Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

4. The Dominion of God is manifest in defeating the purposes and devices of men. God often makes a mock of humane projects, and doth as well accomplish that which they never dreamt of, as disappoint that which they confidently designed. He is present at all Cabals, laughs at mens formal and studied Counsels, bears a hand over every Egg they hatch, thwarts their best compacted designs, supplants their contrivances, breaks the Engines they have been many years rearing, diverts the intentions of men, as a mighty Wind blows an arrow from the mark, which the Archer intended. Job 5.12. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, and the Council of the froward is carried headlong. Enemies often draw an exact scheme of their intended proceedings, Marshal their Companies, appoint their Rendezvous, think to make but one morsel of those they hate; God by his sovereign Dominion turns the scale, changeth the gloominess of the oppressed into a Sun-shine, and the Enemies Sun-shine into darkness. When the Nations were gathered together against Zion, and said, Let her be defiled, and let our Eye look upon Zion. Micah 4.11. What doth God do in this case? Ver. 12. He shall gather them. i. e. Those conspiring Nations, as sheaves into the floor; then he sounds a Trumpet to Zion, Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion, for I will make thy Horn Iron, and thy Hoofs Brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: And I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole Earth. I will make them, and their Counsels, them, and their strength, the monuments and signal marks of my Empire over the whole Earth.

4. The Dominion of God is manifest in defeating the purposes and devices of men. God often makes a mock of humane projects, and doth as well accomplish that which they never dreamt of, as disappoint that which they confidently design'd. He is present at all Cabals, laughs at mens formal and studied Counsels, bears a hand over every Egg they hatch, thwarts their best compacted designs, supplants their contrivances, breaks the Engines they have been many years rearing, diverts the intentions of men, as a mighty Wind blows an arrow from the mark, which the Archer intended. Job 5.12