinary and extraordinary, public and personal mercies, mercies without number. Does not the ministry of angels in the providential kingdom show it? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1.14. Does not the providence of which this day calls us to celebrate the memory show the great regard God has for his people? Oh, if not so, why were we not given up as a prey to their teeth? If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, then wicked men, compared to fire, water, wild beasts, had swallowed us up quick. Psalm 124. Oh, blessed be God for that teeming providence that has already brought forth more than seventy years liberty and peace to the church of God. I suggest concerning this providence that you do buy it as the Jews buy their Purim. Esther 9 verses 27 and 28. And the rather because we seem now to be as near danger by the same enemy as ever since that time. If such a mercy as this is forgotten, God may say, I will deliver you no more. Judges chapter 10 verse 13. Part 2. Meditation on the providence of God. Chapter 8. The duty of meditation on providence. Having proved the affairs of the people of God to be conducted by the care of special providence and given instances of what influence providence has upon those interests and concern of theirs, we come in the next place to prove it to be the duty of the people of God to meditate upon these performances of providence for them at all times, but especially in times of difficulty and trouble. This is our duty because God has expressly commanded it and called his people to make the most serious reflections upon his words, whether of mercy or judgment. So when that most dreadful of all judgments was executed upon his professing people for their apostasy from God, and God had removed the symbols of his presence from among them, the rest are bidden to go, that is, by their meditations, to send at least their thoughts to Sheol and see what God did to it. Jeremiah 7.12. So for mercies, God calls us to consider and review them. Oh, my people, remember now what Balaam, king of Moab, consulted, and what Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. Micah 6.5. As much as to say, if you do not reflect upon that signal providence, my righteousness will be covered and your unrighteousness uncovered. So for God's work of providence concerning the creatures, we are called to consider them that we may prop up our faith by those considerations for our own supplies. Matthew 6.28. It is plain that this is our duty because the neglect of it is everywhere in scripture condemned as a sin. To be careless and unobservant is very displeasing to God. And so much appears by that scripture, Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see. Isaiah 26.11. Nay, it is a sin which God threatens and denounces woe against in his word. Psalm 28.4.5. Isaiah 5.12.13. Yea, God not only threatens, but smites men with visible judgments for this sin. Job 34.26.27. And for this end and purpose, it is that the Holy Ghost has affixed notes of attention, such as, behold, to the narratives of the works of providence in scripture. All these invite and call men to a due and deep observation of them. For example, in that great and celebrated work of providence in delivering Israel out of Egyptian bondage, you find a note of attention twice affixed to it. Exodus 3.2.9. Again, when that daring enemy, Rabshaketh, that put Hezekiah and all the people into such a consternation was defeated by providence, there is a note of attention prefixed to that providence. Behold, I will send a blast upon him. 2 Kings 19.7. When God glorifies his wisdom and power in delivering his people from their enemies and ensnaring the latter in the works of their own hands, a double note of attention is affixed to that double work of providence. Gideon, Selah, Psalm 9.16. Also at the opening of every seal, which contains a remarkable series or branch of providence, how particularly is attention commanded to every one of them? Come and see, come and see. Revelation 6.1-7. All these are very useless and superfluous additions in scripture if no such duty lies upon us. See Psalm 66.5. Without due observation of the works of providence, no praise can be rendered to God for any of them. Praise and thanksgiving for mercy depend upon this act of observation of them, and cannot be performed without it. Psalm 107 is spent in narrating God's providential care of men to his people in difficulties, verses 4-6. To prisoners in their bonds, verses 10-12. To men that lie languishing upon beds of sickness, verses 17-19. To seamen upon the stormy ocean, verse 23. To men in times of famine, verses 33-40. Yea, his providence is displayed in all those changes that occur in the world, debasing the high and exalting the low, verses 40-41. And at every paragraph men are called upon to praise God for each of these providences. Verse 43 shows you what a necessary ingredient to that duty observation is. Who so is wise and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. So that of necessity God must be defrauded of his praise if this duty is neglected. Without this we lose the usefulness and benefit of all the works of God for us or others, which would be an unspeakable loss indeed to us. This is the food our faith lives upon in days of distress. Thou breakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. Psalm 74-14. That is, food to their faith. From providences past saints argue to fresh and new ones to come. So David, the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17 verse 37. So Paul, who hath delivered, and in whom also we trust that he will yet deliver. 