1. See from this Text, the Infinite Goodness of God to his Children in all cases that may fall out in this World, whether Affliction or Desertion. O the goodness of God! in the midst of darkness he causes some Light or other to break forth. God does checker his work of Providence; with dark Clouds he intermixes bright Stars. Just like the Limner who mingles with dark and black Colours, bright Colours; thus does God in his Providence: the condition of the Saints on Earth is never so black and cloudy, but some Rain-bow appears in the Cloud of Providence. In Psal. 138. 7. Though I walk in the midst of Trouble, thou wilt revive me. Every step I take, I tread upon Thorns, I walk in the midst of Trouble, among Clouds, but thou wilt, Lord, revive me. Joseph, he was in the Prison, there was Darkness; but (the Text says) the Lord was with Joseph, there was Light; Gen. 39. 2. Jacob had the Hollow of his Thigh put out of joint in Wrestling: there was a dark Providence; ⟨p. 20⟩but he saw God's Face at that very time, and there the Lord blessed him: here was Light arising to him, Gen. 32. 30. Job lost all that ever he had, he was Rough-cast with Boils and Sores; there was a dark Providence: Ay but hereby Job's Grace was proved, and improved, and God gave him an honourable testimony, That he was upright; and God gave him double the Estate that ever he had before: here was Light arising to him in his Darkness, Job 42. 10. And thus God does mix Light with his Peoples Darkness. As in the Ark there was Manna laid up with the Rod; so 'tis in God's Providences to his People: with the Rod of Affliction, there's some Manna, some Light, some Comfort that God causes to spring up: Manna with the Rod. O the goodness of God! who would not serve this God? in the darkest Night that is, he keeps alive some sparks of Light in the Hearts of his People, which may suppress their Murmuring, and may minister matter of Thanksgiving. That's the first Inference.
1. See from this Text, the Infinite Goodness of God to his Children in all cases that may fall out in this World, whether Affliction or Desertion. O the goodness of God! in the midst of darkness he causes some Light or other to break forth. God does checker his work of Providence; with dark Clouds he intermixes bright Stars. Just like the Limner who mingles with dark and black Colours, bright Colours; thus does God in his Providence: the condition of the Saints on Earth is never so black and cloudy, but some Rain-bow appears in the Cloud of Providence. In Psal. 138. 7. Though I walk in the midst of Trouble, thou wilt revive me. Every step I take, I tread upon Thorns, I walk in the midst of Trouble, among Clouds, but thou wilt, Lord, revive me. Joseph, he was in the Prison, there was Darkness; but (the Text saies) the Lord was with Joseph, there was Light; Gen. 39. 2. Jacob had the Hollow of his Thigh put out of joint in Wrestling: there was a dark Providence; ⟨p. 20⟩but he saw God's Face at that very time, and there the Lord blessed him: here was Light arising to him, Gen. 32. 30. Job lost all that ever he had, he was Rough-cast with Boils and Sores; there was a dark Providence: Ay but hereby Job's Grace was proved, and improved, and God gave him an honourable testimony, That he was upright; and God gave him double the Estate that ever he had before: here was Light arising to him in his Darkness, Job 42. 10. And thus God does mix Light with his Peoples Darkness. As in the Ark there was Manna laid up with the Rod; so 'tis in God's Providences to his People: with the Rod of Affliction, there's some Manna, some Light, some Comfort that God causes to spring up: Manna with the Rod. O the goodness of God! who would not serve this God? in the darkest Night that is, he keeps alive some sparks of Light in the Hearts of his People, which may suppress their Murmuring, and may minister matter of Thanksgiving. That's the first Inference.
