Sermons preached

2. We must refer the Event to his Determination. This is a great Part of Trust in God, and of Quietness of Mind when we are so persuaded of the Lord's Goodness, Wisdom, and Power, that we leave the Event to him, and refer it, that he shall cast it as he pleaseth, being so sensible of the Power of his Providence, and so confident of the Goodness of his Conduct. Submitting all things to God's Will after the Event, is Patience; and submitting all things to God's Will before the Event, is a notable piece of Faith. When I trust God absolutely, let him do with me what he pleaseth; but I know he is a good God, and he will do nothing but what is good, and what is for the best. We are obliged in all things we design to be subordinate to God's Will, and to accept of it. Rom. 1. 10. Making request, if by any means ⟨p. 277⟩now at length I might have a prosperous Journey by the Will of God, to come unto you. Jam. 4. 15. We ought to say, If the Lord will. 1 Cor. 4. 19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will. So in many other places. This was a Truth evident to the Heathens. Plato brings in Alcibiades, asking Socrates, how he should speak of future Events, and in what manner he should express himself. And Socrates answers, Even as God will. To use such an express Reservation in all our Undertakings, is profitable to beget Reverence in ourselves, and to instruct others. Thus far the Light of Nature teacheth Men. I confess it is not absolutely necessary in all Cases to express our selves so, but this Disposition should be in our Minds. 1 Cor. 11. 34. And the rest will I set in order when I come. He doth not say there, If God will, but yet he reserves that. I speak this as the lowest thing, that we be not too confident of Events, but refer them to the Lord's Will. But a Child of God goeth higher, he knows he hath a good God, a Heavenly Father, which guides all things in Wisdom, Power, and Goodness. And the Event may be against his Desires, Appetites, Conceits, Fancies; but he knows God will govern and do better for him than his own Choices. He trusts all to God.