Flavel, Fountain of Life, File 17.
( ...continued from File 16)
Sermon 17. Of the Kingly Office of Christ, as it is providentially
executed in the World, for the Redeemed.
Eph. 1: 22.
And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head,
over all things to the church.
The foregoing verses are spent in a thankful and humble adoration of
the grace of God, in bringing the Ephesians to believe in Christ.
This effect of that power that raised their hearts to believe in
Christ, is here compared with that other glorious effect of it, even
the raising of Christ himself from the dead: both these owe
themselves to the same efficient cause. It raised Christ from a low
estate, even from the dead, to a high, a very high and glorious
state; to be the head both of the world, and of the church; the head
of the world by way of dominion, the head of the church by way of
union, and special influence, ruling the world for the good of his
people in it. "He gave him is be the head over all things to the
church."
In this scripture let these four things be seriously regarded.
1. The dignity and authority committed to Christ; "He has put
all things under his feet;" which implies, full, ample and absolute
dominion in him, and subjection in them over whom he reigns. This
power is delegated to him by the Father: for besides the essential,
native, ingenite power and dominion over all, which he has as God,
and is common to every person in the Godhead, Psal. 22: 28. there is
a mediatory dispensed authority, which is proper to him as Mediator,
which he receives as the reward or fruit of his suffering, Phil. 2:
8.
2. The subject recipient of this authority, which is Christ,
and Christ primarily, and only: he is the "proton dektikon", first
receptacle of all authority and power. Whatever authority any
creature is clothed with, is but ministerial and derivative, whether
it be political, or ecclesiastical. Christ is the only Lord, Jude,
ver. 4. The fountain of all power.
3. The object of this authority, the whole creation; all things
are put under his feet: he rules from sea to sea, even to the utmost
bounds of God's creation, "Thou hast given him power over all
flesh," John 17: 2. all creatures, rational, and irrational animate,
and inanimate, angels, devils, men, winds, seas, all obey him.
4. And especially, take notice of the finis cui, the end for
which he governs and rules the universal empire; it is for the
church, i. e. for the advantage, comfort, and salvation of that
chosen remnant he died for. He purchased the church; and that he
might have the highest security that his blood should not be lost,
God the Father has put all things into his hand, to order and
dispose all as he pleaseth. For the furtherance of that his design
and end, as he bought the persons of some, so the services of all
the rest; and that they might effectually serve the end they are
designed to, Christ will order them all in a blessed subordination
and subserviency thereunto. Hence the point is,
Doct. That all the affairs of the kingdom of providence are
ordered and determined by Jesus Christ, for the special
advantage, and everlasting good of his redeemed people.
John 17: 2. "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that
he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."
Hence it comes to pass, that "all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them that are called according to his
purpose," Rom. 8: 28.
That Jesus Christ has a providential influence upon all the
affairs of this world is evident, both from scripture assertions,
and rational observations, made upon the acting of things here below
The first chapter of Ezekiel contains an admirable scheme or
draught of providence. There you see how all the wheels, i. e. the
motions and revolutions here on earth, are guided by the spirit that
is in them. And, ver. 26. it is all run up into the supreme cause;
there you find one like the Son of man, which is Jesus Christ,
sitting upon the throne, and giving forth orders from thence for the
government of all: and if it were not so, how is it that there are
such strong combinations, and predispositions of persons and things
to such ends and issues, without any communications of councils, or
holding of intelligence with one another? As in Israel's deliverance
out of Egypt, and innumerable more instances have appeared.
Certainly, if ten men, from several places, should all meet at one
place, and about one business, without any fore-appointment among
themselves, it would argue their motions were secretly over-ruled by
some invisible agent. How is it that such marvellous effects are
produced in the world by causes that carry no proportion to them?
Amos 5: 9 and 1 Cor. 1: 27 and as often, the most apt and likely
means are rendered wholly ineffectual? Psal. 33: 16. In a word, if
Christ has no such providential influx, how are his people in all
ages preserved in the midst of so many millions of potent and
malicious enemies, amongst whom they live as sheep in the midst of
wolves? Luke 10: 3. How is it that the bush burns, and yet is not
consumed Exod. 3: 2.
But my business, in this discourse, is not to prove that there
is a Providence, which none but Atheists deny. I shall chose rather
to show by what acts Jesus Christ administers this kingdom, and in
what manner; and what use may be made thereof.
First, He rules and orders the kingdom of Providence, by
supporting, permitting, restraining, limiting, protecting,
punishing, and rewarding those over whom he reigns providentially.
