3. That Men are God's Hand: So it is said, Psal. 17. 14. From Men which are thy Hand, O Lord, or rather, Tools, in thy Hand, so v. 13. which are thy Sword. We must abide by this Principle, that whatever it is that crosseth us, or is displeasing to us, at any time, God hath an overruling hand in it. David was governed by this Principle, when he bore Shimei's spiteful Reproaches, with such an invincible Patience, So let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David, 2 Sam. 16. 10. and v. 11. Let him alone, for the Lord hath bidden him. This consideration will not only silence our Murmurings against God, [the Author] but all our Quarrellings with Men, [the Instruments of our Trouble and Vexation. Men's Reproaches are God's Rebukes, and whoever he be that affronts me, I must see and say, that therein my Father corrects me. This quieted the Spirit of Job, in reference to the Injuries of the Chaldeans and Sabeans, though he dwelt as a King in the Army, chap. 29. 25. and his Power and Interest seem to have been unstained, when those Rapparees first ⟨p. 133⟩made that inroad upon him, and so he could not but see his help in the Gate, yet we find him not meditating any Revenge, but charming the Disturbances of his own Soul, with the consideration of God's Sovereign disposal, overlooking all the Instruments of his Trouble, thoughts of which would but have mingled Anger (the more disquieting Passion) with his Sorrow; this therefore sufficeth to still the storm, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord, chap. 1. 21. When his Brethren stood aloof from him, his Kindred and his Friends looked scornfully upon him, as an Alien, and instead of Oil poured Vinegar into his Wounds, so that his Eye continued in their Provocation, yet even in that part of his Trouble he owns the hand of God, Chap. 19. 13. He hath put my Brethren far from me. It is a very quieting Truth, (the Lord help us to mix Faith with it) That every Creature is that to us, and no more, that God makes it to be; and that while many seek the Ruler's Favour, and more perhaps fear the Ruler's Displeasure, Every Man's Judgment proceedeth from the Lord.
3. That Men are God's Hand: So it is said, Psal. 17. 14. From Men which are thy Hand, O Lord, or rather, Tools, in thy Hand, so v. 13. which are thy Sword. We must abide by this Principle, that whatever it is that crosseth us, or is displeasing to us, at any time, God hath an overruling hand in it. David was govern'd by this Principle, when he bore Shimei's spiteful Reproaches, with such an invincible Patience, So let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David, 2 Sam. 16. 10. and v. 11. Let him alone, for the Lord hath bidden him. This consideration will not only silence our Murmurings against God, [the Author] but all our Quarrellings with Men, [the Instruments of our Trouble and Vexation. Men's Reproaches are God's Rebukes, and whoever he be that affronts me, I must see and say, that therein my Father corrects me. This quieted the Spirit of Iob, in reference to the Injuries of the Caldeans and Sabeans, though he dwelt as a King in the Army, chap. 29. 25. and his Power and Interest seem to have been unstain'd, when those Rapparees first ⟨p. 133⟩made that inroad upon him, and so he could not but see his help in the Gate, yet we find him not meditating any Revenge, but charming the Disturbances of his own Soul, with the consideration of God's Sovereign disposal, overlooking all the Instruments of his Trouble, thoughts of which would but have mingled Anger (the more disquieting Passion) with his Sorrow; this therefore sufficeth to still the storm, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord, chap. 1. 21. When his Brethren stood aloof from him, his Kindred and his Friends looked scornfully upon him, as an Alien, and instead of Oil pour'd Vinegar into his Wounds, so that his Eye continued in their Provocation, yet even in that part of his Trouble he owns the hand of God, Chap. 19. 13. He hath put my Brethren far from me. It is a very quieting Truth, (the Lord help us to mix Faith with it) That every Creature is that to us, and no more, that God makes it to be; and that while many seek the Ruler's Favour, and more perhaps fear the Ruler's Displeasure, Every Man's Iudgment proceedeth from the Lord.
