Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. His Sovereignty is seen in regard of the inclinations of mens Wills. No Creature can immediately work upon the will, to guide it to what point he pleaseth, though mediately it may, by proposing reasons which may Master the understanding, and thereby determine the Will. But God bows the Hearts of men by the […] of his dominion, to what Centre he pleaseth. When the more overweening sort of men, that thought their own heads as fit for a Crown as Sauls, scornfully d•spis'd him, yet God touched the hearts of a band of men, to follow and adhere to him, 1 Sam. 10.26, 27. When the Anti-Christian Whore shall be ripe for destruction, God shall put it into the Heart of the ten Horns or Kings, to hate the Whore, burn her with Fire, and fulfil his Will. Rev. 17.16, 17. He Fashions the Hearts alike, and tunes one string to answer another, and both to answer his own design. Psal. 33.15. And while men seem to gratify their own ambition and malice, they execute the Will of God by his secret touch upon their Spirits, guiding their inclinations, to serve the glorious manifestation of his Truth. While the Jews would in a reproachful disgrace to Christ, Crucify two Thieves with him, to render him more uncapable to have any followers; they accomplished a Prophecy, and brought to light a mark of the Messiah, whereby he had been charactered in one of their Prophets; Isaiah 53.12. That he should be numbered among Transgressors. He can make a man of not willing, willing; the wills of all men are in his hand. i. e. under the power of his Sceptre, to retain, or let go upon this or that Errand, to bend this or that way, as Water is carried by Pipes, to what house or place the owner of it is pleased to order. Prov. 21.1. The Kings Heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the Rivers of waters he turns it, whithersoever he will, without any limitation. He speaks of the Heart of Princes: Because in regard of their height they seem to be more absolute and impetuous as waters; yet God holds them in his hand, under his dominion, turns them to acts of clemency or severity, like waters, either to overflow and damage, or to refresh and fructify. He can convey a Spirit to them, or cut it off from them.