2 Corinthians 1 10. If things are forgotten or not considered, the hands of faith hang down. How is it that ye do not remember, neither consider? Matthew 16 verse 9. This is a topic from which the saints have often drawn their arguments in prayer for new mercies. As when Moses prays for continued or new pardons for the people, he argues from what was past, as thou hast forgiven them from Egypt until now. Numbers 14 verse 19. So the church argues for new providences upon the same ground Moses pleaded for new pardons. Isaiah 51 verses 9 and 10. It is a vile slighting of God not to observe what he manifests of himself in his providences. For in all providences, especially in some, he comes near to us. He does so in his judgments. I will come near to you in judgment, Malachi 3 5. He comes near in mercies also. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him. Psalm 145 verse 18. Yea, he is said to visit us by his providence when he corrects us. Hosea 9 7. And when he saves and delivers. Psalm 106 verse 4. These visitations of God preserve our spirits. Job 10 verse 12. And it is a wonderful condescension in the great God to visit us so often, every morning and every moment. Job 7 18. But not to take notice of it is a vile and brutish contempt of God. Isaiah 1 3 and Zephaniah 3 verse 2. You would not do so to a man for whom you have any respect. It is the character of the wicked not to regard God's favors. Isaiah 26 10. Or frowns. Jeremiah 5 3. In a word, men can never order their addresses to God in prayer suitable to their conditions without due observation of his providences. Your prayers are to be suitable to your conditions. Sometimes we are called to praise, sometimes to humiliation. In the way of his judgments, you are to wait for him. Isaiah 26 8. To prepare to meet him. Zephaniah 2 verses 1 and 2. And Amos 4 verse 12. Sometimes your business is to turn away his anger, which you see approaching. And sometimes you are called to praise him for mercies received. Isaiah 12 verses 1 and 2. But you must first observe them. Thus you find the matter of David's psalms still varied, according to the providences that befell him. But one who is unobservant and careless can never do it. And thus you have the grounds of the duty briefly presented. Chapter 9. How to meditate on the providence of God. Next we proceed to show in what manner we are to reflect upon the performances of providence for us. And certainly it is not every slight and transient glance, nor every cold, historical, unaffecting rehearsal or recognition of his providences towards you that will pass with God for a discharge of this great duty. No, no, it is another kind of work than what most men understand it to be. Oh that we were but acquainted with this heavenly spiritual exercise, how sweet it would make our lives, how light it would make our burdens. Ah sirs, you live estranged from the pleasure of the Christian life, while you live in the ignorance or neglect of this duty. Now to lead you up to this heavenly sweet and profitable exercise, I will beg your attention to the following directions. Labor to get as full and thorough recognition as you are able of the providences of God concerning you from first to last. Oh fill your hearts with the thoughts of him and his ways. If a single act of providence is so ravishing and transporting, what would many such be if they were presented together to the view of the soul? If one star is so beautiful to behold, what is a constellation? Let your reflections therefore upon the acts and workings of providence for you be full, extensively and intensively. Let them be as extensively full as may be. Search backward into all the performances of providence throughout your lives. So did Asaph. I will remember the works of the Lord. Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work and talk of thy doings. Psalm 77 verses 11 and 12. He labored to recover and revive the ancient providences of God's mercies many years past, and suck a fresh sweetness out of them by new reviews of them. Ah sirs, let me tell you, there is not such a pleasant history for you to read in all the world as the history of your own lives. If you would but sit down and record from the beginning hitherto what God has been to you and done for you, what signal manifestations and outbreakings of his mercy, faithfulness, and love there have been in all the conditions you have passed through. If your hearts do not melt before you have gone half through that history, you are a hard heart indeed. My father, thou art the guide of my youth. Jeremiah 3 4. Let your meditation be as intensively full as may be. Do not let your thoughts swim like feathers upon the surface of the waters, but sink like lead to the bottom. The works of the Lord are great. Thought out of them that have pleasure therein. Psalm 111 verse 2. Not that I think it feasible to sound the depth of providence by our short line. Thy way is in the sea, and my path in the great waters, and my footsteps are not known. Psalm 77 19. But it is our duty to dive as far as we can, and to admire the depth when we cannot touch the bottom. It is in our viewing providences as it was with Elijah's servant when he looked out for rain. 1 Kings 18 44. He went out once, and viewed the heavens, and saw nothing. But the prophet bid him go again and again, and look upon the face of heaven seven times. And when he had done so, what now, says the prophet? And now, says he, I see a cloud rising like a man's hand. And then, keeping his eye intently upon it, he sees the whole face of heaven covered with clouds. So you may look upon such providences once and again, and see little or nothing in them. But look seven times, that is, meditate often upon them, and you will see their increasing glory, like that increasing cloud. There are several things to be distinctly pondered and valued in one single providence, before you can judge the amount and worth of it. First, the