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

Fourthly, From the distinction which is here made of the rain, the small rain, and the great rain of his strength,

Fourthly, From the destinction which is here made of the rain, the small rain, and the great rain of his strength,

Note; In what degree or quantity soever the rain falls, it is by the special appointment of God.

If it be a small, gentle, soaking rain, it is because God hath spoken to the small rain to go; if it be a great, a violent, a smoking rain, a rain of his strength, it is because God hath said to the great rain, go: We are not to stick in second causes, but to have our hearts raised higher, both as to the rain it self, and to the proportions of it. He maketh small the drops of rain, as 'tis said at the 27th Verse of the former Chapter, and he can make great the drops of rain, of the drops of rain g eat; he can cast the rain into what mould he pleaseth, great or small; it shall be a sweetly-distilling rain, or it shall be, as Solomon speaks, a fiercely sweeping rain (Prov. 28.3.) where he compares the poor man that oppresseth, to a sweeping rain. God hath sweeping rains, and as 'tis said (Ezek. 13.13.) overflowing showers in his hand; and he sometimes sends, not a watering shower, not a refreshing or comforting shower in mercy, not a shower to enrich and fatten the earth, but an overflowing shower to drown the earth and destroy the fruits of it in his anger; and this is true, whether you take the shower properly, or metaphorically. If you take the shower properly for that which falls from heaven, he sends the refreshing, & he sends the overflowing shower; or if you take it metaphorically (a shower may signify any kind or degree of judgement) he can send one judgement which shall be as small rain.