1. He supports the world, and all creatures in it, by his
power. "My Father works hitherto, and I work," John 5: 17. "And in
him (that is, in Christ) all things consist," Col. 1: 17. It is a
considerable part of Christ's glory to have a whole world of
creatures owing their being and hourly conservation to him. The
parts of the world are not coupled and fastened together as the
parts of the house, whose beams are pinned and nailed to each other;
but rather as several rings of iron, which hang together by the
virtue of a loadstone. This goodly fabric was razed to the
foundation when sin entered, and had tumbled into everlasting
confusion, had not Christ stept in to shore up the reeling world.
For the sake of his redeemed that inhabits it, he does and will prop
it by his omnipotent power. And when he has gathered all his elect
out of it into the kingdom above, then will he set fire to the four
quarters of it, and it shall lie in ashes. Meanwhile, he is "given
for a covenant to the people, to establish the earth," Isa. 49: 8.
2. He permits and suffers the worst of creatures in his
dominion, to be and act as they do. "The deceived, and the deceiver,
are his," Job 12: 16. Even those that fight against Christ and his
people, receive both power and permission from him. Say not, that it
is unbecoming the most Holy to permit such evils, which he could
prevent if he pleased. For as he permits no more than he will
overrule to his praise, so that very permission of his, is holy and
just. Christ's working is not confounded with the creature's. Pure
sun beams are not tainted by the noisome vapours of the dung hill on
which they shine. His holiness has no fellowship with their
iniquities; nor are their transgressions at all excused by his
permissions of them. "He is a rock, his work is perfect, but they
have corrupted themselves," Deut. 32: 4, 5. This holy permission is
but the withholding of those restraints from their lusts, and
denying those common assistances which he is no way bound to give
them. Acts 14: 16. "He suffered all nations to walk in their own
ways." And yet should he permit sinful creatures to act out all the
wickedness that is in their hearts, there would neither remain peace
nor order in the world. And therefore,
3. He powerfully restrains creatures by the bridle of
providence, from the commission of those things, to which their
hearts are propense enough, Psal. 76: 10. "The remainder of wrath
thou wilt restrain," or gird up; letting forth just so much as shall
serve his holy ends, and no more. And truly this is one of the
glorious mysteries of Providence, which amazes the serious and
considerate soul; to see the spirit of a creature fully set to do
mischief; power enough, as one would think, in his hand to do it,
and a door of opportunity standing open for it; and yet the effect
strangely hindered. The strong propensions of the will are inwardly
checked, as in the case of Laban, Gen. 31: 24. or a diversion, and
rub is strangely cast in their way; as in the case of Sennacherib, 2
Kings 19: 7, 8. so that their hands cannot perform their
enterprises. Julia had two great designs before him, one was to
conquer the Persian, the other to root out the Galileans, as he, by
way of contempt, called the Christians: but he will begin with the
Persian first, and then make a sacrifice of all the Christians to
his idols. He does so, and perishes in the first attempt. O the
wisdom of Providence!
4. Jesus Christ limits the creatures in their acting, assigning
them their boundaries and lines of liberty; to which they may, but
beyond it cannot, go. Rev. 2: 10. "Fear none at these things that ye
shall suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison,
and ye shall have tribulation ten days." They would have cast them
into their graves, but it shall only be into prisons: They would
have stretched out their hands, upon them all; no, but only some of
them shall be exposed: They would have kept them there perpetually;
no, it must be but for ten days, Ezek. 22: 6. "Behold, the princes
of Israel were in thee, every one to their power to shed blood."
They went as far as they had power to go, not as far as they had
will to go. Four hundred and thirty years were determined upon the
people of God in Egypt; and then, even in that very night, God
brought them forth; for then "the time of the promise was come,"
Acts 7: 17.
5. The Lord Jesus providentially protects his people amidst a
world of enemies and dangers. It was Christ that appeared unto Moses
in the flaming bush, and preserved it from being consumed. The bush
signified the people of God in Egypt; the fire flaming on it, the
exquisite sufferings they there endured: the safety of the bush,
amidst the flames, the Lord's admirable care and protection of his
poor suffering ones. None so tenderly careful as Christ. "as birds
flying, so he defends Jerusalem," Isa. 31: 5; i. e. as they fly
swiftly towards their nests, crying when their young are in danger,
so will the Lord preserve his. They are "preserved in Christ Jesus",
Jude 1, as Noah and his family were in the ark. Hear how a Worthy of
our own expresses himself on this point.
