A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
Thomas Watson d. 1686London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
[5], iv, 300, 331-544, 801-880, 965-1007, [7] p. · 512k words · Wing W1109 · ESTC R32148
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. I call Providence the ordering of Things after the Council of God's Will, that I may free it from all Rashness and Precipitancy, and to show you that 'tis a high Act of Prudence done after the Council of his own Will.
3. God orders all Events of things after the Council of his Will to his own Glory, the Glory of God being the Ultimate End of all God's Actings, and the Centre where all the Lines of Providence do meet. The Providence of God is Regina Mundi, the Queen and Governess of the World; it is the Eye that sees, and the Hand that turns all the Wheels in the Universe. God is not like an Artificer that builds a House and then leaves it and is gone, but like a Pilot that does with a great deal of Care steer on the Ship of the whole Creation.
1. God's Providence reaches to all Places, Persons and Occurrences, 1. To all Places, Jer. 23. Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar off? The Diocese where Providence visits is very large, it reaches to Heaven, to Earth and Sea,
. They that go down to sea see the wonders of God in the deep. Now that the Sea which is higher then the Earth, should not drown the Earth, is a Wonder of Providence: and the Prophet Jonah he saw the Wonders of God in the Deep, when the very Fish which did devour him and swallow him, did bring him safe to Shore. 2. God's Providence reaches to all Persons, especially the Persons of the Godly, they are in a special manner taken notice of; God takes care of every Saint in particular, as if he had none else to take care for,
. The eye of the Lord is over them that fear him; to preserve them from death, and to keep them alive in famine. God by his Providential Care shields off Dangers from his People, he sets a Life-guard of Angels about them,
. Thus Providence doth wonderfully supply the Wants of the Elect. When the Protestants in Rochelle were besieged by the French King, God by his Providence sent in a great number of small Fishes that fed them, such as were never seen before in that Haven. So the Raven, that unnatural Creature, (that will hardly feed its own Young, yet) providentially brought Sustenance to the Prophet Elijah,
. The Virgin Mary, though by bearing and bringing forth the Messiah she helped to make the World rich, yet she herself was very poor; and now being warned of the Angel to go into Egypt,
. the Virgin had scarce enough to bear her Charges thither, see now how God provides for her before-hand, he by his Providence sends the Wise-men from the East, and they bring costly Gifts, Gold, Myrrh, and Frankincense and present there to Christ: And now the Virgin had enough to defray her Charges unto
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to Egypt. God's Children sometimes scarce know how they are fed, and yet Providence feeds them, Psal. 37.3. Verily thou shalt be fed.
1. God's Providence reaches to all Places, Persons and Occurrences, 1. To all Places, Jer. 23. Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar off? The Diocess where Providence visits is very large, it reaches to Heaven, to Earth and Sea, Ps. 107.23, 24. They that go down to sea see the wonders of God in the deep. Now that the Sea which is higher then the Earth, should not drown the Earth, is a Wonder of Providence: and the Prophet Ionah he saw the Wonders of God in the Deep, when the very Fish which did devour him and swallow him, did bring him safe to Shore. 2. God's Providence reaches to all Persons, especially the Persons of the Godly, they are in a special manner taken notice of; God takes care of every Saint in particular, as if he had none else to take care for, 1 Pet. 5.7. He careth for you, (i. e.) Elect in a special manner. Psal. 33.18, 19. The eye of the Lord is over them that fear him; to preserve them from death, and to keep them alive in famine. God by his Providential Care shields off Dangers from his People, he sets a Life-guard of Angels about them, Psal. 19.11. God's Providence keeps the very Bones of the Saints, Psal. 34.10. It bottles their Tears, Psal. 56.8. It strengthens the Saints in their Weaknesses, Heb. 11.34. It supplies all their Wants out of its Alms-basket, Psal. 23.5. Thus Providence doth wonderfully supply the Wants of the Elect. When the Protestants in Rochel were besieged by the French King, God by his Providence sent in a great number of small Fishes that fed them, such as were never seen before in that Haven. So the Raven, that unnatural Creature, (that will hardly feed its own Young, yet) providentially brought Sustenance to the Prophet Elijah, 1 Kings 17.6. The Virgin Mary, though by bearing and bringing forth the Messiah she help'd to make the World rich, yet she herself was very poor; and now being warned of the Angel to go into Aegypt, Matth. 2.13. the Virgin had scarce enough to bear her Charges thither, see now how God provides for her before-hand, he by his Providence sends the Wise-men from the East, and they bring costly Gifts, Gold, Myrrh, and Franckincence and present there to Christ: And now the Virgin had enough to defray her Charges unto ⟨p. 70⟩to Aegypt. God's Children sometimes scarce know how they are fed, and yet Providence feeds them, Psal. 37.3. Verily thou shalt be fed.