seasonableness of mercy may give it a very great value. That it is timed so opportunely, and occurs just when needed, makes it a thousandfold more considerable to you than the same mercy would have been at another time. Thus, when our needs are permitted to grow to an extremity, and all visible hopes fail, then to have relief given wonderfully enhances the price of such a mercy. Isaiah 41 verses 17 and 18. The peculiar care and kindness of providence to us is a consideration which exceedingly heightens the mercy in itself, and endears it to us. So when, in general calamities upon the world, we are exempted by the favor of providence, covered under its wing, when God shall call to us in evil days, Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, Isaiah 26 20, when such promises shall be fulfilled to us in times of want or famine, Psalm 33 verses 18 and 19. When others are abandoned and exposed to misery, who have every way as much, it may be much more visible security against it, and yet they are delivered up and we saved. O how endearing are such providences! Psalm 91 verses 7 and 8. What a providence introduces is of special regard and consideration, and by no means to be neglected by us. There are leading providences which, however slight and trivial they may seem in themselves, yet in this respect justly challenge the first rank among providential favors to us, because they usher in a multitude of other mercies, and draw a blessed train of happy consequences after them. Such a providence was that of Jesse's sending David with provisions to his brethren that lay encamped in the army, 1 Samuel 17 17. And thus every Christian may furnish himself out of his own stock of experience, if he will but reflect and consider the place where he is, the relations that he has, and the way by which he was led into them. The instruments employed by providence for you are of special consideration, and the finger of God is clearly seen by us when we pursue that meditation. For sometimes great mercies are conveyed to us by very improbable means, and more probable ones are laid aside. A stranger is stirred up to do that for you which your near relations in nature had no power or will to do for you. Jonathan, a mere stranger to David, claimed closer to him and was more friendly and useful to him than his own brethren, who despised and slighted him. Ministers have found more kindness and respect from strangers than from their own people that are more obliged to them. A prophet, said Christ, is not without honor but in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house. Mark 6 4. Sometimes help has come from the hands of enemies as well as strangers. The earth helped the woman. Revelation 12 16. God has bowed the hearts of wicked men to show great kindnesses to his people. Acts 28 2. Sometimes God makes use of instruments for good to his people who design nothing but evil and mischief to them. Thus Joseph's brethren were instrumental to his advancement in that very thing in which they designed his ruin. Genesis 50 verse 2. The design and scope of providence must not escape our thorough consideration what the aim and goal of providence is. And truly this, of all others, is the most warming and melting consideration. You have the general account of the aim of all providences and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8 28. A thousand friendly hands are at work for them to promote and bring about their happiness. Oh, this is enough to sweeten the bitterest providence to us that we know it shall turn to our salvation. Philippians 1 19. The respect and relation providence bears to our prayers is of singular consideration and the most taking and sweet meditation. Prayer honors providence and providence honors prayer. Great notice is taken of this in scripture. Genesis 24 45. Daniel 9 20 and Acts 12 12. You have had the very petitions you asked of him. Providences have borne the very signatures of your prayers upon them. Oh, how affectingly sweet are such mercies. In all your observations of providence have special respect to that word of God which is fulfilled and made good to you by them. This is a clear truth that all providences have relation to the written word. Thus Solomon in his prayer acknowledges that the promises and providences of God went along step by step with his father David all his days and that his hand put there for his providence had fulfilled whatever his mouth had spoken. First Kings 8 24. So Joshua in like manner acknowledges that not one good thing had failed of all the good things of which the Lord had spoken. Joshua 22 verse 14. He had carefully observed what relation the works of God had to this word. He compared them together and found an exact harmony and so may you too if you will compare them as he did. This I shall the more insist upon because it is by some interpreters supposed to be the very scope of the text for as was noted in the explanation they supply and fill the sense with the things which he has promised and so read the text thus I will cry unto God most high unto God that performeth the things he has promised for me. Psalm 57 verse 2. Now though I see no reason to limit the sense so narrowly yet it cannot be denied that this is an a special part of its meaning. Let us therefore in all our reviews of providence consider what word of God whether it be a threatening caution counsel or promise is that any time made good to us by his providences. Doing this will greatly confirm to us the truth of the scripture when we see its truth so manifest in the event. Had scripture no other seal or attestation this alone would be an unanswerable argument of its divinity when men shall find in all ages the works of God wrought so exactly according to this model that we may say as we have