A Body of Practical Divinity

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.

Object. But is it not said, that God hardened Pharaoh's Heart, here's more then God's bear permitting of Sin?

Object. But is it not said, that God hardned Pharoah's Heart, here's more then God's bear permitting of Sin?

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Evil into Men, only he withdraws the Influence of his Graces, and then the Heart hardens of itself, even as Light being withdrawn, Darkness presently follows in the Air; but it were absurd to say, that therefore the Light darkens the Air: and therefore you shall observe that Pharaoh is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.

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.

5. God is to be trusted when his Providences seem to run contrary to his Promises. God promised David to give him the Crown, to make him King, but Providence runs contrary to his Promise: David was pursued by Saul, was in danger of his Life, but all this while it was David's Duty to trust God. Pray observe, the Lord doth oftentimes by cross Providences bring to pass his Promises. God promised Paul the Lives of all that were with him in the Ship; but now the Providence of God seems to run quite contrary to his Promise, the Winds blew, the Ship splits and breaks in pieces, and thus God fulfilled his Promise upon the broken pieces of the Ship, they all come safe to shore. Trust God when Providences seem to run quite contrary to Promises.

5. God is to be trusted when his Providences seem to run contrary to his Promises. God promised David to give him the Crown, to make him King, but Providence runs contrary to his Promise: David was pursued by Saul, was in danger of his Life, but all this while it was David's Duty to trust God. Pray observe, the Lord doth oftentimes by cross Providences bring to pass his Promises. God promised Paul the Lives of all that were with him in the Ship; but now the Providence of God seems to run quite contrary to his Promise, the Winds blew, the Ship splits and breaks in pieces, and thus God fulfill'd his Promise upon the broken pieces of the Ship, they all come safe to shore. Trust God when Providences seem to run quite contrary to Promises.

6. The Providences of God are Chequer-work, they are intermingled: In the Life to come there shall be no more Mixture; in Hell there is nothing but Bitter, in Heaven there is nothing but Sweet: but in this Life the Providences of God are mixed, there is something of the sweet in them, and something of the bitter. Providences are just like Israel's Pillar or Cloud that conducted them in their March, it was dark on one side and light on the other, so the Providences of God are a dark part and a light part. In the Ark there was laid up the Rod and Manna, so are God's Providences to his Children, there is something of the Rod and something of the Manna: so that we may say with David, I will sing of mercy and judgment. Joseph: was in Prison, there was the dark side of the Cloud, but God was with Joseph, ⟨p. 72⟩there was the light side of the Cloud. Ashur's Shoes were of Brass, but his Feet were dipped in Oil, Deut. 33.24. So Affliction is the Shoo of Brass that pinches; ay, but there is Mercy mingled with the Affliction, there's the Foot dipped in Oil.

6. The Providences of God are Checquer-work, they are intermingled: In the Life to come there shall be no more Mixture; in Hell there is nothing but Bitter, in Heaven there is nothing but Sweet: but in this Life the Providences of God are mixed, there is something of the sweet in them, and something of the bitter. Providences are just like Israel's Pillar or Cloud that conducted them in their March, it was dark on one side and light on the other, so the Providences of God are a dark part and a light part. In the Ark there was laid up the Rod and Manna, so are God's Providences to his Children, there is something of the Rod and something of the Manna: so that we may say with David, I will sing of mercy and judgment. Ioseph: was in Prison, there was the dark side of the Cloud, but God was with Ioseph, ⟨p. 72⟩there was the light side of the Cloud. Ashur's Shooes were of Brass, but his Feet were dipt in Oyl, Deut. 33.24. So Affliction is the Shooe of Brass that pinches; ay, but there is Mercy mingled with the Affliction, there's the Foot dipt in Oyl.

7. The very same Action as it comes from God's Providence may be good, which as it comes from Men may be evil. For Instance: Joseph being sold into Egypt, as he was sold by his Brethren it was evil, very wicked, for it was the Fruit of their Envy; but as it was an Act of God's Providence, so it was good, for by this means Jacob and all his Family were preserved alive in Egypt. Another Instance is in Shimei's cursing David, now as Shimei cursed David, 'twas wicked and sinful, for 'twas the Fruit of his Malice; but as his cursing was ordered by God's Providence, so 'twas an Act of God's Justice to punish David, and to Humble him for his Adultery and Murder. The Crucifying of Christ as it came from the Jews 'tis an Act of Hatred and Malice to Christ: So Judas betraying him was an Act of Covetousness; but as it was an Act of God's Providence, so there was good in it; for, see, it was an Act of God's Love in giving Christ to dye for the World. Thus I have cleared to you the Doctrine of God's Providence, in these several Positions: let me now speak something by way of Application.

