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

Fourthly, They who ate impatient under any work of God, who murmur and repine at it, are far from magnifying the work of God.

Fifthly, They are far from magnifying the work of God, who think themselves so wise that they could mend the work of God; had they the pencil in their hand they would make fairer work of it: what huddling is here? think some; what confusion is here? say others; what sad work is here? saith a third. If we had the ordering of things what an orderly wo•ld would we make, if we had the ordering of things (as God hath) we would quickly cure and remedy all these disorders. Though such formal speeches be not uttered, yet such things are spoken in parables, the actions of some tell us such are their thoughts, as if they could mend the work of God, and govern the world with greater moderation than tis; though indeed we need not scruple to call the wisest man in the world a very dotard, if he thinks so, or that any thing can be done more equally than God hath done it. Let all ⟨p. 367⟩flesh adore, let none presume to question the work of God; let God alone with his work; as he will have no controller, so he needs no counsellor. Remember, tis mans duty to magnify his work, not to mend it, to show how good it is, not to attempt the making of it better. And indeed as it is the highest point of presumption, so of ignorance, to meddle with the mending of it. The Lord is a Rock (saith Moses, Deut. 32.4.) and his work is perfect. Who but a fool, or who but by the over-working of his own folly would venture to mend that which is already, not only perfected, but perfect, were it only the work of a man, much more when it is the work of God, the only wise God?

Fifthly, They are far from magnifying the work of God, who think themselves so wise that they could mend the work of God; had they the pensel in their hand they would make fairer work of it: what hudling is here? think some; what confusion is here? say others; what sad work is here? saith a third. If we had the ordering of things what an orderly wold would we make, if we had the ordering of things (as God hath) we would quickly cure and remedy all these disorders. Though such formal speeches be not uttered, yet such things are spoken in parables, the actions of some tell us such are their thoughts, as if they could mend the work of God, and govern the world with greater moderation than tis; though indeed we need not scruple to call the wisest man in the world a very dotard, if he thinks so, or that any thing can be done more equally than God hath done it. Let all