Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Let us learn from hence to have adoring thoughts of, not murmuring fancies against the Sovereignty of God. To acknowledge it with thankfulness in what we have, to implore it with a holy submission, in what w• w•nt. To o•n G•• as a Sovereign in a way of dependence, is the way to be owned by him as Subjects in a way of favour.

Let us learn from hence to have adoring thoughts of, not murmuring fanci•s against the Soveraignty of God. To acknowledge it with thankfulness in what we have, to implore it with a holy submission, in what w• w•nt. To o•n G•• as a Soveraign in a way of dependance, is the way to be own'd by him as Subjects in a way of favour.

5. His Sovereignty is manifested in giving a great measure of knowledge to some, than to others. What Parts, Gifts, excellency of Nature any have above others, are Gods donative. He gives Wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding. Dan. 2.21. Wisdom the habit, and Knowledge the right use of it in discerning the right nature of objects, and the fitness of means conducing to the end; all is but a beam of Divine Light; and the different degrees of Knowledge in one man above another, are the effects of his Sovereign pleasure. He enlightens not the minds of all men, to know every part of his will; one eats with a doubtful Conscience, another in Faith without any staggering. Romans 14.2. Peter had a desire to keep up Circumcision, not fully understanding the mind of God in the abolition of the Jewish Ceremonies. While Paul was clear in the Truth of that Doctrine. A thought comes into our mind, that like a Sun-beam makes a Scripture Truth visible in a moment, which before we were poring upon without any success; this is from his pleasure. One in the primitive times had the gift of Knowledge, another of Wisdom, one the gift of Prophecy, another of Tongues, one the gift of Healing, another that of discerning Spirits; why this gift to one man, and not to another? Why such a distribution in several Subjects? Because it is his Sovereign pleasure. The Spirit divides to every man severally as he will,