The Fifth Head: Motives and Corollaries

HAving given direction for the due management of this great and important duty, what remains, but that we now set our hearts to it, and make it the constant work of every day throughout our lives? O what peace, what pleasure, what stability, what holy courage and confidence would result from such an observation of Providence as has been directed to! But alas! we may say with reference to the voices of Divine Providence, as it is Job 33:14 God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not. Many a time Providence has spoken Instruction in duty, Conviction for iniquity, Encouragement under despondency; but we regard it not. How greatly are we all wanting to our duty, and comfort by this neglect! It will be but needful therefore to spread before you, the loveliness and excellency of walking with God in a due and daily observation of his Providences, that our souls may be fully engaged to it.

First Motive.

ANd First, Let me offer this, as a moving argument to all gracious souls; That by this means you may maintain sweet and sensible communion with God from day to day. And what is there desirable in this world, in comparison therewith! Thou Lord hast made me glad through your works: I will triumph in the works of your hands, Psalm 2:4 Your hearts may be as sweetly and sensibly refresht by the works of Gods hands, as by the words of his mouth. Psalm 104. per totum is spent in the consideration of the works of Providence, which so filled the Psalmist's heart, that, by way of ejaculation, he expresses the effect of it, Ver. 34. My Meditation of him shall be sweet.

Communion with God properly and strictly taken, consists in two things; namely, Gods manifestation of himself to the soul, and the souls answerable returns to God. This is that fellowship we have here with God. Now God manifests himself to his people by Providences as well as Ordinances; neither is there any grace in a sanctified soul hid from the gracious influences of his Providential manifestations. Sometimes the Lord manifests his displeasure and anger against the sins of his people in correcting and rebuking Providences. His rods have a chiding voice, Micah 6:9 Hear the rod and who has appointed it. This discovery of Gods anger kindly melts and thaws a gracious soul, and produces a double sweet effect upon it, namely, repentance for sins past, and due caution against future sins. (1.) It thaws and melts the heart for sins committed. Thus David's heart was melted for his sin, when the hand of God was heavy upon him in affliction, Psalm 32. 4, 5. Thus the Captive Church, upon whom fell the saddest and most dismal Providence that ever befell any of Gods people in any age of the world; see how their hearts are broken for sin under this severe rebuke, Lam. 2. 17, 18, 19. And then, (2. For caution against sin for the time to come; it's plain, that the rebukes of Providence leave that effect also upon gracious hearts, Ezra 9. 13, 14. Psalm 85:8

Sometimes he cheers and comforts the hearts of his people with smiling and reviving Providences, both public and personal. There are times of lifting up as well as casting down by the hand of Providence. The Scene changes, the aspects of Providence are very cheerful and encouraging. their Winter seems to be over: they put off their garments of mourning; and then, Ah, what sweet returns are made to heaven by gracious souls! Doth God lift them up by prosperity? they also will lift up their God by praises. See Psalm 18. Title, and v. 1, 2, 3. So Moses and the people with him, Exodus 15. when God had delivered them from Pharaoh, how do they exalt him in a song of thanksgiving, which for the elegancy and spirituality of it, is made an Emblem of the doxologies given to God in glory by the saints! Revelation 15:3

Upon the whole, whatever effects our Communion with God in any of his Ordinances does use to produce upon our hearts, the same we may observe to follow our conversing with him in his Providences. For,

It is usually found in the experience of all the saints, that in what Ordinance or duty soever they ave any sensible communion with God, it naturally produces in their spirits a deep abasement and humiliation from the sense of divine condescensions to such vile poor Worms as we are. Thus Abraham, Genesis 18:27 I am but dust and ashes. The same effect follows our converse with God in his Providences. Thus when God had in the way of his Providence prospered Jacob, how does he lay himself at the feet of God, as a man overwhelmed with the sense of mercy! See Genesis 32. 5, 10. And Jacob said, I am not worthy of the least of all your mercies, and of all the truth which you hast shewed your servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now am become two bands. Thus also it was with David, 2 Samuel 7:18 Who am I, and what is my Fathers house, that you hast brought me hitherto! And I doubt not, but some of you have found the like frame of heart upon you, that these holy men here expressed. Can you not remember when God lifted you up by Providence, how you cast down your selves before him, and have been viler in your own eyes than ever! Why, thus do all gracious hearts; What am I, that the Lord should do thus and thus for me! O that ever so great and holy a God should thus be concerned for so vile and sinful a Worm!

(2.) Doth Communion with God in Ordinances, melt the heart into love to God? Cant. 2. 3, 4, 5. Why, so does the observation of his Providences also. Never did any man convers with Gods works of Providenc aright, but fnd his heart at some times melted into love to the God of his mercies, Psalm 18:1 compared with the Title. When God had delivered him from the hand of Saul, and all his Enemies, he said, I will love you O Lord my strength. Every man loves the mercies of God, but a saint loves the God of his mercies. The mercies of God, as they are the fewel of a wicked mans lusts, so they are fewel to maintain a good mans love to God; not that their love to God is grounded upon these external benefits, Not yours, but you, O Lord, is the motto of a gracious soul; but yet these things serve to blow up the flame of love to God in their hearts, and they find it so.

Doth Communion with God set the keenest edge upon the soul against sin? You see it does: and have a pregnant Instance of it in Moses, when he had been with God in the Mount for forty days, and had there enjoyed communion with him; when he came down and saw the Calf the people had made; see what an holy paroxysm of zeal and anger it cast his soul into, Exodus 32. 19, 20. Why, the same effect you may discern to follow the saints converse with God in his Providences. What was that which pierced the heart of David with such a deep sense of the evil of his sin, which is so abundantly manifested in Psalm 51. throughout? Why, if you look into the Title you shall find, it was the effect of what Nathan had laid before him: and if you consult 2 Samuel 12. 7, 8, 9, 10. you shall find, it was the goodness of God manifested to him in the several endearing Providences of his life, which in this he had so evilly requited the Lord for, that broke his heart to pieces in the sense of it: and I doubt not, but some of us have some times found the like effects, by comparing Gods ways and our own together.

Doth Communion with the Lord enlarge the heart for obedience and service? Surely it is as oyl to the wheels, that makes them run of freely and nimbly their course. Thus when Isaiah had obtained a special manifestation of God, and the Lord askt, whom shall I send? he presents a ready soul for the employment, Isaiah 6:8 Here am I, Lord, send me. Why, the very same effect follows sanctified Providences, as you may see in Jehosaphat, 2 Chron. 17. 5, 6. and in David, Psalm 116:12 O when a soul considers what God has done for him, he cannot chuse but say, what shall I return? how shall I answer these engagements?

And thus you see, what sweet Communion a soul may have with God in the way of his Providences. O that you would thus walk with him! How much of Heaven might be found on Earth this way! And certainly, it will never repent the Lord he has done you good, when his mercies produce such effects upon your hearts: he will say of every savour thus improved, It was well bestowed, and will rejoyce over you to do you good for ever.

Second Motive.

A Great part of the pleasure and delight of the Christian life is made out of the observations of Providence. It is said, Psalm 111:2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein: (i. e.) the study of Providence is so sweet and pleasant, that it invites and allures the soul to search and dive into it. How pleasant is it to a well tempered soul to behold and observe,

(1.) The sweet harmony and consent of divine Attributes in the issues of Providence! They may seem sometimes to jarr and clash, to part with each other, and go contrary ways: but they only seem so to do; for in the winding up, they always meet and embrace each other, Psalm 85:10 mercy and truth have met together: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. It is spoken with an immediate reference to that signal Providence of Israels deliverance out of the Babylonish captivity, and the sweet effect thereof: wherein the truth and righteousness of God in the promises, did as it were kiss and embrace the mercy and peace that was contained in the performance of them, after they had seemed for seventy years to be at a great distance from each other. For it is an allusion to the usual demonstrations of joy and gladness, that two dear friends are wont to give and receive, after a long absence and separation from each other: they no sooner meet, but they smile, embrace and kiss each other. Even thus it is here. The word may be, (and by some is) rendered, have met us, and that also is true; for when ever these blessed Promises and Performances meet and kiss each other, they are also joyfully embraced and killed by believing souls. There is, I doubt not, a mediate reference of this Scripture to the Messiah also, and our redemption by him: In him it is that these divine Attributes which before seemed to clash and contradict one another in the business of our salvation, have a sweet agreement and accomplishment. truth and Righteousness do in him meet with mercy and peace in a blessed agreement. What a lovely sight is this! and how pleasant to behold! O if with Habbakuk, chap. 2. v. 3. we would but stand upon our Watch-Tower to take due observations of Providence; what rare prospects might we have! Iuther understands it of the Word of God, q. d. I will look into the Word, and observe there how God accomplisheth all things, and brings them to pass, and how his works are the fulfilling of his Word. Others (as Calvin) understand it of a mans own retiring thoughts and meditations, wherein a man carefully observes what purposes and designs God has upon the world in general, or upon himself in particular, and how the truth and Righteousness of God in the Word work themselves through all difficulties and impediments, and meet in the mercy, peace and happiness of the saints at last. Every Believer (take it in which sense you will,) has his Watch-Tower as well as Hbbkuk: and give me leave to say, it's an Angelical employment to stand upon it, and behold the consent of Gods Attributes, the accomplishment of his Ends, and our own happiness in the works of Providence. For this is the very joy of the Angels and saints in Heaven, to see Gods Ends wrought out, and his Attributes glorified in the mercy and peace of the Church, Revelation 14. 1, 2, 3. & 8.

(2.) And as it's a pleasant sight to see the harmony of Gods Attributes, so it is exceeding pleasant to behold the resurrection of our own prayers and hopes as from the dead. Why, this you may often see, if you will duly observe the works of Providence towards you. We hope and pray for such and such mercies to the Church, or to our selves; but God delayes the accomplishment of our hopes, suspends the answer of our prayers, and seems to speak to us, as Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lye: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry: but we have no patience to wait the time of the Promise, our hopes languish and dye in the interim; and we say with the despondent Church, Lam. 3:18 Our hope is perished from the Lord; but Oh, how sweet and comfortable is it, to see these prayers fulfilled, after we have given up all expectation of them! May we not say of them, as the Scripture speaks of the restoration of the Jews, it is even life from the dead. This was David's case, Psalm 31:22 he gave up his hopes and prayers for lost, yet lived to see the comfortable and unexpected returns of them. And this was the case of Job, chap. 6:11 he had given up all expectation of better days, and yet this man lived to see a resurrection of all his lost comforts with an advantage. Think how that change and unexpected turn of Providence affected his soul: it is with our hopes and prayers as with our Alms, Cast your bread on the waters, for you shalt find it after many days, Ecclesiastes 11:1 or as it was with Jacob, who had given ovr all hopes of ever seeing his beloved Joseph again, but when a strange and unexpected Providence had restored that hopeless mercy to him again, Oh how ravishing and transporting was it? Genesis 46. 29, 30.

(3.) What a transporting pleasure is it, to behold great blessings and advantages to us wrought by Providence, out of those very things that seemed to threaten our ruine or misery? and yet by due observing the ways of Providence, you may to your singular comfort find it so. Little did Joseph think his transportation into Egypt, had been in order to his advancement there; yet he lived with joy to see it, and with a thankful heart to acknowledge it, Genesis 45:5 Wait and observe, and you shall assuredly find that Promise, Romans 8:28 working out its way through all Providences. How many times have you been made to say as David, Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted. O what a difference have we seen betwixt our afflictions at our first meeting with them, and our parting from them! We have entertained them with sighs and tears, but parted from them with joy, blessing God for them, as the happy Instruments of our good. Thus our fears and sorrows are turned into praises and songs of thanksgiving.

(4.) What unspeakable comfort is it for a poor soul, that sees nothing but sin and vileness in it self, at the same time to see what an high esteem and value the great God has for him! This may be discerned by a due attendance to Providence, for there a man sees goodness and mercy following him through all his days, as it is Psalm 23:6 Other men prosecute good, and it flyes from them, they can never overtake it; but goodness and mercy follow the people of God, and they cannot avoid or escape it: it gives them chase day by day, and finds them out; even when they sometimes put themselves by sin out of the way of it. In all the Providences that befall them, goodness and mercy pursues them. O with what a meling heart do they sometimes reflect upon these things! and will not the goodness of God be discouraged from following me, notwithstanding all my vile aronts and abuses of it in former mercies? Lord, what am I, that mercy should thus pursue me, when vengeance and wrath pursue others as good by nature as I am? It certainly argues the great esteem God has of a man, when he thus follows him with sanctified Providences (whether they be comforts or crosses) for his good. And so much is plain, from Job 7:18 Lord what is man, that you shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment? Certainly, Gods people are his treasure, and by this it appears that they are so, that he withdraws not his eye from them, Job 36:7 I say not, that Gods favor and respect to a man, may be concluded singly from his Providences; but sanctified Providences may very much clear it to us: and when it does so, it cannot but be matter of exceeding great joy.

(5.) To conclude, what is there in all this world, that can give a soul such joy and comfort, as to find himself by every thing set on and farthered in his way to Heaven! And yet this may be discerned, by an heedful attendance to the effects and issues of Providences.

How cross soever the Winds and Tides of Providence at any time seem to us, yet nothing is more certain, than that they all conspire to hasten sanctified souls to God, and sit them for glory.

St. Paul knew, that both his bonds and the afflictions added to them should turn to, or (as the word imports) finally issue in his salvation, Philippians 1:19 Not that in themselves they serve to any such purpose; but as they are over-ruled and determined to such an end, through prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. When prayer the external, and the Spirit the internal means are joined with them; then Afflictions themselves become excellent means to promote salvation. And have we not with joy observed, how those very things, that sense and reason tell us are opposite to our happiness, have been the most blessed Instruments to promote it? How has God blessed Crosses to mortifie corruption, wants to kill our wantonness, disappointments to wean us from the world! O we little think, how comfortable those things will be in the review, which are so burdensome to present sense.

The Third Motive

IN the next place, I beseech you consider, What an effectual means the due observation of Providence will be to over-power and suppress the natural Atheism that is in your hearts.

There is a natural seed of Atheism in the best hearts, and this is very much nourished, by passing a rash and false judgement upon the works of Providence. When we see wicked ones to prosper in the world, and godly men crushed and destroyed in the way of righteousness and integrity; it may tempt us to think, there is no advantage by religion, and all our self-denyal and holiness, to be little better than lost labor. Thus stood the case with good Asph, Psalm 73. 12, 13. Bhold, these are the ungodly that prosper in the world, they increase in riches: and what does the flesh iner from thence? Why no less than the unprofitableness of the ways of holiness, Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. This irreligious Inference carnal reason was ready to draw from the dispensations of outward prosperity to wicked men; but now if we would hedfully observe, either the signal retributions of Providence to many of them in this world, or to all of them in the world to come; O what a full confirmation is this to our faith! Psalm 9:16 The Lord is known by the Judgements that he executeth. The fifty eighth Psalm contains the Characters of the most prodigious sinners, whose wickedness is aggravated,

By the deliberation with which it's committed, V. 2.

By their habit and custom in it, V. 3.

By their incorrigibleness and persistence in it, V. 4, 5.

And the Providence of God is there invited

To destroy their power, V. 6. and that either

By a gradual and insensible consumption of them, V. 7, 8. or,

By a suddain and unexpected stroke, V. 9.

And what shall the effects of such Providences be to the Righteous? Why, it shall be matter of joy, V. 10. And great confirmation to their faith in God, V. 11. Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.

And on the contrary, how convincingly clear are those Providences, that demonstrate the Being, wisdom, Power, Love and Faithfulness of God, in the supporting, preserving and delivering of the Righteous, in all their dangers, fears and difficulties? In these things the Lord shews himself to his people, Psalm 94:1 Yea, he shews himself to spiritual eyes in these Providences, as clearly, as the Sun manifest himself by his own beams of light, Habakkuk 3. 3, 4. His brightness was as the light, and he had borns coming out of his hands, and there was the hiding of his power. It's spoken of the Lords going forth for his people in their deliverance from their Enemies: and then he had horns or rayes and beams of power and mercy coming out of his hands; by his hands, are meant his Providential administrations and dispensations, and the horns that came out of them, are nothing else but the glorious display of his Attributes in those Providences. How did God make himself known to his people in that signal deliverance of them out of Egypt? See Exodus 6:3 then he was known to them by his name Jehovah, in giving being by his Providences to the mercies promised.

Thus when Christ shall give his people the last and greatest deliverance from Antichrist, he shall shew himself to his people in a vesture dipt in blood, and his Name shall be called, The Word of God, Revelation 19:13 His Name was the Word of God before; but then he was the Word revealing and discovering the promises and truths of God; now accomplishing and fulfilling them. That his Name is near, his wonderful works declare, Psalm 75:1

But more particularly, let us bring it home to our own experience. It may be, we find our selves sometimes assaulted with Atheistical thoughts: we are tempted to think God has left all things below to the course and sway of nature, that our prayers reach him not, as it is Lam. 3:44 that he regards not what evils befall us. But, tell me saints, have you not enough at hand to stop the mouths of all such temptations? O do but reflect upon your own Experiences, and solemnly ask your own hearts,

(1.) Have you never seen the All-sufficient God in the provisions he has made for you and yours, throughout all the way that you have gone! Who was it that supplyed to you whatever was needful in all your straits? Was it not the Lord? 'Tis he that has given bread to them that fear him, and has been ever mindful of his Covenant, Psalm 111:5 O do but consider the constancy, seasonableness, and at sometimes the extraordinariness of these provisions, and how they have been given in upon prayer, and shut your eyes if you can, against the convincing evidence of that great truth, Job 36:7 He withdraweth not his eye from the Righteous.

(2.) Have you not plainly discerned the care of God in your preservations from so many and great dangers as you have escaped and been carried through hitherto? How is it, that you have over-lived so many mortal dangers, sicknesses, accidents, designs of Enemies to ruine you? It is I presume, beyond question with you, that the very finger of God has been in these things, and that it is by his care alone, you have been preserved. When God had so signally delivered David from a dangerous disease and the plots of Enemies against him, by this (says he) I know you favourest me, because mine enemy does not triumph over me, Psalm 41:11 he gathered from those gracious protections, the care God had over him.

(3.) Have you not plainly discerned the hand of God, in the returns and accomplishments of your prayers? Nothing can be more evident than this, to men of observation, Psalm 34. 4, 5, 6. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him and were lightned, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cryed, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Parallel to this, runs the experience of thousands and ten thousands of Christians this day; they know they have the petitions they asked of him. The mercy carries the very impress and stamp of the Duty upon it. So that we can say, This is the mercy, the very mercy I have so often sought God about. O how satisfying, and convincing are these things!

(4.) Have you not evidently discerned the Lords hand, in the guiding and directing of your paths, to your unforeseen advantage? Things that you never projected for your selves, have been brought about beyond all your thoughts. Many such things are with God; and which of all the saints has not ound that word Jeremiah 10:23 verified by clear and undeniable experience? The way of man is not in himself. I presume, if you will but look over the mercies you possess thi day, you will find three to one, it may be ten to one thus wrought by the Lord for you. And how satisfying beyond all Arguments in the world are these experiences, That there is a God to whom his people are exceeding dear, a God that performs all things for them!

(5.) Is it not fully convictive, that there is a God who takes care of you, in as much as you have found in all the temptations and difficulties of your lives his promises still fulfilled, and faithfully performed in all those conditions? I appeal to your selves, if you have not seen that Promise made good, Psalm 91:15 I will be with him in trouble; and that 1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Have not these been as clearly made out by Providence before your eyes, as the Sun at Noon day? What room then is left for Atheistical suggestions in your breasts?

The Fourth Motive.

THe Recording and Recognizing of the performances of Providence, will be a singular support to faith in future exigencies. This excellent use of it lyes full in the very eye of the Text. There never befell David in all his troubles, a greater strait and distress than this; and doubtless his faith had staggered, had not the considerations of former Providence come in to its relief. From this Topick faith argues, and that very strongly and conclusively. So did David's faith in many exigencies: when he was to encounter the Champion of the Philistins, it was from former Providence that he encouraged himself, 1 Samuel 17:37 And the Apostle Paul improves his experiences to the same purpose; 2 Corinthians 1. 9, 10. Indeed the whole Scripture is full of it: What Christian understands not the exceeding usefulness of those experiences he has had to relieve and enliven? But I shall not satisfy my self with the common assertion, than which nothing is more tritc in the lips of professors: but will labor to shew you, wherein the great usefulness of our Recorded Experiences, for encouraging faith labouring under difficulties, consists. To this purpose, I shall desire the Reader to ponder seriously these following particulars.

How much advantage those things have upon our souls, which we have already felt and tasted, beyond those which were never relished by any former experience? What is Experience? but the bringing down of the objects of faith to the dijudication and test of spiritual sense? Now when any thing has been once tasted, felt and judged by a former Experience, it is much more easily believed and received when it occurrs again. It's much easier for faith to travel in a path that is well known to it, having formerly trod it, than to beat out a new one which it never trod, nor can see one step before it. Hence it is, though there be a difficulty in all the acts of faith, yet scarce in any like the first adventure it makes upon Christ; and the reason lyes here, because in the subsequent acts it has all its former experiences to aid and encourage it; but in the first adventure it has none at all of its own, it takes a path which it never knew before.

To trust God without any tryal or experience, is a more noble act of faith; but to trust him after we have often tryed him, is known to be more easie. O'tis no small advantage to a soul in a new plunge and distress, to be able to say, This is not the first time I have been in these deeps, and yet emerged out of them! Hence it was, that Christ rub'd up his Disciples memories with what Providence had formerly wrought for them in a day of straits, Matth. 16. 8, 9, 10, 11. O ye of little faith, why reason ye among your selves, because ye have brought no bread? do ye not yet understand, neither remember? q. d. Were yo never under any strait for bread before now? Is this the first difficulty that ever your faith combated with? No, no, you have felt straits, and experienced the power and care of God in supplying them, before now; and therefore I cannot but call you men of little faith; for a very ordinary and small measure of faith, assisted with so much experience as you have had, would enable you to trust God. There is as much difference betwixt believing before, and after experience, as there is betwixt swimming with bladders, and our first venture into the deep waters without them.

What a singular encouragement to faith do former Experiences yield it, by answering all the pleas and objections of unbelief drawn from the object of faith? Now there be two things that unbelief stumbles at in God: One is his Power, the other his Willingness to help.

(1.) Unbelief objects the impossibility of relief in deep distresses, Psalm 78:19 Can God furnish a Table in the Wilderness? can be give bread also? can be provide flesh for his people? O vile and unworthy thoughts of God! proceeding from our measuring the immense and boundless power of God, by our own line and measure: because we see not which way relief should come, we conclude, none is to be expected. But all these reasonings of Unbelief are vanquisht by a serious reflection upon our own Experiences: God has helped, therefore he can, Isaiah 59:1 His hand is not shortned: (i. e.) he has as much power and ability as formerly.

(2.) Unbelief objects against the Will of God, and questions, whether he will now be gracious, though he has formerly been so. But after so many experiences of his readiness to help, what room for doubting remains? Thus Paul reasoned from the experience of what he had done, to what he would do, 2 Corinthians 1:10 and so did David, 1 Samuel 17:36 Indeed if a man had never experienced the goodness of God to him, it were not so heinous a sin to question his willingness to do him good; but what place is left after such frequent tryals?

It gives great encouragement to faith, as it answers the objections of unbelief drawn from the subject. Now these Objections are of two sorts also.

(1.) Such as are drawn from our great unworthiness. How (says Unbelief) can so sinful and vile a creature expect, that ever God should do this or that for me? 'Tis true, we find he did great things for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses &c. but these were men of eminent holiness, men that obeyed God, and denyed themselves for him, and lived more in a day to his glory, than ever I did all my days.

Well, but what signifies all this to a soul, that under all its sensible vileness and unworthiness has tasted the goodness of God as well as they? As unworthy as I am, God has been good to me notwithstanding: his mercy appeared first to me, when I was worse than I am now, both in condition and disposition; and therefore I will still expect the continuance of his goodness to me, though I deserve it not. If when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, how much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life? Romans 5:10

(2.) Such as are drawn from the extremity of our present condition, if troubles or dangers grow to an height, and we see nothing but ruine and misery in the eye of reason before us; now umbelief becomes importune and troubleome to the soul; now where are your prayers, hy hopes, yea, where is now your God?