"That we are at peace in our houses, at rest in our beds; that
we have any quiet in our enjoyments, is from hence alone. Whose
person would not be defiled, or destroyed? whose habitation would
not be ruined? whose blood almost would not be shed, if wicked men
had power to perpetrate all their conceived sin? It may be, the ruin
of some of us has been conceived a thousand times. We are beholden
to this Providence, of obstructing sin, for our lives, our families,
our estates, our liberties, and whatsoever is or may be dear to us.
For may we not say sometimes with the Psalmist, Psal. 57: 4. My soul
is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even
the sons of men, whose teeth are spears, and their tongue a sharp
sword? And how is the deliverance of men contrived from such
persons? Psal. 8: 6. God breaks their teeth in their mouths, even
the great teeth at the young lions. He keeps this fire from burning,
- some he cuts off and destroys: some he cuts short in their power:
some he deprives of the instruments whereby alone they can work:
some he prevents in their desired opportunities, or diverts by other
objects for their lust; and oftentimes causeth them to spend them
among themselves, one upon another. We may say, therefore, with the
Psalmist, Psal. 104: 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in
wisdom hast thou made then all; the earth is full of thy riches."
6. He punishes the evil doers, and repays, by providence into
their own lap, the mischief they do, or but intend to do, unto them
that fear him. Pharaoh, Sennacherib, both the Julians, and
innumerable more, are the lasting monuments of his righteous
retribution. It is true, a sinner may do evil a hundred times, and
his days be prolonged; but oft-times God hangs up some eminent
sinners in chains, as spectacles and warnings to others. Many a
heavy blow has Providence given to the enemies of God, which they
were never able to recover. Christ rules, and that with a rod of
iron, in the midst of his enemies, Psal. 110: 2.
7. And lastly, He rewards by Providence the services done to
him and his people. Out of this treasure of Providence God repays
oftentimes those that serve him, and that with a hundredfold reward
now in this life, Matth. 19: 29. This active, vigilant Providence
has its eye upon all the wants, straits, and troubles of the
creatures: but especially upon such as religion brings us unto. What
huge volumes of experiences might the people of God write upon this
subject? and what a pleasant history would it be, to read the
strange, constant, wonderful, and unexpected acting of Providence,
for them that have left themselves to its care?
Secondly, We shall next enquire how Jesus Christ administers
this providential kingdom.
And here I must take notice of the means by which, and the
manner in which he does it. The means, or instruments, he uses in
the governing the providential kingdom, (for he is not personally
present with its himself), are either angels or men, "the angels are
ministering creatures, sent forth by him for the good of them that
shall be heirs of salvation," Heb. 1: 14. Luther tells us, they have
two offices, superius canere, et inferius vigilare, "to sing above
and watch beneath." These do us many invisible offices of love. They
have dear and tender respects and love for the saints. To them, God,
as it were, puts forth his children to nurse, and they are tenderly
careful of them whilst they live, and bring them home in their arms
to their Father when they die. And as angels, so men are the
servants of Providence; yea, bad men as well as good. Cyrus, on that
account, is called God's servant: they fulfil his will, whilst they
are prosecuting their own lusts. "The earth shall help the woman,"
Rev. 12: 16. But good men delight to serve Providence; they and the
angels are fellow servants in one house, and to one master, Rev. 19:
10. Yea, there is not a creature in heaven, earth, or hell, but
Jesus Christ can providentially use it and serve his ends, and
promote his designs by it. But whatever the instrument be Christ
uses, of this we may be certain, that his providential working is
holy, judicious, sovereign, profound, irresistible, harmonious, and
to the saints peculiar.
1. It is holy. Though he permits, limits, orders and overrules
many unholy persons and actions, yet he still works like himself,
most holily and purely throughout. "The Lord is righteous in all his
ways, and holy in all his works, Psal. 145: 17. it is easier to
separate light from a sunbeam, than holiness from the works of God.
The best of men cannot escape sin in their most holy actions; they
cannot touch, but are defiled. But no sin cleaves to God, whatever
he has to do about it.
2. Christ's providential working is not only most pure and
ho]y, but also most wise and judicious. Ezek. 1: 20. "The wheels are
full of eyes:" They are not moved by a blind impetus, but in deep
counsel and wisdom. And, indeed, the wisdom of Providence manifests
itself principally in the choice of such states for the people of
God, as shall most effectually promote their eternal happiness. And
herein it goes quite beyond our understandings and comprehensions.