read or heard so have we seen. Oh how great a confirmation is here before our eyes. Again doing this will abundantly direct and instruct us in our present duties under all providences. We shall know what we have to do and how to behave under all changes of conditions. You can learn the voice and errand of the rod only from the word. Psalm 94 verse 12 which interprets the words of God. Providences in themselves are not a perfect guide they often puzzle and entangle our thoughts but bring them to the word and your duty will be quickly manifested. Until I went into the sanctuary of God then understood I their end. Psalm 73 17 and not only their end but his own duty to be quiet in an afflicted condition and not envy their prosperity. Well then bring those providences you have passed through or are now under to the word and you will find yourself surrounded with a marvelous light and see the verification of the scriptures in them. I shall therefore here appeal to your consciences whether you have not found these events of Providence occurring agreeably in all respects with the word. The word tells you that it is your wisdom and interest to keep close to its rules and the duties it prescribes. It tells that the way of holiness and obedience is the wisest way. This is your wisdom. Deuteronomy 4 verses 5 and 6. Now let the events of Providence speak whether this is true or not. Certainly it will appear to be so whether we respect our present comfort or future happiness. Both which we may see daily exposed by departure from duty and secured by keeping close to it. Let the question be asked of the drunkard adulterer or profane swear when by sin they have ruined body soul estate and name. Whether it be their wisdom to walk in those forbidden paths after their own lust. Whether they had not better consulted their own interest and comfort in keeping within the bounds and limits of God's commands. And they cannot but confess that this their way is their folly. What fruit says the Apostle had ye in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death. Romans 6 21. Does not the Providence of God verify upon them those threatenings that are written in the experience of all ages. Job 31 verse 12. Proverbs chapter 5 verse 9 and 10 chapter 23 verses 21 and 29. All which woes and miseries they escape that walk in God's statutes. Look upon the ruined estates and bodies you may everywhere see and behold the truth of the scriptures evidently made good in those sad providences. The word tells you that your departure from the way of integrity and simplicity to make use of sinful policies shall never profit you. 1st Samuel 12 21 and Proverbs 3 5. Let the events of Providence speak regarding this also. Ask your own experience and you shall have a full confirmation of this truth. Did you ever leave the way of simplicity and integrity and use sinful shifts to bring about your own designs and prosper in that way? Certainly God has cursed all the ways of sin and whoever find they thrive with them his people shall not. Israel would not rely upon the Lord but trust in the shadow of Egypt and what advantage had they by this sinful policy? Isaiah 30 verses 1 through 5. David used a great deal of sinful policy to cover his wicked deed but did it prosper? 2nd Samuel 12 12. It is an excellent observation of Livy. Sinful policies in their first appearances are pleasant and promising. In their management difficult. In their event sad. Some by sinful ways have obtained wealth but that scripture has been verified in their experience. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing. Proverbs 10 2. Either God has blown upon it by a secret curse that it has done them no good or given them such disquietness in their consciences that they have been forced to vomit it up ere they could find peace. Job 11 verses 13 through 15. That which David gave as a charge to Solomon has been found experimentally true by thousands. 1st Chronicles 22 verses 12 and 13. That the true way to prosperity is to keep close to the rule of the word and that the true reason why men cannot prosper is their forsaking that rule. 2nd Chronicles 24 verse 20. It is true if God has a purpose to destroy a man, he may for a time permit him to succeed and prosper in his sin for his greater hardening. Job 12 verse 6. But it is not so with those whom the Lord loves. Their sinful shift shall never thrive with them. The word prohibits your trust and confidence in the creature, even the greatest and most powerful among creatures. Psalm 146 verse 3. It tells us that it is better to trust in the Lord than in them. Psalm 118 verse 8. It forbids our confidence in those creatures that are most nearly allied and related in the bonds of nature to us. Micah 7 verse 5. It curses the man that gives to the creature that reliance which is due to God. Jeremiah 17 verse 5. Consult the events of providence in this case and see whether the word is not verified in it. Did you ever lean upon an Egyptian reed and it did not break under you and pierce as well as deceive you? Oh, how often has this been evident in our experience. Whatsoever we have overloved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it and made us to see the vanity of it. So that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately or immoderately upon them. For our God is a jealous God and will not part with his glory to another. The world is full of examples of persons deprived of their comforts, husbands, wives, children, and estates for this reason and by this means. If Jonah is overjoyed in his gourd, a worm is at once prepared to smite it. Hence it is that so many graves are opened for the bearing of our idols out of sight. If David says, my mountain shall stand strong, I shall not be moved. The next news he shall hear is