A Body of Practical Divinity

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.