The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Leave ^qus not (saith he) I beseech thee, seeing thou knowest our camping Places in the Desert, and thou shalt be as eyes unto us. The Physician is to be honoured for necessary ⟨p. 96⟩uses: and the Lawyer to be retained for the pleading of mens Causes. Who would not condemn a son, that in his fathers extremity lying sick unto the death, should, under pretence of Gods Providence, destitute him of convenient comforts for the succour of his life? And ^rGamaliel's sound and grave advice of letting the Apostles alone, because if that counsel or work were from men, it would come to nothing; but if from God, it could not be dissolved, meant to repress Riots and disordered tumults, if it be applied to the Magistrates lawful drawing of the Sword, for preventing of mischievous plots and purposes, would prove very impious and foolish Logic: for it is no argument that either mens labours and industries should be needless, or counsel and deliberation of future things frivolous, if all be decreed of God. The contrary whereof is rather true: for therefore he giveth unto us the good things of this life, wealth, credit and authority, judgement to fore-see dangers, and wisdom to prevent them, reason whereby to gather what may be for our profit, by considering of things past, comparing of things present, and guessing at things to come; that all might be as means to serve his secret Providence. It was a worthy Message which Mordecai ^ssent unto Q. Esther, Who knoweth whether for such a time as this, thou art come unto the Kingdom? And ^tSOLOMON in his wisdom saith, The Wiseman foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself, but fools pass on and are punished. Again, that it may the better appear how these two, the Counsels of God, and mens consultations (as the means that he hath sanctified) are nothing at all repugnant; in ^uanother place he maketh them draw together: A mans heart adviseth his way, and JEHOVAH establisheth his peace.