Use 1. Whence we learn that cdl wicked men, in the midst of their happi- ness, are most iinliappy, because Ihey turn the sweetest blessings into bitter poison ; for all the gifts of God, without his special gift of using them well, are turned into a curse ; as Balaam had good parts, but they not being sanctified proved his bane.
Use 2. We see further, that outward ptrosjierity is no mark of the true church. Abundance of temporal blessings is no sign that we are in God's favour ; neither are learning and knowledge evidences of spiritual grace. For the devil hath greater understanding and parts than any man. How- beit, sight of sin preserves us from falling into it; and such as shut their eyes against the light, plunge themselves into the deeper misery.
Ohs. 1. Now to proceed to further instructions. Do all things work together for the best to God's servants ? Then hence we may learn the cer- tainty of the salvation of God's elect. I take my reason from the text itself after this manner. That which nothing can hinder, that is certain ; but the salvation of God's children cannot be hindered ; therefore the salvation of God's children is most certain. If anything do or can hinder the saints' recovery or perseverance, it is sin ; but to such as are united unto Christ by faith, sin is so far from hindering their happiness, that by God's ^over- ruling providence it turns to their best good.
Obs. 2. The second thing which we may ground here for the information of our judgment is this : That as we know the providence of God is the cause
270 TIIK I'laVILEGES OF THK FAITHFUL.
win/ all lliuKjs vorJc liii/rlJu'r for the best to his cJtHdrrn, so ur should ojr. tliis very particular ])rovidc)ice in all that lie enjoi/, tiirniiuf the same to our (food. There is a working liand of God in cverylliiiij^ towards us, as we may see in the examples of Job, Jose]:)h, and David, with other of liis servants, whoso present sorrow and humiHation was but a means of their future glory and exaltation. There is nothing so bad, but he can draw good out of it when any evil is intended. God either puts bars and lets- to the execution of it against us ; or else limiteth and boundeth the same, both in regard of time and measure. The God of spirits hath an influence into the spirits of all men, and knows how to take them ofl' from doing us harm. All the strength of the creature rests in the great Creator of all things, who if ho denies concourse,! the arm of their power soon withereth. It cannot but bring strong consolation to the soul, to know that in all variety of changes, and intercourse of good and bad things, our loving God hath a disposing hand. So as all blessings and crosses, all ordinances and graces, nay, our very falls, 5'ea, Satan himself, with all bis instruments, being over-mastered and ruled by God, have this injunction upon them, to further God's good intend- ment to us, and in no wise hurt us, which should move us to sec his dis- posing hand in all that befalls us. We owe God this respect, to observe his providence in the particular passages of our lives ; considering he is our Sovereign, and his will is the rule, and we are to be accountable to him as our Judge. We should question our hearts for questioning his care in the least kind. So long as God sits at the stern and rules all, we may be sure no evil shall betide us that he can hinder (d).
Ohs. '6. Thirdly, Hence we may learn, that there is not tuv, hut one sove- reif)n Head over the u-hole uorld, which is plainly proved by this text of Scrip- ture. For * all things work together for the best to them that love God :' and things which in themselves are contraries agree together to procure their good. Therefore all things whatsoever are overruled by the sole power of the Almighty. The devil himself, although he be called ' the god of this world,' yet he is at Christ's beck, and could not enter into a few swine without leave first obtained. He raiseth up hideous storms and tempests against the saints, but perisheth himself in the waves at last. Persecutions and perils may follow us, but they are all limited in the doing of hurt, which plainly demonstrates that there is but one main worker and wise disposer of all things.
Obs. 4. Further, Hence observe, that there is nothituj in the world that to God's servants is absolutely evil ; because notJiiny is so ill but some good may be raised out of it ; not as it is an evil, but as it is governed and mastered by a supreme cause. Sin is of all evils the greatest ; and yet sinful actions may produce gracious efliects, through God's ordering and guiding the same.
Ohs. 5. Again observe, that a child of God is truly happy in, the midst of all misery. To prove this, I I'cason thus. In what estate soever the child of God is, it shall turn to his good ; therefore no affliction can make him truly miserable. The proof of this the apostle sets down in his own example : ' He was poor, yet made many rich ; he sorrowed, yet always rejoiced ; he had nothing, yet possessed all things ; he was chastened, and yet not killed,' 2 Cor, vi. 10. God's children, although to the world they may. seem to be miserable, yet having communion and fellowship with him, they are always happy. The very worst day of God's child is better than the very best day of the wicked. The worst day of St Paul was better to him than the best day of Nero was to him ; for the wicked, in the midst of * That is, ' hindrances.' — G. t That is, ' concurrence.' — G.