A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…

Many devises, intents, and resolutions, are in the minds of men: [but the Lord directeth his steps] his providence causeth their determinations either to proceed and take effect, (when they intend to do that which he hath decreed to have done) or else to be stayed and hindered, when they purpose to themselves those things which he hath not appointed. And because the whole course of mans actions is resembled to a way, he therefore doth call all his particular proceedings therein, his steps.

MAny deuises, intents, and resolutions, are in the mindes of men: [but the Lord directeth his steps] his prouidence causeth their determinations either to proceed and take effect, (when they intend to doe that which he hath decreed to haue done) or else to be staied and hindered, when they purpose to themselues those things which hee hath not appointed. And because the whole course of mans actions is resembled to a way, hee therefore doth call all his particular proceedings therein, his steps.

Doct. Men do purpose many things, but God disposeth all things.

Doct. Men doe purpose many things, but God disposeth all things.

The Prophet David affirmeth the same point, saying, The ¹steps of man are directed by the Lord. And Jeremiah doth also confirm it, when he saith, I know, O Lord, that the way of man is ²not in himself, neither is it in man to walk, and to direct his steps. If it had been otherwise, all Israel should surely have perished when the Egyptians pursued them, with purpose, and resolution, ⟨p. 65⟩