7. The very same Action as it comes from God's Providence may be good, which as it comes from Men may be evil. For Instance: Ioseph being sold into Aegypt, as he was sold by his Brethren it was evil, very wicked, for it was the Fruit of their Envy; but as it was an Act of God's Providence, so it was good, for by this means Iacob and all his Family were preserved alive in Aegypt. Another Instance is in Shimei's cursing David, now as Shimei cursed David, 'twas wicked and sinful, for 'twas the Fruit of his Malice; but as his cursing was ordered by God's Providence, so 'twas an Act of God's Justice to punish David, and to Humble him for his Adultery and Murder. The Crucifying of Christ as it came from the Iews 'tis an Act of Hatred and Malice to Christ: So Iudas betraying him was an Act of Covetuousness; but as it was an Act of God's Providence, so there was good in it; for, see, it was an Act of God's Love in giving Christ to dye for the World. Thus I have clear'd to you the Doctrine of God's Providence, in these several Positions: let me now speak something by way of Application.

Use 1. By way of Exhortation, in these particulars, 1st, Admire God's Providence: The Providence of God keeps the whole Creation upon the Wheels, or else it would soon be dissolved, and the very Axle-tree would break in pieces: If God's Providence should be withdrawn but for a while, Creatures would be dissolved, and run into their first Nothing. Without this wise Providence of God there would be an Anxiety and Confusion in the whole World; just like an Army when it is routed and scattered. The Providence of God infuses Comfort and Virtue into every thing we enjoy; our Clothes would not warm us, our Food would not nourish us without the special Providence of God. And doth not all this deserve your Admiration of Providence?

Use 1. By way of Exhortation, in these particulars, 1st, Admire God's Providence: The Providence of God keeps the whole Creation upon the Whee•s, or else it would soon be dissolved, and the very Axle-tree would break in pieces: If God's Providence should be withdrawn but for a while, Creatures would be dissolved, and run into their first Nothing. Without this wise Providence of God there would be an Anxiety and Confusion in the whole World; just like an Army when it is routed and scatter'd. The Providence of God infuses Comfort and Virtue into every thing we enjoy; our Cloaths would not warm us, our Food would not nourish us without the special Providence of God. And doth not all this deserve your Admiration of Providence?

2. Learn quietly to submit to Divine Providence; do not murmur at things that are ordered by Divine Wisdom. We may no more find fault with the Works of Providence, then we may with the Works of Creation: It is a Sin as well to quarrel with God's Providence, as to deny God's Providence. If Men do not act as we would have them, they shall act as God would have them. His Providence it is his Master-wheel that turns these lesser Wheels, and God will bring his Glory out of all at last: Psal. 39.9. I was dumb and opened not my mouth, because thou, Lord, didst it. It may be we think sometimes we could order things better if we had the Government of the World in our hands; but, alas! should we be left to our own Choice, we should choose those things that are hurtful for us. David did earnestly desire the Life of his Child which was the Fruit of his Sin; now had the Child lived it had been a perpetual Monument of his Shame. Let us be content God should Rule the World; learn to acquiesce in his Will, and submit to his Providence: Doth any Affliction befall you, remember God sees it is that which is fit for you, or it should not come; your Clothes cannot be so fit for you as your Crosses. God's Providence may sometimes be secret, but it is always wise: Tho' we may not be silent under God's Dishonour, yet we should learn to be silent under his Displeasure.

2. Learn quietly to submit to Divine Providence; do not murmur at things that are order'd by Divine Wisdom. We may no more find fault with the Works of Providence, then we may with the Works of Creation: It is a Sin as well to quarrel with God's Providence, as to deny God's Providence. If Men do not act as we would have them, they shall act as God would have them. His Providence it is his Master-wheel that turns these lesser Wheels, and God will bring his Glory out of all at last: Psal. 39.9. I was dumb and opened not my mouth, because thou, Lord, didst it. It may be we think sometimes we could order things better if we had the Government of the World in our hands; but, alas! should we be left to our own Choice, we should choose those things that are hurtful for us. David did earnestly desire the Life of his Child which was the Fruit of his Sin; now had the Child lived it had been a perpetual Monument of his Shame. Let us be content God should Rule the World; learn to acquiesce in his Will, and submit to his Providence: Doth any Affliction befal you, remember God sees it is that which is fit for you, or it should not come; your Cloaths cannot be so fit for you as your Crosses. God's Providence may sometimes be secret, but it is always wise: Tho' we may not be silent under God's Dishonour, yet we should learn to be silent under his Displeasure.

