A discourse of divine providence I. In general

In his extraordinary works of mercy. 1. In the deliverance of a people or person. A dream was the occasion of Josephs greatness and Jacob's preservation. He used the Cacklings of Geese to save the Roman Capitol from a surprise by the Gauls. He picks out Gideon to be a General, who was least in his fathers esteem^*; and what did his army consist of, but few, and those fearful^*, those that took water with their hands, (which as Josephus saith, is a natural sign of fear) did God choose out to overthrow the Midianites, who had overspread the Land as Grasshoppers, to show that he can make the most fearful men to be sufficient instruments against the greatest Powers, when the concernments of his Church and people lye at stake.

In his extraordinary works of mercy. 1. In the deliverance of a people or person. A dream was the occasion of Josephs greatness and Jacob's preservation. He used the Cacklings of Geese to save the Roman Capitol from a surprize by the Gauls. He picks out Gideon to be a General, who was least in his fathers esteem^*; and what did his army consist of, but few, and those fearful^*, those that took water with their hands, (which as Josephus saith, is a natural sign of fear) did God choose out to overthrow the Midianites, who had overspread the Land as Grashoppers, to shew that he can make the most fearful men to be sufficient instruments against the greatest Powers, when the concernments of his Church and people lye at stake.

1. *Judg. 6.15.
2. *Judg. 7.6, 7.