If God will give his People a Kingdom when they dye, he will not deny them daily Bread while they live. 3. God's Providence reaches to all Affairs and Occurrences in the World, there is nothing that stirs in the World but God hath by his Providence the over-ruling of it. The raising of a Man to Honour, whence is this? but through Divine Providence: Psal. 75.7. He puts down one, and sets up another. Success and Victory in Battle is the result of Providence; Saul had the Victory, but God wrought the Salvation, 1 Sam. 11.13. That among all Virgins that were brought before the King, that Esther should find Favour in the Eyes of the King, was not without God's special Providence; for by this means the Lord saved the Jews alive that were destined to Destruction. Providence reaches to the least of things, to the Birds and Pismire; Providence feeds the young Raven when the Dam forsakes it, and will give it no Food, Psal. 147.9. Providence reaches to the very Hairs of our Head, Matth. 10.30. The hairs of your head are numbered; and surely if Providence reaches to our Hairs, then much more to our Souls. And thus you have seen that the Providence of God reaches to all Places, to all Persons, to all Occurrences and Affairs. Now there are two Objections against this Doctrine,
If God will give his People a Kingdom when they dye, he will not deny them daily Bread while they live. 3. God's Providence reaches to all Affairs and Occurrences in the World, there is nothing that stirs in the World but God hath by his Providence the over-ruling of it. The raising of a Man to Honour, whence is this? but through Divine Providence: Psal. 75.7. He puts down one, and sets up another. Success and Victory in Battel is the result of Providence; Saul had the Victory, but God wrought the Salvation, 1 Sam. 11.13. That among all Virgins that were brought before the King, that Esther should find Favour in the Eyes of the King, was not without God's special Providence; for by this means the Lord saved the Iews alive that were destinat'd to Destrustion. Providence reaches to the least of things, to the Birds and Pismire; Providence feeds the young Raven when the Dam forsakes it, and will give it no Food, Psal. 147.9. Providence reaches to the very Hairs of our Head, Matth. 10.30. The hairs of your head are numbred; and surely if Providence reaches to our Hairs, then much more to our Souls. And thus you have seen that the Providence of God reaches to all Places, to all Persons, to all Occurrences and Affairs. Now there are two Objections against this Doctrine,
Object. 1. But may some say, There are many things done in the World which are Eccentrical▪ they are very disorderly and irregular, and surely the Providence of God doth not •each to these things?
Object. 1. But may some say, There are many things done in the World which are Excentrecal▪ they are very disorderly and irregular, and surely the Providence of God doth not •each to these things?
Answ. Yes, these things that seem to us irregular, God makes use of to his own Glory. For Instance: Suppose you were in a Smith's Shop, and there should see several sorts of Tools, some crooked, some bowed, others hooked, would you condemn all these things for nought because they do not look handsome; the Smith makes use of them all for the doing of his Work. Thus it is with the Providence of God, they seem to us to be very crooked and strange, yet they all carry on God's Work. I shall clear this to you in two particular Cases:
Answ. Yes, these things that seem to us irregular, God makes use of to his own Glory. For Instance: Suppose you were in a Smith's Shop, and there should see several sorts of Tools, some crooked, some bowed, others hook'd, would you condemn all these things for nought because they do not look handsome; the Smith makes use of them all for the doing of his Work. Thus it is with the Providence of God, they seem to us to be very crooked and strange, yet they all carry on God's Work. I shall clear this to you in two particular Cases:
1st, God's People are low; why this seems to be very much out of order, that these that are best should be in the lowest Condition: but there is much Wisdom to be seen in this Providence, as appears thus: 1. Perhaps the hearts of the Godly were lifted up with Riches, or with Success, now God comes with an humbling Providence to Afflict them and Fleece them; better is the Loss that makes them Humble, then the Success that makes them Proud. Again, 2. if the Godly were not sometimes afflicted, and suffered an Eclipse in their outward Comforts, how could their Graces be seen, their Faith and Patience. If it were always Sunshine, we should see no Stars; if we should have always Prosperity, it would be hard to see the Actings of Mens Faith. Thus you see God's Providences are wise and regular, though to us they seem very strange and crooked.