3. You that are Christians, believe that all God's Providences shall conspire for the good of his People, and shall promote their Salvation at last. The Providences of God are sometimes dark, and our eyes dim, and we can hardly tell what to make of them: but when we cannot unriddle Providence, believe it shall work together for the good of the Elect, Rom. 8.28. The Wheels in a Watch seem to move cross one to another, but they help forward the Motion of the Watch, and make the Larum strike; so the Providences of God seem to be cross Wheels, but for all that they shall carry on the Good of the Elect. The pricking of a Vein is in itself evil and hurtful, but as it prevents a Fever, and tends to the Health of the Patient, so it is good: So Affliction in itself is not glorious but grievous, but the Lord turns this to the good of his Saints. Poverty shall starve their Sins, Affliction shall prepare them for a Kingdom. Therefore, Christians, believe that God loves us, that he will make the most cross Providences to promote his Glory, and our Good.

3. You that are Christians, believe that all God's Providences shall conspire for the good of his People, and shall promote their Salvation at last. The Providences of God are sometimes dark, and our eyes dim, and we can hardly tell what to make of them: but when we cannot unriddle Providence, believe it shall work together for the good of the Elect, Rom. 8.28. The Wheels in a Watch seem to move cross one to another, but they help forward the Motion of the Watch, and make the Larum strike; so the Providences of God seem to be cross Wheels, but for all that they shall carry on the Good of the Elect. The pricking of a Vein is in itse•f evil and hurtful, but as it prevents a Fevor, and tends to the Health of the Patient, so it is good: So Affliction in itself is not glorious but grievous, but the Lord turns this to the good of his Saints. Poverty shall starve their Sins, Affliction shall prepare them for a Kingdom. Therefore, Christians, believe that God loves us, that he will make the most cross Providences to promote his Glory, and our Good.

4. Let this be an Antidote against Immoderate Fear; for nothing comes to pass but what is ordained by God's Decree, and ordered by his Providence. We sometimes fear what the Issue of things will be; Men grow high in their Actings; let us not make things worse by our Fear. Men are limited in their Power, and shall not go one Hair's breadth further then God's Providence will permit: He ⟨p. 73⟩might let Sennacherib's Army march towards Jerusalem, but he shall not shoot one Arrow against it, Isa. 38.36. Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand. When Israel was compassed in between Pharaoh and the Red Sea, no question some of their hearts did begin to tremble, and they looked upon themselves as dead Men, but Providence so ordered it, that the Sea was a safe Passage to Israel, and a Sepulchre to Pharaoh and all his Host.

4. Let this be an Antidote against Immoderate Fear; for nothing comes to pass but what is ordain'd by God's Decree, and ordered by his Providence. We sometimes fear what the Issue of things will be; Men grow high in their Actings; let us not make things worse by our Fear. Men are limited in their Power, and shall not go one Hair's breadth further then God's Providence will permit: He ⟨p. 73⟩might let Sennacherib's Army march towards Ierusalem, but he shall not shoot one Arrow against it, Isa. 38.36. Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand. When Israel was compassed in between Pharoah and the Red Sea, no question some of their hearts did begin to tremble, and they look'd upon themselves as dead Men, but Providence so ordered it, that the Sea was a safe Passage to Israel, and a Sepulchre to Pharaoh and all his Host.

Use 2. Comfort in respect of the Church of God: God's Providence reacheth in a more special manner to his Church, Isa. 27.2. Sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. God waters this Vineyard with his Blessings, and watcheth over it by his Providence, I the Lord keep it night and day. Such as think totally to ruin the Church, must do it in a time when it is neither Day nor Night, for the Lord keeps it by his Providence Night and Day. What a miraculous Conduct of Providence had Israel, God led them by a Pillar of Fire, gave them Manna from Heaven, set the Rock abroach. God by his Providence preserves his Church in the midst of Enemies; which is as to see a Spark kept alive in the Ocean, or a Flock of Sheep among Wolves. God saves his Church strangely, 1. By giving Unexpected Mercies to his Church, when she looked for nothing but Ruin, Psal. 126.1. When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. How strangely did God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Jews, when Haman had got a bloody Warrant signed for their Execution? 2. Strangely by saving in that very way in which we think he will destroy: God works sometimes by Contraries. He raiseth his Church by bringing it low. The Blood of the Martyrs hath watered the Church, and made it more fruitful, Exod. 1.12. The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied: The Church is like that Plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of, [Greek or Hebrew], it lives by dying, and grows by cutting. 3. Strangely in that he makes the Enemy do his Work: When the People of Amon, and Moab, and Mount Seir came against Judah, God set the Enemy one against another, 2 Chr. 20.23. The children of Amon and Moab, stood up against them of Mount Seir, to slay them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. In the Powder-Treason he made the Traitors to be their own Betrayers: God can do his work by the Enemies hand. God made the Egyptians send away the People of Israel laden with Jewels, Exod. 12.36. The Church is the Apple of God's Eye, and the Eye-lid of his Providence doth daily cover and defend it.

