5. See here the wisdom of God,1 who can make the worst things imaginable turn to the ⟨p. 76⟩good of the Saints; he can by a divine Chemistry extract Gold out of dross. [Greek or Hebrew] — O the depth of the wisdom of God! Rom. 11.33. It is Gods great design to set forth the wonder of his wisdom. The Lord made Josephs prison a step to preferment. There was no way for Jonah to be saved, but by being swallowed up. God suffered the Egyptians to hate Israel, Psal. 106.41. and this was the means of their deliverance. St Paul was bound with a Chain, and that Chain which did bind him was a means to enlarge the Gospel, Phil. 1.12. This wise Physician can of the Viper make a Treacle. God doth enrich by impoverishing, he causeth the augmentation of Grace by the diminution of an Estate: When the Creature goes further from us, it is that Christ may come nearer to us. God works strangely; he brings Order out of Confusion, Harmony out of Discord; he makes use many times of unjust men, to do that which is just: He is wise in heart, Job 10.4. He can reap his Glory out of mens fury*, Psal. 76.10. Either the wicked shall not do the hurt which they intend, or they shall do the good which they do not intend. God often helps when there is least hope, and saves his people in that way, which they think he will destroy: He made use of the High-Priests malice and Judas his Treason, to redeem the World. God hath sometimes ⟨p. 77⟩much ado to please us; through indiscreet passion, we are apt to find fault with things that fall out; which is as if an illiterate man should censure Philosophy; or a blind man find fault with the work in a Landscape. Job 11.12. Vain man would be wise. Silly animals will be taxing Providence, and calling the wisdom of God to the Barr of Reason. Gods ways are past finding out, Rom. 11.33. They are rather to be admired, than fathomed. There is never a Providence of God, but hath either a mercy, or a wonder in it. How stupendous and infinite is that wisdom, that makes the most cross, perplex dispensations work for the good of his children!
5. See here the wisdom of God,1 who can make the worst things imaginable turn to the ⟨p. 76⟩good of the Saints; he can by a divine Chymist•ie extract Gold out of dross. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 — O the depth of the wisdom of God! Rom. 11.33. It is Gods great design to set forth the wonder of his wisdom. The Lord made Iosephs prison a step to preferment. There was no way for Ionah to be saved, but by being swallowed up. God suffered the Egyptians to hate Israel, Psal. 106.41. and this was the means of their deliverance. St Paul was bound with a Chain, and that Chain which did bind him was a means to enlarge the Gospel, Phil. 1.12. This wise Physitian can of the Viper make a Treacle. God doth enrich by impoverishing, he causeth the augmention of Grace by the diminution of an Estate: When the Creature goes further from us, it is that Christ may come nearer to us. God works strangely; he brings Order out of Confusion, Harmony out of Discord; he makes use many times of unjust men, to do that which is just: He is wise in heart, Job 10.4. He can reap his Glory out of mens fury*, Psal. 76.10. Either the wicked shall not do the hurt which they intend, or they shall do the good which they do not intend. God often helps when there is least hope, and saves his people in that way, which they think he will destroy: He made use of the High-Priests malice and Iudas his Treason, to redeem the World. God hath sometimes ⟨p. 77⟩much adoe to please us; through indiscrete passion, we are apt to find fault with things that fall out; which is as if an illiterate man should censure Philosophy; or a blind man find fault with the work in a Landskip. Iob 11.12. Vain man would be wise. Silly animals will be taxing Providence, and calling the wisdom of God to the Barr of Reason. Gods wayes are past finding out,
- 15 Branch.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
