An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

for as God giveth it to his people to understand the mysteries of the Gospel, when they are hid from other mens eyes; so to the godly it is impart given to understand the ways and works of the Lord, that thereby they may prevent those delusions or deceits which otherwise they are liable unto. Whereupon it is, that because in this particular as well as in other, we know but in part, we have heavenly wisdom but in part. Therefore it is that we do so often miscarry. As in all civill Government there are arcana imperii, secrets of state, which only the wise favourite is admitted unto, the single and credulous Subject he believeth the pretences and appearances of things. Thus God also, though in a wise and just manner hath his secrets in governing of his Church, he proceedeth in such methods that to the judgement of flesh and blood do appear very improbable and unlikely ever to produce any blessed end; and hence it is that the carnal wise men of the world are so often taken in their own craft, and wherein they deal not only proudly, but wisely, God is above them; whereas if they had understood the method of Gods proceedings, they would not have been found so foolishly to fight against God: but the godly have Scripture wisdom and prudence, and therefore are not wholly in the dark, but while they follow them, are kept from those bogs and pits, which others are very ready to fall into; we may instance in some of those Divine Maxims of state. As

for as God giveth it to his people to understand the mysteries of the Gospell, when they are hid from other mens eyes; so to the godly it is impart given to understand the wayes and workes of the Lord, that thereby they may prevent those delusions or deceits which otherwise they are lyable unto. Whereupon it is, that because in this particular as well as in other, we know but in part, we have heavenly wisedome but in part. Therefore it is that we do so often miscarry. As in all civill Governement there are arcana imperii, secrets of state, which only the wise favorite is admitted unto, the single and credulous Subject he believeth the pretences and appearances of things. Thus God also, though in a wise and just manner hath his secrets in governing of his Church, he proceedeth in such methods that to the judgement of flesh and blood do appeare very improbable and unlikely ever to produce any blessed end; and hence it is that the carnall wise men of the world are so often taken in their own craft, and wherein they deale not only proudly, but wisely, God is above them; whereas if they had understood the method of Gods proceedings, they would not have been found so foolishly to fight against God: but the godly have Scripture wisedome and prudence, and therefore are not wholely in the dark, but while they follow them, are kept from those bogs and pits, which others are very ready to fall into; we may instance in some of those Divine Maximes of state. As