A Body of Practical Divinity

2. His exact curious Working. He is wise in heart; his wisdom lies in his works. These Works of God are bound up in three great Volumes, where we may read his Wisdom.

1. The Work of Creation. The Creation, as it is a Monument of God's Power, so a Looking-glass in which we may see his Wisdom. None but a wise God could so curiously contrive the World. Behold the Earth decked with variety of Flowers, which are both for Beauty and Fragrancy; the Heaven bespangled with Lights, we may see the glorious Wisdom of God blazing in the Sun, twinkling in the Stars. His Wisdom is seen in the marshalling and ordering every thing in its proper Place and Sphere. If the Sun had been set lower, it would have burnt us; if higher, it would not have warmed us with its Beams. God's Wisdom is seen in appointing the Seasons of the Year; Psal. 74.17. Thou hast made Summer and Winter. If it had been all Summer, the Heat would have scorched us; if all Winter, the Cold would have killed us. The Wisdom of God is seen in chequering the Dark and the Light. If it had been all Night, there had been no Labour; if all Day, there had been no Rest. Wisdom is seen in mixing the Elements, the Earth with the Sea. If it had been all Sea, then we had wanted Bread; if it had been all Earth, then we had wanted Water. The Wisdom of God is seen in preparing and ripening the Fruits of the Earth: the Wind and Frosts prepare the Fruits, the Sun and Rain ripen the Fruits. God's Wisdom is seen in setting Bounds to the Sea, and so wisely contriving it, that though the Sea be higher than the Earth, yet it should not overflow the Earth: so that we may cry out with the Psalmist, Psal. 104.24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: there is nothing to be seen but Miracles of Wisdom. God's Wisdom is seen in ordering things in the Body Politic, that one shall have need of another: the Poor need the Rich Man's Money, and the Rich need the Poor Man's Labour. God makes one Trade depend upon another, that one may be helpful to another, and that mutual Love may be preserved.