Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

fured him, that in this cafe he fhould be delivered bound into the hands of the Gentiles. On this prediction, the difciples befought him with tears, that he would relinquifh his defign. But when they found that he perfifted in it, they "ceafed; "faying, The will of the Lord be done." They perceived by his firmnefs, as connected with the prophetical warning of Agabus, that his mind was under a fuperior influence. Above all, it affords confolation to the Chriftian, that this irrefiftible will is that of a Father, who can do him no injury, who will affuredly make all things work together for his good. Thus, when we pray that his "will may be done," we are commanded to view him as " our Father."

66

We fee the difpenfation, Good reason

This doctrine gives us an affecting view of our own meanness in the fight of God. Supreme Agent, in his fovereign treating men as " duft and afhes." have we therefore to abase ourselves at his footftool, to entertain the moft humiliating thoughts of all that we are and poffefs, and to join in the confeffion of Nebuchadnezzar: "All the inhabi"tants of the earth are reputed as nothing." Whence proceeded this language, fo different from what he once held? Merely from a view of divine fovereignty as wonderfully exemplified on himself.

[ocr errors]

We also learn the neceffity of humble adoration. "With God is terrible majefty:" and it

VOL. II.

g Acts xxi. 10.-14.

R

eminently

eminently appears in this, that "he giveth not "account of any of his matters."

In fine, we might fafely conclude, that the fovereignty of God could not but fignally appear in the work of our redemption, even although it were lefs exprefsly revealed. We perceive this character indelibly impreffed on the works of nature. It is the turning hinge of the whole work of Providence. What is this, but a continued execution of the fovereign and immutable will of JEHOVAH? Is not the whole hiftory of mankind a commentary on this perfection? Can we fuppofe, then, that there is a thick veil thrown over it, in the greatest of all the works of God? The kingdoms of this world have only been monumental pillars for recording its glory. Many of them lie in ruins. But the legend is perfectly diftinct. As it was written in their elevation, it is equally written in their fall. This divine cha-, racter eminently appears in the typical kingdom of Ifrael; in its formation, and in its adminiftration. And is it loft in the antitype? Is that kingdom which fhall never have an end, and which fhall break down every thing that oppofes it, the only one in which this unalienable attribute of its Sovereign is not difcernible? Thofe who entertain this idea, have a very different view of matters from that illuftrious minister of this kingdom, the apostle Paul: "It is not of "him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but "of God that fheweth mercy." Their ideas of this kingdom run directly counter to thofe of the

glorious

glorious Sovereign, who thus addreffes the Father: "Thou haft hid these things from the wife "and prudent, and haft revealed them to babes. "Even fo, Father; for fo it feemed good in thy "fight."

SECTION IX.

Of Divine Providence.-General Obfervations.— A Particular Providence proved, from the Means employed by God;-from the Concatenation of Circumftances the Seafon of Operation ;-the Difcovery of Secret Sin ;-the Refemblance between Sin and Punishment -the Choice of Inftruments for punishing Iniquity-the CircumStances of Punishment -Events of a Contingent Nature.

WE have already feen, that the facred volume contains an hiftory of Providence. This includes fo great a variety of particulars, that, in fo fhort a sketch as that defigned in this work, I can fcarcely enter on it. But as the fubject is of the greatest importance, it may not be improper to take notice of a few things with refpect to the doctrine of Providence in general; and alfo briefly to fhew, that this providential operation is of a moft particular nature.

I fhall, first, make a few obfervations with refpect to Providence in general.

[ocr errors]

1. The Providence of God is merely the execution of his eternal and unalterable purpose, as to all thofe creatures which he hath brought into being. As the God of Providence, "his kingdom "ruleth over all.-The eyes of all things wait upon him." Whether his operation respect men or angels, individuals or kingdoms; whatsoever he doth, it is for the completion of his eternal and immutable will of purpofe. "He doth according "to his will in the army of heaven; and among "the inhabitants of the earth ."-He" worketh "all things after the counfel of his own will i." When the ten tribes had withdrawn from their allegiance to the house of David, and the men of Judah and Benjamin were affembled to fight against them, "to bring the kingdom again to "Rehoboam," they received this warning from God; "Ye fhall not go up, nor fight against your "brethren the children of Ifrael: return every "man to his houfe, for the thing is from me k."

2. The infpired hiftory of providential operation difcovers the true caufe of human profperity. Men greatly err on this fubject. If, either as individuals, or in a collective capacity, they enjoy the fimiles of profperity; they generally confider thefe as the fruit of their own exertions. They fay, Mine own arm hath gotten me all "this wealth." They arrogate the honour of that Babylon they have built, to "the might of "their

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

"their power;" although as its name is, it often eventually proves their confufion. Where a natural man would have difcerned no other caufe but human prudence in complying with a favourable propofal, the pious fteward of Abraham's house perceived and acknowledged the hand of God. "The LORD," faid he, " hath profpered my way." We may remark, indeed, that thofe are most likely to obferve the divine operation confequentially, who are fincerely concerned to acknowledge God in all their ways, and previoufly to feek a difplay of his hand. Such was the conduct of this excellent fervant. He was eager to know "whether "the LORD had made his journey profperous or "not." He accordingly remarked the various fteps of Providence; his being led in the right way to the house of his mafter's brethren, the appearance of Rebekah, the exact correfpondence. between her language and conduct, and what had previously been the matter of his prayer and on all these accounts he bleffed the LORD God of his mafter Abraham . This is truly a moft beautiful, interefting and inftructive hiftory. It contains a ftriking picture of the character, and a practical demonftration of the worth, of a faithful meffenger; who, while he zealously ferved man, had his eye principally directed to God. We learn whence Jofeph was a profperous "man." This is the reafon affigned; "The "LORD was with him." The hand of God is. fometimes fo very evident in this refpect, that it

k Gen. xxiv. 42.—48. 56.

66

1 Gen. xxxix. 2.

« AnteriorContinuar »