Fourthly, If the Clouds are turned about by his Counsel, if he doth, as it were, hale the Ropes to turn the Clouds which way soever he pleaseth, then, Whensoever you see the Clouds gathered by the wind, remember God hath somewhat to do, there's somewhat to be done; these Clouds are the Servants of God, there's some command or word of God or other to be fulfilled. We do not, as we ought, consider the Counsel of God in the motion of the Clouds; yea, some when the Clouds gather, and the storms of Wind or Rain, of Thunder and Lightning, break forth, are more ready to think of the Counsel of the Devil, than of God, they are apt to say, surely, There's Conjuring abroad: What's that, but the executing of the Devils Counsel? whereas we should say, God doth it by his Counsel. Take heed of neglecting God when you see the Clouds; do not attribute their motion, or the most dreadful Storms that proceed from them, to any thing beside the Counsel of God; for there is not the least vapour can rise out of the earth, for the making of a Cloud, but he causeth it to ascend; there are not any materials gathered toward the constituting of a Cloud, but they are under Gods hand, he causeth the vapours to ascend: and there is not the least breath of wind can stir to move the Clouds (Clouds are moved with the wind) but as God hath ⟨p. 512⟩appointed; neither bad Angel, nor good, can stir a Cloud, but as God willeth. And therefore look to the hand and counsel of God in all these things, take heed of staying in any work of Nature, do not ascribe these impressions and perturbations in the Air to the power of the Devil and wicked Arts; all is of the Lord, whatsoever is done. One of the Ancients said concerning the Devils, when they desired leave to enter the Swine, Why should any of the sheep of God be afraid of the Devil, when the Devils cannot have power over the Swine without leave from God? The Devil cannot move a breath of wind, but according to the will of God; though he be the Prince of the Air, yet there is a Prince above him, to whose commands all are subject, both in Heaven and in Earth.
Fourthly, If the Clouds are turned about by his Counsel, if he doth, as it were, hale the Ropes to turn the Clouds which way soever he pleaseth, then, Whensoever you see the Clouds gathered by the wind, remember God hath somwhat to do, there's somwhat to be done; these Clouds are the Servants of God, there's some command or word of God or other to be fulfilled. We do not, as we ought, consider the Counsel of God in the motion of the Clouds; yea, some when the Clouds gather, and the storms of Wind or Rain, of Thunder and Lightning, break forth, are more ready to think of the Counsel of the Devil, than of God, they are apt to say, surely, There's Conjuring abroad: What's that, but the executing of the Devils Counsel? whereas we should say, God doth it by his Counsel. Take heed of neglecting God when you see the Clouds; do not attribute their motion, or the most dreadful Storms that proceed from them, to any thing beside the Counsel of God; for there is not the least vapour can rise out of the earth, for the making of a Cloud, but he causeth it to ascend; there are not any materials gathered toward the constituting of a Cloud, but they are under Gods hand, he causeth the vapours to ascend: and there is not the least breath of wind can stir to move the Clouds (Clouds are moved with the wind) but as God hath ⟨p. 512⟩appointed; neither bad Angel, nor good, can stir a Cloud, but as God willeth. And therefore look to the hand and counsel of God in all these things, take heed of staying in any work of Nature, do not ascribe these impressions and perturbations in the Air to the power of the Devil and wicked Arts; all is of the Lord, whatsoever is done. One of the Ancients said concerning the Devils, when they desired leave to enter the Swine, Why should any of the sheep of God be afraid of the Devil, when the Devils cannot have power over the Swine without leave from God? The Devil cannot move a breath of wind, but according to the will of God; though he be the Prince of the Air, yet there is a Prince above him, to whose commands all are subject, both in Heaven and in Earth.
