THE Vicissitude of Gods Providence to men in great place, sometimes pulling down those who are lifted up on high, and again raising up those who were laid prostrate, ⟨image 3⟩may justly provoke all Magistrates to walk with fear and trembling; knowing, there is a greater then they are. All earthly Potentates and Principalities are, before God, but as so much pindust, which, when he breatheth on, is soon scattered away. Hence, Psalm 2. the great Ones of the earth are exhorted to kiss the Son, lest he be angry; and a little of his anger is too heavy for the shoulders of any mortal men. Be affected therefore with your own nothingness, comparatively to Gods greatness, and advance his Truth, Worship, and Government. Many States have stumbled upon Christ, as a Stone of offence; and he again hath fallen upon them, grinding them to powder. The Lord make you so blessed, that you may not be offended at any thing which is Christs; and ⟨image 3⟩fill you so with faith, that you may be fully persuaded in your hearts, that the surest posture of defence for the Kingdom, is, when it is put into a submission unto the Sceptre of Christ Jesus. Although God hath done much for you, yet great is the need you still have of his Goodness, Wisdom, and power to you. The ship coming into the harbour may miscarry, as well as that in the wide Ocean: And, certainly, the businesses of your War and Peace, of the Church and State, of Divisions and Reconciliations, are of so great concernment, that he seeth nothing at all, who doth not judge you in as great a necessity of Gods good Providence, as at the very first. Therefore, after all the great success which God hath vouchsafed unto you, be not high-minded, but fear: keep a sure ⟨image 4⟩interest in God, and provoke him not by any sins; but so manage all things belonging to God and men, with piety and justice, that God from heaven may prosper you, and men on earth praise you.
THE Vicissitude of Gods Providence to men in great place, somtimes pulling down those who are lifted up on high, and again raising up those who were laid prostrate, ⟨image 3⟩may justly provoke all Magistrates to walk with fear and trembling; knowing, there is a greater then they are. All earthly Potentates and Principalities are, before God, but as so much pindust, which, when hee breatheth on, is soon scattered away. Hence, Psalm 2. the great Ones of the earth are exhorted to kisse the Sonne, lest hee be angry; and a little of his anger is too heavie for the shoulders of any mortall men. Be affected therefore with your own nothingnesse, comparatively to Gods greatnesse, and advance his Truth, Worship, and Government. Many States have stumbled upon Christ, as a Stone of offence; and hee again hath fallen upon them, grinding them to powder. The Lord make you so blessed, that you may not be offended at any thing which is Christs; and ⟨image 3⟩fill you so with faith, that you may be fully perswaded in your hearts, that the surest posture of defence for the Kingdome, is, when it is put into a submission unto the Scepter of Christ Jesus. Although God hath done much for you, yet great is the need you still have of his Goodnesse, Wisdome, and power to you. The shippe coming into the harbour may miscarry, as well as that in the wide Ocean: And, certainly, the businesses of your Warre and Peace, of the Church and State, of Divisions and Reconciliations, are of so great concernment, that hee seeth nothing at all, who doth not judge you in as great a necessity of Gods good Providence, as at the very first. Therefore, after all the great successe which God hath vouchsafed unto you, be not high-minded, but fear: keep a sure ⟨image 4⟩interest in God, and provoke him not by any sinnes; but so manage all things belonging to God and men, with piety and justice, that God from heaven may prosper you, and men on earth praise you.