of darkness and trouble. Psalm 30 verses 6 and 7. Oh, how true and faithful do we find these things of God to be. Who cannot put to his seal and say, thy word is truth. John 17 17. The word assures us that sin is the cause and inlet of affliction and sorrow and that there is an inseparable connection between them. Be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32 23. That is the sad effects and afflictions that follow it shall find you out. If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments, if they break my statutes and keep not my commandments, then will I visit their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes. Psalm 89 verses 30 through 32. Inquire now at the mouth of Providence whether this is indeed so, according to the reports of the word. Ask but your own experiences and you will find that just so Providence has ordered it all along your way. When did you grow into a secure, vain, carnal frame, but you found some rousing, startling Providence sent to awaken you? When did you wound your consciences with guilt and God did not wound you for it in some or other of your beloved enjoyments? Nay, so ordinary is this with God that from the observations of their own frames and ways, many Christians have foreboded and foreseen troubles at hand. I do not say that God never afflicts his people but for their sins, for he may do it for their trial. First Peter 4 12. Nor do I say that God follows every sin with a rod, for who then could stand before him? Psalm 130 verse 3. But this I say that it is God's usual way to visit the sins of his people with rods of affliction and this in mercy to their souls. For this reason it was that the rod of God was upon David in a long succession of troubles upon his kingdom and family. After that great prevarication of his. Second Samuel 12 10. If we would carefully search out the seeds and principles of those miseries under which we or others do groan, we should find them to be our own turnings aside from the Lord. Jeremiah 2 19 and chapter 4 verse 18. Have not all these cautions and threatenings of the word been exactly fulfilled by Providence in our own experience? Who can but see the infallible truth of God in all that he has threatened? And no less evident is the truth of the promises to all that will observe how Providence makes them good every day to us. For consider how great security God has given to his people in the promises that no man shall lose anything by self-denial for his sake. He has told us, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life. Mark 10 verses 29 and 30. Though that vile apostate Julian derided this promise, yet thousands and ten thousands have experienced it and do at this day stand ready to set their seal to it. God has made it good to his people not only in spiritual things, inward joy and peace, but even in temporal things also. Instead of natural relations who took care of them before, hundreds of Christians shall stand ready to assist and help them so that though they have left all for Christ, yet they may say with the Apostle as having nothing and yet possessing all things. 2nd Corinthians 6 10. Oh the admirable care and tenderness of providence over those that for conscience sake have left all and cast themselves upon its immediate care. Are there not at this day to be found many so provided for, even to the envy of their enemies and their own admiration? Who does not see the faithfulness of God in the promises that have but a heart to trust God in them? The word of promise assures us that whatever wants or straights the Saints fall into, their God will never leave them nor forsake them. Hebrews 13 5. That he will be with them in trouble. Psalm 91 verse 15. Consult the various providences of your life at this point and I doubt not but you will find the truth of these promises as often confirmed as you have been in trouble. Ask your own heart where or when was it that your God forsook you and left you to sink and perish under your burdens? I doubt not but most of you have been at one time or other plunged in difficulties. Difficulties out of which you could see no way of escape by the eye of reason. Yea such as it may be staggered your faith in the promise as David's was when he said I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul. 1st Samuel 27 1. All men are liars. Psalm 116 11. Even Samuel himself. And yet notwithstanding all we see him emerge out of that sea of trouble and the promises made good in every tittle to him. The like doubtless you may observe in your own case. Ask your own souls the question and they will satisfy it. Did God abandon and cast you off in the day of trouble? Certainly you must belie your own experience if you should say so. It is true there have been some plunges and difficulties you have met with in which you could see no way of escape but concluded you must perish in them. There have been difficulties that have staggered your faith in the promises and made you doubt whether the fountain of all sufficiency would let out itself for your relief. Yea such difficulties as have provoked you to murmuring and impatience and thereby provoke the Lord to forsake you in your trouble. But yet you see he did not. He has either strengthened your back to bear or lightened your burden or else open an unexpected door of escape according to promise. 