But all this is easily put by and avoided, by onsulting our experiences in former cases. This is not the first time I have been in these straits, or the first time I have had the same doubts and despondencies; and yet, God has carried me hrough all, Psalm 77. 7, 8, 9, &c. This is it that suffers not a Christian to unravel all his hopes in an hour of temptation. O how useful are these hings to the people of God!

The Fifth Motive.

THe Recognition of former Providences will minister to your souls continual matter of praise and thanksgiving, which is the very employment of the Angels in Heaven, and the sweetest part of our lives on Earth.

See Psalm 61. 7, 8. If God will prepare mercy and truth for David, he will prepare Praises for is God, and that daily. So Psalm 71:6 By you have I been holden up from the womb, you art he that took me out of my Mothers bowels; (there Mercies from the beginning are recognized.) My praise shall be continually of you: there the natural result of those recognitions is expressed.

There be five things belonging to the praise of God, and all of them have relation to his Providences exercised about us.

(1.) A careful Observation of the Mercles we receive from him, Isaiah 41. 17, 18, 19, 20. This is fundamental to all praise: God cannot e glorified for the mercies we never noted.

(2.) A faithful Remembrance of the favor. received, Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul. and forget not all his benefits. Hence the Lord brands the Ingratitude of his people, Psalm 106:13 They soon forgat his works.

(3.) A due Appreciation and Valuation of every Providence that does us good, 1 Samuel 12:24 That Providence that fed them in the Wilderness with Manna, was a most remarkable Providence to them; but they not valuing it at its worth, God had not that praise for it which he expected, Numb. 11:6

(4.) The Excitation of all the faculties and powers of the soul in the acknowledgement o these mercies to us. Thus David, Psalm 103. 1Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within m bless his holy name. soul-praise is the very sou of praise: this is the fat and marrow of that thank-offering.

(5.) A suitable Retribution for the mercies received. This David was careful about, Psalm 116:1 And the Lord taxes good Hezekiah for the neglect of it, 2 Chron. 32. 24, 25. This consists in a full and hearty resignation of all to him, that we have received by Providence from him: and in our willingness actually to part with all for him, when he shall remand it.

Thus you see, how all the ingredients to praise, have respect to Providences. But more particularly I will shew you, that as all the ingredients of praise have respect to Providence, so all the motives and Arguments obliging and engaging souls to praise, are found therein also. To this end consider, how the mercy and goodness of God is exhibited by Providence, to excite our thankfulness.

(1.) That the goodness and mercy of God is let out upon his people in his Providences about them: and this is the very root of praise. It is not so much the possession that Providence gives us of such or such comforts, as the goodness and kindness of God in the dispensing of them, that engages a gracious soul to praise, Psalm 63:3 Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. To give, maintain and preserve our life, are choice acts of Providences: but to do all this in a way of grace and loving-kindness, this is far better than the gifts themselves: life is but the shadow of death without it: this is the mercy that crowns all other mercies, Psalm 103:4 It's this a sanctified soul desires God would manifest in every Providence about him, Psalm 17:7 and what is our praising of God else, but our shewing forth that loving-kindness, which he shows us in his Providences? Psalm 92. 1, 2.

(2.) As the loving-kindness of God manifested in Providences, is a motive to praise; so the free and undeserved savours of God, dispensed by the hand of Providence, oblige the soul to praise. This was the consideration that melted David's heart into a thankful praising frame, even the consideration of the free and undeserved favors cast in upon him by Providence, 2 Samuel 7:18 What am I? O Lord God: and what is my Fathers house, that you hast brought me hitherto? (i. e.) raised me by Providence from a mean condition to all this dignity: from following the Ewes, to feed Jacob his people, Psalm 78. 70, 71. O this is it that engages thankfulness, Genesis 32:10

(3.) As the freeness of mercies dispensed by Providence, engageth praise; so the Multitudes of mercies heaped this way upon us, strongly oblige the soul to thankfulness. Thus David comes before the Lord encompassed with a multitude of mercies to praise him, Psalm 5:7 We have our loads of mercies, and that every day, Psalm 68:19 O what a rich heap will the mercies of one day make, being laid together!

(4.) As the multitudes of mercies dispensed by Providence, oblige to praise; so the tenderness of Gods mercy manifested in his Providence, leaves the soul under a strong obligation to thankfulness. We see what tender resentments the Lord has of all our wants, straits and burdens, Psalm 103:13 Like as a Father pitieth his Children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. He is full of bowels, as the word in James 5:11 signifies. Yea, there are not only bowels of compassion in our God, but the tenderness of bowels, like those of a Mother to her sucking child, Isaiah 49:15 He feels all our pains as if the apple of his eye were touched, Zechariah 2:8 and all this is discovered to his people in the way of his Providences with them, Psalm 111. 2, 3, 4. O who of all the Children of God has not often found this in his Providences? And who can see it, and not be filled with thankfulness? All these are so many bands clapt by Providence upon the soul, to oblige it to a lie of praise. Hence it is, that the prayers of the saints are so full of thanksgivings upon these accounts: 'tis sweet to recount them to the Lord in prayer: to lye at this feet in an holy astonishment at his gracious condescensions to poor worms.

The Sixth Motive.

THe due observation of Providence will endear Jesus Christ every day more and more to your souls. Christ is the Channel of grace and mercy: through him are all the dcursus & recursus gratiarum, all the streams of mercy that low from God to us, and all the returns of praise from us to God, 1 Corinthians 3. 21, 22. All things are ours upon no other title, but our being his.

Now there be six things in Providence, that are exceedingly endearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to his people: and these are the most sweet and delicious parts of all our enjoyments.

The purchase of all those mercies which Providences convey to us, is by his own blood: for not only spiritual and eternal mercies, but even all our temporal ones, are the acquisition of his blood. Look, as sin forfeited all, so Christ restored all these mercies again to us by his death. sin had so shut up the womb of mercy, that had not Christ made an attonement by his death, it could never have brought forth one mercy to all eternity for us. It is with him that God freely gives us all things, Romans 8:32 Heaven it self, and all things needful to bring us thither, among which, is principally included the Tutelage and Aid of Divine Providence: so that whatever good we receive from the hand of Providence, we must put it upon the score of Christs blood; and when we receive it, we may say, 'Tis the price of blood: 'Tis a mercy rising up out of the death of Christ: It cost him dear, though it come to me freely: It's sweet in the possession, but costly in the acquisition. Now this is a most endearing consideration: did Christ dye, that these mercies might live? Did he pay his invaluable blood to purchase these comforts, that I possess? O what transcendent, matchless love, was the love of Christ! You have known Parents that have laid out all their stock of money to purchase Estates for their Children; but when did you hear of any that spent the whole stock and treasure of their blood, to make a purchase for them? If the life of Christ had not been so afflictive and sad to him, ours could not have been so sweet and comfortable to us: 'tis through his poverty we are enriched, 2 Corinthians 8:9 These sweet mercies that are born of Providence every day, are the fruits of the travel of his soul.

