We find a multitude of providences so timed to a minute, that had they fallen out never so little sooner, or later, they had signified but little to what now they do. Certainly it cannot be casualty, but counsel that so exactly nicks the opportunity : contin- gencies keep to no rules *.
How remarkable to this purpose was the tidings brought to Saul, that the Philistines had invaded the land ? 1 Sam. xxiii. 27. just as he was ready to grasp the prey. The angel calls to Abraham, and shews him another sacrifice, just when his hand was giving the fatal stroke to Isaac, Gen. xxii. 10, 11. A well of water is dis- covered to Hagar just when she had left the child, as not able to see his death, Gen. xxix. 16, 19. Rabshakeh meets with a blast- ing providence, hears a rumour that frustrated his design, just when ready to give the shock against Jerusalem, Isa. xxxvii. 7, 8. So when Haman's plot against the Jews was ripe, and all things ready for execution ; " on that night could not the king sleep,'" Esther vi. 1. When the horns are ready to gore Judah, imme- diately carpenters are prepared to fray them away, Zech. i. 18, 19, 20, 21. How remarkable was the relief of Rochel, by a shoal of fish that came into the harbour, when they were ready to
* Contingencies are to be estimated from their immediate, second, and particular cAuses, and not from the first and universal cause, in respect of whom nothing is cun- tingent ; but all things necessary by the necessity of immutability, not of chance- Vendel. TheoLp. 15.
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perish with famine, such as they never observed before, nor after that time. Mr. Dod could not go to bed one night, but had a strong impulse to visit, though unseasonably, a neighbour gentle- man; and just as he came he meets him at his door with an halter in his pocket just going to hang himself. Dr. Tate and his wife, in the Irish rebellion^ flying through the woods with a sucking child, which was just ready to expire ; the mother going to rest it upon a rock, puts her hand upon a bottle of warm milk, by which it was preserved. A good woman (from whose mouth I received it) being driven to a great extremity, all supplies failing, was exceed- ingly plunged into unbelieving doubts and fears, not seeing whence supplies could come ; when lo ! at that very time, by turning some things in a chest, unexpectedly lights upon a piece of gold, which supplied her present wants, till God opened another door of supply. If these things fall out casually, how is it they observe time so very exactly? As that is become proverbial in scripture, Gen. xxii. 14. " In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen."
Lasili/, Were these things casual and contingent, how can it be, that they should fall out so immediately upon, and consonantly to the prayers of the saints ^ So that, in many providences, they are able to discern a very clear answer to their prayers, and are sure they have the petitions they asked of him, 1 John v. 15.
Thus when the sea divided itself just upon Israefs cry to heaven, Exod. xiv. 10. When so signal a victory is given to Asa, immedi- ately upon that patlietical cry to heaven, " Help us, O Lord our " God!" 2 Chron. xiv. 11, 12. When Ahithophel shall go and hang himself, just upon that prayer of distressed David, 2 Sam. XV. 31. When Haman shall fall, and his plot be broken, just upon the fast kept by Mordecai and Esther, Esther iv. 16. Our own Speed, in his history of Britain tells us, that Richard I. besieged a castle with his army; they offered to surrender, if he would save their lives : he refuses, and threatens to hang them all ; upon this an Arabalaster charged his bow with a square arrow, making first his prayer to God that he would direct the shot, and deliver the innocent from oppression ; it struck the king himself, whereof he died, and they were delivered, Abrahams servant prayed for success ; and see how it was answered. Gen. xxiv. 45. Peter was cast into prison, and prayer was made for him by the church, and see the event, Acts xii. 5, 6, 7, 12. I could easily add to these the wonderful examples of the return of prayers which was observed in Luther and Dr. Winter in Ireland, and many more ; ])ut I judge it needless, because most Christians have a stock of experience of their own, and are well assured that many of tli^
362 I)IVI^^: conduct ; ok,
providences that befal them are, and can be no other than the re- turn of their prayers.
And now who can be dissatisfied in this point that wisely consider these things ? Must we not conclude as it is Job xxxvi. 7. " He *•' withdraweth not his eye from the righteous :'' And as 2 Chron. xvi. 9. " The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole *' earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart *^ is perfect towards him :'' His providences proclaim him to be a God hearing prayers.
The second general head.
Having proved, That the concernments of the saints in this world are certainly conducted by the wisdom and care of a special providence ; my next work is to shew you, In what affairs and con^ cerns of theirs the providence of God doth more especially appear ; or what are the most remarkable performances of providence Jbr them in this world.
And here I am not led, du-ectly by my text, to speak of the most internal and spiritual performances of providence, immediately re- lating to the souls of his people ; though they all relate to their souls mediately and eventually ; but of the more visible and exter- nal performances of providence for them : And it is not to be sup- posed I should touch all these neither; they are more than the sands ; but that which I aim at is to discourse to you some more special and more observable performances of providence for you. And we shall begin at the beginning.
The first performance of providence.
I. And, Firsts Let us consider how well providence hath per-i formed the first work that ever it did for us in our formation and protection in the womb. Certainly this is a very glorious and admi- rable performance ; it is what the Psalmist admires, Psal. cxxxix. 15. " My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in *' secret, and curiously wrought in the lower parts of the eafth.'* The womb is so called upon this account, because as curious artists, when they have some choice piece in hand, perfect it in private, and then bring it into the light for all to gaze at ; so it was here. And there are two things admirable in this performance of provi- dence for us.
1. * The rare structure and exceUent composition of the body ; I am wonderfully made ; that word ti Dp n is very full. The vulgar renders it, painted as with a needle^ i. e. richly embroidered with
* A metaphor from those that work in curious needle-work. The Lord hath mad* «11 things in number, weight, and measure.
THE MYSTERY OF PliOVIDr.NrE;. 363