The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the…

Again, When there are great Tempe••s the Angels oftentimes have an hand therein. The Angels are the Instruments of Divine Providence. Many […] Holy Angels, if God has any Execution ⟨p. 20⟩for them to do thereby. When a storm of Lightning fell upon an Hundred men that came against the Prophet Elijah, and flew them by Fifty at a time, there was an Angel that had an hand it. Therefore when the last Fifty came humbly and begged for mercy, the Angel said-to the Prophet, Be not afraid, go along with him: 2 King. 1.11. And it is very probable, that in the dis••• Night when an Hundred Fourscore and Five Thousand were killed in the Army of the King of Assyria, that it was done by a storm of Lightning; and we know that an Angel was the instrument of Providence in that dreadful Execution. I•a. 37.36. It is said, That the Angel of the Lord went forth and smote the Camp of the Assyrians, and in the morning there were so many of them dead Corpses. However, it is certain that when Fire and Brimstone, and an horrible Tempest was Rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah, that the Holy Angels of God were the instruments of His Providence therein: For the Angels said to Lot, Gen. 19.13. We will destroy this place, God hath sent us to destroy it. The holy Angels of Heaven had an h••d in that most dreadful ⟨p. 21⟩Tempest. Now the Angels are all ordered by the Word of God: Not only by the Word of His Decree and Providence, but also by the Word of His Precept; they Fulfil that. Psal. 103.20. Ye His Angels that Excel in strength, that do His Commandment, hearkening to the Voice of His Word: Ye Ministers of H•s, that do His Pleasure. Yea, and sometimes by Divine Permission, Evil Angels have a hand in such Storms and Tempests, as are very hurtful to men on the Earth. This we see in the History of Job. Satan had no sooner obtained leave from God, to fall on what belonged to Job, but presently there was a storm of Lightning that killed his Sheep and his Servants; and a stormy Wind that broke down the House and killed all his Children in one Day. But Satan is limited by the Power and Providence of God. Tho' he has an Exceeding great natural Power, he can do nothing without Gods permission: he can't so much as blw a Feather, much less cause a wind that shall blow down a House, Except God give ve. He would fain have, taken away Job Life as well as his Children but God would not let him do it.