Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Whereas your holy care as to them will be very pleasing & acceptable unto God, as is clear from his former dealings in this very case. He took this so kindly at the hand of Abraham, that upon the account thereof he would reveal unto him his purpose, Gen. 18.17. The Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do? Shall I not communicate my Secrets to Abraham; shall I do such a Work as I am now resolved upon, and not let Abraham know it? But why did the Lord ask such a question? why might he not hide that, or any thing else from him or another, if he pleased, being Agens liberrimum, a most free Agent, and giving no account of his Matters? But what was the reason of this his so great condescension? Or, what was Abraham, that God's Cabinet-Council should be as to any one particular unlocked and opened unto ⟨image 182⟩him? God himself gives two reasons of it, one in the 18th Verse, Seeing Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty Nation, and all the Nations in the Earth shall be blessed in him. I have promised him great Mercies and Blessings, such as I have not promised to any man besides in the whole world, and shall I after that conceal this from him which is a great deal less? but the other reason to which I now refer you, followeth in the 19th Verse, for I know him, that he will command his Children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. I know him, I am sure he is my Friend, He loves me dearly, His heart is set for my honour and interest, He will commend me and my way to all that are under his charge, and He will lay his Command upon them to love, fear and serve me, and keep my way. God will manifest himself unto, and set a special mark of favour upon those that are studious of promoting and posteritizing Religion and the Worship of God in their Families. These are Men and Women according to his Heart.

Whereas your holy care as to them will be very pleasing & acceptable unto God, as is clear from his former dealings in this very case. He took this so kindly at the hand of Abraham, that upon the account thereof he would reveal unto him his purpose, Gen. 18.17. The Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do? Shall I not communicate my Secrets to Abraham; shall I do such a Work as I am now resolved upon, and not let Abraham know it? But why did the Lord ask such a question? why might he not hide that, or any thing else from him or another, if he pleased, being Agens liberrimum, a most free Agent, and giving no account of his Matters? But what was the reason of this his so great condescention? Or, what was Abraham, that God's Cabinet-Council should be as to any one particular unlocked and open'd unto