It makes that medicinal and salutiferous, which we judge as
destructive to our comfort and good, as poison. I remember, it is a
note of Suarez, speaking of the felicity of the other world: "Then
(saith he) the blessed shall see in God all things and circumstances
pertaining to them, excellently accommodated and attempered;" then
shall they see that the crossing of their desires was the saving of
their souls; and that otherwise they had perished. The most wise
Providence looks beyond us. It eyes the end, and suits all things
thereto, and not to our fond desires.
3. The providence of Christ is most supreme and sovereign.
"Whatsoever he pleaseth, that he does in heaven and in earth, and in
all places," Psal. 135: 6. "He is Lord of lords, and King of kings,"
Rev. 19: 16. The greatest monarchs on earth are but as little bits
of clay, as the worms of the earth to him: they all depend on him,
Prov. 8: 15, 16. "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice; by
me princes rule, nobles, even all the judges of the earth."
4. Providence is profound and inscrutable. The judgements of
Christ are "a great deep, and his footsteps are not known," Psal.
36: 6. There are hard texts in the works as well as in the words of
Christ. The wisest heads have been at a loss in interpreting some
Providence, Jer. 12: 1, 2. Job 21: 7. The angels had the hands of a
man under their wings, Ezek. 1: 8. i. e. they wrought secretly and
mysteriously.
5. Providence is irresistible in its designs and motions; for
all providences are but fulfilling and accomplishments of Gods
immutable decrees. Eph. 1: 11. "He works all things according to the
counsel of his own will." Hence Zech. 6: 1. the instruments by which
God executed his wrath, are called "chariots coming from betwixt two
mountains of brass," i.e. "the firm and immutable decrees of God."
When the Jews put Christ to death, they did but do what "the hand
and counsel of God had before determined to be done," Acts 4: 28. so
that none can oppose or resist providence. "I will work, and who
shall let it?" Isa 43: 13.
6. The providence of Christ are harmonious. There are secret
chains, and invisible connections betwixt the works of Christ. We
know not how to reconcile promises and providence together, nor yet
providence one with another; but certainly they all work together,
Rom. 8: 28. as adjutant causes, or con-causes standing under, and
working by the influence of the first cause. He does not do, and
undo; destroy by one providence, what he built by another. But,
look, as also seasons of the year, the nipping frosts, as well as
the halcyon days of summer, do all conspire and conduce to the
harvest; so it is in providence.
7. And lastly, The providence of Christ work in a special and
peculiar way for the good of the saints. His providential is
subordinated to his spiritual kingdom. "He is the Saviour of all
men, especially of them that believe," 1 Tim. 4: 1. These only have
the blessings of providence. Things are so laid and ordered, as that
their eternal good shall be promoted and secured by all that Christ
does.
Inference 1. If so, See then, in the first place, to whom you
are beholden for your lives, liberties, comforts, and all that you
enjoy in this world. Is it not Christ that orders all for you? He
is, indeed in heaven, out of your sight; but though you see him not,
he sees you, and takes care of all your concerns. When one told
Silentiarius of a plot laid to take away his life, he answered, Si
Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo? "If God take no care of me, how
do I live?" how have I escaped hitherto? "In all thy ways
acknowledge him," Prov. 3: 6. It is he that has espied out that
state thou art in, as most proper for thee. It is Christ that does
all for you that is done. He looks down from heaven upon all that
fear him; he sees when you are in danger by temptation, and casts in
a providence, you know not how, to hinder it. He sees when you are
sad, and orders reviving providence, to refresh you. He sees when
corruptions prevail, and orders humbling providence to purge them.
Whatever mercies you have received, all along the way you have gone
hitherto, are the orderings of Christ for you. And you should
carefully observe how the promises and providence have kept equal
pace with one another, and both gone by step with you until now.
Inf. 2. Has God left the government of the whole world in the
hands of Christ, and trusted him over all? Then do you also leave
your particular concerns in the hands of Christ too, and know that
the infinite wisdom and love, which rules the world, manages every
thing that relates to you. It is in a good hand, and infinitely
better than if it were in your own. I remember when Melanchton was
under some despondencies of spirit about the estate of God's people
in Germany, Luther chides him thus for it, "Let Philip cease to rule
the world." It is none of our work to steer the course of
providence, or direct its motions, but to submit quietly to him that
does. There is an itch in men, yea, in the best of men, to be
disputing with God: "Let me talk with thee of thy judgement," saith
Jeremiah, chap. 12: 1, 2. Yea, how apt are we to regret at
providence, as if they had no conducency at all to the glory of God,
or to our good, Exod. 5: 22. yea, to limit providence to our way and
time? Thus, the "Israelites tempted God, and limited the holy One,"
Psal. 78: 18, 41. How often also do we, unbelievingly, distrust
providence as though it could never accomplish what we profess to
expect and believe? Ezek. 37: 11. "Our bones are dry, our hope is
lost; we are cut off for our part." So Gen. 18: 13, 14. Isa. 40: 17.
There are but few Abrahams, among believers, who "against hope,
believed in hope, giving glory to God," Rom. 4: 20. And it is but
too common for good men to repine and fret at providence, when their
wills, lusts, or humours are crossed by it: this was the great sin
of Jonah. Brethren, these things ought not to be so; did you but
seriously consider, either the design of providence, which is to
bring about the gracious designs and purposes of God upon you, which
were laid before this world was, Eph. 1: 11. or that it is a lifting
up of thy wisdom against his, as if thou couldst better order thine
affairs, if thou hadst but the conduct and management of them; or
that you have to do herein faith a great and dreadful God, in whose
hands you are as the clay in the potter's hands, that he may do what
he will with you, and all that is yours, without giving you an
account of any of his matters, Job 33: 13. or whether providence has
cast others, as good, by nature, as yourselves, tumbled them down
from the top of health, wealthy honours and pleasures, to the bottom
of hell; or, lastly, did you but consider how often it has formerly
baffled and befouled yourselves; you would retract, with shame, your
rash, headlong censures of it, and enforce you, by the sight of its
births and issues, to confess your folly and ignorance, as Asaph
did, Psal. 73: 22. I say, if such considerations as these could but
have place with you in your troubles and temptations, they would
quickly mould your hearts into a better and more quiet frame.
O that I could but persuade you to resign all to Christ. He is
a cunning workman, as he is called, Prov. 8: 30. and can effect what
he pleaseth. It is a good rule, De operibus Dei non est judicandum,
ante quintum actum. "Let God work out all that he intends, but have
patience till he has put the last hand to his works and then find
fault with it, if you can." You have heard of the patience of Job,
"and have seen the end of the Lord," James 5: 11.
Inf. 3. If Christ be Lord and king over the providential
kingdom, and that, for the good of his people, let none that are
Christ's henceforth stand in a slavish fear of creatures. It is a
good note that Grotius has upon my text; "It is a marvellous
consolation (saith he) that Christ has so great an empire, and that
he governs it for the good of his people, as a head consulting the
good of the body." Our head and husband, is Lord-general of all the
hosts of heaven and earth; no creature can move hand or tongue
without his leave or order: the power they have is given them from
above, John 19: 11, 12. The serious consideration of this truth will
make the feeblest spirit cease trembling, and set it a singing;
Psal. 47: 7. "The Lord is king of all the earth, sing ye praises
with understanding,:" that is, (as some well paraphrase it) every
one that has understanding of this comfortable truth. Has he not
given you abundant security in many express promises, that all shall
issue well for you that fear him? Rom. 8: 28. "All things shall work
together for good, to them that love God," And Eccl. 8: 12. verily
"it shall be well with them that fear God,: even with them that fear
before him. And suppose he had not, yet the very understanding of
our relation to such a king, should, in itself, be sufficient
security: for, he is the universal, supreme, absolute, meek,
merciful, victorious, and immortal king.
He sits in glory, at the Father's right hand; and, to make his
seat the easier, his enemies are a footstool for him. His love to
his people is unspeakably tender and fervent, he that touches them,
"touches the apple of his eye," Zech. 2. And, it is hardly
imaginable, that Jesus Christ will sit still, and suffer his enemies
to thrust out his eyes. Till this be forgotten, the wrath of man is
not feared; Isa. 2: 12, 13. "He that fears a man that shall die,
forgets the Lord his Maker." He loves you too well to sign any order
to your prejudice, and without his order, none can touch you.
Inf. 4. If the government of the world be in the hands of
Christ, Then our engaging and entitling of Christ to all our affairs
and business, is the true and ready way to their success and
prosperity. If all depend upon his pleasure, then sure it is your
wisdom to take him along with you to every action and business; it
is no lost time that is spent in prayer, wherein we ask his leave,
and beg his presence with us: and, take it for a clear truth, that
which is not prefaced with prayer, will be followed with trouble.
