First Case: Providence in Conversion
HOw may a Christian discover the will of God and his own duty under dark and doubtful Providences?
In order to the clearing of this Case, we are to consider, what is meant by the will of God; what by those doubtful Providences, that make the discovery of his will difficult, and what rules are to be observed for the clearing up of Gods will to our selves under such difficult and puzzling Providences.
As to the Will of God, it falls under a twofold consideration, of his secret and revealed Will; this distinction is found in that Scripture, Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us, &c. The first is the rule of his own actions; the later of ours: and this only is concerned in the Quere.
This Revealed Will of God is either manifested to us in his Word, or in his Works. The former is his commanding Will, the later his effecting or permitting Will; the one versant about good, the other about evil.
In these ways God manifests his Will to men, but yet with great variety and difference, both as to the things revealed, the persons to whom he reveals them, and the degrees of clearness in which they are revealed.
(1.) As to the things revealed, there is great differenc: for the great and necessary duties of Religion are revealed to us in the Word, with greatest perspicuity and evidence. About these there can be no hesitation; but things of a lower nature and lesser concern are left more obscure.
(2.) As to the persons to whom God reveals his Will, there is great difference; some are strong men, others babes, 1 Corinthians 3:1 Some have senses exercised, others are of weak and dull understanding; and we know every thing is received according to the ability and measure of the person receiving it. Hence it is, that one mans way is very plain before him, he knows what he ought to do: the other is ever and anon at a loss, bivious and uncertain what to do.
(3.) The manner of Gods revealing his Will to men is also very different. Some have had special, personal, and peculiar discoveries of it made to them. So had Samuel about the choice of the person whom he should anoint King, 1 Samuel 9:15 And so had David, 1 Samuel 23. 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12. where you find upon his enquiry of God (likely by the Vrim and Thummim) God told him what was his duty as to that expedition, and what would be the event of it.
But now, all are tyed up to the ordinary standing rule of the written Word, and must not expect any such extraordinary revelations from God. The way we now have to know the Will of God concerning us in difficult cases, is to search and study the Scriptures, and where we find no particular rule to guide us in this or that particular case, there we are to apply general rules, and govern our selves according to the Analogy and proportion they bear towards each other.
But now it often falls out, that in such doubtful cases we are entangled in our own thoughts, and put to a loss what course to take. We pray with David. that God would make his way plain before us, Psalm 5:8 Afraid we are of displeasing God, and yet doubtful we may do so; whether we resolve this way, or that. And this comes to pass not only through the difficulty of the case, but from our own ignorance and inadvertency; and very frequently from those Providences that lye before us, wherein God seems to hint his mind to us, this way or that, and whether we may safely guide our selves by those intimations of Providence, is doubtful to us.
That God does give men secret hints and intimations of his Will by his Providence, cannot be doubted; but yet Providences in themselves, are no stable rule of duty, nor sufficient discovery of the Will of God. We may say of them, as it is, Job 23. 8, 9. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there: and backward, but I cannot perceive him: an the left hand where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
If Providence in it self be allowed to be a suicient discovery of Gods Will to us, then we shall be forced often times to justifie and condemn the same cause or person, forasmuch as there is one event happens to all, and as it falls out to the good, so to the wicked, Ecclesiastes 9:2 Beside, if Providence alone were the Rule to judge any action or design by; then a wicked undertakement would cease to be so, if it should succeed well; but sin is sin still, and duty is duty still, what ever the events and issues of either be.
The safest way therefore to make use of Providence in such cases is, to consider them as they follow the commands or promises of the Word, and not singly and separately in themselves. If you search the Scriptures with an indifferent and unbyassed spirit, in a doubtful case, pray for counsel and direction from the Lord, attend to the dictates of Conscience. And when you have done all, shall find the Providences of God falling out agreeably to the dictates of your own conscience, and the best light you can find in the Word, you may in such cases make use of it as an encouragement to you, in the way of your duty: But the most signal demonstrations of Providence are not to be accepted against a Scripture rule; no smiles or successes of Providences may in this case encourage us to proceed; and on the other side, no frowns or discouragements of Providence should dishearten us in the way of our duty, how many soever we should encounter therein. Holy Job could not find the meaning of God in his Works, yet would he not go back from the commandments of his lips, Job 23:9 The like resolution you ind in David, to proceed in his duty, and cleave to the Word, how many stumbling blocks soever Providence should permit to be laid in his way. I am become (says he) like a bottle in the smoke (not only blackt, but withered up by troubles) yet do I not forget your Statutes, Psalm 119:83 and again Ver. 87. They had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not your precepts.
Paul by the direction of the Spirit was engaged to go to Jerusalem, Acts 20:22 After a clear revelation of the mind of God to him in that matter, how many difficult and discouraging Providences beell him in his way? The Disciples at Tyre said to him by the Spirit (though in that they ollowed their own spirits) that he should not go to Jerusalem, Acts 21:4
Then at Cesarea he met Agabus a Prophet, who told him what should beall him when he came thither, Chap. 21. 10, 11. all this will not disswade him. And after all this, how passionately do the Brethren beseech him to decline that journey? Ver. 12, 13. Yet knowing his rule, and resolving to be faithful to it, he puts by all and proceeds in his journey.
Well then, Providence in concurrence with the Word may give some encouragement to us in our way; but no testimony of Providence is to be accepted against the Word. If Scripture and Conscience tell you, such a way is sinful, you may not venture upon it, how many opportunities and encouragements soever Providence may suffer to offer themselves to you, for they are only permitted for your Tryal, not your encouragement: Take this therefore for a sure Rule, That no Providence can legitimate, or justifie any moral evil. Nor will it be a plea before God for any man to say, The Providence of God gave me encouragement to do it, though the Word gave me none. If thereore in doubtful cases, you would discover Gods will, govern your selves in your search after it by these Rules.
Get the true fear of God upon your hearts, be really afraid of offending him, God will not hide his mind from such a oul, Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his Covenant.
Study the Word more, and the concerns and interests of the world less. The Word is a light to your feet, Psalm 119:105 (i. e.) it has a discovering and directive usefulness as to all duties to be done, and dangers to be avoided: it is the great Oracle at which you are to enquire: treasure up its rules in your hearts, and you will walk safely, Psalm 119:11 your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Reduce what you know into practice, and you shall know what is your duty to practise, Joh. 7:17 If any man do his will he shall know of the doctrine. Psalm 111:10 A good understanding have all they that do thereafter.
Pray for illumination and direction in the way that you should go; beg the Lord to guide you in straits, and that he would not suffer you to fall into sin. This was the holy practice of Ezra, chap. 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might afflict our selves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
And this being done, ollow Providence so far as it agrees with the word, and no farther. There is no use to be made of Providence against the word, but in subserviency to it. And there are two excellent uses of Providence in subserviency to the word. (1.) Providences as they follow Promises and prayer are Evidences of God's faithfulness in their Accomplishment. When David languished under a disease, and his Enemies began to triumph in the hopes of his downfall; he prays, Psalm 41:10 that God would be merciful to him, and raise him up; and by that, he says, he knew the Lord favoured him, because his Enemy did not triumph over him, ver. 11. this Providence he looked upon as a token for good, as elsewhere he calls it, Psalm 86:17 And (2.) Providences give us loud calls to those duties which the Command lays upon us, and tell us when we are actually and presently under the obligation of the Commands as to the performance of them. Thus when sad Providences befall the Church or our selves, they call us to humiliation; and let us know that then the command upon us to humble our selves at the feet of God is in force upon us, Micah 6:9 The Lords voice cryeth to the City, and the man of wisdom shall see your name, hear the rod, and who has appointed it. The Rod has a voice; and what does it speak? Why now is the time to humble your selves under the mighty hand of God. This is the day of trouble in which God has bid you to call upon him. And contra, when comfortable Providences refresh us, it now informs us, this is the time to rejoyce in God according to the rule, Ecclesiastes 7:14 in the day of prosperiy be joyful. These precepts bind always, but not to always. It's our duty therefore and our wisdom to distinguish seasons, and know the proper duties of every season: and Providence is an Index that points them out to us. Thus of the first Case.