1 Corinthians 10 13. So that the evil which you feared did not come upon you. You read that the word of God is the only support and relief to a gracious soul in the dark day of affliction. Psalm 119 verse 50 and 92. And 2 Samuel 23 verse 5. And that for this purpose it was written. Romans 15 verse 4. No rules of moral prudence. No natural remedies can perform for us that which the words can do. And is not this a sealed truth attested by a thousand undeniable experiences. From this source have the Saints fetched their cordials when fainting under the rod. One word of God can do more than 10,000 words of men to relieve a distressed soul. If providence has at any time directed you to such promises as either assure you that the Lord will be with you in trouble. Psalm 91 15. Or that encourage you from inward peace to bear cheerfully outward burdens. John 16 33. Or satisfy you of God's tenderness and moderation in his dealings with you. Isaiah 27 8. Or that you shall reap blessed fruits from them. Romans 8 28. Or that make clear your interest in God and his love under your afflictions. 2nd Samuel 7 14. Or what ease and relief ensues and how light is your burden compared with what it was before. The word tells us that there is no better way to improve our estates than to lay them out with a cheerful liberality for God. And that our withholding our hands when God in duty calls to distribute will not be for our advantage. Proverbs 11 24 and verse 25. And chapter 19 verse 17. Also Isaiah 32 verse 8. Consult providence now and you will find it in all respects according to the report of the word. Oh how true is the scripture testimony in that respect. There are many thousand witnesses now living that can set their seals to both parts of this proposition. What men save as they count saving. With one hand providence scatters by another hand. And what they scatter abroad with a liberal hand and a single eye for God is surely repaid to them or theirs. Neither did any man lose by distributing for God. He that lends to the poor lends to the Lord or as some expound that text put his money to interest to the Lord. Some have observed how providence has doubled all that they have laid out for God in ways unexpected to them. The word assures us that the best expedient for a man to settle his own interest in the consciences and affections of men is to direct his ways so as to please the Lord. Proverbs 16 verse 7. And does not providence confirm it? This the three Jews found by experience. Daniel 3 verse 28 and 29. And so did Daniel chapter 6 verses 20 through 22. This kept up John's reputation in the conscience of Herod. Mark 6 20. So it proved when Constantine made that exploratory decree, those that with conscience were preferred and those that changed their religion expelled. Neither did any man lose at last by his fidelity. The written word tells us that the best way to gain inward peace and tranquility of mind under puzzling and disturbing troubles is to commit ourselves and our case to the Lord. Psalm 37 verses 5 through 7. And Proverbs chapter 16 verse 3. As you have read in the word so you have found it in your own experience. Oh what a burden is off your shoulders when you have resigned the case to God. Then providence concludes your affairs comfortably for you. The difficulty is soon over when the heart is brought to this. Thus you see how scriptures are fulfilled by providence in these few instances I have given. Compare them in all other cases and you will find the same. For all the lines of providence lead from the scripture and return there again and do most visibly begin and end there. In all your reviews and observations of providence be sure that you eye God as the author or orderer of them all. Proverbs 3 verse 6. In all the comfortable providences of your lives eye God as the author or donor of them. Remember he is the father of mercies that begets every mercy for you. The God of all comfort. Second Corinthians 1 3. Without whose order no mercy or comfort can come to your hands. And do not think it enough thus to acknowledge him in a general way but when you receive mercies take special notice of the following particulars. Eye the care of God for you. He careth for you. First Peter 5 7. Your heavenly father knoweth that you have need of these things. Matthew 6 32. You have but to acquaint him with your need and your needs are supplied. Be careful about nothing. Philippians 4 6. Do not torture yourselves about it. You have a father that cares. Eye the wisdom of God in the way of dispensing his mercies to you. How suitably they are ordered to your condition and how seasonably. When one comfort is cut off and removed another is raised up in its room. Thus Isaac was comforted in Rebekah after his mother's death. Genesis 24 verse 67. Eye the free grace of God in them. Yea see riches of grace in every bequest of comfort to so vile and unworthy creatures as you are. See yourselves surpassed by the least of all your mercies. I am not worthy of the least said Jacob. Genesis 32 verse 10. This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available free and for sale in audio video and printed formats. Our many free resources as well as our complete mail order catalog containing thousands of classic and contemporary Puritan and Reform books, tapes, and videos at great discounts is on the web at www.swrb.com. We can also be reached by email at swrb.com, by phone at 780-450-3730, by fax at 780-468-1096, or by mail at 4710-37A, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6L 3T5. You may also request a free printed catalog. And remember that John Calvin, in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I commanded them not, neither came into my heart. From his commentary on Jeremiah 731, writes, God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since he condemns by this one phrase, I have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God. For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to his commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The prophet's words then are very important, when he says that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind, as though he had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew.