Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

For the right understanding of this, know that there is a two-fold term or season fixed for the performance of mercy to us. One by the Lord our God, in whose hand times and seasons are, Acts 1. 7. Another by our selves, who raise up our own expectations of mercies sometimes merely through the eagerness of our desires after them, and sometimes upon uncertain conjectural grounds and appearances of encouragement that lye before us.

For the right understanding of this, know that there is a two-fold term or season fixed for the performance of mercy to us. One by the Lord our God, in whose hand times and seasons are, Acts 1. 7. Another by our selves, who raise up our own expectations of mercies sometimes meerly through the eagerness of our desires after them, and sometimes upon uncertain conjectural grounds and appearances of encouragement that lye before us.

Now nothing can be more precise, certain and punctual, than is the performance of mercy at the time and season which God hath appointed, how long soever it be, or how many obstacles ⟨p. 225⟩soever lye in the way of it. There was a time prefixed by God himself for the performance of that Promise of Israel's deliverance out of Egypt; and it's said, Exod. 12. 41. At the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self same day it came to pass, that all the host of the Lord went out of the Land of Egypt. Compare this with Acts 7. 17. and there you have the ground and reason why their deliverance was not, nor could be delayed one day longer, because the time of the Promise was now come. Promises like a pregnant woman must accomplish their appointed months, and when they have so done, Providence will Midwife the mercies they go big withal into the world, and not one of them shall miscarry.