The sanctification of all, is by our union with Christ: 'tis by vertue of our union with his person, that we enjoy the sanctified gifts and blessings of Providence. All these are mercies additional to that great mercy CHRIST, Matth. 6:33 they are given with him, as in Romans 8:32 this is the Tenure by which we hold them, 1 Corinthians 3. 21, 22, 23. Look, what we lost in Adam, is restored again with Advantage in Christ: immediately upon the fall, that curse, Genesis 2:17 seized upon all the miserable posterity of Adam, and upon all their comforts, outward as well as inward; and this still lyes heavy upon them: All that Providence does for them that are Christless, is but to feed so many poor condemned wretches, till the sentence they are under, be executed upon them: it is indeed bountiful and open-handed to many of them; and fills them with Earthly comforts; but not one special sanctified mercy is to be found among all their enjoyments: these gifts of Providence do but deceive, defile and destroy them through their own corruptions, and for want of union with Christ, Proverbs 1:32 The prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

But when a man is once in Christ, then all Providences are sanctified and sweet, Tit. 1:15 Vnto the pure, all things are pure. A little that a righteous man has, is better than the treasures of many wicked, Psalm 37:16 Now Christ becomes an head of Influence, as well as of Dominion; and in all things he consults the good of his own members, Ephesians 1:22

The dispensation of all our comforts and mercies, is by his direction and appointment. It's true, the Angels are employed in the kingdom of Providence, they move the wheels, (i. e.) are instrumental in all the revolutions in this lower world; but still they receive directions and orders from Christ, as you may see in that admirable Scheme of Providences, Ezekiel 1. 25, 26, &c. Now what an endearing meditation is this! What ever Creature be instrumental for any good to you, it's your Lord Jesus Christ that gave the orders and commands to that Creature to do it; and without it they could have done nothing for you: It's your head in Heaven that consults your peace and comfort on Earth: these be the fruits of his care for you. So in the prevention and restraints of evil; 'tis he that bridles in the wrath of Devils and men; he holds the reins in his own hands, Revelation 2:10 'Twas the care of Christ over his poor Sheep at Damascus, that stopt the raging Adversary who was upon the way, designing to destroy them, Acts. 9.

The continuation of all your mercies and comforts, outward as well as inward, is the fruit of his Intercession in Heaven for you. For look, as the offering up of the Lamb of God a Sacrifice for sin, opened the door of mercy at first; so his appearing before God as a Lamb that had been slain, still keeps that door of mercy open, Revelation 5:6 Hebrews 9:24 By this his intercession, our peace and comforts are prolonged to us, Zechariah 1. 12, 13. Every sin we commit, would put and end to the mercies we possess, were it not for that caution which is put in for us by it, 1 ohn 2. 1, 2.' If any man sin, we have an Avocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins, &c. This stops all pleas, and procures new pardons for new sins. Hence it is he saves to the uttermost, to the last compleating act, Hebrews 7:25 New sins do not irritate our former pardons, nor cut off our priviledges setled upon us in Christ.

The returns and answers of all your prayers and cryes to Heaven for the removing of your afflictions, or supply of your wants, are all procured and obtained for you by Jesus Christ. He is the Master of your requests; and were it not that God had respect to him, he would never regard your cryes to him, nor return any answer of peace to you, how great soever your distresses should be, Revelation 8. 3, 4. 'Tis his name that gives our prayers their acceptance, John 15:16 because the Father can deny him nothing, therefore your prayers are not denyed. Doth God condescend to hear you in the day of trouble? Doth he convince you by your own experience, that your prayers have power with God, and do prevail? O see how much you owe to your dear Lord Jesus Christ, for this high and glorious priviledge!

The Covenant of grace, in which all your comfortable enjoyments are comprized, and by which they are secured, sanctified, and sweetned to you, is made in Christ, and ratified by him betwixt God and you. Your mercies are all comprized in this Covenant, even your daily bread, Psalm 111:5 as well as your justification, and other spiritual mercies.

'Tis your Covenant interest, that secures to you what ever it comprizes, Isaiah 55:3 hence they are called the sure mercies of David.

Nay, this is it that sanctifies them, and gives them [] nature of special and peculiar mercies. One [] mercy is worth a thousand common mercies. And being sanctified and special mercies, they must needs be exceeding sweet beyond all other mercies. On these accounts it was. that David so rejoiced in his Covenant Iteres, though laden with many afflictions, Sam. 23:5

But now all this hangs entirely upon Christ. The New Testament is in his bloo, 1 Corinthians 11:5 and whatever mercies you reap from that Covenant, you must thank the Lord Jesus Christ for them. Put all this together, and then think how such considerations will endear Christ to your souls!

The Seventh Motive.

THe due observations of Providence have a marvellous efficacy to melt the heart, and make it thaw and relent ingenuously before the Lord.

How can a sanctified heart do less, than melt into tears, whilst it either considers the dealings of God from time to time with it: or compares the mercies received, with the sins committed; or the different administrations of Providence towards it self and others!

Let a man but set himself to think deliberately and closely of the ways of Providence towards him, let him but follow the Tract []rovidence, as it has led him all along the way that he has gone, and if there be any principle of gracious tenderness in him, he shall meet with variety of occasions to excite and draw it forth. Reader, go back with your serious thoughts (1.) To the beginning of the ways of God with you, the mercies that brake out early in your youth, even the first born mercies from the womb of Providence; and you wilt say, What need I go farther? Here is enough, not only to moves, but overwhelm my heart. May I not from this time cry unto you, my Father, you art the guide of my youth, Jeremiah 3:4 What a critical time is the time of youth? it's the moulding age; and (ordinarily) according to the course of those leading Providences, after Providences do steer their course. What levity, rashness, ignorance and strong propensions to sin and ruine accompanied that age? How many being then left to the sway of their own lusts, run themselves into those sins and miseries, which they never recover themselves from to their dying day? These, like the errors of the first concoction, are rarely rectified afterwards. Did the Lord guide you by his Providence, when but a Child? Did he then preserve you from those follies and miscarriages, which blast the very blossom, and nip the bud, so that no good fruit is to be expected afterwards? Did he then cast you into such families, or among such company and acquaintance, as moulded and formed your spirit to a better temper? Did he then direct you into that way of employment, wherein you hast seen so large a train of happy consequents ever since following you? And wilt you not from henceforth say, My Father, my Father, you art the guide of my youth?

Or (2.) Let us but bring out thoughts close to the Providences of after times, and consider how the several changes and removes of our lives have been ordered for us: Things we never foresaw nor designed (but much better for us, than what we did design) have been all along ordered for us. The way of man is not in himself. Gods thoughts have not been our thoughts, nor his ways our ways. Among the eminent mercies of your life, Reader, how many of them have been meer surprizals to you? Thy own projects have been thrust aside, to make way for better things designed by Providence for you.

Nay, (3.) Do but observe the Springs and Autumns of Providence, in what order they have flourished and faded with you, and you wilt find your self over-powered with the sense of Divine wisdom and Goodness: when necessity required, such a friend was stirred up to help you, such a place opened to receive you, such a Relation raised up or continued to refresh you: and no sooner does Providence deprive you of any of them, but either your need of them ceases, or some other way is opened to you. O the depth of Gods wisdom and Goodness! O the matchless tenderness of God to his people!

(4.) Compare the dealings of Providence with you and others, yea, with others that sprang up with you in the same generation, it may be, in the same families, and from the same Parents, it may be in families greater and more flourishing in the world then yours, and see the difference, upon many great accounts, it has made betwixt you and them. I knew a Christian, who after many years separation, was visited by his own Brother, the very sight of whom, wrought upon him, much as the sight of Benjamin did upon Joseph, so that he could not refrain to fall upon his neck, and weep for joy; but after a ew hours spent together, finding the spirit of his Brother, not only estranged rom all that's spiritual and serious, but also very vain and prophane, he hastened to his chamber, shut the door upon him, threw himself down at the feet of God, and with flowing eyes, and a melting heart, admired the distinguishing grace of God, saying, Was not Esau Jacob's Brother? O grace, grace, astonishing grace!

(5.) Compare the carriage of Providence towards you, with your own carriage towards the Lord; and it must needs melt your hearts to find so much mercy bestowed, where so much sin has been committed. What place did you ever live in, where you cannot remember great provocations committed, and manifold mercies notwithstanding that, received? O with how many notwithstandings and neverthelesses, has the Lord done you good in every place! What Relation has not been abused by sin; and yet both raised up and continued by Providence for your comfort? In every place God that left the marks of his goodness, and you the remembrances of your sinfulness: give your selves but leave to think of these things, and it's strange if your hearts relent not at the remembrance of them.

(6.) Or Lastly, Do but compare your dangers with your fears, and both with the strange out-letts and doors of escape Providence has opened, and it cannot do less than over power you with a full sense of divine care and goodness.