How easily can Jesus Christ dash all your designs, when they are at
the very birth and article of execution, and break off, in a moment,
all the purposes of your hearts? It is a proverb among the Papists,
that Mass and meat hinder no man. The Turks will pray five times a
day, how urgent soever their business be. Blush you that enterprise
your affairs without God: I reckon that business as good as done, to
which we have got Christ's leave, and engaged his presence to
accompany us.
Inf. 5. Lastly, Eye Christ in all the events of providence; see
his hand in all that befall you, whether it be evil or good. "The
works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have
pleasure therein," Psal. 111: 2.
How much good might we get, by observation of the good or evil
that befall us throughout our course!
1. In all the evils of trouble and afflictions that befall you,
eye Jesus Christ: and set your hearts to the study of these four
things in affliction.
(1.) Study his sovereignty and dominion; for he creates and
forms them: they rise not out of the dust, nor do they befall you
casually; but he raises them up, and gives them their commission,
Jer. 18: 11. "Behold, I create evil, and devise a device against
you." He elects the instrument of your trouble; he makes the rod as
afflictive as he pleaseth; he orders the continuance and end of your
troubles; and they will not cease to be afflictive to you, till
Christ say, Leave off, it is enough. The Centurion wisely considered
this, when he told him, Luke 7: 8. "I have soldiers under me, and I
say to one, Go, and he goes; to another, Come, and he comes:"
meaning, that as his soldiers were at his beck and command, so
diseases were at Christ's beck, to come and go as he ordered them.
(2.) Study the wisdom of Christ in the contrivance of your
troubles. And his wisdom shines out many ways in them, it is evident
in chasing such kinds of trouble for you: this, and not that,
because this is more apt to work upon, and purge out the corruption
that most predominates in you: In the degrees of your troubles,
suffering them to work to such a height, else not reach their end;
but no higher, lest they overwhelm you.
(3.) Study the tenderness and compassions of Christ over his
afflicted. O think if the devil had but the mixing of my cup, how
much more bitter would he make it! There would not be one drop of
mercy, no, not of sparing mercy in it, which is the lowest of all
sorts of mercy: but here is much mercy mixed with my troubles; there
is mercy in this, that it is no worse. Am I afflicted? "It is of the
Lord's mercy I am not consumed," Lam. 3: 2. It might have been hell
as well as this; there is mercy in his supports under it. Others
have, and I might have been left to sink and perish under my
burdens. Mercy, in deliverance out of it; this might have been
everlasting darkness, that should never have had a morning. O the
tenderness of Christ over his afflicted!
(4.) Study the love of Christ to thy soul, in affection. Did he
not love thee, he would not sanctify a rod to humble or reduce thee,
but let thee alone to perish in thy sin. Rev. 3: 19. "Whom I love, I
rebuke and chasten." This is the device of love, to recover thee to
thy God, and prevent thy ruin. O what an advantage would it be thus
to study Christ, in all your evils that befall you!
2. Eye and study Christ in all the good you receive from the
hand of providence. Turn both sides of your mercies, and view them
in all their lovely circumstances.
Eye them in their suitableness: how conveniently providence has
ordered all things for thee. Thou hast a narrow heart, and a small
estate suitable to it: Hadst thou more of the world, it would be
like a large sail to a little boat, which would quickly pull thee
under water: thou hast that which is most suitable to thee of all
conditions.
(2.) Eye the seasonableness of thy mercies, how they are timed
to an hour. Providence brings forth all its fruits in due season.
(3.) Eye the peculiar nature of thy mercies. Others have
common, thou special ones; others have but a single, thou a double
sweetness in thy enjoyments, one natural from the matter at it,
another spiritual from the way in which, and end for which it comes.
(4.) Observe the order in which providence sends your mercies.
See how one is linked strangely to another, and is a door to let in
many. Sometimes one mercy is introductive to a thousand.
(5.) And lastly, Observe the constancy of them, "they are new
every morning," Lam. 3: 23. How assiduously does God visit thy soul
and body! Think with thyself, if there be but a suspension of the
care of Christ for one hour, that hour would be thy ruin. Thousands
of evils stand round about thee, watching when Christ will but
remove his eye from thee, that they may rush in and devour thee.
Could we thus study the providence of Christ in all the good
and evil that befall us in the world, then in every state we should
be content, Phil 4: 11. Then we should never be stopt, but furthered
in our way by all that falls out; then would our experience swell to
great volumes, which we might carry to heaven with us; and then
should we answer all Christ's ends in every state he brings us into.
Do this, and say,
Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ.
(continued in file 18...)
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file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-09: flafn-17.txt
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