3. Our purposes and desires must be so moderated that we may be forearmed for all events : 2 Sam. xv. 25, 26, ' If I shall find fiivour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his habitation : but if he say thus, I have no delight in thee ; let him do with me as seemeth good unto him.' Such a holy indiflferency should there be upon our spirits, that we should be like a die in the hand of Providence, to be cast high or low according as it falls. When we are over-earnest for temporal blessings, we do but make a scourge, a snare, and a rod many times to ourselves. For when God's will is declared to the contrary, this fills us with bitter sorrow ; and obstinate desires pettishly solicited put us upon great vexation and
332 THE FIFTEENTH SERMON:. [ACTS XXI. 14.
disappointment, and tlmt layeth us open to atheifim, and distrust of God, the conduct of liis providence, and the promises of the invisible world. Therefore, until God hath declared his i)leasure, there must be such moiieration as to be prepared lor all events.
4. When the event depends upon a duty, we must do the duty, and refer the event to God: 1 Cor. ix. 16, 'Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me, if I preach not the gospel ! ' It is a base jMinciple to say we nuist be sure of success before we will engage for God. No ; wlien there is an apparent duty we must do our duty, and trust God with the event.
5. In a dubious ca.se ob.serve the ducture and leading of Providence. The Israelites were not to remove but as they saw the pillar of cloud before them. And so in all things the hap])iness of which depends upon God's secret will. See what God's providence will lead you to : Acts xvi. 10, ' We endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us to preacli the gospel unto them.' Sometimes we are left to gather and collect for our own reason what Buch or such a thing means. Now, after earnest prayer, when the fair course and tendency of outward circumstances lead us, we may look upon it as the way of God's providence for our good. It is said, Ezra viii. 21, 'I proclaimed a fast, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.' How did they know the Lord was entreated for them ? Why, after prayer they found such an over- ruling instinct, such a fair invitation of Providence, that from thence they apparently gathered. This is the right way the Lord would have us walk in. This is the direction to be given to Christians when the event is uncertain.
But when the event is declared in God's providence, then we have nothing to do but plainly to submit, and that very quietly and con- tentedly, with hope and encouragement in the Lord. And that is the main point.
Doct. That it is the duty of all God's children to be willing to submit themselves to the dispensation of God's providence, in what- ever befalls them or theirs.
In this point there is : —
I. Something implied, that all things come within the guidance of God's j)rovidence.
There is nothing so high but God doeth it : Dan." iv. 35, * He doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabit- ants of the earth ; and none can stay his hand, and say unto him. What doest thou ? ' The sun doth not shine by chance, nor the rain fall by chance.
There is ncjthing so mean but it is under God's providence : Mat. X. 29, 30, ' Not a sparrow lights to the ground without your heavenly Father.' A mighty support unto Christians in their affliction.
There is nothing so bad but the Lord can turn it to good : Gen. 1. 20, ' Ye thought it for evil, but God meant it for good.'
There is nothing which hap[)eneth from wicked men to his children but the Lord hath a hand in it : Job i. 21, ' The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath Udvcn,' &c. It is Chrysostom's gloss upon tliat place:
Acts XXI. 14.] the fifteenth sermon. 333
He doth not say the thief, the Sabean, the Chaldean, hath taken ; no, but the Lord hath taken, the same God that gave it. If it come from Satan, God hath a hand in it, for many of Job's troubles and afflictions, es})ecially upon his body, came immediately from Satan ; and yet he saith (chap. vi. 4), 'The arrows of the Almighty stuck fast in me.' They were the arrows of the Almighty, though shot out of Satan's bow. This certainly is implied, that God hath a will, hand, and providence in all those things which are most contrary to us. The will of the Lord is to be seen.
II. That which is expressed is, that we ought to submit to the providence of God.
I shall prove it: —
1. By the exam})le of the Lord Jesus Christ : Mat. xxvi. 39, * Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt.' He had more to lose than any of us have, or possibly can have ; the comfort and influence of the presence of- God in a personal union ; and more to suffer. Yet he submits, and professeth a full subjection to his Father's will. His cup was a bitter cup, which made him sweat drops of curdled blood, yet he was willing to drink it, even the dregs, since it was his Father's will. But let me fully vindicate the will of our Lord Jesus Chiist.