5. That their ruin is prevented, when they are upon the danger- ous and slippery brink of temptations, and their feet almost gone, Psal. Ixxiii. 2. Hos. ii. 6. 2 Cor. xii. 7.
6. That they are recovered again after dangerous falls by sin, and not left a prey and trophy to theii' enemy, Hos. xiv. 4.
7. That they are guided and directed in the right way, when they are at a loss, and know not what course to take, Psal. xvi. 11. Ixxiii. 24.
8. That they are established and confirmed in Christ, in the most shaking and overturning times of trouble and persecution ; so that neither their hearts turn back, nor their steps decline from his ways, Jer. xxxii. 40. John iv. 14,
9. That they are upheld under spiritual desertions, and recover- ed again out of that dismal darkness, into the cheerful light of God's countenance, Isa. Ivii. 16.
10. That they are at last brought safe to heaven, through the in- numerable hazards and dangers all along their way thither, Heb. xi. 19- In all these things the care of their God eminently disco- vers itself for their souls.
(3.) Once more let us consider the care of God for his people in the lovely properties thereof As,
1. It is a fatherly care, than which none is greater or more ten- der, Matth. vii. 8. " Your Father knoweth that you have need of " all these things.'' And indeed the greatest and tenderest care of an earthly father is but a faint shadow of that tender care which is in the heart of God over his children ; for to that end we find them compared, Matth. vii. 11. " If ye then, being evil, know how to " give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your " Father which is in heaven, give good things to them which ask ," him." The care of parents is carelessness itself, compared with
that care which God takes of his.
2. The care of God is an ur.iversal care, watching over all his ipeople, in all ages, places, and dangers, 2 Chron. xvi. 9. " The " eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth, to shew ," himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards " him." This was applied by way of reproof to Asa, who out of a sinful distrust of the care of God, rehed upon the help of Syria, as if there had not been a God in heaven to take care of him and the people.
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5. God's care over his, is assiduous and continual ; " his mercies ^* are new every morning, great is his faithfulness," Lam. iii. 22, 23. " He keeps his people night and day,'' Isa. xxvii. 3. Could Satan, or his instruments find such an hour, wherein the seven eyes of providence should be all asleep, that would be the fatal hour to our souls and bodies; but he that keepeth Israel slUmbereth not.
4. God's care over his, is exceeding tender, far beyond the ten- derness that the most affectionate mother ever felt in her heart to- wards the child that hanged on her breast, Isa. xhx. 15. " Can a " mother forget her sucking child, &c. they may, yet will not I " forget thee." The birds of the air are not so tender of their young in the nest, as God is of his people in the world, Isa. xxxi. 5. Mercy fills the heart of God, yea, tender mercy, yea, multitudes of tender mercies, Psal. li. 1.
5. The care of God is a seasonable care, which is always sure to take the opportunity and proper season of relieving his people ; in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen ; the beauty of providence is much seen in this thing, wherever you feel a want, this care finds a supply; and thus much briefly of the care of God absolutely considered in itself
Sect. III. It remains that we also consider the care of God in its twofold respect, viz.
2. To his providences.
(1.) There are multitudes of promises found in the scriptures, exactly fitted as so many keys to open the door of this comfortable chamber, to receive and secure all that fear God, whatever their w^ants, fears, or distresses are. These are reducible into two classes, or ranks, viz.
1. More general and comprehensive.
2. More particular promises.
The general and more comprehensive promises are found in the general expression of the covenant, as that to Abraham, Gen. xvii. 1. " I am God Almighty, walk thou before me, and be perfect." q. d. Let it be thy care to walk exactly in the paths of obedience before me, and I will take care to supply all thy wants from the never-failing fountain of my all-sufiiciency ; and of the same tenor is that, 2 Cor. vi. 18. "I Will be to them a Father, and they shall " be my sons and daughters," i. e. Expect your provisions and pro- tections from my care, as children do from their father. More par- ticularly, the/e are six sorts of promises wherein the care of God is particularly made over to his people in the greatest hazards and difficulties in this life, viz.
ii90 '^Ilf' RIGHTEOUS man's REFUCrE.
1. It is assigned and made over to them to supply all their needs, so far as the glory of God, and the advancement of their spiritual and eternal good shall require it, Psal. xxxiv. 9. " They that fear " the Lord shall not want any good thing." All your livelihood is in that promise ; thence comes your daily bread ; your own and your family's meat is contained therein.
2. It is made over to the church and people of God for their defence against all dangers, Isa. liv. 17. " No weapon that is " formed against thee shall prosper." This promise wards off all the deadly blows, and puts by all the mortal thrusts that are made at you ; here the care of God forms itself into a shield for your defence.
3. The care of God is engaged by promise for the moderation and mitigation of your afflictions, that they may not exceed your abilities to bear them, Isa. xxvii. 8, 9. "In measure when it " shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it; he stayed the rough " wind in the day of the east wind." If the wind blow from a cold corner, this promise moderates it, that it blow not a storm ; all the sparing mercies and sweetening circumstances, which gra- cious souls thankfully note, in the sharpest trials, come from this promise, wherein the care of God is engaged for that purpose.
4. Divine care is put under the bond of a promise, for the direc- tion and guidance of all their troubles and trials to an happy issue, Rom. viii. 28. " All things shall work together for good." From what quarter soever the wind bloweth, God will take care that it shall be useful to drive you to your port ; the very providences that cast you down, by virtue of this promise, prove as serviceable and beneficial as those that lift you up.
5. The care of God stands engaged in the promise, for the help and aid of his people in all the extremities and exigencies of their lives, Psal. xlvi. 1. " God is our refuge and strength, a very pre- " sent help in trouble." Never is the care of God more visible and conspicuous, than in such times of need.