Sermons preached

2. From without. By casting in some casual Event, which we foresaw not, and could not think of. Man cannot foresee all the Wheels which move in a Business; if he did, he is not able to turn them: So that, besides taking away his Wisdom, Courage and Strength, when the Work is to be done, God puts some Impediment in his way which was unexpected. There are certain sudden Accidents which none can foresee and prevent, any of them able to turn the Enterprise another way. The most casual, fortuitous things are ordered by God, for the great Ends of his Providence. As for Instance, Haman travailed with a Design to cut off all the People of the Jews, but his chief Spite was against Mordecai. Now by chance the King could not sleep that Night, and calleth for the Book of Memorials, Esth. 6. 1. and found the Discovery of a Treason by Mordecai there recorded, which spoiled all the deep Plots of Haman against the Jews. Ahab intended to avenge himself upon Micaiah; and to escape in the Battle, changed his Robes and Royal Apparel, and counselled Jehoshaphat to put on his. And a Man drew a Bow at a Venture, 1 Kin. 22. 34. God directed the Arrow to the Heart ⟨p. 257⟩of the King of Israel. Jehoshaphat escapeth, and he is slain. So that notable Instance, the Sun-shine upon the Water, 2 Kin. 3. 22, 23, 24. When the Moabites came to distress Jehoshaphat, when they cried, Moab to the Spoil, it was indeed, Moab to a sore Destruction.

2. From without. By casting in some casual Event, which we foresaw not, and could not think of. Man cannot foresee all the Wheels which move in a Business; if he did, he is not able to turn them: So that, besides taking away his Wisdom, Courage and Strength, when the Work is to be done, God puts some Impediment in his way which was unexpected. There are certain sudden Accidents which none can foresee and prevent, any of them able to turn the Enterprize another way. The most casual, fortuitous things are ordered by God, for the great Ends of his Providence. As for Instance, Haman travailed with a Design to cut off all the People of the Iews, but his chief Spite was against Mordecai. Now by chance the King could not sleep that Night, and calleth for the Book of Memorials,