2. When we have done our duty, and used such good means as God aflbrdeth, then we may quietly refer the success to God, in whose hands are all the ways of the children of men, and upon whose good pleasure the issues of all things depend, Prov. xvi, 13.
IV. The wisest and best of men must not expect always to be happy, but must prepare themselves for sinister chances ; for the words are brought in upon this occasion of rejoicing in our comforts. In an un- certain world we must always reserve a liberty of full and free submis- sion to God's providence, if the event should not answer expectation ; for ' the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.' We must not be too confident of future worldly events, for in these things God, by whose providence all things are governed, would leave us to uncertainty. Alas ! many times we mistake and miss of fit opportunities, and then the best preparations and sufficiencies will be lost. ' My times are in thy hand,' saith David, Ps. xxxi. 15. And sometimes God interposeth, and will be glorified by us in an afflicted condition. Therefore you must reserve a liberty to God, to order and govern you according to his own pleasure, as to success in your call- ings, comfort in your relations, favour with men in your employments. God may make every relation a door to let in affliction. You should often consider the sovereignty of God, the uncertainty of your own lives, the mutability of all worldly things. You speak arrogantly when you presume of success, and take more upon you than you are able to perform : 1 Sam. ii. 3, ' Talk no more exceeding proudly ; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth ;' that is, presumptuous conceits of absolute success. An(l the apostle James, chap, iv, 13, 14, &c,, ' Go to now, ye that say. To-day or to-mon-ow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain. Your life is a vapour; and ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. Now ye rejoice in your boastings, all such rejoicing is evil.' There are certain times when God is resolved to proceed with his people in a judiciary way, and then all means we can use will not keep off the stroke : Amos ii. 14-16, ' Therefore the flight shall
326 THE FOURTEENTH SERMON. [ECCLES. IX. 11.
perisli from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, nor the miglity tleliver liiraself ; neither shall he stand that handleth the bow, nor he tliat is swift of foot deliver himself, nor he that rideth the horse. He that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away in that day. saith the Lord.' No means, though never so probable, will avail us in a time of judgments ; neither speed of horse or foot, neither strength of body, nor courage of mind, nor provision of armour, nor skill to use it ; but the judgments shall reach all they aim at. Then it is plainly fulfilled, that ' the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,' (fee.
Y. Take heed of carnal confidence, or depending upon the suffi- ciency of any means, though never so likely to ])roduce their effect. Partly because God delighteth to cross men in their carnal confidences, he blasteth those sufficiencies which we depend upon and rejoice in apart from himself, to maintain his own right. Success is his : ' The battle is the Lord's,' 1 Sam. xvii. 47. He blasts men in the things they boast of. Asahel's swiftness was his ruin ; so was Ahitho})hers policy and Absolom's hair. God saith to Bal)ylon, thy understanding hath undone thee. Men often by their wit bring themselves into mis- chief, yea, into hell.
VI. To keep humble men of the best abilities and sufficiencies for any work.
1. Before the event ; for many times they meet with more disap- pointments than those that want them, and their best designs miscarry when meaner persons are carried through their difficulties with less ado.
2. After the event we must look above second causes, not attribute anything to our own strength or gifts, but to God's assistance and blessing on our labours. ' Let not the wi.se man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man glory in his might,' &c., Jer. ix. 23. So Deut. viii. 17, 18, ' Say not in thy heart. My power, and the might of my hand, hath gotten me this wealth. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for he it is that giveth thee power to get wealth.' Let us not ' sacrifice to our own net.' ' The battle is not to the strong, nor bread to the wise.' It is God's, and he will not be robbed of his glory. And as we should carry it humbly towards God, so also to men, not de- spising them of mean gifts. Many times God giveth them more .suc- cess in the ministry, in ordinary callings, in favour And preferments in the world, or esteem in the eyes of the people. It is God only makes the difference, and what thou hast above others thou hast it from God, and for God ; not to lift up thyself, but to exalt God ; therefore give thanks, and do not contemn others.