Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

Third Demand.

If the Concerns of Gods people be not governed by special Providence, Whence is it, that the most apt and powerful means employed to destroy them are rendered ineffectual, and weak contemptible means employed for their defence and comfort, crowned with success? This could never be, if things were wholly swayed by the course of nature. If we judge by that rule, we must conclude, the more apt and powerful the means are, the more successful and prosperous they must needs be; and where they are inept, weak, ⟨p. 21⟩and contemptible, nothing can be expected from them: thus reason lays it according to the rules of nature; but Providence crosses its hands, as Jacob did in blessing the Sons of Joseph, and orders quite contrary issues and events. Such was the mighty power and deep policy used by Pharaoh to destroy Gods Israel, that to the eye of reason, it was as impossible to survive it, as for crackling thorns to abide unconsumed amidst devouring flames; by which Emblem, their miraculous preservation is expressed, Exod. 3. 2. the bush was all in a flame, but no consumption of it. The Heathen Roman Emperors, who made th• World tremble, and subdued the Nations under them, have employed all their power and policy against the poor, naked, defenceless Church, to ruin it; yet could not accomplish it, Rev. 12. 3, 4. O the Seas of blood that Heathen Rome shed in the ten persecutions! yet the Church lives, and when the Dragon gave his power to th• Beast, Rev. 13. 2. (i. e.) the State of Rome became Antichristian, O what slaughters have been made by the Beast in all his dominions; so that the Holy Ghost represents him, as drunken with the blood of the Saints,