There have been dark clouds seen to rise over you, judgement even at your door, sometimes threating your life, sometimes your liberty, sometimes your estates, and sometimes your dearest relations, in whom it may be, your life was bound up; remember in that day, what faintness of spirit seized you, what charges of guilt stirring up fears of the issue within you: You turned to the Lord in that distress, and has he not made a way to escape, and delivered you from all your fears? Psalm 34:4

Oh is your life such a continued throng, such a distracted hurry, that there is no room to be found with Christians to sit alone, and think on these things, and press these marvellous discoveries of God in his Providences upon their own hearts? Surely, might these things but lye upon our hearts, talk with our thoughts by day, and lodge with us at night; they would even force their passage down to our very Reins.

The Eighth Motive.

DVe observation of Providence will both beget and secure inward tranquillity in your minds amidst the vicissudes and revolutions of things in this unstable vain world.

Psal 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, for the Lord only makes me dwell in safety. He resolves the sinful fears of Events shall not rob him of his inward quiet, nor torture his thoughts with anxious presages: he will commit all his concerns into that faithful fatherly hand that had hitherto wrought all things for him, and he means not to lose the comfort of one nights rest, nor bring the evil of to morrow upon the day, but knowing in whose hand he was, wisely enjoyes the sweet felicity of a resigned will.

Now this Tranquillity of our minds is as much begotten and preserved by a due consideration of Providence, as by any thing whatsoever. Hence it was, that our Lord Jesus Christ, when he would cure the Disciples anxious and distracting sollicitudes about a livelihood, bids them consider the care Providence has over the Birds of the air, and the Lillies of the field, how it feeds the one, and clothes the other without any anxious care of theirs; and would have them well consider those Providences, and reason themselves into a calm and sweet composure of spirit from those considerations, Matthew 6. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

Two things destroy the peace and tranquillity of our lives, our bewailing past disappointments, or fearing future ones. But would we once learn prevision and provision to be divine prerogatives, and take notice how often Providence baffles those that pretend to it, causing the good they foresaw (according to their conjectures) coming to their hand, yet to balk them and lee from them: and the evil they thought themselves sufficiently secured from, to invade them. I say, would we consider how Providence daily baffles these Pretensions of men, and asserts its own Dominion, it would greatly conduce to the tranquillity of our lives.

This is a great truth, that there is no face of Adversity of formidable, but being viewed from this station, would become amicable. Now there be several things in the consideration of Providence, that naturally and kindly compose the mind of a Christian to peace, and bring it to a sweet rest, whilst events hang in a doubtful suspense.

As First, The Supremacy of Providence, and its uncontroulable power in working. This is often seen in the good that it brings us in a way that's above the thoughts and cares of our minds, or labor of our hands. I had not thought (said Jacob) to have seen your face; and lo, God has shewed me your seed also, Genesis 48:11 There is a frequent coincidency of Providences in a way of surprizal, which from no appearance, or the remotest tendency of outward causes could be foreseen, but rather falls visibly cross to the present Scheme, and posture of our affairs. Nothing tends to convince us of the vanity and folly of our own sollicitudes and projections, more than this does.

The profound wisdom of Providence in all that it performs for the people of God. The Wheels are full of eyes, Ezekiel 1:18 (that is, ) there is an intelligent and wise Spirit that sits upon, and governs the affairs of this world.

This wisdom shines out to us in the unexpected, yea, contrary events of things. How oten have we been courting some beautiful appearance that invited our senses, and with trembling shun'd the formidable face of other things, when notwithstanding the issues of Providence have convinced us, that our danger lay in what we couted, and our good in what we so studiously declined? This also is a sweet principle of peace and quiet to the Christians mind, that he knows not, but his good may be imported in what seemed to threaten his ruine. Many were the distresses and straits of Israel in the Wilderness, but all was to humble them, that he might do them good in the latter end, Deuteronomy 8:16 Sad and dismal was the face of that Providence that sent them out of their own land, into the land of the Chaldeans; yet even this was a project to do them good, Jeremiah 24:5 How often have we retracted our rash and headlong censures of things upon experience of this truth! and been taught to bless our afflictions and disappointments in the name of the Lord. Many a time have we kissed those troubles at parting, which we met with trembling. And what can promote peace under doubtful Providences more effectually than this?

The experiences we have had throughout our lives of the faithfulness and constancy of Providence, are of excellent use to allay and quiet our hearts in any trouble that befalls us. Hitherto God has helped, 1 Samuel 7:12 We never found him wanting to us in any case hitherto: this s not the first: strait we have been in: the first time that our hearts and hopes have been low. Surely, he is the same God now as heretofore, his hand is not shortned, neither does his faithfulness ail. O recount in how great extremities former experience has taught you not to despair!

The conjectures Christians may make of the way of Providence towards them, from what its former methods have been towards them, is exceeding quieting and comfortable. It's usual with Christians, to compare times with times, and to guess at the issue of one Providence by another. The saints do know what course Providence usually holds, and accordingly with great probability collect what they may expect from what in like cases they have formerly observed. Christian, examine yours own heart, and its former observations, and you wilt find, as Psalm 89. 30, 31, 32. that it's usually the way of God to prepare some smart rods to correct you, when either your heart has secretly revolted from God, and is grown vain, careless and sensual, or when your steps have declined, and you hast turned aside to the commission of iniquity. And then when those rods have been sanctified to humble, reduce and purge your heart, it's usually observed, that those sad Providences are then upon the change, and then the Lord changes the voice of his Providence towards you, Jeremiah 3. 12, 13. Go, and proclaim these words towards the North, and say, Return you backsliding Israel, says the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, says the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge yours iniquity, &c.

If therefore I find the blessed effects of the rod upon me, that it has done its work, to break the hard heart, and pull down the proud heart, and awaken the drowsie heart, and quicken the slothful, negligent, lazy heart; now with great probability I may conjecture, a more comfortable aspect of Providence will quickly appear, the refreshing and reviving time is nigh.

It is usual with Christians, to argue themselves into fresh reviving hopes, when the state of things is most forlorn, by comparing the Providences of God one with another.

(1.) It is a mighty composing meditation, when we compare the Providences of God towards the inanimate and irrational Creatures, with his Providences towards us. Doth he take care for the very Fowls of the air, for whom no man provides, as well as those at the door which we daily feed? Doth he so clothe the very Grass of the field? hear the young Ravens, when they cry for meat? and can it be supposed, he should forget his own people, that are of much more value than these?

(2.) Or if we compare the bounty and care that Providence has expressed to the Enemies of God, how it feeds and clothes and protects them, even whilst they are fighting against him with his own mercies; it cannot but quiet and satisfy us, that surely he will not be wanting to that people upon whom he has set his love, to whom he has given his Son, and for whom he has designed Heaven it self.

(3.) Or Lastly, It must needs quiet us, when we consider, what the Lord did for us in the way of his Providence, when we our selves were in the state of nature, and enmity against God. Did he not then look after us, when we knew him not? provided for us, when we owned him not in any of his mercies? bestowed thousands of mercies upon us, when we had no title to Christ or any one promise? and will he now do less for us, since we are reconciled and become his Children?

Surely, such considerations as these, cannot: but fill the soul with peace, and preserve the tranquillity of it under the most distracting Providences.

The Ninth Motive.

DVe observations of the ways of God in his Providences towards us, have an excellent usefulness and aptitude to advance and improve Holiness in our hearts and lives. For,

The Holiness of God is manifested to us in all his works of Providence, Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Instruments used by Providence may be very sinful & wicked, they may aim at base ends, & make use of wicked mediums to attain them; but it's certain Gods designs are most pure, and all his workings are so too. Though he permits, limits, orders and over-rules many unholy persons and actions; yet in all he works like himself; and his Holiness is no more defiled and stained by their impurity; than the Sun-beams are by the noisome exhalations of a dunghill, Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgement, a God of truth, and without iniquity: just and right is he. So that in all his Providences he sets before us a perfect pattern of holiness, that we might be holy in all our ways, as our Father is in all his ways. But this is not all.

His Providences if duely observed, promote Holiness, by stopping up our way to sin. Oh if men would but note the designs of God in his preventive Providences, how useful would it be to keep them upright and holy in their ways? For why is it, that the Lord so often hedges up our way with thorns, as it is Hosea 2:6 but that we should not ind our paths to sin? Why does he clogg us, but to prevent our straying from him? 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lest I should be exalted above measure, there was given me a thorn in the slesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me. O 'tis good to attend to these works of God, and study the meaning of them. Sometimes Providence crosseth a hopeful thriving project to advance our estate, and frustrates all our labors and cares; Why is this? but to hide pride from man. Shouldst you prosper in the world, that prosperity might be your snare, and make you a proud, sensual, vain oul; the Lord Jesus sees this, and therefore withdraws the food and fuel from your corruptions.

