And this being done, •ollow Providence so far as it agrees with the word,1 and no farther. There is no use to be made of Providence against the word, but in subserviency to it. And there are two excellent uses of Providence in subserviency to the word. (1.) Providences as they follow Promises and Prayer are Evidences of God's faithfulness in their Accomplishment. When David languished under a disease, and his Enemies began to triumph in the hopes of his downfall; he prays, Psal. 41. 10. that God would be merciful to him, and ⟨p. 223⟩raise him up; and by that, he saith, he knew the Lord favoured him, because his Enemy did not triumph over him, ver. 11. this Providence he looked upon as a token for good, as elsewhere he calls it, Psal. 86. 17. And (2.) Providences give us loud calls to those duties which the Command lays upon us, and tell us when we are actually and presently under the obligation of the Commands as to the performance of them. Thus when sad Providences befall the Church or our selves, they call us to humiliation; and let us know that then the command upon us to humble our selves at the feet of God is in force upon us, Micah 6. 9. The Lords voice crieth to the City, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name, hear the rod, and who hath appointed it. The Rod hath a voice; and what doth it speak? Why now is the time to humble your selves under the mighty hand of God. This is the day of trouble in which God hath bid you to call upon him. And • contra, when comfortable Providences refresh us, it now informs us, this is the time to rejoice in God according to the rule, Eccles. 7. 14. in the day of prosperity be joyful. These precepts bind always, 2but not to always. It's our duty therefore and our wisdom to distinguish seasons, and know the proper duties of every season: and Providence is an Index that points them out to us. Thus of the first Case.
And this being done, •ollow Providence so far as it agrees with the word,1 and no farther. There is no use to be made of Providence against the word, but in subserviency to it. And there are two excellent uses of Providence in subserviency to the word. (1.) Providences as they follow Promises and Prayer are Evidences of God's faithfulness in their Accomplishment. When David languished under a disease, and his Enemies began to triumph in the hopes of his downfall; he prays, Psal. 41. 10. that God would be merciful to him, and ⟨p. 223⟩raise him up; and by that, he saith, he knew the Lord favoured him, because his Enemy did not triumph over him, ver. 11. this Providence he looked upon as a token for good, as elsewhere he calls it, Psal. 86. 17. And (2.) Providences give us loud calls to those duties which the Command lays upon us, and tell us when we are actually and presently under the obligation of the Commands as to the performance of them. Thus when sad Providences befall the Church or our selves, they call us to humiliation; and let us know that then the command upon us to humble our selves at the feet of God is in force upon us, Micah 6. 9. The Lords voice cryeth to the City, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name, hear the rod, and who hath appointed it. The Rod hath a voice; and what doth it speak? Why now is the time to humble your selves under the mighty hand of God. This is the day of trouble in which God hath bid you to call upon him. And • contra, when comfortable Providences refresh us, it now informs us, this is the time to rejoyce in God according to the rule, Eccles. 7. 14. in the day of prosperi•y be joyful. These precepts bind always, 2but not to always. It's our duty therefore and our wisdom to distinguish seasons, and know the proper duties of every season: and Providence is an Index that points them out to us. Thus of the first Case.
- 1•ad the ••cure •sxts• Provi••nce ••th the ••mment […] the ••rd, and […] cannot •ake a •se inter•••etation […] them.•ad the ••cure •sxts• Provi••nce ••th the ••mment 〈…〉 the ••rd, and 〈…〉 cannot •ake a •se inter•••etation 〈…〉 them.
- 2Prae•cepta a••irmativa obligant semper, non ad semper.