1st, God's People are low; why this seems to be very much out of order, that these that are best should be in the lowest Condition: but there is much Wisdom to be seen in this Providence, as appears thus: 1. Perhaps the hearts of the Godly were lifted up with Riches, or with Success, now God comes with an humbling Providence to Afflict them and Fleece them; better is the Loss that makes them Humble, then the Success that makes them Proud. Again, 2. if the Godly were not sometimes afflicted, and suffer'd an Eclipse in their outward Comforts, how could their Graces be seen, their Faith and Patience. If it were always Sunshine, we should see no Stars; if we should have always Prosperity, it would be hard to see the Actings of Mens Faith. Thus you see God's Providences are wise and regular, though to us they seem very strange and crooked.
2dly, Here's another Case, the Wicked flourish; this seems to be very much out of order: ay, but God in his Providence sees good sometimes that the worst of Men should be exalted, they may do some work to God, though against their will, Isa. 10.7. God will be in no Man's debt. God makes use of the Wicked sometimes to protect and shield his Church: he makes use of them to refine and purify his People, Hab. 1.12. Thou hast ordained them for correction. As if the Prophet had said. Thou hast ordained the Wicked to correct thy Children. (And indeed as Austin saith well, We are beholding to wicked Men, who against their wills do do us good.) As the Corn is beholding to the Flail to thresh off its Husks, or as the Iron is beholding to the File to brighten it; so the Godly are beholding to the Wicked, tho' it be against their will, to brighten and refine their Graces. Now then if the Wicked do God's own Work, though against their will, God will not let them be Losers by it, he will raise them in the World, exalt them and wring out the Waters of a full Cup to them. Thus you see these Providences are wise and regular, which to us seem strange and crooked.
2dly, Here's another Case, the Wicked flourish; this seems to be very much out of order: ay, but God in his Providence sees good sometimes that the worst of Men should be exalted, they may do some work to God, though against their will, Isa. 10.7. God will be in no Man's debt. God makes use of the Wicked sometimes to protect and shield his Church: he makes use of them to refine and purifie his People, Hab. 1.12. Thou hast ordained them for correction. As if the Prophet had said. Thou hast ordain'd the Wicked to correct thy Children. (And indeed as Austin saith well, We are beholding to wicked Men, who against their wills do do us good.) As the Corn is beholding to the Flayl to thresh off its Husks, or as the Iron is beholding to the File to brighten it; so the Godly are beholding to the Wicked, tho' it be against their will, to brighten and refine their Graces. Now then if the Wicked do God's own Work, though against their will, God will not let them be Loosers by it, he will raise them in the World, exalt them and wring out the Waters of a full Cup to them. Thus you see these Providences are wise and regular, which to us seem strange and crooked.
I answer, No, by no means, he hath no hand in any Man's sin. God cannot go contrary to his own Nature, he cannot do any unholy Action, no more then the Sun can be said to be darkened. Here you must take heed of two things, as you must take heed of making God ignorant of Mens sins, so you must take heed of making God to have a hand in Mens sins: Is it a thing likely that God is the Author of Sin, that is an Avenger of it? Is it a likely thing that God should make a Law against Sin, and then have a hand in breaking his own Law, is that likely? And therefore to answer the Objection, God in his Providence doth permit Mens ⟨p. 71⟩sins, Acts 14.16. He suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. God permitted their sin, and he would never permit their sin, if he could not bring good out of it; as the Apothecary can make a Treacle of Poison. Had not Sin been at all permitted, God's Justice in punishing Sin, and his Mercy in pardoning Sin had never been so well known. The Lord is pleased to permit it, but he had no hand in it.
I answer, No, by no means, he hath no hand in any Man's sin. God cannot go contrary to his own Nature, he cannot do any unholy Action, no more then the Sun can be said to be darkned. Here you must take heed of two things, as you must take heed of making God ignorant of Mens sins, so you must take heed of making God to have a hand in Mens sins: Is it a thing likely that God is the Author of Sin, that is an Avenger of it? Is it a likely thing that God should make a Law against Sin, and then have a hand in breaking his own Law, is that likely? And therefore to answer the Objection, God in his Providence doth permit Mens ⟨p. 71⟩sins, Acts 14.16. He suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. God permitted their sin, and he would never permit their sin, if he could not bring good out of it; as the Apothecary can make a Treakle of Poison. Had not Sin been at all permitted, God's Justice in punishing Sin, and his Mercy in pardoning Sin had never been so well known. The Lord is pleas'd to permit it, but he had no hand in it.