It may be you hast a crazy, diseased, weak body; you labourest under often infirmities: in this, the wisdom and Care of God over your soul is manifested; for wert you not so clogged, how probable is it, that much more guilt might be contracted? Your poverty does but clog your pride; reproaches clog your ambition: want prevents wantonness: sickness of body conduces to the prevention of many inward gripes of conscience, and groans under guilt.

The Providences of God may be observed to conduce to our holiness, not only by preventing sin, that we may not all into it; but also by purging our sins when we are fallen into them, Isaiah 27:9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin. So Daniel 11. 33, 34, 35. they are of the same use that fire and water are for purging and cleansing; not that they can purge us from sin in their own vertue and power, for if so, those that have most afflictions would have most grace also; but it is in the vertue of Christ's blood, and God's blessing upon afflictive Providences, that they purge us from sin. A Cross without a Crist never did any man good. Now in God's afflictive Providences for sin there are many things that tend to the purging of it. For

(1.) Such rebukes of Providence discover the displeasure of God against us: the Lord frowns upon us in those Providences. Our father is angry, and these are the tokens of it; and nothing works more to the melting of a gracious hear than this. Must not the heart of a Child melt and break whil'st the father is angry. O this is more bitter to our Spirits than all the smart and anguish of the affliction can be to our flesh. See Psalm 38. 1, 2, 3. O Lord rebuke me not in your wrath; neither chasten me in your hot displeasure: for yours arrows stick fast in me; and yours band presses me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of yours anger: neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

(2.) By these rebukes of sin, the evil of sin is discovered more sensibly to us, and we are made to see more clearly the evil of it in these glasses of affliction which Providence at such times sets before us, than formerly we ever saw. Jeremiah 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct you; and your backslidings shall reprove you, know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you hast forsaken the Lord your God, and that my fear is not in you, says the Lord of Hosts. O the Gall and Wormwood that we taste in it under God's rebukes for it!

(3.) Providence blasts and frustrates all sinful projects to the people of God: whoever thrives in them, they shall not. Isaiah 30. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. And this also convinces them of the folly that is in sin, and makes them cleave to the way of simplicity and integrity.

Holiness is promoted in the soul by cautioning and warning the soul against sin for time to come. Job 34:31 I have born chastisement, I will not offend any more. O happy Providences, how smart soever, that make the soul for ever araid of sin! surely such rods are well bestow'd. This gives God his end: and if ever we sorrowed after a godly sort, in the day of our troubles it will work this carefulness. 2 Corinthians 7:11 Behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, &c. O if ever a man have been under a sanctified rod which has shewed him the evil of sin, and kindly humbled him for it; and a temptation should again sollicite him to the same evil: Why thinks he, what a madness is it for me to buy repentance at so dear a rate? Have I not smarted enough already? You may as well ask me, whether I will run again into the ire, after I have been already scorcht in it?

To conclude, Providences do greatly improve and promote holiness by drawing the soul into the presence of God, and giving it the opportunity and occasion of much communion with him. Comfortable Providences will do this, they will melt a man's heart in love to the God of his mercies, and so pain his bowels that he shall not be quiet till he have found a place to pour out his soul in thankfulness to the Lord. 2 Samuel 7:18

Afflictive Providences will drive us to the feet: of God, and there make us to judge and condemn our selves. And all this has an excellent use to destroy sin, and promote holiness in the soul.

The Tenth Motive.

LAstly, The Consideration and study of Providence will be of singular use to us in a dying hour. Hereby we treasure up that which will singularly sweeten our death to us, and greatly assist our faith in the last encounter. You find when Jacob dyed, what reflections he had upon the dealings of God with him in the various Providences of his life. See Genesis 4:8 3, 7, 15, 16. In like manner you ind Joshua recording the Providences of God when at the brink of the grave: they were the subject of his dying discourse. Joshua 24. And I cannot but think it a sweet close to the life of any Christian: It must needs sweeten a death-bed to recount there the several remarkable passages of God's care and love to us from our beginning to that day: to reflect upon the mercies that went along with us all the way, when we are come to the end of it. O Christians, treasure up these instances for such a time as that is; that you may go out of the world blessing God for all the goodness and truth he has performed to you all your life long. Now the meditations of these things must needs be of great use in that day, if you consider the following particulars.

The time of Death is the time when souls are usually most violently assaulted by Satan with horrid temptations and black suggestions. We may say of that igurative, as it's said of. the natural Serpent, nunquam nisi moriens, producitur in longum, He never exerts his utmost rage till the last encounter; and then his great design is to persuade the saints, that God loves them not, has no care nor regard for them, nor their cryes; though they pray for ease and cry for sparing mercy, they see none comes. He handles them with as much roughness and severity as other men; yea, many of the vilest and most dissolute wretches endure less torments, and are more gently handled than they. Psalm 73:4 there are no bands in their death, when as you must go through a long lane of sickness to the grave, and endure many deaths in one.

But what credit can these plausible tales of Satan obtain with a Christian who has been treasuring up all his life long the memorials of God's tender regard both to his wants and prayers, and that has careully remarked the evident returns of his prayers, and gracious condescensions of God to him rom his beginning to that moment? In this case his says is mightily assisted by thousands of experiences which back and encourage it, and will not suffer the soul to give up so easily a truth which he has so often sensibly felt and tasted. I am sure (says he) God has had a tender fatherly care of me ever since I became his: he never failed me yet in any former strait; and I cannot believe he will do so now. I know his love is like himself, unchangeable. Job. 13:1 having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end: for this God is our God for ever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14 Did he love me in my youth, and will he cast me off in my decrepit age? O God, (says the Psalmist) you hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared your wondrous works, now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not, Psalm 71. 17, 18.

At death the saints are engaged in the last, and one of the most eminent works of faith, even the committing themselves into the hands of God, when we are lanching forth into that vast Eternity, and entring into that new state which will make so great a change upon us in a moment. In this Christ sets us a pattern, Luke 23:46 Father into your hands I commend my spirit; and having said thus he gave up the Ghost. So Stephen at his death, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and immediately fell asleep, Act. 7:59

There be two signal and remarkable acts of faith, both exceedingly difficult, namely, its first act, and its last. The first is a great venture that it makes of it self upon Christ: and the last is a great venture too, to cast it self into the Ocean of Eternity upon the credit of a Promise. But yet I know the first adventure of the soul upon Christ is much more difficult than the last adventure upon death; and that which makes it so is in great measure, the manifold recorded experiences that the soul has been gathering up from the day of its espousals to Christ unto its dying which is (in a sense) its marriage day. Oh with what encouragement may a soul throw himself into the arms of that God with whom he has so long conversed and walked in this world! Whose visits have been sweet and frequent, with whom the soul has contracted so intimate acquaintance in this world; whom it has committed all its affairs to formerly, and still ound him a faithful God; and now has no reason to doubt, but it shall find him so in this last distress and exigence also.

At death the people of God receive the last mercies that ever they shall receive in this world by the hand of Providence, and are immediately to make up their Accounts with God or all the mercies that ever they received from his hand. What can be more suitable therefore to a dying person, than to recount with himself the mercies of his whole life, the manifold receipts of favor for which he is to reckon with God speedily: and how shall this be done without a due and serious observation and recording of them now? I know there are thousands of mercies forgotten by the best of Christians: a memory of brass cannot contain them: And I know also that Jesus Christ must make up the Account for us, or it will never pass with God; yet it is our duty to keep the Accounts of our own mercies, and how they have been improv'd by us, for we are Stewards, and then are to give an Account of our Stewardship.

