An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Every work we see done is magnified, and God in it, when we look to God as the Alpha and Omega, as the Author and Ender of it. Nor is this true only in those works of God which he doth more immediately, but where men act most, and are very instrumental. Let us therefore ascribe every work to God, and that first, in afflicting us; such an eye Joseph had (Gen. 45.8.) It was not you that sent me hither, but God; that is, not so much you, as God (saith Joseph to his brethren) I do not say it was you (though you were unkind brethren) it was not you that sent me hither, but God: I look at him more than at you in that great affliction, which was brought upon me by your envy and unbrotherly unkindness towards me. Such an eye David had when he was under a very grievous, black, dark providence, when his son rose up against him, and when his subject Shimei cursed him, even then he magnified that work of God, by ascribing it wholly unto him (2 Sam. 16.10.) The Lord hath said unto him, curse David. He magnified God in that great affliction by looking at the hand of God alone in it, and passing by Shimei's, both undutifulness and extreme malignity. He said as much, while he tells us he said nothing, in a like or as bad a case (Psal. 39.9.) I opened not my mouth, because thou di•st it. Hence that reproof in the Prophet (Isa. 5.12.) They regard not the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of his hand. ⟨p. 361⟩Secondly, Let us ascribe every wo•k to God in exalting us; such an eye had the Church to God (Psal. 44.1, 2, 3.) Our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days; Thou didst drive out the heathen by thy hand, and plantedst them, they got not the land in possession by their own sword, &c. but by thy right hand, and thine arm, &c. Here is no mention at all of Joshua's achievements and famous victories in subduing the Canaanites, &c. All is given to God, and he alone exalted for that exalting work. That's the first answer: Then we magnify the work of God, when we acknowledge him alone both in afflicting and exalting us.