Answ. God doth not infuse Evil into Men, only he withdraws the Influence of his Graces, and then the Heart hardens of itself, even as Light being withdrawn, Darkness presently follows in the Air; but it were absurd to say, that therefore the Light darkens the Air: and therefore you shall observe that Pharaoh is said to harden his own Heart, Exod. 8.15. God is the cause of no Man's Sin; 'tis true God hath a hand in the Action where Sin-is, but no hand in the Sin of the Action: He that plays upon a jarring Instrument, he is the cause of the sounding of the Instrument, but the jarring is from itself: so 'tis here, the Actions of Men so far as they are natural are from God, but so far as they are sinful, they are from Men themselves, and God has no hand at all in them. And so much for the first Position, That God's Providence reaches to all Places, to all Persons, and to all Occurrences.
Answ. God doth not infuse Evil into Men, only he withdraws the Influence of his Graces, and then the Heart hardens of itself, even as Light being withdrawn, Darkness presently follows in the Air; but it were absurd to say, that therefore the Light darkens the Air: and therefore you shall observe that Pharoah is said to harden his own Heart, Exod. 8.15. God is the cause of no Man's Sin; 'tis true God hath a hand in the Action where Sin-is, but no hand in the Sin of the Action: He that plays upon a jarring Instrument, he is the cause of the sounding of the Instrument, but the jarring is from itself: so 'tis here, the Actions of Men so far as they are natural are from God, but so far as they are sinful, they are from Men themselves, and God has no hand at all in them. And so much for the first Position, That God's Providence reaches to all Places, to all Persons, and to all Occurrences.
2. A second Position is this: There are Providences that are casual and accidental to us, are predetermined by the Lord: the falling of a Tile upon one's head, the breaking out of a Fire to us, is casual, but 'tis ordered by a Providence of God. You have a clear Instance of this, 1 Kings 22.34. A certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness. This Accident was casual as to the Man who drew the Bow, but 'twas divinely ordered by the Providence of God; God's Providence directed the Arrow to hit the Mark. Things that seem to fall out casual and by chance, they are the Issues of God's Decrees, and the Interpretation of his Will.
2. A second Position is this: There are Providences that are casual and accidental to us, are predetermin'd by the Lord: the falling of a Tyle upon one's head, the breaking out of a Fire to us, is casual, but 'tis order'd by a Providence of God. You have a clear Instance of this, 1 Kings 22.34. A certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joynts of the harness. This Accident was casual as to the Man who drew the Bow, but 'twas divinely order'd by the Providence of God; God's Providence directed the Arrow to hit the Mark. Things that seem to fall out casual and by chance, they are the Issues of God's Decrees, and the Interpretation of his Will.
3. God's Providence is greatly to be observed, but we are not to make it the Rule of our Actions, Psal. 107.43. Whoso is wise, will observe these things. 'Tis good to observe Providence, but we must not make it our Rule to walk by; Providence is a Christian's Diurnal but not his Bible. Sometimes a bad Cause prevails and gets ground, it is not to be liked because it doth prevail; we must not think the better of what is sinful because 'tis successful, here is no Rule of our Actions to be directed by.
4. Divine Providence is irresistible, there is no standing in the way of God's Providence to hinder it: When God's time was come for Joseph's Release, the Prison could hold him no longer, The king sent and loosed him, Psal. 105.20. When God would indulge the Jews with Liberty in their Religion, Cyrus, by a Providence, puts forth a Proclamation to encourage the Jews to go and build their Temple at Jerusalem, and worship God, Ezra 1.2, 3. If God will shield and protect Jeremiah's Person in Captivity: the very King of Babylon shall nurse up the Prophet, and give charge concerning him that he want nothing, Jer. 39.11, 12.
4. Divine Providence is irresistible, there is no standing in the way of God's Providence to hinder it: When God's time was come for Ioseph's Release, the Prison could hold him no longer, The king sent and loosed him, Psal. 105.20. When God would indulge the Iews with Liberty in their Religion, Cyrus, by a Providence, puts forth a Proclamation to encourage the Iews to go and build their Temple at Ierusalem, and worship God, Ezra 1.2, 3. If God will shield and protect Ieremiah's Person in Captivity: the very King of Babylon shall nurse up the Prophet, and give charge concerning him that he want nothing, Ier. 39.11, 12.
