A discourse of divine providence I. In general

1. To natural actions. What an orderly motion is there in the natural actions of Creatures, which evidenceth a guidance by an higher reason, since they have none of their own? How do fish serve several coasts at several seasons, as if sent upon a particular message by God? This cannot be by any other faculty than the instinct their Maker hath put into them. Plants that grow between a barren and fruitful Soil, shoot all their roots towards the moist and fruitful ground; by what other cause then a secret direction of Providential Wisdom^*? There is a Law imprest ⟨p. 33⟩upon them and their motions, that are so orderly, as if they were acted according to a covenant and agreement between them and their Creator, and therefore called the Covenant of the day and night^*. What avails the toil and labour of man in ploughing, trading, watching, unless God influence, unless he bless, unless he keep the City? The proceed of all things depends upon his goodness in blessing, and his power in preserving. God signified this, when he gave the Law from Mount Sinai, promising the People, that if they kept his Commandments, he would give them rain in due season, and that the Earth should bring forth her Fruit^*. Evidencing thereby, that those natural causes can produce nothing without his blessing; that though they have natural principles to produce such Fruits according to their natures, yet he can put a stop to their operations, and make all their Fruits abortive. He weighs the waters, how much shall be poured out in showers of rain upon the parched earth. He makes a decree for the rain, and gives the Clouds a Commission to dissolve themselves so much and no more^*. Yea, ⟨p. 34⟩he doth order the conduct of them by counsel, as employing his wisdom about these things which are of concern to the World. Job 37.11, 12. He scattereth his bright cloud, and it is turned round about by his counsels, that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth.