Q11. What are God's works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
Q1. How does it appear that there is a providence?
A. From scripture, and by reason.
Q2. How does the scripture evidence that there is a providence?
A. It tells us, that the Lord preserves man and beast, Psalm 36:6; that he gives "rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness," Acts 14:17; that "he giveth to all, life, and breath, and all things," Acts 17:25.
Q3. How may providence be proved by reason?
A. The admirable order and harmony among such a vast variety of creatures in the world, continuing for so many ages, notwithstanding of their different and opposite natures; the accomplishment of future events, exactly according to the predictions of them long before; the revolutions of kingdoms; the orderly returns of seed-time and harvest; and the preservation of a church on earth, against the fury of hell and wicked men: all these plainly evince, to the rational world, that there is a providence.
Q4. Can providence be denied without denying the being of God?
A. No; for the same arguments that prove the one, prove the other: to deny that God governs the world, is to deny that God exists, Isaiah 41:23.
Q5. What is the object of God's providence, or to what does it extend?
A. To all his creatures, and all their actions.
Q6. What is God's providence towards the angels?
A. He permitted some of them to fall wilfully and irrecoverably into sin and damnation, Jude verse 6; and established the rest in holiness and happiness, 1 Tim. 5:21.
Q7. Are the smallest and meanest of the creatures the objects of God's providence, as well as the greatest and most considerable?
A. God's providence disdains not the meanest worm, more than the mightiest prince: he counts the hairs of our head, Matt. 10:30, as well as the number of the stars, Psalm 147:4.
Q8. Does it reflect any dishonour upon the providence of God to take care of the meanest creatures?
A. It can reflect no dishonour upon divine providence, to preserve what infinite wisdom saw meet to create, be it ever so mean in our view, Neh. 9:6.
Q9. Does providence extend to all the actions of the creatures, as well as to the creatures themselves?
A. Yes; otherwise the creatures would be independent in their actions; and God would not be in all things the first cause, Gen. 45:7.
Q10. Are casual or contingent actions subject to divine providence?
A. What is casual to us, is ordained by God: nothing can be more casual than a lot, yet "the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord," Proverbs 16:33.
Q11. Are voluntary or free actions subject to it likewise?
A. Yes; for, though "there are many devices in a man's heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand," Proverbs 19:21.
Q12. How is the providence of God conversant about good actions?
A. Not by compelling, but sweetly inclining and determining the will, both to the action and the right manner of performing it. Phil. 2:13 - "It is God who worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure."
Q13. How is it conversant about sinful actions?
A. In permitting them to be done, Acts 14:16; and in limiting and directing them to good and holy ends, contrary both to the nature of sin, and the intention of the sinner, 2 Kings 19:28.
Q14. What scripture instance may be given, of God's over-ruling the sinful actions of men to holy ends?
A. The worst action that ever was committed, the crucifying the Lord of glory, was ordered and directed by God, for bringing about the greatest mercy, the redemption of a lost world, Acts 2:23, and 4:28.
Q15. What are the works of providence about the creatures and their actions?
A. They are two; God's preserving them, and his governing them.
Q16. What is God's preserving work of providence?
A. It is his upholding all the creatures in their being and operation, by the same power by which he made them at first, Heb. 1:3 - "Upholding all things, by the word of his power."
Q17. What would be the consequence of God's withholding from the creatures his preserving providence?
A. They would presently sink into their original nothing, Psalm 104:29 - "Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust."
Q18. What is God's governing work of providence?
A. His:directing and leading all his creatures to the proper ends, which he has prescribed and appointed, Proverbs 16:9 - "A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps."
Q19. How do you prove that God governs as well as preserves his creatures?
A. From their dependence upon him for operation, as well as for being; for in him they live and move, as well as have their being, Acts 17:28; and it is expressly said, that "God ruleth by his power for ever," Psalm 66:7.
Q20. Does God's governing providence include in it his immediate concurrence with every action of the creature?
A. Yes; God not only efficaciously concurs in producing the action, as to the matter of it; but likewise predetermines the creature to such or such an action, and not to another, Isaiah 10:6, 7; shutting up all other ways of acting, and leaving that only open, which he had determined to be done, Ezek. 21:21, 22.
Q21. How can God concur with the sinful actions of men, without sin, of which he cannot be the author?
A. Although God not only preserves and supports the faculties with which a man sins, but likewise previously, immediately, and efficaciously concurs to the substance, matter, or entity of the action, yet he by no means concurs to the sinfulness or wickedness of the act, Isaiah 10:6, 7.
Q22. In what does the sinfulness of an action properly consist?
A. Not in the matter of the action, but in the form of it; that is, not in the action itself, considered as an act, but in the deficiency or swerving of that act from the rule of the law, 1 John 3:4 - "Sin is the transgression of the law."
Q23. How may the difference between the matter and form of an action be illustrated by an example?
A. In the stoning of Achan and Naboth; the matter of the action was the same, namely, the throwing of stones; but the form of the action, in point of conformity or disconformity to the law, was vastly different: the stoning of Achan, condemned by God, and all Israel, was an act of just punishment, agreeable to the law; but the stoning of Naboth, an innocent man, was an act of unjust murder, quite contrary to the law, Ex. 20:13.
Q24. From whence then does the sinfulness or viciousness of actions proceed?
A. Although the power of acting be from God, yet the viciousness or malignity of the action is entirely from the inherent corruption of our own nature, James 1:13, 14.
Q25. Does not God present the object which is the occasion of sinning?
A. Sin does not arise from the object which God, in his providence, presents to us, but from our own inward depravity, called, "the corruption that is in the world through lust," 2 Pet. 1:4. God delivered Christ to the Jews; he presented him to them; but neither infused that malice in them, by which they crucified him, nor did excite it, but it was entirely of themselves, Acts 2:23.
Q26. What are the properties of God's providence?
A. It is most holy, wise, and powerful.
Q27. Why is the providence of God called most holy?
A. Because of the infinite holiness and purity that shines in all his administrations, Psalm 145:17.
Q28. In what does the holiness of God's providence appear?
A. In bringing glory to his mercy and justice out of sin.
Q29. How does he bring glory to his mercy out of sin?
A. In making the worst of sinners become the choicest of saints, as in the instance of Paul, 1 Tim. 1:12, 13, and others.
Q30. How does he bring glory to his justice out of sin?
A. By the judgments which he executes upon sinners, even in this life, Psalm 9:16.
Q31. Why is the providence of God said to be wise?
A. Because it makes all things subservient to the end which God had fixed for himself, Rom. 8:28.
Q32. How is the wisdom of providence manifested?
A. In the exact harmony of all the motions thereof with the word, Hos. 14:9.
Q33. Why is God's providence called powerful?
A. Because it cannot be resisted, Dan. 4:35 - "He doth according to his will, in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what dost thou?"
Q34. How does the power of providence discover itself?
A. In bringing about great events, by small and apparently contemptible means: thus, he makes worm Jacob to thresh the mountains, Isaiah 41:15; and by the foolishness of preaching saves them that believe, 1 Cor. 1:21.
Q35. How is the providence of God usually distinguished?
A. Into ordinary and extraordinary, common and special.
Q36. What is the ordinary providence of God?
A. It is his observing the order of things, which he appointed from the beginning, Hos. 2:21, 22.
Q37. What is the extraordinary providence of God?
A. It is his going beyond, or contrary to the natural order of things; and such events are called miraculous.
Q38. What is a miracle?
A. It is such an astonishing and surprising effect, contrary to the ordinary course of nature, as surpasses the power of all created beings, and can be produced by divine omnipotence only; such as, dividing the waters of the Red Sea and Jordan, making the sun to stand still, raising the dead, giving eye-sight to the born blind, curing all manner of diseases by a word, and the like.
Q39. What is common providence?
A. It is that which is exercised about all the creatures in general, Acts 17:28, called God's natural government.
Q40. What is special providence?
A. It is that which is exercised about rational creatures in particular, Deut. 30:1518, called his moral government.
Q41. What is the special providence which God exercises about his church and people?
A. His "eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him," 2 Chron. 16:9; and he makes all things work together for their good, Rom. 8:28.
Q42. Are not all the dispensations of providence, prosperous or adverse, to be carefully observed?
A. Yes; for "whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord," Psalm 107:43.
Q43. How are the providences of God to be observed?
A. With humility and reverence, under a sense of our weakness to penetrate into them, Rom. 11:34; and with gratitude and thankfulness, because there is always some mixture of mercy with judgment in this life, Psalm 101:1.
Q44. Is it not dangerous to overlook the operations of divine providence?
A. Yes; for it is said, Psalm 28:5 - "Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up."
Q45. Are not some dispensations of providence very dark and mysterious?
A. Yes; his ways are many times in the sea, and his paths in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known, Psalm 77:19.
Q46. In what does the mystery of providence appear?
A. In the mysterious tract, and mysterious outward appearance of it.
Q47. How is providence mysterious in the tract of it?
A. In attaining its end by seemingly contrary means; such as making Joseph's imprisonment the step to his being second in the kingdom, and the casting of Daniel into the lions' den, the path to his higher preferment.
Q48. In what is providence mysterious in the outward appearance of it?
A. In that "all things come alike unto all;" there being one event to the righteous and to the wicked: and no man knowing love or hatred, by all that is before him in this life, Eccl. 9:1, 2.
Q49. How do you prove that love or hatred cannot be known by the outward dispensations of providence in this life?
A. From the parable of the rich man and Lazarus; the rich man, in his lifetime, received good things, and Lazarus evil things; and yet, after death, Lazarus is comforted, and the other tormented, Luke 16:19-28.
Q50. Is this seemingly unequal appearance of providence in this life, any reflection upon the wisdom and righteousness of it?
A. No; for, though good men may be sometimes put to a stand by the outward prosperity of the wicked, and the straits and wants of the godly, as Jeremiah was, chap. 12:1 - "wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?" yet, if the enjoyments of the one, and wants of the other, are laid in the balance, it would be found, that a "little that the righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked," Psalm 37:16.
Q51. What is our duty when providence seems to run contrary to the promise?
A. It is to believe the promise, and that providence is running in a direct line to the accomplishment of it, though we cannot see it at the time, as Abraham did, "who against hope believed in hope, and staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief," Rom. 4:18, 20.
Q52. Will not dark providences be opened to the saints some time or other?
A. Yes; for, says Christ, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter," John 13:7.
Q53. When will the mystery of providence be opened to the saints?
A. It shall be fully unveiled at the end of the day, when the mystery of it shall be finished, and all the labyrinths, in which the saints were led, fully unwinded, Rev. 10:6, 7.
Q54. What will be the language of the saints, when the whole mystery of providence shall be explained?
A. They will say, "He hath done all things well," Mark 7:37 - "Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord spake; - all are come to pass, - not one thing hath failed thereof," Josh. 23:14.
Q55. What improvement ought we to make of this doctrine of providence?
A. To commit our way to the Lord; to "trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass," Psalm 37:5.
Q1. How does it appear that there is a Divine Providence?
A. It appears by plain scripture testimonies. Hebrews 1:3. Upholding all things by the word of his power. Colossians 1:17. By him all things consist. Luke. 12:6, 7. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God; but even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Q2. How else is providence evinced?
A. By scripture emblems; as Jacob's ladder, Genesis 28:12, 13. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven; behold the angels of God ascended and descended on it: And Ezekiel's wheels, Ezekiel 1:20. Wherever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go, and the wheels were lifted up over against them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Q3. What farther scripture evidence is there?
A. The sure accomplishment of scripture predictions; as Israel's captivity, and deliverance from Egypt and Babylon; Christ's incarnation; the rise and ruin of the four monarchies; Daniel 2:31. You, O king, saw, and behold a great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you, and the form thereof was terrible. Daniel 7:3. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from the other.
Q4. What is its first act about the creatures?
A. It sustains, preserves, provides for them; Psalm 145:15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon you, and you give them their meat in due season; you open your hand, and satisfied the desire of every living thing, and defend them from danger. Psalm 36:6. Your righteousness is like the great mountains, your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, you preserve man and beast.
Q5. What is the second act of providence about the creatures?
A. It rules and governs the creatures and their actions; Psalm 66:7. He rules by his power forever, his eyes behold the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Q6. How manifold is Divine Providence?
A. It is common and general over all, or special and peculiar to some men; 1 Timothy 4:10. Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.
Q7. How is providence exercised about sinful actions?
A. In permitting them; Acts 4:16. In restraining them; Psalm 76:10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise you, and the remainder of wrath shall you restrain. And over-ruling them to good; Genesis 50:20. But as for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Q8. What are the properties of providence?
A. It is (1.) Holy; Psalm 145:17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. (2.) Wise; Psalm 104:24. O Lord, how manifold are all your works! in wisdom have you made them all. (3.) Powerful? Daniel 4:35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and he does according to his will, in the armies of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What do you?
Q9. What is the first instruction from it?
A. That God's people are safe amidst all their enemies and dangers; 2 Chronicles 16:9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose hearts are perfect toward him.
Q10. What is the second instruction from it.
A. That prayer is the best expedient to prosperity and success of our lawful affairs; Psalm 145:18. The Lord is near unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Q11. What is the third instruction from it?
A. That God's people should rest quietly in the care of his providence for them in all their straits; Matthew 6:26. Behold the birds of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet our heavenly Father feeds them: are not you much better than they?
Q12. What is the last instruction from it?
A. That it is no small privilege to be adopted children of God, and the members of Christ; for all is ordered for their eternal good; Ephesians 1:22, 23. And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. Of the Covenant of Works
Q1. When God had made the world, did he leave it to itself?
A. No: For he upholdeth all things by the word of his power, Heb. 1:3.
Q2. Does he see to the whole creation?
A. Yes: For the eyes of the Lord are in every place, Prov. 15:3.
Q3. Does he condescend to take notice of his creatures?
A. Yes: He humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth, Ps. 113:6.
Q4. Is any thing at a distance from him?
A. No: For he is not far from every one of us, Acts 17:27.
Q5. Does he look on as one unconcerned?
A. No: For his eyes behold, and his eyelids try, the children of men, Ps. 11:4.
Q6. Does God look after the world of angels?
A. Yes: For he maketh peace in his high places, Job 25:2.
Q7. Does he look after this lower world?
A. Yes: For the eyes of all wait upon him, Ps. 145:15.
Q8. Does he take care of the fowls?
A. Yes: Our heavenly Father feedeth them, Matt. 6:26.
Q9. What! even the sparrows?
A. Yes: Not one of them shall fall to the ground without our Father, Matt. 10:29.
Q10. What! and the ravens?
A. Yes: He feeds the young ravens which cry, Ps. 147:9.
Q11. Is he the Protector and Benefactor of all the creatures?
A. Yes: Thou preservest them all, Neh. 9:6.
Q12. Is he man's Protector and Benefactor?
A. Yes: For in him we live, and move, and have our being, Acts 17:28.
Q13. Do we depend upon God for the support of our life?
A. Yes: For he holdeth our soul in life, Ps 66:9.
Q14. And for the comforts of life?
A. Yes: For he giveth us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14:17.
Q15. And do we depend upon him for the safety of our life?
A. Yes: He keepeth all our bones, Ps. 34:20.
Q16. And for the continuance of life?
A. Yes: For he is thy life, and the length of thy days, Deut. 30:20.
Q17. Does God govern all things?
A. Yes: His kingdom ruleth over all, Ps. 103:19.
Q18. Does he govern the holy angels?
A. Yes: For they do his commandments, Ps. 103:20.
Q19. Does he govern the heavenly bodies?
A. Yes: The stars in their courses fought against Sisera, Judg. 5:20.
Q20. Does he govern the power of the air?
A. Yes: Stormy winds fulfil his word, Ps 148:8.
Q21. Does he order what weather it shall be?
A. Yes: For he saith to the snow, Be thou upon the earth, Job 37:6.
Q22. And does he govern the inferior creatures?
A. Yes: He spake, and locusts came, Ps. 105:34.
Q23. Can he command them?
A. Yes: I have commanded the ravens to feed thee, 1 Kings 17:4.
Q24. Can he control them?
A. Yes: He shut the lions' mouths, Dan 6:22.
Q25. Has he a sovereign dominion over the whole creation?
A. Yes; For the Lord of hosts is his name, Isa 47:4.
Q26. Does God govern the children of men?
A. Yes; The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, Dan 4:32.
Q27. Does he govern kings?
A. Yes: For the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Prov. 21:1.
Q28. And does he govern kingdoms?
A. Yes; For he is the Governor among the nations, Ps. 22:28.
Q29. And families too?
A. Yes; For except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it, Ps 127:1.
Q30. Does be govern great men?
A. Yes: For God is the judge, he puts down one, and sets up another, Ps. 75:6,7.
Q31. And mean men too?
A. Yes: For every man's judgment proceedeth from the Lord, Prov. 29:26.
Q32. Can man make his own fortune?
A. No: For the way of man is not in himself, neither is it in man that walketh, to direct his steps, Jer. 1:23.
Q33. When man purposes, does God dispose?
A. Yes: A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps, Prov. 16:9.
Q34. Do all comforts and crosses come from God's hand?
A. Yes: For he has said, I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these things, Isa. 45:7.
Q35. Does God's providence extend itself to the smallest things?
A. Yes: The very hairs of your head are all numbered, Matt. 10:30.
Q36. Is God's government holy?
A. Yes: He is holy in all his works, Ps. 145:17.
Q37. Is it wise?
A. Yes: He is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working, Isa. 28:29.
Q38. Is it powerful?
A. Yes: For when he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble, Job 39:29.
Q39. Is it rightful?
A. Yes: God is greater than man, Job 33:12.
Q40. Is it just?
A. Yes: For shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Gen. 18:25.
Q41. Does God sometimes reward and punish in this life?
A. Yes: The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner, Prov. 11:31.
Q42. But does he always?
A. No: For all things come alike to all, Eccl. 9:1, 2.
Q43. Does God govern the world for the good of his Church?
A. Yes: For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, Isa. 45:4.
Q44. Is the government of the world committed to the Lord Jesus?
A. Yes: For he is head over all things unto the church, Eph. 1:22.
Q45. And is all ordered for God's glory?
A. Yes: For the Lord alone shall be exalted, Isa. 2:11.
Q46. Is it a comfort to good men that God governs the world?
A. Yes: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice, Ps. 97:1.
Q47. Is it a terror to the wicked?
A. Yes: The Lord reigns, let the people tremble, Ps. 99:1.
Q48. Ought we to give him the praise of it?
A. Yes: Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigns, Rev. 19:6.
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God as Creator
The nature and works of God as Creator and Sustainer
Q1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
Q2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Q3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Q4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Q5. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God.
Q6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Q7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Q8. How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Q9. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
Q10. How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Q11. What are God's works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
Q12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.
### 14. The Providence Of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE?
A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions.
Of the work of God's providence Christ says, ‘My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. ‘He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: ‘My Father worketh and I work.' ‘His kingdom ruleth over all;' Psa 103:19; i.e., his providential kingdom. Now, for the clearing of this point, I shall -
I. Show you that there is a providence. 2. What that providence is; and 3. Lay down some maxims or propositions concerning the providence of God.
I. That there is a providence. There is no such thing as blind fate, but there is a providence that guides and governs the world. ‘The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.' Prov 16:63.
II. What this providence is. I answer, Providence is God's ordering all issues and events of things, after the counsel of his will, to his own glory.
[1] I call providence God's ordering things, to distinguish it from his decrees. God's decree ordains things that shall fall out, God's providence orders them.
[2] I call providence the ordering of things after the counsel of God's will.
[3] God orders all events of things, after the counsel of his will, to his own glory, his glory being the ultimate end of all his actings, and the centre where all the lines of providence meet. The providence of God is Regina mundi, ‘the queen and governess of the world': it is the eye that sees, and the hand that turns all the wheels in the universe. God is not like an artificer that builds a house, and then leaves it, but like a pilot he steers the ship of the whole creation.
III. Propositions about God's providence.
[1] God's providence reaches to all places, persons, and occurrences. (1.) To all places. ‘Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar off?' Jer 23:33. The diocese where Providence visits is very large; it reaches to heaven, earth, and sea. ‘They that go down to the sea, see the wonders of God in the deep.' Psa 107:73, 24. Now, that the sea, which is higher than the earth, should not drown the earth, is a wonder of Providence. The prophet Jonah saw the wonders of God in the deep, when the very fish which devoured him and swallowed him brought him safe to shore. (2.) God's providence reaches to all persons, especially the persons of the godly, who in a special manner are taken notice of. God takes care of every saint in particular, as if he had none else to care for. ‘He careth for you,' I Pet 5:5, i.e., the elect in a special manner. ‘The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him; to preserve them from death, and to keep them alive in famine.' Psa 33:18, I9. God by his providential care shields off dangers from his people, and sets a life-guard of angels about them. Psa 34:4. God's providence keeps the very bones of the saints. Psa 34:40. It bottles their tears. Psa 56:6. It strengthens the saints in their weakness. Heb 11:14. It supplies all their wants out of its alms basket. Psa 23:3. Thus Providence wonderfully supplies the wants of the elect. When the Protestants in Rochelle were besieged by the French king, God by his providence sent a great number of small fishes to feed them, such as were never seen before in that haven. So the raven, that unnatural creature (that will hardly feed its own young), providentially brought sustenance to the prophet Elijah. I Kings 17:7. The Virgin Mary, through bearing and bringing forth the Messiah, helped to make the world rich, yet she herself was very poor; and now, being warned of the angel to go into Egypt, Matt 2:13, she had scarce enough to bear her charges thither; but see how God provides for her beforehand. By his providence he sends wise men from the east, who bring costly gifts, gold, myrrh, and frankincense, and present them to Christ; and now she has enough to defray her charges into Egypt. God's children sometimes scarce know how they are fed, except that providence feeds them. ‘Verily thou shalt be fed.' Psa 37:7. If God will give his people a kingdom when they die, he will not deny them daily bread while they live. (3.) God's providence reaches to all affairs and occurrences in the world. There is nothing that stirs in the world but God has, by his providence, the over-ruling of it. Is it the raising of a man to honour? Psa 75:5. He puts down one, and raises up another. Success and victory in battle is the result of providence. Saul had the victory, but God wrought the salvation. I Sam 11:13. That among all virgins brought before the king, Esther should find favour in the eyes of the king, was not without God's special providence; for, by this means, the Lord saved the Jews alive that were destined to destruction. Providence reaches to the least of things, to birds and ants. Providence feeds the young raven, when the dam forsakes it, and will give it no food. Psa 147:7. Providence reaches to the very hairs of our head. ‘The hairs of your head are all numbered.' Matt 10:00. Surely if providence reaches to our hairs, much more to our souls. Thus you have seen that God's providence reaches to all places, to all persons, to all occurrences and affairs. Now there are two objections against this doctrine.
Some say, There are many things done in the world which are very disorderly and irregular; and surely God's providence is not in these things.
Yes, the things that seem to us irregular, God makes use of to his own glory. Suppose you were in a smith's shop, and should see there several sorts of tools, some crooked, some bowed, others hooked, would you condemn all these things, because they do not look handsome? The smith makes use of them all for doing his work. Thus it is with the providences of God; they seem to us to be very crooked and strange, yet they all carry on God's work. I shall make this clear to you in two particular cases.
God's people are sometimes low. It seems to be out of order that they who are best should be in the lowest condition; but there is much wisdom in this providence, as appears thus: 1. Perhaps the hearts of the godly were lifted up with riches, or with success; now God comes with a humbling providence to afflict them and fleece them. Better is the loss that makes them humble than the success that makes them proud. Again. 2. If the godly were not sometimes afflicted, and suffered an eclipse in their outward comforts, how could their graces be seen, especially their faith and patience? If it were always sunshine we should see no stars; so if we should have always prosperity, it would be hard to see the acting of men's faith. Thus you see God's providences are wise and regular, though to us they seem very strange and crooked.
Here is another case. The wicked flourish. This seems to be very much out of order; but God, in his providence, sees good sometimes that the worst of men should be exalted; that they may do some work for God, though it be against their will. Isa 10:0. God will be in no man's debt. He makes use of the wicked sometimes to protect and shield his church; and sometimes to refine and purify it. ‘Thou hast ordained them for correction.' Hab 1:12. As if the prophet had said, Thou hast ordained the wicked to correct thy children. Indeed, as Augustine says well, ‘We are beholden to wicked men, who against their wills do us good,' As the corn is beholden to the flail to thresh off its husks, or as the iron is beholden to the file to brighten it, so the godly are beholden to the wicked, though it be against their will, to brighten and refine their graces. Now, then, if the wicked do God's own work, though against their will, he will not let them be losers by it; he will raise them in the world, and give them a full cup of earthly comforts. Thus you see those providences are wise and regular, which to us seem strange and crooked.
But, some may say, if God has a hand in ordering all things that fall out, he has a hand in the sins of men.
I answer, No, by no means, he has no hand in any man's sin. God cannot go contrary to his own nature, he cannot do any unholy action, any more than the sun can be said to be darkened. Here you must take heed of two things; as you must take heed of making God ignorant of men's sins, so you must take heed of making God to have a hand in men's sins. Is it likely that God is the author of sin, and the avenger of it? Is it a likely thing that God should make a law against sin, and then have a hand in breaking his own law? God in his providence permits men's sins. ‘He suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.' Acts 14:16. God permitted their sin, which he never would, if he could not bring good out of it. Had not sin been permitted, God's justice in punishing sin, and his mercy in pardoning sin, had not been so well known. The Lord is pleased to permit it, but he has no hand in sin.
But is it not said that God hardened Pharaoh's heart? Here is more than barely permitting sin.
God does not infuse evil into men, he withdraws the influence of his graces, and then the heart hardens of itself; even as the light being withdrawn, darkness presently follows in the air; but it were absurd to say, that therefore the light darkens the air; and therefore you will observe, that Pharaoh is said to harden his own heart. Exod 8:85. God is the cause of no man's sin. It is true God has a hand in the action where sin is, but no hand in the sin of the action. A man may play upon a jarring instrument, but the jarring is from itself; so here, the actions of men, so far as they are natural, are from God; but so far as they are sinful, they are from men themselves, and God has no hand at all in them. So much for the first position, that God's providence reaches to all places, to all persons, and to all occurrences.
[2] A second proposition is, that providences, which are casual and accidental to us, are pre-determined by the Lord. The falling of a tile upon one's head, the breaking out of a fire, is casual to us, but it is ordered by a providence of God. You have a clear instance of this in I Kings 22:24. ‘A certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness.' This accident was casual as to the man that drew the bow; but it was divinely ordered by the providence of God. God's providence directed the arrow to hit the mark. Things that seem to fall out casual, and by chance, are the issues of God's decrees, and the interpretation of his will.
[3] God's providence is greatly to be observed, but we are not to make it the rule of our actions. ‘Whoso is wise will observe these things.' Psa 107:73. It is good to observe providence, but we must not make it our rule to walk by. Providence is a Christian's diary, but not his Bible. Sometimes a bad cause prevails and gets ground; but it is not to be liked because it prevails. We must not think the better of what is sinful, because it is successful. This is no rule for our actions to be directed by.
[4] Divine providence is irresistible. There is no standing in the way of God's providence to hinder it. When God's time was come for Joseph's release, the prison could hold him no longer. ‘The king sent and loosed him.' Psa 105:50. When God would indulge the Jews with liberty in their religion, Cyrus, by a providence, puts forth a proclamation to encourage the Jews to go and build their temple at Jerusalem, and worship God. Ezra 1:1, 3. If God will shield and protect Jeremiah's person in captivity, the very king of Babylon shall nurse up the prophet, and give charge concerning him that he wants nothing. Jer 39:11, 12.
[5] God is to be trusted when his providences seem to run contrary to his promises. God promised to give David the crown, to make him king; but providence ran contrary to his promise. David was pursued by Saul, and was in danger of his life, but all this while it was David's duty to trust God. Pray observe, that the Lord by cross providences often brings to pass his promise. God promised Paul the lives of all that were with him in the ship; but the providence of God seemed to run quite contrary to his promise, for the winds blew, the ship split and broke in pieces. Thus God fulfilled his promise; upon the broken pieces of the ship they all came safe to shore. Trust God when providences seem to run quite contrary to promises.
[6] The providences of God are chequer-work, they are intermingled. In the life to come there shall be no more mixture; in hell there will be nothing but bitter; in heaven nothing but sweet; but in this life the providences of God are mixed, there is something of the sweet in them, and something of the bitter. Providences are just like Israel's pillar of cloud, that conducted them in their march, which was dark on one side and light on the other. In the ark were laid up the rod and manna, so are God's providences to his children; there is something of the rod and something of the manna; so that we may say with David, ‘I will sing of mercy and judgement.' When Joseph was in prison there was the dark side of the cloud; but God was with Joseph, there was the light side of the cloud. Asher's shoes were of brass, but his feet were dipped in oil. Deut 33:34. So affliction is the shoe of brass that pinches; but there is mercy mingled with the affliction, for there is the foot dipped in oil.
[7] The same action, as it comes from God's providence, may be good, and as it comes from men may be evil. For instance, Joseph being sold into Egypt by his brethren was evil, very wicked, for it was the fruit of their envy; but as it was an act of God's providence it was good; for by this means Jacob and all his family were preserved alive in Egypt. Another instance is in Shimei's cursing David. Shimei cursed David, it was wicked and sinful, for it was the fruit of his malice; but as his cursing was ordered by God's providence, it was an act of God's justice to punish David, and to humble him for his adultery and murder. As the crucifying of Christ came from the Jews, it was an act of hatred and malice to Christ; and Judas's betraying him was an act of covetousness; but as each was an act of God's providence, so there was good in it; for it was an act of God's love in giving Christ to die for the world. Thus I have made clear to you the doctrine of God's providence in these several positions. Let me now speak something by way of application.
Use one: By way of exhortation in these particulars. (1.) Admire God's providence. The providence of God keeps the whole creation upon the wheels, or else it would soon be dissolved, and the very axletree would break in pieces. If God's providence should be withdrawn but for a while, creatures would be dissolved, and run into their first nothing. Without this wise providence of God there would be anxiety and confusion in the whole world, just like an army when it is routed and scattered. The providence of God infuses comfort and virtue into everything we enjoy. Our clothes would not warm us, our food would not nourish us, without the special providence of God. And does not all this deserve your admiration of providence?
(2.) Learn quietly to submit to divine providence. Do not murmur at things that are ordered by divine wisdom. We may no more find fault with the works of providence than we may with the works of creation. It is a sin as much to quarrel with God's providence as to deny his providence. If men do not act as we would have them, they shall act as God would have them. His providence is his master-wheel that turns these lesser wheels, and God will bring his glory out of all at last. ‘I was dumb and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it.' Psa 39:9. It may be, we think sometimes we could order things better if we had the government of the world in our hands; but alas! should we be left to our own choice we should choose those things that are hurtful for us. David earnestly desired the life of his child, which was the fruit of his sin, but had the child lived it would have been a perpetual monument of his shame. Let us be content that God should rule the world; learn to acquiesce in his will, and submit to his providence. Does any affliction befall you? Remember God sees it is that which is fit for you, or it would not come. Your clothes cannot be so fit for you as your crosses. God's providence may sometimes be secret, but it is always wise; and though we may not be silent under God's dishonour, yet we should learn to be silent under his displeasure.
(3.) You that are Christians, believe that all God's providence shall conspire for your good at last. The providences of God are sometimes dark, and our eyes dim, and we can hardly tell what to make of them; but when we cannot unriddle providence, let us believe that it will work together for the good of the elect. Rom 8:88. The wheels in a clock seem to move contrary one to the other, but they help forward the motion of the clock, and make the larum strike: so the providences of God seem to be cross wheels; but for all that, they shall carry on the good of the elect. The pricking of a vein is in itself evil and hurtful; but as it prevents a fever, and tends to the health of the patient, it is good; so affliction in itself is not joyous, but grievous; but the Lord turns it to the good of his saints. Poverty shall starve their sins, and afflictions shall prepare them for a kingdom. Therefore, Christians, believe that God loves you, and that he will make the most cross providences to promote his glory and your good.
(4.) Let it be an antidote against immoderate fear, that nothing comes to pass but what is ordained by God's decree, and ordered by his providence. We sometimes fear what the issue of things will be, when men grow high in their actings; but let us not make things worse by our fear. Men are limited in their power, and cannot go one hair's breadth further than God's providence permits. He might let Sennacherib's army march towards Jerusalem, but he shall not shoot one arrow against it. ‘Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred and fourscore and five thousand.' Isa 37:76. When Israel was encompassed between Pharaoh and the Red Sea, no question, some of their hearts began to tremble, and they looked upon themselves as dead men; but Providence so ordered it, that the sea was a safe passage to Israel, and a sepulchre to Pharaoh and all his host.
(5.) Let the merciful providence of God cause thankfulness. We are kept alive by a wonderful-working Providence. Providence makes our clothes to warm us, and our meat to nourish us. We are fed every day out of the alms-basket of God's providence. That we are in health, that we have an estate, is not our diligence, but God's providence. ‘Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for he it is that gives thee power to get wealth.' Deut 8:18. Especially if we go a step higher, we may see cause for thankfulness, that we were born and bred in a gospel land, and that we live in such a place where the Sun of Righteousness shines, which is a signal providence. Why might we not have been born in such places where Paganism prevails? That Christ should make himself known to us, and touch our hearts with his Spirit, when he passes by others; whence is this but from the miraculous providence of God, which is the effect of his free grace?
Use two: Comfort in respect of the church of God. God's providence reaches in a more special manner to his church. ‘Sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.' Isa 27:7. God waters this vineyard with his blessings, and watches over it by his providence. ‘I the Lord keep it night and day.' Such as think totally to ruin the church, must do it in a time when it is neither day nor night, for the Lord keeps it by his providence night and day. What a miraculous conduct of Providence had Israel! God led them by a pillar of fire, gave them manna from heaven, and water from the rock. God by his providence preserves his church in the midst of enemies; a spark kept alive in the ocean, or a flock of sheep among wolves. God saves his church strangely. (1.) By giving unexpected mercies to his church, when she looked for nothing but ruin. ‘When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.' Psa 126:6. How strangely did God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Jews, when Haman had got a bloody warrant signed for their execution! (2.) Strangely, by saving in that very way in which we think he will destroy. God works sometimes by contraries. He raises his church by bringing it low. The blood of the martyrs has watered the church, and made it more fruitful. Exod 1:12. ‘The more they afflicted them the more they multiplied.' The church is like that plant which Gregory Nazianzen speaks of, it lives by dying, and grows by cutting. (3.) Strangely, in that he makes the enemy to do his work. When the people of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir came against Judah, God set the enemy one against another. ‘The children of Ammon and Moab stood up against them of Mount Seir to slay them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.' 2 Chron 20:03. In the powder treason he made the traitors to be their own betrayers. God can do his work by the enemy's hand. God made the Egyptians send away the people of Israel laden with jewels. Exod 12:26. The church is the apple of God's eye, and the eyelid of his providence daily covers and defends it.
Use three: See here, that which may make us long for the time when the great mystery of God's providence shall be fully unfolded to us. Now we scarce know what to make of God's providence, and are ready to censure what we do not understand; but in heaven we shall see how all his providences (sickness, losses, sufferings) contributed to our salvation. Here we see but some dark pieces of God's providence, and it is impossible to judge of his works by pieces; but when we come to heaven, and see the full body and portrait of his providence drawn out into its lively colours, it will be glorious to behold. Then we shall see how all God's providences helped to fulfil his promises. There is no providence but we shall see a wonder or a mercy in it.