At death we owe an Account also to men, and stand obliged (if there be opportunity for it) to make known to them that survive us what we have seen and found of God in this world, that we may leave a testimony for God with men, and bring up a good report upon his ways. Thus dying Jacob when Joseph was come to take his last farewell of him in this world, strengthened himself and sate upon the bed, and related to him the eminent appearances of God to him, and the places where, Genesis 48. 2, 3. as also an account of his afflictions, Verse 7. So Joshua in his last speech to the people makes it his business to vindicate and clear the truth of the Promises, by recounting to them how the Providence of God had fulfill'd the same to a tittle in his day. Joshua 23:14 And behold (says he) this day I am going the way of all the earth, and ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed thereof.

And certainly 'tis of great importance to the world, to understand the Judgements, and hear of the Experiences of dying men. They of all men are presumed to be most wise and most serious: Besides, this is the last opportunity that ever we shall have in this world to speak for God. O then what a sweet thing would it be to close up our lives with an honourable Account of the ways of God! to go out of the world blessing him for all the mercies and truth which he has here performed to us! how would this encourage weak Christians, and convince the Atheistical world, that verily there is a reality and an excellency in the ways and people of God!

At death we begin the Angelical life of praise and thanksgiving. We then enter upon that everlasting sweet employment; and as I doubt not but the Providences in which we were concerned in this world will be a part of that Song which we shall sing in Heaven, so certainly it will become us to tune our hearts and tongues for it whil'st we are here, and especially when we are ready to enter upon that blessed state. O therefore let it be your daily meditation and study what God has been to you, and done for you, from the beginning of his way hitherto.

And thus I have spread before you some encouragements to this blessed work. Oh that you would be persuaded to this lovely and every way beneicial practice. This I dare presume to say, that whoever finds a careful and a thankful heart to record and treasure up the daily experiences of God's mercy to him, shall never want new mercies to record to his dying day. It was said of Claudian that he wanted matter suitable to the excellency of his parts; but where is the head or heart that is suitable to this matter? who can utter the mighty works of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? Psalm 106:2

Thus I have through the aid of Providence dispatched the main design I aimed at in the choice of this subject. All that remains will now be speedily finished in some few Corollaries to be briely noted upon the whole, and three or four practical Cases to be stated. You have heard how Providence perormeth all things for you. Learn thence,

First Corollary.

THat God is therefore to be owned by you in all that befalls you in this world, whether it be in way of success and comfort, or of trouble and affliction. O 'tis your duty to observe his hand and disposal: When God gives you comforts, 'tis your great evil not to observe his hand in them. Hence was that charge against Israel, os. 2:8 She did not know that I gave her Corn and Wine and Oil, and multiplied her Silver and Gold (i. e.) she did not actually and affectionately consider my care over her and goodness to her, in these mercies. And so for afflictions, 'tis a great wickedness, when God's hand is listed up not to see it. Isaiah 26:11 The Ox knows his owner, and the Ass his masters crib, Isaiah 1:3 the most dull and stupid creatures know their benefactors. O look to the hand of God in all; and know, that neither your comforts nor afflictions do arise out of the dust, or spring up out of the ground.

Second Corollary.

IF God perform all things for you, how great is his condescension to and care over his people! What is man (says Job, chap. 7. v. 17, 18.) that you shouldst magnifie him, and set yours heart upon him? and that you shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment? Such is his tender care over you that he withdraws not his eye from you. See Job 36:7 lest any hurt you, he himself will guard and keep you day and night. Isaiah 27:3 Should he withdraw his eye or hand one moment from you, that moment would be your ruine. Ten thousand evils watch but for such an opportunity, to rush in upon you, and destroy you and all your comorts. You, are too dear to him to be trusted in any hand but his own. Deuteronomy 33:3 All his saints are in your hand.

Third Corollary.

LEarn hence how you are obliged to perform all duties and services for God, who performs all things for you. It was the wish of a good man, optarem id me esse Deo, quod est mihi manus mea, Oh that I could be to God what my hand is to me, Viz. a serviceable useful instrument. Shall God do all things for you, and will you do nothing for God? Is Providence every moment at work for you, and will you be idle? To what purpose then is all that God has done for you? Is it not the aim and design of all, to make you a fruitful people? If God plant, and fence, and water you by Providence, sure he looks you should bring forth fruit. Isaiah 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. O that in return for all the benefits of Providence, you would say to God, as grateful Elisha said to the Shunamite, behold you hast been careful for us with all this care, what is to be done for you? 2 Kings 4:13 and with David, Psalm 116:12 what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me! He is ever doing you good; be you always abounding in his work. His Providence stands by you in your greatest distresses and dangers; don't you flinch from God when his service and your duty is compassed about with difficulties. O be active for that God who is acting every moment for you.

Fourth Corollary.

DOth God perform all things for his people? Do not distrust him then as often as new or great difficulties arise. Why should you think he that has done so many things for you, will now do no more? Surely, the Lords hand is not shortned that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear; if any thing put a stop to his mercy, 'tis your iniquities, your distrust and infidelity. Isaiah 59:1 How long will it be ere you believe him? If a thousand and ten thousand of tryals and experiences of his tender care, faithfulness and love will cure this distemper in you, you have them at hand to do it. If the frequent confutations of this your distrust by the unexpected breakings out of mercy for you under like discouragements will cure it, look back and you may see them. Certainly you have been often forced by Providence with shame and repentance to retract your rash censures of his care; and yet will you fall into the same distemper again? Oh that you would once learn this great truth, That no man ever wanted that mercy, which he wanted not an heart to trust and wait quietly upon God for. You never yet sought God in vain, except when you sought him vainly.

The Fith Corollary.

DOth God perform all things for you? then seek God for all by prayer, and never undertake any design without him: Certainly, if he do not perform it for you, you can never have what you desire and labor or: and though he have designed to perform this or that mercy for you, yet for these things he will be enquired of that he may do it for you: Ezekiel 36:37 I reckon that business as good as done, that mercy as good as if it were in hand, that trouble as good as over, for the doing, enjoying, or removing whereof we have engaged God by prayer. 'Tis our olly to engage this instrument and that for us, to attempt this way and that to compass our design, and all the while forget him upon whose pleasure all instruments and means entirely depend. That which begins not with prayer, seldom winds up with comfort. The way of man is not in himself; if it were, prayer might then be reckon'd lost labor. O let him that performs all, be owned and acknowledged in all.

The sixth Corollary.

LAstly, If God perform all things for us, then it is our great Interest and concernment in all things to study to please him, upon whom we depend for all things.

It is a grave and weighty observation of Chrysostome. Nothing (says he) should be grievous and bitter to a Christian, but to provoke the displeasure of God. Avoid that, and no affliction or trouble whatever can cast down such a prudent soul; but even as a spark is easily extinguish'd in the Sea, so will the favor of God extinguish those troubles. It is with such a soul (says he) as it is with the Heavens; we think the Heavens suffer when they are over-spread with clouds, and the Sun suffers when it is eclipsed; but there is no such thing, they suffer not when they seem to suffer. Tranquillus Deus, tranquillat omnia. Every thing is well, and shall be well, when all is well betwixt us and God. The great consolation of the saints lyes in this, that all that concerns them is in the hands of their father. Pene desperassem nisi Christus esset caput Ecclesiae. I had utterly despair'd (said Luther) had not Christ been head of the Church. When he that performs all things is our God, even our God that delights in our prosperity, that rejoyces over us to do us good, what ample security is here in the greatest confusions and dangers? When one told Bouromeus that there were some that laid wait for his life, his answer was, An Deus est in mundo pro nihilo? What, is God in the world for nothing? And as notable was the reply of Silentiarius in a like case, si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? If God take no care of me, how do I live, how have I subsisted hitherto? Though it seems a Romance to many (says a late grave Author) yet we must either quit the Scripture, or give credit to this, that the most infallible Rules for one to raise his fortune and ensure a destiny that can controul the stars, are given forth there (namely, in the Scriptures) where that evidently is found, Sapiens dominabitur Astris, & quomodo unusquisque faber potest esse fortunae suae. A good man may even be his own Carver. O that we would but steer our course according to those rare politicks of the Bible, those divine Maxims of wisdom. Fear nothing but sin. Study nothing so much as how to please God. Warp not from your integrity under any temptation. Trust God in the way of your duty. These are sure Rules to secure your selves and your Interest in all the Vicissitudes of this life.

MY last work will be to state three or four practical cases about this subject, and so I shall shut up this discourse of Providence.