Use 2. Comfort in respect of the Church of God: God's Providence reacheth in a more special manner to his Church, Isa. 27.2. Sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. God waters this Vineyard with his Blessings, and watcheth over it by his Providence, I the Lord keep it night and day. Such as think totally to ruin the Church, must do it in a time when it is neither Day nor Night, for the Lord keeps it by his Providence Night and Day. What a miraculous Conduct of Providence had Israel, God led them by a Pillar of Fire, gave them Manna from Heaven, set the Rock abroach. God by his Providence preserves his Church in the midst of Enemies; which is as to see a Spark kept alive in the Ocean, or a Flock of Sheep among Wolves. God saves his Church strangely, 1. By giving Unexpected Mercies to his Church, when she looked for nothing but Ruine, Psal. 126.1. When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion, we were like them that dream. How strangely did God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Iews, when Haman had got a bloudy Warrant sign'd for their Execution? 2. Strangely by saving in that very way in which we think he will destroy: God works sometimes by Contraries. He raiseth his Church by bringing it low. The Bloud of the Martyrs hath watered the Church, and made it more fruitful, Exod. 1.12. The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied: The Church is like that Plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, it lives by dying, and grows by cutting. 3. Strangely in that he makes the Enemy do his Work: When the People of Amon, and Moab, and Mount Seir came against Iudah, God set the Enemy one against another, 2 Chr. 20.23. The children of Amon and Moab, stood up against them of Mount Seir, to slay them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one help'd to destroy another. In the Powder-Treason he made the Traytors to be their own Betrayers: God can do his work by the Enemies hand. God made the Aegyptians send away the People of Israel laden with Jewels, Exod. 12.36. The Church is the Apple of God's Eye, and the Eye-lid of his Providence doth daily cover and defend it.

5. Let the merciful Providences of God cause Thankfulness: We are kept alive by a Wonder-working Providence. Providence makes our Clothes warm us, our Meat nourish us. We are fed every day out of the Alms-basket of God's Providence. That in Health, that we have an Estate, it is not our Diligence but God's Providence, Deut. 8.18. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for he it is that gives thee power to get wealth. Especially if we go a st•p higher, we may see cause of Thankfulness: That we should be born and bred in a Gospel Climate; that we should live in such a place where the Sun of Righteousness shines; this is a signal Providence: Why might not we have been born in such places where Paganism prevails? That Christ should make himself known to us, and touch our hearts with his Spirit, when he passeth by others: Whence is this but from the miraculous Providence of God, which is the Effect of his Free-grace?

5. Let the merciful Providences of God cause Thankfulness: We are kept alive by a Wonder-working Providence. Providence makes our Cloaths warm us, our Meat nourish us. We are fed every day out of the Alms-basket of God's Providence. That in Health, that we have an Estate, it is not our Diligence but God's Providence, Deut. 8.18. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for he it is that gives thee power to get wealth. Especially if we go a st•p higher, we may see cause of Thankfulness: That we should be born and bred in a Gospel Climate; that we should live in such a place where the Sun of Righteousness shines; this is a signal Providence: Why might not we have been born in such places where Paganism prevails? That Christ should make himself known to us, and touch our hearts with his Spirit, when he passeth by others: Whence is this but from the miraculous Providence of God, which is the Effect of his Free-grace?

Use 3. See here that which may make us long for that time when the great Mystery of God's Providence shall be fully unfolded to us. Now we scarce know what to make of God's Providences; therefore are ready to Censure what we do not understand, but in Heaven we shall see how all God's Providences (Sickness, Losses, Sufferings,) carried on our Salvation. Here we see but some dark pieces of God's Providence, and it is impossible to judge of God's Works by Pieces, but when we come to Heaven, and see the full Body and Portraiture of God's Providence drawn out in its lively Colours, it will be a glorious Sight to behold: Then we shall see how all God's Providences helped to fulfil his Promises. Never a Providence but we shall see had either a Wonder or a Mercy in it.

Use 3. See here that which may make us long for that time when the great Mystery of God's Providence shall be fully unfolded to us. Now we scarce know what to make of God's Providences; therefore are ready to Censure what we do not understand, but in Heaven we shall see how all God's Providences (Sickness, Losses, Sufferings,) carried on our Salvation. Here we see but some dark pieces of God's Providence, and it is impossible to judge of God's Works by Pieces, but when we come to Heaven, and see the full Body and Pourtraicture of God's Providence drawn out in its lively Colours, it will be a glorious Sight to behold: Then we shall see how all God's Providences help'd to fulfil his Promises. Never a Providence but we shall see had either a Wonder or a Mercy in it.